Archive for the 'Every Day Life' Category

The Make Up; Past vs Now

Thea July 2nd, 2008

Ever since i moved to Pasar Minggu, there is a thing changing slight significantly in my daily ritual.

When staying at Mampang Prapatan, which is relatively near from my office, I was used to do make-up at boarding house before going to work. Now, as the distance, I should say is far and takes more time, I decide to do the make-up at the office.

Why? Now, I need at least 45 minutes to get to the office (while previously only 15 minutes walk+ojek). Within my way to the office, I am so close with the dirt and dust, accompanied by the unfriendly pollution. Being 45 minutes in a bus makes my face sweaty. As the consequence, I wash my face once at the office. Should I apply the powder and its friends at home, then I have to re-do it at the office. Then I assume it will cost me much more:D. Therefore, I let my face plain leaving the house and make it a little bit more impressive at the office:P.  I load more stuff in my bag, not only a simple make up set like I brought before. And this ritual started effectively today.

Finally, at the New House

Thea June 30th, 2008

Last weekend, finally we moved to our new house. It took only one day, but the preparations spent two days. I needed a pick up car to load all my things. Refrigerator, TV, three suitcases, pillow, bed cover, boxes of shoes (more than ten shoes,hehehe) and other things.

Sunday is the execution day. Ogi and I worked together to clean up the floor and wash the dirty parts. One day before, we cruised along the Pramuka street to buy the bed. Having compared the price and stuff from one store to the other stores, finally we picked up one jati-wood bed with the spring bed. Afterward, we took the suit that Ogi ordered for our wedding. Once there, he tried the dark-brown suit and he looked great that way:D.

We had to buy bed cover for our bed and another necessary thing to start up our new house. Hence, we went to Plaza Semanggi in the Sunday Afternoon. We bought two bed sheets and it bed cover. We chose the color suited to the wall color of our room.

Moving house is very exhausting and needs extra money. Moreover, many things that we still have to buy. Stove and the gas, big cabinet just to name short of them. We plan to buy it next month, just after our marriage. This time, we just have to save our money just in case the wedding party budget will be swollen. As we finance our wedding party by ourselves, it definitely dries up our money:D. But we’re happy and proud as we can stand up with our own feet. Just can’t wait to make it. Now, we’re preparing for the greatest moment of our life:)

Woman’s Best Friend

Thea June 11th, 2008

What’s woman best friend? You can say friends, you may answer books, you may answer travelling. But this time i say shopping:)

This night, Wipi and I planned to take our best friend, Nora, who would go to Australia for pursuing her master degree. The plane’s managed to take off at 9 pm. Wipi, who’s lately very bussy with cyclon nargis, couldn’t escape from office earlier than 7.30 pm. Therefore, if everything ran within schedule, Wip would pick me up first and we’d go to airport. It turned out the plan didn’t run smoothly like we anticipated. The heavy traffic jam defenitly hampered our way to airport. Realizing that we couldn’t make it to the airport before nine, we just called Nora to let her go. She cried and we’re very sad.

As we canceled our errand to airport, we altered the destination. Where did we go? Centro at Plaza Semanggi. Wipi said, let’s get rid of our sadness by having new clothes. Oh my goodness, i already had my last one about three weeks ago. Yet, I couldn’t resist. The sale tag was very alluring. Finally, one cloth moved to my shopping bag. Stop please!!! I said to my self.

That exciting activity can help us forgetting our sadness for a moment. Shopping is indeed our best friends.

Our New Castle

Thea May 27th, 2008

Finally, we find our new house. It was found not in purpose. In Tuesday morning, Ogi passed a house with a “For rent” tag in the wall. And then, we called the number in the tag and asked further about the house’s specification.

After listening to the house owner explanation, we made an appointment to have a look at the house. In the afternoon, we went there and met a nice elderly couple who owns the house.

The house is just like what we look for. A quite large house with two bed rooms, a living room, a family room, kitchen and a garage. The neighborhood is nice. The water is clean. and the most important, the price is so friendly, suitable for our budget.

I believe that hunting a home is like looking for the Mr or Ms. Right. Need extra patience:p. Maybe the fortune star is shining above us. We get new house without exhausting efforts and with the quite cheap price. I just can’t wait my time managing the house and cooking in my lovely kitchen:)

We manage to move within months ahead, just one month before our wedding. Should you have a chance, please have a visit to our new small lovely castle at Pasar Minggu area. We’ll be ready with a cup of hot tea for you:)

Traveller Wanna-Be:D

Thea May 8th, 2008

Still related to my last posting, here are some quotes for you who dreams to travel

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only page (St. Augustine)

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money (Susan Heller)

A good traveler has no fix plans, and is not intent on arriving (Lao Tzu)

The traveller was active; he went strenuosly in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.’ (Daniel J. Boorstin)

Travellers never think that they are the foreigners (Mason Cooley)

I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them (Mark Twain)

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries (Aldous Huxley)

Most travel is best of all in the anticipation or the remembering; the reality has more to do with losing your luggage (Regina Nadelson)

I found these quotes in Chic Magazine (No.10, 7-21 May 2008, page 162) 

Post-Wedding Party Expense

Thea April 11th, 2008

This morning, I sent a message to Wipi who just returned from her honeymoon. I reminded her that she had to turn my suitcases, which she borrowed for taking her stuffs to her new house. There are two suitcases with her, the small and the bigger one. Many times I urged her that I had to have my suitcase back before 12 April 2008 because I will be on business trip for a week. It means, I need a bigger suitcase to load all of my stuff. Moreover, the trip this time will be more lengthy.

Surprisingly, I received unexpected answer from her. She said she forgot that I would take my suitcase. Meanwhile, at the time  I messaged her, she was in her way to Jogja with Arief. Even worse, she brought her apartment key with her and therefore I couldn’t access her apartment to take my suitcases.

Then, she offered an alternative. She asked me to buy a new suitcase which in return will be paid by her. I agreed and I planned to go to Centro for buying the new suitcase. Another message from her then came along. “Please don’t buy the expensive one, if possible get the discounted”. Hahahaa, I guess she’s already all out for her marriage and should tighten her expense, especially post-wedding life.

Okay, I get the lesson-learned. Be wise of my money and please don’t be too much with the wedding party:D

Kick Andy’s Effect

Thea March 14th, 2008

On Wednesyday evening, I had an opportunity to watch my favorite TV show directly. My ex-college friend who is working as communication officer in state-owned enterprise invited me to attend the second anniversary of Kick Andy at Metro TV. Of course, I was more than happy to go with her.

The show was special because Andy invited several guest stars who’d ever performed in his show. The theme of the show was Kick Andy’s Effect. Why? Because in that night, Andy and his creative team wanna show us how the guest stars’ life could alter better once they appeared in the show. For example, Kang Ayik, a curtain vendor who owned small library in his house. Once showing in one of Kick Andy’s episode, viewers can see his deep passion on books and keeness to assist children in his village to be knowledgable. Afterward, He received many books donations and an foundation helped him to build a new-two-storey library. And many other happy experiences that better you watch in the show broadcasted on March 20th, 2008.

I am grateful that I could be a part of this show’s second anniversary because Kick Andy is more than a show to me. It’s very inspiring and touching. The story revealed in the show is often related with humanity. The guest stars were from celebrities, politicians, a recently-popular but hated-most band, to oridanary peoples. All of them looked special in the show. And in that night, I met Andrea Hirta, the author of Laskar Pelangi, and took a picture with him.

 

Be Assertive of What You Want!!

Thea March 5th, 2008

Lately, I have been discussing with Ogi about my goals, my ideas, and my wishes. To be honest, it started from seeing several friends who successfully obtain scholarship abroad. One thing that I am dreaming for. Two years ago, before joining with Telkomsel, I was about to go to a university in Australia. However, I decided to work first and left the chance to further my study there.

After graduating from college, I worked voluntarily as a Communication Officer in an NGO in Jogja whose director was very kind to me. He has wide experience in NGO world and as a doctor he’s totally dedicated to his profession. I remember when he said to me that I had to further my study as soon as possible. He said if I chose to work first and if I knew how easy I earned money, then furthering study would seem grim for me. He’s right.

When a chance of studying came to me, I neglected it and preferred joining with a leading telecommunication company which promises a satisfying salary and benefit. A company which gives me chances to travel a lot and go abroad. And then I arrive to a certain point where I feel I couldn’t escape from this company. I never have gut to quit this nicely paid job.

Then I discussed a lot with Ogi who gave me a visionary enlightenment. Many wishes that I want to realize. Many dreams that I am keen to chase.

Make a list and prioritize your goal!!

That’s what he said.

A friend tried to open my eyes. She asserted the importance of a dream. When we successfully set our dream, then we couldn’t be confined by any barrier. Even things that seem hampering our efforts to get success, will be great challenges that would be fascinating to tame.

Now, I have set my next goal. The nearest one is about to come and I will be ready to catch others.

My 2008 Resolution

Thea December 24th, 2007

A wise man says that time flies. I do agree with him. We are almost in the edge of 2007 and be prepared to face another new year, 2008.

Writing resolution for a year ahead, I did it in 2006 for the last time. While for 2007, I was too lazy to make it for I wanted to see whether I could accomplish things that I planned without memorizing it in my brain or writing it in my notebook. The result, nothing’s special. Despite several achievements in my work, I find nothing extraordinary in my life. And therefore I would like to start it again, next year. And here are my resolutions for 2008.

In work

The urgency of spreading coverage in Africa and Europe is intolerable. Thus next year I will focus more to Africa and rest of Europe where my company has no roaming partnership yet. I have listed the country and the operators and put them in special considerations-based-category. Then, it will be much easier for me to prioritize them and put more efforts to speed up the launching. What makes me more enthusiastic is our new carrier which is unbelievable fast in responding our request. It’s much better than our incumbent carrier. Sorry to say:(

What I want to do more in my work is completing the content of international roaming website. I have been dreaming to provide the most complete information that can be accessed by our customer service officers from Aceh to Papua. It’s not that easy, though I must finish it in 2008, InsyaAllah.

In family

I want to call my dad, my mum and my grandma more frequent. I want to remind my mum if she has her apple juice every morning, my dad whether he has taken his drugs or not, or my grandma if she has her calcium milk. In 2006, I should admit if I neglect them a little bit. Next year, there’s no more reason that I don’t call them once in a week at least. When I go home to Jogja, I promise not too often to go out and stay at home longer.

In personal life

I take a pledge that 2008 must be a start of my healthy year. The first thing to do is starting the detoxification which I was used to do. When I was still living at Jogja, I did detoxification once in a week. Fruit juice was the only food that I took. Reading it in a health section in a magazine, I know that such detoxification is good for my health. Then, I want to do exercise more often. I promise to Ogi that next year we will go swimming, an exercise which was done only once this year.

Reading book more in 2008!!! This year I ever planned to read a book after taking subuh prayer. It turned out that it didn’t run effectively as I preferred to continue my sleeping afterward. There are several books that I don’t read yet.

Realizing that my English is continuously experiencing degradation in quality, then improving my English skill is a must-to-do list next year. I wonder if I can still obtain IELTS score just like when I applied scholarship two years ago. English is very important and it’s a key for entering worldwide experience, then I must not be satisfied with my so-so English skill. This blog is a media which I aimed at enhancing capacity besides reading and talking with native speaker. Due to some reasons, I never be able to attend the mastertoat meeting every Thursday. Meanwhile, it’s very good to drill my speaking and presentation skill in English. Therefore, I am dreaming of having a speaking club where the participants can speak their mind in English. That’s just one way to deliver the idea in English constructively. Anyone would join me???

Courage is definitely important to start all efforts in realizing my 2008 plan. I am hopeful that I can accomplish all. Bismillah:)

Because I am Single Woman

Thea December 12th, 2007

Being a single woman has several advantages. Like me, I have more time to hang around with friends, visit places wherever I want, buy anything I desire and many more. As a single-working woman, I earn my own living and not necessarily consult with anyone if I wish to spend my money. Shopping mall is just one of my getaways besides bookstores or cinema. Moreover, in hectic city like Jakarta, I couldn’t find much better place to socialize. And of course, I can cruise those places with my friends, especially in weekend. Just pick the place and decide the time, I’ll have an instant date. Other pleasurable activities in weekend for a single woman like me are cooking, watching DVD, or just sleeping all day to release the fatigue. And for sure, I can do it by myself without being disturbed by a husband or children.

When I buy expensive-fancy things, because I think I deserve for it, I am not worried to be a sinner when I see the digits on the price tag. I only have to say within my heart, “Well Thea, don’t worry, it’s just once in a blue moon”.  However, I don’t mean to compare the life of single women vis-à-vis married woman because the later also have their joy. The laugh of children and the togetherness with a family are truly priceless things. In my own time, I will take care of husband and my children also. Just for this time, I am still enjoying my being single.

 

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