Morgan Tjia

It's been a long time since the last time I blogged.

Many events had happened to me and a couple of roles had been assigned to me as well, as a wife and a mother. I have married to a cool yet loving man, and I am now a mother of a 4-month old cute little baby, Morgan Tjia. 

Words just can't described how grateful I am to finally have my own baby. I feel that I am a very lucky person just by looking at my son. I can just sitting next to him only to staring him sleeping and never feel bored. I guess every mother in the universe will feel the same way as how I feel. Mothers out there, do you agree that giving birth is one of the best things that ever happened to us, YES?! :)

I still remember that life changing moment when I was about giving birth to this little creature of mine. A moment before I was brought to the delivery room, shaking a lot, and just before I blinked, I had already given birth. 

God is so amazing and despite of the troublesome life can be, life has always find ways to mesmerize me in so many ways. 

Thank you, God. Thank you, Life.

Reward...Reward...Reward

I just rewarded myself with this!! A classic black shoulder bag from Bally. I'm just too happy that I don't want to open it yet. Still waiting for the euphoria to slowing down and then I will just open it later. Lol <3

It's This Time Of The Year Again

It's finally this time of the year again.
November, the month I always in love with. Not only because it is the last month before Christmas comes, but I always feel lucky during this time of the year. Looking forward for many better things to come by. One thing at a time or many things all at once. Whatever they are, I just have a good feeling about this month. Let's enjoy November! :)

Monster Sandals

Say hello to my new 'crush at the first sight' sandals! ^^

Yay The Star Is Mine!

Been a while since the last time I blogged. So many good things had happened since then. To summarize the good things, I had traveled to Singapore in August and Bangkok in September, and just like always, it had only been for a very few days.

I tried to build several habits for the past 3 months, which is not to not be a procrastinator, and it kinda works.

During this past few months, I also tried to indulge myself as wise as possible. I had tried a few newly opened cafes and restaurants in town, bought several things I've been wanted to buy since a long time, and of course I got myself a few pair of cute shoes. A cute pair of shoes never fail to create a smile on me face as I believe they will bring me to beautiful places on wonderful journeys. Shortly, I did things that make me happy, as much as possible.

And yesterday, I received this award. I've been working hard all this time, but never crossed my mind that I would have gained this achievement of being the best personal banker for Q215. Still can't believe it. I'm feeling so grateful and thankful for this. It's been another remarkable achievement that I have ever gained. I am looking forward for another achievements to come. For now, I am working for my London race. The race is 2 months left, and I am on the second rank this far, but it's still a long way to go to reach the number.
Somehow feeling skeptical that I will win the competition, however I always believe that what is for me will not pass me by. Sadhu...Sadhu...Sadhu...
Come what may, and may it be a series of remarkably good moments. ^^

SP

Chip & Dale

Say hello to my new shoes addition buddies, Chip and Dale!
Been wanted to buy this pair when I was in Osaka, but too bad there were none of my size, so I just bought the Minnie edition instead of these. And as soon as I got back here, I searched it online. And...Voilaa they are here now!
They're gonna be my perfect companion starting from now on. Yayy!!

SP

Another Blessing, Another Grateful Heart

This morning, I got a very pleasant news from the email. I am announced as the best personal banker for Q2, 2015. 

It's such a blessing and truly another milestone for my banking career. I am feeling grateful and thankful at the same time.

Today's been a Black Monday for the market. I wish I could keep my spirit up, despite this slowing down economic conditions. Sadhu•Sadhu•Sadhu!

SP

Hello Again, Singapore!

Spent the last long weekend in Singapore, with office buddies. It always feels good to be back here again. A place, where I used to live for a year back in my childhood time. 

However, there's always something new to experience about every time I got back here. 

This time I went to Haji Lane, which is Singapore's Kampong Arab. The unique thing about this lane is its colorful graffiti walls. It's just very abstract and unusual, a place where many pre wedding event takes place. And there are many cafes and shops just around the corner. 

From Haji Lane, We strolled down the road, and found a new gem in the city, Zam Zam Restaurant. There's an advertisement refered this restaurant as "The best Moslem Restaurant in town", which encouraged us to had it tried. Turned out, the foods were really tasty. One of the unique dish was the deer murtabak. I wondered how would it tasted. Turned out it tasted similar to mutton. Not bad at all!! I also tried Air Katira, the taste was similar to sweet milk, only this didn't suit my taste bud. 

We tried Tiong Bahru bakery, recommended by a friend, a bakery which is very booming in the socmed lately. The appearance were good and the taste was surprisingly great as well. I bought this for my family too and they all loved the taste. A recommended one. Must try! 

I remember during my grandpa's medical check up in Singapore back then, I took a walk alone for several time. I was quite enjoying it. I was wondering that one day I would like to strolling down the road of Singapore and seeing the whole view of the city landscape again. I made it. Only this time, it was with 3 of my friends together. We were walking very far far away from our own initial point. Walking until our feet sore and the night had already exceeded midnight. It was so much fun that I would like the time to literally stop. 

All those experiences making me realize that today's happy moments can be tomorrow's great memories. It's so much true. 

Let's create much more happy memories, buddies! 
Happy Sya la la la...It's so nice to be happy Sya la la la...Everybody should be happy... 

SP

Sent from my iPhone

Watch of Happiness

I got a new watch, called the happiness watch. It's a very meaningful watch. Not an amulet watch nor contains any magic it is, but it merely to remind us that every second is a very meaningful one.

Look at this watch. Nothing special about the watch surely. But if you look at the details of the watch, every hour is a meaningful one. Here's the meaning for each hour starting from 1 clockwise:

1. Joyful ~ Kuai Le
It's a time to get happy, not to mourn or cry. Sadness and grumpiness is not a solution for all of our troubles. Face it happily, and everything will be solved.

2. Cheerful ~ Huan Xi
Life will be beautiful if our heart is full of cheerfulness. Fill our heart with cheerfulness and things will be beautiful and meaningful.

3. Casual Elegant ~ Xiao Sha
Life has becoming suffer if we are attached to status, fame, wealth, and even to bad habits ( hatred, jealousy, suspicion, etc). Release all hatred, don't let it be trash inside us. Walk in conscience, that's happiness!

4. Delightful ~ Kai Xin
With a delightful soul, welcoming each pages of what may come. Either a hindrance or the opposite, always face everything with a smile on your face. Open the heart for any lessons that may come from day to day basis. Receive everything may come with a sincere heart.

5. Amicable ~ Xin Ning
Life can be full of disputes and unfavorable. However, we are the one who make the decision.

6. Bright ~ Xi Wang
Hope is the thing make us full of fighting spirit. Hope is the thing make us feel optimistic to face the future. With hope, there is no hopeless feeling or disappointment.
In the morning, face a new day which is full of hope. At night, fill the soul with a hope for a better tomorrow.

7. Lucky ~ Ru Yi
Real success is when we can exceed our expectations from day to day basis, and we can dig out our own potential to be a blessing to others. When our existence create brightness and happiness to our family and friends, that's the real success.

8. Guileless ~ Guang Ming
It's time to shine on some honesty, sincerity, and live in normality. It's time to live a bright life.

9. Faithful ~ Xin Xin
Faithfulness is the basic of power. Hold on the principle of trueness. In a good condition never forget the root, and when in bad condition, stay still. It's the way to true happiness.

10. Free ~ Zi Zai
Release all burden and pressure. To live means to be burden with something and there will occurs problems in life, it comes and goes. However, with a free heart, every burden and problems will be light and easy to overcome.

11. Actualized ~ Man Zhu
One who never knows how to feel satisfied, live in never ending greed. Often feel of whatever they do not have rather than the ones they have.
Thus, shall we live in gratefulness which is also known as happiness.

12. Fortunate ~ Xin Fu
This is the time to being fully happy. Doing all the 1-11 points, everything will be ended happily. Live in cheerfulness will create happiness. Life which is filled with hope will create happiness. A free soul, attached to nothing, is truly happy. ^^

Because of those meaningful meanings of each hour, I decided to buy it at a Maitreya Temple. I believe it's good to be having something which can remind me to be conscious and be happy all the time. :)

SP

Japan Holiday Day 1 : Tokyo

There's a quote saying that we will never be the same person again after have seen the sun shining at the other side of the world. 

Maybe it doesn't apply to all, but for me, it's a Yes! 

Traveling has always been a good remedy, and the most looking forward event within a year. Through traveling, I learn about culture as well as being able to taste varieties of culinary and enjoy the magnificence of the country's scenic and iconic destinations at the same time. During this time too, I often realize how splendid and magical this world really is, and how small we are as one of the gazillions creatures in the world. 

Lucky me, this year I got a chance to visit Japan. Been hearing a lot about the magnificence of Japan from my friends and cousins. They brag that Japan is a very beautiful yet clean country, offering a whole lot varieties of delicious meals and uber cute stuffs. Their sushis are simply the best, which is one of my favorite foods. After witnessing with my own eyes and senses, I got nothing to complaint. Not a single one. Japan is just awesome! *thumbs up*

A few days upon my departure date, I already browsed a lot about the places I'm gonna visiting in my itinerary lists and soon feeling excited and being imaginative about what I am gonna do as soon as I arrived in Japan. 

As soon as we arrived in Tokyo and done with our luggages, we got into a bus. And here we were introduced by the Indonesian tour leader, Ms.Arina to the bus driver, Mr.Mashimoto and a Japanese tour guide, Ms.Yukari, the one who lead us along the way in our Japan journey. Our first stop was 1.Tokyo Tower for the several photo shoots, then continued to 2.Asakusa Temple, which is Buddha and Shinto temples located in one place. Here we were explained about the purification water. There's a well at the entrance of the temple, and the water is called the purification water, used to purify visitors by following a few ritual steps. Firstly, we have to wash our left hand, continued with the right hand, then do a mouthwash before entering the temple.

After having a look inside the temple for about an hour, it was a time to gather again and this time, off we were for lunch. It was a Japanese buffet lunch at a restaurant near the temple. Afterward, we went to 3.Ginza, a crowded shopping promenade. I entered several shops. The first one I enter was The Shiseido Parlour, a grand cake boutique, full of eye catching little cakes, chocolates, baukumchen, and so many cute little snacks.  It was heaven! 

The second shop i enter was The Dalloyau, where I bought strawberry ice cream there. The taste was ordinary, and it was nothing special. With ice cream on hand, we done a little shopping to Mitsukoshi Department Store and some other shops until the time was up to gather in the bus again. 

The journey continued to 4.Shinjuku area, which is told as a crowded area for Japanese youth, and since it was a saturday, the area was highly flocked by a lot of visitors. I tried Burger King's Samurai burger. It was just like the regular BK's beef burger, only with a hint of spicy curry taste. Tasted not bad at all. We had Sukiyaki for dinner just before we went to Le Daiba Hotel in Odaiba. 

There was a big shopping mall at the back of the hotel, with the bridge view overlooking Golden Gate of San Francisco and The liberty of New York. 

I took several pictures in front of the bridge then got inside the mall. 

I remember I was feeling so happy and content on this day. 

So much like a picture perfect about how a holiday was supposed to be. Life is good in Tokyo. 6 more days of stories to be told. Stay tune! :) 

SP

Sent from my iPhone

Moshi Moshi

Now I'm sitting on a plane, on my way going to Tokyo. Hoorayy! So happy to finally being able to visiting Japan.

Yesterday this journey was still tentative, because, Mount Raung, a mountain near Banyuwangi, has experienced an eruption, and its debris has been told that it spread to Sidoarjo. As a result, all flights in Juanda after 1 pm was cancelled. 

So many people cancelled their holidays, both individual or tour. Many had gave in their tickets and hotel reservations, and some had dumped their tickets and bought again for today's flights, which cost them a whole lot more expensive, and some of them whose connecting flights are from Jakarta, put an effort of going to Jogjakarta by travel to fly to Jakarta by then. And they made it. 
Sounds so much chaotic! 

Therefore, this morning I was actually feeling skeptical that I would made it. My Mom hadn't got prepared until getting information that Juanda will be opened again at 12. 

Arriving in Juanda, there was still another misleading information telling that Juanda would be close again by 6 pm. I was surrender fully to the worst possibility, until our flight finally got called to the queuing gate and we finally fly. Such a relieved that I can finally earn my holiday. 

For now, I'm gonna enjoying Japan. 

Sayonara ^^

SP

Sent from my iPhone

My Grandpa, My Hero

It's been a while since the last time I visited my grandpa's cemetery. Been missing him so much lately that had finally brought me to visiting him again.

My grandpa was one of a kind person. The one whose heart was gentle and always had the passion to help those in needs without being asked.

Someone who had been a family man his whole life. Always caring for his family and the ones around him.

I remember he liked to brought me fried rice at night and we used to sit and eat together. Only the two of us.

He taught me many Chinese songs. The one I remember up until now is "Ai Pia Cia E Ya" song. He taught me when I was only 7 years old, tutoring me just before I went on stage singing this song on my 7th birthday celebration. And as I remember, I got many compliments and standing ovations back then. Claps claps!

Recalling back my elementary years, he liked to give me pocket money in the morning just before I went for school. Getting additional pocket money meant a lot for a greedy girl like me who liked to go snacking a lot back then. It felt like heaven to be able to buying lots of foods and drinks. Lol

And the epic event I will not ever forget was the time when he waited upon my arrival from Shanghai just before he breathed his last breath away in 2010. I was glad to be able to meet him for the last time. Sob sob.

My grandpa. Someone I will always look up to. My role model, my hero.

Love,
Your Grand Daughter

Hello There!

How do you might feel when you are being looked this way by 2 cats while you're having your lunch?

Or, how do you feel when a deer is approching you very close to the window when you are visiting a zoo?

Hmm...I feel like being friends with them. The way the cats stared at me, it feels like they were saying..."I want the meat too, Madam!"

And the way the deer looked at me, feels like saying "Who's coming this time?"

Well...apparently I am so idle thay making this useless posts of my experiences with animals lately. Lol 

SP

Something Magical

It's funny how some things happen sometimes.

Today I met a very unique client. A paranormal she is. I happened to meet her with a colleague. My friend is now in a period of needing a firm decision about something, and this client came just at the right time. My friend told me that it's like the answer of her prayer that she never ever expected.

Mostly, in life, we got answer, almost at the last minute, when we already feel drowned or helpless. However, always believe that the universe always have ways to surprise you in certain ways. Get ready! :)

SP

Easy Sunday

Life's been a roller coaster lately.
A lot of things happened in just a very short time. A moment ago, a best friend of mine just got engaged after walking on uncertain paths for some time. Finallyy...I am so happy for her! :D

A week ago I went to Jakarta for a certification extention and visiting a client. A lot of hesitation feeling just before visiting the client, afraid of getting a rejection. However, it turned out to be a success. My three months effort of meeting this client finally scored a final. Voila! :)

Yesterday, I had a small reunion with my uni best friends. It always feels good of meeting them, sharing so many news and blahs with them, which has made my sunday brighter. 

Today is family day. Going out and having brunch with parents on a sunday morning has always been the most awaited time during a week. ^^

Life is good, but for me life's not always been a happy syalala period all the time. There's also a time I feel down and hopeless. However, I've decided to emphasis more on the good sides rather than the bad ones.
Cos, how worst the day has been, there's always another chance to make it better on another time, which is called tomorrow :)

SP

Happy Vesak Day 2559

Last weekend I went to Jogja for leisure.
Been wanted to go there since 2010, when a friend moving there as soon as she got married. However, I got no companion going there, thus wasn't allowed to go there alone. Therefore when a friend, who used to go to college at Jogja asked me to go together, I was more than agree to travel with her.
I love traveling a lot, especially when the destination is a place I've never been before.
And Voila now I am back safely and veryy tired for sure since I traveled by train.

My impression about this Jogja trip...

-It's a place where most of the foods taste sweet and nice with very affordable prices, compared to the price in my hometown.

-It's a trip where I met different kind of friends with different ages and cultures. People are unique in their own way. We should never judge a person by its cover. Sometimes people with different culture get better personalities than people with the same culture. It's true!

-I managed to try several new things, such as going to places with motorcycle, trying new foods, going to Borobudur, the place I dreamt to visit since years ago, and I also got the chance to take pictures with Thailand's monks. I also tried to reach Buddha's arm inside the relic and I managed to touched it. The myth says that the wishes might come true. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu  

-I am so happy to finally meet a long lost friend againn...We finally meet again after 6 years. Time will eventually take us back to meet each other. So happy and feeling touched realizing how 6 years can change a lot of things. Sob sob.

Too bad I can't attend the lantern festival in Borobudur, which is tonight. I still need to work and make money.
Ohh how I wish if only everyday is holiday.

That's it for now. Oh, I almost forget to greet everyone a Happy Vesak Day.
May everyone get happiness along the way. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

SP

Kue Cubit

Yesterday went to food bazaar, Tjap Toenjoengan located at East Coast area. The bazaar serves all traditional foods from various cities in Indonesia.

There were several foods sounds strange to me, such as cimol, cireng, kue cubit. Just like their name, yes they are all west java traditional foods. I bought them all. The only food I like was this kue cubit.
It took me 1.5 hour just to queue for this small snack.
And this is the preliminary conversation between me and the mas seller:

Mas : Udah pernah cobain kue cubit mba?
Me : Ngga pernah mas. Kenapa?
Mas : Cobain mba, kata orang2 rasanya nagih!
Me : Ahh jelas aja kan masnya yg jual
Mas. : Tapi beneran lho banyak yg bilang
Me : (lol)

I think it tasted nice, a little bit similar to pukis, only this came in smaller size, a size of a hand pinch. This is why they are called "kue cubit". However it doesn't taste as nagih just like he said. Ckckck Lol

SP

Late 'Black Day'

There is a tradition celebrated widely in South Korea for the singles, every year on April 14 to eat Jajangmyeon, which is known as Black Day.

So, February 14 is the Valentine's day, when women shows their love by giving chocolates to men, and March 14, is the White Day, when the men returning the love back by giving candies for the women.
So, for those singles who don't get the chance to do this all, they have Black Day, the day when the singles flock together to eat Jajangmyeon. There is a myth, when a couple eating Jajangmyeon together, then they will break the jinx upon them. There's also an extreme case, that people wear black outfit on this day, ready to mourn for the day and they drink black coffee right after eating the black noodle.

Well, last Thursday, I celebrated this Jajangmyeon day not because I mourned for being single, but it was merely just for fun. I just got to know this thing from a friend of mine, EH, and thanks to Mr.Google for telling me the background stories of this Jajangmyeon day. It was one fun and yummy celebration Jajangmyeon day. ^^

SP

Birthday Haircut

I just had my birthday haircut at The Parlour Surabaya. It's been a long time since I cut my hair short, and now I'm getting back to the old style, only this time with the longer bangs. And the fact that it's my birth month, I got a 50% discount. Apparently not only are stuffs got discount, but salon too.
My hair feels lighter right now and I feel fresher with the short hair. It just feels great! :)

SP

I Fall For Pandora

Trust me...birthday becomes less exciting when it comes to 30+ y.o birthday. I don't even think about presents or cakes that I might get, nor thinking much about the birthday celebrations that I might hold. It was so much different compared with what I used to feel when I was still below 30 y.o.

Although it is less exciting now, for me birthday is still one of the happiest moments in May. It is the day when I receive many greetings and blessings, the time when I can get my birthday cake, and if I'm lucky enough, it would also be the day when I receive many of my favourite stuffs.

Thinking all of this, Yes! I think I'm lucky enough this year. I get 2 new charms from my friends.
Started collecting Pandora since last December, I am addicted to It and wishing to add some more charms to my bracelet. My friends knew it, and bought me this. How thoughtful they have been, right?!

I am lucky enough to have such good friends. Thinking all over again, I started to believe that I am a very lucky girl. The one who used to wish for so many things, and the one who was patiently waiting for those things to happen in the near time, but was still no idea when to happen yet, so being patient was the only thing to hold onto that time.
Until one period of time, all of the things I wished for, happened exactly in front of my eyes, each of them. They even exceeded my expectations.

I still need a few things to come into my life right now, however theres a saying that "Things will fall into the right places, when the time is right." Yes, I strongly believe in this. It happened to me for so many times, so I believe there are still a lot more to come my way. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu. ^^

SP