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guess what i've just finished reading last nite. Harry Potter: the Half Blood Prince. ja..ja.. I've never into Harry Potter before, until I went to Dallas in January last year, had nothing else to do, we [parents and me] watched my sister's Harry Potter movies collection. and just two or three weeks ago, Sachiyo left the book on my table. A present she said. Thus after being left idle for some weeks, finally I read this book. so I the only thing I remember is Dumbledore, Snape [thou I only remember how he looks like, and who actually he is], of course Harry, Ron and Hermione. Well well...it is no longer children story. The last two chapters in fact are freaky! Rowling's description on Inferi are too details, and the way Snape avada kadavra-ing Dumbledore is too much. anyway.... not recommended for under age children

This morning I got a 'present' from Fujino san, he handed me latest Time Asia, with page divider. It is a manga cartoon, entitled When No Choice is a Good One : A girl's guide to finding happiness in Japan. I couldn't help giggling when I read the cartoon. I don't think it is merely matter of Japanese female, it is all around Asia due to globalization vs local gender issue. On the cover of this edition is Japan's Future with the picture of Mika Noguchi, a lingerie entrepreneur and mother of four . It is nice thing to read. both encouraging and discouraging, in some extent. choose what you like, it's your life anyway :)

... yep, looking serious =D

kleine sophietje, dochter van Peter Dom en Audrey Jo. Hartelijk Welkom!

remodified my blog appearance... just to keep me awake ... everyone is still welcome

That was how Wei Hui ended her “Shanghai Baby”, where Coco is in confused wondering what is actually she’s been pursuing, what is her aim…who actually she is. In the latest book I’ve read by Susanna Tamaro , an Italian writer, it can strongly sense the ambiguity, dilemmas and mixed emotions of young women. The book title “ Va’dove ti porta il cuore ” (Follow your HEART) is actually not the sentence Olga (the grandma) address only to her granddaughter, but also to herself during her time of crisis, or to Ilaria—her daughter who died in car accident—if she had had time to reconcile their mother-daughter relation. And that what she is trying to pursue in this book. Reconciliation with her granddaughter—and herself—before her death comes to her. This book is a female novel. Not to confuse with romantic, love story type of novel. Yes, it has some romances, some lovestories, but above all it shows the dark sides of women’s hearts. Once Olga was in conversation with a Germany Jesuit brother—t...

It’s happened on 1st of August, almost two weeks ago at Kelurahan Cambaya Kecamatan Ujung Tanah, northern Makassar. But until yesterday I haven’t heard any further reconstruction activities taken by public sectors. Thus today I decided to visit the location. It is a fisherman village, not far from Paotere traditional port. It was 9:30 in the morning, I tried to meet Pak Lurah [head of village], but he wasn’t around, thus I went directly to the location, accompanied by one of the inhabitants. The houses were really closed to one another, it’s looks like a shanty-town, divided into two locations: landed houses and ‘rumah panggung’[elevated wooden house] which stand on the sea. The condition is really bad. 90% of their houses were burned. Leftover of elevated houses are only burned columns. Size of each house is approximately 5x6 m2 at most. Those who lived in ‘rumah panggung’ should stay in temporary tents, while those who had landed houses have better condition, since there are still wa...

read: The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho *Sphinxku, I haven't read the Alchemist, this is the first Coelho's piece I've read* what can I say.... there are so many meanings in this book, but there is one underline: To live is To choose, therefore we are human. We are granted freedom to choose. Another recommended book from me.

chinese letter that is usually shown in wedding ceremonies. It is comprised of two letters that means: happiness. When they are combined, they are: DOUBLE HAPPINESS the goodwishes for newly wed couple. It is not the first time I’ve played role as listener of other’s marriage problems. But for Japanese, it was the second time. Our conversation was on ‘gender equality’ for Japan in particular. He then mentioned the case of income disparity between him and his wife—which means his wife earns more—I don’t think it is a problem from him if vice versa. *She works harder, back home later, sometimes even drunk . Sad… *Maybe you should have kids? *I once wanted them badly, but now…I doubt to have any. Flashing back to my conversation with Sachiyo. *Japanese guys are mostly childish. That is her statement. Still in somewhat similar issue: female position in Japan. *Most Japanese men require housewives, who’ll stay at home and raise their kids, doing laundry and cooking. Their cares and obedienc...

that was request of Sachiyo, our expert in GIS and landuse planning. Well, I agree...I told her I know a place called "Happy Puppy" chain family karaoke place. We talked it over lunch last friday, with Tsuge san and Higashi san... *so...tonite?* *no, I can't * Tsuge san replied with regretted face *as you know...* he addressed that to Sachiyo. Later I knew that he promised other team member [uhm..a lady] to escort her to a party. *yeah..you know Yuli, Mr. Tsuge is always happy to escort Ms. Ishiwata* Sachiyo is a kind that always pulls other's leg... [after a study team meeting, with hard debate between Sachiyo and Ms. Ishiwata...] *Yuli, tonite is set. Tsuge san has cancelled his appointment* *what?* *hehe* with teasing face... [I was rushing here and there to collect some documents I've promised for Sachiyo, she needs to update her mapping, Tsuge san came] *Has Takata san told you?* Takata san is Sachiyo *oh yes...what's happened with THE party?* *I said ...

Finished two books this weekend. Contradictive in ways of seeing past and future Arundhati Roy in her ‘God of Small Things’ shows all the multiplied effects of past experiences in her main characters, Rahel and Estha. beauties of childhood innocence incorporated with bitterness of life. Some conditions are indispensable; love, lust, adultery, social classes, politics…those built adults Rahel and Estha. The first has problem in relationship, the latter is locked in his quiet life, losing his capability to express words. It doesn’t leave strong impression in me, may be since it was the translated version the translator seems difficult to express all details in Indonesian...is it the problem of our language? The second book is by Mitch Albom : Tuesdays with Morrie , a true story. Also a translated version, I got it today from a book rentplace. they offer not many choices* He writes down his last courses with Morrie, a professor from his university 16 years ago. A beautiful piece—better...

It is one hour now, there is no electricity in the office. Almost all Japanese experts have gone back to their hotels. We’ll continue the work in the hotel, please inform us when the electricity is back… Ja right.. Since all the windows are sealed and covered with plastic sheets, there is no air circulation. With Makassar’s climate… it is extremely hot! I called home to ask someone delivering the book I’m reading recently, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, just started thus not much I can tell. Poé mah nteu…hareudang…nah eta!

chocolate...ice cream...black forest...chocolate pudding.... but most of all A BOOK to READ! not those kind of urbanismo books... *everyone needs a break, ain't we?* was looking for some good bookstores in Makassar~which now I know this city is lacking of~ after browsing the complete title of Haruki Murakami's book: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle... Or maybe 'Memoirs of a Geisha' a not-so-new-piece by Arthur Golden... My lovely sis offered me once to buy a book from Jakarta and send them to me. Now I regret that I said 'no' to be polite *me?polite?is it end of the world?* I noticed I have more time to read here in Makassar then in Bandung...thou the work load is not fewer either. maybe I'll get a brownpaper package of novel >

...with small portion of rice... 2 kudu-kudu fish 1 papakulu fish 1 squid fritters 1 portion os seashells in padang sauce 1 postion crab in ansio sauce 1 bowl of fish meatballs and lots of sambals! .... it is superduperdelicioso!!!!!! *those food were shared with other 6 person..thank goodness!* anddd.... the wondeful part of having an icecream shop own by your mom.... it is always easy to have a help of icecream to cheer the mood up! Now, that is for today, i've broken my diet today hahaha.... but fishes just fine,.......*excuse my self....*

Fuiste Tú by Charlie Haden in background [birthday present from OQ after a long talk at Daily Bread] Finally I finished Shanghai Baby of Wei Hu, after months of delay since I left it behind at Santhi’s living room in Singapore last December. What to say… At the beginning it was extraordinary, yet later on I found it a bit too much and exaggerated. Nevertheless, it sounds like author’s life story, if it is…she is sad, maybe for some people it is disturbing I can’t say it is a good book neither a bad one. In a way some of Coco’s passions are in all ambitious independent wanna be women. It can scare some of them out, or convince them that they are on the right track. At the end she questioned her identity, just as Kundera did in most of her novel, making his main characters confusing themselves with their personifications. Maybe that what always happen to those who in search of their aims, futures and…identity? Some people say it is urban culture, whatever it is, I find it sad. I pity Coc...

I always love children story books. Particularly those classics. I bought myself a Baum classics, Wizards of Oz. While reading I got subtle memory of the movie, where I remember the scene where Dorothy met the Wicked Witch who collected girl heads, where she wore it just like people wearing clothes, she could change and choose the heads according to occasions. Yet I couldn’t find it in this book I bought. Was it in my dream or maybe they’ve censored that part considering violent? Nevertheless I still overwhelmed by those imaginations, traveling companions of scarecrow, tinman and a lion… After finish it, I noticed how many philosophy in life Baum has inserted in this book. Yet that is not my point for now…since I don’t wanna be sounded edgy Well…I might re-read it once again… …let us go to the Emerald City

After 2 weeks in Bandung, I'm now back to Makassar Tomorrow will start working in JICA office...again. My 2 weeks in Bandung was not as idle as I thought. Working on a competition, Looking for souvenirs for everyone... and most of all... struggling with the traffic. It was the 2 weeks school vacation, and since the new tolway was opened for public and there are several realignment for roads. It become super chaotic...I had a worst nightmare driving in Bandung during those days. Anyway... I'm missing Bandung anyhow....

...moving on to a year older... in order to make me happy i say: ...moving on to a year wiser... I'm thankful on all things I faced before includes the worst experiences and heartbroken time happy birthday to Andrea and Oka too!

I don't know what to say... I called Xiu Yan after knowing from Winyu about the blasts... It was difficult to contact her mobile, until finally I reached her. Good to hear her voice, and good to know that all friends in London are ok. They said it's the regular tube they used to ride everyday. I wonder if these people have hearts... here thousands miles away, we are facing oil crisis

I think it’s been a while since I’m working for other people. Has been self-employed for long that at the end I should readjust with office ethics. Trust me; it’s not difficult, yet not easy. Sometimes, things just go wrong unexpectedly, thou ones have tried to perform their best. Or, just being nice and keep to be yourself, may intrigue gossips in office. Darn~ Whatever it is, I’m sure there’s way to conquer every situation. The importance then is to choose the right tools. There’s always yin and yang, there is no perfect condition. One may likes the job, but the environment may be sucks, vice versa. It’s just how the given constellation embedded to oneself.