Year End Greetings

Hi all... Year has come to an end and new year is starting in few days time.

Time to reevaluate what has been done, what has been went through, what has been accomplished, and what to do next.

For me, this year has been a busy, tiring and fun year. What has I accomplished so far? Does goals set achieved? Pretty much as I expected, and grateful for that.

1. First Class Degree
Just get my certificate from APIIT, and as usual I am grateful that I need not deal with their admin staffs for the next nine months for my convocation. =D

2. Losing Fat (not weight)
Adapting to new environment, especially the food has gained me so much weight. In two years, what I gain except my weight are my nick names. Let's see: Piranha, A Huat, Tham ciak, A pui and Tante Girang. (the last one has nothing to do with every Kg I gain, though) But as set in the begining of the year, effort has been put in for dieting, both healthy (yoga, jogging and less-canned-food) and unhealthy (Eating nothing). Finally, I get to lose some insignificant fat, especially from my "phok-phok" face. =D Maintenance is required though.

The goals set this year are considered accomplished. Apart from it, I enjoy this year for some other reasons.

3. Holiday with Family
When the last time I had a family trip with the complete family members? Very hard to recall. But this year, we made it to Phuket, with dad mom sis bro in law n niece. Happy as everybody enjoy it. Wonder where and when will the next trip be?

4. Quality time with friends
Genting Trip, Singapore Trip, and lots of outing in weekends have made this time throughout the year worth to remember. =D

Am really grateful for all those things: People I met and kindness in within, Problems I went through and solutions to every of them, Self-Realization and lessons learnt.

Finally, to you all... Merry Christmas n Happy New Year!!!

Home

Sad to say, I am going to leave Singapore soon. Just when I'm getting used to living here: the food, the environment, and the people, now, I need to leave. This tension of opposite is confusing for sure. Glad to be home soon, but sad home with nothing proud to be brought.

Journey hasn't ended yet, will resume in no time. Hope by that time, everything will get better; the economy, my mental, preparation and focus.

I will be home soon, after 10 months. And this will be first time for the past two years , I will be spending my new year eve with family. Happy~ There might no exquisite fireworks and decoration, but to be among people I love, is one great things that I enjoy the most.

Home sweet home~ Dad, Mom, Sis, Nieces, and Doggies! I'm coming~

Be Strong!

"A Person who looks strong is the one need help the most"

I encounter this statement before, and wonder if it is true. Lately it seems to be~

Sometimes, when others believe in us and think we can always be there for them, that's the time for us to be strong for them.

Be Strong
When I Don't,
Think I can
and I Hold on!

That what I always think and do.

Lately, it seems I am out of everything to give out and taken by their feeling, burst out crying and drown together with them.

I really wish that I could be stronger
But... if I am not
Hope you guys to understand
I will always love you all
The way you guys are
and I wish so do you,
toward me...

Love you friends~

My Heart~

My Heart is travelling to far far away land
Again...
Leaving me behind
Feeling this emptiness inside

Laughter is the way to hide my tears
Being loud is the way to hide my fears

Wishing for this lonely journey to end
For that - I keep my Hope, Faith and Love
Waiting for the return of my best company
My Heart~

In Love~

Currently, in love with Guitar. Deeply in love!

It sounds so beautiful. Kyaaaaa!!!!!

My Dream

I want to Write and I want it to be Forever!!!

P.S. I am one of those who living the life by keeping the dreams alive. This is a reminder for myself of one of my dreams, which BOLDly appear in my head now. Some might think I am too naive, But I am Grateful for that. =D

Realization

Last night I come to realize something, two things to be exact.
1. When thoughts are processed and voiced out or written down, in words, it just become so clear, either good or bad.
2. I come to realize that when a problem happened, all parties involved are at fault.

So many things happened, I realize when we have a quarrel with friend, partner, parents, or even strangers, mostly we will say that: "This is his fault", "This is ALL her fault", "They cause all this current situation", or "I am at Wrong, all are becaused of me".

Somehow, I think that is so not true. Again, When a problem happens, all parties involved are at wrong.

Take a friendship, man-woman relationship, parents-children relationship or any other relationships that you can think of as an example. When one is doing something obviously wrong, another party does not really want to talk it out, and one day they just explode and quarrel, break up, run away, put the blame on others, or worse non-stop blaming herself/himself - the conclusion is both are wrong. That's what I think.

One is wrong for making the mistake. (No one is Perfect)
Another is wrong for not being open. (Communication is crucial in Human-Human Interaction)

In any cases, we can say that if One is not making any mistakes, then there will no problem at all, so we can just put the blame on him/her and let One appologizes and changes, it solves the problem, rather than arguing whose wrong all these are.

There is no problem with that, a good solution indeed. But, how long will it last? How long a relationship (with friend, partner, parents and others) can last with only one party tries to change?

I am not focusing on the problem, am just thinking if both parties can assess their situation more thoroughly, looking at all possible angles, then not only problem can be solved, but the root of the problem as well. (This reminds me of incident and problem management in IT Infrastructure Library =P)

P.S. I am not sure what others' opinion about this, I am just writing my thoughts down. If some do not agree with this, more than happy to know what their thinking is, so I can reevaluate mine. =D

The Dark Night Sky Smiles

"Rainbow is a smiling sky"
That is part of the lyrics of a song.

Tonight, there is no rainbow, but the sky smiles. So comforting...

The two stars shine as the eyes and the new moon shapes the smiling lips. Perfectly draws out a smiling face of today dark night sky.

- Even the darkest night can shed some light and smile -

P.S. Take the picture from someone's photo collection. And for my suprise, the eyes are not stars, they are planets, Jupiter and Venus to be exact.

Lullaby

亲爱宝贝乖乖要入睡
我是你最温暖的安慰
爸爸轻轻守在你身边
你别怕黑夜

我的宝贝不要再流泪
你要学着努力不怕黑
未来你要自己去面对
生命中的夜

宝宝睡好好的入睡
爸爸永远陪在你身边
喜悦和伤悲不要害怕面对
勇敢我宝贝

- 摇篮曲 by 动力火车 -

Quite old song from Power station, a very comforting and touching lullaby. Letting us know that there is always someone who will be there for you. Make me miss home even more. Home~

Journey Suspended

My journey is temporarily suspended. The past 45 days was the first round of battle I fought, not necessarily victorious but challenging for sure.

Many lessons learnt
Experiences I went through
Answers I've finally found

and now...

I am recharging my energy
I am recharging my determination
I am recharging my faith

Most importantly,

- I am still keeping my hope -

Are we forced?

Having this conversation with a friend, a best friend indeed. Talking about how we all are now have our own responsibilities, saying "Good Bye" to our joyous childhood, times when we play hard and care about nothing (However, there are still some 'lucky' children who have to take care their own life, to survive, they are entitled the right to experience what older people go through, in their early age.)

She, my friend, said "We are now adult, but ironically, we are forced to be one"

Are we really forced to be one? I was thinking, agreed. But... When I put a little more thoughts on this issue, I cannot deny that to carry responsibilities when time comes is inevitable, but I would take it as a Privilege. Privilege to be Adult. Privilege to add one more candle in the birthday cake. Privilege to Learn more. Privilege to involve in the conversation where there is height limit considered. Privilege to be Wiser, if we go through it with the willingness to accept what comes around and learn, endlessly. This is when a person really is alive, I guess. As said "When we stop learning, we die." Kinda True, for me at least.

Childhood is undeniably Joyous. But that's only one of the phases in our life that we go through it to learn things, preparation for our longer journey in this world.

If the question is "Are we forced?"
Nobody can say "We are not".
But more reasonings will follow to make this forceful process an anticipated one, I suppose.

P.S. I will not dress as an adult and carry around my childhood's toys, but I will definitely stop, sometimes, to make merry the memories.

Keeping my mind Focus

I am listing the things I love here as I need to keep my mind and my heart focus. These are the list that I can come up with.

I Love the Orchard Rd,
I Love the street performers.

I Love the library,
I Love the books.

I Love the night breezes and sky,
I Love walking under it.

I Love this safe country,
I Love walking alone and enjoy my own companion.

I Love the people I met, so far,
I Love their kindness.

There is one which is still in the waiting list:

I Love my current job,
I Love to be in the path fulfilling my dreams.

Waiting the right time to say that =D then... everything will be complete.

Tuesdays with Morrie

Title : Tuesdays with Morrie
Author : Mitch Albom

I am now really in reading and writting mode. I am glad that I found a bit life in the current state of mine.

Review
This is another novel, one of the famous, from Mitch Albom. I have now read all his best selling novel. Unlike other fictional, this one is a true story. Morrie, the main character in it, was Albom's sociology professor in his college time. A person who understood what "sociology" really is about. He was suffering from Amyothropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) which took every part of his physical freedom, and left nothing but his unbeatable soul to light up and touch many people's life, even after he left.

As the title of the book, this entire book, the lesson in it, was originally recorded down on Tuesday, where Mitch Albom would flight back to the place where Morrie lived, just to had this tuesday class of their own. Morrie called this book as his last thesis. He actually taught what he experts in until the end of his life. What a great teacher!

Opinion
I wish I can cite exactly what the old professor said. But I do not have the book with me, so I just cannot do that. Most important thing, like others book of Mitch Albom, I wish I have more than two thumbs to praise his work. =D Worth to read!

Caterpillar to Butterfly - Joy Forever!

Title : Caterpillar to Butterfly - Joy Forever
Author : Ravi Sharma
Category : Fiction

Review and Opinion
Am currently reading this book, "Caterpillar to Butterfly - Joy Forever," an e-book I downloaded few months ago. Left in the rarely access folder and finally found when I was in my boring exploration through my notebook.

I haven't finished the book, or I would rather say I just started reading the book. But I found a lot of wise words in it. Thus, I couldn't resist to post it and keep it as a reminder, for myself. The book starts with an incredible example, pictures how human life is, compared to the much helpless creature than human, Bird.

"All material things are dead. They are throphies that are of no use to anyone or any use to us because we leave everything behind, when we die. However, throughout our lives, we prefer to chain ourselves to accomplishments and give up our freedom in our bid to quench our limitless needs and desires.

Look at the rose, the moon and the sky and then look at a throphy that glitters on the shelf. What uplifts the spirit?

What belongs to everyone, gives joy to everyone. An object owned by one person alone, can achive no such thing.

In our attempts to collect trophies, we forget the essence of being alive and free. We become prisoners of our limited worlds of relative achievement. Relative because one person's seemingly extraordinary achievement, fails to impress another.

Throw 50 grains of wheat to a bird and it will eat to its heart's content, then fly away in peace. Not a single grain will it take with it for tomorrow.

But if it is a human being....

Well, then things are different!"

Everything is certainly True.

The author wrote lots and lots of beautiful phrases in it, conveyed as live disourses deliver by a spiritual guru, a character in the novel.

"The stars in the sky do not give up their luminance just because they think the moon and sun are brighter. We may not notice an individual star in the sky but overall, they make up for beautiful night sky. They contribute to the divine plan"

More phrases to quote, take it as old rerun tape as a light to dispel the darkness in our mind.

Love the starting. Continue reading... =D

Beauty in Simplicity

There is really Beauty in Simplicity. We were walking around Orchard rd, and there they are. The street performers, an uncle who plays the piano and an aunty that sings passionately. I wish I took a picture of them. Next time, kay!

It has been so releasing to sit and just listen to their performance. Kya!!! Love them so much! Even I have the mp3 from the original singer, but I just love the 'street version' more. When they sing it, it is simply just BEAUTIFUL!

First part that I love to be here, in Singapore. =D

"Choice"

- CHOICE -

In a city that never sleeps
I found myself lost in it
My life is designed
But choice is still mine

In a town that always calm
I found myself drown
My life is designed
But choice is still mine

Left I turn, I choose
Right I turn, I choose
My Life is designed
But choice is still mine

Celebrating for the choice made
Glorious choice
Grieving for the choice made
Regretful choice

My life is designed
But choice is still mine
My life is designed
And choice is still mine

All are mine
I won't stay too long
Celebrate and mourn
I cannot pry
There are keys to try

I am lost
I am now found
I am drown
I am now ground

My Affirmation

I am Great
I am Healthy
I am Lucky
I am Loved
I think Positive
I have a First Class Degree
I have First Class Friends
I have First Class Parents
I have a First Class Career
I sit in a First Class Flight
I have a First Class Life
I live in Abundance
and Finally...
I Sleep Tight


I see it in my Mind, I hold it in my Hand

- One Law in Universe: Attraction -

Lucky - Jason Mraz

Do you hear me?
I'm talking to you
Across the water
Across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky
Oh my and baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ohhhohhhohhhohhohhohhhohh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I wait for you, I promise you I will

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through the trees
Move so pretty, you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
Ohhhohhhohhhohhohhohhhohh
Ohhhohhhohhhohhohhohhhohhohhohhohh

Short Refreshing Trip

Took the above picture few days back. Yes!!! I just came back from Vista Komanwel, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Haha

The main purpose to be back to KL was for University - Industry Commercialization Colaboration Forum (UICCF) 2008 in my former college, beloved APIIT. This is a forum which is organized by MDeC (Multimedia Development Corporation) with the objectives to allow researchers and students at IHL (Institute of Higher Learning) to present their ideas for industry review and vice versa for the industry to present their needs to researchers.

I'm glad that I took part in it, as I learn a lot from it. The panelists present topics that open up my mind in every single way and they did give their valuable opinions about my project that I should really be more careful with.

Anyway, other than that one day event, I do have fun in my second hometown. =D Although might not be able to have a really comfortable place to stay =P, but I did enjoy the short trip, especially the food and the companion of others.

First Day
I was troubling a lady as we missed our bus in woodlands imigration. She looks very strict but she is really a nice person. Thanks her that I can get to Larkin bus station safely =D
Arrived in KL around 5 P.M. and most importantly on my first day I was able to eat Tom Yam. Oh~~~ Heavenly delicious...

Second Day
A tiring day but I did have fun at night. =D Morning to afternoon was all about UICCF. But when the dark night came, it was all about food. Have our first round of dinner in Sri Petaling, Bak Kut Teh. And it didn't end there, straight continued to Secret Recipe. Kya!!! Delightful meals Slurp~

Third Day
The third day was a fully outing day. I had finally had my haircut. After that we continued with a little bit of shopping in Megamall, Mid Valley then dinner in KLCC. This dinner outing was organized by all Sushi addicts who are cheated by this Japanese dish. I really can't tell what good from Sushi. The raw fishes? The fried mushroom, carrot and eggplant in the Bento? Wasabi? *Shake head*

Fourth Day
A boring morning as everybody had whole day class, but fun night which we spent in a bar. This is my second time in this kind of place, having fun tough. Bad Girl was drunk.

Fifth Day
A little bit hangover but still need to pack and back to where my journey had been suspended. And start from last night journey was resumed.

It's good to be back to the place where you familiar with. It's a really refreshing trip after two boring weeks doing everything I can do which is actually doing nothing. Hoping something good come tomorrow. Have given my best and as always hope for the best!!!

Rainbows

Rainbows will never be rainbows
If sunshine has never met rain
No one will ever need comfort
If there is no sadness and pain
If life holds both sunshine and showers
The days aren't all bright and fair
So look through the showers for the rainbows
You will always find the hope shining there

Blessed

A life that is blessed.

Live to love and be loved.

Hardship lets me be strong.

Lonliness lets me realize my true companion.

Ways are what determination brought me.

When they are asked to choose, I am entitled the right to take it all.
Require me a little bit of effort and "Thank You".

Abundance of Wishes, Determination and Effort shall bring me through hardship.

I just Believe!!!

Under the Radar Collection

In love with Daniel Powter's latest album, Under the Radar. Parts of the lyric from some songs just strike me.

"Won't Somebody Help me
'cause I don't feel too strong"
- From: Best Of Me -


"No matter what comes your way
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose
But when it all come down, you make it through"
- From: Whole World Around -


"Coz after all the pushing that you've been through
You don't need all the shine for you.
...
Every star that raise the sun
baby you know you are the one
...
you don't have to answer anyone
all that is left for you is what you've become"
- From: Negative Fashion -

My new first page

I have now unofficaially graduated! Opps~ I think I mentioned it already. Now I am in Singapore, arrived here on 1st October 2008. Required lots of effort to get in Singapore: Bus service sucks, Meet kind uncle who helped in finding me other bus, Long Queuing in Custom, Pretty good custom staff, Long way with heavy luggages to get a taxi, Kind taxi driver, Lost my way home from foodcourt, Lost a pack of accessories and watch, Clean and nice room, and finally good nite sleep. =D

I am now finding the right title to write in the very first page in my "new book". Shall find the best title to start and wonderful life story to write.

All the Best, Linda!!!

Heavenly Indonesia

Stop complaining, Indonesian!

"Hujan emas dinegri orang, lebih baik hujan batu dinegri sendiri."

We have everything in our land.
We are the largest archipelagic state in the world.
We are the fourth biggest nation in the world.
We have the second beautiful island in the world, Bali.
We have Paris van Java, heaven for you to shop, with unique style from our peers, Bandung.
We have the most various cultures in the world.
We have "world-class" surfing waves in Nias.
We are the food paradise, 2 hours drive will bring us to place with different types of food to taste.
We have the richest and fertile land in the world.
We have mountain with eternal snow caps, Jaya wijaya mountain.
We have supply of 320,79 billions barrel of oil and natural gas , found in Aceh, more than the biggest source in Saudi Arabia.

We have every potential that other nations are longing for. With new rules, regulations and law enforcement, let's hope for the best. RYTHM (Raise Yourself To Help Mankind)

Corruption is strictly handled now, jail is going to full soon. We should now head to Indonesia Emas.

P.S. I myself just too surprise to found all these facts.

"Sunrise in Bali"

Today, I chatted with the humblest person that I ever met. He wore a very simple shirt, carried a black backpack and walk around KLCC with no one that might ever think him as a millionaire, or billionaire I will say, from Bali, Indonesia. He is Pak Sayoga. One thing for sure, he worships his hometown, Bali, the well-known Pulau Dewata.

Never missed a chance to interview him. I got to know that he has a hobby for plants, not a normal gardenning but breeding the scarcest plants from all over the world. If you have stamps collection, he has these plants collection. (Never ask me to name the plants, *White flag*)

I never thought there really will be this kind of collector, because they are really into it. How they really into this thing, let me share a sample case with you. In the middle of our conversation, another collector texted him, and do you know what the content is?

"This is xxx plant, 2cm height, around Rp. 20 million (US$. 2,000)"

I almost fainted. US$. 2,000 for a 2cm wood? not a 'real' plant yet. Piuh~ That's okay, I got to know from others that in his house in Bali, they'd ever seen a pot of 'leaves' that costs him US$. 100,000. *Speechless*

Then, I continue my interview, I had always heard about him, but I wanna know from his own now, as I'm given that chance anyhow. =D

I asked about how he learns all these things, and I manage to know that he reads and learns from other collectors. Then story continued to how he actually started to like to know about plants? "Last time, long long time ago, from high school in biology class," he said "but as we (his family) got financial problem, so have no chance to continue to university, so I started to work."

I'll keep the details with me, the summary is:
He started to work as a bell-boy in a Hotel in Bali. I saw his picture in his old house, pretty sad to imagine people stay in that kind of place, place that they call as home. Then, opportunity knocks his door. He is wise enough to grasp it and take the challanges. Tones of challenges. Until a few years back, he is the current Pak Sayoga who most of networkers know, Pak Sayoga from Bali.

Humble humble and humble that I can only say about him.

Compare him with some rich people, while they are Rich, Pak Sayoga is Wealthy.

P.S. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "Wealth" as abundance of valuable material possessions or resources and abundant supply, while it defines "Riches" as things that make a person rich. --> 'abundant supply' although it might be in term of system that creates a lot of 'money', In this case, I will put a definition of my own, a humble heart of him. =D

For One More Day

Title : For one more day
Author : Mitch Albom

Review
This is a family 'ghost' story, where the author let the main character, Charley 'chick' Benetto, to narrate his own very story. Story starts from how his life ruined and his marriage collapsed and how he had became an outsider for his daughter. All started after her mother's death. Attempting to kill himself, with a gun and bottles of beer, he drove back to his hometown.

This was when he 'met' his mother again. This was when he spent one more day with his mom. This was when he got to know everything that he never got to know when his mother was alive. This was when he apologized for the wrong choice he made to be daddy's boy not mama's boy (as he took it for granted). This was when his mom told him that a child should never have to choose and this was when his mom again stood up for him and 'save' his life.

Opinion
Love it. This is another book from Mitch Albom that I cannot put it down. Finished it in four hours straight. Eternal power of mother's love is what the story tries to tell. Reminder for readers how incredible a mother is. In the book, there are lists that Chick wrote about how his mother had always stood up for him and I like one best, here it is:

I am nine years old. I am at the library. The woman behind the desk looks over her glasses. I have chosen 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. I like the drawings on the cover and I like the idea of people living under the ocean. I haven't looked at how big the words are, or how narrow the print. The librarian studies me. My shirt is untucked and one shoe is untied.

"This is too hard for you," she says.

I watch her put it on a shelf behind her. It might as well be locked in a vault. I go back to the children's section and choose a picture book about a monkey. I return to the desk. She stamps this one without comment.

When my mother drives up, I scramble into the front seat of her car. She sees the book I've choosen.

"Haven't you read that one already?" she asks.
"The lady wouldn't let me take the one I wanted."
"What lady?"
"The librarian lady."

She turns off the ignition.

"Why wouldn't she let you take it?"
"She said it was too hard."
"What was too hard?"
"The book"

My mother yanks me from the car. She marches me through the door and up to the desk.

"I'm Mrs. Benetto. This is my son, Charley. Did you tell him a book was too hard for him to read?"

The librarian stiffens. She is much older than my mother, and I am suprised at my mother's tone, given how she usually talks to old people.

"He wanted to take out 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne," she says, touching her glasses. "He is too young. Look at him."

I Lower my head. Look at me.

"Where's the book?" my mothers says.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Where's the book?"

The woman reaches the book behind her. She plops it on the counter as if to make a point by its heft.

My mother grabs the book and shoves it in my arms.

"Don't you ever tell a child something's too hard," she snaps. "And never - NEVER - this child."

Next thing I know I am being yanked out the door, hanging tightly to Jules Verne. I feel like we have just robbed a bank, my mother and me, and I wonder if we're going to get in trouble.

Acknowledgement

"This project has been a work of many. As throughout the completion of this project, assistance and encouragement from others have been the main keys in delivering this project successfully. Thus, I would like to take the chance to convey my gratitute for people who have been so much help for the last ten months. Although, it is impossible to list each person, but I feel certain people must be credited beacuse of the magnitude of their contribution"

That's how acknowledgement of my final year project starts. Will be a bit of modification here. =D

I have finally finished my Final Year Project. To be exact:
Day/Date: Sunday, August 31th, 2008
Time: 17.28 P.M.

Can I just start with a "piuhhhh"? Haha... Free is how I feel. (Another 2 assignments are just nothing now, shall conquer them all in no time). After long long ten months facing only my final year project again again n again, I am damn bored. Aikh!!! Now, I am Free!!! Kya!!!! What should I do to express it? Haha

Best part of this project is the learning process. Academically, Most of the subjects I'd learnt in my second year and third year are implemented in this project. And I learn new things in using the basic features of Macromedia Flash, Visual Web Developer and Adobe Photoshop. (The last one is the one I hate the most, will uninstall the s/w once I pass my presentation) And please don't laugh, I need not to explain myself how bad am I dealing with things that require 'patience'.

Muach Muach Muach... It's how if I get happy. Akh!!!

Get to the main point to thank all people who have been best supporters ever.

Mom and Dad... They are still in the very first row. I need not to explain why, but they really have been real supporters. Both, Morally and Financially. Wakakkakakka... Love you!

Friends... Friends who had helped this 'limited-computer-literate' girl in finishing up her prototypes. Thanks to Jensen to keep his word and really a good business deal I had with him. Haha... n Dyana who helped guiding me in the website and my movie clip making proces. Of course I didn't leave this one out of list, Chia wei, for the Wimax =P, very useful for my research. Then, to my classmates, Shan Shang and Ee Cher, thanks for sharing. Great 20 months with you two. Then, my best friends, Wenny, In In and Novi who are not around but have never forgotten to give their moral support from wherever they are. and others around me that had been so understanding to bear my 'seriousness' while I was doing my work, especially Angel. No Talking please. Haha... and sorry for those who I'd scolded (Thomas, Wiri and Danny), no bad feeling please... Just hormonal changes due to stressness. Haha

Lecturers... Ex-Supervisor who basically triggered the 'poping-up' of the idea of my project and current supervisor who had patiently bear with this new supervisee of her for the last 4 months.

Others... Another two friends somewhere else. Said who had been so considerate when I was doing my work and had helped a bit here and there in my research (in both cool and cruel ways) and Nasa, who had given me some ideas by stressing me up with tones of questions in the very early phase (consult with him had been more stressing then meeting supervisor) and thanks for the moral support in motivating me and help me set down a goal.


How lucky I am. Arigatou Gozaimasu~

Imagine world with "No Smiling Area"

Some people just do not know the simplest way to enjoy life. Smile and Laugh. What is the good keeping the "bitter look" in your face? Does it make you look Cool? Cold (to scare out unwanted people from you)? Professional? Aikh... I really cannot see any benefits in it.

Last Monday, I was in library. I took out two books from the shelf, wanted to borrow it. As we were rushing (needed to go to post office to pay our bills), I went to the counter and pass my ID to the Library Assistant, left it and asked Angel to collect it. Then, I went to the table where we sat, to saved all my documents in my thumbdrive. Here we go...

Angel came back to the table with one book. Then, I took the book and collected another book by myself. Guess what?! As I walked out, the scanner "tut tut tut". It happens sometimes, mmm or I might say quite often. Then, Angel looked at the books in my hand, said: "That book is red tag, so they haven't keyed in to the system."

If it happened to you, how would you react? Is this that serious?

As usual, I go back to the counter to return the book, Smiling (you will know what I should bold that little sweet word), then the who-so-called "Mother of Apiit Library", walked out from her room, and wanted to know what had just happened. So, I explained to her, still Smiling.

Mother: Do you know how serious is this? Why are you smilling just now?
Me: *Speechless and still smiling, I just knew 'Smiling' is forbidden there*

I'm so wanted to ask her how she want me to react? Put my serious look? Cry? Or...? But neef to control myself, few more days to go. 忍

For heaven sake, If it is that serious, still I need not to cry or be too serious, as it will solve the problem. Hardly see her smile. She is a good obachan, but lack that warm look in her face. Too bad~

Laugh for a bit won't kill. Like attracts Like. The more you complain about bad things, there they all come even more, and it works another way around. It's always your call...

Review: Red Cliff

Movie Title: Red Cliff
Written by: John Woo, Chen Han, Sheng Heyu
Directed by: John Woo
Produced by: Terence Chang, Han Sanping, Lion Rock Entertainment, China Film Group
Starring: Tony Leung Chiu, Takeshi Kaneshiro, ...

Overview
This is a chinese epic movie based on the Battle of Red Cliffs and events during the end of Han dinasty. The story starts with Prime Minister Cao Cao that request for the Emperor's permission to launch a campaign against the warlord Liu Bei and Sun Quan in Southern China. Here the battle begins.

To get the full story, please Watch it!!! or at least read the plot from Wikipedia.

Opinion
This is a very very very fantastic movie. I love it so much. I was having goosebump from starting to the end of the show. In this movie every individual is so great, this is how Heroes are, I suppose. How the subordinate being so loyal to their leader (Zhao zhilong who rescue Liu Bei's family bravely), how the leader trust, care and protect their subordinates in their own way (Zhou Yu who take an arrow for Zhao zilong in battle field, Liu Bei who was weaving straw sandals for its troops for his own reasons), how coolheaded some of them even in crisis (Zhuge Liang who has been legend in the history for all his brilliant strategies and Guan Yu who has always been so strong yet wise enough to understand the importance of knowledge).

They remind me of nothing about the leader in 21st century? Should great leader and heroes appear only in that kind of situation?

All leaders, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Zhao zilong, Zhou Yu, all have their own characteristics that make them respectful in their own way, but My favorites are Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang.

Among the three brothers (Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei), Guan Yu has been the coolest I think. He is as strong as Zhange fei, and He is as wise as Liu Bei. Where to find this combination. In the movie, there is a scene, where he teaches children to read. A child asks him "We have no food, what good is reading book?", and he calmly answers "when you grow up, you will find out that reading now will give you food later." Love this scene.

While Zhu geliang, despite the good looking of Takeshi Kaneshiro in this movie, he is really a man with wisdom, that looks through things that are unseen and handle them well. Above all, he is so down to earth with all he has in his head.

Akh!!! Love them all!!! It's a MUST Watch movie of the year! Waiting for the part two to come in January 2009.

Friendship

Friendship is all about being supportive, sharing good and bad. It really is complicated thing when you need to bring up this topic and discuss about it.

Is a good friend is the one who keep quite when we do wrong?

Answer is definitely 'NO'

But for them to be too honest just to show they care about us, is it the right thing to do?

Answer is definitely 'NO'

It is not easy, because 'Friendship' involves more than one individual which varies in personality in many many ways. And when come to human interaction (note this is not HCI - Human Computer Interaction), this is HHI (Human Human Interaction) that I am talking about, Understanding is the most important thing.

I'm not expert in this, but I do go through this thing before. Long long time before.

My best friend and I have been friend for long long time. But we do face conflicts, a lot of them. But we always get over it. Now, we can talk and laugh about it. And really no more bad feeling about it.

One day, on my 19th Birthday, My best friend wrote me a card, here is her saying:

Almost 4 years, both of us walk together in path of friendship.
Sometimes... we met many pebbles in our path and almost all the pebbles hurt you, but you didn't leave me alone.
You step aside the pebbles, even... willing to build fence with me.

Now, in your 19th birthday...
Maybe both of us had choose the different way but, I don't thingk I let you behind...
I just choose to walk behind you, so...
I can catch you when you fall...

I luv you... Friend.
Thank's for everything.

Happy B'bday

GBU Always

Cup... with love

Wenny

I'm grateful we had a fight, I am grateful I'm grant the knowledge to accept it as part of Friendship, and I am extremely grateful that it's not only me that have that knowledge, but she does, my friend does.

I hope... Everyone does!

P.S. Before 10th Septemeber, I hope everyone has built a bridge and get over it. =D

Learn Languages!

I've subscribed to Language Quest Newsletters for quite sometimes. Every month they have been sending several useful information and tips. This month, one of the topic is "Most Common Language in Each State".

Although, the information seems to be provided for those in USA, but I still think it's quite relevant. USA has been 'trend-setter' for almost all things in Asia, why don't this apply for language?

LQ provides a link that shows complete list of language used in each state. Check it out in Most Common Languages by State. You'll find that French, German, Japanese and Chinese are few common languages used.

Doesn't this make life easy? Help us to decide what language course we should take, given a complicated mix of goals for learning it, study and work purposes or even learn it for fun.

- "I LOVE to LEARN" -

Sophaholic

I'm kinda realizing outing without a bag of stuffs home in my hands, just feel not right, at all. Oh yeah, I'm a sophaholic now.

This month is so so supportive. With all discount and sale offered, the shops become more attractive now. Blue, Red, Orange highlight in the price tags are even more encouraging me to empty every cent I have in my wallet. Crying for help!

This last two weekends are the peak. With a lot of shopping bags and drain wallet home. Felt kinda 'broke' but 'Good'. With all reasons I have in mind, Shopping and being broke are just so acceptable.

I guess the only cure for Sohapholic buddies in this world is "Lock your door, Throw away your house key, and Stay there", if you can. If can't, NO Cure for this.

Yoga

Really are into yoga now. A really good practice that is not only helping to firm up your body, physically, but having the potential to massage our internal organ. (that's what our instructor always say)

Just in case, you do not bother about firming up or staying healthy, can go for fun =D

In my case, I do bother about staying healthy, firming up, but also having fun. Note that It is simply not for those people who do not like to sweat. Coz U sweat all time.

Kinda missing yoga, as the centre we join having 1 week holiday. Piuh...

Worth to try =D

Peace

Shall we live in Peace?

Hatred starts war

War starts suffering days

War ends people life

War starts hatred

Devil's circle rotates

Will it stop?

Shall we all be in peace?

Recently, finished reading these novels of Khaled Hosseini, Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid of Suns. Heartbreaking novels.

Describe well how Afghanistan is...

Now, looking at women in their Burqa, there are plenty of questions in my mind. Whether are they intimidated? or do they really feel save in it? and questions goes on.

Comfort for Oneself

Was reading this book, Love is all about You, again. There are 50 small titles in it, here is the 21:

"Giving yourself a measure of comfort a day"

Give yourself a measure of comfort at the end of everyday.
Affirm within yourself the courage to face challenges.
Forgive yourself for an unkind deed, word of tought.
Comfort yourself at the end of a difficult day that tommorow will be better.
You are your best companion.

This kind of practice is also suggested in a book, In the Sphere of Silence, by Vijay Eswaran. Kinda a good simple practice. This is 'self-help' which some people call it as BS. I believe it, though. =p

I've learned...

Last few days, I was flipping a book that is full of my frens' hand writting before I left for Malaysia. This 25 of September makes it two years. =) I found it very true and sweet in some ways.

I've learned that heroes are the people do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

(It's make me hero when I finished my assignment on time =P)

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you are down will be the ones to help you get back up.

(Does it make guessing a wrong doing?)

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

(Yeah, I shouldn't be. When I think will feel good to throw my temper to anyone, I feel even worse)

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

(No comment as it so true to be true)

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

(Everytime I finish with 'dramatic session', I move on)

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influences who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

("I was..." has never been a good excuse. "I am..." does matter)

Go where heart brings you

I was worry. My mind kept on wandering around.

Finding solution. What can I do? What should I do? and yet answers are not found.

Sussana Tammaro write in his book, 'va dove ti porta il cuore', should we blame the moon for our feeling? If moon can help to determine water level of the sea and help radicchio grows faster ( plants that the root can be burnt as substittute of coffee), it should has power to determine our heart, our mind, our body, as we are made up of water, mineral and gas, just like others being in this world, the only different is we claim ourselves slightly better and it makes us do.

And can we blame it on the moon?

If we can blame everything on others, life should be much easier. But it doesn't how universe work. Everything is determined by ourselves. There is a book which titled as 'Blink', ability to think without thinking. claiming the very first 2 seconds in our thought might be the best answer for everything.

When this worry starts to take over almost every part of me, my body, my emotion, my mind, a spark of idea forces myself to do what I suppose to do.

It's passed by.

It's gone as fast as it comes.

I deny it.

I found reason to continue in my current state, uncertainty.

I'm in my comfort zone.

Let time heals.

I believe in it, always.

It's easy to do, as not much effort needed.

Fear comes.

Again, let time heals.

I survive.

But, what if there is no time, when every second counts.

In uncertainty, how long would time take to heal myself.

I much more worry now.

My mind wandering, before it find my very first thought back, when my heart is speaking to me. Just do it!!! (wonder Phil Knight ever passed this kind of phase in his life before this motto has become a lifestyle nowadays)

No choice.

I couldn't stay any longer in this uncomfortable comfort zone.

I move outside.

First time, I'm forcing my mind.

The next time, I found my mind forces me to stay in the comfortable uncomfort zone.

Formerly I'm in pieces.

Now I'm in one piece.

Rasionalism makes me lost.

Heart helps to find my way back.

'va dove ti porta il cuore'

Review: The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Title : The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Author : Mitch Albom

Category : Fiction

Review

This book starts by telling us the story which begins as the life of the main character, Eddie, ends. The life after that is found to be different from his imagination of Heaven. There, he meets 5 persons that in some ways have affected his life and reveal answers for every question in his life or just simply to filling the gap of the regret that he has carried along in his whole life.

Opinion

As you can see, I can only tell you a very brief summary of the book. I really have no idea on how to summarize the story, as every page of it is important to be mentioned. And if you miss that, you lose the interesting part. It is an intersting book, both when every page of it counts and as a whole obviously. Everytime, I wanted to stop flipping it (even when I have been so sleepy), I just can't. Who is his next person and what life lesson wraps up from it seem to have magic power to hipnotize you not to put the book down.

Review: No One's Perfect

Title : No One's Perfect
Author : Hirotada Ototake
Category : Biography

Overview
This book is a biography of a japanese guy who is born with Tetra-Amelia, Horotada Ototake. It is a condition where someone born with the absence of arms and legs. This is a very inspirational book. On how Ototake has never complains or takes his disability as excuses. In fact, he inspires others around him. This book starts with the story when he was born, how her mother was not allowed to see him as doctor is afraid she got shocked. But, supprisingly, the first words came from his mom when first saw him (after three weeks) was: "Son, you are so handsome". What a great parent she is.

Then, the story is followed by his efforts he put in from his primary school until he was accepted in Waseda University (one of top 200 world university). How people around him support and help him willingly, what he had done during that time (you will suprise how active he was: He was in basketball team, football team, participating in running competition, and how he manages to 'swim'), what were his dreams, how he started to become public speaker and his efforts put in to create 'free-challenges' environment that is meant to assist all others disable people to enjoy the same opportunity as others.

Opinions
This book shows 'never give up' messages for its reader. It shows how a Ototake can do and achieve something that we might see it as Impossible. One more part in this book that I like best is that Ototake shows to reader something that are very rational. It does an motivational book, but at the same time Ototake has his time where he himself find himself in pessimistic state (it is very logical, or I might said it might be non-sense if he has never feels it). But, at the end, he always finds his way out. Glad for him.

It shows to me, if Ototake can do the 'impossible', why can't I? There is other similar book by Tony Christiansen which I hasn't got the chance to finish reading it. He states something like "do you want to wait until you have no legs to do things you want?". In Christiansen case, he lost his legs in an accident (if not mistaken), but he never gives up. For your suprise, he is master in Taekwondo (Wow~~) and he conquered Everest Mountain in his condition. How it could be?! You and I know the answer. =D

Back to No One's Perfect, things that I do not really like is the way the story is written. I don't know whether it is because it has been translated into Indonesian (I read the Indonesian version, as this book is lent by my cousin) or it is like that in nature. Try to get the english version and see how it is. And don't be so suprise if you find out that Ototake seems to be a stuborn individual, in fact he is. Don't know it is good or not, as his stuborness has brought him to his current condition, if he were to humble in nature, he might be different person. The moral of the story is just take the positive part. =D

Brightest Light in the Darkest Night

Has been so busy arranging trip to Thailand this few days. Finding the best way to get there (either bus or train as we would like to stop by in Hat Yai), arranging the time so can make it on time to Phuket (planned to make reservation of the accomodation for 10 May - 12 May 2008). akh!!! Looks so easy. But, let me tell you, it's Not at all.

Ok... Nevermind, everything settles now. What I wanna share is how a customer service has lighten up my day. =)

This accomodation has been purchased last two years from QVI Club. By default it is a 3 days 2 night package in Patong Tower Condominium, Phuket, Thailand. Never thought that I would use it up. But, now I do.

As this trip is a very sudden one, so I just started to look up for the information few days back, such as: how to reserve, where is the exact location of this condominium, etc etc. And so coincident that last few days, there is holiday (labor day on May 1), so there is few days gap taken before I got my email replied. My first email send to QVI Customer Service Team is to asked the procedure to reserve this package. After they replied my first email, now I know I just need to tell them the arrival/departure date in Phuket. Again, My second email of reservation took another few more days as it's weekend.

Then, I woke up this morning, first thing I did was make a call to QVI office in Singapore. Called them up, one of the customer service told me that there is no room available on 10-12 May, but they do have 13-15 May or 7-9 May. I can't decide on the spot. So I just told her, I will discuss with others first. Then, I called back Indonesia asked my parents' opinion. Then, we decided that 7 May is just impossible, as my parent will only reach here tommorow night. 13 May is too late, because, my parents don't wish to spend so many days in Malaysia. So we decided, if they cannot let us check in around 8, 9 or10 May, then we will just find other hotel. (I still wish they would have available room, as I checked from Internet, Patong Tower Condominum is just so niceeeeeeeeeee)

Then I called QVI club, again. This time is another CS that was answering my call, a kind and very helpful CS.

Me: Can you helped me check, again, room for 10 to 12 May?

CS: (Keystorke sounds) For that days, all are fully booked.

Me: Ah... (Although I've already known, still very dissapointed) Then, is there any room for 9 to 11 May?

CS: (Again, keystorke sounds) Sorry, but that days are also fully booked. How bout 13 to 15 day, ms? We do have rooms for that day.

Me: Cannot, it's too late. Just now another CS told me that you guys still have room for 7-9 May, so can I just take a room for 2 days 1 night?

CS: The default package of Pearl Andaman 1 actually is for 3D2N. Mmmm... How 'bout I contact you back later, within an hour?

Me: Oh, ok then... Thank you.

...5 minutes later...

CS: Can I speak to ms. Linda? bla bla bla... I've helped you to check, and we might be able to provide you room for 8-10 May. Is it ok for you?

Me: Akh... (Happy) Really? You have room for me?

CS: (Laughing) Yeah, and if you would like to reserve it, send an email to me as confirmation, so I can issue the voucher for you.

Me: Ahhhh... Thank you so much...

CS: You're welcome. Have a nice day. (I can heard and felt that she was still smiling)

And this is how it ended my worries in aranging this trip. I was so happy. When I send a confirmation email to her, I wrote something for that lady.

P.S. And for the customer service in charge who handles my reservation, sorry for the trouble caused and thank you for the assistance. Appreciate that so much. 'Best Customer Service of the Year' Award for you.

I really am happy and grateful for everything. She might be able to just give me the 2D1N package (although I paid for the default 3D2N) but she put in effort to find for me. I know that this is her job, but she really does it pretty good. And that little kindness is like brightest light in the darkest night =D

I always believe when you do good thing that make other happy, willingly, you will feel good in return. A little good deed we did might means so much for others, and most importantly, what goes around comes around. =)