The Imitation Game

So what? I had my suspicions. I always did. But we're not like other people. We love each other in our own way, and we can have the life together that we want. You won't be the perfect husband? I can promise you I harboured no intention of being the perfect wife. I'll not be fixing your lamb all day, while you come home from the office, will I? I'll work. You'll work. And we'll have each other's company. We'll have each other's minds. Sounds like a better marriage than most. Because I care for you. And you care for me. And we understand one another more than anyone else ever has.

--The Imitation Game

#Just watched one of the best movies in 2015, highly recommended. Find more about the movie here.

Eka Kurniawan

A friend recommended me to read Eka Kurniawan's works. She said it's a page turner. Well..since I don't find many Indonesian good books lately thus I finally decided to follow my friend's advice. I found three novels written by Eka, Cantik Itu Luka, Lelaki Harimau and Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas. He also wrote down several short-stories compilation. 

And yes, Eka's a genius. I feel like reading a world-class-novel. The themes, the plot, the strong characters, the wording and everything are just beyond everything. Once you starts reading it, you will find it's unputdownable. You just want to stop doing anything else and cuddling up in your coach to finish dealing with the story.

To date I still feel that Pramoedya Ananta Toer is the best Indonesian writer. No other Indonesian writers can beat his works especially the Tetralogy Pulau Buru, it's definitely a masterpiece. Under detention at Buru island with limited facility and stressful condition, Pram was still able to finish his awesome works. A deep bow. Now I found Pram's style in Eka Kurniawan's writing. Not only Pram, also Ahmad Tohari, even Kafka, Marquez and many more influences that makes Eka's work is stunning. 

His masterpiece Cantik Itu Luka has been translated into Japanese and Malaysia and soon will be released in English. A must read.

Find more about Eka Kurniawan's website here.

Turning 42

At Dusun Bambu, Lembang

You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.

--Bob Hope

A Birthday Surprise

Teacher Ely, Najla's teacher had her birthday on 11th January (last Sunday). Since a month ago Najla and her classmates had already been busy preparing for a birthday surprise. They collected some money to buy a birthday cake. Others prepared a birthday card and also some presents. 

Although they are only grade 4 students but I guess they are already very good in keeping a surprise until the d-day. Yesterday, Najla asked me to take her earlier to school since she and her classmates would prepare for all necessary stuff related to the birthday surprise.

Not long after 9 am, teacher Ely posted at whatsapp group mentioning that she's speechless and very much touched by her students attention. I am sure this is one of her best birthdays ever. So proud of Grade 4 Belarus students and happy birthday to Teacher Ely, wish you nothing but the best!!!!

#all pics are courtesy of Teacher Ely.

#88LoveLife

Title: #88LoveLife

Author: Diana Rikasari

Illustrator: Dinda Puspitasari

Publisher: PT Gramedia, Jakarta

128 pages, 3rd Printing, December 2014

Language is a perception, so it's okay to make your own Dictionary.

I decided to omit the word, Problem.  

--#48 of #88LoveLife, Diana Rikasari

Currently becoming a fashion blogger is quite something. More and more blogs are made. I am very much happy to see these creative young people. Although I am not into fashion but I just love to see their unique and confident way in their everyday's wear. My favourite fashion blogger is Diana Rikasari's blog. Always love to see her colourful and cheerful way in dressing even her house is also so dynamic with colour and pattern. It definitely might become a mood booster. 

As a creative person Diana did lots of creative activity. Beside managing her blog, having shoes business, she also a wife and a mother of one-cute-boy. Now she has one more profession as an author. No, it's not a book about fashion in fact it's a self improvement book. Diana shares her 88 thoughts in love and life completed with beautiful illustration. The thoughts are compilation of her writing since 2007.

One more thing that I love about Diana is her positive attitude towards everything. She also experienced the up-and-down of life however no matter how hard the condition was she always tried to see the bright side of everything. Such an inspiring person. 

The decision to be happy is not made for you.

It is a decision you make for yourself.

--#24 of #88LoveLife, Diana Rikasari

Top Five Favorite Books in 2014

It's time to wrap up all books that I read during 2014. Actually I am not too proud about myself since I only finished around 30 books in 2014 while my target was one book per week or 50 books in a year. Too ambitious? I think so. Plan is plan. Reality is absolutely a different issue. Although the visit to bookshop seems never getting less and I can easily prove it by seeing scattered books around the house however the reading speed is very much slow now #BlameItOnOldAge. Other reasons were too many such as too sleepy, too tired, not enough time and   so on...#IHaveThousandsReasonsAsAnExcuse. 

Well…let's hope a miracle happens this year and I can finish reading all those books at home. Anyway here is the list of my favourite books in alphabetical order:

1. Adultery, Paulo Coelho.

2. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, Haruki Murakami

3. Maya's Notebook, Isabel Allende

4. The Lowland, Jhumpa Lahiri

5. The Strange Library, Haruki Murakami.   

Happy to see two Murakami's books on the list. And I'll be waiting for more and more awesome books in 2015 to buy not to read..lol  !!!  

A Rainy New Year Yet A Warm Birthday

Your children need your presence more than your presents.

--Jesse Jackson

The Birthday Girl

Happy 8th birthday, our forever baby Zea

Hope your passion in writing will turn you into a great writer

but if suddenly you change your mind and have a new dream 

to become a singer or a dancer or a chef or anything at all

just do it, sweety pie 

we are here to support you 

and love you always to the moon and back

--Mama, Ayah & Kakak Najla