#BlogWalking: Fabulous Imagination

New Year is so close..still can't find the best place to celebrate it. Anyway, I found very cute images from tumblr (sharkshirt.tumblr.com).

Originally, these following pictures are taken by a woman who works as computer specialist in Helsinki, Finland. While her daughter is soundly asleep, she creates a completely different world from whatever she can find around her. That's how both of them became really famous.

Hearing the Sunshine

Have you heard a short film namely Hearing the Sunshine?

I'd like to share a bit about this movie. Hearing the Sunshine is a new short film launched by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). It was premiered in the middle of this year. The film is produced to attract foreign tourists to discover Thailand.

The plot centers around two people who travel to Thailand. The man is a sound artist. He interprets the world around him through hearing. His faith tells that recordings can keep the moments. Meanwhile, the woman whose name is lately known as Ryoko, is a photographer. She captures amazing moments through lenses. They travel separately and meet by accident.

Every time I see the movie I keep smiling because the story between them is sooo sweet. Thailand gives a new unique way in unfolding the myriad experiences tourist can get in this tropical land. Through this film, this country also offer more emotional and personal way in attracting foreign visitors.

Hope Indonesia will have this kind of unique way that accentuates emotional appeal in promoting tourism.

The film is broadcasted online for worldwide. Check the teaser out!

The most favorite quote from the movie Hearing the Sunshine:
"Maybe happiness does not mean that you must arrive at the destination. It could also be the little details along the way."

Rendezvous @ The Rit's Ice Cream

My last Saturday night was wonderfully exciting. Finally I could meet up my partners in crime - Nda, Uwi, Bung Es - but minus Icih and Boyu. Well, The Rit's Ice Cream was the nicest place where we could share stories, laughter and lives. When you are about to this place, keep an eye on the little inconspicuous board of Rit's Ice Cream as you might get passed the place. It's located after Taman Ice Cream if you drive from Setiabudi street.

This homy, convenient enclave looks so warm with dim light coming out from inside. We chose to have a seat upstairs to look out the backdrop of street across this place. The interior is classic and simple with wooden chairs. I think this place would be perfect as a hiding area for those who try to get solitary and lonesome times. The nuances are slightly quiet because people rarely notice this place.

I ordered a chicken cordon bleu and fraporeo. The price is reasonable for me. Chicken Cordon Bleu costs IDR 32,000 and fraporeo costs IDR 22,000. When the order came out, I couldn't wait to eat that. It's prime chicken breast fillet filled with melting cheese. Sooo yummy! And the fraporeo..oooh you will never be disappointed with the taste. Fabulous!

Chicken Cordon Bleu and Fraporeo: Perfect combination!

One more dishes I'd like to recommend you guys: Creme Soup. It fits to eat in a rainy dusk while you watch the cars on the other side of this house. It surely can warm up your day!

After I ate the food, I planned to order a scoop of ice cream as a dessert, unfortunately I had a problem with my nose and the weather was so cold so maybe later on I'll be back to this sweet place and order the home-made ice creams. Friend of mine said Rit's Ice Cream has a flawless ice cream you must try! Ok I am going to be here very soon.

By the way, thank you for the unbelievably great night. Looking forward to seeing you, my partners in crime! Miss you :*

Fast Track:

Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 388

Bandung

Phone. 022-2011955

Open 11.00-21.00 (Tuesday closed)

Enjoying 'Me Time'

Don’t stay at home. Go get life!

Well, lately I spent most of the time on works and campus thingy. I didn’t have a ‘quality me time’. Then, a little voice inside my head stroke and told, “You should go a world away to get a frolic!” 

So when I heard my dad would go to Jakarta. I decided straightly that I’d go with him. Actually, Jakarta is not the best place to go. Polluted air, noises of vehicles...what could be worse? Anyhow I just want to get outta home for a moment to refresh mind. And who knows I will find something in my so-not-great-escape.

Quoting what the editor of The Journeys: Kisah Perjalanan Para Pencerita says. An interesting thing when travelling is finding something. Even though in the end you get nothing, it’s still called 'finding'. No?

Going to the malls is the only choice you had when you are in a metropolitan city. Thus, I went wandering to Bintaro Plaza by myself. After walking round the shopping stalls and stores, I stopped by at a book store. And something happens. A little girl (forgot to ask her name) came to me and begged secretly if I could give her money. She wanted to buy a uniform and shoes. I asked her where she studied and what her parents did. I found her story somewhat touching so I thought it would be better if I gave her a few bucks. Wish I could help more.

J.Co donuts was my next stop. A dozen of baby donuts and big cup of iced cappuccino officially became my loyal partner that afternoon. I kept drinking and counted the people that pass by to kill the time. Finally, I got my 'quality-me-time'! without any interruption from anyone.

(Ngalor ngidul ya tulisannya? suka-suka sayah ah. :p)

Perfect companions in my secluded afternoon.

Bittersweet October

Oh cold, wet, gloomy October almost comes to the end! And I’ve made such a hiatus on this blog. You know, been busy like hell and breathless as my post-graduate study assignments and teaching schedules were completely intertwined. Whoa, it’s squeezing and bunching me tightly.    

I want to relieve fatigue and get some refreshments. I really miss going to the movies, hanging out with friends of mine, and making lots of giggles with them.

All I did through this whole October was teaching then going to campus. The worst and most annoying thingy were on weekend I should finish my on-campus assignments! Well, I just got tired and need a pause.

I keep searching the red dates on the calendar though I knew there won’t be. The Eid Adha will fall on Sunday and Christmas will also hit Sunday. Damn it!

Anyways..my October wish is that I can take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. That’s it.

Le Marly Pantry

After having fun in Braga Festival couple of days ago, I looked for a cozy place to dine. Icih gave an insight of some homy restaurants like Le Marly and Vanilla. Le Marly takes place on Jalan Citarum No. 10 Bandung and Vanilla's located on Jalan Cimanuk Bandung.

As a final decision, we agreed to have a late lunch at Le Marly Pantry, a western restaurant.

Le Marly Kitchen has a distinguished interior. We could see the chefs cooking while waiting the orders. It’s a new experience for me. Furthermore, one of the spots is designed with stacked wine bottles and the other area is well-constructed like a kitchen, full of kitchen appliances.

I ordered 1 plate of Picenza. Picenza is Italian pasta with soft minced onion and chicken. It tastes very fresh since it is also served with fluttered minced lemon leaves. It’s extremely delicious. As a beverage, I prefer to order one big glass of hazy hazelnut. It looked very tempting. It is cappuccino with minced hazelnut and whipped cream. Ah you can’t retain that temptation.

Icih ordered chocolate waffles and young mango. Both looked so mouth-watering. Yummy!

Another cool fact about Le Marly is the beverages menu written on the bottle wine. If you come to this place, try the mojitos. It's a mainstay and must-tried drink.

Albeit Le Marly Pantry looks opulent, but all the foods and beverages are not too pricey. To sum up, Le Marly is strongly recommended to all of you who seek fine western dishes, particularly Italian. Just come and enjoy the atmosphere.

From now on, both of us promise to be epicures and will wander up to every food spot in Bandung at least every 2 weeks. Should prepare money then! :D Can't wait for the next culinary adventures. See you.

Me and Icih @ Le Marly

Fast Track:
Le Marly Pantry
Jalan Citarum No. 10
Bandung Indonesia 40114
Reservation: 022-7273533
Open 7 a.m. - 10.30 p.m. (now serving breakfast)

Braga Festival 2011

Actually, Braga Festival 2011 was not listed in my agenda. But, Icih - my best companion today - came with 'how if we visit Braga Festival?'. I thought it would be very exciting and Braga Festival was just held once a year, so why not? Likewise, we haven't come to this event at all.

Braga Festival is held once a year to commemorate Bandung's Anniversary and this year is its 201 anniversary. It attracts both domestic and foreign visitors. Many food stands, clothes stands, accessories stands unites here. There are also live performances from several local band, martial arts and traditional music instrument called karinding. Besides, you can see some photographs that show every corner of Bandung, the people and the arts. What surprising me is some photos which captures people who suffer from schizophrenia emplaced in South Gate of Braga Festival. In one of the corner of the Festival you can find a painter who improvises with his painting. The painting would be entitled 'Corrupter Rats' I guess.

Frankly, both of us were not too interested to what Braga Festival presents. Haha perhaps we don't have high sense of art. The only thing that directed our attention the most was the grilled sausage! LOL! Yes, we were starving. Really.

Before leaving this festival, we took our self photos to tell others that we have been here. Do we look amidst Braga Festival? :D

Today is the last day of Braga Festival. So, see you in the Braga Festival next year. :))

(500) Days of Summer

I finally got to (500) Days of Summer. Honestly, this is the first time I saw the movie. Maybe you think I’m slightly outdated since this movie has been released in 2009. But yeah, I know this movie from someone’s blog accidentally lately and searched for the DVD hardly. At last found it in Movie Room – Dago. Tee-hee! :D

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen and Zoey Deschanel as Summer Finn. Tom believed he would be truly happy after he met the one he loved, but Summer didn't share the same belief. The tagline of the movie is "A story of boy meets girl. Boy falls in love, girl doesn't."

(500) Days of Summer is a simple and quirky film. It is sooo true-to-life, no love-fantasy. It is told almost entirely through Tom's perspective.

My first favorite scene is when Tom finally slept with Summer. I love the way he walked out in the morning with a super happy feeling, nodded at strangers, high-fived, and they all danced in the street. Suddenly a sweet blue bird fluttered in. Of course the soundtrack by Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams Come True behind it is the reason why I love this funny scene. That's impressive and perfect! 

Second favorite scene is when Tom came to Summer's party after they broke up. It's funny how Tom's expectation and reality went so different. Haha. And in this scene Tom eventually realized that Summer has been proposed by someone. :'(

Third favorite scene is on the 488th day. Tom and Summer had a conversation after she was married.

S: It just happened.

T: What just happened?

S: I just woke up one day and I knew what I was never sure with you.

T: *sigh*

T: You know what's sucks? realizing that everything you believe in is completely a bullshit.

S: What do you mean?

T: Ah, you know, destiny, soulmate, true love, and all of that childhood fairytale. Non senses. You were right. I should've listened to you.

S: No, I just kept thinking that you were right. Yeah I did. It just wasn't me that you were right about.

When you watch this movie don’t expect it ends happily ever after, but that’s life. Life doesn’t always get like that. I mean, you must have someone that you thought he’s the one but he’s not. He breaks you into pieces and you suffer heartache for long long time. All you need to do is just get over him, time will heal. Though it sounds cliché but it is. I experienced that. By the time goes on, you’ll get over him, you move on, you meet someone who’s a lot better than your ex. And hope he’s the right one for you.

Speaking about the music, this movie has a great taste in music. I love the whole soundtrack. Here are the lists and try to listen to 'em guys.
1. A Story of Boy Meets Girl - Michael Dana and Rob Simonsen
2. Us - Regina Spektor
3. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths
4. Bad Kids - Black Lips
5. Please please please let me get what i want - The Smiths
6. There Goes the Fear - Doves
7. You Make My Dreams - Hall and Oates
8. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
9. Quequun Ma Dit - Carla Bruni
10. Mushaboom - Feist
11. Hero - Regina Spektor
12. Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel
13. Vagabond - Wolfmother
14. Got You High - Mumm-Ra Shes
15. Here Comes Your Man - Meaghan Smith
16. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want - She & Him

That's all I can share about (500) Days of Summer. Closing line for this post: Everyone has ‘Summer’ in his/her life. :)

Another Ride with Besty

It was a bright sun shiny day, I had a trip to Kota Baru Parahyangan. You got to know this famous place. I and my besty, Eka, explored every stunning corner and did a brief photoshoot. The dress code should be feminine this time, so I wore a flowing blue jeans skirt and a white-spotted gray sweater. Perhaps my look somewhat odd since I commonly wear pants everywhere I go. Well, there it goes..

Such an astonishing voyage to go with best friend. Talks related to updated fashions, pasts, love and boys, light laughs, and jokes will always be part of our long walks.

The ultimate place we wandered was Al-Irsyad Mosque. It's a unique mosque with the absence of a dome. The shape is square and the main facade of the mosque is stacked stones. A calligraphy of 'Asyhadualla illaha illallah' embedded on the stones remind Muslims to pray.

Image is taken from google. The picture I've taken by phone is not worth to display due to bad photography skill. :p

99 lamps reflect 99 Asmaul Husna

Silhouette of people doing Shalat Dhuhur. Inside you are able to look out the external scenery.

The ambiance within the mosque is very cool even in hot season due to natural ventilation of the stacked stones. I recommend you guys to visit Al-Irsyad mosque or Kota Baru Parahyangan. Many interesting places are waiting for you to be explored.

By the way, for your information an art, design, jazz festival called Locafore will be held on 23-25 September 2011 in Bale Pare Kota Baru Parahyangan. Don't miss it!

The Sacred Journey Part 2: Mecca & Jeddah

This entry will describe my travel in Mecca and Jeddah. Keep rolling down the blog and enjoy. (:

I stayed for 4 days at Ufuk Al-Fath Hotel Mecca for 4 days. It's located approximately 500 meters from Masjidil Haram. I took the first Umrah at 2 in the morning. Still remember the first time I saw Ka'bah. It was an indescribable feeling. I cried at that time, couldn't believe I could see Ka'bah directly. It was such a wonderful blessing I've ever had. Subhanallah.

When I did Tawaf wif granny. The golden glass enclosure behind is known as Maqam Ibrahim. This is the standing place of Prophet lbrahim (peace be on him) when he used to stand here while building the Ka'bah with his son Prophet Isma'il (peace be on him).

After shalat Ashar around Masjidil Haram

Around Masjidil Haram there are many hotels with tens -even hundreds of floors, the most famous ones are Hilton Tower and Zamzam Grand Suites. When I was in Mecca, a giant clock was built on a skyscraper so called Makkah Clock Royal Tower. It's already finished now and replaced the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) in London as the world's biggest clock.

The project of Giant Clock is behind me

In Mecca, I went to camel farm located in a desert a short drive away from the downtown of Mecca. You can buy fresh camel milk here.

One day before getting umrah, I toured to a museum placed in Hudaibiyah, outskirt of Mecca. The museum keeps some important things from Masjidil Haram like weaving curtains of Ka'bah, a teak staircase of the Holy Ka'bah and mouth piece of Well of Zam-zam.

After 4-days-travel in Mecca, I tripped to Jeddah to visit Siti Hawa's cemetery. Unfortunately, it was just allowed to see the tomb from bus.

Siti Hawa tomb is behind the wall.

During my time in second largest city in KSA after Riyadh, Jeddah, I went to the Floating Mosque. It is located just next to Red Sea which gives the impression the mosque is floating in the water.

Before catching flight, I went shopping to Al-Hijaz Shopping Center. It's an international modern market and sells many products like sajadah, clothes, foods and souvenirs. There was a surprised and wonderful thing happened here. When I did shopping wif dad and Adzan Dzuhur calling people to do shalat, sellers directly closed their shops and everyone stopped their activities to do Shalat together in the mall. It's hard to find in Indonesia literally.

At 7 o'clock I flew back to Indonesia from King Abdul Aziz International Airport. Such an unforgettable moment and Insya Allah I'll go back to this holy land next time. Amen.

The Sacred Journey Part I: Medina

Happy Eid Mubarak, blog-walkers!

In this special moment, I’d like to post about my travel journal to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Although it was so last year, but just wanna share some Islamic historic sites in Medina, Mecca and Jeddah where I’ve been. I went to KSA to get Umrah alongside with dad and granny.

I touched down the King Abdul Aziz Airport Jeddah at late afternoon. Then headed to Medina - the city of the Prophet Muhammad - to check in at a hotel called Al-Haram where I stayed for 3 days. It took two hours to get there by bus.

Medina really wowed me by its beautiful buildings and of course the Nabawi Mosque where Muhammad was buried. From the hotel which very near to Nabawi Mosque, I could see a modest mosque named Imam Bukhari Mosque. This mosque looked quiet because people choose to pray at Nabawi Mosque.

Imam Bukhari Mosque amid the lofty buildings in Medina

Nabawi Mosque is behind me :D

Besides Nabawi the prophet's mosque, there are two more oldest mosques located in Medina. One of them is Quba Mosque. It is the oldest mosque in the world. Its first stones were positioned by the Muhammad on his emigration from Mecca to Medina and the mosque was completed by his companions.

In front of Quba Mosque (the first mosque in Islam's history)

After having a sight-seeing to Quba Mosque, I wandered up to Baqi' Cemetery located to the southeast to Nabawi Mosque. Many of Muhammad's relatives and companions were buried in this graveyard. One of them is Uthman ibn Affan.

Pilgrimage to Baqi' Cemetery

Another amazing place I visited was Jabal Magnet (Magnetic Hill). It's situated around 30 km from Medina. This mysterious hill is believed having a magnetic power. To prove the phenomenon, the bus that I was in could run without engine power against the slope! cool huh?! One more strange phenomenon found is there is a writing of Allah on the slope formed by black stones. Subhanallah.

The slope with Allah on it! Subhanallah.

In the last day in Medina, I went to Medina Dates Market. Here you can find many kinds of dates such as Ajwa - the prophet's favourite date, chocolate dates. Apricots are also sold in this place. The market is surrounded by date palm trees.

Next place to visit was King Fahd Quran Printing Complex. This place was built by King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz in 1985. The company produces about 10 million copies a year. It has published 55 different translations of the Quran in 39 languages. Only men could enter the company, so I and the other women in the tour stayed outside while having a look of some Quran displayed in a waiting room. My dad got one Quran as a souvenir.

Inside the printing complex, taken by dad.

 That's all my 3-days-travel recap in Medina. By the way, Medina was getting so hot at the time with 46 degrees of Celcius. So, if you are willing to go Umrah, it's better to visit around January-May which is not as hot as June-December.