Everyday I try to keep on updating myself with the news from Jogjakarta by reading newspapers and internet news, by watching CNN/BCC, and by calling my parents.
Though I prefer to get the news directly from the affected people but it’s not easy to call directly to Jogjakarta from overseas. So, I can only call my parents who are getting news from my family members at the affected areas.
All the news I read and hear is just like a sharp knife piercing my heart deeply. Everything in Jogjakarta and other affected areas such as Klaten, Prambanan, and Bantul is so familiar to me. I just went there 2 months ago. Everything was very beautiful. The people were happy and friendly. I could always see their beautiful smiles on their faces. Never did we know that for some of them, it was the last smile I saw.
Today, it’s been 3 days since the disaster struck. It’s been 3 days these people have no proper place to stay, no proper food to eat and no proper cloths to wear. The only cloth they wear is the one they have been wearing since the doomsday. They stay under a piece of plastic just to cover their heads from the rain water that adds to all the pains they have been trying to cope. Some of them are a little bit luckier they get 2 boxes of instant noodles to be shared with their 19 family members for 3 days. They have to put so much water to make the noodle just like a bowl of thick porridge.
I thought the aids are pouring from all over the world. I thought the world has pledge to help by sending all the basic needs such as food, cloths, medications, tents, and some cash. But unfortunately, all of these have not been distributed yet in the name of bureaucracy. Can you imagine, my friends? These people already have enough suffering still they have to produce any kinds of proof that they belong to the affected area just to get the food. For god sake, these people are starving already. How the hell they have to remember to bring their identity cards when they have to evacuate so that they can get some food later? They don’t even know where to look for their identity cards. Their houses don’t exist anymore. It’s ridiculous!
Since these people are desperate for something to eat, they are forced to BUY some food on their own. They swarm 1 supermarket that has survived from the earthquake. Some people who survived are trying to make profit from the situation by increasing the price of basic needs. Oh well, I believe this story sounds familiar to you. If you remember Aceh – the Tsunami story, you will understand what kind of bureaucracy I am talking about. If you want to help the earthquake victims in Indonesia, I suggest you make sure your donations reach the people who need them the most A.S.A.P. But unfortunately, it is not going to be ‘that’ easy. I don’t even know how to help my own brother and his family who are in desperate need of some food and milk for his 2 sons. It’s hard for me to swallow the food every time I eat when I know my brother, his wife and his 2 children have nothing to eat. I hope God will help us to help these desperate people.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
The news from Jogjakarta
Early morning around 10am I finally received a short message on my mobile from my brother in Jogjakarta informing me that he, his wife and his 2 kids are fine but they are still very nervous and shaken by the incident. They don't dare to sleep inside their house. They are afraid of more aftershocks coming and rocking their house.
The moment I knew the cell phone service in Jogjakarta is up and running, I quickly called my brother. His wife picked up the phone and told me everything.
Here is her story:
That day, yesterday, was her birthday and she just received a sms from my mum greeting her "Happy birthday" at around 5:45am. So, she was still half sleeping and holding the phone with her. She was about to fell asleep again when suddenly she felt the whole bed rocking and she saw the whole house shaking and there were loud noise and rumble like something collapse. She thought my uncle who lives next door was making something in his kitchen which shares the wall with my brother's master bedroom. So she tried to continue sleeping while her husband, who is my brother, suddenly realized what happened and jumped out of the bed and run out of the bedroom trying to get out of the house but he couldn't find the main door key. He was very panic and started to yell asking where the hell the key was. She quickly jumped out of the bed dragging her 2 years old son and trying her best to wake up her 7 years old son while screaming calling her husband to help her carry the younger one. But her husband was extremely panic because he just couldn't find the door key. He screamed and screamed banging the door and from outside, he heard my uncles and my unties who live close to them banging the door from outside asking them to get out from the house A.S.A.P.
Luckily, his husband finally found the key and opened the door while his whole body was shaking, he found it very hard to open the door. Once the door was opened, she quickly dragged her 2 children getting out of the house with her husband and my uncles and my unties run and hugged them so tightly. They were blown off by the view they saw outside the house. Their neighbor's houses have collapsed. They saw many people running around screaming and crying because they couldn't get their other family members out of the house in time before their houses collapsed.
The situation was a total mess and very chaotic. They were so numb and just didn't know what to do. They couldn't stand still as the ground kept on moving and they felt dizzy. They tried to avoid standing near tall coconut trees which shook violently and they also saw the wave on the river in front of their house. They were totally petrified. They could feel the ground moved. There were many aftershocks following the earthquake.
Once the situation a little bit quiter, my untie took everyone home to have breakfast. After breakfast, at around 8am, many people run around again screaming there was tsunami coming to them. So again, everyone at my untie's house run up to the 3rd floor. They were so scared. My sis-in-law suddenly had view of Aceh which was hit by tsunami and earthquake in December 2004. She was extremely nervous trying her best with her husband to protect their 2 sons. But then there was no tsunami. Instead, some more aftershocks rocked the 3rd floor violently. She screamed asking for help and quickly run down and got out of my untie's house.
Her husband decided to get his motorbike and took her and the 2 kids for a ride to see the situation outside their village. When they were out on the street, they saw even more devastating situation. They went to a nearby telecom stall to rent a phone to call my parents. While calling, they could still feel the ground shook and they just couldn't bear the fear. They hung up and quickly rode the motorbike again trying to get some food to eat for lunch and dinner, but unfortunately, all the supermarkets they used to go to, have been flattened to the ground by the earthquake. Still they think they are really lucky God has saved them and their house. At least they still have a place to go home though they still don't know the condition of the building.
My brother and the whole family are still scared and blur and hungry because they still cannot find some food to eat. For my sis-in-law, that day was the worst birthday ever but at the same time God has given her the best birthday gift by protecting her and the whole family.
Gosh, I wish I could just fly there and take them with me. I have a lot of food to spare. But things are not as easy as snapping my fingers and say "Abracadabra". I think I just have to wait for any chances to help and at the moment I pray for them all.
There are alot more horrible stories that I would like to share but it's already closing to midnite and I need to sleep before my son wakes up. I will post more stories tomorrow.
The moment I knew the cell phone service in Jogjakarta is up and running, I quickly called my brother. His wife picked up the phone and told me everything.
Here is her story:
That day, yesterday, was her birthday and she just received a sms from my mum greeting her "Happy birthday" at around 5:45am. So, she was still half sleeping and holding the phone with her. She was about to fell asleep again when suddenly she felt the whole bed rocking and she saw the whole house shaking and there were loud noise and rumble like something collapse. She thought my uncle who lives next door was making something in his kitchen which shares the wall with my brother's master bedroom. So she tried to continue sleeping while her husband, who is my brother, suddenly realized what happened and jumped out of the bed and run out of the bedroom trying to get out of the house but he couldn't find the main door key. He was very panic and started to yell asking where the hell the key was. She quickly jumped out of the bed dragging her 2 years old son and trying her best to wake up her 7 years old son while screaming calling her husband to help her carry the younger one. But her husband was extremely panic because he just couldn't find the door key. He screamed and screamed banging the door and from outside, he heard my uncles and my unties who live close to them banging the door from outside asking them to get out from the house A.S.A.P.
Luckily, his husband finally found the key and opened the door while his whole body was shaking, he found it very hard to open the door. Once the door was opened, she quickly dragged her 2 children getting out of the house with her husband and my uncles and my unties run and hugged them so tightly. They were blown off by the view they saw outside the house. Their neighbor's houses have collapsed. They saw many people running around screaming and crying because they couldn't get their other family members out of the house in time before their houses collapsed.
The situation was a total mess and very chaotic. They were so numb and just didn't know what to do. They couldn't stand still as the ground kept on moving and they felt dizzy. They tried to avoid standing near tall coconut trees which shook violently and they also saw the wave on the river in front of their house. They were totally petrified. They could feel the ground moved. There were many aftershocks following the earthquake.
Once the situation a little bit quiter, my untie took everyone home to have breakfast. After breakfast, at around 8am, many people run around again screaming there was tsunami coming to them. So again, everyone at my untie's house run up to the 3rd floor. They were so scared. My sis-in-law suddenly had view of Aceh which was hit by tsunami and earthquake in December 2004. She was extremely nervous trying her best with her husband to protect their 2 sons. But then there was no tsunami. Instead, some more aftershocks rocked the 3rd floor violently. She screamed asking for help and quickly run down and got out of my untie's house.
Her husband decided to get his motorbike and took her and the 2 kids for a ride to see the situation outside their village. When they were out on the street, they saw even more devastating situation. They went to a nearby telecom stall to rent a phone to call my parents. While calling, they could still feel the ground shook and they just couldn't bear the fear. They hung up and quickly rode the motorbike again trying to get some food to eat for lunch and dinner, but unfortunately, all the supermarkets they used to go to, have been flattened to the ground by the earthquake. Still they think they are really lucky God has saved them and their house. At least they still have a place to go home though they still don't know the condition of the building.
My brother and the whole family are still scared and blur and hungry because they still cannot find some food to eat. For my sis-in-law, that day was the worst birthday ever but at the same time God has given her the best birthday gift by protecting her and the whole family.
Gosh, I wish I could just fly there and take them with me. I have a lot of food to spare. But things are not as easy as snapping my fingers and say "Abracadabra". I think I just have to wait for any chances to help and at the moment I pray for them all.
There are alot more horrible stories that I would like to share but it's already closing to midnite and I need to sleep before my son wakes up. I will post more stories tomorrow.
A deadly earthquake hit Jogjakarta
I was in the middle of my cooking session at home when I received many short messages on my mobile phones from my friends and my mother about a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake (update: according to CNN, it's 6.3 magnitude) that has shook Jogjakarta at 5:54am on Saturday, 27 May 2006. The epicenter is about 25km south of Jogjakarta. The worst hit area is Bantul, a city near the Indian Ocean. The latest news from CNN mentioned that 2,275 people are dead.
As I wrote earlier on my previous post that I have many reasons to visit Jogjakarta, this time, I also have many reasons to be nervous about what is happening there. I was panic and quickly switched on my TV channel to CNN but at that time CNN still didn’t have the news coverage. I quickly switched on to BBC news, but there is no news coverage either. I switched on my internet and started to read the horrible news and I became tense. I tried to contact my brother who lives in Jogjakarta but his cell phone was out of reach. I frantically dialed my sister-in-law’s cell phone but I didn’t get any answer either. I extremely tensed up and kept on trying to contact any of my cousins, my aunties, or any other family members who live in Jogjakarta, but none answered. I nearly cried when finally one of cousin picked up his cell phone informing me that they were safe but they still could not get any news from my brother and his family. I became so frustrated and quickly called my parents who don’t live in Jogjakarta hoping to get further news from my brother and his family. It was very hard to contact them. I had to use my cell phone to call when I finally got to talk to my parents. They told me that they managed to talk to my brother early in the morning after the incident and before all cell phone lines got disconnected. My brother and family were safe. Their house is still standing. Only all the glass windows are broken. Many of their neighbor’s houses were flattened to the ground including a house just right behind my brother’s house. That’s all the news I got. My parents didn’t want to talk too long on the phone because they need the phone to be ready to receive any news from Jogjakarta.
I am still not relieved before I could talk to my brother personally but I really can’t contact him. The news I read on the internet informed me that the cell phone services in Jogjakarta are disrupted and the electricity is cut off. So, I really can’t do anything to contact my brother. I decided to continue cooking and put my mobile within my reach.
At around 5pm, my cousin sent me a sms informing me that he finally can contact my brother. My brother and his family are still at home safe and sound. Oh thank you God!
That’s all came out from my mouth. There are many other people I know who live in Jogjakarta and I really want to know their condition but I can’t contact them at the moment so there is nothing else I could do. I just sat down and prayed for them all while my TV channel was tuned to CNN or BBC for more news about Jogjakarta.
As I wrote earlier on my previous post that I have many reasons to visit Jogjakarta, this time, I also have many reasons to be nervous about what is happening there. I was panic and quickly switched on my TV channel to CNN but at that time CNN still didn’t have the news coverage. I quickly switched on to BBC news, but there is no news coverage either. I switched on my internet and started to read the horrible news and I became tense. I tried to contact my brother who lives in Jogjakarta but his cell phone was out of reach. I frantically dialed my sister-in-law’s cell phone but I didn’t get any answer either. I extremely tensed up and kept on trying to contact any of my cousins, my aunties, or any other family members who live in Jogjakarta, but none answered. I nearly cried when finally one of cousin picked up his cell phone informing me that they were safe but they still could not get any news from my brother and his family. I became so frustrated and quickly called my parents who don’t live in Jogjakarta hoping to get further news from my brother and his family. It was very hard to contact them. I had to use my cell phone to call when I finally got to talk to my parents. They told me that they managed to talk to my brother early in the morning after the incident and before all cell phone lines got disconnected. My brother and family were safe. Their house is still standing. Only all the glass windows are broken. Many of their neighbor’s houses were flattened to the ground including a house just right behind my brother’s house. That’s all the news I got. My parents didn’t want to talk too long on the phone because they need the phone to be ready to receive any news from Jogjakarta.
I am still not relieved before I could talk to my brother personally but I really can’t contact him. The news I read on the internet informed me that the cell phone services in Jogjakarta are disrupted and the electricity is cut off. So, I really can’t do anything to contact my brother. I decided to continue cooking and put my mobile within my reach.
At around 5pm, my cousin sent me a sms informing me that he finally can contact my brother. My brother and his family are still at home safe and sound. Oh thank you God!
That’s all came out from my mouth. There are many other people I know who live in Jogjakarta and I really want to know their condition but I can’t contact them at the moment so there is nothing else I could do. I just sat down and prayed for them all while my TV channel was tuned to CNN or BBC for more news about Jogjakarta.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Confession of a mother on mother's day
Kiss from mommyGood morning my beloved son,
Every morning I wake up and see you still sleeping on my arm, I feel so grateful being who I am. I feel so grateful that you are my son. I feel so grateful that you have given me a chance to experience such a wonderful feeling to be a mother. I have no regret what so ever to have you as my son.
You are God's most precious gift to me for being so patient and persistent in believing that I would have you eventually and naturally though it took 5 years to finally have you in my arms, though I had given a 'death sentence' by many gynecologysts that it would be very difficult for me to conceive and because of this I had been mocked as useless person and have been ex-communicated by the people close to me. But you have saved me. Your presence at the right time have saved me from all the mocking I've got, have helped me to gain my dignity back and have helped me to prove that God always listens to my prayers.
My dear son, since the first time I found out that you were living inside me, I got so excited. Actually, I didn't quite believe you were there in the first place until your godmothers forced me to have a pregnancy test. Even then, I still refused to believe in the test. I wanted to hear personally from my doctor whom I trust. At that time I took the test, it was Sunday and my doctor wasn't available so I have to wait until Monday to get the confirmation about your presence in my tummy. Monday came and my doctor confirmed that you were there and she suggested me to have someone like a midwife or a doctor to monitor your growth and our health throughout the pregnancy.
Since that day, I really have mixed feeling about you. I was extremely happy, excited, scared, nervous, and blur at the same time.
I was very happy because finally my prayer has been answered.
I was excited because finally I would be a mother and I would have to experience a new life as a mother.
I was scared because I was afraid I couldn't become a good mother for you and I was afraid because I had to go through this pregnancy alone because at that time, I was in the exile working full time and trying to realize my other dream of having a degree and it was my final year and since I didn't know I was pregnant, I had taken extra papers and they were quite difficult ones.
I was nervous and blur because this was my first time to experience the pregnancy and I was not young anymore and I didn't know whom I could ask for help as your dad couldn't be with me throughout the pregnancy because of his work commitment.
But I really didn't need to worry at all because when God decided He wanted to give me the present, He made sure that I was ready.
He made sure that he has provided me with all the support I would need.
Age wise, I was really ready. My body sure is ready. I was quite healthy at that time.
But mental wise, God helped me to be ready by giving me the best midwife who really really did take good care of me and you throughout the pregnancy and the best of all, God has given me all my beloved friends and beloved lecturers to be around me 24/7 to support me and help me though they didn't live with me. They were there for me anytime I needed someone to be with me; to do my grocery shopping; to help me to look for a new place to stay that was very near to the place I studied and also was near to the hospital where you were born; to help me moving to that place; to help me with any difficulties in any assignments I had; to cook for me; to consult me when I was down; to be my temporary partner when I had to attend the pre-natal class without your daddy.
These people have supported me not only during the pregnancy, but they also have supported me during and after the delivery. What a wonderful people!
It was a very very smooth ride for me. I never felt alone at all. Everything I needed was there for me even just for a piece of bread when I was run out of bread, and really craved for the bread and I couldn't go to buy it, God suddenly sent his angels to deliver the bread to me.
I didn't know them but they said they were my neighbors and they were having bread party and everyone in the same building has the right to choose and eat which bread she/he wanted.
God has planned everything for us by sending me to live in that country you were born, the wonderful country that is full of friendly and helpful people, the country that has 1 of the best healthcare systems in the world, the country that is really a child-friendly country, the country that prioritize the pregnant women and children above all others.
Every where I went, people would talk to me and asked me about my big tummy. From a little girl till old ladies, they all were very happy to greet me.
You see, my son? How God is so great! He really made sure that you were comfortable inside my womb, though I had to take you to the labs many times and went home late at nite to do my assignments and to study for the exams, though the weather outside my womb was very cold because at that time was winter time. I did whatever I could to make you feel comfortable.
But no matter how comfortable my womb was, you chose to come out early. You decided to see the sinful world 2 weeks early from the due date. I was just reading my Harry Potter book at home alone when suddenly I had the urge to go to toilet and when I saw some blood coming out, I was quite numb.
I was afraid I had lost you. I called my midwife and was told that I would deliver you either that nite or the next morning.
I stood still frozen as I didn't expect you to come out early because your dad wouldn't be around when I had to deliver you and I wouldn't have anyone to hold my hands when I had to deal with the pain.
I suddenly felt so cold and panic. I didn't know what to do. I kept calling the midwife and she asked me to relax, take a deep breath, and start packing for staying at the hospital.
I couldn't concentrate, my son. I was very scared. I suddenly realized I was alone. When I was so confused and blur, again, God helped me. He sent my 2 beloved friends to be with me throughout the delivery. They were the true angels without wings for us, my son. I know we were so blessed. God knew that I would rather be with these 2 angels than with any other persons in the world to go through the pain to bring you out to this world. They were so patient and so funny. They kept me company and kept on playing jokes at me which really helped me to conquer the tremendous pain.
They let me hold their hands for comfort and strength to push you out to see the world for the first time. They were so wonderful. Though they didn't attend the pre-natal course with me, they knew what to do.
The help didn't stop there. God kept on sending His angels to help us till the day we had to leave them all. I cried so much when I had to say "goodbye" to all my angels because I don't know when I would be with them again. Perhaps someday we will be with them again.
In the mean time, mommy will focus on raising you together with your daddy. I know I'm not perfect and I still continue learning to be a good mother for you. One thing you should know, I love you unconditionally and I always pray for you. I know you still can't verbally say "I love you mommy" but I know you love me. I feel lifted up when you kiss me, when I hear your laughter, when you show me your new skill that you have just picked up, even when you show mommy your anger. You are God's magic performed in me. You are mommy's best present on every celebration I have including this coming mother's day. This is the second time I celebrate mother's day because of you. I love you, my son. Be a good person and always think positive! You are never alone because you know God is always with us.
Every morning I wake up and see you still sleeping on my arm, I feel so grateful being who I am. I feel so grateful that you are my son. I feel so grateful that you have given me a chance to experience such a wonderful feeling to be a mother. I have no regret what so ever to have you as my son.
You are God's most precious gift to me for being so patient and persistent in believing that I would have you eventually and naturally though it took 5 years to finally have you in my arms, though I had given a 'death sentence' by many gynecologysts that it would be very difficult for me to conceive and because of this I had been mocked as useless person and have been ex-communicated by the people close to me. But you have saved me. Your presence at the right time have saved me from all the mocking I've got, have helped me to gain my dignity back and have helped me to prove that God always listens to my prayers.
My dear son, since the first time I found out that you were living inside me, I got so excited. Actually, I didn't quite believe you were there in the first place until your godmothers forced me to have a pregnancy test. Even then, I still refused to believe in the test. I wanted to hear personally from my doctor whom I trust. At that time I took the test, it was Sunday and my doctor wasn't available so I have to wait until Monday to get the confirmation about your presence in my tummy. Monday came and my doctor confirmed that you were there and she suggested me to have someone like a midwife or a doctor to monitor your growth and our health throughout the pregnancy.
Since that day, I really have mixed feeling about you. I was extremely happy, excited, scared, nervous, and blur at the same time.
I was very happy because finally my prayer has been answered.
I was excited because finally I would be a mother and I would have to experience a new life as a mother.
I was scared because I was afraid I couldn't become a good mother for you and I was afraid because I had to go through this pregnancy alone because at that time, I was in the exile working full time and trying to realize my other dream of having a degree and it was my final year and since I didn't know I was pregnant, I had taken extra papers and they were quite difficult ones.
I was nervous and blur because this was my first time to experience the pregnancy and I was not young anymore and I didn't know whom I could ask for help as your dad couldn't be with me throughout the pregnancy because of his work commitment.
But I really didn't need to worry at all because when God decided He wanted to give me the present, He made sure that I was ready.
He made sure that he has provided me with all the support I would need.
Age wise, I was really ready. My body sure is ready. I was quite healthy at that time.
But mental wise, God helped me to be ready by giving me the best midwife who really really did take good care of me and you throughout the pregnancy and the best of all, God has given me all my beloved friends and beloved lecturers to be around me 24/7 to support me and help me though they didn't live with me. They were there for me anytime I needed someone to be with me; to do my grocery shopping; to help me to look for a new place to stay that was very near to the place I studied and also was near to the hospital where you were born; to help me moving to that place; to help me with any difficulties in any assignments I had; to cook for me; to consult me when I was down; to be my temporary partner when I had to attend the pre-natal class without your daddy.
These people have supported me not only during the pregnancy, but they also have supported me during and after the delivery. What a wonderful people!
It was a very very smooth ride for me. I never felt alone at all. Everything I needed was there for me even just for a piece of bread when I was run out of bread, and really craved for the bread and I couldn't go to buy it, God suddenly sent his angels to deliver the bread to me.
I didn't know them but they said they were my neighbors and they were having bread party and everyone in the same building has the right to choose and eat which bread she/he wanted.
God has planned everything for us by sending me to live in that country you were born, the wonderful country that is full of friendly and helpful people, the country that has 1 of the best healthcare systems in the world, the country that is really a child-friendly country, the country that prioritize the pregnant women and children above all others.
Every where I went, people would talk to me and asked me about my big tummy. From a little girl till old ladies, they all were very happy to greet me.
You see, my son? How God is so great! He really made sure that you were comfortable inside my womb, though I had to take you to the labs many times and went home late at nite to do my assignments and to study for the exams, though the weather outside my womb was very cold because at that time was winter time. I did whatever I could to make you feel comfortable.
But no matter how comfortable my womb was, you chose to come out early. You decided to see the sinful world 2 weeks early from the due date. I was just reading my Harry Potter book at home alone when suddenly I had the urge to go to toilet and when I saw some blood coming out, I was quite numb.
I was afraid I had lost you. I called my midwife and was told that I would deliver you either that nite or the next morning.
I stood still frozen as I didn't expect you to come out early because your dad wouldn't be around when I had to deliver you and I wouldn't have anyone to hold my hands when I had to deal with the pain.
I suddenly felt so cold and panic. I didn't know what to do. I kept calling the midwife and she asked me to relax, take a deep breath, and start packing for staying at the hospital.
I couldn't concentrate, my son. I was very scared. I suddenly realized I was alone. When I was so confused and blur, again, God helped me. He sent my 2 beloved friends to be with me throughout the delivery. They were the true angels without wings for us, my son. I know we were so blessed. God knew that I would rather be with these 2 angels than with any other persons in the world to go through the pain to bring you out to this world. They were so patient and so funny. They kept me company and kept on playing jokes at me which really helped me to conquer the tremendous pain.
They let me hold their hands for comfort and strength to push you out to see the world for the first time. They were so wonderful. Though they didn't attend the pre-natal course with me, they knew what to do.
The help didn't stop there. God kept on sending His angels to help us till the day we had to leave them all. I cried so much when I had to say "goodbye" to all my angels because I don't know when I would be with them again. Perhaps someday we will be with them again.
In the mean time, mommy will focus on raising you together with your daddy. I know I'm not perfect and I still continue learning to be a good mother for you. One thing you should know, I love you unconditionally and I always pray for you. I know you still can't verbally say "I love you mommy" but I know you love me. I feel lifted up when you kiss me, when I hear your laughter, when you show me your new skill that you have just picked up, even when you show mommy your anger. You are God's magic performed in me. You are mommy's best present on every celebration I have including this coming mother's day. This is the second time I celebrate mother's day because of you. I love you, my son. Be a good person and always think positive! You are never alone because you know God is always with us.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
One moment in 100 years
What moment is that? It is 01:02:03 04/05/06 or 1 hour passed midnite at 2 minutes and 3 seconds on the fourth of May 2006.
The Star newspaper has highlighted this moment and is organizing an sms contest for the readers to tell what they are going to do during that 1 moment in 100 years. The contestants have to send sms at that exact moment. I wonder how many people will be successful to send their sms to a number dedicated for this contest. The network will be very busy.
Anyway, how many of you think that 01:02:03 04/05/06 or just plain 010203040506 is a special combination number? For those who are addicted to gambling may find it to be lucky numbers. But since I don't gamble, to me is a very ordinary combination. I can't use it for password because people will find out very easily.
After the Star newspaper mentioned that exact combination number will only happen once in 100 years of our lifetime, I begun to take that combination seriously not because I want to join the sms contest, but I think it's a good idea to use that combination to start something different in my life. Perhaps something meaningful to do so that it is easy for me to remember when I do that thing.
To tell you the truth, I have no idea what important thing I want to do at that exact moment. I can't propose or be proposed cause I've already married. I don't want to pop up a champagne either cause I am sober since 5 years ago. Hmm..what should I do? That moment will be just an hour passed midnite. I'll probably just continue sleeping.
Oh wait the minute...as a religious person, I think I will just wake up and pray. I pray to say thank you to God for everything I have, for all good friends I have, for my perfect body, for the brain that still working properly, for all the people that I love and that love me, for the best son I have, for husband that loves me, for being able to create this blog and my other blogs, for the readers like you. And of course, I will pray for...the world peace...just like those miss world contestants.
You are welcome to share your story or comment on this post and tell me what you think about this special moment.
The Star newspaper has highlighted this moment and is organizing an sms contest for the readers to tell what they are going to do during that 1 moment in 100 years. The contestants have to send sms at that exact moment. I wonder how many people will be successful to send their sms to a number dedicated for this contest. The network will be very busy.
Anyway, how many of you think that 01:02:03 04/05/06 or just plain 010203040506 is a special combination number? For those who are addicted to gambling may find it to be lucky numbers. But since I don't gamble, to me is a very ordinary combination. I can't use it for password because people will find out very easily.
After the Star newspaper mentioned that exact combination number will only happen once in 100 years of our lifetime, I begun to take that combination seriously not because I want to join the sms contest, but I think it's a good idea to use that combination to start something different in my life. Perhaps something meaningful to do so that it is easy for me to remember when I do that thing.
To tell you the truth, I have no idea what important thing I want to do at that exact moment. I can't propose or be proposed cause I've already married. I don't want to pop up a champagne either cause I am sober since 5 years ago. Hmm..what should I do? That moment will be just an hour passed midnite. I'll probably just continue sleeping.
Oh wait the minute...as a religious person, I think I will just wake up and pray. I pray to say thank you to God for everything I have, for all good friends I have, for my perfect body, for the brain that still working properly, for all the people that I love and that love me, for the best son I have, for husband that loves me, for being able to create this blog and my other blogs, for the readers like you. And of course, I will pray for...the world peace...just like those miss world contestants.
You are welcome to share your story or comment on this post and tell me what you think about this special moment.
Ipoh's hidden treasures
The Kek Look Tong entrance
Nope..Nope..I'm not referring to some gold or diamond or even silver hidden in Ipoh though Ipoh is in the state called 'silver' or Perak in Malay Language.
What I mean by Ipoh's hidden treasures are all the caves (Tong in Chinese language). Ipoh has so many Tongs and they are all magnificent. In fact, there is one 100 years old-cave has just been recovered and rebuild. Apparently the flood and the jungle have 'swallowed' it. That cave isn't far from Sam Poh Tong. These caves are maintained for people to pray, mostly are the Buddhists, these caves are also open for public to see the grandeur of God's artwork combined with human touch. Some of the famous ones I know are Sam Poh Tong, Ling Sen Tong, Perak Tong, Kek Look Tong, and Gua (cave) Tempurung (coconut shell).
The most famous one is Sam Poh Tong in Gunung Rapat area. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos during my visit there but you can always google it. I like Sam Poh Tong. I visited this cave not to pray but to feed the tortoises with the leaves I bought from old ladies who sell them in front of the gate at RM3 a bunch. There are so many tortoises in the pond at the back area of Sam Poh Tong. You have to go up, pass the big Buddha statue into the back opening of the cave. When you are there, I'm sure your jaw will drop to see how wonderful the 'hidden' view is. It's so majestic. I lost my words to describe how wonderful the view is. I suggest you go there yourself and discover this awesome view by yourself.
Ok, back to the tortoise business, my husband told me, according to the Chinese belief feeding the tortoises brings longevity and good luck because tortoises have long life and the fact that those tortoises are not inverted for ages reflect how lucky these tortoises are. It's not that simple to feed the tortoises because you have to throw the leaves as far as possible so that the tortoises that don't want come close to you can eat as well. This is the fun. My husband and I will race to see who can throw the leaves the furthest...:D
Another cave I have visited is Kek Look Tong and this time I took some photos for you to see.
This cave is not as famous as Sam Poh Tong or Perak Tong because it's quite hidden. You have to follow the road sign, drive pass Gunung Rapat neighbourhood, pass a Muslim cemetery, then only you will reach this Tong. The moment you arrive at this Tong, I'm sure you will say "Awesome!" and your jaw drop longer this time... :D
The view is definitely awesome. This limestone cave is bigger and cleaner compared to Sam Poh Tong. Go inside the cave, walk pass the huge Buddha statue until you find the back opening of the cave. Again, here you are going to love the view of Ipoh limestone hills.
I visit this cave, again, not for praying but to feed the fishes and to do feet reflexology... :D Sure you'll be wondering why the hell I go to a cave to get my feet massaged. By who? Well, there is no masseuses or masseurs in the cave, but there is a pathway made from uneven rocks for you to do the feet reflexology. This is the fun part for me and my husband because normally we will race walking on the pathway full of uneven rocks. In reflexology, who ever is able to walk on this uneven rocks without any pain on the feet, that means this person is very healthy. Those uneven rocks give pressure on different spots on your feet to help you to cope with some sickness inside your body.
The first time I tried walking on the rock, I screamed in pain and my husband laughed so loud. He found it funny. But then when it was his turn to walk on the pathway, he sreamed even louder. Whua..ha..ha..then it was my turn to laugh.. :D
Slowly I could cope with the pain and I try to keep on walking on the pathway. I can feel the pressure hit my nerve.
Usually, after I come back from doing free-reflexology in Kek Look Tong, I will be able to sleep well at night. The next day when I wake up, I'll feel fresh and have more energy for my daily activities.
As for feeding the fishes, you have to bring your own fish food. No old ladies sell the fish food outside Kek Look Tong. According to the chinese belief, feeding the fish is another way of bringing good luck for you and your family. Oh, there are some tortoises also in this Tong but is not as many as the ones in Sam Poh Tong. There are more fishes here and fishes are huge.
I have not had a chance to visit other caves such as Perak Tong and Gua Tempurung. The latter one is the biggest limestone cave and is quite wet. It's located at Gopeng area on the way to Kuala Lumpur from Ipoh. I have passed by Perak Tong at Jalan Kuala Kangsar area but I didn't get a chance to stop by.
My husband likes to take the whole family or just me for a stroll at the cave area. Visiting the cave is a good way for my husband to spend quality time with his small family or just spend time with his beloved wife, me... :) It's free entertainment for the whole family because there is no entrance fee to visit the caves, at least the ones I have been. But you are welcome to donate some money for the cave maintenance.
If you visit Malaysia, do not forget to come to Ipoh which is about 2.5 hour-drive from Kuala Lumpur. In Ipoh, you can visit the hidden treasures I talked about and you can also visit other tourist attractions such as Museum Darul Ridzuan, Kellie's Castle, the Hindu temples, and of course, the famous Pomelo stalls not far from Sam Poh Tong.
Ipoh pomelos are very famous because the pomelos are very sweet and very juicy. You just can't find them anywhere in the world.
Ipoh is also famous for the delicious food especially the tauge ayam (chicken with bean sprout or Ngah choy kai in local language). Ipoh bean sprout is also special. It's big, fat, and juicy.
Living cost in Ipoh is alot cheaper compared to Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Crispy Fried Fish
One day during our weekly shopping trip to one of hypermarket closed to my house, my husband came to me with a full bag of small fishes. I have no idea what fish that is but I don't have to worry because my husband has screamed so loud to my ear "Belanak! Belanak! I bought some Belanak." while his hand showing me that bag full of small fishes. Oh Belanak fish. My husband's favorite.
He then asked me to deep fry the fishes for his dinner the next day. He said I didn't have to mix the fish with anything. Just fry them with the vegetable cooking oil. "Ok. I'll do that." I told my husband.
But then, the next day, when I was about the fry the Belanak after my maid cleaned them (I have a phobia of cleaning a fish so I can't clean the fish by myself), I came out with my own recipe of crispy fried fish. I'm sure my husband will like the fish to be crispier. So I started to mix the ingredients and then after leaving the mixture in the fridge until before dinner time, I deep fried the Belanak.
When my husband came back home, he quickly asked me to prepare his dinner because he knew that he was about to eat his favorite belanak fish.
When he ate the belanak, he asked me how I could make that belanak extra crispy. So, I told him about my crispy fried fish recipe. Then he asked me to fry every fish with my recipe.
He then asked me to deep fry the fishes for his dinner the next day. He said I didn't have to mix the fish with anything. Just fry them with the vegetable cooking oil. "Ok. I'll do that." I told my husband.
But then, the next day, when I was about the fry the Belanak after my maid cleaned them (I have a phobia of cleaning a fish so I can't clean the fish by myself), I came out with my own recipe of crispy fried fish. I'm sure my husband will like the fish to be crispier. So I started to mix the ingredients and then after leaving the mixture in the fridge until before dinner time, I deep fried the Belanak.
When my husband came back home, he quickly asked me to prepare his dinner because he knew that he was about to eat his favorite belanak fish.
When he ate the belanak, he asked me how I could make that belanak extra crispy. So, I told him about my crispy fried fish recipe. Then he asked me to fry every fish with my recipe.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Banana Cake on Coffeeliqueur Recipes blog
Yay! I finally finished creating my recipe blog and my first recipe is The Banana-Raisin cake. Check it out people!
Bon appétit!
Bon appétit!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Life in a snap - me and my camera
Since I was small, I have a very close relationship with a camera. Most of the time, I would be the object of the camera.
When I was 3 years old, one of my photos appeared in Ayahbunda. Ayahbunda is one of leading family magazines in my country.
This experience has made me developed a more intimate relationship with a camera. I gave my free time to learn to be a good object for the camera and this resulted to 2 biggest events in my life in my relationship with the camera; first, when I was a teenager, my photo again printed in almost all mass media in my country because I did an ad for a beeper company, then second, in my twenties, one of my portraits which is the same size as my house door, was displayed on a big photographic event at Jakarta Convention Center.
Since then I have stopped making commercial photo shoots. But this doesn’t mean I quit my relationship with my camera. Still I can’t live without one.
When I finally managed to buy a good Olympus camera for myself, slowly I learn not to be the object of the camera anymore. I found my new exciting experience being a photographer.
I snapped here and there. I take a snapshot of everything that looks good for my eyes and for others. I take photo of nature and things that happen around me. I take photo to support me in telling stories of places I have been. My favorite object is all my beloved people, especially my son.
When I met my friend, Cristien ‘Malfoy’ who loves camera as I do, we have become a good partner in photography. We just love to freeze the beauty of New Zealand from many angles.
At the moment, I don’t live with Cristien anymore but I still pursue my relationship with my camera which is now upgraded to a digital camera. With a digital camera, I found it quite easier to produce a high quality photo because I can always preview the photo I have taken and delete it if I don’t like the photo. Besides, I don’t have to always develop the photos and keep the photo in a bulky photo album. I save more money with my digital camera, especially when it is teamed up with my computer and my powerful adobe Photoshop software.
I go crazy over my camera and have tried to make money out of the photos I snapped by sending them to local newspaper to accompany some exciting news, or by using them on Ebay to make my items more appealing to my prospective buyers, or just uploading them on the internet photographic forum for other people to comment on.
After 3 attempts, finally my photo of 2 elephants riding on a lorry has won a prize as the best picture of the day and was published on The Star newspaper. I took that photo because the 2 elephants looked so cute and this was the first time for me witnessing elephants riding on a lorry and I just couldn’t miss the moment.
Thank you my camera! You have made my life so beautiful in your own way by preserving things that are so memorable to me and to others.
When I was 3 years old, one of my photos appeared in Ayahbunda. Ayahbunda is one of leading family magazines in my country.
This experience has made me developed a more intimate relationship with a camera. I gave my free time to learn to be a good object for the camera and this resulted to 2 biggest events in my life in my relationship with the camera; first, when I was a teenager, my photo again printed in almost all mass media in my country because I did an ad for a beeper company, then second, in my twenties, one of my portraits which is the same size as my house door, was displayed on a big photographic event at Jakarta Convention Center.
Since then I have stopped making commercial photo shoots. But this doesn’t mean I quit my relationship with my camera. Still I can’t live without one.
When I finally managed to buy a good Olympus camera for myself, slowly I learn not to be the object of the camera anymore. I found my new exciting experience being a photographer.
I snapped here and there. I take a snapshot of everything that looks good for my eyes and for others. I take photo of nature and things that happen around me. I take photo to support me in telling stories of places I have been. My favorite object is all my beloved people, especially my son.
When I met my friend, Cristien ‘Malfoy’ who loves camera as I do, we have become a good partner in photography. We just love to freeze the beauty of New Zealand from many angles.
At the moment, I don’t live with Cristien anymore but I still pursue my relationship with my camera which is now upgraded to a digital camera. With a digital camera, I found it quite easier to produce a high quality photo because I can always preview the photo I have taken and delete it if I don’t like the photo. Besides, I don’t have to always develop the photos and keep the photo in a bulky photo album. I save more money with my digital camera, especially when it is teamed up with my computer and my powerful adobe Photoshop software.
I go crazy over my camera and have tried to make money out of the photos I snapped by sending them to local newspaper to accompany some exciting news, or by using them on Ebay to make my items more appealing to my prospective buyers, or just uploading them on the internet photographic forum for other people to comment on.
After 3 attempts, finally my photo of 2 elephants riding on a lorry has won a prize as the best picture of the day and was published on The Star newspaper. I took that photo because the 2 elephants looked so cute and this was the first time for me witnessing elephants riding on a lorry and I just couldn’t miss the moment.
Thank you my camera! You have made my life so beautiful in your own way by preserving things that are so memorable to me and to others.
Escape death
My whole family has proved how God never leaves us alone and we are so grateful to be given a second chance to live after the incident on Tuesday (11 April) early morning at 1am along North-South Highway on the way back home from vacationing in Jogjakarta.
At that time we were all extremely tired after our flight was delayed an hour in Solo and we still had to wait nearly 2 hours to retrieve our cargo bags because the airline has sent the luggages to the wrong airport. Our taxi driver has waited for nearly 3 hours at the airport to drive us back to our hometown and he also was very tired after working the whole day. The taxi driver just couldn't wait to send us back home as we were his last passengers for that day.
Finally at around 11pm, we were on our way back to our hometown which is around 3hour-driving from the airport. Since we were all very tired, we closed our eyes and started snoring. But then, I just heard 'a sound' that was telling me to stay awake. Though it was bloody hard to open my eyes because I was very sleepy, I forced my self to stay awake. Then I realized the taxi started to swerve from its lane, left and right, then in the middle of the lane, also the car speed has gone up and down between 110km/h to 60km/h back to 110km/h. I was like "what the hell is wrong with the car". I was trying to ask the taxi driver when I found out that the taxi drive was sleeping and snoring while driving the taxi!! God gracious! I quickly tapped my husband's shoulder who sat next to the driver and was snoring as well, to wake him up when at the same time, I saw the car swerved so badly and it nearly plunged into the ravine. I screamed so loudly asking where we were and the taxi driver woke up and tried his best to control the car.
Oh my God! How can he sleep and drive at the same time risking the passengers' lives?? I then asked my hubby to keep on talking to the driver to prevent him from fallen asleep. The taxi driver acknowledged that he was very sleepy. Oh thank goodness I wasn't asleep! Otherwise we all would never wake up anymore as the car might go down into the ravine.
Once we arrived home, I quickly prayed to God to thank Him for always be there for us and for saving our lives.
God is great!
At that time we were all extremely tired after our flight was delayed an hour in Solo and we still had to wait nearly 2 hours to retrieve our cargo bags because the airline has sent the luggages to the wrong airport. Our taxi driver has waited for nearly 3 hours at the airport to drive us back to our hometown and he also was very tired after working the whole day. The taxi driver just couldn't wait to send us back home as we were his last passengers for that day.
Finally at around 11pm, we were on our way back to our hometown which is around 3hour-driving from the airport. Since we were all very tired, we closed our eyes and started snoring. But then, I just heard 'a sound' that was telling me to stay awake. Though it was bloody hard to open my eyes because I was very sleepy, I forced my self to stay awake. Then I realized the taxi started to swerve from its lane, left and right, then in the middle of the lane, also the car speed has gone up and down between 110km/h to 60km/h back to 110km/h. I was like "what the hell is wrong with the car". I was trying to ask the taxi driver when I found out that the taxi drive was sleeping and snoring while driving the taxi!! God gracious! I quickly tapped my husband's shoulder who sat next to the driver and was snoring as well, to wake him up when at the same time, I saw the car swerved so badly and it nearly plunged into the ravine. I screamed so loudly asking where we were and the taxi driver woke up and tried his best to control the car.
Oh my God! How can he sleep and drive at the same time risking the passengers' lives?? I then asked my hubby to keep on talking to the driver to prevent him from fallen asleep. The taxi driver acknowledged that he was very sleepy. Oh thank goodness I wasn't asleep! Otherwise we all would never wake up anymore as the car might go down into the ravine.
Once we arrived home, I quickly prayed to God to thank Him for always be there for us and for saving our lives.
God is great!
Kraton (the Palace of) Jogjakarta
The trishaw ride to 5 tourist destinations around Kraton.
I took my husband and my son for a visit to the Palace of Jogjakarta or Kraton Jogjakarta. When we visited the kraton, at that time, there is a local celebration called 'Sekaten' which is held in front of the Kraton area.
There are so many people visiting the Sekaten. It's a party for the people there. There are so many food stores and handicrafs on sale and they are bloody cheap.
There is a mini train that will take you for a ride around the sekaten area.
When we arrived in front of the Kraton, we were offered a ride by a trishaw to visit 5 tourist destinations around the Kraton area which cost us 5,000rupiah per trishaw. The trishaw driver will be your tour guide on the way to your 5 destinations. Since we didn't have alot of time, we only managed to visit 3 destinations, they are The house of Prince Joyokusumo (the next in throne since the current King doesn't have a son), the Batik house, and the Kraton itself.
At the house of Prince Joyokusumo, we were guided by man who explains us everything about the family of Prince Joyokusumo. We were also served a very special tea drank by the Prince family which has 9 different ingredients and it's called "teh 9 rasa" which tastes quite sweet.
The entrance fee is 5,000rupiah per person and the permit to take photograph costs 3,500rupiah, and you have to give a tip to the tour guide and the amount if up to you.
At the Batik House, we were shown about how to produce batik cloths whether it is a hand-drawn batik or a printed batik. This batik house has a batik store which sells beautiful collections of batik cloths, blankon (traditional javanese hat), and shirts.
There is no entrance fee for this place but you just need to give a tip to the tour guide.
The Kraton Jogjakarta opens only from 8.30am - 1pm everyday, except on Friday, it will close at 11am. The entrance fee is 2,000rupiah, the permit to take photographs is 1,000rupiah while to take video is 2,000rupiah.
Visit to Borobudur Temple
After 2 delays, I finally managed to take my family and my brother family to visit 1 of the 7 wonders in the world, Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central of Java, Indonesia.
Borobudur is the biggest buddhist temple in Indonesia and is about 1 hour-drive from Yogyakarta or about 3 hour-drive from Solo (Surakarta). During the day when the sky is clear, it's better to visit Borobudur in the morning and leave before noon or you can come around 3 in the afternoon, otherwise, it will be too hot and you will get severe headache if you don't wear a hat/cap or an umbrella.Borobudur is open from 6am - 5pm (mon-fri) and the ticket price is 9,000rupiah for the Indonesians and 100,000rupiah for the foreigners.
Before you arrive at Borobudur, you will see another temple which is smaller called Mendut. Don't forget to stop by after you visit Borobudur on the way back to Jogjakarta.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Visit to Prambanan Temple
The ruined part of Prambanan temple
On next day after we arrived at Jogyakarta, I managed to take my whole family to visit Prambanan temple.Prambanan temple is a magnificent hindu temple, located in Prambanan city which is about 1.5 - 2 hours drive from Solo (Surakarta) city in Central of Java or is about 20-30minutes drive from Jogyakarta, Indonesia. Prambanan is a border city between Central of Java province and Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Jogyakarta, for short, is a special region (province) lead by a King (Sultan) not by a governor).
Prambanan temple is very famous for its love story between a very powerful man named, Bandung Bondowoso and a very beautiful princess named, Roro Jonggrang who is cursed to be one of the stupa by Bandung because she has tricked him. This love story has become a legend over the years. This famous love story which is called Ramayana, is brought to live on the open air-stage on the west side of the Prambanan temple every full moon from May - October. The Ramayana is an act using traditional javanese costumes and language. The actors and actresses will dance gracefully and sing the traditional javanese rhymes. It's a show worth to see when you visit Prambanan temple.
There is another famous story about Prambanan that is if you go to visit this temple with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you will break-up with your bf/gf after your visit to this temple because of the curse that is made by Bandung Bondowoso for he does not like to see unmarried couple. But if you are a married couple, then you will be fine.
When we visited Prambanan, we tried to arrive there at around 3pm so that it wouldn't be too hot when we walked around the Prambanan temple area which is quite large. It is advisable to wear a cap/hat/ an umbrella, otherwise you can get headache. The ticket price is 8,000rupiah and it is open from 6am - 6pm (7 days).
Not far from Prambanan temple area, there is another temple area called Candi Sewu (Sewu temple). Candi Sewu is a buddhist temple. About 3 km south of Prambanan temple, there is a magnificent archeology site called, Ratu Boko. These 2 areas closed to Prambanan temple are worth to see.
Please don't forget that you also have to visit the Borobudur temple in Magelang (about 1hour-drive from Jogyakarta). Borobudur is one of the 7 wonders in the world and this would be my next post.
So, when you visit Jogyakarta, please make sure you allocate your time schedule properly to avoid missing the opportunity of witnessing the grandeur of these temples.
Oh, by the way, before you go to Prambanan, it is better to check on the internet first and get as much as information about it. You can always google it and you'll get the websites right in front of your eyes in no time.
Jogjakarta...here we come
I am so excited that I finally could drag my husband and my son to visit Jogjakarta. Though I wasn't born in this city but before I moved overseas, I have spent almost most of my vacation time in this city because this is where all my uncles, my unties, and my cousins live. My grandparents were buried there too. So, yeah...I will always have reason to visit Jogjakarta.
Jogjakarta is in the southern part of central of Java province. It is a province by itself. Jogjakarta is a very special province in Indonesia. Not only because it is a kingdom and lead by a loved-by-people King instead of a governor, it is also because the city is famous for the nickname of the "student city". Being a student city, this city has quite a number of good schools and universities. The famous university is University of Gajah Mada which is the best university in Indonesia. It is very difficult to get admitted into this university. Many of its students are also from other countries. The lectures are conducted both in English and in Bahasa Indonesia.
The standard living cost in Jogjakarta is very cheap especially for food. The famous local dish is gudeg. Many people, including my husband, say that this dish is extra sweet but then that how gudeg taste is. If it's not sweet, then it's not gudeg... :D
It was a 4-day trip. We flew on Friday from Kuala Lumpur to Solo City (Surakarta) then from Surakarta, my cousin picked us up and we drove about 2 hours to Jogjakarta because there is no highway and it is a 2-way road full of big intercity buses and trucks. It was a very good offer from the famous budget airline, Air Asia, to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Solo city (Surakarta) for only RM49.99 (about USD14) one way per person.
I was very excited because I would love to introduce my husband and my son to all my family in Jogjakarta who have been longing to meet them since I got married about 6 years ago.
My husband was also very excited about this trip because he has planned to visit all the famous temples and tourist attractions.
At first I was in doubt as to how I can schedule the time properly so that we can visit every one and also visit every tourist attraction in 4 days.
Before our trip to Jogjakarta, my husband and I were busy checking out the websites about this city and the one stands out is http://www.gudeg.net. Actually, I know this website from one of my cousins who used to live in Jogjakarta. Thanks cousin!
So, if you plan to visit Jogjakarta, you may want to check out that website.
I'm glad that God has helped me to arrange our schedule and we managed to visit Prambanan and Borobudur temples. We also visited Kraton Jogjakarta where the King lives and also, we did visit all the people we need to visit. In the morning, we would have breakfast in Mirota Bakery at Jalan FM.Noto, No. 7, Kotabaru. In Mirota, you can find any kinds of breads, cookies, desserts, local finger food or kuih-muih in Bahasa Malaysia which are sooooooooooo delicious. I mean it! They are delicious!! If possible, I would love to sit there and taste all the food one by one from morning till nite...:P For those who have to eat rice for breakfast, Mirota also sells steam rice with many kinds of local dishes. My favourite is the grilled chicken. And for lunch, oh man, I don't know what to say. There are so many choices and they are all cheap and delicious. I took my whole family to a gudeg restaurant which is soooooooo delicious and cheap. I only paid less than USD10 for 10 people eating there. This place is very famous and it is always full of people. If you are lucky, you can get a table and enjoy your gudeg soon and that happened with me. I was lucky enough to get a big table for my whole family when we went there. This gudeg join doesn't accept any reservations. First come first serve basis. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of this famous gudeg joint. If you plan to go there, you can email me and I'll find out for you.
So, if you plan to visit Jogjakarta, you may want to check out that website.
I'm glad that God has helped me to arrange our schedule and we managed to visit Prambanan and Borobudur temples. We also visited Kraton Jogjakarta where the King lives and also, we did visit all the people we need to visit. In the morning, we would have breakfast in Mirota Bakery at Jalan FM.Noto, No. 7, Kotabaru. In Mirota, you can find any kinds of breads, cookies, desserts, local finger food or kuih-muih in Bahasa Malaysia which are sooooooooooo delicious. I mean it! They are delicious!! If possible, I would love to sit there and taste all the food one by one from morning till nite...:P For those who have to eat rice for breakfast, Mirota also sells steam rice with many kinds of local dishes. My favourite is the grilled chicken. And for lunch, oh man, I don't know what to say. There are so many choices and they are all cheap and delicious. I took my whole family to a gudeg restaurant which is soooooooo delicious and cheap. I only paid less than USD10 for 10 people eating there. This place is very famous and it is always full of people. If you are lucky, you can get a table and enjoy your gudeg soon and that happened with me. I was lucky enough to get a big table for my whole family when we went there. This gudeg join doesn't accept any reservations. First come first serve basis. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of this famous gudeg joint. If you plan to go there, you can email me and I'll find out for you.
If you choose to go to a fancy restaurant where the menu is written in English, you can go to Gadjah Wong Garden restaurant. This restaurant sells local and western dishes. But mind you, this place is not cheap. There is another restaurant that we would really love to go but unfortunately, we weren't lucky this time because this place is fully booked. The restaurant name is Boyong Kalegan. This restaurant sells seafood and local dishes. The ambiance is very suitable for the whole family because in this restaurant, you can do fishing or take a small bamboo raft to enjoy the view. This is an open air restaurant where you have to sit with no chair or in local language called 'lesehan' and you eat with your fingers...hmmm...yummi..
Though we didn't have a chance to go to Malioboro, the famous street in Jogjakarta, we still think that our trip is a successful trip and we would love to go back there again. If God didn't help me to arrange my schedule, we wouldn't be able to accomodate my hubby's wish and my wish during our short trip to Jogjakarta. Thank you, God!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Welcome to the coffeeliqueur blog
Welcome to my blog!
This is not the first time I have a blog. My other blog is hosted by friendster (www.friendster.com) and I am still thinking to move the content over to this blog. I'm going to wait and at the same time learning about how to modify this blog to be better than my friendster blog.
I know about the Blogger website from The Star newspaper I read today. The article is about how easy it is for a person without any knowledge of programming to build a website by just using www.blogger.com or using iweb. The latter is for the Mac users.
So, here I am, posting my first blog to try on all the features this blogger can offer.
I have done some surveys and checked out on other blogs and looks like I am going to like this website to host my blog.
As a person that love to go for vacation or to visit some interesting places in the world, I find that this blog will help me to share my experience with you all. Just in case you want to visit the same place I have been, you can check out my blog to see if I have posted any stories about it. If not, I welcome you to share your story with me.
Read on people! I hope you like my way...the Coffeeliqueur way!
This is not the first time I have a blog. My other blog is hosted by friendster (www.friendster.com) and I am still thinking to move the content over to this blog. I'm going to wait and at the same time learning about how to modify this blog to be better than my friendster blog.
I know about the Blogger website from The Star newspaper I read today. The article is about how easy it is for a person without any knowledge of programming to build a website by just using www.blogger.com or using iweb. The latter is for the Mac users.
So, here I am, posting my first blog to try on all the features this blogger can offer.
I have done some surveys and checked out on other blogs and looks like I am going to like this website to host my blog.
As a person that love to go for vacation or to visit some interesting places in the world, I find that this blog will help me to share my experience with you all. Just in case you want to visit the same place I have been, you can check out my blog to see if I have posted any stories about it. If not, I welcome you to share your story with me.
Read on people! I hope you like my way...the Coffeeliqueur way!
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