My broken time frame refer to Travis' albums

Office, 15.30

I heard Travis' 3 Times and You Lose from Uchil's computer while I was rephrasing words for the darn green leaflet.

"Wow, you finally downloaded Travis' latest album!"

He grinned.

"Have you listened to track 12? It has a hidden song, which is a great song."

Then we talked about it for a moment. We shared our similar experience of being surprised by the sudden 'appearance' of the hidden track.

Then the last song from the album ended. After that, I heard a not-so-familiar song, but I knew exactly the voice of the singer.

"Sounds like Fran Healy..." I mention Travis' vocalist.

"It's still Travis," he answered.

"Really? What's the title of the song?"

"Ode to J Smith."

I had my moment to recall. "Never heard that before."

He said, "It's on their last album. You know, the last last one, before Fran decided to go solo."

I was surprised. "What?"

"Yeah, that's why I was pretty much confused when you told me to download their last album, The Boy With No Name. Their last album is titled Ode to J Smith."

"What?" I repeated my surprise line.

He didn't say a word.

I grabbed my mouse and started to Google.

"Ode to J Smith is released on September 2008 and I thought The Boy With No Name was their last one!"

"That's what I knew," he mumbled.

"Where have I been? It's been two years! Oh good God, I missed it!"

I kept reading the articles.

"I exactly remember that The Boy With No Name was released in 2007 because that time, I was finishing my final project with Dania and she kept singing the Closer's line of 'lean on me now' with 'mino mina'. But, I really really wasn't aware of their next album! Oh, what kind of fan I am?!"

He did nothing but giggled.

I think my time frame has broken. I should be more aware of time now. Or, I may miss something more important than Travis' album and Fran Healy's solo album.

I may miss my life, don't you think?

Enlighten Yours, Enlighten Mine

I love surprises.

A surprise could be anything...

A smile from stranger, a gift, a small package of snack, a phone call, or even.. a message in the Facebook inbox like this...

I'm feeling so glad.

It feels so good to be able to enlighten someone's day though I really didn't mean to. I'm enlightened too anyway!

And yeah, she's a sweetheart by sending me such a message.

Thank you, Tiwi..

Have a great day!!

Dania Rari Pratiwi, S.Sos

So, Dania is now officially a fresh graduate. She is recently earned her bachelor degree and I was very proud of her.

I attended her thesis presentation, or the judgment day.

She actually did great. A little bit nervous but still kept everything under control. The judges were relaxed too, so the feeling of that cold room was rather different than mine. Mine was super intense. I remember I couldn't breathe easily. Watching her being asked about this and that reminded me a lot with my own judgment day. Almost exactly a year ago.

So, these are for you, my darling Dania..

Before entering the Room

Nervous?

You didn't make notes, the secretary didn't either. Here's our idea to...help you out.

Alma was too happy, I guess, hahaha

Supporter #1

Supporter #2

Proud Mom and Dad

Congratulations!!

Party at Sentosa? or Party at Neverland? :D

From Ramen to Coffee and Donuts to Baby

Oh finally!

We finally met! Yes. My best friend and I finally met after months of separation. Well... we're not separated that much, but.. you know.. We failed to manage the meet-up.

Today, I rushed from campus to meet her. I had to attend Dania's thesis presentation first in the morning. I had to face the usual Saturday traffic jam all the way from UI Depok to Lenteng Agung.

Anyway, I finally made to Citos safe and sound.

We were starving that time and decided to had our lunch at Ramen 38. It's our first time. We ordered the Jigoku Ramen. Level 3 for me, level 4 for her. She was kinda disappointed but I am truly amazed with that. I love it. I will order the milder version (maybe level 2) next time.

Nomm..nomm...

Piping Hot Ramen

After that, we moved to J.Co. We needed to talk, and we needed a less-crowded place to talk. So, J.Co it was.

I gave her late birthday present (a month late). As I expected, she was very happy with that The Body Shop White Musk Body Mist.

"How did you know I love the scent?! This is my most favorite scent but I never had it. Now I have one bottle to pamper myself!" She was ecstatic, I was glad.

Happy and smell musky

"I've known you for years, Neng. Though you never told me your favorite scent, I think I have the talent to predict the most suitable scent for you. It's a talent, remember that, hahahaha"

I was happy I finally got to meet her and told her bunch of stories of my life that I kept away from her. She did the same thing too. She spilled many things. We talked about future and how are we going to make it.

She gave a strong statement too that day. She said, "you need someone older and wiser. You know.. you're maybe young and bubbly like a kiddo, but you're very mature. "Average" man can never understand your thoughts and feeling. Only certain man, brave and mature one, can grab your hand and walk towards the future with you."

*Sigh.

Then we had silent moment. I kept thinking while enjoying the Cappuccino Tiramisu while she kept thumb-typing her BlackBerry.

Eyes on whipped cream

Eyes on BlackBerry

My eyes then catch a very cute little boy with his daddy, I guess. They sat in the back seats. Suddenly, that little boy called us and shook our hands. With the help from his dad, he introduced himself. The name is Fabian, and he's such a cutie!

I grabbed my camera and made it on a stand-by position. I asked his dad's permission and he allowed me to take his pictures.

Well.. it seemed like he enjoyed our company and enjoyed being photographed with us.

Fabian, can I keep you?

I love his eyes, and his smile, and his squishy baby fat allover his body, and his curly hair. OH MY! I fell for him too fast!

"I want him. I want a baby like him," I mumbled.

"I love my boyfriend. I want to marry him," she followed.

We laughed.

I love that Saturday afternoon with her. I love that she's still the same, the one I can share my hope with, the one who can give me the most honest statement. No matter how hard it is to meet her, I will always be waiting for our next meet-up.

Inspiring Pedestrians

My little brother, Ari, once told me a story of his three friends who love to walk miles. They are Mirza, Evan and Adit. They have walked from Ragunan to Pondok Indah and Ragunan to Senayan City. I thought it's a crazy thing.. though I was proud of them somehow.

About six months ago, Ari told me that they're planning to walk from Ragunan to Bintaro. My jaw dropped. But they're serious.

Four months ago, I wrote on Mirza's Facebook wall. I said, "Burger King Bintaro will be open soon. If you could walk here, I'll buy you each Burger King value meals + dessert if you like."

Yesterday, Ari told me that they're going to walk tomorrow (which is today). I felt doubtful.

Today, 11 am. Mirza sent me text. "Kak, we've arrived in Bintaro Plaza."

I shouted "NO WAY!!"

Feeling very excited, I asked Uchil about how to reach Burger King Bintaro from Bintaro Plaza. As soon as I got the info, I sent Mirza a reply.

12.00 noon.

The boys waited in front of the main entrance. They looked exhausted yet excited while I could not help myself to control the excitement.

I shook their hands and congrats them at the same time. Then we hurried to the Burger King.

Mirza, the Captain

Evan and Adit

I asked so many questions to them. Here's the highlights for you guys.

They are addicted. Once they've accomplished, they wanted to walk more and further. It took them 5 hours from Ragunan to Bintaro. They did 'stop and sit' for a while for several times. They talked while walked. They asked for directions from people. They started at 6 am and reached Bintaro Plaza at 11 am. Their legs hurt but the pain would be worse in the morning after. And for your information, the length of Ragunan - Bintaro is approximately 30 km.

Sweet Treats for the Boys and Me

After heavy lunch, we spent time in Bengawan Solo Coffee, a local coffee house which I love. Mirza and Adit had The Ultimate, while I had my personal favorite, Iced Caramel Macchiato. In the end of our conversation, I asked them about their next destination.

Mirza answered, "Ragunan - Tanjung Priok".

I grin.

He, then asked, "Tanjung Priok is near Merak, right, Kak?"

"No. Merak is located on the edge of Java island. It's a different province too."

"Oh, no! I thought we would walk across the province!"

"What? You did! Did you know that Bintaro actually in Banten? You did cross the province!!"

They're shocked but I could see they're very proud of themselves.

The Inspiring Pedestrians and The Inspired Writer

I am also very proud of them. They're doing thing that make people think they're crazy. They have shown me that nothing is really impossible. They make it happen.

Pala Bungkuk

Three days ago, my mom forced me to gave up the guling (some kind of tube pillow) of mine.I used that guling for years, I even gave it a name. It's Pala Bungkuk. Wonder why? Due to its bended shape, it looked very much alike a hunched back. :D

Wasn't it adorable? Hihi..

I loved it so much but my mom was so worried that thing kept thousands of viruses, bacterias, or even microscopic insects. Did you think that I wasn't aware? Sure I was totally aware of it. But I loved it too much. I could care less about it. Pala Bungkuk was like my secure blanket.

The first nights without it were the weirdest nights. I felt like sleeping on somebody else's bed, with a total stranger, in a strange house.

Twisted Facts of Mine

1. I love coffee, with milk, a small amount of sugar plus caramel syrup, but I have gastritis. When the pain comes, I have to give up the coffee for a while.
2. I have a driving license since 2007, but I never drive.
3. I love white lilies, but I never buy nor given.
4. I always wonder what my future kids would look like, but I could care less about my future husband, hahaha...
5. People usually assume that I'm the last, if not the only, child. In fact, I'm the second child, I have a big brother, a little sister and a little brother.
6. I really want to take a graduate program, but I recently gave up my scholarship application.
7. I hate working here, but I love working with my best co-workers.
8. I hate ignorant people, but I feel sorry for them. A friend of mine said that I am not consistent with that opinion, well.. hahahaha..
9. I refuse to grow up and be an adult, but I keep feeling very thankful for being on this awesome world for almost 24 years.
10. I can do almost all house works: cooking, baking, doing laundry, doing dishes, even baby sitting! But.. I cannot sew.
11. I really want to learn how to knit, but my mind keeps telling me that it's the same thing like sewing. Really? But I want to!!
12. When I was a little girl, I used to play with dolls, barbie, paper dolls and stuffed animals. But I had no interest in Poly Pocket. Not at all.
13. I can't eat cooked fish eggs, you know.. the ones within the cooked fish.. or canned sardines.. but when they are on sushi.. I LOVE 'EM!
14. I love wearing jeans, T-shirt and a pair of sneakers. On the other side, I easily get intimidated with girly girl who dress like a.. girl.
    
15. I like carrot, in soup, salad, or even in cake.. but it's very hard for me to drink a glass of carrot juice.
    

Sambel over conversation and overdose of fro-yo

It's Sunday and I love Sunday when I have things I love to do. Get that?

So, my old hi-school classmates and I got together on this monthly meet-up, or should I say, arisan. Everyone showed up except Ijha, the one who married with 2 toddlers.

Left to Right: Na, Huma, Elza

Left to Right: Sashe, Ami, Ika

We sat down and ate our spicy lunch at Tekko.

Finished Sambel

We talked about uhmm.. work and life. Sounds boring? No. I got my camera and I asked them nicely to strike their best poses.



The food was okay. I had nasi goreng iga that tasted like home-cooked nasi goreng. Nothing special. The iga was a bit chewy and not really succulent. But I love the sambel. Pretty hot, with a hint taste of sweet and savory.

I need to highlight one interesting drink they got there. It's the kedondong juice. Ika ordered it and I could tell that she's not very satisfied. Well.. it's kedondong anyway, Ika... It supposed to be on a plate of rujak with other fruits and dipped into sambel, not blended and poured into the big glass. You should be more aware with that fact of.. well.. the kedondong! hahahaha...

Big Glass of Darn Juice

Anyway, we're pretty much amused with Elza's expression when she gave a sip of that darn juice.

Wahahahaha...

After a couple of hours, we had frozen yogurt before we finally ended the meet-up.

Paid for Small Got Medium Size + 1 Free Topping = :D

Then, the whole gang (except Abang and Mba Jen) pick me up and off to PIM. Ari bought a new pair of futsal shoes and then we spent half an hour at another fro-yo shop. We're forcing dad to try fro-yo because it's healthy and he needs to eat more healthy food, but it didn't work out very well. He hates fro-yo, enough said. Hahahaha...

Ari with his super sour choice of toppings and quite happy Fina

Super happy Mom and fro-yo hater Dad

Well, even though I didn't bought a cup for myself, I got several spoons of it.

Oh so good too...

Sunday ended with football match with the whole gang at home.

I love this Sunday.

Monday will come soon and I am ready.

Why bother? What's the reason?

This is my third personal blog. I had my first blog on Blogger, then I moved to Multiply and stayed for almost 4 years, and then here I am, blogging on my new blog back to the blogger.

So why I bothered moving?

Because I want to.

I love my Multiply blog so much. I spilled almost everything on it and I made friends through it too.

So, why again?

I just feel like I have to move.. Move out and move on. Get a new life, a new home.

It's quite interesting, though. Now blogger has so much things that allowed us to personalized our blog. And though I've been blogging for more than 4 years, I still consider my self as a dummy. So, I still am searching for this and that, tutorials, tips, tricks, how-to, whatever.

That's all.

That's all the reason for this.