We had IOSA (indonesian overseas student association) election today. It wasn't like any normal election i have had before. It's kinna informal, very informal. We had pot luck dinner and then followed by follow up of what the organization been doing for the past year. Then, we discussed about the next committee members, they called them officers here. What luck! I was nominated as secretary and yeah, without much voting i became one >.< It's like we just had a verbal discussion of the officers and the person nominated didn't really have much choice. Anyway, I do hope I would do a good job doing it. I've never been a secretary before and from the past experiences, I didn't really like being in a committee. First meeting this Saturday.

I'm soooo ashamed of myself! I just realized how spoilt a child I am! Well, I know i'm spoilt- my mum always do most of the things (cook, laundry...) for me, then any other technical stuffs, my dad is always there to fix it.But I just don't know that i'm that spoilt. So, here I am in USA and i find myself lost not knowing what to do when things happened. Yeah, even after a year in USA, I should at least learn how to be independent and do things on my own, right? For the record, I cook and do my own laundry, but for the most of the things that my dad used to do for me, I'm still trying to do those myself...

Anyway, now that I have some friends already, I tend to ask them for help instead. Haha...

What I'm trying to share here is that the chain of my bicycle came loose (or whatever the term is). Basically, I couldn't paddle the bike. I tried to meddle with the chain, but didn't quite know what to do.

When at work, I tried to ask Sho, he's a new worker, a Japanese (many japanese there), if he had a bike or if he knew how to fix my bike. He doesn't have a bike (as he has a car). But he offered to take a look at my bike and see what he can do. I was quite surprise by this sudden kind gesture. So we exchanged numbers.

After 3pm, he called me to say that he's outside my apt and he brought 2 other friends, Hiro and Koichi (they worked at pistol too and Koichi just lived NW from my apt).Hiro managed to fix the chain of my bike in like seconds, and he did this while I was on the phone with Sho, making my way to the front door. Hiro said, "You should know how to fix this yourself" I tried to defend myself by saying that I tried to move the chain, but it wouldn't move. Revelation it was when he told me that I should move the lower chain not the top. 3 guys looking at me as if i'm dumb (actually, i think only Hiro did). I'm not dumb, just ignorant (nvr pay attention when dad fixed my bike, cause I just left him to do all the work and enjoyed myself :P ) Still, I really feel stupid! May be I shouldn't have agreed to Sho's offer. If I knew he would bring 2 other people... but of course he had to ask for help. He doesn't really know how to fix bike and if he came alone it would be like the blind leading the blind. Well, I think I do need this "wake up call"!

Anyway, Liverpool trashed Toulouse 4-0!!!

I thought I wouldn't care. But then, why did I catch myself looking out of the window to check if the black toyota camry is in the parking lot or not? Most of the time, it weren't there. The emptiness that filled the house started to creep into my heart. I felt bitter, hurt, and these feelings started to sting my eyes... but each time, i told myself not to be such a fool again. I've shed enough tears, so don't waste anymore of it on this.

I had to learn to ignore these feelings. This isn't new. But yeah, i'm foolish enough to create some sort of bogus hope. Hope! No more of it in our relationship, for sure. If they ask me, the sun would have risen from the West! Anyway, it's good isn't it. I'm already being excluded, the odd one out. Moving out, being on my own just justified it. We won't need to put up false pretence anymore.

I went to visit Yuriko yesterday. She showed me around fifth floor of Parker dormitory. I took a look at the public bathroom, and I couldn't think of myself not having a bathroom in my own place! Yuriko is going to Oregon as an exchange student next semester (otherwise, we could be roommate next spring). Now, i'm thinking of following her footstep of applying to be an exchange student. Then, I wouldn't be stuck in this boring (and sorrowful) Stillwater anymore! And I still don't know if I should apply for the school scholarship or not :S I wish I was Peterpan never having to grow up and worry about so many things!

On the lighter note, I have finished decorating my apt. Since there're two rooms and only me, I decided to turn the bigger one into my bedroom and the other one into my study room. Here are some of the photos.

Living Room

Photo corner

Bedroom

Study Room
My Fridge!

Haven't been blogging for a while. Busy moving house, working and fall semester has started since Monday! The lessons are rather boring, except for Marketing. The teacher rocks!And guess what? I'm in the same class as Roni, and Asagi in Management. First time having someone I know in the same class!

Work was crazy on Monday and Tuesday! Order kept coming non-stop. We didn't have time to take any break at all! I even had to leave 2o minutes later on Monday just to help make some orders as most of the people were new. Now, we had to pay for our food. We couldn't just take any food like we used to. But we got 50% off though. Well, at least today's not that crazy. It was slow after 8pm, and we left earlier today!

Thunder! Thunderstorm coming this weekend. It was so hot monday through Thursday.... well erratic Oklahoma weather!

Yuriko invited me to visit her dorm room. I want to go there tomorrow afternoon, but if it rains heavily...Well, I saw Farrell's room just now. I guess Yuriko's would be more or less the same. I always thought dorm room would have a bathroom till today! I don't think I want to live in a dorm anymore!

Finally, I got myself a handphone :D

Liverpool should have beaten Chelsea. Stupid referee, stupid penalty!

Happy Birthday Deng Lao Shi!!!!
Photos from those who went back to give her a nice lil celebration. Wish I was there too :S



Hope your wishes come true, lao shi!

I'm finally back at this quaint Stillwater. Our trip was not as smooth as we planned it, but it could be worse. We were stranded on the plane for 6 freaking long hours. Thought that we could save some time by taking the non-stop flight from SIN-LAX, but in the end, we had to wait for 6 hours on the plane after we landed as the computer system in the custom was down. Then, we went to the hotel for the night. Luckily, I booked the hotel already. Otherwise, we would be spending the night at the airport. Hotels were fully booked due to the computer break-down. Before that, we couldn't watch the movies as the movie system for our row was down. WE could only play games :S

As if things couldn't be worse, when we checked in for the domestic flight, we were told that our luggage was over the weight limit of 50lbs. Ani & Ana had to pay $100 for the 2 luggage. Actually, there were four, but they were only charged for 2 *grin* (later, we learnt that international passengers are allowed up to 70lbs)! The price to pay for experience! Mine was 1.5 lbs heavier, but wasn't charged.

ONly 1 sticker came out for my luggage and I had 2! I weren't allowed to print anymore by the stupid com! Anyway, I then decided to carry the smaller luggage and when we reached the custom (the scanning), I just remembered that I had shampoo n lotion in the luggage. WE quickly got out of the queue and panickly thought of things that we could do with the luggage. Then, i decided to queue at the "odd-size luggage check-in". It had the shortest line and I thought I could just ask the person in-charge if there's anyway I could check in my luggage again. As it turned out, he just asked me for my boarding pass and as my flight was delayed till 1.30 pm (it was 10.30am), there was still time to transfer my luggage and ta da, I could check in my luggage. I was actually rather surprised that it was so smooth! But i couldn't complain, can I? *phew. Enough trouble for 2 days already! Kinna worried when I next travel!

Also, my uncle passed away on Sunday. He looked okay when we visited him on Friday....

second time proves to be harder

my departureday islooming closer and closer day by day. In the blink of an eye, it will be Saturday, and it's time to say goodbye again...till next year? Three months seem long, but it's not long enough. I know it's inevitable, but stil it's hard to accept. The second time proves to be more difficult. This time I would not have my family as companion, I could not take solace in the unknown for I know what to expect, and what awaits my return.

Stillwater ain't that bad. It's where:
- I got a real taste of absolute independence.
-I earned my first penny.
-I did my household chores by myself.
-I was able to return home in the wee hours without feeling guilty for worrying my mum.
-I felt homesick to be bone- missing my family and friends like never before. And hence, I'm able to live with it. Trained my emotional toughness, I would say)
-I know that there's such thing as "second class cousin" and how it felt to be one. (this isn't a good one, but again training my emotional toughness, and learnt that who you consider relatives may be worse off than your friends whom you share no blood tie with).

Still, I yearn for the other S- Singapore!

alma mater

I retraced my footsteps, walked down the memory lane on Friday. I was filled with nostalgia walking into the school compound. Two years since I graduated, but the school still looked the same. Some minor changes here and there, but it's still looked the same as when I was a student there.

The parade square when we had to religiously go every morning before the start of lesson to sing the national anthem, the garden, the staff room, the classrooms, the science practical labs...the teachers. For four years, 6 hours, sometimes 8 to 10 hrs, a day five to six times a week, I spent my time there- learning, building rapport...sleeping, daydreaming(who don't?). I know I would miss those time, but it never occurred to me that I would miss them sooooo sooooo much, especially last year when I started my uni edu. in a foreign land. How I miss the classrooms, how I miss my classmates, how I miss my teachers and their teaching methods!

From third floor to the first, we walked through the classroms, the physic, biology, chemistry labs. I never liked science practical much, but looking at the empty lab, images for us in there diligently trying to finish our practical came back before me. We scratched our brain trying to figure out where're our classroom and others used to be 2 years ago.

My alma mater... holds my many bitter-sweet memories of my 4 years of secondary school life. It's where I met my closer friends, it's where I gained knowledge, it's where I went through the toughest period of my academic life thus far.

Good news and bad news.

Bad ....
My uncle was hospitalized on Sat for lung infection and has since been in the ICU. It's heart-wrenching to see him being covered by so many tubes. He was so thin... He keeps wanting to go home. The pain that he felt, the hopelessness that he experienced and the loneliness that crept into him being trapped in an ICU roon...I know I would never understand fully how it feels, but I know it's unbearable. I hope he gets well soon.

The day for me to go back to usa is drawing near.... I dread for it to come. I don't want to go back!!!! T.T I did miss it, but i'll miss here more!!!!

The good news....

I just got the news that i have another cousin!!! My youngest lil cousin was named Kimberley!!! congrats to my aunt and family :D Bliss...

Reminder

Sometimes people need reminder that they are blessed with families and friends who love and care for them. I am no exception. For a while, I was misguided, I forgot how lucky I was, but certain events brought me back.

I've been back for more than 2 months now. Things are getting pretty boring, but nothing beats to be with your love ones. Going to US has really made me cherish my family and friends more. I know it's cliche, but it's the truth. Initially, I was a little worried of how things would be. A year may not be too long, but it's not short either. But now, I could heave a sigh of relieve to know that my worries were unfounded!

It's nice to meet old friends again. The meeting with some of the 4e1 peeps on my first weekend in Singapore (although some what boring, but it's nice to be around the people whom you know and see how they-you- have changed).


Then last Wednesday, the meeting at Funan with my 5 friends. It brought me back to the eve of my departure on May 27. Ren still with her "out of box" views on things, YSK & Mon with their laughter, YYW with his sweet tongue and A Kwa with his I-am- innocent look. They surprised me with two presents (which yyw n a kwa bought)- a white photo frame and a hair clip. I guess i'll have to let my hair grow long to use that clip. REal sorry to YYW who hurt his leg just because he wanted to develop the photo for the frame. In fact, I was really touched that they would put aside their precious dinner time to spend it with me. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH, GUYS!!!I really enjoyed the dinner and most importantly YOUR company. Things may change, but let our friendship remains strong!

Watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with my sister. I won't say it's that nice. It was ok. I think the director should spend more time in the battle in the Ministry of Mystery. I thought he put more emphasis in the DA's training. *shrug* That's just my opinion. Actually, I was thinking of watching the Transformers. But i decided to watch HP instead and ask my dad to buy the Transformers CD. Bad choice???

JJ was online! Nice to catch up with him again. He promised to send me stamps :D

I got the news that i got the apt I applied for. NOw, the problem is finding a roommate. I thought I had one, but... I don't feel like talking about it. Let's just say that she changed her mind. So, i'm alone. I don't mind living alone, but the rental cost is the one that i'm worried about. Big financial burden! I guess all I could do for now is to see myself through Fall semester and if I can't find a roommate, I may consider living in a dorm or the suite. Cheaper!

Liverpool bought a couple of strikers. Rafa's changing his tactic for Liverpool now. I can't wait for the new 'attack minded' Liverpool. Well, that is if Rafa's vision comes thru. But i'm real excited to have Torres(right with Rafa) in my fav. team.

He's cute, is he? *blush* Rafa's changing his look too. More macho, I have to say. Watch out Mourinho. Haha...

I love the cute Mercedes-Benz commercial which features an very adorable little boy. He's trying to "grow" a car!!! So cuteeee!!!!

watch it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvBfiA7teN4

Indonesia...home sweet home

Ote-ote...nice

Lumpur

Batu, Malang

Venny

Went to Malang for the weekend. Finally, I've visited the other end of Java island. Haha...To me Malang is like a small version of Medan. My grandma said it looked like Yogja, but i've never been there *sadly*. I wanted to go to Yogja and visit Candi Borobudur. I was very close to going to Surabaya, but there was a terrible traffic jam, so went to Batu instead. Batu was like Puncak. Nothing much, but it's nice to get away from Jakarta.

Ooohh, nearly forget.
CONGRATULATION TO GERRARD & ALEX CURRAN!!!
They finally got married on Saturday.

My aunt just called. As usual, she bragged about her 3 sons, and talked about money, money, money. *sigh* She told me that in 1998, she nearly wanted to take my dad's money and ran away with her family with it. I was rather surprised to hear that. While i'm glad she didn't take it, I had to reconsider my thoughts about this aunt of mine. REally, what an aunt!!! And the way she told me about the story is as if my family had to thank her that she didn't take the money. I felt like telling her that if she were to take the money, her family and her may have led a good life, but they led a pathetic life as their were supported by "uang haram".And I also feel that they get more out of their live being "poor" (for the record, they are not poor! Beggers, homeless people are poor!)and it's as if infering that my family are nothing compared to theirs.I felt like shouting at her to tell her that my dad worked hard to earn what he has now, and although we may not have to work as hard as them, that doesn't mean we are inferior to them! Anyway, I managed to keep my emotion to myself. I will only share my emotion with my family later.

She also asked me what happend with me and her sons, she also mentioned that S is very considerate and can wei bie ren zao xiang. I begged to differ!!! Letting me do all the cleaning, leaving me out as if I don't exist are those considerate??? She then told me how S has let her sons, the twins, to take his car while he's in indo. Y, i'm not surprised of that and of how well she thinks he is. I still feel the hurt. When I think back of those times. I told myself not to be that foolish again to cry because of them. But I think i'm still quite a fool. And the wound has yet to heal :(

Back to my aunt, she kept telling me how good her sons are and that I don't know them well enough to think that they are not good. I know they are good,but usually they're kindness are for their beloved cousins (not SO MUCH include me) and friends.Anyway, they don't know me either. They may think they know me, but there're more to me. It's enough for my family(my parents n siblings) and my close friends to know who I really am. They are the ones that matter to me, anyway.
She also told me how others make her angry by saying that my dad and S'dad helped to pay for her sons education. This is so not true! May be that's y her sons show "attitude" towards me and my family. How about S'. I don't know, but one thing's for sure- they are biased towards my family. I don't know why, but it's true.

Before ending our conversation, she asked me if I was relieved I didn't call her cause then I would have to fork out lots of money for that phonecall. Of course I said NO! In fact, I was quite surprised she asked me that! Money,money,money...

I'm going back to jkt soon. I'm predicting a dull month ahead :S I'm happy to be back, eat Nasi Padang, Rendang, Satay, the nice seafood, E-mie.... and visited my aunt, uncle, cute baby cousin, Vennycia, but I'll be with my dad and I would be alone when he goes to work :(

Anyway, I forgot to mention that I met Roni at the zoo!!! Here's the proof


Apparently, he'd had a sex operation and taken the form of a giraffe!!! Haha... Bercanda, Ron! Tapi, lu jadi jerapa lebih cute daripada jadi monyet deh! :P

My family and I went to the zoo yesterday (to celebrate my bro's b'day). Haha... NO, actually, we just went there cause I've never been to the Singapore Zoo before. We're bored at home and i'm tired of window shopping, so it's time for something different. Besides, it's a family outing! Wish my dad is here! Anyway,

Happy B'day, BRO!

The trip to the zoo was a little boring, and the weather was humid. But i saw some animals that i've never seen before, like the baboons, and zebra (i've never seen zebra before), and kangaroo... most importantly, I spent some quality time with my family!!!

What was I expecting? I should have known.

I'm pissed with myself! I should have been more decisive and braver and insisted on living in the dorm. Last night, I couldn't help but think of how different my life would have been should I lived in the dorm. Now, even if I could stay there, I don't think I would like it very much. I mean people "upgrade" from dorm to apt, not the other way round, right?

*sigh*

I just hope that things would not be as bad as I thought, and hopefully things would fall into places...just take things one step at a time :S

Steven Gerrard shone for England against Brazil :D
Beckham's back. I'm not sure how helpful he would be to the England squad. I guess Steve McClaren must be at the end of his tether, desperate for something to save himself! but kudos to beckham, at least he didnt' play that badly at the friendly. Poor lampard! But it's either him or Gerrard get booded in the midfield, so i'm glad gerrard proved himself well and i'm his supporter!

Happy 27th Birthday, Stevie G!!!

Liverpool lost, as i expected. Well, I was hoping that I was wrong, but...
*sigh*
I had to say that Liverpool did well in the first half to contain Milan. Milan didn't have much space to control the game. But Liverpool missed a few good chances. The final match was rather boring =( I wasn't very sad, may be cause i've prepared for Milan to win. Gotta agree with gattuso, it's liverpool's turn to leave in tears, but if it's of any consolation, people would remember 2005 more than they would remember the final in 2007, no? Well, to me I would. And this is not just because I'm a Liverpool fan.

Rumor has it that Rafa is going to sign Torres!!! :D I hope it's not just rumor! haha...