 | Welcome to My World... | Apr 27, 2007 |
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive...
I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it's not pretty, everyday, and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"...
I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children...
- Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder
***
For Indonesian Language, please click My Home in Bahasa Indonesia
  | Knock. And the door will open... | Jul 9, 2008 |
SOMEWHERE IN JAVA ISLAND...
19 Photos, 28 comments
Spring Colors in My Garden
34 Photos, 54 comments
We Met Again, Galena...
33 Photos, 36 comments
The "Wild, Wild" West
28 Photos, 9 comments
|
 | Seek. And you will find... | Feb 26, 2009 |
My most recent journey to Indonesia has been a little strange: I met many people from the past. Oh, of course, I don't mean people from previous lives - for those believe in reincarnations - nope. What I mean, I met many, many... more
 | Ask. And you'll be given... | May 19, 2007 |
 I am not a big fan of Korean drama movies which usually are full of tears, unfortunate events, and illnesses. But this one - Jewel in the Palace - is really something. One fine day, out of the blue, Har bought it for me through the internet. I... more
 | The Colors of My World | Dec 16, 2007 |
 Because of my regular trips from U.S. to Indonesia via Japan, I always get stuck in either Osaka or Narita airports for two to six times each year. My leisure time at the airport is always spent by reading a book, strolling around the duty free... more
 | The Tones of My World | |
 | The Music of My World | May 9, 2008 |
When I was little, I thought the saddest thing in life was when you were left alone by yourself. When you were insecured, and unprotected. That might be the biggest fear of any child in the world. However, as I had grown up a little bit,... more
 | The Taste of My World | Dec 19, 2007 |
 In Indonesia, it is known as "Bubur Kacang Ijo", a very popular dessert, especially to be enjoyed when the day is cold and rainy. Very easy to make. I just used my "guesstimation" in measuring the amount of ingredients. Please just use your sense of ... more
 | The Friendships of My World... | |
 | livelihood importance hypothesis that too teeming compartments intelligence launch things hard to bargain chanel bags replica |
 | They lead people on how they ought to spend their day time onward. iwc watches |
 | With the development of times, more and more people is better pay attention to fashion trend. However, replica chanel handbags is changing styles too. Just as the Replica Chanel 2.55 Bags that always designed with high quality and high demands |
 | Dear Coogeesika, dear Katabelece, dear Laksmi, dear Mawwid, dear Niceguy, dear Sharinekhoo, dear Silvietan and all other interested MP friends,
It has indeed been some time that I wrote a chit-chat; in fact it is more than a year ago that I wrote my last contribution. A lot of things have changed since that time, not only for me but probably also for the other members of this chit-chat group. You might expect that after I started my early retirement rather unexpectedly, there would be more time available to be active in multiply but it turned out differently.
But before I go into that let me first correct a remark from our Queen of the chit-chat (as she is called by Coogeesika) which she made about the name of my home country. It’s oftenly called Holland but that is not correct as Katabelece very well remarked. The right name is indeed the Netherlands. The country is divided into 12 provinces and only two of them have a name with Holland: North Holland and as you might have guessed South Holland. What is not correct is that this means Land in the hole. I think you were confused with the name Netherland Katabelece. The Dutch writing is “Nederland” and “Neder” in English is low or below. Below is here referring to the fact that a big part of the country is below sea level.
You wrote once a blog about multiply-quit Coogeesika but you have seen that they did not quit on us so we should not quit either and I’m very pleased to read that you plan to be back. You always put a lot of energy and time in making your albums very unique and full of background information. Did you ever consider what the responses from your contacts would be if you put half the time and energy in, in creating your albums? That is still much more than most of us do. Anyway, great to see you again and it will be interesting to see how you strike back.
Welcome to our new member Niceguy from Texas, one of the states I have not yet visited during my business trips to the US. Will there be a time that there is a balance between female and male in this chit-chat community? Slowly we get there. It is very entertaining to read your comments and to learn from the way you look at life.
That is an interesting topic you bring up Katabelece: planned obsolescence and functional obsolescence. For some products I do indeed have the feeling that this is the case and that we are still living in a high consummation society but there are also examples that show that we care about the environment and the limit of the availability of resources like energy, nuclear or white energy. The light-bulb has served us for more than one hundred years with it’s un-efficient use of energy because most part was converted into heat and only a small part into light. This is now replaced by energy saving lamps which also last much longer than the soon forbidden light-bulb.
Another example is cars. In the passed I used to exchange my care every 3-4 years for a new one to be sure to be reliable. Just recently I considered to replace my current car because I would like to have GPS installed. That would have been functional obsolescence, right? But then I thought why should I because my smart phone does have GPS build in and I have it always with my on the road. The car is still very reliable, even after one decade and 200.000 km on the clock. The cost for maintenance is a little higher than for a new car but the depreciation is close to nothing while this will be at least 20% or 25% during the first year for a new car. It’s either you pay maintenance or depreciation and I concluded that my car is not yet ready for an economic obsolescence.
I think that Laksmi could have an interesting opinion about this obsolescence topic with her knowledge of economy. Do you believe in planned obsolescence? Love to see you back here or are you working on another book?
You have already a few years experience with being retired my dear friend Mawwid. Do you have any good advice for me? I always loved reading your stories about your trips all over the world while working for the airline. Are there more interesting anecdotes about RLD in the many cities you visited to share with our chit-chat community?
Dear Silvietan, since you also live in the Netherlands and like driving, do you have any experience with speeding tickets or do you stay within the limits? I do have a card that tells me what the penalty is up till 40 km/h too fast; then you have to pay 289 Euro but what if you go even faster? Last month I did not notice a police car who measured my speed which was 49 km/h above the limit after the correction of 3 km/h. If it had been 50 or more, I lost my drivers licence so I was very lucky this time and will be more careful in the future.
Sharinekhoo, you must be very busy now you have the new born Jazzline to take care of but also very happy with what we call a rich person wish when you have a smart son and a beautiful daughter. I know I was and I still am, even with the next generation. They keep me young and slim so that this Bandung shirt fits me well.
What have I been up to since I’m retired but still not very active in multiply you may wonder. Well, all I tell you sounds as a lame excuse and it is but I’ll tell you anyway. Last year I did take care of three of my grandchildren for a few days from time to time but as of early January I took care of them every day till early April. I was not used to do this since my own children left the house now already ten years ago but after a week, you start to find a new rhythm and it goes more or less smoothly to get them dressed, prepare breakfast and their lunchbox before guiding them to school and then pick them up again at the end of the day, entertain them, prepare their dinner, support them with their homework, put them in the shower and read a bedtime story. On Wednesday afternoon when they were free from school I took them to the playground or the nearby animal farm while during the weekends I oftenly went for a walk with them in the nature.
Since the kids attended school five days of the week, I should have time but that was not the case because my son decided to expand his house to make new bedrooms for his family. To be able to do this, the roof of the house was renewed and lifted a few meters so that there was space for the four new bedrooms and a bathroom. The roof construction was done by a building contractor but all the rest will be done by my son and people who like to help. So most of the time while the three kids were attending school, I worked at my sons house and mounted about 420 panels for the separation walls and installed almost 500 meter of PVC pipes for the electricity, phone lines and data cables. Can you imagine, my 1 year young grand daughter will have a fixed line in her new bedroom for high speed internet? Now the 50 power sockets, 15 light switches, 36 LED spotlights, 6 phone sockets and 6 data sockets are prepared. The next step is plastering the walls and painting the ceilings before I can mount all the power sockets and light switches. Then the final touch will be to lay 170 square meter of parquet floor before they can move in and I have time for other activities.
In between I also had time to go on some trips to Asia, the Middle East and in Europe. I plan to post albums about these later so be patient please. I’ll try to make my multiply site dust-free again in between my other activities like tennis, bike riding, cooking class, traveling, network-meetings, gardening and many other interesting occupations. Don’t worry about me, I did find a new balance in life after work.
Enjoy reading and my warm regards to all of you.
(o!o)
|
 |
 Dearly friends, How are you my dear chit-chat's friends, Amy, Agny, Ika, Kang Maman, Maria, Passiflor, Sharine, and Tansylove? Ah, perhaps I can introduce you now, Jim, a great guy with big laugh and big heart from U.S. - So, there are three males with Kang Maman and Passifor among my ladies friends here. It has been ages that our chit chat is in active. - Let bygones be bygones, and do not feel anything, it's a part of life that we have to move on. Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, we should preserve it. The idea to make the MP's guestbook as a place to chat was actually inspired by Amy, my best friend ever, because by that time I wrote her all what had passed in my head in the guestbook like an open-letter, and finally I did solicitate some of you to participate here,and some of you do kindly respond it, of course It is not an obligation and no burden, you are free to share whatever, to give your sign of life - Ika, my beautiful witty lil sister was indeed active and I love her intense thoughts, I do miss her so much. She's disappeared since she moved to Cologne, without news since a long time I keep wishing her a good life and lives happy anywhere she is now. - Passiflor, a wise man from Netherlands (please do not confuse with Holland, bcs Holland is one of a province in Netherlands, Holland actually means Land in the hole, LOL, correct me if I'm wrong) he has hibernated as well and his blog may look so dusty now, the same as many of yours. Wake up, friends! Your blog need some fresh air! - I keep comunicating still with my Tansylove, the lovely lady with smiling face and abundant positive energy, a real artist, a poet, a painter and a dangerous car racing on the road, ha-ha-ha ... she is my back up, to whom I always come whenever I need to talk. - Amy, I'm happy learning that you are now back in Indonesia after many years living in the States, I will catch you on the phone and next time I return I'll knock at your door. Indeed my friends, each person of you represents a world in me, the adventures of the mind, each inflection of thought, nuance, discovery, is a source of exhilaration. Each person of you is unique and I'm so fortunate to be apart of your life. Hey hey, let me announce you all, the arrival of baby Jazzeline on January 19th this year.   Her parents, Sharine and Julius are so happy to present her as Jozua's sister. I'm so exited to see this little princesse because I know that her big brother is so cute. Sharine, do receive our congratulation for your new born baby Jazzeline. I wish her all good things for her life but firstly, she must grow up and speed recovery for you. Hopefully she is much much better now. Huuuge kiss for your precious little ones.  It seems that my sweet Maria has lost weight, 8kg!! Whoahuuuu ... Maria looks so skimpy now, but still with a big "eheeem" gya ha-ha-ha ... she said it's her asset!! You are so fortunate my dear that many has to offer some plastic operation to have the shape as yours! whoahuuuuu. Maria is a direct person, I like her for this. Jiiiim, my big gnome! I heard that both of you will go to Indonesia this year. Luuuucky you!! Mau ikut dong! So happy to learn this! I hope that you will not kill me for my absence. I do not have any idea where my lil sister Ika might be now, do you? I miss her and hoping that she will appear again among us. Hey-hey ... tell me what's the big news from your place, Jim? Do receive my very big hugs for both of you!! - My sweet Agny in Canada, are you still survived under the thick snow at your place? I miss your call too. Hope everything is alright with you there. Passiflor, why do you take time to clean the dust on your blog?! What is your blog for if you do not put nomore thing, speak up and show us if you are still alived too? If you do not post anything in your blog, I'll remove you!! Gya ha-ha-ha ... You must just very lazy to share what you have, I believe you have a bunch of interesting topic to share from your daily journey or perhaps from your interesting trip. I'm waiting your efford, please! Kang Maman, how are you? Firstly, receive my gratitude for your kind visit to my virtual home. I heard that some company envisage a monopilot for their airline. Will it be possible, and what do you think, kang Maman? Do you still active with you favorite sport, the Chess. Ah, I smile when I recall the story of my Tansylove who's back to school again, gya ha-ha-ha ... not as a pupil of course, and found out that to be with the little children was tiresome. Keep courage, my Tansylove. I believe the kids adore you and they will stick on you because you never loose idea to make them enthusiastic to behave. I said that I'll make you a poem. I finally did one, actually I just develop my first inspiration and the rest came alone... with you everything is becoming fluid, my Tansylove and it is for you. Please help me to give the name for this poem, ma douce amie.  Thought of by you all the day, I think of you
The birds sing in the shelter of the tree.
Above the prayer of rain, a nacred blue,
not paradise, goes nowheres endlessly.
How does it happen that our life can drift
far from our selves, while we stay trapped in time
queuing for death? it seeems nothing will shift
the pattern of our days, after the rhyme
we make with loss to assonance with bliss
then love comes, like a sudden flight of birds
from earth to heaven after rain, your caresh,
recalled, unstrings, like pearls, the chain of words.
Huge skies connect us, joining here to there
Desire and passion on the thinking air. My dear Tansylove, do you recognise these paintings? and perhaps the painter? He is known for being one of the most evil and murderous men in human history. He applied several times to the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, hoping to further his artistic career. He was turned down each time, and was forced to live on the streets, selling paintings to tourists and exchanging them in restaurants for meals.... See, if only the Art conservatory would recognise his talent, we might have avoid the disaster. 
I am very sceptic to learn the actual situation in the most Moslem countries in the northen Africa. They seem fall one by one like a falling card castle. A strong and impressive moslem nations take to destroy the towering structure. One single card, started with Tunisia then Egypt and Algeria, even Marocco and now Libya. Apparently the revolution is un avoidable. People survive to feed their family, paradocally with the rich sources in their country many still lives in the misery. It's true that their rich natural sources as Gas in Algeria, petrol in Libya and rich agronomy in Egypt, are seemingly occupied exclusively by certain people of their countries while the rest of the population living in the starvation.
Relate to this, people start leaving their countries and move to Europe for the better living, isn't it an utopy? Meanwhile, in France the tax of living and many prices continue to rising up, the gas, for the example will be 20 % higher since last year.
 If in northern african countries, people provoke the revolution to create a new goverment, in reverse in Belgium, the capital of Europe community countries, where living two communities, Walloons who speak French, and Flemings who speak a kind of low Dutch. They can't live together. These two states, one known as Walloonia and one as Flamingia are in dispute since longtime and their dispute is getting serius. http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2433 - And recently, after more than 200 days Belgium live with no goverment! Belgium citizen need a goverment, and a strike named " potatoes fries' revolution" is accured pasifically, people distributing french fried and beer and patiently waiting for their politician decide to create the new goverment :)). ** Reading and visiting some discussion Indonesian forum did drive me confused. It is about some Moslem's issue in Indonesia. Apparently, there was a conflict in Islam between a progressive Islam and Fundamentalis Islam. I do not want to enter talking about this but I just feel so sad as seemingly, human being always need war, battle and reject the peace. Can't we just live with different convictions, many do not understand that convicing others with their only proper conviction as the most right is the source of polemic. Okay, let us just pray and hope that it won't be explossive.  After dinner, our younger daughter said that her trousers were too tight now, I asked her to change and she added that " eu well, it's already tight when I bought, mom!!" LOL - she went to her room and changed her outfits and she came to me again and showed her stocking now is torned, fyuuuh! - I came across this broken stocking, some really great discussion topics. about the planned obesolecence. I have heard that it's existed a very resistant stocking nylon in the previous time but they have stopped producing this long lasting stuff and the simple production is the first victim. We are currently living in the Consumerism society system with their very specific TRIPOD pilars: advertising, planned obsolesence and the credit. The enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into ritual, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction in consumption, we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discharged at an ever accellerating rate. I recognise my part and feel terrified! I believe that was smart to use the better quality stuffs because they might last longer eventhough they might cost higher, but each things we use now is programmed to last for a certain time only. Have you ever thought about this, my dearly friends. - Faced to numbers advertising, many has been caught to follow this standart of living, consume and discharge. I believe that our happiness are not depend on the possession but the creation. I feel more happy if I can create something, dont you?. I am most interested in "planned obsolescence/obsolescence of function" and "perceived obsolescence/obsolescence of desirability ". - Planned obsolescence is when a product becomes obsolete or non-functional after a certain period of time or amount of use in a way that is planned or designed by the manufacturer. For example, a company might use the cheapest components possible to make the product last just long enough for the consumer to still have trust in a company in order to purchase from them again, but keep them buying from that company more often. Think of electronics, cars, bulbs, and lots more. They break it down nicely. Planned obsolescence has come full circle. - Instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, alittle sooner than is necessary And "Perceived obsolescence" is something that we, as a consumer, can easily change, also called "psychological obsolescence", referred to marketers' attempts to wear out a product in the owner's mind. It is said that "Design is an attempt to make a contribution through change". When no contribution is made or can be made, the only process available for giving the illusion of change is 'styling!  Why is it that one year chunky heels are in, and the next year it's skinny heels? Advertising. Manufacturers want us to keep buying shoes! by telling that the shoes we already own aren't "fashionable". We don't want to be ridiculous in front of our friends, right? So, we go out and buy them. And we get rid of our old shoes because they will never "come back into fashion". Same thing with the cell phone ... The same can be said for many different products. Dear friends, pls ask ourself these questions before falling into the trap: - are the new features being offered something I really need or even want? - why do I really want to change the old and bring in the new - is it just vanity? - how long before I'm going to want to upgrade/change again? - is what I already have that bad? - is the Next Big Thing really that good or is it just hype? - what impact will me replacing x with y have on the environment?  Okay-okay ... Upi, stop preaching, will you?!! *** My family and I are doing good, except I stop doing excercises, sports or all sort of things and have an ugly look now, lol. The girls have been working seriously, hopefully our younger daughter will succeed to pass her first year of Med-school this year, to follow her older sister which is now in 3rd year. Oh, we are doing some reconstruction in our house now by hoping it will be finished before ... summer? at least, before your visit to us in France. besides that, our winter time seems very warm at our place, since early January this year, I remark some small flowers were blooming.  Send you all my huge huge hugs and warm kiss. Till next time. Mes amitiées * (^.^)/~~~ |
 | Dear Katabelece, I was getting stuck in the Chicago traffic jam when you called me this afternoon. No, I'm not in Singapore, but in C-h-i-c-a-g-o. While listening to your colorful stories, I was wondering - how come your voice was always, always so cheerful! Like a little girl that is amused of life, you always find something interesting to tell me. And you never forget to remind me that I am actually such an anti-social person! He-he-he. Well, I don't know. And who cares? I may not be as good entertainer as you are to other people, but at least you still love me! Ha-ha-ha! Hey, I'm glad you called! It's always entertaining to listen to your laughters!
And, aaaargh... I'm soooo tired today. I've got headache too. I drove for hours and I need to soak in the water with some relaxing bath salt. Perhaps, while bathing, I could think of a story-line for "our future book"? Ha-ha-ha! Why not? I am the kind of person who welcomes every opportunity and never closes the door. Although I am currently busy with lots of things in my hands, but sure, let me think about it.
Oh, and so the name of the character is Captain Haddock! Ha-ha-ha! I completely forgot, because I read Tintin comic books when I was still in elementary school. Whoa. It was such a long, long, long time ago! I still remember vividly how I was being absorbed into the stories and enjoyed every detail of the pictures! Yes! Yes! I love comics, and once in a while I still read some. I love those Mahabarata and Ramayana comics, and I was glad when the publisher reprinted the books.
But now, let me just soak in the water. This headache is so terrible! Thanks again for calling me this afternoon, and please take care. Big hug!!!
P.S. Who drew that pictures? Who is the mangaka? Those are awesome! |
|  I write a story and you draw the pictures 
 My dear loving Amy, Gya -ha-ha .. I like your picture very much, sophisticated and elegant. Hey, it was captain Haddock, bachi buzuk .....! wich means burnt head, how can you forget of such a name?  Anyway, what a good news! Yes, yes, yes, I have no doubt of your success of writing, Amy. Having witnessed of your electrifying writing from the previous time, you do know much about writing n possesses a vast knowledge of manything and you can make your reader upside-down, because your writing did reflect your beautiful mind. You are so brilliant, Amy. I know you will make it again. Everyone is born with vocation, and yours is to write charming 'little' book. Don’t think too much, just start ... gya ha-ha-ha, go set your timer now, and don’t get out of the chair until the timer dings .. gya ha-ha-ha ... Although I'm still practising this common belief that saying: friends and books, have it a few but good! But to your case, I'm agreed with William Faulkner : Read, read, read. Read everything, trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out the window !! ... ha-ha-ha, but it doesn't apply to me *smug face* .. I know writing is a matter of the imagination (hmm, I do have some, and although I am learning I think I cannot, he-he-he... so dings over for me, lol) - I think one should not write only about what they know, but they could also write in order to find out what they know ... But I like reading a good book and what I love about reading, one tiny thing will interest you in a book and they will lead you on to another book and another bit there will lead you on a third book, it's geometrically progressive, all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment. Oh ... how time flies, Amy. Hope life runs excellent for you, my dear. Now the older I get, the more I realize there’s a whole range of things I will never do, of things and people I will never be. When it comes to this type of introspection I often get stuck and I can't think of anything that is appropriate ... euuu .. I'm back in contact with myself again ... As life becomes more and more limiting, but there is something wonderful about being able to get inside the skin of people unlike ourself, and that YOU can concretise beautifully and insightful. I wish you good fortune in finding a subject you would care to write a book about and if you do not afraid that your reader will step back bcs of my horrible graffity, I'll draw anything for your book ... gya -ha-ha Ohh ... I have to stop blabbering now. Do receive my tight hugs and warm regards. It's nice to come home in the evening and find some lines from you. Again, forgive for no special thing from me arrived on your door for your birthday, my dear, but I do think strongly of you because I adore you with all my heart and say hello to your loving giant, Har! * (^.^)/~~~ ps: Shall I call you these days and is it still the same telephone number you have? You talk about Mangaka, it is actually my lil' kingkong who adores drawing manga stuffs to complete her story writing, she adores devoring reading any books including manga mania. Look her drawings, Amy! It is not my style, I don't like Manga, bakaaaaaa ...!!! gya ha-ha-ha      |
| Hello, Dick! Thanks! And yes, I'm still alive and breathing! Ha-ha-ha! |
| Mas Yoedha, terima kasih! Sukses juga ya? Semoga Mas Yoedha selalu bahagia, sehat, dan selalu dalam lindungan-Nya. |
| Upiiiiii, why the hell did you put my picture in here???? But because today is my birthday - okay, okay - I promise no to scold you! And, don't send me anything! Don't send me anything! Don't send me anything - except your wishes, greetings, prayers, positive energy, friendships, and kindness. Those are the most precious to me. Ah, and do you draw, now? Tintin and that Captain something (forget his name), look like the originals that come from the Tintin Comic Books. You could be a great mangaka!!! Why don't we collaborate, I write a story and you draw the pictures? Ha-ha-ha. Maybe someday. Hey, thanks for writing me such a wonderful birthday note. I'm touched. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend. |
|
katabelece wrote on May 25, '10, edited on May 25, '10
 Amy tersayang, Sore ini, meskipun sedikit gerimis dan tidak secerah kemarin, aku merasa senang sekali melihat kamu muncul dan mampir ke rumah virtual aku. Aku sangat sangat kangen dan sebetulnya sudah excited sejak awal bulan Mei ... ha-ha-ha ... iya iya bukan 10 hari lebih awal dan juga bukan tengah malam teriak teriak telpun kamu ... ha-ha-ha .. Kali ini aku pas di tengah hari jadi kamu.  Bila aku dekat kamu pasti aku sudah peluk dan cium pipi kamu yg lembut halus itu. I do miss you terribly, Amy. I do not know if you still live in the same place somewhere out there, I cannot send you anything for the moment.  Some scented roses in our garden are starting to bloom, Amy, and I love to share this tiny rose which smells excellent with you. Do you know my new therapy to relaxing my mind after working, ... drawing! Yes yes, I definitely finished my drawing this afternoon so I can show to my master of drawing, my loving Tansyl ... gya ha-ha-ha. My preferred activity after reading is drawing, such a thing that can keep me hours passionately ... ups, kok ada bau gosong ya ... ha-ha-ha ... *ngangetin masakan buat makan malam, apinya kegedean ... aaaaaaaaaaaaarrgh*   Pokoknya selamat ulang tahun ya My, semoga semua yg kamu impikan menjadi kenyataan dan kamu tetap sehat wal afiat. Muuuuuach Peluk cium sayang selalu, * (^.^)/~~~ |
 | amy selamat ulang tahun ya. salam juga untuk haryanto. sukses deh buat kalian. |
| Guys, thank you so much for your warm friendships, kind greetings, and wonderful notes. I really, really appreciate all of them. And you all have brightened my days! However, I am deeply sorry for being "missing" for such a long time. I've messed up with things in life, and been trying to fix them. Ha-ha-ha! I've been thinking about you, though. So wish me luck, please? In the mean time, we probably could catch up more through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laksmi.haryanto |
| Dear Coogeesika, dear Katabelece, dear Laksmi, dear Mawwid, dear Sharinekhoo, dear Silvietan and all other interested MP friends,
First of all, let me wish you again a very happy and healthy New Year and that all your resolution and your wishes for 2010 come through.
Yes, I know that I wrote early December that I would post my contribution of our Chit-Chat before Sylvester and it is already two weeks into 2010 now. I can give many excuses but they are all lame; I just have been enjoying the Christmas dining, the Sylvester celebration, the snow, the ice and the New Year receptions so that there was not enough time left to be very active in multiply.
With today's widely spread use of the internet, you would expect that sending postcards by classic mail is a dying habit but as I saw in some postings of Katabelece, this still exists and that is great, especially with all the creativity she used to personalize them. You have all seen her creations with her MP contacts and what about the 3D card with the sledge from Santa Claus? I wonder which software was used to generate these very special postcards.
Also Sylvietan is an expert in creating personalized images and not only images; she even writes personalized poems in an eye-wink. Her comments and letters are a joy to read, even while my logic brain can not follow all the jumps. These talents are there from the day of birth and can be developed but never be learned. It is the same with her telepathy.
How was it to be back home after a long time Laksmi? You must have had just enough time to remove the autumn leaves from your lawn before the first snow fall. The resolutions you had for last year did not expire I guess. I red somewhere that you did not have the time to wait for the first signs of the spring but traveled to Java. If you are lucky, you may meet some of the Chit-Chat members from that nice Hollywood Diner card. Several of them will soon be there too.
The Pulang Kampung of Coogeesika and her last visit to the Brian Adam concert must have generated a tremendous change in life in a positive way. Keep enjoying life Coogeesika; it is so much more real compared to the virtual world of MP.
How is the weather in Bandung in the current season Sharinekhoo? I consider you to be lucky with the rainy and the dry season while we in Europe challenge the snow and slippery roads. Take care of the little Joshua and your other family members and wish that you soon will be visited by the nanny from France.
How was the New Year celebration for you mister Mawwid? When I was in Indonesia long time ago during this time of the year, I noticed that people blow on a paper flute in stead of using fireworks like here. Are there any major chess tournaments on the calendar where you will be the referee? I just learned that there is a chess game that is played by three people. Do you know this?
One of the remarks in the last Chit-Chat by Katabelece was about banning the crucifix out of the classes in the Catholic schools in Italy. This was a recommendation from the European Parliament with the argument that schools should be neutral for religion. I strongly believe that religion is part of the education for children as well as language or mathematics.
This was not the only weird proposal from politicians; one other was to ban the building of minaret's for Mosques in the Netherlands because they intimidate the skyline. I could imagine that there is a limit on the sound level for the call for prayer five times a day but then they should at the same time limit the sound level of the church bells.
More recently, there was a dispute in Malaysia which religion has the right to use the name of “Allah”. Rules and regulations are fine, as long as they do not limit people to follow their religion in peace. People should respect each others religion and the way they practice this.
We are now in the year 2010. Will there be any special event on October 10th at 10:10 AM or PM? I’m not sure but some people will use this numerology. What is sure is that 2010 is the year of the Tiger and that is my Zodiac sign. Will that make this year special for me?
At the start of last year, many people were talking about the financial crisis and how long this recession would last. It would take several years to recover but what do we see at the end of the year? Did people reduce their spending during the Christmas shopping? Was there less money spend on fireworks? No, the Dutch people spend 65 million Euro on fireworks alone and this was gone into flames in half an hour. To relativise, it was only 4 Euro a person. What about the stock market? It reached its lowest level in March 2009 but after that, there was only one way: up with 30% at the end of the year. The year 2010, the year of the tiger, will be a good year again on the stock market. Some business are still suffering from the financial crisis, caused by the banks and Credit Card users, but those business will also do better this year, including the real estate construction companies. They are the last to see the recovery.
Every year, as soon as the first nights of frost happen in the Netherlands, the people get the fever that there may be a chance of the next “Elfstedentocht”. This is an ice skating tour of 220km over canals and lakes. The last one took place 13 years ago. Will it happen this year? There have been several days with a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius. It is still not enough to make the ice thick enough for this tour and the coming week, the temperature is going up but still just below zero. We keep hoping that this so typical Dutch event will take place. When it does, the whole country is out of business for a day because every one wants to follow this, either along the 220km long track or in front of the TV.
That was a very interesting article about the different Passion flowers and their fruits Katabelece. Will the sort you have survive the winter? The kind I have can only survive a winter if it is not colder than minus 10 degree and with the temperatures we had the past week, I’m afraid that I have to plant new Passion flowers next spring.
In a few weeks time, the Olympic winter-games in Vancouver, Canada will take place. Which country will score the most gold medals? I’m sure that the Netherlands will win several, not with the ski numbers or ice hockey. They will win them with ice speed skating. I bet we will get more than ten medals, divided over gold, silver and bronze. How many will Germany win Coogeesika? And what about France Katabelece? Do you want to make a bet?
Last night I attended my Cooking Class and we had a great time again by doing wine research while preparing a three course dinner for ourselves. This time the appetizer had my interest because it was a little Asian oriented with the Mihoen as a topping and the sambal oelek and ginger in the sauce. I may even post this later in my recipe blog. The encouraging comments I received from you on my first recipe I posted in December last year, dare me to continue.
You see Katabelece, there is more variety in my eating and cooking skills than just noodle soup for lunch or rendang with a three color salad for dinner.
Rest me to wish all of you who are traveling or will be soon, a very safe trip and happy return.
Enjoy reading and my warm regards to all of you.
|
|
I wish you a very happy New Year 2010 in good health.
May all your wishes come through for you and your dearest.
|
| Dear Laksmi,
I like to wish you a Marry Christmas with this picture of my friend, the Robin in my garden in wintertime.
|
| Xie-xie, Sharine! Well, I celebrate every moment of life - so I guess Christmas counts as a celebration too! And, for strange reasons, I always, always, always love new year!!! Yipeeee!!! New year is the time when I make excuses for myself for what I've done wrong in the past - and start a brand new beginning - only to sumble again!!! Ha-ha-ha! Life isn't perfect, but that what makes it interesting. Wherever you are (in Malaysia or in any corner of the world), I wish you happiness. |
 | hello amy
here's wishing you a special warm xmas
decorated with love joy and peace
may they follow you to usher in the new year too
salam hangat
sharine, jul n jozua |
 | Those in the Radar... | |
| | Notes | |
- Upi, trims banget telah mengabulkan request-ku! Tadi aku sudah nulis di guest book situs buatanmu, tapi ternyata mental! Nanti aku coba lagi ya. Sekarang aku masih di Semarang, tapi lusa aku akan traveling ke Jawa Timur, dan setelah itu balik ke Jakarta. Nanti setelah itu kita telpon-telponan lagi, berbagi ide. Sekali lagi, terima kasih. Aku menghargai setinggi-tingginya apa yang telah kamu lakukan untuk kebaikan tersebut. Ganbatte!
- When I was stuck in the Chicago traffic this afternoon, Upi called. I was amazed of how she could always catch up with many of our friends from every corner of the world, and update me thoroughly on their recent stories. As always, she never forgets to "accuse" me that I am deep-rootedly an asocial person! Ha-ha-ha! My view is always the same - there are over 6 billion people in the world, and LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE.
- My friend, I think people are created equal, but they are NOT created the same. So you have to respect people, but you don't have to be good to all of them. There are people who - even when you meet them for a split-second - will suck the energy out of you and let you feel drained and stressed-out. Avoid this kind of people. You have the right to choose your selective friends, from over 6 billion people on this planet.
- When I was stuck in the Chicago traffic this afternoon, Upi called. I was amazed of how she could always catch up with many of our friends from every corner of the world, and update me thoroughly on their recent stories. As always, she never forgets to "accuse" me that I am deep-rootedly an asocial person! Ha-ha-ha! ...My view is always the same - there are over 6 billion people in the world, and LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE.
- Guys, sorry for being "missing" from MP for such a long time. I've messed up with things in life, and been trying to fix them. Ha-ha-ha! I've been thinking about you, though. So wish me luck. In the mean time, we probably could catch up more through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laksmi.haryanto
- Happy holidays to all dear friends in every corner of the world! I wish you happiness, joy, and love. Let's keep in touch, and make a better life!
| | |
| |
