Last night I had a fasting break with my two old friends. We had a long chit chat, 'cekikikan' here and there, while trying to finish our big meals. Below is one of the 'ancur' conversation:
Friend #1: "Anak lo manggil lo apa?"
Friend #2: "Papi dong, gue kan indo."
Friend #1: "Puppy kan artinya anak anjing."
Friend #2: @#$%^&*
Papi
Ramadhan
Is there any correlation between getting older and feeling reluctant to have fasting break in a mall?
It happens to me lately. I could not stand the crowd in the mall during Ramadhan month and all what we call it, hustle and bustle.
It's really different with my condition in the old times. Every time Ramadhan came, I was always very excited, my schedule was full with the appointment to have fasting break with my friends in the mall rather than having fasting break at home with my family (see, what an 'anak gaul' I was back then).
The situation is totally different now. I think this 'reluctant' feeling came when I finally have my first daughter (after waiting for 3 yrs). I guessed it's all started there. I was so happy to be blessed with children, if some other mommies having 'a baby blues', it surely did not happen to me, in fact I had 'a baby pink' syndrome, crazy about anything in pink color *excuse*.
To date, every time the office hour ends, I automatically tidy my desk, turn off my PC, grab my handbag, run along to the train station and get the earliest train that I can catch up with. Yup..., I now change into a 'home sweet home' lady.
Next week, my office will have a fasting break for all employees and I already feel not so enthusiastic about it. I don't know, if the Event Organizer provide a door prize, either a plasma TV or METRO voucher, perhaps I could give a second thought to join it.
kira-kira
kira-kira in Japanese means glittering or shining. That's how Katie Takeshima's sister, Lynn, makes everything seem. The sky is kira-kira because its color is deep but see-through at the same time. The sea is kira-kira for the same reason. And so are people's eyes.
When Katie and her family move from a Japanese community in Iowa to the Deep South of Georgia, it's Lynn who explains to her why people stop on the street to stare. And it's Lynn who, with her special way of viewing the world, teaches Katie to look beyond tomorrow.
But, when Lynn becomes desperately ill with Lymphoma and ultimately dies, the whole family begins to fall apart, it's up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always hope and something glittering -- kira-kira -- in the future.
The story is really touching. Although this is a children novel, but Cynthia Kadohata write it in a beautiful way. No wonder if she received a Newberry Medal for this book. You may check here for more detail info about the writer.
A Great Package
It's been such a long time that Peter Moore's books are in my wish list. At first I am a kind of desperate to get his books. I've checked at Periplus, Kinokuniya and Aksara and found nothing.
Couple days a go I've got info that Peter Moore's books can be purchased at Times UPH Karawaci.
I remember Ingkan, a friend who works at Karawaci and also loves books. I contacted her and asked her help to buy me the books. She said yes without hesitation.
Yesterday, the package of 3 Peter Moore's books (No Shitting in the Toilet, The Wrong Way Home, and Swahili for the Broken Hearted) arrived at my office. Whoa....so excited about it. Can't stand to start reading them all.
Again, I thank Ingkan for her efforts. You're really are a reliable friend. Thanks a lot.
Unaccustomed Earth
When the first time I read Jhumpa Lahiri's novel "The Namesake" (it's been adapted into a movie), I could not put it away since it's written down with exquisite prose, emotional wisdom and subtle rendering of the most intricate working of the heart and mind.
I continued by reading her other book "Interpreter of Maladies", a Pulitzer prize winning and I found it also awesome. The style of the writing is still the same.
Then every time I go to the bookstore, I always check whether there is a new book of Lahiri. Eventually, last August, I got this mint book. Since this was new, it had only hardcover edition which cause the price was a bit expensive, secondly it's heavy to be brought here and there. But...I could not stand it. I grabbed it and went directly to the cashier. Thank God, it's independence day and Periplus gave 17 % discount for all new books. I know...it sounds like a freak, but when I find a good book, I suddenly can turn into a freak.
The book itself contains of eight stories that take us from Cambridge and Seattle to India and Thailand as they enter the lives of sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers, daughters and sons, friends and lovers.
The stories mostly tell about Indians who move and stay in America and find a lot of complex situation there.
My favorite story is "Only Goodness" tells about a sister eager to give her younger brother the perfect childhood she never had, by introducing him with alcohol but in the end she overwhelmed by guilt, anguish, and anger when his alcoholism threaten her family.
All in all, I highly recommend (especially for women) to read Jhumpa Lahiri's books. It's really touching. The flow is a bit slow but it's enriched with beautiful detail prose. Worth to read.
