What's Inside: Songs from Waitress By Sara Bareilles

6:44 PM 0 Comments A+ a-



And all I can say that it is Broadway Musical Album. Listening to this full album just like watching a piece of a larger story. A story that began two years ago and is still ongoing. This is not a traditional record from Bareilles, it is very much a concept record, and as such might disappoint for someone looking for the next “Brave” or “Love Song”just like me.

In this album, Sara stands as  an absolute composer and lyricist for the medium of musical theater. There is her upbeat catchy tunes (Door Number Three) and ovation-worthy ballads (She Used To Be Mine) are as good as they’ve ever been, and the production from Neal Avron (who produced Bareilles’ “Kaleidoscope Heart” album) puts these songs comfortable in the frame of her previous repertoire. Anyway, there’s moments of Sondheim, moments of deep character study and in-the-moment frantic examination (When He Sees Me). There’s the stylized and fuzzy feeling of Schwartz, where you just smile ear to ear for minutes on end (Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me). And there’s devastatingly somber notes reminiscent of Jason Robert Brown, that tug at your heart-strings and won’t go away (You Matter To Me).

In summary,  I would say that it is a personal records for specific targeted market which is often complex and complicated forcing you to carefully listen and pay attention. I might be enjoy it if I were watching her performance in broadway.



The Magic of Fragrance

3:53 AM 0 Comments A+ a-

I have loved perfume since I was a little girl. Aside from their unique scents, I have always loved the packaging of perfumes. Dainty glass bottles that look so pretty on display in my living room, what's not to like?When purchasing a perfume I take into account how pretty it is and I know that's kind of silly but I can't help it!


Below you can read about some of my favorite perfumes (in no particular order)

Paco Rabanne Lady Million
Opening Top Notes: Sour Orange, Lemon, Orange Blossom Water, Raspberry
Heart Center Notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, Citrus Blossom
Deep Base Notes: Patchouli, Honey
I received this perfume last Christmas and it quickly became a scent that I wore daily. It is classified as Floral Woody Musk fragrance. I love the blend of soft and sensual, bright and fresh while the contrast of sweet and clean is so unique. This feels so luxurious on my skin and fills me with confidence. Lasting power is out of this world and will certainly be buying another bottle! If you like super feminine scents then this one perhaps isn't for you but if you love wearing a more masculine scent then I'd definitely recommend it.

Un Jardin Sur Le Nil Hermes
Opening Top Notes: Grapefruit,Carrot, Mango, Tomato
Heart Center Notes: Sweet, Hyacinth, Lotus Flower, Peony, Wetland Grass
Deep Base Notes: Iris, Musk, Incense, Labdanum, Cinnamon
I was deliberate when bidding 2008 manufactured Hermes perfume last weekend. I never smell that perfume and all I know it has fresh signature and moderate. When I won and get the perfumes I know I had take the right decision. It reminds me how I used to love perfumes. However I was very pleasantly surprised, its not something I would usually go for but I actually really like the fruity and a little petrichor tones to it and the bottle is beautiful!
 I believe in that soul mate comes up together with the same taste of fragrances. That is what happen to me and my husband who always fall in love with the same scents. We love the smell of Un Jardin Sur Le Nil Hermes.


Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb
Opening Top Notes: Bergamot, Tea
Heart Center Notes: Jasmine, Freesia, Orchid
Deep Base Notes: Centiflora Rose,Patchouli
Now to my all time favourite perfume! When I first heard of the name Flowerbomb I knew to give this one a miss. Full-on florals, which the name implies, are the one category I just don't do. A while later I smelled a dry/woody only slightly sweet fragrance on a colleague. It is kind of Great notes that makes it High Class and Feminine as it command attention. I love it, would highly recommend going to test this out for yourself because it really is a stunning scent.

Book Crush: What Color is Your Parachute? By Richard Nelson Bolles

8:52 PM 0 Comments A+ a-

What do you most love to do?
Where do you most love to do it?
How do you find such a job and persuade those employers to hire you?

Career and business guru Richard (“Dick”) N. Bolles, who coined the terms “informational interview” and “transferable skills,” demystifies the entire job-search process, from resumes, interviewing, networking, salary negotiation, career coaches, how to start your own business, and more.

I was particularly interested in reading this book because this book offers me not only about finding a job in hard times; it's also about finding my passion. It claims that it is the guide that millions of job-hunters have turned to for more than three decades.

What Color is Your Parachute?


(A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers )
by Richard Nelson Bolles 

Published by Ten Speed Press; Rev Upd edition (August 11, 2015)
Genres: Personal Growth, Self-Esteem, Self-Help
Pages:
368
Format: Ebooks
Source: Blogging for Books

Dick Bolles--more formally known as Richard Nelson Bolles--is the author of What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Guide For Job-Hunters and Career Changers, the most popular job-hunting book in the world. What Color Is Your Parachute? was chosen as one of the 100 All-TIME best and most influential non-fiction books published since 1923. It was chosen as one of 25 books that have shaped people's lives (down through history) by the Library of Congress' Center for the Book. 

What Color is Your Parachute? was first published by the author, Richard Nelson Bolles, in 1970. In the 40-plus years since, the book has seen almost yearly updates with more than 10 million copies sold. There’s a What Color for Teens and a What Color for Retirees, there are even a few editions focused on the online job hunt, co-written by Bolles and his son, Mark.

The book has been so popular because of dated references and Bolles’ humorous, almost kooky, writing style, and what’s most striking about What Color is Your Parachute?, is that its core lessons not only still ring true, but also still challenge the way we think about the job search — or job hunt, as Bolles calls it. The book manages to show its age citing now-dead industries and outdated state-by-state career resources. Along similar lines, today’s reader will notice the repeated appearance of the word “she” in parenthesis after “he” as if each time the author needs to remind us that women may indeed be hunting for jobs, too.

I'm so honor to get invitation for reading the advance copy of this e book from Crown Publishing, through the service  Blogging for Books, in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the content of my review and all opinions are my own.

First, the good things about the book:

1) It has lovely cover.  I love the cover so much. So bright and colorful! I would never though that it were revised and updated annually for more than three decades.

2) It still relevant today. You can feel Bolles’ approach to the job hunt remains nearly as relevant and just as radical today as it was in 1978, 1989, or any other year since he first shared it with the world decades ago.Those parts of the book have stayed the same because human nature doesn’t change, he said.

Now on to the things I was disappointed about:

1) Nothing surprise much.  As he wrote in 1972 book: “This work — revising, rewriting, updating and teaching the book each year — is now my life, and my reason for being on Earth.” You will not find surprising thing after this book because it is only revised.

2) Contrary explanation. For along the method and the exercises laid out would require hours upon hours of thoughtful reflection and research, even with high speed Internet on your side. It’s not wholly practical, either, given that many organizations in the social sector or elsewhere may not be able to turn around and hire someone into a new position that has not been planned for or budgeted, even if that someone shows a lot of promise. This leaves you empowered, self-aware, and still without a job.

Overall, It one of the first job-hunting books on the market and you could hire a career counselor, pay expensive, and still have to do the same thing.

I would recommend this book for people in the tenth grade and again every year thereafter in order to shaping their careers because it takes a bit of time to understand.

Go find his book in here!

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Little Monday Escaping With Family

7:43 PM 0 Comments A+ a-

I was going to prepare for Monday Madness in the morning when my husband came in rush and said "Lets take break for a day to  play outside with children!"

My mind wander to my Monday schedule and make sure there is nothing important on today. No meeting, no urgent task, nothing force me to be there except I am in saving annual leave for next year. I know weekend is just not enough to spent with our children. We need sometimes unplanned gate away to make a work life balance.

I said yes and we spent our monday in playground!









And here she goes my eldest daughter playing on the biggest landslide in the playground. At first, she looked shy to climb the ladder alone. Her curiousity has led her to try crawling in the tunnel and here she went to slide at the end. Wohoooo she laughed at loud enjoy our Monday together.




Okay, it seem our first time teach her to play in slide is worked! She won' stop. Keep playing, girl! just enjoy your time.
  
 

Yes it is clearly seen that children do not need any expensive toy to play all they need is precious time from their parent to take them to the playground and play together.

I wonder if any of you has this experience too with your children. What about yours?

Book Crush: The Professor is In by Karen Kelsky

3:53 AM 1 Comments A+ a-

Are you being on track after earn your Ph.D.?
Do you know really moves the needle in academic job searches?
How to avoid the all-too-common mistakes that sink so many of your peers?
When to point your Ph.D. toward other, non-academic options?

When those questions bothering your mind, maybe you need to take some advice from The Professor Is In (The Essential Guide To Turning Your Ph.D. Into a Job) by Karen Kelsky. She did her best to help readers join the select few who get the most out of their Ph.D by turn themselves into stronger applicants and land their dream careers.


The Professor Is In

(The Essential Guide To Turning Your Ph.D. Into a Job )
by Karen Kelsky  
Published by Crown Publishing on Aug 4, 2015
Genres: Personal Growth, Self-Esteem, Self-Help
Pages: 240
Format: Ebooks
Source: Blogging for Books

Karen Kelsky, aka, The Professor, is a former tenured professor and Department Head with 15 years of experience teaching at the University of Oregon and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her Ph.D. is in Cultural Anthropology, with a focus on Japan, from the University of Hawai’i. Her B.A. is from the University of Michigan. Her book, Women on the Verge: Japanese Women, Western Dreams, was published in 2001 by Duke University Press. She has trained 5 of her own Ph.D. students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and related fields. She has worked as a committee member with numerous Ph.D.s and Masters students, and hundreds of undergraduate students.

I'm so honor to get invitation for reading the advance copy of this e book from Crown Publishing, through the service  Blogging for Books, in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the content of my review and all opinions are my own.

Transition problem from the mentality of graduate students to peer in the job market is thing that Karen Kelsy is an expert in, being former tenured professor and Department Head with 15 years of experience teaching and having built her consulting business from the ground up.

The book covers many different issues relevant to Ph.D. candidate when a Ph. D who lives outside academia is a failure. Karen explains how the job markets work, informed choices about career, and protect the financial security for Ph. D Job seeker.

I was particularly interested in reading this book from the perspective of former tenured professor. I’m interested in continue my study abroad and this book got my eyes opened. I found that even brilliant people  are difficult to find a job. I was really excited to see if some if the tips she had would help me.

First, the good things about the book:

1) It has light cover.  Contrary to its content that were heavy, the cover just like show that this book is an easy reading.

2) It feels personal. You can feel Karen’s voice coming through as you were in a classroom, with the stories she tells about her experience and her own distinct way of speaking. It’s formal, and feels like having a chat with you academic advisor.

Now on to the things I was disappointed about:

1) It is about academic.  For anyone who are not used to read journal or dissertation will find this book is boring. This book are written in advanced ways and specific for selected reader.

2) Long Explanation. Seriously, I find that many chapters in this book can be reduced without losing its message.


Overall, I was really hoping to get some unique and useful information from this book. Karen Kelsky is a great example of reliable advice to be a professor, no wonder her book has anything practical to help others follow in her footsteps.

I would recommend this book for people who plan to continue their study, current, or future  Ph. D. job seeker.

Go find her book in here!

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book's Opportunity In Indonesia

6:20 PM 0 Comments A+ a-



Indonesia may not be on your map of the publishing world, but it's certainly a market to watch. The Republic of Indonesia is the world's third-largest democracy (after the USA and India), with about population over 240 million and spread over an archipelago of some 17,500 islands. Moreover, it is  currently the world's 20th-largest economy and growing fast. Predictions by Goldman Sachs suggest Indonesia will be the world's 11th largest economy by 2050, behind only China, Japan and India in Asia. Indonesia must be has a huge and extremely fragmented book market.

In general, many of the participants stressed the importance of children’s book publishing: as 25% of Indonesia’s population are school-aged children. Category children’s books are a significant and growing market also fiction & literature, religion, textbooks and Religious (Islamic) books account for at least 30% of the market. Print books will remain significant in Indonesia, particularly in early education.


This sentiment was echoed by IKAPI (The Indonesian Publishers Association), which said that as eager as publishers are to expand into digital publishing, it is important to start small and develop expertise to offer the best possible products.

1,317 publishers registered with IKAPI.Of these, about 1,200 are considered active publishers. However, the National Library Deposit Statistic mentions 3,227 publishers. Most publishers are private, but there are also a few state -owned groups.Most publishers are trade publishers. There are at least 100 specialised publishers.


Kestity Pringgoharjono, Executive Director of the Lontar Foundation says;
Today there are more than 1,000 book publishers in Indonesia—largely concentrated on Java—and around 50% of the books published are translated from other languages.

Turnover of book publishing in Indonesia grew by six per cent each year from 2007 to 2012. The sector’s growth has beenstimulated by Indonesia’s broader economic growth, the rapidly expanding middle class, and the increasing importance of education. There is significant correlation
between the nominal GDP growth and the household expenditure on books.

Whatever condition the present Indonesian book publishing is in, it is the result of a collective effort of Indonesian society as a whole. Its success or failure is an indicator of the intellectual and the socio-economic development of the Indonesian people. To develop it, synergistic efforts of all parties concerned are badly needed.

Typically 4,000 to 5,000 copies around 10%-20% sell between 10,000 to 100,000 copies; some titles have achieved exceptional sales,such asAndrea Hirata’Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) which is estimated to have sold about three milions.

As a personal book shopper I found that many Indonesian people still have big interest in book even smartphone penetration and mobile services growth are booming in Indonesia. Using social media Instagram I could reach lot of people from different island and help them get the book that they want. Currently, I specialized in imported book personal shopper due to limited access to get the translation one. Besides, imported book is limited on greater Java and Bali island.

Taken from significant correlation between the nominal GDP growth and the household expenditure on books, I also found that the rising of US dollar's value also have greater impact in books buying especially in imported book and also book importer. I really hoping that government could stabilize our currency so that we could have more book to be read.

Source :
http://publishingperspectives.com/2013/10/indonesias-sea-of-opportunities/
http://www.buchmesse.de/images/fbm/dokumente-ua-pdfs/2015/book_market_indonesia_52246.pdf
http://www.accu.or.jp/appreb/report/abd/abd3033.html
http://beyondhall8.blogspot.com/2008/08/indonesia-may-not-be-on-your-map-of.html



Lets Take Look Inside My Make Up Essential

11:01 PM 0 Comments A+ a-



Never leave without make up. Even I am not a make up junkie still I keep my make up essential in my bag. The make up essentials is slightly different for everyone, of course, but there are some old standbys I always use to touch up my look. They're the basics that I do not want to be without also that I can justifiably spend some cash on, since they can make or break any look.

Here is products inside my make up bag. Lets start from compact powder, lip balm, and lotion:



Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Two Way Cake B1 Nude Beige


The Dream Satin Skin Two way cake is a powder foundation I can use either dry (to set liquid foundation) or with a damp sponge to get higher coverage. The powder has a soft, blended texture and but is not so soft/powdery that you end up with loads of fall out. The shade once again was a touch light for me and it really shows when I use it with a damp sponge because of the higher coverage. But I can get away using this powder to set my foundation in the center of my face. It gives light coverage, softens the look of pores (which most powders do) and matte though I am  sad to report the oil control over time is not impressive. Maybe on a more mattifying foundation, you won’t have much of an issue but over the Dream Satin skin liquid foundation, this does a poor job of keeping oil in check. Once again, this is not something I would recommend for oily skin but I do like the packaging. 


Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

I essentially see this lip balm as an addiction. when I was using this product, I ended up needing it so often that I had to buy one for everything: my backpack, purse, my car, my desk, and bathroom. If I was ever without this lip balm for more than an hour my lips felt extremely uncomfortable and dry, and nothing else would help. I honestly just thought that I had weird, dry lips, especially every time I put lipstick on it- I thought this was the reason why I needed them so much. Now Burt's Bees is the only lip balm I will buy. I was a bit surprised at the (almost buttery) scent, but I ended up growing on me. 

M&S Sparkling Lemon Verbena Moisturising Hand & Nail Cream 50ml

They said I will experience daily luxury with our Nature's Extracts collection. It will moisturize hand and nail cream enriched with extract of lemon verbena will help hydrate even the busiest hands, leaving them soft and delicately scented. Actually I felt this cream only temporary and I prefer pure coconut oil. However I have not meet yet a coconut oil in pretty packaging so I still need this cream that will do my skin the extra favor of protecting it against sun and air conditioner damage.


Lets move to lipstick !
For me, Lipstick is more opaque, and tends to stand out more than lip gloss (although that depends a lot on color choice). It comes in a huge array of colors still only certain colors that match your skin tone especially my lips tone. Brownish pinks, soft pinks, and beige lipsticks are the best accents for lighter skin like me but my lips are too pigmented so I need a light red lipstick to cover it.
“Put on some red lipstick and live a little.” —Dita Von Teese
Talking about different lipstick textures I choose creamy and moisturizing lipsticks with a little bit matte look. Glossy lipstick will never work on me. I used to mix both this lipstick to create a little pinkish color on my lips.




Maybelline Colorshow Lipstick – Firecracker Red #202

Whoa! Am blown away by the shade honestly. What a lovely mix of orange and red! It is really bright shade which brightens the face immediately and makes me look more awake. A beautiful shade which makes the flaws appear less and gives healthy radiant glow to the complexion.One swipe and I am good to go. Covers all pigmentations on one swipe. The intensity can be built up on applying 2-3 coats and still feel comfortable in it.



Wet n Wild Mega Last Coraline #909D

The shade is a medium coral-red with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. This color was very flattering and face-brightening on me. Based on the name, I expected this to be more coral, but this turned out to be more red, much closer to tomato red, than a true coral. I think I need to repurchase for purty persimmon to get my expected coral. It will look better on my lips.

Okay, enough for my make up essential. What about you? I can not wait to hear from you !


Book Crush : Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

7:19 PM 3 Comments A+ a-





Are you interest in different subjects such as technology, design, typography, visualisation, relationships, love and, above all, bibliomania ? Can you imagine when they comes together into a swiftly paced story that’s part literature, part thriller?

Yup, this is the book that you have looking for. Thanks God I had experience Sloan’s skill in weaving together. As a woman how grew up in programming enviroment, I really impressed by the references data visualisation, the Ruby programming language or Google’s technological might, it’s relevant to the plot development. You believe Sloan knows what he’s talking about. For other authors, such technological or cultural references might sound contrived. In this novel, they fit.

The story begin when Clay Jannon, a young man in San Francisco adept at the interwebs, who is out of work and takes the night shift working at an odd bookshop and he found several things that were odd:
  • The shop’s shelves are huge towering structures reaching up several storeys.
  • There are very, very few customers; what customers there are, ask for books with strange code-like titles and are feverishly devoted to one particular series.
  • Penumbra, the owner and manager, seems indifferent to selling books.
  • Penumbra asks Jannon to record details about all the customers in a dusty old ledger – what book they asked for, the time of day, appearance and the clothes they wore.
After some uneventful shifts, Jannon’s curiosity takes over and he starts exploring the shop, its books and the customer ledgers. It’s like pulling on a loose thread. The more Jannon explores, and his ideas form, more ideas unravel and the bookshop becomes stranger.

I will not spoiler many thing that surprised you!! You have to  give this book a try. Mistery is definitely one of the reasons why I enjoyed the novel so much. I’m interested in technology, design and literature too. When someone melds these topics into a good mystery novel, I’m very happy! and this book definitely a book that you want to read twice or more.


Book Crush: Children Book Reading Haul

1:12 AM 4 Comments A+ a-

My Dream Bookshelf (source)

I think I need to start children book collection, cause I will have two daughter that loves to read. Since the first maternity, I always read them some stories. Sometimes I read out loud sometimes on silent. I try to have a talk with them about the message of the story. Yes sometimes good message of story does not come with beautiful style of writing and neither the same way.

How about Indonesian's children story? yes I found some of them are incredible beautiful but I believe that they better read it someday than be told by me. So I decided to list some of children book in english for my daughter. Hoping someday we spend time together reading those book:

This is the list :

  1. Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gailman
  2. Wonder by RJ Pallacio
  3. Counting by 7s Quotes by Holly Goldberg Sloan
  4. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
  5. Flora and Ulysses by Kate Dicamillo
  6. The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
  7. Totto-Chan - Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
  8. Gangsta Granny- David Walliams
I think it is enough..any idea?

Book Crush : Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

11:07 PM 14 Comments A+ a-


 I am not a big fans of Japanesse Literature. My first experience dealing with Musashi book for school project made me give up to understand or sense the wave written in Japanesse Language. My friends tried to introduce the light version of Japanesse Novel from Harumi Murakami. Still I found it too heavy and dark. I think I am giving up.



Then my loyal customer called me to search this book -a japanesse light lovestory. Yes it is Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami. To me this is one of beautifully written novel and a light one.

As other Japanesse novel, reading this book is like peeling an onion. With each layer, like each chapter, you get deeper.  Each layer is one of the same whole, yet separate.  Some layers are paper thin; insubstantial; difficult to define.  Others are more robust.   Sharp, yet subtle, the tantalising flavour of this strange, dreamlike novel emerges gradually and will surely linger for a very long time.  Universal themes of love, loneliness, and loss are woven together into a text that will be particularly appreciated by those with an affinity for Japanese cuisine and culture.


The storyline focus on Tsukiko in her late 30s and she is living alone when one night she happens to meet one of her former high school teachers, 'Sensei', in a bar. He is at least thirty years her senior, retired and, she presumes, a widower. After this initial encounter, the pair continue to meet occasionally to share food and drink sake, and as the seasons pass - from spring cherry blossom to autumnal mushrooms - Tsukiko and Sensei come to develop a hesitant intimacy which tilts awkwardly and poignantly into love. Perfectly constructed, funny, and moving, Strange Weather in Tokyo is a tale of modern Japan and old-fashioned romance.

Expertly translated by Allison Markin Powell, this is a beautifully understated love story, a novel of sadness, longing and gentle humour. The book is a thing of beauty that makes you want to pick it up and start reading.  For me, this was one of those books to truly savour.  I had to discipline myself not to gorge on it all in one sitting!

Book Crush : FanGirl By Rainbow Rowell

6:57 PM 11 Comments A+ a-

source
This book had been shelved for long time in  Children shelf- a genres that I never interest to visit in my bookstore until my loyal customer ask me to find that book. She said she wanted the collector edition in red cover which is unfortunately unavailable in Indonesia. I wander whether this book so good since my loyal customer has a nice style in picking a book.

She said that Fangirl is definitely a good book! you should read it!. So I bought the book on my birthday just to use my birthday coupon and read that book during the time when I had to stay at home because of the flood disaster on last February. The book is absolutely page-turner!. I enjoy all the character and I have to admit that Rainbow Rowell has bewitched me to be in love with her writing style. Two thumbs for you , Ms. Rowell. I believe everyone should give this book a try.

The story begin  when the coming–of–age story of two twins who grew up in the world of internet fandom enter college life.This however changes when both girls decide to move away from home for uni and decide not to share rooms.

The main protagonist, Cath, is one of the most successful fan–fiction author on the 'Simon Snow' archive (which shares a lot of its elements with the Harry Potter series). Having grown up without a mother, Cath grows up to be a very introverted girl, being overly attached to her twin sister who serves the role of both her best friend and only link to a social life. Now being separated from her only source of comfort, Cath must face the life of a freshman in uni, dealing with anxiety, a rude room mate and her room mate's hyperactive 'boyfriend' who just won't leave her alone.

Fangirl is a must–read for any teenage girl going through any kind of change, as it explores many themes, from the fear of making new friends, to the change of relationships with people, as you move on in life. It explains the importance of not changing yourself but growing. Often times, people think growing up means growing out of childish things, and often times it does mean leaving parts of us behind, however, there is always a way of balancing things that are important to us with things that are important for our future. Life is all about finding this balance, and this book explores the journey perfectly.

Overall, I really liked this book as every teenage girl (and boy) can relate to some of the themes explored on Cath's journey. Fangirl includes a little bit of everything: romance, humour, drama and even fantasy, as little snippets of Cath's fan–fiction are shown. 

February is My Saturn Return

2:22 AM 2 Comments A+ a-

It has been my first post after 17th days of February. I have been too busy with stuff like birthday party, my online shop promotion, got trapped in flood disaster at Jakarta, and my job in office. I need quite surroundings to write my blog post unfortunately I can not get it in 17 first day of February. Finally today , I had a chance to write about February yes about what I learn and feel in this month.   


Time goes by and yesterday I am officially turning 27 years old. According to Angel Shelton, this period is called as Saturn Return.
Wikipedia says about Saturn Return:
It is believed by astrologers that, as Saturn “returns” to the degree in its orbit occupied at the time of birth, a person crosses over a major threshold and enters the next stage of life. With the first Saturn return, a person leaves youth behind and enters adulthood. With the second return, maturity. And with the third and usually final return, a person enters wise old age. These periods are estimated to occur at roughly the ages of 28-30, 56-60 and 84-90. A fourth return occurs for only a few people, at age 114-118.

What it means to me?
 People say that I am going to feel chaotic, like everything is being uprooted, but that’s a good thing! It started at age 27 for me and by 29 I will be in an entirely new phase of my life. I had plan to continue my study through applying  a scholarship but today the committee tell me that they decided to not take my application further. They really had my heart break.

My mind wanders to the lines of Anne of Green Gables 's quote :
“You're not eating anything," said Marilla sharply, eying her as if it were a serious shortcoming. Anne sighed.

I can't. I'm in the depths of despair. Can you eat when
you are in the depths of despair?"

I've never been in the depths of despair, so I can't say," responded Marilla.

Weren't you? Well, did you ever try to IMAGINE you were in
the depths of despair?"

No, I didn't."

Then I don't think you can understand what it's like. It's very uncomfortable a feeling indeed.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

To be worsen my husband responded that I have to left my job and moving outside Jakarta to raise the children. I feel so sad because I have no good choice about my life. I can not always keep my job because I have no career. Maybe I have an enough salary but still I can not grow in there. Being a house wife is not an easy one, I have no experience in cooking and raising children and I also have to leave the big city. I can imagine how I will spend my day in home everyday due to there is no transportation in there. All I can do is dreaming about continue my study where I will be permitted by my husband to life in big city and I can grow. I wish I had that chance in my 27.


Source



What it feels to me?
I feel so unlucky. I feel like I had to accept that I am not that special.  I remember how I have late to finish my study due to my first pregnancy. I also failed in one of subject so I can not reach my cum laude. The second pregnancy is not planned and I got another baby girl again. I really wish that I have a baby boy but I'm not that lucky. Now my scholarship is not proceeded further. I also have job but not career. I just not satisfied that my life just that ordinary. You might think that I am not grateful but I think is okay sometimes to express your disappointment when your life just do not well as your planned. I need a time to understand that maybe God has a best plan and it is should be better than my plan. Believe me, I am kind a person that not easy to give up. 

then I remember one of  the lines in Anne of Green Gables book :
 “I've done my best, and I begin to understand what is meant by 'the joy of strife'. Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

 I try to apply scholarship again this year! I will not give up!

Am I Ready?

9:54 PM 12 Comments A+ a-

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes... and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I am defying gravity
And you wont bring me down!
( Defying Gravity - Glee Cast)


For a recent days, I think I had forgot that I had apply on scholarship. I forget to practice my academic English and tend to practice my general English through reading blog and reading some novels. I had my self busy with  my online shop transaction for weeks.

Now when everything slows down, I remember about my goal : to continue study and to improve my career development. It is my big resolution in 2015.  I know it is  a hard decision to do if it is come true. I had to left my babies (2 yo and 7 mo) by the end of Aug 2015. I had to left my current job that means I have no salary for two years. Knowing that I used to have my own salary since I graduated in 2009 and ever so I never live outside my homeland before. For me it is must be difficult to stay out from the country alone, without any salary. I really going to leave my comfort zone.

 At this moment I am waiting for interview stage of my scholar application. The committee will inform me at least on Feb 25th. Wish me luck!

Some people say study abroad for only one year will make you have no time for home sick. You will busy for study, make friends with international colleague, finish your thesis and enjoy the beautiful of UK  (if I am lucky enough, I will see the beauty of Europe). I hope so. I will try my best if I had a chance to study in UK.


source

Out of my now comfort zone had been my consideration for a long time. But I guess it is right time for my career. I am still young and I need to learn more to develop my career. I have leave my babies everyday to do routine job ( the unnecessary job) compare to the core of my institution is in monetary and banking industry.  All my sacrifice in family time just for small retiring allowance, irritating career development ( yes, I am nobody in here and a diploma graduate like me is hard to be develop they said or maybe they just think develop me will put their career in danger, who knows?).

 I do not want my children ask me someday why I do not try my best when I was young? I do not want they find out that their mother wasted her time, youth, and skill moreover your mother is hired to built other people dream. I really do not want to hear their question regarding why you put your dream high but no extra effort? I do not think the possibilities that my children will grow up and never ask that critical question like that. Why? Because deep in my heart I ask the same question too my mother. Quoting the famous novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close :

Parents are always more knowledgeable than their children, and children are always smarter than their parents.― Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Here I am try to answer the future question of my children! I am ready for the challenge :)

Book Crush : My Reading Haul in 2015

2:23 AM 24 Comments A+ a-


If you asking when the last time I buy a book I could tell you it is 40 minutes ago but it is not for me but for my lovely customer. Me? still saving money for some favorite book. I always love reading book especially in English but is is not that easy to get that. Imported books comes with fantastic price especially in Indonesia moreover  the shipping takes 12-20 days. Oh My God! It is not easy.

Fortunately, I get a network  to get the book easier, more reasonable price, and  fast shipping but for what? I still don't have extra money to buy that. I am not giving up, so I decided to open a mini online bookshop to help other book lover get their favorite book in Indonesia. I understand that is not easy to get import book outside Java - Bali islands. It takes long time to shipping there. Little by little, I could  saving some from profit of selling imported books ( let me tell you that the profit so small you need sell at least 20 books to make it sense). But why I keep selling it? because it is so fun to search an imported books, I also enjoy my relationship with my customer especially outside Java Island. I love the smile when they sent their picture of their favorite book in their hands. Passion make you do something with happy heart.

By the way as book lover let me share you my book crush! I hope I can own them in this year. Wish me could selling more book so I can saving more please :)


1. Maria Semple : Where Do You Go Bernadette?
2. Stephen Chbosky : The Perks of Being Wallflower
3. Stephanie Perkins : Anna and The French Kiss, My True Love Gave To Me
4. Rainbow Rowell : Landline, Fangirl, Attachment
5. E. Lockhart : We Were Liars
6. Graeme Simsion : The Rosie Project, The Rosie Effect
7. Benjamin Alire Saenz : Aristotle And Dante Discover of The Universe
8. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi : Totto Chan The Little Girl at Window
9. RJ Pallacio: Wonder
10. Sandy Hall : A Little Something Different
11. Jonathan Safran Foer: Extremely Loud and Incredible Close
12. Erin Morgenstern : The Night Circus
13. Sophia Amoruso : #Girlboss

Some classics I want to read in this year:
1. Jane Austen : Pride and Prejudice
2. Lucy Maud Montgomery : Anne of Green Gables
3. Oscar Wilde : The Picture of Dorian Gray
4. J. D. Salinger : Catcher in The Rye

Maybe you have read one of these book, I would  love to hear your review or recommendation about my book pick list :)



Song Crush : Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith

5:24 PM 23 Comments A+ a-


Only Love Can Hurt Like This is my second favorite song that sung  by Paloma Faith after Technicolor. The Technicolor is an amazing song by Paloma Faith. She wrote this for Samsung Mobile to add to one of their phones, but she will not release it on any albums.

The song wears a Britsoul costume - what with the Winehousesque vocals and the Ronsonesque production - but the skeleton of the song is the 1980s power ballad. After all, 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' was written by the same bloody composer who wrote at least half of the classic power ballads, including all the ones mentioned above. Penned by legendary songsmith Diane Warren, “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” is a career-defining ballad that showcases the Brit’s gravelly voice at its most gut-wrenching.

 The song has been described as a Motown-influenced sixties-style ballad and is a largely acoustic song featuring just piano and drums, expanding to include backing vocals and heavy use of violins in the final choruses.'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' does play to Paloma Faith strengths as a singer - the Britsoul setting and her sense of restraint nicely offsets some of the song's Warrenisms. Even so, you still sense that she's singing someone else's song, doing someone else's style. But overall, I still love this song.
ts 70s Supremes vibe is mixed with a tinge of the present, and the track happily stays in character by not raising the tempo unnecessarily.  - See more at: http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-paloma-faith-only-love-can-hurt-like-this/#sthash.BuaNnb3w.dpuf
ts 70s Supremes vibe is mixed with a tinge of the present, and the track happily stays in character by not raising the tempo unnecessarily.  - See more at: http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-paloma-faith-only-love-can-hurt-like-this/#sthash.BuaNnb3w.dpuf
ts 70s Supremes vibe is mixed with a tinge of the present, and the track happily stays in character by not raising the tempo unnecessarily.  - See more at: http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-paloma-faith-only-love-can-hurt-like-this/#sthash.BuaNnb3w.dpuf

Listen to her song :


The lyrics


I tell myself you don't mean a thing,
And what we got, got no hold on me
But when you're not there,
I just crumble.

I tell myself I don't care that much,
But I feel like I'd die till I feel your touch.

Only love
Only love can hurt like this
Only love can hurt like this
Must have been a deadly kiss
Only love can hurt like this.

Say I wouldn't care if you walked away,
But every time you're there, I'm begging you to stay
And when you come close, I just tremble.

And every time, every time you go
It's like a knife that cuts right to my soul.

Only love
Only love can hurt like this
Only love can hurt like this
Must have been a deadly kiss
Only love can hurt like this.

Only love can hurt like this
Your kisses burn in to my skin
Only love can hurt like this.

But it's the sweetest pain
Burning hot through my veins
Love is torture, makes me more sure.
Only love can hurt like this

Only love can hurt like this
Only love can hurt like this
Must have been a deadly kiss.
Only love can hurt like this

Only love can hurt like this
Your kisses burn into my skin
Only love can hurt like this.

Only love can hurt like this.
Save me, save me
Only love, only love

'Cause only love can hurt like this
And it must have been a deadly kiss.

Addicted To Blogging

7:01 PM 25 Comments A+ a-


Since the first time blogging at 2009, I just thinking about sharing the ideas about programming. I love how the readers left a comment how my blog help them getting more information about Java, Databases and many more. Never thought about promote my blog or monetize it. I just thought that blog like any other social media (friendster, my spaces, etc) will disappear as time goes by. But I was wrong blogging  has it own way to survive! Yes there is a huge blogging community and 90% of the people in it are nothing short of amazing and I'm proud to be a part of it.This time I had join Next blogger network and  I really enjoy it. I also looking for any blogger network that so much fun like this. I am looking forward for your recommendation.

It was the right decision when I started this blog to share my thoughts in English, the things I love, and what inspires me to live it colorfully. I decided not to be just a silent reader for those amazing blog, I am not shy anymore to follow and tell the blogger how I love their post that inspire me much. That is why I always reply to every comment that is left on my blog, I love creating a relationship with the people that take the time to leave comments.

Putting down good inspirations, with great-looking pictures and a pretty layout makes me feel better. I also list my favorit blog on my bloglovin'. I also list them in a separate pages called inspiring do not be surprised for the long list, I recommend you to take a time visit them.

According to one of my favorite blogger (Jen Purr), I learn a lot how to focus on my blog. I used to get specific with my blog and really creating a bold and brave online space as a  challenge if I really committed to making 2015 as my best blogging year.


Last, never thought I would addicted to blogging like this. This blog now become a huge part of my life and I wouldn't change that for the world as blogging is something that I'm so passionate about. I really thank you, to all of the people who choose to follow and support everything that I do. I wish I could meet you someday in real life ;)


Dream About New Year 2015

2:04 AM 12 Comments A+ a-





New Years Resolutions are famous for their rate of failure. Taking a simple short-term resolutions can be great ways to keep you away from write routine resolution like go to gym more often or start to saving money this year. We all know where the old resolutions ends up.

Talking about failed resolution, I ever had once in 2013. I planned to finish my bachelor degree on Feb, 2013 with cum laude grade since I started my college in 2010. But  it ends up finished on Aug, 2013 with no honors because I failed in one subject moreover I had to extend my thesis due to my pregnancy. Yes, It is not life what you had planned but God knows what the best for you. Everything that happened makes me sad but I had to grow and life must go on.

About my 2015's Short term resolutions are:

  • February 2015 : Getting shortlisted on Chevening scholarship (wish me luck) since Interviews by panel at the British Embassy in Jakarta will take place between 23 February and 17 April 2015.
  • April 2015 : The birth of my second child. Cant wait to see whether the baby will be boy or girl
  • September 2015 : If I am lucky enough to be selected to Glasgow University. I'm going to live in there for one year.
Having master degree when you have two babies seems like a crazy idea but continue my study to master and also abroad has been my dream since I was child. Moreover, in Indonesia it is hard to find study for monetary and the time is right for my career. As long my family and my friends support me, I hope I can continue my study in there.
Continue my study to master degree had been the number one on my bucket list  since the first time I see my father had his master degree. One day I hope I can over him and study abroad. I want to show my beloved family even though we can not afford study abroad, still we have another way to make our dream come true. I do not want to give up. 

Out from my top priorities I still have a huge focus for my blog and online book shop. I want my life this year is to be more intentional with the decisions I make along the way. According to Chinese fortune it is great year to do my best so I better not giving up.