February Song

post # 155

Last day of February 2007.
Amazing vacation.
Work's been good.
Heroes, Prison Break and Smallville...

One word to wrap this month, Fabulous.
As a closure, here's Josh Groban....

Josh Groban - February Song

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes, opens his eyes
Where is that simple day
Before colors broke into shades
And how did I ever fade
Into this life, into this life

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I've known is lost and found
I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day

Morning is waking up
And sometimes it's more than just enough
When all that you need to love
Is in front of your eyes
It's in front of your eyes

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
Sometimes it's hard to find my ground
Cause I keep on falling as I try to get away
From this crazy world

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I've known is lost and found
I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes
Opens his eyes

(Strange) Foreign Beauty

post # 154


I went to Accenture office in the morning and took some pictures from the 20th floor windows. The city view from the windows was great. The office was different with my office in Jakarta. The lunch room was larger and better.

After that I went to a catholic bookshop to buy some souvenirs for my friends. Stopped by at Safeway for a while then headed back to the apartment. Rod n sis came around lunch time and we went to Queen Victoria market. Found some interesting items which I bought later on. The market was larger compared to the one in Subiaco, Perth. Yet both of them were clean and well organized.

Next stop was Mount Macedon. It was located about 70 km from the city. We went up there n the view was very beautiful. The air was sooooooo fresh. We bought some drinks at Top of The Range restaurant. One of the waitresses was kinda cute with beautiful blonde hair. Then we walked around to the Monumental Cross, took some pictures. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous.

Went back to the city, stopped by at Highpoint. Rod n sis wanted to install a new telephone line. The customer service was a beautiful girl with brown hair and exquisite face. She was very pretty. Argghhhhhh...... I was mesmerized by the way she’s talking…very attractive.

Unfortunately they couldn’t get the phone line issue resolved on that day. We went to La Porchetta to have dinner afterward. Once again I was treated with refreshing sight of two beautiful dark haired waitresses. They both differently beautiful. One was more of the aggressive type, and the other was the calm and alluring type. Darnnnnnn……I dunno why, maybe I have this kinda encoded preference in my mind since I found that dark haired girls attract me more than the blondes. (strange) foreign beauty…

Aside from those two beautiful creatures (pardon my choice of words..hehehe), the food tasted quite funny to my Indonesian tongue. Lots of tomato sauce. And the risotto tasted like sardines. Then Rod dropped me, mom n sis at the apartment. Sis stayed for the night to spend time w mom. As usual, my night routine was swimming. After swimming I went up and watched the TV for a while n then went to sleep. What a day….

MLTR - Strange Foreign Beauty

Strange foreign beauty
I'll never know what's in your heart
Does anyone know how it feels to hold you
does anyone know the secret of your mind

Strange foreign beauty
I'll never come to share your world
Does anyone know how it feels to live with you
does anyone know the secret of your life

Strange foreign beauty
You'll never know what I felt for you
Sometimes it feels like a million chances
are slipping away disappearing in the air

Post chorus:
(You'll) never know what I felt for you
you were always on my mind
(I'll) never know how it feels to hold you
how it feels to be with you

Journal for Feb 22, 2007

Fifth

post # 153


Woke up at 9 AM today. Went to Asian grocery n woolies w mom. She cooked lunch after we finished our shopping and went back to the apartment. Rod n Sis came for lunch then we went to high point n the real estate office. High point is one big mall. It reminded me of Kelapa Gading Mall.

After we got back to the apartment, I went to change the US$ and print the photos from my digicam. While waiting for the photos to be printed, I went online for a while (browsing WG). Ahh….finally I could get online. Too bad the rate for internet café is quite expensive here. It cost A$2 for half an hour, A$3.50 for an hour….but the line was very fast.

After browsing for about an hour, I went to pick up the photos, then went back to apartment for dinner. Went swimming for a while afterward then watching TV. The TV programs here are very good. Very different with the ones we have in Jakarta.

originally written on Feb 21, 2007 at 11.45 PM

Fourth

post # 152

Today’s my fourth day in Melbourne. Woke up at almost 9 AM. Wandered around till RMIT. Saw the State library and then went to the building where Accenture located, but didn’t go inside. Bought some groceries. Went back to the apartment at 11 AM. Two hours of walking n I didn’t feel tired. It’s really healthy lifestyle.

Called Margha before I started my journey and her voice is much softer than I had imagined, with distinct british accent. We talked for a while and then I went to Bourke st to start the my journey for the day.

Waited for sis n rod to come while mom was cooking fried rice. They came at around 12 PM. We had lunch together and then we went to Royal Botanical Garden. We explored the garden for two and a half hours. The garden was very beautiful and mom couldn’t stop comparing the difference with the ones we have (if there’s any) in Jakarta. Of course it’s like comparing heaven n earth…lolzzz

Rod dropped mom n me at our apartment and then I took a short nap. Sis came at around 6 PM. We had dinner then went swimming afterward while Rod’s watching Simpson. Swam for about an hour and we went up. Now I’m watching Man Made Marvel: Petronas Tower.

To wrap the day, I ate chips n (2ltrs) ice cream….n write this journal. Yummy…..


Originally written @Feb 20, 2007 10.09 PM

Family

post #151

Yesterday was a very memorable moment for my sister. It was her wedding day. She n Rod picked up us at the Melb airport, went to the apartment and then went to their hotel to get ready. After that we went to the Victorian Marriage Office. Rod’s family was already there. Took tons of pictures when they said the vow and then I signed the certificate as a witness along with Rod’s mom. After that, Rod’s sis came. She has a very gorgeous daughter and a cute son. Her daughter, Ella was 3 years old and she looked like a little angel. She is very sweet. After took some pictures on the park near the office, Rod’s family went to the dinner place, we went to the hotel because sis wanted to change. We arrived at the Boathouse (the name of the dining place) at around 5 PM. The sun was still shining. It’s like 3 PM in Jakarta. We had great time there. I became an interpreter for mom since Rod’s family wanted to talk to her but mom couldn’t speak English. So I became the translator. Rod’s big family was very kind and warm.

One of them, Karen, was a psychologist and she talked a lot with mom. The other family members also welcomed us open handedly. It felt so great. I didn’t feel tired, though I hadn’t got real sleep since friday morning. I had great time too, being an interpreter and talking to Rod’s friend who’s working in the same industry I’m in, taking pictures of lovely Ella. The dinner was delicious too and I think I’m getting used (and like) to drink wine. We stayed there till 11 PM. It’s almost 5 hours we spent quality time together. Before we parted, Rod’s mom said to us once again, welcome to the family.

Yup, we are one big family now, I can say proudly that I have a very beautiful niece (in law?). My sis n Rod looked very happy. She couldn’t stop smiling. It was a simple wedding with only families n close friends invited, but I felt that it was very meaningful, to share the joy with the ones we love, the ones that really close to us. Unlike wedding in Jakarta, which is in my opinion usually too extravagant. Lot of money spent which is merely for the sake of prestige.

Originally written on Feb 18, 2007 at 11.23 PM

Fantastic

post #150

Melbourne is (bloody) fantastic. I’m sitting on a comfy orange couch at the moment. Watching the relay game between Melb Victory vs Adelaide Utd. Melb won 6-0. I guess that was the reason why people are celebrating on the street near Telstra stadium. I was back from afternoon mass at St. Augustine when I saw lot of crowd singing and shouting.

I slept for almost 12 hours last nite. Woke up today at around 11 AM, went to see the view. Asked for a Catholic church around the apartment I’m staying in. Followed the direction the receptionist gave me, but I couldn’t find it. I almost gave up when I laid my eyes on a small building, then I realized that it was the church I was looking for. I was guided by God. Then I took some pictures, there’s a Charismatic renewal movement in that church. Then I wandered around to the china town in Little Bourke. Saw the celebration of Chinese New Year. This surely the best Chinese New Year I’ve ever had. Walking around Swanston Street. Saw a beautiful dog and took some pictures of it. After that I bought KFC for lunch then headed back to the apartment. Ate lunch w mom and then went back to sleep. Woke up at 7 PM, took a shower n then went to the church.

Well I have to save my laptop battery since I haven’t got the converter for my laptop.


Originally written on Feb 18, 2007 at 10.56 PM

First

post #149


Here I am, sitting at gate 4. Waiting to board my flight to Melbourne. It’s the first time ever I set foot on Sydney. The weather is quite sunny. Lots of Asian students around here. Maybe they’re on their vacation. My first time to have a connecting flight which makes me have to transfer from international airport to domestic airport. Too bad I don’t have enough time to wander around Sydney. Otherwise I could visit my friends who live here (Margha and Ivo). Well, it’s 9.30 AM now. I’m thrilled. The boarding time is 9.40 AM and I think I’m gonna use the remaining ten minutes to wander around the shops.

Melbourne, here I come!!!

originally written on Feb 17, 2007 at 9.30 AM

Flight

post #148

Whoaaa....I'm very very sleepy lahhhhh.....2 hours left from 5PM. Can't wait to get home and go to the airport.... (Yawning)...Everything's ok I think, except for the thick cloud I see from my office window. It's dark n thick. Hopefully it won't rain till I get home. Don't wanna be late for this flight.

Darnnnnn....I can't stop yawning....Well...speaking about flight reminds me of Plus One - Last Flight Out. Good lyric...but where are they now? That's a thing about boysbands...they're like comet....

Another thing that came across my mind when I heard the word 'Flight' is Prison Break season 1 finale. I've watched seas 2 ep 16, n there was another 'romance' scene between Michael n Sara....Now I'm starting to babble....I'm gonna end here..... Ciao

I'm so scared that you will see all the weakness inside of me
I'm so scared of letting go, that the pain I've hid will show
I love the hope I see in your eyes
I'm afraid that you will leave, as my secrets have been revealed

Plus One - Last Flight Out

I'm so scared that you will see
All the weakness inside of me
I'm so scared of letting go
That the pain I've hid will show

I know you want to hear me speak
But I'm afraid that if I start to
I'll never stop

[c h o r u s]
I want you to know
You belong in my life
I love the hope
I see in your eyes
For you I would fly
At least I would try
For you I'll take
The last flight out

I'm afraid that
You will leave
As my secrets
Have been revealed
In my dreams
You'll always stay
Every breathing moment from now

I know you want to hear me speak
But I'm afraid that if I start to
I'll never stop

[c h o r u s]

I cannot hold back
The truth no more
I let you wait too long
Although it's hard and scares me so
A life without you scares me more

[c h o r u s]

Faith

post #147

Finally I’m back in my fortress. The flood tide has fallen quite significant. It feels good to be back. I think God answered my prayer yesterday. I’ve done lot of things that I’m not proud of, yet He still listens to my prayer. I had this faith yesterday after I prayed that it’s gonna be alright. But since mom insisted, I went along with her decision. It turned out that last night there’s not rain whatsoever and today things were getting better.

Talking about faith reminded me of Matthew 17:19-20 "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." and Luke 17:5-6 "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied. 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'"

To me personally, I think faith is different with believe in something. Believe sounds more to me like trust in something (or someone) after (or with) you have evidence or proof as the foundation of your belief. While faith on the other hand is trust in something (or someone) although you do not have any evidence or proof (yet) as the foundation. It’s more like a choice to believe in something that we might not understand, or never will understand. Something that we may never have the proof to be the foundation of our faith. Well, if you look in the dictionary, both have similar meaning. What I’m talking about here is the impression they give (implicitly).

Talking about faith usually lead to religion and one said that religion without science is blind. I had an interesting conversation about this and I said science and religion can never be inline 100% coz science is always based on hard, cold facts and evidences. Things that are logical, rational and make sense to us, human. Well, I won’t talk much about this coz my knowledge is very limited and my understanding is flawed. To me, faith is a matter of choice. I choose to believe (have faith) in God. Some might call me dumb. I don’t care. But do we really have (or will have) the ability to understand this universe when science proved that we’re just a tiny part of this vast universe? Can we live our lives better?

Maybe all we need is just a little faith....

Flee

post #146

Now I can say that I might be able to understand a little the feeling that generals (and rulers) had when they had to flee from their fortress. It feels like letting go of something precious that you wish you could hold on to. It’s bitter. That’s what I felt when I left my fortress, my home this afternoon. Actually I wanted to stay since I thought the flood was getting better plus the electricity was still on. But mom insisted to go to prevent the unforeseen circumstances coz another big rain was forecasted to fall tonight.

So here I am, sitting in my cousin’s room (he’s studying in spore at the moment), writing this entry while Eric’s voice accompanying me. Just finished watching Lost seas 1 episode 14. I went to Mangga Dua earlier and it was DRY. I looked in awe, the condition there was 180 degrees compared to my neighborhoods. Since I was very intrigued with Lost, I bought the first season and went home with a route to go to the office tomorrow planned on my mind. But later on in the afternoon mom decided that I also should go and stay over at my uncle’s house, at least for tonight (mom went earlier). I argued a bit but then I listened to her reasoning. Sadly, but I had to go…I had to flee, leaving my fortress behind.

I packed my laptop, HDD, Digicam and went to see my uncle at Mangga Dua Square. Well, luckily I have my laptop. Dunno what I’d do without it. I can’t get ol, but it’s ok. Look at the bright side. For the first time, I ate J.CO donuts (OMG, where have I been? Living in a cave?? *you might ask that and the answer is you can say that….lolzzz). I didn’t find them special. Delicious yes, but not that special. I guess people like the taste and the prestige that comes when other people see that its J.CO donuts they’re eating.

Well, I’m gonna continue watching Lost now. I guess I have to cancel my concert via YM tonight…lolzzz. Peace out!

originally written on Feb 6, 2007 @ 11 PM

Sing

post # 145

I like to sing. I dunno why, I just like it. Two days ago I got Eric's song, Bermodalkan Cinta that I've been looking for quite some time. I listened to it over and over again and in less than I day I memorized the lyric. Well I also sang along whenever I play the song. It's catchy, kinda romantic (not realistic, but pretty entertaining), n has nice rhytmn. I guess the Bravo All Star's song is true....music can heal your soul. It can cheer you up when you're down, comfort you when you're weary, give you some kind of peace of mind when you need it. It has the power to touch your soul. Well, without any further ado, here's the song....enjoy....


Eric - Bermodalkan Cinta

[Halo… Halo…
Mm, ini siapa?]

Saat pertama kali ku dengar suaramu,
hati kecilku berkata ada sesuatu (I Love You)
Mungkinkah dia gadis terakhir untukku,
yang s’lama ini ku dambakan

[Verse 2:]
Sampai akhirnya ku kenal kau lebih jauh,
hingga aku yakin kamulah yang terindah
Meski dinginnya sikapmu akan tingkahku,
sedikitpun aku tak perduli

[#:]
Pelit senyumanmu didepanku,
s’makin membuatku penasaran
Berharap nanti kau ku miliki,
sampai di ujung senja

[Reff 1:]
Maafkanlah sayang bila kau tak berkenan,
mungkin aku hanya lelaki hina
Bermodalkan cinta, tulus kesetiaan kepadamu

[Verse 2]

[#]

[Reff]

[Reff 2:]
Sebisanya ‘kan ku senangkan kau selalu,
meski hanya dengan sebuah lagu
Lagu tentang cinta, cintaku padamu, saat ini

[Interlude]

[Reff 1] ^

[Reff 2]

[Reff 1 until Fade]

Flood

post # 144

First post in February. My home has been flooded for three days since Friday. I didn't go to work on Friday and it was a good decision coz I heard on the radio that flood was everywhere and the traffic jam was very awful. Later that day I also got a call from office letting me know the number to contact in emergency ie I need to be evacuated and that there are rooms provided at Sultan Hotel as a safe house. I was impressed.

I spent my time by watching Nip Tuck season 2. Finished it yesterday morning. Then watched Saw 3. A great movie... Very gruesome ;D. Attended afternoon mass and there were very few people who attended. The lowest attendance rate that I've ever seen. I think there're only about 50 people who attended.

This year flood is like the one in 2002...the difference is my home was only flooded for one day that time. This time, it's been flooded for three days and there are no signs that it will get better soon.



Update on Feb 6, 2007.... I was kinda distracted when I was writing this entry on Feb 4, 2007.
After a huge rain this morning at around 4 AM, the water rose and now it reached 55cm... Darn.... I couldn't go to the office. Well...beside being isolated, there were some good sides from this flood. Finished watching Heroes episode 1-9 yesterday. Had a great chat these last two days. The important thing that the electricity was still on, otherwise, I'd like to be evacuated immidiately...
Well...I can't think of anything else beside hoping that this condition will get better soon. So help us, God.....

Speaking of God, it's amazing how we'll easily remember Him (to those who believes in Him) in difficult time, like now, while on the other hand sometimes (or often) we completely forget Him in our best moments, in our success, in our happy times. Dunno what this flood means...but I'm sure it teaches us to remember Him and to be perseverant in time like this.