Sarah Anna of Wallingford

It has been almost 20 years of friendship between me and Sarah Anna - and 'little - not so little anymore' Polly. The friendship that was only started by simple mickey mouse watch and bead bracelets. It was in the IB Art class in Schenley, 8th period, in between jeans, pottery and paint - we actually got to become the longest and most multi cultural friend.

The conversation continued over some great home made chocolate chip cookies of Wallingford, made by Sandra and fresh milk in the kitchen.

I remembered Polly came home in her white shirt and shorts that summer and zoomed to the TV room, which again by surprise we both found that we have this craze for Sesame Street show - why not! we are the kiddiest high school girls at that time - but we ejoyed it.

Now, me with kids, a husband. work, and running around between dishes and laundy... all grown - Sarah Anna with her Four Starr Frame Shope in Stonington, photographies and bird nest hunting.. also grown. Indeed we hardly put any flowers on our shoes anymore, or play with water sprinklers, or share some coins for french vanilla ice cream... Today, we share the peach, art work, drive (gosh.. never imagine 20 years ago that we would actually change our bike rides to car rides - will never give up biking though!), organic yoghurt, talk about life, politics, guys, family, religion, work.. EH! work ...(sigh), laws .... just about everything! But the magic is still there!

Coming back to the U.S. in 2000 was a BIG surprise. Never imagined it - then coming back again in 2004 was another surprise.. and recently, just last September.. it was like an omen!!! and.. the magic is still there! Just like meeting at Yum Wok intersection and right away go to Shadyside for window shopping or look at cool cards. And yet.. we found ourselves still love each other greatly - and yet we found ourselves, when we are together, never become grown ups! We are still the same girls from 20 years ago who just love each other so much - from the heart and mind.

Sarah Anna! miss you bunch!

Short Stop in America Land

Sarah and Sarah and

Sarah...and peace!

'Sarah Anna', again the name that immediately strike into my head as I got the info for the training in Washington DC. The training, splendid! would be valuable, the reunion! That is also not less important. Soon after arriving in DC, immediately my head was filled with thousands of little plans. Call Sarah, set meeting with Sarah, tell Sarah hotel info, call Hoa and Nga, plan a day with Hoa and Nga, or even more.

The day at FSI was as always, busy as students and just love seating there in their yard watching the geese walking here and there. Late summer breeze was blowing into my face and there I was, talking with FSN from Palestine and Netherland, from Afghanistan and Israel.... , Tokyo and Seoul.. it is amazing, here we are working for the same institution and we can keep the peace there. If only the world can be transfered with the peace in our little FSI community.

Then there she was, Sarah! We were just too happy and thrilled but the reunion was not all that dramatic since we had to follow another car to go to Hoa and Nga's. Anyway, DC is DC.. but what was fun was the walk like the old days. And also was fun to again enjoyed the cusine of House of Hoa (Hoa..I want more recipe!..nope.. fix that.. I want more spring rolls!) hee hee

Returning to Stonington was pretty calm. Simply went to Four Starr Frame Shop, attended a cocktail party at Howard, bake some ginger bread cooklies (Sarah did that really), stamping 200 postcard.

The trip was ended by solitair trip to San Fransisco. I love the city! Reminds me of what Dad always said: Go to Golden Gate! Awesome! and it was...

Our Brothers': Malaysia and Singapore :)

Another Exploration with You

Another Exploration was in 2006 and 2007 when Putra was just about to depart for USM. We thought, hmm.. this is about time we should just explore some part of the neighboring country, Malaysia and Singapore. It will be just like college again, more just like college since we will not bring Dasha and Aqila along. Thanks to Air Asia, we managed a pretty cheap trip across the Melacca Strait. Then another exploration was with the girls, making sure they can adapt to our travelling style.

Looking back to 2006, as we arrive at Kuala Lumpur, it was just totally 'go with the flow' we did not have any hotel reservation - simply took the shuttle from the LCCT to Pudu Raya Station. Cool! We arrive at nigth and starved with hot meal. Luckily food was no problemo in Kuala Lumpur, even with the strong spices we can handle (we thought) as we dived into the cuisine of Nasi Mamak. Ayam Chappati, briyani rice, teh tarek - we were all set. I was totally fit, even though the rain was soking my outfit, but I was fine - we were just like happy kids with the rain.

Scrolling the isles of Bukit Bintang area, we finally found what became out favorite guest house - Eight Hotel (Hotel Delapan) - the coziest guest house for us. Located on Tengkat Tong Shin Road, in front of it are lines of restaurants. The management often put out tea light candle on its porch at night, just easy atmosphere to chat.

Kuala Lumpur was great, we explored Genting Higland as well, to prepare to take the girls there, which we did later on by August 2007. Even though many have said Genting is tacky, but to me, I think it is fine! Hey, where else can Medanese take their kids to experience rides, correct? Certainly not to Jakarta I say, too far!

In 2006 we tried the bus to go to Singapore. In 2007 we took the train from KL Sentral - which is much more convinient. Teh train took 10 hours, which allowed us to sleep in. Arriving in the morning for immigration check then proceed to hotel.

Our option in 2006 was in Little India. 2007 was changed to Bugis Junction area, much closer to lots of food and hang out to see the city. Definitely a place to go to.

We tried below:

Penang:

If arrive by plane: taxi from airport to Sungai Penuh Station around RM 30

If arrive from KL: at Sungai Penuh Station, taxi to Cititel is RM 30

Where to eat: Sup Kambing nearby Cititel

Place to stay: Cititel (with voucher booked from Medan you can get better rate)

Where to go: too much! Rumah Nyonya, George town, Bukit Bendera, Komtar, Feringhi, Tj. Bunga

Kuala Lumpur:

If arrive by plane: taxi from airport to LCCT to Pudu Raya Station (there is a new shuttle that hit directly to Bukit Bintang) around RM 8-9, every hour

Where to eat: too much, just explore!

Place to stay: well, we have experience staying at Hotel Delapan (we love), Allston Genesis (so-so)

Commuter: Monorail is located nearby, just walking distance.

Where to go: China town, Shops at Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Batu Cave, Petronas Tower, and many more...hey, easy! just browse through the internet :)

Advise: don't worry if you arrive late in Bukit Bintang, it is packed almost all night long 24/7!

Singapore

If arrive by train: then take the closest MRT from the train station (will update you on the name later) and go to wherever your hotel is located

Where to stay: we are cheap, as long as hotel has nice bed and bedroom we are fine. Damn! Singapore can be so expensive. So we stayed at Fragrance in 2006 and Seven Storey in 2007

Where to eat: Now this you have to be careful. As Moslem, we chosed Halal restaurant. There are a lot though in Bugis Junction. They even have Ayam Penyet. In fact, my first time to try Ayam Penyet is in Singapore. Crazy heh?

Where to go: get some nice shower, take a walk on pedestrian, which you can not do in Medan - We went to the Marina, then to Merlion, then to China town, back to Little India. Not to forget Science Center (is definite for the kids), Sentosa Island, temples.. gosh! Just too much, we have not even get them all done. We will though - why not!

Commuter: MRTs are available -and cheap - strongly recommended

Advise: Get worry if you arrive late in Singapore, even though it is very safe to wonder the city at night, but hey, not too many place I know are open at night, except bars.

Congrat babe!

Wah setelah jauh selama setaon aja.. akhirnya membuahkan hasil.. gw rela deh..rela rela.. ngurusin keriting ding ding duo Dasha Aqila - yang penting ada elmu yang nambah, ya gak..

Well, babe.. next time is my turn :o)

Congratulation sweety!

That Magical Toba Lake

After a long while it is about time to return to Samosir island - do you know that this island is a super volcano that went off about 70.000 years ago. The volcano among the 5 (or 6?) in the world - and on the spot there the great grand daughter of King Sisingamangaraja is still running the Toledo Hotel.
Arriving at Parapat, then took the speed boat I could feel the breeze in my face and see the fog on the top of the mountains. the water that splashed on to my face feel sooo nice.

Right after lunch immediately we rushed to Pusu Buhit, where we can see the view of Toba lake from top then drove back through the country road passing Ambarita and Tomok.

Visit to a small village of the Ulos maker is something.. the rainbow colors of a more modern design seen from one corner to the other. Meanwhile more earthy color are made for the original design.
What a trip... should return again and stay longer :o)
and below are some shots from the inside of the Batak house....

It was all started by the meeting at Star Buck at Sun Plaza that somehow led us the conversation that we need overseas outting - in order to broadened our knowledge (as for me agian and again.... hee hee) and shopping skills.. (yep, we all agree on that!, especially for Ai! GO AI!!!)

From buckies we rushed to immigration office and tried to get the passport to be done as soon as the next day.. all the efforts and smiles, flirts and even begs,... just to get them done.. ha ha... and the next 4 days no one can work 'normally' anymore' everyday, which somehow were filled with outside intruders... were used to order tickets, hotels... change money and last minute shopping for soaps, flip flop and light towel. It was a fun week.....

Air Asia memang top! dan tinggal di Medan memang bo'i bagi yang mau ke daratan tetangga... it's like... Melayuuu buanget gitchuu lho! .. the bird is there waiting.. and the heart was pounding.. (we wont mention why.. ) but it was Kun-T who was dealing with us on the departure.

As usual... it's like claiming the territory - we all had to make a 'quiet transit' at LCCT airport and then took a long drive by cheap 9RM shuttle in town

Here are some of the great pictures (after I had this battle in my head, I finally able to decide which pictures to be posted... hard man!)Introducing KL to Adek and Ai was fun... of course the first and second day were all filled with complain of our own place home.. why can't we at least be neat - funny! same color, same language, same root... and only a strait away.. it's only an inch in the map for God sake! but why are we so different - well... hopefully by the time we are going back we can take this to be told to others - and to take actions in our surroundings

Before taking the train to KL, we had quiet a fight with the evil taxi driver (tips: never agree to pay extra ringgit for each bag, be sure to have a guy with strong deep voice like Kun-T when he is angry, be sure to have 3 girls like us to scream all over the taxi driver... and... take of the lisence plate if the taxi is about to zoom off - but again, be sure you see the taxi card up front at the dashboard) otherwise, you would be screwed like we did.

Singapore was wet..

but we manage to shop.. shop til our pants drop.. buoooy.. talk about walking... it was nice - and indeed.. we need lots of H2O.. but the lunch and all the meals were great.. thanks to another dude Kun-S hee hee.... well.. we let them to show their respect to girls.. ha ha.. no.. really.. we were 'TOKEK' (TOurist KEre tapi Keren...hee hee)

The cable car to Sentosa island was a great ride - we got to see the port and other ships from top - then by the end of the day was entertained by the laser show at the big fountain (what do you call that again) - then the next day was spent all around Singapore until we heard that Kun-S had to return.. hmmm.. just the three of us to spend one more day in Singapore before returning back to KL..

The whole trip can become a comic to be told in details... but for sure this is the beginning of many more journeys hopefully... and to understand that..................... some people just LOVE to BUY SHOES... ha ha ha......( sike )

just a day after your birthday, Dad!

I guess birthday is different in every stage of life - to a Dad that lives forvevr inour heart... again we remember all the values he had taught us. No-one is like him and able to replace his place.

Just missing you, Dad! Missing you, Bucik...

If only you are around we might be gathering by now to eat something - and you pay for it too :o)

But our present this year is again different, this year we only hope you have the best life out there and that we will be together again someday...Insya Allah

Happy Birthday, ...

Along Musi River, Going Inland to the Old Kingdom

Palembang.. hmm.. entering the city of Ancient Kingdom of Sriwijaya through the great river of Musi... too bad, they should do something on the Nelayan Kampongs along the river.. 

But here is some shots in Palembang..
Awesome city!

After the first election in Pangkal Pinang, we actually had a chance to go to the first city found in Bangka - the city of Mentok. As always, I am always facinated with the society and urban activities (if we can call this palce urban). City of Mentok, was known as the plac eto export white pepper - even though now it is ancient history since the value had gone down and they have decreased the productivity by a significant number (and do you know that Kentucky Fried Chicken used to have contract tiuse Mentok pepper just abotu a year ago? but now they have to take from other sources, since Mentok can no longer provide enough stock) -
let's all hope it will come back again.

The old port in Mentok, as usual, fisherman boats and little warung - definitely Asian.. the china town, the mansion on Tjong A Fok, the temple that is located next to the mosque... there has always been harmony, at least that what is explained by the local..





But what happen now? all that simplicity of friendship among different believes and culture will be put aside, only over money, power and status... what a sad thing to think about.

If only we all realize that at the end, nothing that we need to achieve, aside then we always hope we do something good for the society and family, for the future of our children...

Here goes Mentok! (in mentok, both of these buildings are located side by side, even with connectting door!!!! great, huh?)

Friendship is from the HEART.... and curly hair???

Izza Ezziza Siregar and Aqila Humaira Putri .... no, we did not buy them at C4!!!

Message from the Best-est of FRienD who is oceans apart

BE THE COFFEE (ARE WE NOT BROWN?)

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to pass this message to those people who mean something to you; to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life. If you don't send it, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message!

It's easier to build a child than repair an adult. This is so true.

May we all be COFFEE.

From distance I could see the green islands of the Bangka Belitung Province.. as the plane was lowering, reaching to the local airport, the green began to be decorated by the colorful ponds... ponds of the illegal mining sites, leaving a major destruction to the environment...hhhh...

The city of Pangkal Pinang reminds me of a small town where everyone knows everyone elese. It has just enough facilities to let the local dwellers to have bit fun in between their routines as retailers. However, still you can see the airlines from/ to Jakarta is fully booked at all time.

Bangka, as a mixed place of Malay, Tionghoa and Palembang, performed a unique culture. The languange of "Peranakan" is heard all over town, mixed with Indonesian and Mandarin. This could be the only place in Sumatra where you can see Mandarin.

I witness a great mix and relations among the Tionghoa and Malay. As most of them mentioned that "I am part of them, they are part of me - there is always Tionghoa blood in the Malays, and Malay blood in Tionghoas"

But again, all this beauty and natural resouces will not be seen when not digged up and promote well.. the natural beauty will definitely die when we, the local, who lives in Indonesia, and those out there, do not make any action to save it from the environemntal destrcution.

Bangka Belitung is such a rich province. It is standing in the world tin belt for God sake! Do something to make change. Think of the future of our children.

All 'd boyZ in my junior high class (by Rachma)

Coba.. pada masih kenal kaga???

Berdiri:

Rudy, Pahala, ..., Yudi,...,..., Abdi (semi jongkok..what?, ....

Jongkok:

Ma'mun, Ari, Ari (lagi), Ricky

A-OK 2007 calendar nominations

Dasha Shamira Putri finally proved that her artwork is considered by the Department of State as one of the best drawings to be printed for the A-OK 2007 calendar... and she was only 4 when she did the drawing.... Her drawing was even used as the cover!!!! Go girl!
Nostalgic overview: This reminds Amie Uni of the time when she won first place at St. Joseph school, beating the elementary students for her 3 colored scenery drawing. And from that they she believes strongly on the power of Al-Fatihah and Al-Ikhlas... as Dasha's Neni always said, that time " Be confident adek (that time was meant for Amie Dasha)... work hard and pray ask for Allah's blessing... Insya Allah good things will come to you" and.. it worked before... it works now..

So Dasha.. and Aqila.. and 'another one' if ever going to arrive at our Rumah Batoe Puteh bunch.. this hopefully will teach you that as long as you have good and strong will, you focus, you work hard and believe in Allah.. it will come to you..

Congratulations Dasha! Keep up the good work...
[Note: A-Ok Calendar Competitions is a pretty challanging drawing competitions of children of American and local staff who works at the foreign mission. The theme was "Living Safely Overseas" Dasha was joining the competions among thousands of this group of children around the world. End Note]

Going to Meulaboh.. by small airplane..MAF airline,

see the lining of the coconut tree - I thought to myself.. my what a potential.. but then again.. nobody really cared.. or is it just the slow changes that we can do?