Suffocation

Oh fifty..
I'm so lost in this forest of shades.
I've found myself suffocated by the beauty of your darkness & wounded soul.
Because your pain is so beautiful, it makes your heart so fragile.
B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. & F.r.a.g.i.l.e.
As beautiful as the prelude.
As fragile as the rain drops.

Laters, baby.

Honor

When I looked at this beautiful picture for the first time,
I lost my breath for a few moments. I lost my words in silence.
Everything that I want to say can find no voice.

Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of sunrise.
As the sun rises slowly with the light straight reaches the 'mourning' sky gives the twilight streams a chance to show its marvelous moment.

At sunrise everything is luminous divine.
This grand picture's remind me to one of my favorite songs, the beautiful song from Phil Perry, HONOR.
Too bad I couldn't find the video in youtube.

You could find this song in Phil Perry's, A Mighty Love album.


Taste of morning sunrise
Brings joy to my eyes
To wake up and see the bluebirds
Flying high up in the sky

And to know You are the One
That makes raindrops with the sun
And to know You’re the King
That brings the joy inside of me

Give You the honor
Give You the praise
Forever and ever
I will lift up Your name

Your name is the name we shall be hold
Your name is the only name I know
Your name is the sweetest name I, sweetest name I know
Your name… Your name…

Note: The picture was taken by @JFSoureka at Ria Bintan. Thanks a buuuunch Joey for the wonderful picture. :)

My Eternal Sunshine

A Short Notes To My Eternal Sunshine:

You think you're ordinary
I think you're extraordinary

You think you're invisible
I think you're inspiration

You think you're imperfect
I think you're impressive

You think you're geeky
I think you're sexy

You think it's all cliches
I think it's all matter of facts

You think you gives me something
I think you gives me everything

Everything that my heart ever needed.
Named: L.O.V.E.


Note: The picture was taken at Aegean Sea - Greece.

Pasir dan Batu

Kisah yang sangat bagus untuk di renungkan...

Ada sebuah kisah tentang dua orang sahabat karib yang sedang berjalan melintasi gurun pasir. Di tengah perjalanan, mereka bertengkar dan salah seorang menampar temannya. Orang yang kena tampar merasa sakit hati, tapi dengan tanpa berkata-kata, dia menulis di atas pasir: "Hari ini, sahabat terbaikku menampar pipiku."

Mereka terus berjalan sampai akhirnya menemukan sebuah oasis. Mereka memutuskan untuk mandi. Orang yang pipinya kena tampar dan terluka hatinya, mencoba berenang namun nyaris tenggelam, tapi dia berhasil diselamatkan oleh sahabatnya. Ketika dia siuman dan rasa takutnya sudah hilang, dia menulis di sebuah batu: "Hari ini, sahabat terbaikku menyelamatkan nyawaku."

Orang yang menolong dan menampar sahabatnya, bertanya "Kenapa setelah saya melukai hatimu, kau menulisnya di atas pasir dan sekarang menuliskan ini di batu?" Sambil tersenyum temannya menjawab, "Ketika seorang sahabat melukai kita, kita harus menulisnya di atas pasir agar angin maaf datang berhembus dan menghapus tulisan itu. Dan bila sesuatu yang luar biasa baik terjadi, kita harus memahatnya di atas batu hati kita, agar takkan pernah bisa hilang tertiup angin."

***Dalam hidup ini ada kalanya kita dan orang terdekat kita berada dalam situasi yang sulit, yang kadang menyebabkan kita mengatakan atau melakukan hal-hal yang menyakiti satu sama lain. Juga terjadinya beda pendapat dan konflik karena sudut pandang yang berbeda. Oleh karena itu, sebelum kita menyesal di kemudian hari, cobalah untuk saling memaafkan dan melupakan masa lalu...


Notes: Thanks to my cousins, sister, and friends who shared this nice article with me.

I Think Of You

I always have a thing for beautiful or deep meaningful words.
Either its in a poem, poetry, song , book, newspaper, blog, or even a single phrase in the movie.
For me, words have a mysterious way to reveals the deepest feeling or thoughts of the writer.

When it comes to poems, poetries, books, songs, personal blogs, I categorized writers into 3 groups. Those who write from the mind, those who write from the heart, and those who write from the soul.

I always think that a beautiful poem / poetry that has written from the soul, with wisdom and reflective thought spilling through its words is the artwork.
It takes a moment and an imagination to capture the message of the poem. Just like when we're trying to capture the message / the meaning of the painting, whether its a black and white sketch or a colorful illustration. A landscape or a portrait. Both have a secretly meaning. A beautiful poem is equal to the lovely painting.

I would like to share one of my favorite poems by Goethe.
I fell in love with this poem since the first time I learn German language.

Here's the poem, first in English, and then in German (the original):

I Think of You

I think of you,
when I see the sun's shimmer
Gleaming from the sea.

I think of you,
when the moon's glimmer
Is reflected in the springs.

I see you,
when on the distant road

The dust rises,
In deep night,
when on the narrow bridge

The traveler trembles.
I hear you,
when with a dull roar
The wave surges.

In the quiet grove I often go to listen
When all is silent.

I am with you,
however far away you may be,
You are next to me!

The sun is setting,
soon the stars will shine upon me.





Ich denke dein,
wenn mir der Sonne schimmer
Vom Meere strahlt

Ich denke dein,
wenn sich des Mondes Flimmer
In Quellen malt.

Ich sehe dich,
wenn auf dem fernen Wege

Der Staub sich hebt,
In tiefer Nacht,
wenn auf dem schmalen Stege

Der Wandrer bebt.

Ich höre dich,
wenn dort mit dumpfem Rauschen

Die Welle steigt.

Im stillen Haine geh' ich oft zu lauschen,

Wenn alles schweigt.

Ich bin bei dir,
du seist auch noch so ferne,

Du bist mir nah!
Die Sonne sinkt,
bald leuchten mir die Sterne.

O wärst du da!

- J.W. Goethe -

Anyway, there's a wise old saying: The best way to learn a foreign language is to read the poetry aloud. You know poetry gets lost in translation, that's true.
You can't turn this wonderful poem into English actually, you have to turn yourself into German.

Note: The picture was taken at Cape Sounion, Greece.

Invictus

I've just watched the BEST movie that based on the true story of Nelson Mandela's efforts to unite his people together through the universal language of sport.
So inspiring. I always adores Nelson's outstanding dedications to his country.
This movie is directed by Clint Eastwood. Two thumbs up for Clint.

There's one poem that became a source of inspiration to Nelson Mandela during his captivity and he wrote out a copy by hand for the captain of the rugby team to inspire him to lead them to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.
Invictus is a Latin word for "unconquered."
The poet, William Ernest Henley, wrote it from his hospital bed. His indomitable spirit led him to triumph over the amputation of his leg.

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.

If you're a big fans of Nelson Mandela then you should read his marvelous biography "Long Walk to Freedom" and watch this "Invictus" movie.



Long Walk to Freedom is one of the greatest books (read: True Story) in the world.
One of my favorites.

Again, I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.

Julia Child's Memoir

Ooooh Goodness, I loveeee this book so much!
It's a memoir of Julia Child, beautifully written by her and her husband's (Paul Child) grandnephew, Alex Prud'homme.

This book's so real, you can feel her energy and joy through the pages.
It's so lively and delightful that as if you're a part of her soul, wandering in Paris, buying food at local markets, taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, smelling the sea air through her window in Marseille, enjoying la belle France, sipping a glass of wine while eating and cooking in her kitchen, making a diner for close friends at her holiday house in La Pitchoune, Provence, and so forth and so forth.

When you read this book, you're traveling in a time machine which bring you to her life on the years 1948 through 1954. Those years in France which she claimed as the best years of her life.
And I enjoyed every scene of her life in this book, I can feel her sadness, her happiness, even I can feel the smell of lavenders lingering on the air at her terrace in Provence. Hehehe:p I don't know, maybe it's because I'm weird, swam so deep into this book or simply because this story was so real.

I watched the movie, Julie and Julia before I've read this book.
And I found this book much muuuuuuch more interesting than the movie.
Though I also like the movie so much, the movie is based on two true stories about Julia Child and a New Yorker girl (Julie P.) who decided to give her life a new meaning as a blogger with a project called Julia Child's Project. She had tried every recipes of Julia Child cooking book in a year. What a tough project, really.

I love this book very much, it took a month for me to finish this book just because I've read it very slowly, I chewed every word, I enjoyed every place and food that she described, I simply don't want it to come to the end. Amazing! Charming and inspiring.

Soon as I finished reading this book, I asked my brother who living in USA to buy her master piece: Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) for me.
I'm sooooooo into all the foods she had described wonderfully in this book.
And I'd love to cook it in my own kitchen.
:)

Coco Avant Chanel

Yaay, finally I watched this movie.
Though it wasn't as good as Coco Chanel in my opinion, but still I like it 'coz this movie has an originality of French perspective about Coco as a Parisian.
This movie has emphasized on Coco's complicated life before being the world famous Chanel in a very humble way.
No more, no less. Not kind of a fairy tale movie.
And Audrey Tautou is beautiful as always. :)

Coco CHANEL

O.H.M.Y.G.O.O.D.N.E.S.S.!
I L.O.V.E COCO CHANEL so muuuuuuuuuuch...!!!

Just watched this remarkable movie last night, and I was so hypnotized during the movie.
It is amazing the fact that the world's most avant-garde fashion designer was a woman who had to start from scratch and build her way to the top in a world dominated by men.
She was indeed the ultimate independent woman and she knew her value.

It's totally a very-great-you-have-to-see-this-movie for every lover of fashion and romance.

Seriously, it is not that I'm playing a drama queen right now but I'm totally impressed by the movie, by Coco Chanel inspiring life story, by her sophisticated yet never dies style, by her passionate love affairs, by her everlasting perfumery: Chanel No.5, and most of all by her spirit to conquered the fashion world with her phenomenal menswear, simplicity, elegance, and glamorous style!

How amazing the way she could transformed her life from her humble childhood to a young dressmaker's assistant to the most influential designer of the 20th century.
Even after she died decades ago, her big name and boutiques still exist all over the world until now.

Either she was Gabriela or Coco. She was Chanel. And she was an extraordinary person.
She was the world's most elegant woman.
I have read her complete biography right after I watched the movie. And I love her even more. So inspiring! :)

I hardly can wait to watch Coco Avant Chanel/Coco Before Chanel movie played by Audrey Tautou. Audrey is my most favorite French actress, playing my most favorite French designer I bet it's gonna be awesome!

I also can't wait to buy a novel written by Karen Karbo: "The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World's Most Elegant Woman".

Julie & Julia

I just watched a great movie which based on two true stories, Julie & Julia.
I really enjoyed and had a good time during the movie.
This movie taught us about the importance of being persistence,
in order to know what is our inner passion, what is our ambition? What do we want to do in this life?

What things that could make you jumps out of bed every morning with a cheerful spirit? Something that makes you feel valueable, happy and in control.
Reminds us to always face every barrier and difficulties that comes up in our way with a right attitude.

With a setting in my two favourite cities in the world, Paris and New York.
I fell in love with this movie immediately.
And not forget to mention about an incredible acting of Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.
They're sooooo into Julie and Julia. You hardly can remember of the real Meryl Streep during this movie. You will only see Julia Child.

If you loves cooking, writing and blogging then you definetely will love the movie as much as I am.
Now, I'm so regret that I didn't buy Julia Child's book, My Life in France when I saw it 2 weeks ago in the bookstore.
It will be on my 'book-that-I-must-have' list, for sure.

Get a Life!

Just want to share these simple tips to get a better life.

25 ULTIMATE TIPS FOR BETTER LIFE:

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. & while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. When you wake up in the morning,Pray to ask God's guidance for your purpose, today.'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, and almonds.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.Forgive them for everything !

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Help the needy,Be generous ! Be a 'Giver' not a 'Taker'

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. Time heals everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed ,Pray to God and Be thankful for what you have accomplished,today !

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed!.

25. Please forward this to everyone you care about..

And don't forget to take a break from whatever you do now, take a deep breath and promise yourself to 'get a life' for your own sake.

A Tribute to Michael Jackson: The Music Legend!

Michael Jackson truly had a message to give each and every one of us.
To make this world as a better place as well as he did...

Rest in Peace, M.J.
God bless your soul.


Earth Song

LIFEBOOK 2009

I've got this nice article 3 times.
First time was from my father, second time was from my best friend, and third time was from my sister in law.
I found it so thoughtful and useful.
So I think why don't I post it on my blog, so everyone can also read and enjoy the article.
Happy Reading! :)

LIFEBOOK 2009:

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants (factory)
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time for prayer
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2008
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, SMILE !!

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do; keep your limits
14. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and Laugh more
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

25. Call your family often
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right things
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
34. GOD heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up!
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be HAPPY !!!!!!!

Last but not the least :

40. Do forward this to everyone you care about.

Negative Feelings.

Negative feelings are in you, not in reality.
So stop trying to change reality.
That's crazy!
Stop trying to change the other person.
We spend all our time and energy trying to change external circumstances, trying to change our spouses, our bosses, our friends, our enemies, and everybody else.
We don't have to change anything.
Negative feelings are in you.

No person on earth has the power to make you unhappy.
There is no event, condition, situation, or person.
Nobody told you this; they told you the opposite.
That's why you're in the mess that you're in right now.
That is why you're asleep.
They never told you this. But it's self-evident!

*De Mello*

Wahre Liebe

Mädchen fragte einen Jungen "magst du mich?"
Er sagte nein.
Sie fragte "findest du mich hübsch"
Er sagte nein.
Sie fragte "bin ich in deinem Herz?"
Er sagte nein.
Als letztes fragte sie "wenn ich weg gehen würde würdest du
für mich weinen?"
Er sagte wieder nein.

Sie ging traurig davon.

Er packte sie am arm und sagte "ich mag dich nicht, ICH LIEBE DICH"
Ich finde dich nicht hübsch, ICH FINDE DICH WUNDERSCHÖN.
Du bist nicht in meinem herz DU BIST MEIN HERZ.
Ich würde nicht für dich weinen, ICH WÜRDE FÜR DICH STERBEN!

Sahabat Wanita

Pada suatu hari, seorang wanita muda yang baru saja menikah mengunjungi ibunya.
Mereka duduk di sebuah sofa dan menikmati segelas air teh dingin.

Ketika mereka sedang berbincang-bincang mengenai kehidupan, pernikahan, tanggung jawab
dalam hidup serta kewajiban, sang ibu dengan perlahan menaruh sebongkah es batu ke dalam gelasnya dan menatap wajah anak perempuannya.

"Jangan lupakan sahabat-sahabat wanitamu." nasihatnya, sambil mengaduk-ngaduk daun teh di bawah gelasnya.

"Mereka akan menjadi orang yang penting bagimu ketika usiamu makin tua.
Tidak peduli seberapa dalam kau mencintai suamimu, seberapa banyak anak-anak yang kau miliki,kau masih tetap harus memiliki sahabat wanita.

Ingatlah untuk berjalan-jalan bersama mereka, melakukan hal bersama-sama dengan mereka.

Dan ingat bahwa mereka bukan hanya sekedar sahabat wanitamu, tetapi mereka
akan menjadi saudara, anak dan yang lainnya.

Kau akan membutuhkan sosok wanita yang lain. Wanita selalu begitu."

"Sungguh nasihat yang aneh," pikir si wanita muda.

"Bukankah aku baru saja menikah?
Bukankah aku baru saja bergabung dalam dunia pasangan-pasangan muda?
Sekarang saya adalah seorang istri, orang dewasa,bukan anak perempuan kecil
yang memerlukan teman main perempuan lainnya!
Tentu saja keluarga yang akan kami bina dapat membuat hidup saya lebih berarti."

Tetapi, ia mendengarkan nasihat ibunya; ia terus
berhubungan dengan sahabat-sahabat wanitanya dan bertemu dengan semakin banyak
sahabat setiap tahun.

Ketika tahun demi tahun berlalu, ia mulai merasakan betapa benar nasihat yang diberikan ibunya.

Ketika waktu dan keadaan mengubah keberadaan mereka sebagai wanita dengan segala misterinya, sahabat-sahabat wanitanya tetap berada dalam kehidupannya.

Setelah hidup selama 50 tahun dalam dunia ini, inilah fakta-fakta yang
saya dapatkan dari memiliki sahabat wanita:

Sahabat wanita akan menjaga rahasiamu.
Sahabat wanita akan memberikan nasihat ketika kau membutuhkannya.
Sahabat wanita tidak selalu mengatakan apa yang kau lakukan benar, tetapi mereka bersikap jujur.
Sahabat wanita akan terus mengasihimu, meskipun ada perbedaan pendapat.
Sahabat wanita akan tertawa bersama-sama denganmu, dan lelucon kosong
sama sekali tidak diperlukan hanya untuk sebuah tawa.
Sahabat wanita akan menolongmu keluar dari hubungan-hubungan yang buruk.
Sahabat wanita menolongmu mencarikan rumah tinggal yang baru, membantu mengepak barang dan pindah.
Sahabat wanita akan membantu membuat sebuah pesta untuk anak-anakmu ketika mereka menikah atau memiliki anak, manapun yang lebih dulu terjadi.
Sahabat wanita akan selalu berada di sampingmu, dalam suka maupun duka.
Sahabat wanita akan menempuh badai, topan, panas, dan kegelapan untuk mengeluarkan kau dari keputusasaan.
Sahabat wanita akan mendengarkan ketika kau kehilangan pekerjaan atau seorang kawan.
Sahabat wanita akan mendengarkan ketika anak-anakmu mengecewakanmu.
Sahabat wanita akan menangis bersamamu ketika orang yang dikasihimu meninggal.
Sahabat wanita menghiburmu ketika kau dikecewakan oleh banyak pria di dalam kehidupanmu.
Sahabat wanita membantumu untuk bangkit kembali ketika pria kau cintai pergi meninggalkanmu.
Sahabat wanita senang ketika mereka melihatmu bahagia, dan bersedia mencari
dan melemparkan apa yang tidak membuatmu bahagia.

Waktu berlalu...Kehidupan berjalan.
Jarak memisahkan.. .Anak-anak beranjak dewasa..
Cinta hilang dan pergi..Hati yang hancur..
Karir berakhir..Pekerjaan berganti..
Orang tua meninggal..Rekan- rekan melupakan kebaikan..
TETAPI, sahabat-sahabat wanita akan terus mendampinginmu,
meskipun waktu dan jarak yang terpaut sangat jauh. Sahabat wanita tidak akan
lebih jauh dari orang-orang yang membutuhkan.

TERIMA KASIH SAHABAT

From: A friend of mine
Date: 14/03/08
Time: 7:17 am
Type: Text Message
Subject:

"We could be so much more than we are."


Note: Thank you so much dear...

Life is a journey.

This life, therefore,
is not righteousness but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.

We are not yet what we shall be,
but we are growing toward it;
the process is not yet finished but it is going on.
This is not the end but it is the road;
all does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.


-Martin Luther-

Soul

Tongue tied I sail
memory pulses,
gathering paces nude
of waterfalls.

Night is male
talking darkly,
nights found me
in the breasts.


-Fo Lebene-

Ph.D or not Ph.D

There is a funny comic website for those whose feel suck or exhaust with their study, namely: www.phdcomics.com
It´s not only for Ph.D wanna be but also for college, graduate and post graduate student or even an ex-student. *wink + wink* If you´re looking for someone or friends who understand what you´re going through, someone in your side than you should visit this website. I strongly recommend it.


*Kadang penting juga untuk mundur sejenak dari rutinitas sehari-hari, supaya tetap bisa menjaga perspektif kita untuk tetap jernih. Just don´t take this life so seriously..! Life is too short to be worried..!*