a walk to remember...

Tell me what it is
The spark in my heart
The smile on my face
Whenever you come across my mind?

"A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn't put there to stay
Love isn't love
'Til you give it away."
-Oscar Hammerstein - The Sound of Music-

"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing,
that we see too late the one that is open."
-Alexander Graham Bell-

Dalam kerendahan hati
ada ketinggian budi,
Dalam kemiskinan harta
ada kekayaan jiwa,
Dalam kesempitan hidup
ada keluasan ilmu.
Hidup ini indah jika
ada ALLAH di hati..

In the end what matters most is
How well did you live
How well did you love
How well did you learn to let go
-Chinese Proverbs-

Got home just now,
simply exhausted.
To a faraway land,
I dream to escape.
Only a reason
that keeps me awake..
You.

starbucks' espresso brownies.
bitter, but sweet.

Your Blogging Type Is Thoughtful and Considerate

You're a well liked, though underrated, blogger. You have a heart of gold, and are likely to blog for a cause. You're a peaceful blogger - no drama for you! A good listener and friend, you tend to leave thoughtful comments for others.

the best diary ever
to write your feelings down is..
your heart.

How to make a airin kristiani slamet

Ingredients: 3 parts success 3 parts courage 3 parts empathy

Method: Blend at a low speed for 30 seconds. Add a little cocktail umbrella and a dash of lovability

Username:

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com

A catastrophic tsunami disaster ended 2004 and greeted 2005. The whole world had never imagined of such calamity that took lives of nearly 150,000 people in Asia and small region in Africa. We all cried. We all shouted, “Why, God, why?” But it seems that all we could hear was silence.

Lost. Death. Hunger. Disease. Children suddenly turned orphans. Straying souls walking down the street, crying in their search for families who might have survived. Parents shouting their son’s name while hugging his cold body tightly. Wives panicking in search for their ‘in military duty’ husband whose existence has been uncertain for days. Lifeless bodies lying hopelessly, waiting for their turn to get evacuated. And while the survivors are still breathing, they might be dead inside. Due to lost of hope.

This tragedy belongs to the entire world. Heartbreaking news have moved the heart of (maybe) even the coldest ones, to soothe the pain of the people they might never knew. Nations go hand in hand to relieve the burden of those that suffer the most. No more rich ones, no more poor ones. No more, “I am stronger, you are weaker.” Isn’t this beautiful?

So when God did allow something to happen, there must be a certain reason behind. And this time, the reason could be LOVE. And PEACE.

Don’t you agree?

updated Thursday, 6 January 05, 10:20 a.m.

February
Joined a retreat held by Catholic organization called CHOICE, a weekend for singles from all ages. Although I have cancelled this event twice, fate have spoken differently. Not just 3 days full of fellowship with new hillarious fellas and learned what they called as “skills and values of life”, but I finally met someone so dear to me and shared tight bonds with a sister and two brothers who, up to this day, I know are friends indeed.

May
Began my journey with this intelligent guy, smart yet caring at the same time. A storyteller or writer, you may call, but an expert graphic designer and talented MIS personnel as well. Still most of all, he loves me deeply.. and sincerely.

It’s not a smooth-sailing journey we shared. Many differences to be worked out. Conflicts to be solved. Thoughts and truths to reveal. Most of the time I felt like giving-up, but time have proven that love conquers and covers all things.
And so here we are today.. Still going on the rocky road full of stunning views on every side.. Surrendering all to the Almighty, trusting that He shall present the best for us in due time.

June
Had a lovely reunion in Jakarta with 3 long-life sisters. The eldest was Ice who’s now working for an international-wide radio broadcasting in Sunshine Coast, Australia. My twin (haha) Irene has just been an auntie this year for the gorgeous Shanice and also get promoted to the marketing division of Sheraton International Hotel in Bandung. Then came Funy from Magelang who’s still searching for a suitable job while helping her brother running his computer business.
We spent 3 days full of flashbacks, encouragement, laughter but also tears. And though I had no chance to accompany them all day long due to my job, it’s still a sweet episode to write in the memory of my mind.

July
Spent a lovely weekend in Singapore with my family. Met my beloved cousin who’s about to get married this January 15th. Stayed at an extravagant hotel. Visited the stunning Sentosa Island, took picture under the giant Merlion statue, watched dolphin show at the Dolphin Lagoon, recorded videos at the Underwater World. Went around the famous shopping center of Takashimaya, amazed at a big aquarium with sea fishes and shark babies inside. Browsed books at the huge book-store, Kinokuniya. Stopped by miscellaneous markets and plazas. Searched for gifts at a duty-free galleria located at the lower ground of my hotel. Dined nice foods. Visited an old time brother who’s now serving as a pastor in Bethany Church Singapore with his wife and daughter. Accidentally met another brother on his way to church, then had a lovely lunch at Sushi restaurant, on his treat. Went back to Jakarta, pleased.

November
I arranged a special holiday for my family at the event of Idul Fitri. After days of searching and comparing prices, Vila Air at Lembang was my final choice. It’s a tranquil place at the mountain’s feet surrounded by waters. I booked a property for 6 persons, but then it were only 5 persons (mom, dad, sis, her bf & me) going coz my dear had to accompany his 79-years old gramma at home.
I really used this moment to rest my mind from the city’s rush and job’s hassle. Walking around the serene complex of villas surrounded by green trees and blue tall mountains, breathing the fresh morning air, visiting a fabulous strawberry farm, stopping at an animal ranch and taking picture of those cute rabbits, drinking fresh milk topped with honey from a local industry. It was truly a holiday in heaven.

During the first days of holiday, I learned driving. My dear taught me patiently (yet sternly!) and I had to refresh my mind on skills my dad used to teach months ago. Yes, I’ve reached 23 and still could not drive! That’s why I really used the best of time to sharpen my ability. Firstly we drove around the nearby complex, then on the third day when he perceived that my skill have improved greatly, my dear took me to Pulomas, a horse-racing area where you can meet many other driving-learners. We spent the whole day driving till I was extremely exhausted, and the night was ended by a dinner at Kelapa Gading street food-court. The menu was sapi lada hitam plus ayam nanking. And they were superb to my starving stomach.
The next day, we agreed to drive to Sentul. However, we never found our way to enter the circuit, so we decided to turned around to Puncak and dreamed of having roasted sweet corns plus two cups of hot coffee there. The Ciawi freeway was out of traffic, but after we reached Jl. Raya Puncak, there was suddenly a massive queue of vehicles in front of us!! For almost 30 minutes we still insisted to get to Simpang Raya, but once realizing that the traffic have only moved at a snail's pace, we turned back and changed our destination to Bogor. We lost our way in this small city when searching for an eating place I used to visit with my family. Moreover, that afternoon Bogor was severely packed with omprengan! However, we finally found the place unexpectedly when it started to rain there. We had ngohiang as our early dinner, and bought some roti unyil as oleh-oleh. As we got in the car to go back to Jakarta, the rain suddenly turned stormy. The weather was extremely dark and windy, and along the freeway drivers turned on their backlights as an indicator for the driver behind them to move slowly. It was really a thrill. Thank God we could make our way home safely, and unforgettably.

December
A day after Christmas, my grandma turned 97. It was a divine and teary celebration we held for her at a restaurant owned by one of my cousin. Most members of the big family gathered, even those who lived out of Jakarta. Everyone was grateful for what God has granted to this aged lady. Health. Sharp memory. Faith. And I personally am inspired by her life.

i wonder..
did Heaven applaud
the day I was born?

i learn that to be content
is to be grateful
even when none or only part of your dreams
come to pass.

kalau aku mempunyai kesempatan untuk menulis buku tentang diriku,
buku seperti apakah yang akan aku tulis?
mungkin sebuah fiksi..
karena kisah hidupku selama ini bagaikan mimpi.

sebenarnya ada jodoh yang merupakan cinta sejati..
tapi karena Tuhan lupa mengikat simpulnya,
maka cinta itu tidak pernah bertemu..
[a quote from the movie "Love of the Aegean Sea"]

i just hope this kind of thing won't happen
in the life of mine and my loved ones.