Riots for Purchasing Football tickets...What a Shame!

(source : Twitter/Arya P.

Though, TImnas was beaten 3-0 by the Malaysian Team just tonight, we should not surrender. Come on, I mean after all the victories the National Team has gained, we should be proud we made it to Final. Heck yeah the Malaysian supporters were not playing fair at first, because they shot laser lights towards the Indonesian goal keeper (Markus), just...better luck next time okay! I do kinda notice that our national team did not play with "much of enthusiasm" like they did when they beat Malaysian team a while ago. Was it because Timnas playing in our own country, so they had this positive vibe..well, I don't know, I am not exactly a football fan. Despite that Timnas lost in tonight's match, what bothers me the most was the management of ticket selling by PSSI. I mean they centralized the ticket selling for 80.000 supporters just in Senayan PSSI. Didn't they learn how to sell tickets from professional agents, like "music concert". What the heck were they thinking? Because of the centralization of ticket selling, the expensive price, poor management, lack of facility, they all have caused "riots" in GBK stadium this afternoon. Watching the news, as you can see in the picture above, is like watching resident evil, you know where all the zombies were gone crazies and eating people. Well, it looks like it. Many people were fainted, injured, I think one person was dead because getting stuck in the crowds. And not mention the vandalism. God, can't we become civilized just for watching a football match. To watch concert, the ticket selling is spread into different ticket agents, so there wont be any mass cummulation in one place. I'd say the ticket management should have been handled by "professional ticket agents!"..Please PSSI learn from mistakes. We, Indonesian do want to support our National Team, but you guys..should have managed the tickets better. No more riots!

New Year...New Beginning

It's almost end of this year! Gosh, how time flies so fast, I could not even take a brief moment to "relax". This year has been really tough on me, but I managed (thanks God for that!). I mean, life is always ups and downs, sad and happy, it can't always be a stagnant thing in everything, just like a chart there will be curves along the lines. I thought that I tried my best this year to make a career, but people may not see it like I do. And I know we can't judge ourselves, people surrounding us that will notice and critique us. I know I am not always right, even I always stubbornly try to force my opinion on something, people don't always agree with us- that I understand. But I do feel that, no matter what people see different about us, we should never think low of ourselves. Because, if we feel down, we can't move forward. We need to move forward, it's what New Year is all about right, to move forward and not looking back for our failure. It's seems cliche to make a new resolution for the next year, I mean I sure do we all want to make a new resolution that is better than this year. But, for me it's not just about resolution, is about more thanking less whining. To be honest, I sometimes blame God for making my life this year gloomier than before, but heck what an ungrateful human I am. God does give me more and I should have thank more. It's me that I need to blame, because I need to remain positive on whatever and I mean, whatever things that happen to me, good or bad. Sometimes we forget to look into ourselves, and too busy to look into others. All we need to do is to have mirror in front of us and see how our lives have been all this time, hence we are the one to make better judgment to ourselves and introspect ourselves to better our lives. I do pray that Next year is the beginning of better and positive things coming into my life. AMEN to that!

pic is taken from: myniceprofile.com

To Appreciate

As teachers we have to make our students feel happy about what they are doing, no matter how small the result is. I guess it's the same with viewing people. I, myself is still struggling not to be prejudiced or judge mental towards people. Because, to assume that someone is doing something without good result, is not a positive thing for ones, since they definitely feel unappreciated, and you can turn someone else's world upside down and make them at the lowest point of their life. Each people deals a problem differently, and for someone who can't take "a-hard-push advice" from someone, they may feel low about themselves, and you never know when someone you give advice to is not having "other trouble" as well. Appreciate to even a small effort makes someone's life better. We may not see the same view as others and not always on the same page with average people, but what important is we appreciate ourselves. Because once you feel unappreciated, you will fall down, and the only person that can bring you up again, is ourselves. We may ignore those unappreciated thoughts, opinions, views, or bs they are having on us, but when you feel down, just remember that God appreciates our effort even in the smallest way.

The First SAC Hand-made Cards Bazaar

SAC stands for Saskia-Aini-Charma, and it is our brand to sell handmade cards with quilling arts. Charma and I learned from Saskia who started first this quilling arts. Anyway, thanks to Saskia's mom, we could sell our hand-made cards in "Suriname's embassy stall" (since Saskia's mom is the secretary of Suriname's embassy) in WIC (Women International Club) at JHCC from 1-2 Dec'2010. We sold 34 cards out of 59 cards, and we are so lucky to have achieved this far. We just started this like a month ago and consistently practiced the quilling arts like everyday...And damn proud of the result! Today in the Bazaar was such a great opportunity to SAC and me. I mean, it's like seeing new people, interacting with the foreigners, and yeah maybe I was kinda dumb when they asked about Suriname's geography of even the culture. But, yeah, we managed!I loved seeing the people who stopped by to our stall, because the Suriname's costumes were very attractive (they had Indian Suriname,African, and Chinese). There were many of them who took pictures of us, and if we could charge every picture they took, I bet we could have made more money..hahahaha. Even though we are all very tired, but we are relieve that our handmade cards could sell more than we have expected...Go SAC!

Indonesia in Mourn

Disaster after disaster strikes Indonesia recently, with the Mount Merapi eruption and tsunami in Mentawai. The refugees are definitely in need for our support, such as food, clothing, hygiene kit, medicine/ first aid, etc. The volunteers have helped as much as they could, and I know that some of them are genuinely encouraged with their "humanity aspects" regardless they use their own money for their accommodation. So, I take my hats off for them!!However, the situation did not just stop there, the number of refugees in Merapi area keeps on going, and they need all that we can give immediately. I really take my concern for the women, babies and children, they do need hygiene kit and also milk, diapers, clean water and mask. I can't imagine living in a refugee tent with a very limited access of clean water, food, clothing, etc. My heart really breaks watching the news. Stay strong okay guys...The volcano will still active for the next couple of weeks maybe, not knowing when it will release its lava. God, if that happens, for sure people who are still stubborn and insist living near the Merapi area, should be evacuated, so there will be no more dead victims. I hope God help us through these rough times...for those 17,000 refugees or more out there in Merapi and Mentawai, my pray goes to you all. God is helping us...and You, trust!

FAN FICTION ADDICT

When you hear the word fan, what is the first thing that come up about that word? Obviously "a fan", or "a high appreciation" or maybe an "addict" of something or someone. There are always two sides of effect of this word "fan", the negative is you might be too intense on being a fan, and you do not clearly see yourself as a supportive fan, for example: a fan or should I say fanatic of Robert Pattinson (the guy who play Edward Cullen), maybe become a stalker of every film schedule/movie premiere he attends, or could threat him if he has a "girlfriend" because hoping that Robert would go out with her..it does happen you know, I read it in magazine!So that's clearly a negative "fan"..but there is one fan that I'm also into it, which I consider it is a positive thing...a fan fiction. I have read this fan fiction stories since I like Twilight movies, yeah my fan fiction story only pair Edward-Bella. And recently I love reading Smallville fan fiction, which paired Clark-Lois. Now, I've read in a few sites of this "fandom" thing, and they say that they create or write fan fiction because they want to know more about the characters or they are not satisfied with the story presented in the series. Well, no matter what the reason they have, I feel really grateful for these fan fiction writers because the writings are mostly quite well, I mean they could be script writers for the series they like. The fan fiction stories are really good, and I am not talking just about the writings, the plot, the characters, the dialogue are really amazing. I take my hat off for those fan fiction writers, and really they are talented writers, if some say that fan fiction writers or the readers are people who have no jobs, I mean get real people...you are wrong! These writers come from different level of background from all over the world, from Junior High writer to an English Teacher and to a Law student. They are taking writings and imagination to a different level. For me, there are no bad writings, people learn, make mistakes and try again. Because that's where I see myself, I like writing and I sure hope that people would appreciate my writings :).

PS: If you are interested in reading fan fiction, you can go to www.fanfiction.net, afterward you can choose the category of "fandom" that you like, whether it's a book (like Twilight), a TV series (like Smallville) or a movie (like Transformers and etc. If you're a fan of the characters and you wanna read more about the "other stories", please check out the website I mention above, I'm sure you'll gonna like it.

Wannabe Writer

Everyone who knows me, would probably wondering why I suddenly take interest in writing. It's not a sudden ambition or interest, and I wouldn't dare saying that it's a natural talent. I'd say it's just something that I enjoy since I was in elementary level, sixth grade to be exact. It started with a diary from 6th grade until my college years and I think I owned 23 Diaries in total, in which I tore them apart when I got married. At that time I thought who needed a diary when you can talk personally to your loved one. I did write Diaries to empty my unspoken emotions, words about my daily life, family, friends, crushes, almost crushes, ex-boyfriend, and almost boyfriend. I also wrote poetry in high school,but mostly it's about love and heartbreaks ...lots of heart break. I have no idea why I wrote so much heart breaking poetry, maybe because years before I met my husband, I did get a lot of heart breaks. Then i also made short stories(cheesy teen flick) that were mostly about me and my dream crushes..hey, when you can't get a guy, you are legal enough to write about them...says, me :). Because I enjoy writing things that make me comfortable, I did not know that writing can be used as "money making". Nope, never explore that..Dang, if I knew that I like to write stories, at least I could have been a journalist or a writer now. But, there is never too late to do things. I'm gonna keep on writing, for stories I won't publish them in my blog, I would only keep them in my personal file, and when the time is right I would love to publish them or someone should hire me as children writer or script writer. Some writings in my blog are mostly about pop culture, or certain events that I need togive my opinion on. I do only write in English, because I major in English teaching and I do want my writing to be read not just by Indonesian. It is okay, that some people may seem hard to see me as a struggling writer, but as hard to believe it's also something that I just figure out, that it's not easy to be a writer, and I have lots of practice and study and to care what other people think about my writing, which is taking suggestions and critique. Well, you are fully welcome!

Sorcerer's Apprentice

A Geeky Kinda Hero

My movie pick this time is the Sorcerer's Apprentice. When we usually see a movie with a hero in it, somehow they will portray a handsome guy, who happens to be the future hero, but the Sorcerer's Apprentice took a different approach. The character Dave (played by Jay Baruchel) is somehow not the typical of "ladies man" for a leading role. Because Dave is a real geek, nerd, awkward, unsociable and low self esteem guy, and to be truthful physically when you look at him for the first time, he is an average looking guy. I mean the female audience obviously won't go gaga for his "look", however there is something about his character that drawn the audience. As I pointed before, he is an average guy, a simple trait that I assume relate with most of the guys. He is quite funny in dorky kinda way, and yes like every other heroic movies...he did get the girl!...ehmm how classic right! I was kinda hopping that the female character that Dave fell for, was an average girl too, instead he did get himself his "dream girl". Overall, I did enjoy the movie and the comedy, and love this dorky kinda hero in Dave :)

When true love awaits for a hero

Common Resemblance between The Man of Steel and The Man of Marble

The characters of Superman (Clark Kent) and Edward Cullen are two of the most powerful men in the world of fictional world. I am a fan of Twilight Saga, and recently because of watching Smallville (especially season 9) I am so hooked with the origin stories of Superman. You are all probably wondering what the heck I am trying to pull in this thought of mine when writing the title. I guess, having watched the TV series, movies, read many fanfiction of Twilight and Smallville, I kind a notice the similarities between these two character.
It didn’t occur to me the first time I notice the resemblance between Clark Kent and Edward, but somehow these two are almost alike. Edward always says that he is not human, because he is a Vampire, who lives and walks among “human”. Because of his vampireness, Edward does not eat, drink nor sleep like humans do, but he only drinks blood (animal blood; a vegetarian Vampire). Edward always thinks that he is born to be alone and without soul mate, that is until Bella comes along. Clark Kent obviously comes from another planet called Krypton, and after being adopted by the Kents and having adjusted with the “human’s life”, Clark Kent does the chores just like the other humans, eats, drinks and sleeps like human (although he only needs a bit portion of them all). Clark also believes that no women would be with him because he is an alien, and no one would truly accept him of what he is and what he does as Superhero, that is until Lois Lane come along. These two (Clark and Edward) always thinks that they deserves to be alone and soul mate less. But when they found their soul mate, they are kinda afraid they would hurt the women they love when they want to be more intimate, due to their strength and power. Clark Kent is the man of steel, and Edward is the man of marble, they are both afraid they would hurt their women during intercourse. For Edward, obviously he has done it with Bella after he married her and surprisingly, Bella got pregnant. Edward has always been afraid to go for the next stage with Bella in relationship. Yet, in Breaking Dawn, Edward finally gains his control to have intercourse with Bella (when she was still human), without damaging her female organ. However, for Superman version, with some search from the other websites, there are still no “obvious” story where Superman (Clark Kent) has an intercourse with Lois lane. It was after the story Superman Return in 2006, where Superman had a kid with Lois Lane after he returned from his journey. However, there are still some debates among the comic readers and fans, if Superman can indeed have sexual intercourse with human being, since Superman has the speed more than a speeding bullet, in which having an intercourse could damage the “female organ” from the inside. Although in Smallville Clark did have intercourse with his first love, Lana, which happened when Clark was stripped his power. But, hey the debates are still on, because they also say that Superman can control his power.
For me as a fan of Twilight Saga and Smallville (Superman), the very noticeable factor of Superman and Edward is their true love. As Superman found his true love in Lois Lane (where he always thought to never find his soul mate), and the same goes with Edward who found his true love with Bella (where he always thought a vampire is soul less and ended up alone). Ehmm..I guess these two characters embrace the “true love and soul mate” in a really fascinating and upper level point of view , and I love it! Hahaha I guess I do have to admit that I am such a hopelessly romantic girl.

The Attack on the Humanitarian Activists

Strictly my own opinion on the “attack of flotilla ships”



When humanitarians are attacked…does humanity still remain?

The attack of flotilla ships by Israeli soldiers has turned the world eyes to simply “look” at the lack of humankind of the Israeli Government. The world has been watching the battle and “invasion” of Israeli to Palestine, in which the long-term dispute has made millions of Palestinians suffered, and I bet the common civilian of Israeli have tired and hurt for this never ending war. The invasion of Israel to Palestinian lands must stop and end now! This is not the time to start another world war 3, and I say it’s time for the International Organizations (UN) to “act and condemn” this attack.

According to the news, the flotilla ships were carrying hundreds of humanitarian activists who provide aid for the people in Gaza Strip. However, because of the “uncivilized attack” it had killed as many as 10 people on board, many are injured and arrested. The Israeli government has made the decision to the rest of humanitarian activists to be detained, deported or put into trial.
The Israeli government spoke person claimed that the activists on the boats initiated the attacked first, so the troops were simply taking it as a “serious assault against the Israeli military”. Moreover, another claiming said that the activists on the ships had links to terrorist organization. Come on…are you guys in Israeli government really do have that ridiculous and clearly dense and foolish theory? For someone who worked for humanitarian organization before, I know for sure that humanitarian goal and purpose is simply to aid, without any attachment with any links of political and “other unintelligent” theories or whatsoever. Even the Turkey's prime minister, said the flotilla merely filled with civilian volunteers that carry humanitarian aid and has been strictly checked their purposes and other materials they brought.

The Israeli troops attack has made the pinpoint for the world to see the merciless of Israeli government towards the human right activities. The U.N and International nations and organizations must act over such cruelty.

Such heartlessness and brutality to Palestinians must end soon and humanitarian activists should not be the victims.

Sources: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast)
http://www.guardian.co.uk

Damon…

Too irresistible to resist

Oh admit it! Sometimes a handsome bad boy image is a dreamy guy to most of the female population, well me included of course. We sometimes fall for those who break our heart…ehmm..talking about personal experiences hahahaha! Anyway, I give you one sample of a bad boy character; Damon from the Vampire Diaries TV series. I have wanted to write about Damon character for quite some time now, and just tonight I just have to jot down what I think and it’s soooo important for me to speak my mind about Damon. Don’t you agree girls….! Maybe the casting for Ian Somerholder really fits his character as a “handsome/bad ass/charming/risk-taker/lovable yet annoying” man. I mean…come on with a handsome face, great body and charming smile..damn he’s too good to ignore! If you have watched Vampire Diaries season 1, you’ll know what I mean by too irresistible. He was so annoying and a jerk at the beginning of the series, but in the middle to the end you’ll learn that he is not “all bad”. He tends to be a jerk just to have fun and mostly to piss off his “good” brother, Stefan. And the minute he starts annoying Stefan…Damon is just getting “hot”. He does have this dark and sarcastic sense of humor, which he always uses it to upset Stefan. For the Vampire Diaries fans, I guess you know that Damon probably secretly falls in love with Elena, and he shows it with his own way. Elena in alike with Damon’s past love Katherine, yet Damon knows that Elena cannot be compared with Katherine. There is so much goodness in Elena, that Damon finally sees it. However, he knows that Elena and Stefan have relationship, though he doesn’t want to come between them, he shows his “affection” to Elena in the image of “bad ass” guy and always like to take things easily without too much thinking, ehmm..spontaneous act I guess! Stefan, on the other hand is more caring, thoughtful, and always saying that he has “more control” over blood compares to Damon. Yet, in some of the episodes it was revealed that Stefan could not control hid thirst, due to his “control” to feed on animal blood rather than human blood. Hence, when Stefan got exposed to human blood, his resistance for human blood is in question. As Damon said that Stefan has always been holding back of his true nature as Vampire, which is feeding on human blood, so when he tastes human blood running to his body, he tends to want more. Damon, then again..becomes “in control” for the human blood. If we see him in the first episodes how coldblooded and guiltless Damon for feeding from someone’s life, in the final episodes Damon survives his craving by drinking from “blood bank”. And no I won’t even compare him with Edward character from Twilight, I am a fan of Twilight but Damon and Edward is like comparing angel and demon, you know what I mean right! My final say would be for someone who is ruthless from the start …Damon finally turns into a “quite adorable” vampire…and oh boy I do hope the second season he will always stay lovable yet hated character because his character is developed into this irresistible bad boy! If you agree…say..team Damon hahahaha!

A Muslim is crowned as Miss USA 2010

Is it a political interference, a public acceptance or a dishonor for Muslim?

Rima Fakih is the new Miss USA 2010, she is an Arab-American of the Muslim faith. Rumor said that Rima Fakih and her family practice both the Christian and Muslim faiths. Born in 1986 in New York to Lebanese American immigrant parents, Rima Fakih graduated of the University of Michigan where she majored in Economics with a minor in Business. With the title of Miss USA, Rima Fakih has made headlines news, not just because of her winning as Miss USA, but also the controversy surrounding her winning; being a Moslem with its moral values and the surface of her pole dancing pictures scandal.
The beauty pageant contests such as Miss USA or Miss Universe have been an issue of controversy for Moslem countries especially Moslem women to enter the competition, whereas in one part of the contest, the contestants are obligated to pose with a swimsuit. In most devoted Muslim countries whereas women cover themselves from head to foot in a hijab or nikab (a covering worn in the presence of men), Rima Fakih’s swimsuit could hardly be considered as a Muslim women’s clothing characteristic. In that sense, probably many people are questioning how a Muslim woman such as Rima Fakih could participate in the swimsuit category for the Miss USA pageant, but still regard as a muslim. For some Muslim people, her action can be assumed that she is not a devout Muslem.
The general/ western representation of Muslim women is to wear hijabs as part of their Moslem identity. However, there are several Moslem countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, who some of the women are not covered by hijabs, they are still in their regular piece of clothing. As a country where most of the populations are Moslem, Indonesia also participates each year in the beauty pageant such as Miss World and Miss Universe. Maybe because in Indonesia, the controversy surrounding the participation in the swimsuit category does not become a constant problem, since the government and the Ministry of Culture approves the participation. But, me myself as a Muslim woman, feel that wearing hijab does not the only way to show us as Muslim, but it is also seen through our obligation to do our “Muslim duties” such as in praying 5 times a day, caring for others and creating peacefulness even though surrounded by other religions.
Fakih’s victory as Miss USA 2010, for some Muslim community could be seen as a public acceptance for Muslim in the eyes of fellow Americans or for some devoted Muslim could be seen as a disgrace. Since the terrorist attack in 9/11, the representation of Muslim in the public knowledge was destructive. During the period of horror, American had a difficult time in accepting Islam as a religion of peace. Therefore, for a Muslim woman to win an American beauty pageant is a sign that America’s perspective of Islam has made a public acceptance that Islam is not a threat. On the other hand, her showing skins in public eyes, can be seen by devoted Muslim as a disgrace for Muslim women, because she does not reflect a Muslim women’s clothing characteristic. Additionally, there were also a few pictures surface after Fakih’s winning, that she was once participated in a pole dancing contest. Another issue also emerged that it is one of the way to embarrassed the Muslim community, because what the public knowledge know about being Muslim women is how they cover themselves with hijab, but Fakih’s action may shifted the public perception for Muslim women, that showing skin is okay. The ridiculous issue afterwards, is that rumored Fakih's Lebanese background or some of her family members are linked to terrorism. How ridiculous is that!
I, myself think a beauty pageant should be seen as just a “beauty contest” and not a place to judge them by their political, religion, or races, especially a conspiracy theory. Please, it’s a beauty pageant, with 3 B as their motto, “beauty, brain, behavior”..we can just stick to that without adding more assumptions for Rima Fakih’s winning. It is her responsibility as a Muslim to do her own “private” life, it is not our place to judge if she is a devoted Muslim or not.

Return to Humanity

When no more blood remains...What will be the cure?

Beyond our imagination, the vampire world has extended its limit. Vampire smoking, ability to drive a car with a protected sun shield during the daylight using a modern technology, a sub walk that have made possible for the vampire to walk during daylight. The story sets in the year 2019 where most of the population are vampire, living a life like most human and the human race is only 5% left. Dr. Edward Dalton, a vampire and hematologist who works for a pharmaceutical firm, has to find an artificial blood supply since there is some sort of blood drought in the vampire world. Edward is also sympathetic for human, hence he has been fighting himself not to drink human blood anymore for a while. Along the way, he meets a bunch of human group that are trying to survive from the vampire abduction. In the group, Edward also discovers a person who found a way to transform himself back from being a vampire to human form again. In a "twisted" kind if way I would say, since the transformation procedure is "the common and natural way for vampire to die", which is to be burnt with the sunlight. Edward realizes that instead of finding the artificial blood, the sun light is actually the cure. So the vampire will try to get himself "suicide" by burning himself in the sun and then jump into the water. Surprisingly, the vampire will change back to human again. Ever since the blood drought, the riots within the vampire world is increasing, consequently, it has made some of the vampire are crazy and losing their mind(since they are limited with blood supply). Because the lack of blood supply, some of the vampires are sucking or drinking their own blood, which cause them to mutate into the vampire with wings and become more aggressive and violent. Edward also discovers that the cure to change the vampires back to human again is to drink the blood of the "transformed human". The question remains is, do the vampires want to be cure again (changed back into human form) or they want to stay damned in the eternity that causes them to fight for one another. This movie reminds us about the danger of the world we live in now...do human..or us want to have a better world or just stick with our negativity and bad influences that cause no clear future and war against human...which I say, it is happening slowly.

Pregnancy and Giving Birth Fearless

Good Attitude Saves You Good Time

Being pregnant is a wonderful thing. Believe it or not, the process through the nine months carrying a baby sometimes is not as easy as reading a theory. If someone asks me, how did I go through the delivery? I would say, that my experience was a good influence to pass on to those who need reassurance. I trust with positivity, women can give birth normally and have good memories after giving birth. It begins with positive thinking….
Everyone has different kind of experience during their pregnancy, and has different kind of technique to show and give attention to the infant in their belly. During pregnancy, women’s hormonal increases, which include being moody and all that. It is normal that sometimes you just want to burst out your anger when something doesn’t feel okay. However, it is helpful to get that anger out if you talk to your partner. Hence, according to the doctor that being too emotional is not healthy for the baby’s emotionally in the womb. Furthermore, they say an emotional mom will have an emotional baby. I would say, just talk to your friend or partner when something is bothering you or just go out with your friend, have lunch or watch a movie.
During pregnancy, everyone… and I mean everyone will have a say to you, about anything! Food that you must not eat, activity you must not have to do, things to teach the baby when they are still in the womb, and so on. I would say, whatever they say, just take the positive thing and adjust it with your own life. Since not everyone has the same opinion or action on what to do during pregnancy. For example, they say during the pregnancy just eat healthy food, and totally ignore the junk food. Hey, pregnant women are allowed to crave right, so I’m all about compromise, if you want to eat junk food like once in 3- 4weeks, then just go ahead. It’s not like you eat unhealthy food everyday. When I was pregnant, besides eating normal portion of lunch and dinner, I ate chocolate cereal with full cream milk every time I wanted. I only drank a glass of pregnancy milk, while the doctor suggested me to drink 2 glasses of pregnancy milk, since the doctor suggested that pregnancy milk has more folic acid that is good for the baby’s brain development. And being naughty, I also ate street Chinese noodles once a week, and I just thought that I ate a lot of nutritious food everyday anyway, so I had no guilty feeling about it. Ehm, but this example of mine about eating noodles was not a good advice to give okay, so adjust it with your own. Another thing was about me still driving a car until I was 9 months pregnant. The doctor said it was okay, so I did it anyway. A friend of mine told me that her baby has a bow-legged because she was driving during her pregnancy. I told my doctor about my friend’s story, and he convinced me that if the lack of baby’s physical condition was not triggered by normal driving, so I stayed on driving until 9 months. Fortunately, my doctor was the best because he always brought the positive attitude out of me, so I was confident all the way my pregnancy. A lot of women who are pregnant say that it is a positive thing to have the baby in the womb listen the classical music. I know I am such an opinionated person, therefore I always get my argument out first. For me, I do not really like classical music, for this reason I did not have my unborn baby to listen classical music, because simply I did not like it. A baby’s feeling and emotion are connected with the mother, if the mother does not like listening classical music, then don’t force it. Do something you like, and I did that. I always like children’s story books, so I always read my unborn baby children story books before I went to bed. Believe it or not, my daughter (a 3-year-old girl) is very talkative, imaginative, and quite smart I say! Another activity that you must do is sex! Sex is important in pregnancy because if you are having orgasm, it means you are feeling happy, and if mommy is happy, the baby is happy! Moreover, the liquid from the sperm helps your vagina to find its way to open, especially during the almost timing to labor!
When you know it is almost time to get labor, do not panic, because being panic just make your heart rate beating faster , you can’t think straight, and you will feel fake contraction (Braxton hicks). Just have a deep breath, think about all the instructions in the giving birth preparation class, have a positive attitude that YOU CAN DO THIS! Believe it or not, some friends of mine who saw my labor video, they say that I was laughing instead of crying. And yes, I was having more of a chit chat with the doctor and sometimes I laugh, and if I remember, even right now I do not have any pain memory during the labor. I gave my positive attitude and ignored the lines “I can’t do this”. For this reason, I always give my positive advice for those who want to give birth normally. I had no idea where I got that “I can do this” attitude, but my doctor say that because I always think positive and act on it, I managed to pass the labor smoothly. Of course it was a bit pain, but not a “pain in the ass” kind of memory. I remember the push, the in and out breathing, and the determination of knowing I can do this. During the fake contraction, I was already in hospital the night before and to add my “positive” attitude, but my vagina was not ready to have full labor, because it was only two fingers opening. So, I took another exercise, walking, and go up and down to the stairs. Exactly 16 hours I fought Braxton hicks contractions and not mention the doctor gave me medicine to increase the contraction and an half an hour after the medicine I gave birth. Wow, what a day!
No worries, just know that you can do this. It is all in your mind, take control of it, do preparation exercise, do and act what you like that you think it is safe for you and the baby, and believe it, it saves you a good memory!

The Hype of Twilight Saga

What is it about Twilight that make the girls and women can't get enough of?

Twilight Saga is like a new phenomenon for the young girls and women nowadays. It tells a story about Edward Cullen, a vegetarian vampire who described as handsome (God like, as they say), intelligent, thoughtful, and has a talent to read people's mind who fell in love with Bella Swan, an introverted, shy, clumsy, selfless and more importantly is a plain and ordinary girl. The novels were written by Stephenie Meyer which consist of 4 series; Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. The phenomenon of Twilight keeps on going since the first movie Twilight was released in November 2008, followed by New Moon that was released in November 2009,and the third saga Eclipse is about to be released in June 2010. Yet, the last saga has not been confirmed the actual production. I will not give an extend details of what the novel is all about. However, I am going to give my insights that the hype of Twilight Saga are factored by the relation of teenage girls with the characters, the love story, and the "rumors" of the Twilight co stars.

Personally, I was not a fan of novels or that kind of readings, since I am a more of visual person. Yet, after watching the film, I was hooked and still keeping myself up to date with the news. I do get why the young teens can relate a lot to this Bella character. I mean, Bella is a plain girl who got herself a handsome vampire boyfriend. The character Bella itself is related with the teenagers nowadays, who are dreaming to be swept off by a charming Prince. Yes indeed, it's kind of the 21st Cinderella story all over again, with a different twist, since the prince charming is a vampire. I would discuss how Bella is a typical teenage girl, because she is as the book said, irrevocably in love with Edward..in just a moment of seeing him. It does seem like teenage girl crush in most cases of Junior High- high School. Not most of real teen girls are pretty and famous, Bella is an ordinary girl, she does not like to be the center of attention, and yet is captured the heart of a handsome vampire. Teen girls relate to that, the dream of an ordinary girl to be in a romance with the Prince Charming. And to be quite honest, as comparison to Bella character there are several "female" characters from the other Vampire books, for example the character of Sookie Stackhouse(from True Blood series by Charlaine Harris), who is described as quite beautiful, strong, independent and outspoken woman. And the other character from LJ Smith novel-Vampire Diaries, is Elena Gilbert the beautiful, passionate, sweet, and feminine girl, and she is a cheerleader. Those two female characters are very much different with Bella. Because, as I point before, not all the girls are girly girl, beautiful, outspoken, and become an instant catch for handsome boys. Most average girls will definitely relate themselves with Bella,a plain and ordinary girl, yet the teen girls also want what Bella has, which is a God like boyfriend.

Forever young with your soul mate is the kind of love story presented in Twilight. Bella has found her true love in Edward, and vice versa. Twilight does not only portray a teen love story (which there is also a love triangle between Edward-Bella-Jacob), but also the issue of a teen marriage and a teen mom. In making an intense and interesting love story, a love triangle drama is a must ingredient. Since with the love triangle, we are forced to choose which one is the love of our life. Bella has made that choice, she chose to be with Edward her first and true love instead being with Jacob, her best friend whom she fell in love with later on. And even though there are two split fans, team Edward-Bella and Bella-Jacob, I guess most of the readers would still love the pairing of Edward-Bella, since Edward is a God like guy, and most of all is because Edward possessiveness with Bella that would make the teen girls wish they were Bella. I mean who wouldn't like being loved and cared by a handsome guy, and that guy only has eyes for one girl...ehmm talking about a "dream guy".I believe many fans of Twilight have read the 4th series where Bella finally married Edward and got pregnant. I guess because this book was written by a Mormon follower (a Mormon is a someone who does not have sex before marriage), so Bella and Edward only begun intimate as in intercourse after they were married, when Bella was 19 years old and Edward still a 109 year-old-vampire (who is actually still 17 years old). I mean, not only that this Novel is a Mom-approved reading, but Twilight has made new fans, which they called Twimoms. They are Moms who approve their daughters to read Twilight and also become fans. These Moms agreed in some level that dating should only be kissing (like what Edward and Bella did), and not to lead into intercourse. I think Twilight gave enlightens and new perspective to teens girls that dating does not have to lead on to intercourse, and Twimoms are loving this idea. However, as I said before Bella got married and become a mom in teens too, this kind of idea, should be explained to teens girls that it is not as simple as that. Moreover, the character of Bella being selfless and taking a risk to be with Edward forever, should be taken into a note that girls should not be that "selfless n risking their life" just to be with someone they love. I believe the Moms should further explain to their daughters about the relationship of Bella and Edward during dating, is acceptable but the idea of getting married and become a Mom, need to be thought as something different, and should be done in a mature and responsible situation.

The chemistry of Bella and Edward on screen is believed to be the reason why the Twilight is so big. The cast of Bella is played by Kristen Stewart and Edward is played by Robert Pattinson. These two stars have made the Twilight fans screaming all over the world. Believe it or not, it gave me goosebumps when I saw Twilight for the first time because their chemistry is hot! I guess it was not so hard to read that both actors have "off screen" chemistry that made the fans "hyperventilating" (quote by Stephenie Meyer who saw the kissing scene during the audition of Edward and Bella). During the promotion of Twilight, the fans of Twiight did not really notice that Kristen and Robert had "on and off" romance (since Kristen had a boyfriend, actor Michael Angarano). The true fans of the actors start noticing them in the photos where Kristen and Robert always stole glances every now and then and also in the Vanity Fan video where they were really intimate. Furthermore, the prove of these two are an item, was discovered in early 2009 when photos of them hanging out together were photographed by papparazi. And some pictures when Kristen and Robert stayed the night at hotel together. Hence, the magazine round ups for these two are like crazy, because they are exploited in every gossip magazines. These young actors became the new" brangelina" coupling, which they called "Robsten". Yet, Robert and Kristen have never admitted they are dating, whenever they are asked for personal questions, they will avoid them. According to Ted Casablanca from E! the Awful truth, this couple are private couple and try to keep it down low, and they do not want to be known because of the relationship, so that is why they never wan to talk about their relationship. However, because of this "secretive couple" the hype of Twilight has kept on going since 2008 an it never stops! The magazines have made this couple to become their headlines and cover for gossip (even untrue gossip about them), for example in one week we have headlines like "Robert has proposed to Kristen", and next week we will have "The couples are apart" or "Kristen is pregnant"....and so on and so on. I guess the fans really do enjoy their "relationship, because that would make them as the real Edward and Bella, since it fits with the description of "life imitate art".

Twilight Saga is truly an enjoyable "entertainment", and with the hype still going strong even when the film is not out in the theater yet, but the fans keep on loving the news or gossip about Twilight! If you really want to check on the news and gossip for Twilight, you can check in E! The Awful Truth or go to the fans website,such as Twilighters or Twilightindo (original by Indonesian fans). So, I can't wait to watch Eclipse in June!

My Name is Khan: A Different Perspective on a Moslem Journey

First of all I only watch Bollywood movies when they pair-up Kajol and Sharukh Khan (SRK). I love them paired-up in Dilwale Dulhania Diljayenge, Kuch Kuch Hotae, and Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham. My Name is Khan is directed again by Karan Johar who indeed directed these duo film stars, Kajol as Mandira Khan and SRK as Rizvan Khan. Hey, what can I say, when I see these two in a film , I got hooked. So, any movies starring these two definitely a worth watching movie. In My Name is Khan, I love their chemistry and I think SRK delivered his acting well as a person who's got Asperger syndrome. I can see his awkwardness,weirdness,strong belief, and real expressions whenever he delivered his lines. I'd say it's the most fav film I've watched in 2010! Despite the asperger and love theme, I do agree the importance of Moslem Portrayal in US, as a second citizen and now the portrayal also shifted into "the enemy" since 9/11 incident. The movie covered a lot of issues, the man who's got an asperger syndrome then fell in love, and getting married with the different religion, and how Moslem is portrayed in America, and last but not least the humanity part.

I would say that the way the media portrays "Moslem" religion might cause this biased view among countries that have Moslem minority as their citizens. I mean, what the media portray are mostly the violent, never ending war between Iraq and Iran and all the terrorist attack that bombarded not just US but also Moslem based countries, such as Indonesia. It's like news coverage just brought up the news on the negativity of "moslem" which is always related with terrorist, since the terrorists are Moslem. Moreover the terrorists are the extreme version of moslem and not a true Moslem, because Islam always teaches kindness not violence, the same with every religion teaches their people. from what I know the number of Terrorist are only small, a very tiny small from all the Moslem poeple in the world. I, as a moslem would like the media to protray more of a true moslem perception and points of view on how they want to fit in the world or in the country they want to live in, with harmony among the other religion and a sense of togetherness when the terrorists attack the non moslem country,which not also hurting the country itself and the opinion of the world towards Islam, but it also hurts True Moslem that the terrorist attacks means a disgrace towards all Moslem people.

In the film My Name is Khan, another topic emerged about a person who has asperger syndrom that can live "normal" in the society. I have no knowledge at all for asperger characteristic, but I know that SRK had delivered the character well. There were funny moments on how Rizvan Khan who had asperger can honestly say what he wanted to say in a naive and innocent way, for example; when the first time he wanted to have sex with his wife,Mandira, yet they haven't done anything, and Mandira said that a married couple should "do more" than just a hand holding, and Rizvan replied her by saying that he knew that they should do more because he has read a book "intercourse for the idiots". And another one when Mandira was cooking in the kitchen, Rizvan came home from work and came up to Mandira and asked her immediately to have sex. I would say that it was a spontaneous and honest request from someone who has asperger.

For all I know a Moslem, being married to another religion is forbidden. And yet, this film conveyed another message about marriage in different religion, which is Hindi and Islam.I might have a little knowledge about this different religion marriage, but the conflict of different religion marriage is not just about the "love" they share together, but mostly about the adjustment of principle. For example, in Islam, we have fasting month and the obligation to pray 5 times a day, while in Hindi or other religion have different kind of practice. But, the message of this story is not about "difference" but about "sharing". In the film, during the storm that cause a damage in Georgia, Rizvan Khan stayed with mama Jenny, who is a devoted Catholic. In this scene, it portrays the tolerance and respect of other religion (Islam and Catholic). It had the scene where Rizvan Khan can pray in "his own Islam prayer" in a church,and despite the different religion he had when he stayed in mama Jenny house (in Georgia, he helped the people in Georgia, no matter what their religion are. In the film, Rizvan can also do the praying 5 times day when his wife, Mandira does another Hindi prayer. In the film, Mandira did regret a bit for marrying Rizvan Khan because during that time, the 9/11 incident just happened, and Moslem's name were the target for terrorist suspicion. Khan is a family name for Moslem in mostly India, so because Mandira was married to Rizvan automatically she had "Khan" as her last name. This "Khan" last name became a conflict when Mandira's son (or Rizvan step son) got bullied in school because he had "Khan" name as his last name. The death of Mandira's son has cause conflict in the marriage when Mandira asked Rizvan to go out from their house, and Mandira asked Rizvan to come back when he can get the message to the President," My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist".

The media has the power to influence people though the pictures or the news delivered to the audiences. Hence, it is important to have this kind of movie (My Name is Khan) to portray the Moslem in a very human angle, that we, Moslem do help people no matter what the religion is.
And that we are part of the society, even though we are living with different religions, so when our humanity is challenged by natural disaster struck Georgia (just like in the movie Khan was very much attached with the family in Georgia, which is Mama jenny), we Moslem do will take action. I love the scene where Rizvan Khan prayed together in a church! I think that was the point also in the film, I mean, we pray together as a moslem and as a Catholic..no matter where the place and what incident happen, as long as they help each other. It really touched me, and I think it's a great message to be conveyed to the world.

Becareful when taking your medicine, especially antibiotic, because it might cause allergic

This post is highly recommended to all the people who take medicine without knowing the side effects. I had a toothache, and it is very annoying because it bothered my appetite and I can't open my mouth wide. On the right bottom of my tooth point was taken along time a go, so it only left the upper right of my tooth point, and now it only pressed my gum, which hurts so much. Hence there was no other way than to remove it. So I went to this dentist, and filled out the necessary form about my tooth history. After the examination, it appeared that my right upper point tooth needed to be removed, so the doctor set me up with a small operation later this weekend. Next I was given a prescription for tooth painkiller, and antibiotic if my tooth still hurt after taking the pain killer. I was asked if I have any allergy to certain kind of medicine, and all that I know that I've never had any allergy to certain medication. When I got home I took one tablet of pain killer then in the evening at 8 pm I took the pain killer and the antibiotic. Later on around 1.30 am I felt my face was all itchy. I just thought it might be only mosquito or something. But when I woke up the next morning, I was so surprised that I saw my face was all swollen. My eyelids, my nose, my cheeks were swollen I was all panicked. All I think about was what food that I ate the other night, or it might have something to do with my medicine, since the itchy and swelling only appeared on my face not my body, so that means it must be oral medication that I consumed.

what a bummer, because the day my face was swollen, was a national holiday, so I could not get in touch with the doctor who gave me medication. So, I quickly went to the 24 hour Doctor, and he gave me this anti allergic medicine. But, it did not seem to work, because I still do have swollen face ( I guess my face looked like the "face off" person of someone who got beaten up badly..hey I was trying to make something good about my condition, I mean not to be panicking and stuff because it only makes matter worst right...). Anyway, after the no reaction thing from the anti allergic medicine, I checked out on the internet about the medicine that I consumed. And from what I researched there were a few cases like me who had taken a certain antibiotic type clindamycin, who got the itchy or swelling side effects to certain people. So apparently, I am one of those people who allergic to that antibiotic. I was doing research on the internet, and it did not give me enough sources about the treatment post-allergic. It only said to stop the medicine being used and to consult the doctor who prescribed it. None of it to give any advice like what sort of food or at least pre-treatment for the allergic. I was really panicked because the anti allergic medicine did not give any reaction, even though the swelling was abit decreasing, but the anti allergic was sure really take a long time to deflate the swelling.

So, I went back to the dentist who gave me the clindamycin prescription and she told me that I was 100% sure allergic to that type of antibiotic. Next time, I should have taken the note on that for sure! No clindamycin antibiotic or else my face is swelling! She told me the swelling will get better in a max 1 week...she said that it took a while to recover because my body endurance was quite week, so it would be different to some people to recover, depends on their body endurance to prevent any diseases. My doctor recommended me with different antibiotic and I should still take the anti allergic medicine, along with milk to neutralize the poison in my body I guess. The doctor also told me just to take 1/4 of a tablet on the new presciption of antibiotic that I took, just see for a couple of hours how my body reacted. Well. I guess after taking that new prescription my body did not have any reaction to it, dispite the itchy and the still swollen face, no new allergy has occured. Note taken, lesson learned, and trying to be stress-free from the swollen face...

Please my advice to all of you who are not aware if you are allergic or not on the new prescription that the doctor gives you, is to take just 1/4 of one tablet first, and see for couple of hours how it reacts to your body. Because, you could be like me..someone who has never had any allergic to any medication, yet...when given something new the allergy occured. We have to know our body well, becareful and search the internet for more info if you feel hesitant about the medicine you're taking.