My New Nephew's Aqiqah

My brother in law (the oldest brother of my husband) and his wife were very happy. They got a cute and handsome baby boy. Their third boy was born on 21 June 2008 through Caesar operation. His name is Muhammad Fathan Farzad Habibi ( Abi )

To show gratitude and joy to God for this gift, blessing and great occasion, Abi’s parent held Aqiqah on 17 August 2008. Two sheep or goats were slaughtered. The meat were cooked and then shared to the needy people

In the evening, the family invited friends, neighbors and relatives to pray together for Abi’s goodness.

Aqiqah is defined as the animals that are slaughtered on the occasion when the hair of a new born baby is shaved. On that day, the baby is given a name. The animal’s meat shared amongst poor people, friends, neighbors and relatives. The weight of the baby’s hair should be translated to the weight in gold and the value be donated to the poor.

The performance of Aqiqah in Islam is Sunnah Muakkadah (highly encouraged). It is to performed by the parents or guardians of child.

Aqiqah is also an occasion to pronounce the birth that has taken place in a family. This is to inform about the new member of the family. Besides that, Aqiqah also promotes the acts of benevolent, kinship and friendship by giving meat to needy people, friends, relatives and neighbors.

I ‘m so happy to get a new-handsome nephew. Look at him! He is so cute, isn’t he?

Abi, my new nephew

Celebrating Independence Day

17 August was a historical day for people of Indonesia. This year Indonesia had been 63 years free from colonialism since the declaration of independence on 17 August 1945. People of Indonesia celebrated the Independence Day with various ways.

Anin, and Dea were so excited. They had been waiting to join the fun game such as eating krupuk, run with gunny sack, etc. They asked me to accompany her to the field nearby, where my neighbors gathered around to celebrate Independence Day. Rafif followed us. He was enthusiastic although he didn’t understand what was going on.

Anin and Dea joined the eating krupuk game. The participants should eat the hanged krupuk as fast as they could, without touching it. The one who could finish eating krupuk faster than the others would be the winner.

Anin could finish it faster, but Dea did not. She found it's difficult to bite krupuk, even to reach it by her mouth.

Then Rafif came, he knew that his sister needed help. So look at what this little fat-cute-boy had done! Ha..ha..

The result was quite good. Look at Anin who was proud of becoming the second winner!

Last Sunday on 17 August, I and my husband went around Kenten-Palembang to take some pictures of the activities that people did on that happy day.

We went to Jl. Residen Abdul Rojak . In a field, there were many people watching the “ Panjat Pinang “ game. “ Panjat Pinang was one of the popular games on celebrating Independence Day. An oily beam of betel was set in the middle of the field. There were many things hanged on the top of the betel, so when someone could reach them, the things would be his. In this game, all the participants should cooperate, hand in hand to reach the top.

At Paramount, Dea’s school, the games and competitions were held on 19 August. Dea joined the run with gunny sack. At the first time she looked so excited, but after she fell down she lost her fighting spirit. She left the arena without finishing the game! Oh child!

Dilla and Indonesian Celebrities

Two weeks ago my little niece Dilla asked me to accompany her to an artist bazaar. Well, actually I was reluctant, but she said she needed me to take some pictures of her with those celebrities. I wonder why this little kid was so enthusiastic. “ Aunty, Someday I want to be a celebrity like them. Please go with me!….”

Oh, I hated this, but I didn’t have the heart to refuse. Finally I gave up. I took her there. These are the pictures. She forced me (again) to post the photos here in my blog. I don’t know what I should write; I don’t even know these artist’s names, ….

RankNoodle: A New Search Engine

It can’t be deny that the existence of search engine is very helpful for the internet users. All the information will be displayed right away after one click. A Search Engine is considered good when it can provide time efficiency for the users.

If you are searching for any information, pictures, videos, or other data, RankNoodle.com, a new experimental search engine can help you. It also provides top 100 searches displayed on the site, so the users just need to click on the title.

To find other information, you just need to type the keyword and then click Search. Then you just wait for seconds to see the results. Let’s search !

Thinkers and Feelers

I’ve been 10 years being a wife, and everyday of my life I learn something. I felt there’s a different way of thinking between me and my husband. Sometimes it could be the source of conflict but sometimes it enriches our relationship. I feel that maintaining our marriage is just like an art, art of thinking and feeling.

These are two lists that summarize some of the more significant differences between me and my husband’s ways of making decisions. He is a thinker, while I am a feeler. As you read through each list, you will probably see some statements in both lists that describe you.

Thinkers

v Decide with the head

v Decide by linear logic

v Concerned with truth and justice

v Need to understand emotions before they experience them

v More firm-minded

v Experience life as on-looker from outside a situation

v Take a long view

v Spontaneously find flaws and criticize

v Can speak the truth but not always in love

v Want to understand intimacy

v Can be a “romantic” yet not be romantic

v Natural at analyzing plans

v May have the gift of justice

v See things in black and white

Feelers

Decide with the heart

Decide by personal convictions

Concerned with relationship and harmony

Need to experience emotions before they understand them

More gentle-hearted

Experience life as a participant, from inside a situation

Take an immediate and personal view

Spontaneously appreciate and praise

Can have difficulty speaking the truth if it might hurt someone’s feeling

Want to experience intimacy

Love courtship and romance

Natural at understanding people

May have the gift of mercy

See a lot of gray areas

Have you found that one list feels much more like “home base” for you?

Source:How to Bring Out the Best In your Spouse by H Norman Wright & Gary J Oliver, Ph.D

Seeing Old Friends

One day, I got sms from my friend, Ety Riyanty. I was so excited because finally I found her. I knew Ety since we were in junior high school. She was one of my best friends. We were also in the same senior high school, but in different class. The last time I met her was seventeen years ago, in 1991.

When we talked on the phone, she told me that she wanted to see me. She planned to stay in Palembang for several days. It was good news!

After waiting for two months, she came from Jambi on August 1, 2008. We were so happy, finally after 17 years we could meet again!

We shared so many things that happened while we were away. I asked her about her mother, Mrs. Arifah Thahar. She was my teacher in senior high school. Ety said that she was ok, but she had to undergo a healthy life, and a strict diet to keep her away from illness.

I have two houses, so Ety stayed in one of my house, the J-7. Actually I live at J-3, but then I took my 3 kids to stay at J-7, to accompany her.We spent time together, sharing about many things. Reminded all the sweet memories we had in the past. We sang again, like we did when we were junior-senior high school student. We had ever won many vocal group competitions and also dancing competitions. We had the same hobbies, and the same thought.

Ety Riyanty

We spent time at Thai café, and Pizza Hut. On the next day I took her to Riverside Restaurant. We had fun at the mall, shopping and chatting on Don Café. I took her wherever she wanted to go. It was really fun to see a best friend, someone who understood me. Many things we got from sharing our life’s experiences.

Ety was still alone, haven’t got married. She works at Astra Insurance as Manager’s Assistant. One thing I learnt from her was her positive attitude towards her problems. She’s always optimistic.

We met Helni Sus Neni on Sunday, August 3, 2008. Helni was my friend since we were in Primary grade 6. I was so happy to be there again, at the house of Helni’s parents. It was the place for us to study and sing together, years ago. I still remembered the smell of the grass and the soil in the yard, when the rain touched them. The smell was the same as that of years ago

Helni’s mother still remembered me. I was happy to see her again.

Helni has two kids, one boy and one daughter. The oldest boy is an autistic child. Helni told us how she was depressed at the first time she knew it. But then she woke up, she realized that her son’s future was in her hand. She became a strong and optimistic mother. She learnt many things about autisms, and also joined the mail-list of Parents of Autistic Child Community.

I was amazed. She looked so strong, so confident. Besides working at PT. Tanjung Enim Lestari, she also paid attention for her husband and kids. She never felt that her autistic son was her burden although she had to spend a lot of money to pay all the special treatment for her son. She should take him to get therapy at a special clinic for autistic child. She should arrange a strict diet program for her son. And more over she should have a wide range of patience inside her heart to take care of him. She’s really a great mother!

I, Helni & her daughter, and Ety

I realized that I was lucky to see these women, Ety and Helni. Seeing my old friends and spending time with them were something precious for me!

Stylish Eyeglasses of Zenni Optical

Nowadays, Eyeglasses is worn not only to help the sight but also to improve the user appearance. People think that the stylish eyeglasses must be expensive. This opinion is not valid at Zenni Optical. You can see incredible stylish new frames from Zenni with low prices. For example, you can find Zenni Optical $ 8 Rx Eyeglasses. Zenni Optical provides wide selection of frames and lens, with various color and beautiful shape. Zenni Optical was on FOX news! Interested? So, what are you waiting for?

Afif at the English Course

Afif is 3 year old and he needs to learn more. He needs to learn how to socialize with others. I think it is not a good idea to take him to Playgroup, not now. Actually, he joined the trial several months ago at Paramount School, but since he hit a little kid because the kid grabbed his toy; then he throw a book and unfortunately it landed on a mother’s head; he screamed some terrible words when he got angry (how embarrassing!) , I didn’t think he was ready to join the community. So, for me he did not pass the trial.

When I drove my car on the way home two months ago, I saw a banner about the English program for children 3 year to 6 year old. I was interested, and then I took Afif there.

It’s ILP (International Language Program), located on the corner of Patal-Pusri intersection, Palembang.

Afif join the program which call “3 to 6”. It’s a program to introduce English language by a suitable method for children. The children will learn English by singing, dancing, playing and other fun activities.

Afif enjoys learning there. He said 3 to 6 is his school. He studies there twice a week. He told me that he likes his teacher, Miss Maria, because she is nice, friendly and beautiful.

Afif and His favorite teacher, Miss Maria

I see there are some progresses of his English skill. He has already known some vocabulary of greeting, animals, and colors. Many thanks to Miss Maria!!

Costumes for Dilla and Her Mom

It’s Dilla again. This little niece wants to join another modeling competition, but this one is unique. The participant and her or his Mom should wear costumes of Disney cartoon figure or Superhero such as Cinderella, Snow White, Super Girl, Wonder Woman, etc.

I met Rika, Dilla’s mother, last week. She was confused. She didn’t know where she could buy such unique costumes, here in Palembang or even in Jakarta. So, she came to me asking a help. And I gave her a good solution through a “magical” internet access. Ha..ha..

I browsed the internet then I found Halloween Adventure site. There were wide collections of unique costumes, accessories, and party supplies for children, teens, and adult. There were more than 10,000 items there. The site’s design of Halloween Adventure made it easy for the visitor and customer not only to see the collections, but also to get information about shipping, payment, return policy, etc.

I saw the Halloween Adventure was a one-stop shop because of its largest collections. They also offered wigs, hats, masks, accessories, make up, sexy costumes and even pet costumes!

The Children’s Costumes were available in many options such as Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, Piglet, Eeyore, Little Red Riding Hood, Spider Girl, Super Girl and etc. Dilla was so excited. It was hard to decide which costume she wanted to wear, because all of the options were beautiful.

Another interesting options were the costumes for infant and toddler. I couldn’t stop smiling when I imagine my little Rafif wearing Buzzy Bumble Bee costume or Hulk Baby Superhero costume. So cute!

For Dilla’s mother, Halloween Adventure offered the collection of Adult Halloween Costumes with unique themes such as renaissance, medieval, historical, gothic, funny, fantasy, superhero, and many others.

I can’t wait to see Dilla and her Mom walking on the stage wearing those beautiful costumes on the next October in the competition!

Engagement Ring for Happy Day

My friend Imelda is very happy. On this coming 17 August 2008 she will be engaged with Andhika Prasetya, her lover. On the next day, Andhika will go to Australia for undergoing a probation period and training. He will go back to Indonesia on 5 October and marry her on 12 October 2008. I feel relief; finally they decide to strengthen their relationship after 7 years.

Imelda had been searching for beautiful jewelries since months ago. She went to the jewelry’s store all over Palembang, but she couldn’t find the suitable rings for engagement and wedding. She asked me to help her.

Last month, I browsed the internet and found James Allen’s site. Wow, I was fascinated by the site’s design which was looked elegant, and more over the product were so beautiful. James Allen offered wide collection jewelry such as engagement rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, gemstone jewelry, silver jewelry, loose diamonds, pearl jewelry, diamond rings, and even men’s jewelry. One another thing that was amazed me was the 3D view. I could see the rings and jewelry clearer, as if I could touch it, completed with the details and information of the product. And the most interesting thing was its various prices, which could fix with everybody’s budget and need.

When I told Imelda, she was very happy. She said she would buy one for her happy day.

Becoming The Second Winner!!

Yesterday, I saw there was an announcement on Nova tabloid. My story about cooking my husband’s favorite food by using soya sauce product (which was the weekly winner) became the second winner!! I’ll get a refrigerator. Hmm, not bad.


I think writing is really fun! Ha..ha..

A Housewife’s Life

Isn’t it boring to become a housewife? Several years ago when I had just quit from my former job, I felt depressed. But now, after I realized how lucky I am to have a colorful life, three kids and a very good husband, I never felt bored.

I can arrange what I want to do, and what I have to do. I can make a schedule with various activities such as taking the children to their school and their course; and picking them up, blogging, assisting the children to learn their lessons, writing posts and stories, having cream bath and body treatment, shopping, having fun with my family, spending time together with my husband, going to gym, visiting my parent and my parent-in-law, and cooking (once in a blue moon. Ha..ha… cause I have maids who help me ).

If there are something beyond my schedule, such as seeing my old friends, or going to a party, I can change my schedule because it is flexible. Although I have daily routine activities, but everyday is different, everyday has its own color.

I spend a lot of time driving when I take my kids to the places where they have their activities. I always bring books to read, a pen to write anything that comes in my mind, and of course my phone-cell Nokia N-95 with camera to capture photos of sudden beautiful moments when I have to wait for the kids, so I don’t waste time idly.

So, isn’t it boring to become a housewife? I don’t even have time to feel bored!