Padang Trip & The Wedding

BGM >> Close To You by Carpenters


Hi there!

Long time no update, things are getting a bit hectic here hehe
It's almost a month ago (yes, almost a month ago when I promised that I'll update once I arrived in Bandung, gomenasai m(_ _)m) when I went to Padang with my family to attend my cousin's wedding.
It was great and I enjoyed my time there even though the weather was almost unbearable (it's around 34 Celsius degree there , secretly wishing my body fat'd melt there, apparently it didn't).

Dunno where or how to start, so .. let's the pics do the talk hehe

At the airport , waiting and waiting before check in.
Make myself busy w/ Twitter and Facebook hahaha

At Terminal 3 w/ my bro and sis
It's HUGE !

w/ my sis & mom
I the the paint color

YES, WE CAN!

Stupid random pic
From left to right: me, my bro, my sis




Cam whoring a bit

Arrived safely in Padang (Thank God! Because at first I was a bit reluctant to take a days off at work and FLY since there are so many plane crash recently ). My cousin and her boyfriend came to pick us up , and they took us right away to one of my fave place in Padang - BUFFET MALABAR !! Yay! All my worries has gone far far away!
They serve best curry, satay, cane bread and martabak! Yumm .. Too bad I did't take any food pics, I was too busy eating them! hahaha :D

Dinner at Malabar before home

After dinner we went home to my cousin's home, where the reception will be held 2 days later. It's very common to have wedding reception at home here in Padang, even if they damn rich and can afford to book the most expensive hotel ballroom. They just feel more satisfied having it at home.
I personally prefer reception in hotels/hall/restaurants/anywhere but house for practical reason. Can't imagine do the cleaning and house chores after such a big event.
I heard in neighborhood a man who have important position in local government just held a wedding reception at home for her daughter few months ago. They had the party for 7 days, day and night, booked vacant space beside his house to build temporary kitchen, w/ live bands, door prizes, games and endless food and drinks.
Wow.
In Bandung, as far as I know, people usually only spend couple of hours for wedding reception.

Well, anyway, at home there was my aunt waiting and busy w/ wedding preparation. I was surprised to see the house decoration . Especially living room and the bride's room. It's like almost 90% done. The house looked so different from its usual . The main attraction is .. I don't know what it called in English but in Bahasa Indonesia it's called "pelaminan", where the bride and the groom sit and greet the guests during the reception. It's all in crimson red and gold, colors that commonly used in Padang's traditional events.

Took this one w/ my phone cam.
Different lighting hehe




The bride's room

And finally ..
THE WEDDING!!!

The chandelier




The tents were in red, pink, purple
I think it looks pretty, very girly hehe




Me and my sis in our pink kebaya uniforms




Helena, my cousin
Younger sister of the bride, pretty isn't she?




Helen and the receptionists




w/ my bro




w/ my aunt




w/ my sis & my cousin




Eka & Rano
The bride & the groom
Congrats!

Busy w/ wedding preparation doesn't mean we don't have time to have fun and explore Padang. We took time off a while to wander around the town.

First we went to an old Chinese temple in Jl. Kelenteng, located in a district w/ only old buildings.
I remember sometimes my dad used to bring me here after work. I love this place.
I don't know much about the story but my dad said that most of the buildings still look the same as he can remember as a child. Imagine how old they are! They looks beautiful to me but unfortunately abandoned. I think it'd be nice if owners and local government take care of them like what they did to Braga district in Bandung.

Family pic!
From left to right: my mom, my bro, my sis, me,
my niece who called me "sis" instead of "auntie"
hahaha not that i mind, and my cousin

And here the old buildings I told earlier!

Later on we went to a small shop that serves es teler, es campur, sate padang etc. But they're famous for their es durian . They pour thick durian juice on ice, durian, condensed milk, syrup, jelly grass, fermented cassava and I don't know what else they put in there, but it's seriously delicious! It's also damn cheap lah, the customers are mainly high school and college students.

What's up dude??
Ahahaha I know, it's lame, sorry




Sate Padang
Loving it because it came in small portion
(suitable for girls .. who's on diet, like .. me?)
and also not too spicy




The shop's specialty
Super thick es durian! yumm!

Next destination: a visit to my kindergarten and elementary school!
Well, I was born in Padang and lived there for 6 years before I moved to Bandung w/ my family. Couple years back, I had dreamed about my former schools and teachers in Padang twice when I was about to enter junior high and university. Still don't know what it means. Guess I miss them a lot? I've been in Padang couple times before but this is the first time I visit my schools after .. err .. 18 years? Great, now I feel old.

Mariana Kindergarten




The empty class room
Nostalgic, they don't change it. I'm happy it's still look the same.




Kids in their sports uniforms
Seemed like they had P.E that day
I only found one boy who wore regular uniform.
The uniform still the same like one I had
It's sailor uniform, like Japanese student, in white and blue, and round hat




The washstands
One of the things I still remember very clearly in Mariana
We'll line up here before our morning snack

The playground

Praying Room
This is new building they added in playground

Then we went visit my elementary school. Actually I've only become a student there for less than a year. I continued my first year in Bandung.

It located near my house, only couple minutes of walking
But my dad kept repeating story that once he was late to pick me up
Everyone at school has already gone home
And there I was, accompanied by my teacher
w/ tears falling down on my cheek, crying silently, waiting for my dad
I don't remember a thing

The class room
Looks like my class room in my junior high
Wonder maybe that's why I dreamed about this school when I was in junior high?

w/ my beloved daddy









The playground
They had dance practice that day

I enjoy this nostalgic visits so much!

Next, a day after the wedding we went to Bukittinggi, where the weather is waaaay cooler than Padang hahaha these Bandung people seems can't stand it any longer hahahaha :D

On our way we stopped at Datuk Restaurant
in Padangpanjang to have lunch
Nice place, looks a bit like Sundanese restaurant

But the food is TOTALLY different
It's Padang, of course!

Enjoy!

Arrived in Bukittinggi! Done shopping, visited my grandma in Payakumbuh, bought some souvenirs then went back to Padang!

Took pic at famous Jam Gadang in Bukittinggi
before headed to Padang
Ugh, it's so damn cold that night

Jam Gadang - Bukittinggi
Looks more beautiful at night, don't you think so?
Btw, know what's weird with it?
I don't have clearer pic but if you happen
to find one, take a closer look at the clock, esp. number 4
They wrote it "IIII" instead of "IV"!!!!!

Time to go back to Bandung!
Bought some sanjay chips and other food for friends & family waiting in Bandung, then off to airport!

Stopped by at Padang Beach and took pic w/ my sis

Finally arrived!
Bandung, I'm coming!!

Hahaha sorry for taking long time to update.
In summary, I enjoy the trip very much, esp. kindergarten & elementary school visit.
Looking forward to visit them again someday!
Ok, I gotta sleep now *yawn
I'll update soon.
Bye!

Wedding Prep.

BGM >> None


Hi!
I'm in Padang now, my cousin's getting married! Yay!
Now I'm using her computer while she and everyone else are busy preparing for the wed tomorrow ahahaha I'm so irresponsible (_ _ );

I'll be back in May 26 and updating the full story! (and pics too!)

Gotta go now, bye!

Internet Marketing?

BGM >> Tonight by Sixpence None The Richer


I want to earn some cash from the internet!

That's it.

My current obsession *distraction*

Actually have been interested for quite a long time, I even bought a book about it and left my old blog to start writing a new blog in English (even though my English is .. yeah, so-so lah if you don't call it bad).

Still need to learn more (both English and internet marketing)
Hope anyone *esp. those who already enjoy the happiness of having $ transferred to their account* can share tips and experience to help a novice like me.

Meanwhile, gotta read how-to-blog e-books I downloaded.
So far only earn around Rp. 1,350 something from here *see the ad box under AFFILIATES in my side bar* and $ 2.32 from here.

Yeaah, I'm working on it.

Wish me luck!

How Could You?

BGM >> Parting (OST. Ruroken OVA)


Found this touching blog entry and I thought I wanna share. I don't have any pets, but I have this soft spot for animals thingy, especially abandoned one *they deserve more love!
Can't help the tears falling from my eyes when I read it.

[picture credit: from here]

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend.

Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together.

I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her? affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose.loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you.You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago.At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room.

A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

[credit: ♥Enon is just a girl♥]
[extracted from: http://puppymillspets.blogspot.com]

Last Friends

BGM >> Prisoner of Love by Utada Hikaru


I know it's a year late but I just watched this and I'm gonna watch it AGAIN!
Highly recommended for those who haven't watched it!

LAST FRIENDS

[credit: here]