Stand by Me, just purrfect!

Top 4 American Idol 7, Archie (I'm just gonna call him that from now on, cos David Archuleta is too long and there's another David in the competition, so just to make it clear) sang two songs, Stand by Me and Love Me Tender. I love both of them honestly, but between the two, it's more fun to hear Archie in an upbeat song. He hasn't been doing any upbeat in quite a while, well actually he did when they hit the big stage at TOP 12, but he was too nervous and he was carrying this big torch since his spectacular 'Imagine', and he forgot the lyrics. Poor Archie! I can imagine how he felt. I actually liked We can work it out. It sounded really fun.

Anyway, this is a big hit since he brought Shop Around down the house on Top 24. And he's quite a flirty here. Aawww Archie!

Top 8 AI7

So, this is my favorite show.... ever. Year by year it's fun to watch all the contestant and i liked to see all the hype, the madness, the bitter. This year however, is more special to me, coz after all this year never liking some one in particular since Clay Aiken dayz, I finally star strucked on David Archuleta, the 17 years old boy that just captivated a lot more people with his voice. I actually have been pimping him since the audition, yet I wasn't move to put the vibe on my blog. And although I looooooovveeed his "Imagine" and "Smokey Mountain Memories", I was still not rushing to my blog and write about him. Incase you haven't noticed, I have been quite of laid back in updating anything lately, lol.
Anyway, this is the Top 8 AI group medley from Rent, Seasons of Love. I just so looove the song, and David Archuleta in it! Yay!

David Archuleta - Imagine

Oh my god, this is da bomb!!!! And it's only at the TOP 20 week. I hope he doesn't peak too early. I want him to win this thing.

He's just stunning!! Very beautiful rendition, takes my heart away everytime I hear it. Just lovely!

The most beautiful song ever written sang by a beautiful voice.

Korea so delicious!

So finally we stepped our foot at Seoul, Korea! Anyeong haseo, Hangul!! Yippiiee...

We actually have been planning to visit this country since Feb 2007 when we were still living in HK, where the tickets and hotel booking won't be as expensive as in Jakarta, but Toni were requested back to Jakarta unexpectedly. So, there goes our plan. But, we finally made it!! Well, the actual plan was to have winter family holiday with my parents in Europe, but it was a last minute booking which have to squeeze in a very busy schedule of someone (Pawo!), and ended up with an unmatched date. So we had to cancel it. Apparently, someone's have to work at X-mas (rediculous!). Still, no Europe. The the plan changed to some several different places, but we were tired of following an uncertain plan. So, I came up with the idea to go to Korea. Not so far, not an expensive holiday compare to Europe, and there's winter. So Pawo made some checking (well, for the rest of us, free time in holiday because it is holiday season except for Pawo), and yes! That's how we finally arrived in Incheon, via Kuala Lumpur, in a breezy friday morning, Dec 21st.

Korean people are very friendly. In the highway toll booth, shoutings of greetings and thank you are heard once we opened the window. Wow, never heard such a hostile welcome anywhere before.

So we stayed at Lotte Hotel, a glam hotel with it's own department stores & cinema. Not far is the the city hall where they also put giant Xmas tree and ice skating ring, where a long lined up people waiting to get the skate shoes. It was definitely breezing there. Wina had a couple of tantrums, she didn't want to wear the jacket, coats, glove and all the warming stuff. So once, we just took her out with one piece of clothes on her body so she knew how cold it is...... it did get her attention and stopped the tantrum, hahaha....

We took the city tour, as a safe option, knowing that English is't a popular language there. We went to Gyeongnokgung - the grandest palace is Seoul, Cheouwadae - the blue house/ presidential house, Deoksugung- another beautiful palace in the heart of the city, Seoul Tower and Namsan- folk village. The weather was cool, the city was clean and fresh, the people were friendly, too bad the don't speak English.

Then we went to Muju, a ski resort. Yippiee!!! This is the first time for me and Toni skiing. We had such a blast. First we entered the ski school, learned some basics. Then it's on our own. And we loved it!!! It's a real exercise. I mean, you have to be able to lift your butt up everytime we fell down. That's really frustrating if you are overweight or not in good shape. no wonder this sport isn't popular among Indonesia. My dad told me, he went on a ski with his friends, it started with the whole group, but because it's difficult and hard, only two of 'em that can hold on till the rest of the day. yay! I was actually kinda natural in skiing, but i think it's too "show off" if I put my picture skiing down the mountain, lol....

It was fun staying in Seoul. The only downside is that English isn't a common language, and shopping here was quite expensive compared to Hong Kong. Wina really settle with Korean food, anykind anywhere. Looking forward to come back here someday!

Padang full of Adventures

So this is our first trip (beside back to HK) since we're back in Indonesia. After all the ups and downs from Wina incident. So Wina enjoyed her school, I enjoyed my new job, Toni also got held up in his work. We're going to Korea tomorrow for holiday season, but we got a chance to visit my parents hometown, Payakumbuh.

Payakumbuh is one of the city in West Sumatra. It's 1,5 hour flight from Jakarta to Padang, West Sumatra capital city. Then we have to take a car ride for 3 hours to Payakumbuh. The view is fantastic, the air is so fresh.

I seriously believe that I gained wight in Padang, but I don't wanna check it on the scale with my bare eyes. It's too hurtful. . Coz every time we dropped by at someone's house we have to eat. So the first the day in Padang, I think I ate about 6 times. My God!!! And then again on the second day. And everytime there's someone asking me if I'm expecting. Hiks, my belly was that big! Believe me!!
Wina & Ziko at Rumah Gadang

Along with my parents in law, me Toni & Wina had 4 days of fun and adventure in Padang & Payakumbuh, especially Wina. Actually only 3 days for me, coz I'm a lil tight up back in Jkt. There's a lot of her first time here. Like the first time to hold a kitten, touch a buffalo, ride a motorcycle, on a horse wheel carriage, etc. It was a great learning & experience for her. I'm glad we went there.

Touching a buffalo for the first time ----- playing at Nirwarna Beach, Padang

We visited a lot of relatives. The first night we stayed at my ancestor's Rumah Gadang (traditional Minangkabau house) in Talang Maur, a village in Payakumbuh. The air was so clean and cool, it was so refreshing. But we couldn't stay long because of tight schedule. Tante Ayu, Mutia, Mona and Om Ujang accompany us in kampung (village). Nenek Nismah and Mak Odang was staying in Nenek Rasyidah's house (dad's mom) till Lebaran. We also visited nenek buyut (Wina's great great grandmother) who seem to be healthier since staying in Payakumbuh with Om Yan and Tante Susy. We went around a lot. Visited a lot of relatives. Ate and ate and ate. Pheeewww, I hope my belly exploded.

On a horse wheel carriage in Payakumbuh ----- With Ayek's monkey in her home, Talang Maur

The last day, Wina had a friend. It's her cousin, Azra and Anshari. She was happier, screaming a lot, running around and a lot of smiles. So as a gift for her happiness that day, we took her to the beach, Pantai Nirwana. Almost nobody was there, so the beach was ours. The kids found a tiny steam, and for a while they were playing and splashing and owning the stream. Ah, it's a relax afternoon before heading back to rainy and busy Jakarta.

Anshari, Wina & Azra ------- Along the stream in Nirwarna

Wina's New Preschool

Wina finally started her school back. She had holidays for the whole 3 months (well, couldn't consider it as holiday, coz we're going back and fourth to the hospital due to her arm broke).

I remembered Wendy told me to put Wina to 5 days a week school coz she's the active school type. Well, she was right. So after her hand healed completely (2 months later after the accident), I put her in Teddy Bear Preschool that's not far for home.

Wina entered the school early October 2007. She was very anxious following the activities. Basically she's a shy girl, so took time for her to opened up & mingled around. But still not changing the old habit, she reluctant to squeeze in if I'm around, hahaha......

Anyway, this new school of her has a permanent program for every friday. It's the performing day. Every class (class divided by the range of age) are given certain time to perform any kind of stage art, whether singing, dancing, playing music, or rhyming.

Before Lebaran, they held a Lebaran Celebrating Performing Friday. Half of her classmates are Japanese, so this is some kind of festivities for them. The school also tried to make a universal Lebaran theme. I was hoping she would finally be on the stage coz it's already 2 weeks passed without her joining in. So I prepared my camera to take some lovely pictures of her on stage. But as you guess, till now Wina still doesn't want to go on stage. Well, at least I could get the Blue Bear Class Posing together...phewwww.

Lebaran this Year

Not sure how to describe lebaran 2007. Ramadhan (puasa) started from Sept 12 - Oct 12. I can tell one thing for sure, this year traffics are the worst I've seen in my life. Everyday, every hour, any road I take, I was stucked in jam somewhere. There's no smooth ride anymore.
This month i got a new job, Wina entered a new school with 50% of the kids are Japanese (I think I need to learn simple Japanese, hai'!), I'm joining a new health club (my tummy is my other nightmare, I myself can't even look at it, too booth!!#$*@^!), Uda wants to go haji, I'm having this thing for flower-decoration.... quite much happening around here!


Anyway, I'm thinking of trying the property business, but with my lack of experience, I'm not sure how it'll go. I know I have quite a good taste (well, not that bad) in home interior and stuff, I enjoyed the activities too... maybe I should just give it a shot! Like they say, 'Won't know how to do it, until you do it'. Aarrgghh, somebody please encourage me!

My dad's not around this year, work-travelling in Europe. Mom.... her house is quite far from ours, so we meet only once in while. My sis & bro... Rara is MIA, Kennet on the other hand is right here, staying here for a couple of nite. Uda's family are all here, there'll be a festive at Wina's kakek house. Another must visit is to Mak Odang's house, the elder of my big family. Hmm, no fun without my dad's around (most of my family lives in Jkt are from my dad's).
Another downside is, we wanted to go to Hong Kong at Lebaran holiday, but all the flights are fully booked since 3 weeks ago (I just can't believe that). I really miss HK, Wina too! Damned!!

Well, don't get my mood affect you. We wish you a forgivefull Ied, Minal aidin wal faidzin, Happy Idul Fitri!

Wina & Mbak Rinda

It's been 3 months since we left Hong Kong. Yet, Wina still remember Mbak Rinda, our helper in HK that was so close to Wina. Wina was so close to her, although some of the other job wasn't done as I wanted, we kept her till the end. We won't get another 'Mbak Rinda' in Jkt, becoz our helper now doesn't speak English (although I taught her some simple word).
Wina still speak English here, I try to maintain it in her, so that she speaks it natively. While it's fun for her to communicate with us and watching English children TV programs, it's also a barrier for her in making friends, coz her cousins and friends at school doesn't speak English in conversation.
Life is never been easy. If I speak bahasa with her, it won't been long till she forgets her native. If I speak English, her bahasa won't be perfect till she get a formal education. Which one to choose? Can't decide....

Back to Mbak Rinda, She also won't get another Wina. No child is nicer than her in attitude. She's a fun girl to take care, right Rin? Wina has has been asking to go to HK. I wanted that too, but the amount of people going to HK this Lebaran holiday are CRAZY. All the flights are full, even the business class. We're still in the waiting list for both classes.

Anyway, she's married now, with the man of her dream. We wish you happiness ever after, mbak Rinda!

How Time Fly Away....

Wow, it's been along time since i last updated my dear blog. Miss u a lot, blog!
We moved back to Jkt, redecorated the house, get together with family, wina fell of her bike and broke her arm!! i spent 2 months just taking care of her. Time just speed away....

Moving back home

So life is not always perfect or well-planned. We supposed to live in HK for about 2-3 years, but now, after living here 1,5 year, we have to move back to Jakarta. In a sudden. That's what happened if you work in a company full of expats. Due to remanagement, in just 2 weeks, Toni had to be in Jkt to start working. Well, it's gonna be 2 more weeks till i leave HK. I'm trying to make the best out of it, going places I've never been. So I've been having trouble to update my dear blog, since my mom also came here (with my aunt) to replace uda as my companion till moving day, that also needed me to take them around. So technically, i don't have time to check the web. But, practically, I steal time once in a while, he he...