Tuesday, December 22, 2009

What's Love?

Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger
an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower
and you its only seed.

(LeAnn Rimes - Some Say Love)



I have to be honest. I don’t know what love is up ‘till now (not in that family love kind, you know which love I mean..).

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Grilled Fish Sauted with Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce

Make way, make way, guys! Here comes ME!

*lol*

It's been a very, very long time since my last post, isn't it? So how're you hanging out there, guys? Hope your life for these past few months had been great, if not awesome. *smiles*

I couldn't say my past months had been that great. Well, okay, they're not awful either. Just busy. Yeah, like usual.

...Scratch that. It's not like usual at all! I had endure the most tiring, the most exhausting, the most-whatever-you-would-call-it months. I was a committee for one big event, I had a numerous assignments that almost made my brain damaged, my Deutsche course had been pretty rough lately, and, and..

*sighs*

But well, I have passed all of that! And now's the time for relaxing! Woo-Hoo!!



I'm planning on going to some place on the christmas and new year holiday. I want to go photo hunting, I want to feel the beach sands on my feet (after couldn't for some long time), I want to go away from the urban ruckus and relax my mind. I think I could go to Thousand Islands, Pangandaran, or better yet, Lombok. Hmm, which one, which one? :D

*lol*

Enough of that. By the way, lately I am thinking of starting a business. Not that fancy, just a small business to add some money to my allowance account. *lol* I had a shoes shop on my mind, but considering that the capital is not very supporting here, i have to shift my mind to a craft shop. A handmade one. Wish me luck on actualizing this plan, m'kay~

Okay, for this time's bonus, I would like to share an Indonesian Recipe I really love. Enjoy it! :)

---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---

Ikan Bakar Kecap (Grilled Fish Sauted with Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)



Ingredients:
• 500 g gouramy/gurame fish, cut the body*
• 1 lime, take the water

Grinded Ingredients:
• 8 shallots
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 pecan
• 1/2 tbsp finely pepper
• 2 cm turmeric
• 2 cm ginger
• 4 red chilies
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 block Chicken Broth
• Salt to taste

Smearing Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce**
• 1 tbsp Margarine

How to:
1. Sprinkle fish with lime juice then leave for 15 minutes.
2. Rub fish with grinded ingredients on the entire surface of the fish body and the interior thoroughly. Leave for 30 minutes.
3. Prepare the grill, then grill fish until golden brown.
4. Smear the fish with the mixture of sweet soy sauce and margarine, continue to grill briefly.
5. Serve while hot with cucumber, cabbage and tomatoes.


* you can substitute the fish with tuna, salmon, or whatever fish you want. I myself love to change it to tuna, my fave fish. :D
** it's a thick, almost syrupy consistency and a pronounced sweet, treacle-like flavor due to generous addition of palm sugar.

credits to: Original Indonesian Recipe

---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---ooo---


Oh, wow, I'm drolling right now.. *lol*

Well then, see you on the next post, guys!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Caramel Vanilla Latte

Living in an urban lifestyle sure would cost us much money. For me, I HEART to drink lattes, but having it at café or such is a big no-no especially for now (I'm in saving-thy-money program, for my future study. *grins*). So, an instant one is my aid for my craving, but the taste is different! Somehow there's something missing if I just mix a packet of instant latte to hot boiled water..

So I searched for any tips to make my latte tastes more delicious, and here it is, one of the many results I found that I like most.

Caramel Vanilla Latte


3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup hot milk
2 teaspoons vanilla instant coffee
1 tablespoon caramel flavored sundae syrup
1 teaspoon packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon whipped cream (optional)

Combine water, milk and vanilla instant coffee in large mug; stir until the coffee is dissolved. Stir in caramel syrup and sugar. Top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.
(Makes 1 serving)

It's delicious and very easy to serve. Try it! *smiles*

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hula!

Wow, it's been quite a long time since my last post, eh? I actually have plenty of stories to talk about, starting with the coming of Ramadhan (a fasting month for Moslem), me getting left by the plane and have to wait for another 8 hours to get the next available one, this and that, and again, this and that, got a lot of assignments for my 2 weeks holiday, hadn't do it all yet 'till the last day of said weekend, and et cetera.

I have to be honest, I don't really want to write any of them (Just, puh-leease! It's troublesome to write it all now).

Oh, by the way, along with all that ruckus, I want to say,

Happy Eid Fitr 1430H!
Eid Mubarak!
May Allah bless our Ibadah at the Ramadhan (Amiin)


(I made some really nice cookies for the day!) Hehe..

By the way, I made another blog in Indonesian. Please visit it, m'kay~

Monday, August 17, 2009

Happy Independent Day Indonesia!

I just want to say,


Happy 64th independent day, INDONESIAAA!!


I feel like singing now! Let's start the anthem!! *cheers*

Indonesia Raya
W.R Supratman

Indonesia!
Tanah Airku (My Land)
Tanah Tumpah Darahku (My Birthplace)
Di sanalah, aku berdiri (There, I stand)
Jadi pandu ibuku (to be my mother's support)

(note: the word 'mother' there is not literally mother. It refers to Indonesia. Ah, I bet you've already know what it means..)

Indonesia!
Kebangsaanku (my nationality)
Bangsa dan Tanah Airku (my race and my land)
Marilah kita berseru (Let us shout)
"Indonesia Bersatu!"(Indonesia united!)

Hiduplah tanahku, hiduplah negeriku (live my land, live my country)
bangsaku, rakyatku, semuanya.. (my race, my people, everyone)
bangunlah jiwanya, bangunlah badannya (get the soul up, stand the body up)
untuk Indonesia Raya!! (for Great Indonesia!!)

Refrain:
Indonesia Raya, (Great Indonesia)
merdeka! merdeka! (independent! independent!)
Tanahku, negeriku, yang kucinta (my land, my country, that I love)
Indonesia Raya, (Great Indonesia)
merdeka! merdeka! (independent! independent!)
Hiduplah, Indonesia Raya! (live, Great Indonesia!)
(2 times)


That's the 1st verse of the song and I roughly translated it to English. Pardon if I made any mistake on the translation. I'm a bit uncertain there, maybe I should put 'free' instead of 'independent' to translate the 'merdeka' word..

By the way, if you want to know all three verses of Indonesia anthem (in Indonesian, of course), you can see it here.


***
Indonesia, oh, Indonesia.. Wherever I will be in the future, you will always be in my heart.


I YOU
INDONESIA!

***

Monday, August 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Minda!

Today is the day for one of my best friend, my 'editor', (and also) my partner in crime.. eerrr.. in writing novels, I mean..

The one and only, Minda-chan!! *hi5-ing*


お誕生日おめでとう、ミンダちゃん

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I wish you all the best in this world,
I wish you can get all things you wish for!

Have a very, VERY GREAT birthday, Minda! XD

(I wish I could send you a birthday cake..)

Monday, August 3, 2009

Just For Laugh

Who doesn't know Homer Simpson? Oh, well, if you say "I don't know him" then it couldn't be helped, but I'm perfectly sure there's a ton of people out there who know him. I myself am a big fan of The Simpsons and couldn't get bored watching it again and again (I wonder why).

Like usual, I was going through my messy files in my lovely Miel's brain (Miel is the name of my laptop) in order to rearrange this to that, to put this into that. Somehow in the middle of it, I found out a .txt file titled homer's quote. I opened it and reread it, and then I think, hey, I could post this thing to my blog! So here it is:


***

Homer's all time best quote ever!

1. Son, when you participate in sporting events, it’s not whether you win or lose: it’s how drunk you get.
2. Son, a woman is like a beer. They smell good, they look good, you’d step over your own mother just to Home Simpsonget one! But you can’t stop at one. You wanna drink another woman!
3. What’s the point of going out? We’re just going to wind up back here anyway.
4. I’m normally not a praying man, but if you’re up there, please save me, Superman.
5. Fame was like a drug. But what was even more like a drug were the drugs.
6. Books are useless! I only ever read one book, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” and it gave me absolutely no insight on how to kill mockingbirds! Sure it taught me not to judge a man by the color of his skin… but what good does that do me?
7. I hope I didn’t brain my damage.
8. Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals… except the weasel.
9. Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
10. How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?
11. Old people don’t need companionship. They need to be isolated and studied so it can be determined what nutrients they have that might be extracted for our personal use.
12. Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!
13. How could you?! Haven’t you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church? Captain Whatshisname? We live in a society of laws! Why do you think I took you to all those Police Academy movies? For fun? Well, I didn’t hear anybody laughing, did you? Except at that guy who made sound effects. Makes sound effects and laughs. Where was I? Oh yeah! Stay out of my booze.
14. You don’t like your job, you don’t strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That’s the American way.
15. Oh, I’m in no condition to drive. Wait a minute. I don’t have to listen to myself. I’m drunk.


***

I wonder what would the world be if everyone in this world thinks like him..

*lmao*

Oh, by the way, If you think that you are the one who made a post perfectly like this (okay, with some of your own words on the beginning and the ending, of course), feel free to comment below and tell me your name (or alias) and your page. I'll link this to yours. *smiles*

...

I need to improve my sense of people's property.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Chandler Twins, Grotta Azzurra, and Jingga

I don't know what's happening to me but I'm dying to read something romantic (again).

Maybe it's because I was just finished reading some works by Jude Deveraux (Okay, I finished them some months ago, to be exact)? She have been one of my fave writer since not very long ago. Being a historical-themed story fan I am, it's not taking a long time to make me fall deep in love with her works. So far I've only read The Twin of Fire and The Twin of Ice, but I do have some of her other works that I think I should stealing some time from my work/college to read them.

But I think I want to reread The Twin of Fire first..

Jude Deveraux's The Twin of Fire Jude Deveraux's The Twin of Ice

I think I started reading this kind of novel (the genre, I mean) when I was at my first or second year of high school. It was for my literature class (here in Indonesia, we call it 'Bahasa Indonesia' class) assignment, which was to review a book or journal or story or such. Being the reader I am, I wanted to review something I hadn't read before. Thus, I chose an old Indonesian novel I borrowed from my school library, entitled Grotta Azzurra.

If I'm not remembering wrong, the author is Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana (it's an old Van Opheysen writing. It spelled Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana).

I didn't finish it on time to write my full review on the book. Too bad. Well, it was my own fault to choose something like that for a simple task of reviewing books (all my friends reviewed about novels they had read like Harry Potter, Darren Shan, etc., or simply a short story on magazine.. I should have done that too), but at least I got a high score for my review. *grins*

I could say the book's well written, especially when it's on the romantic scene. But since it also have some political debate in it, which was not really my topic back then, I felt it bored me a bit. I think I should reread it, now that I'm a bit into political matters.

Maybe after I reread The Twin of Fire (like I said before). *smiles*

Oh, by the way. My brother announced me that Jingga had died two days ago (or at least he told me that on the phone two days ago), saying something about problems with the water-pump on Jingga's aquarium. I should have known it when she gets restless and all (Okay, actually I don't know if Jingga's a she or a he. I'm just assuming things).

I hope my brother wouldn't fry her, though I bet he wouldn't. He's a bit.. umm.. fussy when it comes to the fish he eats. Yeah.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Seven Wonders of the World

Hello guys!

I once was tagged by my friend for a note at my facebook account. I think the note is very, VERY beautiful so maybe sharing it would be a good idea. I write this on my own way, but it's nothing far from the original note.


***


A group of geography students were learning about the seven wonders of the world. At the beginning of the lesson, they were asked by their teacher to write down the list about the seven wonders.

Not very long after the teacher asked the students to hand down their task. When it was handed down, the teacher couldn't help but looking for one of his female student. She was so quiet and hadn't hand her task down yet.

So the teacher asked the girl, do you have any problems on writing the list?

The quiet girl answered, yes, I have a problem to write the list. There're too much to mention...

Amused, the teacher said, okay, let's try to tell the class anything you have on your mind, maybe they can help you to choose.

Hesitantly, the girl then tell her friends about what she thought.

I think, the seven wonders of the world are:
01. be able to see
02. be able to hear
03. be able to touch
04. be able to care


The girl was quiet for a moment before she continued it.

05. be able to feel
06. be able to laugh, and
07. be able to LOVE and be LOVED.


The whole class could only be silent after hearing that..

!! The Point is:
Sometimes we forget about the true wonders we already have on our own and demands for the other wonders which is actually just a fake.

my poor attempt on picturing the point.. =.= i can't draw with a mouse.

***

Hehe.. how do you think?

That's it for this time's post. See ya on the next one! *grins*

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Doubt

Doubt by me (H. Herman) on Polyvore.com


I'm having doubt on my capability right now. I don't think I could master anything or.. well, anything to make people look at me with awes in their eyes. Not that I love attention that much, no, but still..

It's like.. do I actually have talents at all? Sure some of my friends deem me as someone who can do.. umm.. something, but that's all. I draw and paint but I find that it's not stable at all. I sing but there're so much people who sing better than me, and just right around me (I'm not talking about professional singer here). I play the piano but it's just so-so. I do basketball but I would be quickly fatigued. I craft and knit and do girly chores but I got bored not long after. I'm not very good at talking my thoughts, so I couldn't debate or such. And so on..

Really here, what am I capable to do right, after all?

*sighs*

Maybe I expect myself too high?

... So what if I expect myself too high? It's alright, isn't it? *grins* And because I'm sort of an ambitious person, I would try harder to make it true.

Maybe it's just a matter of time. Wish me luck on making myself better! *smiles*

Oh, check out this month's quotation, m'kay?

Monday, July 13, 2009

Does Your Name Fit You?


I'm utterly bored and this PMSing thingie makes me feel a bit down (and I hate it). My muse said, 'Hey, try something to lighten your feelings up!' So I did. Well, look what I found here:

-----------------------------------------------
Does your name fit you?

H: makes people laugh
A: has a smile to die for =)
N: easy to fall in love with
N: easy to fall in love with
Y: Fuckin Sexy

A: has a smile to die for =)
R: very romantic
Y: Fuckin Sexy
U: is loved by everyone
N: easy to fall in love with
D: great friend
A: has a smile to die for =)

-----------------------------------------------
A: has a smile to die for =)
B: is a nerd at times
C: can kick ur ass
D: great friend
E:Has beautiful eyes
F: wild and crazy
G: HOTT
H: makes people laugh
I: bestt boyfriend or girlfriend
J: is really sweet
K: gorgeouss
L: can be funny and dumb at times
M: nice butt
N: easy to fall in love with
O: has one of the best personalities ever
P: popular with all types of people
Q: likes somone
R: very romantic
S: very very good kisser
T: is very open minded
U: is loved by everyone
V: not judgmental
W: very hot
X: never let people tell you what to do
Y: Fuckin Sexy
Z: makes dating fun

REPOST WITH: does ur name fit u??and something lucky will happen 11:36 TONIGHT

-----------------------------------------------

Hahah, it's very useless, indeed. And here I did it. *grins*
Whatever. At least I feel a bit happier now.
Does it fit me? I myself don't feel it really fits me.. Especially the Y part. It made me laugh, really!

But I do really hope the N alphabet is true.

...
Oh, actually I don't really believe the last part, but heck, I'll post it that way.
So, how about you? Does your name fit you?? :D

Sunday, July 12, 2009

My Dream Pets

I'm thinking of having a cat. Preferably short haired breeds. I think Russian Blue or Sphinx would be a CUTE choice. *smiles*


Russian Blue Sphinx


Okay, I know that Sphinx' hair is very, very short it looks like it is hairless, but see? So cute, isn't it? And very unique too!

Too bad I don't know where I could find them. Never see a pet shop selling these breeds.

...

I want to pet a dog too. The one with wolfish figure, like Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute.


Siberian Husky Alaskan Malamute



I don't know what the differences between these two breeds are, and I don't plan on searching out. *grins*

But it seems that it would be very hard for me to pet a dog. *sighs*

So I think I should be satisfied on my pet goldfish named Jingga for now. *grins*

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Writing Life and Vanilla Ice Cream!

I love to write.

Well, okay, not when I'm forced to, but still, I can say that I love to write. Just give me a pen and some papers, and I would fill it with my oh-so-nice handwriting *grins innocently* about whatever I want to write, and some drawings for a bonus.

Well, that IS writing. Litterally.

But actually, writing for me (and maybe also for you and some other peoples) doesn't only mean a pen meets a stack of papers. Fingers meet keyboard buttons of a computer/laptop will do, too! Just open the office applications or any other writing tools, dance your fingers along the keyboard, and voilà! You'll have your writings on screen.

(Obviously, duh!)

this is writing this, is writing too, albeit we call it typing. ;))

Hahaha, enough with the lame attempt at joke. What I trully meant by 'doesn't only mean a pen meets a stack of papers' is that I write my life. Confused? (Me too, actually..) Lemme explain it. *smiles*

I did (and still do) so much things in my entire life. Everything that had been happening to me, the drama (yep, I've seen a bit much drama in my life, for real), the comedy, the adventure, etc., is considered as the scenes in my story called life that are needed to be continued. So then, I continue it.

By continuing it, I have to make my future scenes more brighter, no? Everyone loves happy scenes, however hard they deny it. To make it brighter, I will write EVERYTHING that I think is the best, and the most lovely for me. That way I could live my life to the fullest, and have my days as the happy and enjoyable days.

And so I do. I write the scenes of my life about whatever I dream of. I ENJOY my life very, veeeery much! *smiles widely*

live your life to the fullest and don't forget to smile! :D

But of course, there would be a controller in my writing, so it won't go out of control.

Like this one.

Just ten days ago I heard that one of my most favorite singer is gone forever. Yeah, I'm talking about Michael Jackson. I just went home from work (field work/practice) when I heard the news, and was just start eating my lunch. The TV was on (as always at my home) so I could hear whatever they're talking about.

As usual, I didn't really care whatever they say (I started to believe that TV programmes are full of bullsh*t. Okay, aside of news), but when I heard some words like, Jacko, passed away, heart attack (well, it's the common way to say Cardiac Arrest), etc, I couldn't help turning my head and my ears to the said technology.

I remember that I was dumbstruck upon hearing the news. I stopped spooning my lunch, I even stopped chewing! I remember I whispered 'What? SERIOUSLY?' to myself, and I couldn't believe it at once. God forbid how dumb I looked at that time. Maybe if I didn't aware that there're some people around me, I would cry to my wits end (Okay, I'm being overly dramatic there, but still, maybe I would, a little..).

The reason I couldn't believe it at first is simple: I was listening to some of his songs and even singing along with them just the night before! And also, at the same night (still the day before the news), I was just reminiscing some songs with my mum and we had a bit long talking about him (Yeah, mum love him very much, too. She even cried a little when she heard the news). I know it's silly, but, hey! I really love his songs, and knowing that I can't hear it anymore from the singer himself, I just can't help but feel terribly sad.

The thing is, I always wanted to go to his concert since I was little. I remember some of his concert when I was little, and that time when I watched him on the stage with numerous of children, I couldn't help but wishing I would be there, too, grabbing one of his hands and join him to sing 'Heal the World'.

That was when I was still a kindergarden student, or an early elementary student. I can't remember. And up till now that I'm already 21 y.o, I'm still wishing to meet him and sing with him. Well, okay, up till I heard the news.

Now I just can say, goodbye, M.J, rest in peace..


R.I.P Michael Jackson

...

Okay, what's the point of my talking about M.J here, actually?

Like I said before, I write my life. And one of my scene that I wrote is that I could actually see M.J myself, with my eye, and sing with him. But my 'editor' says the other thing. Now I have to delete the scene and deal with it, no matter how I really want to have it in my story titled 'LIFE'. I know that He has another ideas to brighten the story somehow.

And by His direction, I know my story would have a happy ending (of course, if I keep following His direction), just like how I love my other stories (a.k.a novels/short stories) to end with. I hope so.

The essence of this time's post is the following: Write the best for your life. No matter how far it will go, no matter how impossible it will be (hey, the impossible itself said that i'm possible! *grins*). By writing the best, such as, making a higher goal, we'll give the bigger attempt to make it true! However, if God says the other thing, do not be down. It's okay, and it will pass. At least the feeling of loss. Remember, after dark, there will always be light.

And don't think that it's just you who got it. There're many others who lose something too, therefore you are not alone! Just think positive!

...

Wow, I should thinking about being a counselor now. *lmao*

Oh, well.. *smiles*

Btw, as I promised, I would post a recipe this time. I've went through my recipe collections and decided that I would post this one. Nothing too fancy, though. Again I'm very sorry because I don't remember where I took this from (I didn't type it on the recipe document *sweatdrops*). I googled the images as usual. *smiles*

Enjoy!

------------------------------------------------------------------
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

vanilla ice cream.. hmmmmm, yummy!
Here are two different kinds of recipe for Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.The first is made with a custard base (eggs and cream) and the second is a 'quick' recipe ideal for kids!

CUSTARD BASE RECIPE
Ingredients:
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 pint (250ml) milk
- 1/2 pint (250ml) double/heavy cream
- 4 oz (100g) sugar or caster sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or according to taste - everyone's different!)

First of all scald the milk (bring slowly up to boiling point in a saucepan). Separately, mix together the egg yolks and sugar until thick. Pour into this the hot milk, whilst continuously stirring. Then pour the mixture back into the pan and heat gently, stirring until the custard thickens - DO NOT BRING TO THE BOIL OR IT WILL PROBABLY CURDLE. When you can see a film form over the back of your spoon it's time to remove the saucepan from the heat. Leave to cool. This is the custard base and one you can use in many other recipes. When the custard base is cold, stir in the cream and vanilla extract, then transfer the whole mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM RECIPE FOR KIDS (or anyone wanting something quick and delicious!)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pint (250ml) single/light cream
- small tin of condensed milk
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract (according to taste)

Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Transfer the whole mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.


------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, this sure is the longest post I've written so far. Can I make a longer post? Let's see on the next posts then..

Till then! *smiles*

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

My New Fragrance!

Yellow, guys! (somehow I remember Homer Simpsons after I wrote that..)

These two days have been the... I-don't-know-how-to-describe days for me. I go out from my house at seven and quarter a.m. (not that I mind it much, for I'm very used to it.. Heck, I always go out at six on my almost daily basis before!), arrived at eight, waiting till half to nine for my collegues to show up (though I love it when I'm all alone at the office), have a not-that-busy time till half to one p.m. doing this and that thingie for my field practices, have some break till two, waiting for another half hour for the office room to fill up, and doing some things till four. And I always got headaches as a souvenir. And now (when I write this post), I have just been in the office for two hour on my third day of field practice.

It's just three days and I've already make a resolution: I will never, EVER want to be a government employee. Why? Because it's sooo not my style. There I say it.

Whatever.

Ah, by the way. My dad went back home from his work at Qatar yesterday for the next three weeks. Dad bought me a perfume called Hypnose Hypnotizing Elixir Lancome Perfume. My mum got three perfumes, I don't know what they are, haven't see them yet. I really adore the parfume I got. I love the smell!





That means I have a new piece for my collection of perfume. Well, okay, I just started it two or three months ago, but luckily I already have plenty for a newcomer, such as:
- Anna Sui Dolly Girl On The Beach Perfume,
- Flower by Kenzo (This one is ancient! *lol* I love this one 'cause my mum used to wear this perfume.),
- KenzoKi Bamboo Leaf by Kenzo
- Christian Dior Dune
- Angel Heart Perfume by Clandestine

I once had a Donna Karan's perfume too, but forgot what's its name. Maybe I'll search for that later. And, oh, I'm searching for any Lily of the Valley perfume (or bath fragrance, I like it too). Any good advice for me about the brand I should pick? *grins*

I wish someone would give me a nice smelling perfume as a present.. *grins* My dad and my brothers are out of count. Why? Because they're my family. (It's a nonsense, I know, but deal with it). And, my mum wouldn't give me perfume as presents. She would just give it to me in order to make me smelled nicer, so it's not a present. My little sister is too young to give me perfume as presents.


Hehehe..

Oh yeah, I've changed this month's quotation. I like it so much! Hope you do too! *smiles*
Maybe I'll put a recipe for the next post. I'll think about it.


Till then! *smiles*

Thursday, June 4, 2009

At Last!

Oh, oh,

I can't stop this happy feeling! I've got rid all the sh**ty assignments, I've went back to (and am still at) my hometown, and I have my leisure time on my grab! Not to mention, my birthday is tomorrow!

What should be the perfect word to describe this feeling? Hmm..

Aha!


"Yipppeeeee!!" *rotfl*


...
Okay, I know it's not even a word. Sue me, I don't care (Oh but please don't *lol*), 'cause you can't make me less happy. *grins*

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Oh, My.. What Some Long Months Indeed!

Hi-ho, guys! *smiles*

It's been quite a long time since my last post, no? Well, lately I got no time to do my postings, due to some assignments I'm forced to do for this semester. Those horrible assignments, ohh.. *goosebumps* And they have feet, I swear! They're always running around and chasing me and, ..and yelling, 'HEY! THE DEADLINE IS TOMORROW, SO STOP FOOLING AROUND AND DO IT!'

Okay, okay, I admit it, that was partly my fault to begin with.. I just left the assignments untouched 'till they came to me and yelled those horrible words I typed on CAPS above. And with them haunting me all the day and the night just before the deadline, I just couldn't deny them anymore so I had to do them right there and then (Oh, don't get any wrong ideas in that sentence, please..). I don't know why, but it seems that all my great ideas come when I am under pressure. Humm, maybe I should say this in a cooler words. An adrenaline rush? Well, yeah, maybe.

They said all sanguins (I'm a sanguin, from what I know) are just like that, and I couldn't help but agreeing.

Hehehe. *grins*

God, I feel that these past two months are very, very long months I've endure in my entire life. Oh, okay, I'm using hyperbole there. Not that long, actually. It's just.. long. Well, whatever. It's just, I got no workshop class for this semester and yet I got the equal amount of assignment like those semester when I did the workshop. Just what did I take anyway?

Oh, right. Urban Design. Along with Regional and Urban Modelling.




Not that I regret taking those classes. They're really fun, actually! Well, they're just not that nice if you look on the other way around.

I'll tell you why.

Urban Design's always smiling at me on the very first time we met, alluring me with her sweet words (somehow in my mind, I got the feeling that this class should be feminine) and made me couldn't drop the class when I had the opportunity. Well, okay, all the time I spend with her is very fun, though by no means is also very tiring. I got to do some observations to the place I've never been before, made plenty designs, made plenty plots, etcetera. New experiences for me, new knowledges for me, and old aches on legs, back, and most importantly, brain, also for me. Not to mention the final assignment made me worry too much, and I hate the worrying me. I should be doing it now (yeah, I haven't finished it yet), but here I am, trying to prolong my time to deal with it. *sighs*

On the other hand, the Regional and Urban Modelling sounds very cool for me at first. He looks at me with a pair of very mysterious eyes (yeah, this one has more masculine trait, it seems), making me melt with curiousness. He's very mysterious that I EVEN DO NOT KNOW what he will talk about, and being the often-indifferent-girl I am, I don't make any attempt to find out. So, yes, without my proper investigation about him, I soon was caught in the subject I'm not very good at: Advance Planning Analysis Methods. Oh, c'mon, who the hell is talking about.. those things with a girl anyway? Regression with dummy variables? Coefficient of determination? Give me a break!

But still, I would say I'm happy to know them. Like I told you before, they're nice. *smiles*

Oh, yeah, by the way, since my semester is almost done now, it's just a matter of time for me to have two and half months for myself. My lovely beach, here I come!

...
Scratch that. I still have to do my field practices (kerja praktek) on my summer holiday. Oh, cruel, cruel major I got. Indeed. Luckily, a government office has already accept me to practice with them, and they're located at my own hometown! Maybe I can still visit my lovely beach on the weekends? I hope so.





Oh, oh, my birthday is coming soon! What will I do? What will I do??
Humm.. going out for a dinner with my whole family sounds great. Maybe I'll do that. *smiles*

Till next time, guys! Ta-ta for now!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Benefits of Nature's 'Wonder Drug'



Hi there! *smiles*

Today I would like to talk about tea, about its kinds and benefit, facts and all.

Actually, all tea comes from the same basic plant called Camellia sinensis. Its differs arise from the processing, growing conditions, and geography, and eventually could be divided into five basic categories: black, green, oolong, white, and pu-erh.

Black tea is allowed to wither, which precedes a process called oxidation (sometimes incorrectly referred to as fermentation) during which water evaporates out of the leaf and the leaf absorbs more oxygen from the air. Black teas usually undergo full oxidation, and the results are the characteristic dark brown and black leaf, the typically more robust and pronounced flavors of black teas, and, when brewed appropriately, a higher caffeine content compared to other teas (50-65% of coffee, depending on the type and brewing technique).

Some benefits of Black Tea are:
1.Black Tea saves arteries.
Drinking black tea helps prevent deadly clogging of arteries and reverses poor arterial functioning that can trigger heart attacks and strokes. In arecent test, Joseph Vita, M.D., of the Boston University School of Medicine, had heart patients drink either plain water or four cups of black tea daily. In a month, impaired blood vessel functioning (a risk factor for heart attack and strokes) improved about 50% in the black tea drinkers.
2. Black Tea inhibits cancer growth.
Tea has long been tied to a lower risk of stomach, colon and breast cancer, although the connection is not proven. Now lab studies find that black tea chemicals actually may stop cancer growth. Rutgers University researchers showed that a compound in black tea called TF-2 caused colorectal cancer cells to "commit suicide"; normal cells were unaffected.
3. Black Tea tames inflammation.
TF-2, the newly discovered anti-cancer compound in black tea, suppresses the Cox-2 gene that triggers inflammation, says research at Rutgers.
4. Black Tea wipes out viruses.
Previous tests prove black tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections. New research by Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University finds that black and green tea deactivates viruses, including herpes. When you drink tea, he says, chances are good you will wipe out viruses in your mouth.

Green tea is allowed to wither only slightly after being picked. Then the oxidation process is stopped very quickly by firing (rapidly heating) the leaves. Therefore, when brewed at lower temperatures and for less time, green teas tend to have less caffeine (10-30% of coffee). Greens also tend to produce more subtle flavors with many undertones and accents that connoisseurs treasure.

The benefits of Green Tea are following:
1. Green Tea lowers the risk of cancer
Many studies have shown that people who drink green tea have significantly lower risk of cancer. Green Tea polyphenols are potent antioxidants, especially in the brain. Some studies show that the polyphenols most prevalent in green tea, the catechins, are far more potent in suppressing free radicals than vitamins C or E.
2. Green Tea lowers cholesterol and thus, the risk of stroke and heart diseases
Green Tea has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels. The potent antioxidant effects of green tea inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries. It plays a major contributory role in the formation of atherosclerosis.
3. Green Tea lowers blood pressure.
Green Tea blocks the effects of angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE), an enzyme secreted by the kidneys, which is a significant cause of hypertension. By blocking the effects of ACE, blood pressure is reduced significantly, and with it, the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
4. Green Tea Prevents Tooth Decay
The formation of dental plaque, bacterial colonies that form on tooth surfaces causing tooth decay, has been shown to be inhibited by catechins. Tea has been shown to inhibit Streptococcus mutans, a major bacteria involved with decay. A reduction of the bacterial cell membrane fluidity, induced by the catechins, results in the antiplaque activity. Tea also has been shown to have a positive effect in fighting gum disease.
5. Green Tea inhibits viruses.
Green tea has been known to lower blood sugar levels. It can also kill certain bacterias and is effective against staph. Green tea inhibits several viruses including viral hepatitis. Green tea, via catechins and theaflavins and its gallates, have shown antibacterial properties.


Oolong tea (also known as wulong tea) is allowed to undergo partial oxidation. These teas have a caffeine content between that of green teas and black teas. The flavor of oolong (wulong) teas is typically not as robust as blacks or as subtle as greens, but has its own extremely fragrant and intriguing tones. Oolongs (wulongs) are often compared to the taste and aroma of fresh flowers or fresh fruit.

The following are some benefits of Oolong tea:
1. Oolong Tea may help reduce cholesterol build-up in the bloodstream.
2. Oolong Tea may help burn fat and thus, may contribute to slimming.
3. Oolong Tea can help prevent heart ailments.
4. Oolong Tea can be used for treatment of digestive disorders.
5. Oolong Tea can
promote longevity by stimulating bodily functions and strengthening the immune system.
6. Oolong Tea may promote healthier and stronger bones, protecting people from such diseases as osteoporosis.
7. Oolong Tea can also fight against tooth decay.


White teas are the most delicate of all teas. They are appreciated for their subtlety, complexity, and natural sweetness. They are hand processed using the youngest shoots of the tea plant, with no oxidation. When brewed correctly, with a very low temperature and a short steeping time, white teas can produce low amounts of caffeine.

Its benefits are:
1. White Tea may help prevent heart ailments.
2. White Tea can fight stroke by reducing the accumulation of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
3. White Tea can lower blood pressure and improve the function of the arteries.
4. White Tea may help fight cancer by attacking the free radicals that inflict damage in the cellular level.
5. White Tea promotes strong bones.
6. White Tea contains high amounts of anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents thereby promoting general well-being.
7. White Tea promotes healthy teeth and gums.
8. White Tea helps in protecting the skin from damage and may even reverse some of the damage wrought by free radicals.
9. White Tea may reduce blood sugar and help alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.

Pu-erh is an aged black tea from China prized for its medicinal properties and earthy flavor. It is perhaps the most mysterious of all tea. Until 1995 it was illegal to import it into the U.S., and the process of its production is a closely guarded state secret in China. It is very strong with an incredibly deep and rich flavor, and no bitterness, and an element that could best be described as almost peaty in flavor

Pu-erh too has some benefits, such as:
1. Pu-erh tea is known to help lower blood cholesterol levels.
2. Pu-erh tea may help boost the flow of blood and help enhance circulation.
3. Pu-erh tea may help inhibit the formation and growth of cancer cells.
4. Pu-erh tea aids in the proper digestion of food.
5. Pu-erh tea may help invigorate the spleen.
6. Pu-erh tea is known to help break down and thus reduce fat in the system.
7. Pu-erh tea may help remove toxins.
8. Pu-erh tea may help heal aches and pains.



Many
thanks for TeaSource and TeaBenefits for the information. *smiles*

So, how about it, everyone? Hope this information can make you love tea more. *grins* Pick your choice, and have their benefits on you.


Stay healthy! *smiles*

Thursday, March 26, 2009

A Poetry From My Old-Self

I was visiting my old blog and surprised that it is actually still there. Deciding to read thru the entire blog, I found out this one poem I made up when I was a freshman at highschool. I read it, and, wow, I don't even remember that I've ever made it! And the choices for the word.. Hahahah, never thought I had it in me then, actually.

The poem is in Indonesian, so.. sorry for those who cannot understand. There are plenty of Indonesian translator out there, no? *grins*

-----------------------------------------------------

Bara perih terampung dalam setitik noda
hitam, pekat...

Dendam seorang anak manusia
mengalir dalam pembuluh-pembuluh nadi,
membunuh senyum mengukir derita
mengiringi isak tangis yang terabaikan

Waktu berlalu, roda-roda detik terus berjalan
dengan jerat yang mengekang jiwa,
tak berakal tuk putuskan
berteriak, meraung, menjerit

Ia lelah, terlalu panjang jalan tempuhnya
ia mencari si pendosa, namun sia
terguncang...bahkan hampir kehilangan jiwa

Dendam itu sama sekali tak bergerak
bersembunyi dalam diri dan hati

Diam seorang anak manusia
terdengar bisik manis dalam kalbu
coba hiraukan setan laknat terkutuk yang mempengaruhi
ia ingin kembali suci
terbang dari segala dendam yang mengintai...

-----------------------------------------------------


Hummm, now that I've read it once again, it sounds a bit emo. *sweatdropped* I don't know why but I tend to pick up anything dark for my poem, though I believe I'm far from dark myself (ask my friends, they would say that I'm cheerful indeed! *laughs*).


Well, that's all then. See ya on the next post. *smiles*

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Once, When I Was Little

Singer: James Morrison
Songwriters: James Morrison; Martin Terefe; Dan Wilson.


I was the one who would always jump in first
I didn't think twice to look behind
Got such a good feeling just from playing in the dirt
Once when I was little

We could build a rocket, fly to the moon
Leave Tuesday morning, be back for noon
And there wasn't nothing, nothing that we couldn't do
Oh, once when I was little, once when I was little

Yeah, I could dream more then
I could believed more then
That the world could only get better

I could be free more then
I could pretend more then
That this life could only show me good times
Once when I was little

There was a time when I trusted everyone
There was no place that I would not go
Spend all day on the hillside next to the barley mow
Oh, once when I was little, yeah, once when I was little

Yeah, I could dream more then
And I believe more then
That the world could only get better

I could be free more then
I could pretend more then
That this life could only show me good times
Once when I was little

I used to feel so strong
Even when they'd tell me, tell me I was wrong
That I can't live in a magic world
'Cause it's time for me to grow up
And I've got to live like the rest of them
Well, I know things have been lost

Oh, I could pretend more then
And I could believe more then
That the world, it would only get better

Oh, I could believe more then, yes I could
And I could pretend more then
That this life, it could only show me good times
Once when I was little

So here comes the next one, next in line
Stay as young you can, for the longest time
'Cause those days flew by
Like a breeze just passing through
Once when I was little

Monday, January 26, 2009

Chocolate Lava Cake

Hello everyone, how have you been?

Nowadays the weather is a bit too cold to my likings. I even got a flu and a bit cold, though it's nothing to worry about. Thank God the tea and the chocolate can keep me warm (I do also love coffee, though, but somehow I have no intention to drink it lately..).

By the way, today I'm supposed to be able to witness the ring solar eclipse from my house (with this glasses-or-something-like-that, of course), but sadly the clouds seemed to prevent me from seeing it, for they had cover the sun completely that even the sun ray was barely there. Dissappointing, it was, but what's there I can do?

So then I made a pot of tea and took some sips while listening to some songs, trying to cope with my dissapointment for not seeing the eclipse. I was thinking about some cake to accompany my tea time before I found out that maybe this one chocolate lava cake that is very... "hummm, yummy!" can be one of the best choice. Here's the recipe:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

Moelleux au Chocolat… A French classic that literally melts in your mouth!!! This dessert is usually made in individual ramekins, but see the serving ideas below for other possibilities.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes


Ingredients (4 servings):
6 oz. Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate (or use your favorite 70% dark chocolate bar)
6 oz. Butter (diced, room temperature)
3 Eggs
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/3 cup Flour
Butter for Ramekins

How to Make It:
Preheat oven to 350°F (About 180°C)
1. Melt chocolate on low flame in a bain-marie (double boiler). When melted, take of flame, and…
2. Stir in diced butter, until it melts.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar, until it starts to whiten.
4. Stir in melted chocolate and then the flour.
5. Butter 4 individual ramekins, and pour in chocolate batter.
6. Cook for about 10 minutes.
7. Tip ramekins upside down onto dessert plates and serve. Voilà!


Tips:
You can definitely prepare your chocolate lave cake recipe ahead of time, and then bake 10 minutes before serving.
In terms of buttering the ramekins: butter the bottoms first, and then butter the sides, wiping from the bottom up to the top. It helps the chocolate to rise even more.
In terms of baking time… well, it depends on how runny you want it! I like it with a super-liquid-oozing center -- so do my guests! For this, you want the top to be cooked through, but the center to be liquid. You can check with a toothpick after 10 minutes of baking.If you don't like liquid-center chocolate desserts, just cook for a little longer, and you will have an incredibly moist chocolate cake. So, either way, you can't go wrong!

Serving Ideas:
You can, if you want, serve your chocolate lava cake recipe with a Crème Anglaise (English Cream) or a Coulis aux Framboises (Raspberry Sauce).

------------------------------------------------------------

Voilà! It's best for those chocolate-addicts. Like me. *grins*
Actually I got this recipe from a site (obviously, duh!), forgot the address though. I googled the image and doesn't it look very delicious? So why not try it?
Be sure to make it yourself, or with anyone close, because nothing tastes better than home-made cakes, right?

...
Now I have one crucial tool missing in making this cake.

An oven. *sighs*



Maybe, just maybe, my mother would provide the kitchen with this oven the next time she comes to Bandung? Hopefully so. *smiles*

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Pastels *smiles*

I was just thinking to write something heavy today, but my muse held me back and said, "Nah, not today, you know you might offense anyone by trying to talk heavy."

So I didn't.

Then I would just blabbering about anything for now. *grins*

Nowadays I fell in love with pastel colors. Well, okay, I always do, but I never ever choose pastels as the color in my wardrobe (I wonder why?). It's just when I googled on the online shops I found out this cute skirt with a very soft light brown with compliments of classic 'british' rose printed on it. Pardon me for not quiet good in describing, but, well, it is lovely.

Very elevenses, or very spring, if I could say. *smiles*


...
I wish my father would give me a credit card. *sighs*

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Not Something To Brag, Actually..

Good.. (Looked at her watch) midnight everyone. *smiles*

Maybe this is so-not the time to have some talks. But as you can see (or read?), I have no desire to put my head right now on my two-big-comfy-pillow to go to the la-la-land of fantasy (read: can't sleep). Sure right now my eyes are heavy like there are some kilos of weight hanging on them, but my mind keeps them open like there is nothing else it can do.

By the way. Have you noticed that the layout is somewhat off from the title? Well, actually I have no real time to make the layout myself (hopefully I will have some later), so I have this kind person to make me one (read: taken deliberatedly from a skin site). So, voila! Leave it be and deal with it. For now. *grins*


Ahem.

Today (actually, yesterday), I went to my campus to arrange some things for new semester. I had to make choiches about what class I'll take, had some discussion with my friend, and in the end decided that I would take 21 credits out of 24 total. One of my friend asked, "Are you sure?" then I answered, "Yes, anything's wrong with that?" All I knew is that it is still counted normal to take 21 credits.

She then said that my dosen wali (I don't know what it's called in English, maybe lecturer-in charge? But, well, from now on, I'll stick on 'dosen wali' instead) is not someone who will allow his student to take more than 20 easily. I said, "Eh, really? Why?" She answered me that he (my dosen wali) would attack the student with every argument he has to prevent them taking more than 20.

And here I am having been in his charge for almost three years but still not knowing that.
Great.

So then I braced myself to face him, with the still-21-credits-form on my hand. One of my other friend who came along with me with also 21 credits on her hand had become paranoid and scared. Well, she did knew and always think that our dosen wali is a scary man. I never had before. Maybe it's because all of my encounters with him, he would smile (only a bit, I admit, but far from scary), while my other friends said otherwise (Or.. maybe my eyes playing tricks on me? I would never know).

Then, when I consult about my idea getting 21, he really objects to my not-so-surprise (I've never have him object my choice beforehand), and about one of my choice that's not too relevant to my major (I took a civil class, while I myself is in cityplan). I give my arguments about why I wanted to take 21 credits, blah.. blah.. blah. After hearing what I said, he said, "Okay, I don't mind your taking 21 credits, but, really, nine class? Are you sure you can keep track on them?" There I realized. Silly me. Nine class? What was I thinking, trying to get thyphus to myself? Bah.

I didn't argue anymore, saying I will drop one class and then out the door I went (Of course after some polite closings and a thank you). Okay, I lost the argument, but still, I got the class I want to attend, the civil class. I won my argument there, so I don't really lose here, do I?

Good thing that I always think he's a nice-man.
Yeah. Or else I would have had to drop the civil class too. *grins*

. . .
Okay, that's the bedtime story, everyone.
Now off to the bed I will. I'm dead sleepy here.
Oyasumi nasai *kiss*

Good.. midnight. (Or is it morning?)

First Posting! (...should I say, "Yay!"?)


Hello there, Hanny's here.

As you read the title above (though you didn't have to read it to know), this is my first post. However, this will not be my first time in blogging, as I have ever done it before at another blogging site that now is very much abandoned. Just consider this as an attempt to make up all the lost time of blogging and repay my so-called-mistake to my former blog so it can rest in peace. *grins*

Right. Enough with the blabbering.

Well then, why "Elevenses Tea-Time"?

Actually, it was the first thing that popped up in my mind. I do like tea. I do like enjoying my tea. I do like enjoying my tea in the elevenses. So, why not? Besides, I think it is one of the right time to talk. From a light and small talk/chat to the heavy talk that maybe will not be very often to occur (well, I don't really like heavy talks anyway).

Sadly I do not have that much chance to have these elevenses tea times. *sighs*

Ahem.

Maybe we can have these talks while enjoying our tea?
Cheers, everyone! *smiles*
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