Sofie’s Old Stuff

Bulan Agustus & September…
Baru nyadar,
Ternyata banyak temen2 and families
yang dilahirkan di bulan ini ^^
In my family alone,
My mom’s birthday on 24 August,
then my sis 27 August,
and then me…in September

I’ve just realized,too
I still have
7 friends born in the month of August & September
2 relatives born in the month of August & September
Uhm…seems pretty much people I am closed with was born under the sign of Leo & Virgo. Yesterday, on my mom’s birthday, We have a lil’ celebration for her. My sis boiyfriend bought her cute flowers ‘last minute buy from Sinar. (Neighberhood Markets) hohoho….and we had a dinner together at XO Suki.
May all my friends, families, and me (hoho^^) have the happiest and brightest birthday this year!

Women have strength that amazes men,
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens,
She holds happiness, love and opinions,
She smiles when she feels like screaming,
She sings when she feels like crying,
She cries when she’s happy,
and laughs when she’s afraid.
Isn’t that amazing,
To see how strong women is.

* While thousands of miles has come between two of us,
I decided to give up, to be understood, to be loved unconditionally

I have been driving before I was seventeen. I got my license, too, don’t ask me how. I always drive manual cars, enjoying all my cars, without complain. Until yesterday, I realize I’ve never driven matic cars. Which is pretty amusing since we have matic’s. (I admit, it  was our chauffeur who drive it for us, most of the time). Yesterday, somehow, I and lil’ sis wanna go nearby cafe, all cars in the garage, only left that matic carnivals.
And…my lil’ sis drive it for both of us…even it was her second time, too, driving matic. Guess, me is just too comfy with my cute cheaply’ manual Getz…just too lazy try out a new thin’ even to change my car:P

One thing I like most about being home is the ‘homey’ feeling. Comfortable feeling that is pretty hard to describe, kind of save and secure feeling, knowing this is it; here it is where I belong.

I was born in a closed knitted family, big families from both mom and dad sides.
Currently I have seven members of my family (include my big sis husband and my lil’nephew Ed) whom I am so glad of having them.
I enjoy spending time together with my family having family dinner, sitting together at the same table, tell our story about what has happened, what we’ve been through the whole day or just chatting while we were watched TV. My dad is typical open minded old man around his fifty, full of wisdom and pretty nice sense of humor. My mom is enthusiastic and resourceful person, which a lot of time amused us with her creative idea. We, three sisters love to share our story, or joking around. I can assure you my family gather together can be fun, full of joy and laughter. In my family, forget about dull and boring family gathering.
I’ve been travelled to more than thirty cities around the world, tasting different variety of food in each place I’d been to. I have eaten Japanese, French, Germany, and many more sumptuous cuisine that cost hundred bucks or a lavish bird nest and abalone, many - many times. Yet, one thing that makes me craves for more still nasi putih (rice), telor matasapi (sunshine egg), and kecap manis (Indonesian’s Sauce), plus kerupuk putih (Indonesian’s crackers).

I’ve been living in various countries, too, from quite places to a bustling and sparkling city like Shanghai. Still, after spending long days with busy-me-life mode, one thing that made me crave for more still a holiday, just enough time going back to my home, place where I belong - my family.

I saw an elderly couple holding hands sit on the bench at the park. With bright loving faces, it was just like any young couple, smiling and chatting with smile on their faces. I found it adorable seeing old couple whom still enjoying each other companion like this, my parent, too, even they don’t really hold hands or hugs each other as much coz it will be awkward to our culture, I adore the way they could embrace each other even after 30 years of marriage. Tell you the truth, there must have been ups and down during my parent’s 10950 days or 262.800 hours spent together, I, too saw them argue, disagree over something, and got so irritated at each other habit. And yet, after so many years they still made it, keep their love alive them. I and my sisters often joked around said that my parents was odd couple, who sometime argue, another time laughing so much at each other jokes. But still deep inside, we admire our parent, the way survived so many years together, still enjoying each other companion, and seemed to glow in each other’s presence.
I come to notice, that basics fundamental of every relationship always relies on mutual acceptance, respect, determination towards the same goal and constant investment of love. Good people can create bad relationship; even they both want their relationship to be succeed. Bad people can create best relationship if they just willing to grow together, set up the same goal, and accept each other uniqueness. There no such magical Cinderella ‘happily ever after’ thing, if one or both person committed in relationship unwilling to work towards the future. Relationship is planted like a plant’s seed, it will bloom in time if both of you willing to grow together.

Today I woke up and felt lousy, my throat was a little swollen because of the sore throat. I’ve taken ‘useless’ amoxycilin for the past three days without effect. This morning, against windy weather I and A drag myself to nearby clinic, and I guess, they give me another useless ’sort of’ amoxicyllin type antibiotic again with different name.

So sick…so lousy…so restricted…
And I’m beginning to think, like many times before, you know sort of like wishing I could be just more private. Not talking about me, my thought, whatsoever. Restrict this blogs, less writing, and finally no more writing, that’s it. Silence, thoughtless, most importantly everyone no nothing going on in my mind. There are times, I was so scared if what I wrote has made whoever that read this blogs see life from a pessimistic way, they way I (sometimes) wrote. I have been writing long enough and my mind isn’t always consist all the angelic side but also the evil part. I never say that I am proud with all the post I wrote, never… I just want to see, the progress of myself throughout the years. My writing, was just a note. to remind me how much I evolved to be a better me throughout this years. And believe it or not, all this really strengthen me facing the challenges that might lay ahead me.

Now is 4 in the morning and this throat is still killing me

端午节快乐

合家幸福

吉祥如意
Happy Dragon Boat Festival!

Today, Sunday 08 June, China is celebrating Dragon Boat Festival, where the whole nation enjoying eating ‘zong zi’ (bakcang) *No Dragon Boat racing this year, in respect for the victim of Sichuan Earthquake. We also have this Monday holiday as this festival not only traditionally but also statutory holiday in mainland China, Taiwan, Hongkong, and Macau.

What’s dragon boat festival actually?

Dragon Boat Festival is originated in ancient China, there are many tales about the origins of the festival. Today, the most commonly accepted version relates to the death of poet Qu Yuan in  278BC. Qu Yuan, a descenden of Chu’s royal family was a high rank officer in Chu Country, but because the king decided to ally with the enemy (Qin). Qu Yuan decided to opposed the king and get banished.During the exile Qu Yuan wrote a poetry, 28 years later as Qin Country take away Chu’s Capital. In despire, Qu Yuan commited suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River, the fifth day of the fifth month.

It is said that the local people, who admired him, threw food into the river to feed the fish so that they would not eat Qu Yuan’s body. What they throw was sticky spoiled rice wrapped with bamboo leaves to keep the rice stick together when thrown into the river. This is said to be the origin of  ‘zong zi’. The local people were also said to have paddled out on boats, either to scare the fish away or to retrieve his body. This is said to be the origin of Dragon Boat Racing.

Activity!

Three most widespread activities for the Dragon Boat Festival are eating and preparing ‘Zong Zi’‘, an angular rice ball wrapped in bamboo leaves, drinking wine, and racing dragon boats. Other common activities are hanging up icons of Zhong Kui (guardian figure). Drinking of  wine, also believes to prevent ourselves from desease or evil.

So, have you had your zong zi and wine, today?

B’coz I haven’t, instead I have this ‘lemper’ (Indonesian a bit like ‘zong zi’) from Bali Bistro, yg alot kayak sandal hehehe….

*Sofie’s currently in the mood of eating ‘zong zi’

Diva Cresent Shop

To save the energy and protect the environment, Beijing has declared war on the "white pollution" or plastic material choking the world’s most populous country, China is banning free plastic shopping bags and calling for a return to the cloth bags of old - steps largely welcomed by merchants and shoppers on Wednesday.
Also by the environmental group Greenpeace whom issued a statement welcoming the Chinese ban. The ban takes effect 1 June 2008, the regulation, dated 31 Dec 2007, but durable plastic bags will still be permitted for sale by markets and shops. Other country that discourage the usage of plastic bags are South Africa, Ireland, Taiwan, Bangladesh already bans them. In France and German, some stores have begun shying away from giving away plastic bags and must pay recycling fee if they wish to get it.
Other website : Australian Say NO to PLASTIC BAG! program.
"I like the idea of switching it to paper bag, coz’ whenever I did my grocery at Carefour ZhongShan Park, even I and many others brought our own bag. All cashiers just unwilling to help putting the grocery inside the bag, instead they just quickly scanned and throw, and by the time finished the counting, we were still crumbling between placing our thing’ and paying, while get stared by people line up behind me … " Sofie

*People in China is very impatient….phew…:(

Meanwhile, China airlines say Good Bye! to paper ticket. Electronic plane tickets will soon replace paper ones in China. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will stop offering paper tickets to Chinese travel agents from 31 May 2008.

Sichuan Earthquake, The 12 May 2008, Sichuan earthquake (四川大地震), was measured at 8.0 richer (7,9 Richter according to PRC’s China) at 14:28 also known as Wenchuan earthquake (汶川大地震). The epicenter was 80 kilometres away from Chengdu, 1500km away from Beijing, and 1700km away from Shanghai. Official figures that 69,016 are confirmed dead, 368,545 injured, and 18,830 missing. Leaving about 4.8 million people homeless. It is the deadliest and strongest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake which killed 240,000 people. More news about Sichuan Earthquake (wikipedia) Donation for Sichuan Earthquake’s victims in China can be made to  China RedCross Foundation (available in chinese & english).

By the way Sharon Stone is sucks!  her statement :
Well you know it was very interesting because at first, you know, I am not happy about the ways the Chinese were treating the Tibetans because I don’t think anyone should be unkind to anyone else. And so I have been very concerned about how to think and what to do about that because I don’t like THAT. And I had been this, you know, concerned about, oh how should we deal with the Olympics because they are not being nice to the Dalai Lama, who is a good friend of mine. And all these earthquake and stuff happened and I thought: IS THAT KARMA… when you are not nice that bad things happen to you? (Drunk to much martini last night, stones?)

I like Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) best, upon Sichuan earthquake effort:
"I was as angry as a madwoman. I said, ‘Are you idiots? You are well-dressed people who look like you identify with society, but you don’t know what’s going on on planet Earth.’ It’s incredible!"
Zhang Ziyi  reported to be outraged by all the ignorance of the quake in China going on at Cannes, and has make a pamphlet herself about the earthquake to show foreigners, apart from donating money for earthquake relief.

MIANYANG CITY
Mianyang (绵阳) City used to be crowd, as the second largest city in Sichuan’s County with population over 5.7 million peoples, and as a military & nuclear base city. Now, after the earthquake, the death toll has rissen up to 21.000 people, more than 170.000 were injured and approximately 10.000 people missing. Mianyang has become nothing but a ghost town (See Video). Resident that still lives there has been evacuated. The Sichuan earthquake happened on 12, May 2008 had threaten the nearby lake (Tang Jia Shan) to fall apart and burst out anytime soon. All Enginers has been working round the clock digging and draining the lake. Wen Jiabao (温家宝) the prime minister has been going to the dangerous zone himself (3 times) seeing how was the relief work progress.
** Two thumbs up for China Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (温家宝)

After working quite sometime…no, pretty much time…finally this ‘Gado Gado’ declared the first Indonesian language magazine in Shanghai has already 85% finish. Actually this magazine’s concept was brought to me around December 2007 by Bu Ohon from IBAS, amazed by the idea, I straightly agree to help.
I heard the planning of publishing this Indonesian magazine has been going for around for a long time (about a year or more).
For me,it’s not easy to bring out a brand new magazine since most of the team members considered’ have no experience of working on that field. We need 110% commitment, 110% effort and xtra hard work.
The next day, I found my job-description working as graphic & layout designer (I worked in publisher before), could be interesting, I can be juggled’ between googling’ appropriate high-resolution photo’s for some article, while wikipedia-ing missing info’s for incomplete article submitted, OR facebook-ing and MSN-ing friends to help filling those ‘empty’ space. (Did I mention, I had In-design program, Photoshop, and Illustrator running, while I did that?).
Well, of course I was just being a bit hyperbolic…Coz those activity only happen for 3 weeks…ha ha ha…
And, finally I’m really glad for Gado Gado’s team commitment for this magazine, all the writers, contributors, and photographer. Without all your 110% effort, this idea of magazine might never come true!
Gado Gado magazine will be available for free!
Still don’t know when, but it supposed to be, soon. In case it doesn’t get published, I will give it more ’sneak preview’ (with better quality :p
For more info, please see Indos Facebook account. (Gado.sh@gmail.com)
See? I have no grudge against facebook! (peopless…who commented me @doramail with your opinion, take it back! just kiddin’)

This is Gado Gado sneak preview, Enjoy!
Thank’s to all personnels behind the desk: Jimmy, Yusuf, Herman, Yoci, Hestiana, Poppy, Honisary, Andy, Will Wiriawan, Inijie, Irene khoe, Novi Suhali.

For friends in China, plz DO NOT send comment on my doramail ^^ just leave a msg on hotmail (MSN) will do! (due to restriction in China, peoples in China can only open this site from www.proxylord.com / www.anonymouse.org, but you can’t leave a comment)

Finally I’ve decided to be inactive on my Facebook account, for good. I feel nowadays, this Facebook has succesfully made me (and maybe some of you?) spent a way too much time logging on their website addictively few times a day for pockers game, fluffy pet, mob wars, and many others rich application’s available.

I have nothing against Facebook or Facebooker’s, nothing at all. This year round, I have been facebooker’s too, enjoying my parts poking and hugging friends, throwing a watterball, send & recieve my LV Bags, Stiletto, or this deliciously tempting ‘new’ sushii, Baskin Robins, and whatever f&b application that I’ve just install for few days or weeks.

But, this is it! I had fun and I’m done.

Honestly speaking, this whole year round, while enjoying my Facebook, somehow I become less and less writting my blogs. Kind of lazy even I have committed myself to write constantly, during my free time, gathering my thought into words. Hmm…hope after this I will be back on track. Even I never now how many friends or stranger have the interest to read my blog…I don’t care…This blog is about me, my thought, and my journey that I want to keep it as a record for me. I’ve been keeping this blog for 3 years now.

Ps: (My A) I like the present ^^, Chocolate always nice, don’t they?