Ulang Tahun

Dear Kakak Najla,

Selamat ulang tahun ke 14,

Semoga terus sehat, tetap baik hati, makin sholehah dan jangan lupa bahagia.

Salam sayang,
Mama-Ayah-Dd Zea

Maaf, Umur Ibu Berapa?

Lokasi:
Salah satu pertokoan besar di Jakarta Selatan, hujan deras di hari Jumat sore.

Dalam kondisi seperti ini, mendapatkan angkutan online atau taksi merupakan suatu keajaiban.

Setelah mencoba aneka aplikasi, akhirnya dapat juga taksi si Burung Biru.

Baru menempatkan pantat di kursi, supir taksi, seorang bapak paruh baya, langsung bertanya,
"Maaf, umur ibu berapa?"

Kaget dengan pertanyaan si bapak supir, saya spontan menjawab, "46 tahun, kenapa Pak?"

"Enggak, saya setiap hari Jumat, berniat memberikan tumpangan gratis untuk para lansia."

Saya tercenung. Bingung. Harus terharu dengan program sosial si bapak atau tersinggung, karena ..............dianggap lansia.

Hahaha...makin tua makin baper. Tumbler Starbucks ditulis 'Kak Riana' saja rasanya bahagia, mood bisa berubah kalau tulisannya 'Ibu Riana'.  

Ulang Tahun

The Legendary Fresh Cream Strawberry Cake from Chateraise, super YUMMY

Tak terasa sudah 46 tahun hidup di bumi ini
Waktu sungguh terbang
Age is just number
Young is forever
Quote favorit orang-orang yang menolak tua

Namun umur tidak pernah bohong
Memasuki usia 40-an
Banyak hal-hal yang akhirnya membuat kita sadar bahwa kita memang lansia, uzur, jompo
Cepat capek, sering mengantuk, sering lupa, malas susah, malas berdesak-desakan, malas repot, mulai memikirkan gula daráh, tensi daráh, kolesterol, berat badan, dan lain-lain
Intinya mau menikmati hidup dengan segala hal yang kita miliki

Lebih bersyukur
Terutama masalah kesehatan
Olahraga suatu kewajiban yang harus dinikmati
Karena memang harus dijalani

Harta yang paling berharga adalah keluarga
Ini bukan tertular film Keluarga Cemara (yang sukses membuat berkaca-kaca & cari-cari tissue)
Tapi seiring usia, makin terasa keinginan untuk kumpul bareng keluarga

Lingkaran pertemanan juga semakin menyusut
Malas rasanya berkumpul dengan orang-orang yang tidak sehati
Ngopi, ngeteh, kongkow, gossip, belanja hanya dengan teman yang itu-itu såja
Enggak bosan? Tak ada kata bosan untuk berghibah, Astagfirullah...

Makin hari makin malas update blog
Banyak buku, film, cerita perjalanan yang seharusnya dibagi di sini
Namun hanya berakhir di dalam hati dan kepala
Semoga di tahun 2019, hasrat menulis blog kembali hadir
Semoga.

Terima kasih tak terhingga untuk Ayah, Najla & Zea
Untuk semuanya
Untuk kesabaran, ketabahan, menghadapi Mama yang banyak maunya ini
You're all the Center of My Universe.
I am so definitely lucky.
Hamdallah. 

Introducing Cafe Unju'an & iLegal Library

Unju'an Cafe/iLegal Library

Although I don't drink coffee but I always love the smell of coffee in a cozy coffee shop accompanied by my favorite books and good music, wow....such a piece of heaven. Hence having a cafe on my own was also one of the wishlists.

I flashed back a bit. Back to several months ago when my partners (in our law firm) & I  thought that having an office in Kuningan area was not nice anymore. Its crazzy traffic slowly  killed us and we just realized that it's time for us to make our move. Moving somewhere else. Leaving all this hustle and bustle and finding a more peaceful office space.

And one day one of my partners found this cozy house in Kebayoran Baru area. Located in the residences area surrounded by lots of nice cafes and restaurants, we thought this was it. We negotiated with the owner and decided to rent it for the next  two years.

The first program at iLegal Library was Book Discussion

This was the first time for our law office to be located in a house instead of tall buildings since for the past nine years we always rented office space in Kuningan area. So...yes, we needed to adapt, to do lots of renovation and to shop for many furniture and stuffs.

You can also karaoke here!

We then thought to do something as our legacy.  Yep, we've been working for more than 20 years so it's not only works then. We must do something different. We decided to have a complete yet nice legal library that will provide law books for anyone needs it. However we realized that library is not a popular place for Indonesian therefore we need to combine this library with something. 

or have a family gathering

One quite afternoon a friend of us thew his idea to open a cafe in our library. We were speechless and could only say, WOW. It's true what Paulo Coelho said, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

That's how one of my dreams came true. Finally, the cafe is there. Next to our office. I can always visit it to work/read/have meetings/daydream/chat or just sit there and do nothing.    

Still need more books to fill in the bookshelf

So...if you guys happen to be around Kebayoran Baru/Wolter Monginsidi/Blok S/Pasar Santa/Ciragil and around, please do drop by at Cafe Unju'an. You can enjoy our coffee/tea/chocolate and some snacks. We also rent the place for private meeting/gathering/book launching/karaoke, etc for limited 15 persons (yup,,,it's just a small but COZY cafe). Btw the name Unju'an is from Javanese. It has several meaning but for this cafe we think we want to relate it with 'something served' (hidangan). We have three baristas and they are college students who have passion in dealing with coffee. Salute to these young people.

All in all, we'll be waiting for your visit:))

Cafe Unju'an/iLegal Library

Jl. Cikatomas II No. 1A

Kebayoran Baru

Jakarta Selatan

Working Hours: Monday-Saturday, 08.00 - 21.00 

Birthday

Dear Daddy,

We may find a prince someday

but...you will always be our KING.

Happy birthday.

Love,

Najla & Zea

#ABelatedBirthday
#August10,2018
#DaddysGirls

Weekend Getaway: Hotel U Janevalla Bandung

Ah .....after five months left this blog, I am so very happy to finally write something here. Miss you, my blog:)

  

My hubby got two wedding party invitations in Bandung last week. Considering the crazy traffic from Jakarta to Bandung, it seemed it's impossible to go back and forth from Jakarta to Bandung. Then in the injury time, I browsed in the internet and found this cozy place to stay, Hotel U Janevalla on Jalan Aceh, next to Arya Duta Hotel and behind Bandung Indah Plaza.   

The hotel has an industrial design. Simple yet interesting. It's completed with a mini library (with limited books and visitors), and what the girls love would be the rooftop restaurant and swimming pool. It reminded us of a small version of Jane Orchard Hotel Singapore's rooftop swimming pool.

Athough the hotel was just open for the past three months however I saw that it was quite full. I guess that's due to the power of Traveloka, Trip Advisor, Social Media and all which give high score for this property.

One thing that disturbed us was only the breakfast. The restaurant for breakfast was too small while the hotel guests were soooo many. The hotel provided two floors for the breafast unfortunately the food and the drink were only available on ground floor while mezanine floor only had chairs for sitting. Since my family was a leyeh-leyeh group and arrived there on 8 o'clock then almost all places have already been occupied so we finally sat on mezanine floor and needed to go back and forth from one floor to another with glass and plate on our hands to get our breakfast. Gosh...it's killing me (makan jadi ga maksimal, KZL).

Hopefully the hotel will do something about the breakfast thing since this hotel is quite recommended. It has strategic location and  lovely design. Although the parking space is limited but the hotel provides a valet parking. If you're looking for an alternative hotel in Bandung, this hotel might be an option since it has instagrammable spots in many areas.  

Find more on Hotel U Janevalla here.

Dilan 1990

Just like others, this Dilan fever truly hits everyone from almost all level of ages. I never read the book, I thought the book was kind of teenagers' romance and I guess I am done with that kind of book genre. The reason why I watched the movie several weeks ago with my hubby and the girls was simply to celebrate our nineties moment since the movie was set back in 1990 and this was totally my hubby and I since we enjoyed our high school moment exactly during 1989-1992. Yep, I know we are old. *defensive* 

But Dilan 1990 the movie turned out to be wayyyy beyond that. Its simple yet sweet story left us smiled here and there and haunted me for several days, hahaha...I finally went to Gramedia and directly bought those three books of Dilan series and...finished all of them within a very short time *thePowerofHighCuriosity* hahaha...

The movie is very faithful to the book perhaps since the movie script writer was also the author himself Pidi Baiq. Pidi even chose the lead characters for Dilan and Milea. Although at the beginning many people doubted Iqbaal as Dilan however Pidi proved himself that he as the author knew best for the characters he created. Kudos to Pidi Baiq and also Iqbaal, his acting was awesome.

The movie took almost two hours without any extreme conflicts but it's just enjoyable. We enjoyed every scene, its absurd yet witty dialogue, the athmospere and all successfully brought us back to that highschoolers moment when your most serious problem was having a fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend hahaha...

And I just found out that on its 12th day, the movie has already reached its 4 millions viewers, a big WOW. This Dilan series, the books, the movie and all teach us that something simple can leave an important mark on people's heart. As it is said that when you make something purely with your heart, the result also will easily touch other people's heart. That simple. 

  

Semarang, The Little Netherland #3

After experiencing Airbnb properties, I think I am in love with it. Everytime we go somewhere, if it is possible I prefer to check Airbnb properties first before choose Agoda, Traveloka, or others. 

It happened when we were in Semarang. Since the girls are getting bigger so now we need 4 (four) beds for all of us. The choices will be booking 2 (two) standard rooms (not a nice choice since we will be in separate rooms) or second choice is booking a family room while not all hotels have it or they provide it with a pricey price. While at Airbnb, I can get an entire  house or an apartment with 2 (two) bedrooms for all of us with friendly prices. 

Like in Semarang, I browsed the Airbnb properties before I found this awesome villa complex at Bukit Jaya Residence, Banyumanik. Located up in the hill of Semarang therefore the view is beautiful and the weather is kind of cool. Remind me of Puncak area in West Java. 

The villa itself is located in a new complex consisting of 12 villas. The villa was equipped with fully furnished furniture, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one is with a bathtub, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen. It also has a swimming pool facility and Mas Aris, the man who was in charge, served us with yummy breakfast. You can choose, there is Nasi Pindang, Nasi Soto, Nasi Kuning, Bubur Ayam, and many more.    

With all those excellent facilities, the property only asked me for a very reasonable price, less than 1 million. Wow. I guess it's just another lucky day for us in Semarang.  

Semarang, The Little Netherland #2

Tay Kak Sie Temple Jl Lombok

"You're not just paying for a trip,

you're paying for an experience

and a LIFETIME of memories."

Sam Poo Kong Temple

Kampung Pelangi

Where to go in Semarang?

Menu @ Teko Deko

Soto Ayam Bangkong-Kampung Pelaangi-Lawang Sewu-Sam Poo Kong Temple-Tay Kak Sie Temple-Restoran Pesta Keboen-Kota Lama Semarang-Gereja Blendoek-Spiegel Bar & Bistro-Dream Museum Zone-Teko Deko Koffiehuis. 

Spiegel Bar & Bistro

Dream Museum Zone

45

It was January 14, 2018

It was my 45th birthday 

Endless gratitude for this beautiful life

and....uncountable happiness.

Big thanks for Mbak Debby for its yummy Nasi Kecombrang Sambal Gandaria and its fresh Rujak Tampah

Alhamdulillah...

Semarang, The Little Netherland #1

We didn't realise  we were making memories

We just knew we were having fun.

Destination: Umbul Sidomukti, Pondok Kopi & Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah

This Semarang trip was kind of a sudden idea. Our family is really not into crazy crowd therefore we always stay home on new year's eve. Lucky us, last week people already got back to their works and kids were back to school so..yes, it's a perfect time to just enjoy our holiday peacefully.   

I love old and historical buildings and I never thought that Semarang has LOTS of grand historical buildings in many places. God. However the maintenance is not so good though but the guide at Lawang Sewu, Pak Aris, told me that the recent government seems to care more for these cultural heritage.

I really hope that when I go back to this city, Semarang has changed into the little Netherland just like what's stated in my daughters' t'shirts.  

Turning 11

Hey, our new year baby!

Here's wishing you a birthday as special as you are.

You are one-in-a-million and deserve the best birthday ever!!!

Love & Hugs,

Ayah, Mama & Kk Najla

#CelebratedOnJanuary1st

Book Review: Laut Bercerita

Title: Laut Bercerita

Author: Leila S. Chudori

Publisher: KPG (Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia)

First Print, October 2017

379 pages

Ketidaktahuan dan ketidakpastian kadang-kadang jauh lebih membunuh dibanding pembunuhan.

Laut Bercerita tells about a college student named, Biru Laut. Some people perhaps were born to live in their idealism. They want to do something for the country, they want to have an ideal government who care about its people, while the government itself is not that friendly in receiving the critics. It happened during Suharto's era. The New Order was considered as a dictator. Violating the human rights, unfairness in politics and economics, etc. Until we heard that 23 persons were kidnapped on May 1998 and up until now there are still 13 of them that have no news yet. 

Laut Bercerita took place during 1991 until 1998. The book tells about the loss felt by the families and friends of their beloved persons. There is also betrayal and a very sadistic torture by those for whom power is more valuable than lives. 

There are parents who always put one extra plate during their family lunch just because they hope their beloved one will suddenly come and visit the house. This kidnapping mostly changed the lives of the family and friends. Reading this book really needs a strong heart since the story felt so real (yes, it's based on true events) and some of these missing people are still gone and to date government also seems not to do any significant efforts to reveal the case.

One of the lines in the book that broke my heart:

Begitu hujan mulai membasahi Tanah Kusir, aku merasa para penghuni makam terbangun dan membunyikan serunai. Mereka menghibur kami, orang-orang yang tak memiliki makam orang-orang tercinta.

The author, Leila S. Chudori, a senior journalist, said that this book was inspired by her friend's story, Nezar Patria, who was kidnapped with other 20 persons due to their activities considered as a threat for Suharto's government. Nezar and some of his friends were released however there are still many of them that have no news at all up until now. The families and friends left are living with endless pain for the rest of their lives. Their lives will never be the same again.

One of the best Indonesian books in 2017. A must read to learn about Indonesian history. 

Backpacking with Kids: Korea #3

Destination #3: Seoul

"Not all classrooms have four walls.

Through travel, the world becomes a classroom."

Seoul in Summer was kind of confusing. Sometimes the heatwave came, then suddenly the pouring rain wetted us all.  Perhaps it is not the best  time for holiday, yet the positive side is lots of favourite photo spots were empty and we could take photo shoots as many as we want. #Greedy

We really felt we're lucky when we rented Korean traditional dress (Hanbok) and walked through Bukchon Hanok Village for photo session. This place is always full of tourists but that lazy hot afternoon we only met couple of tourists.

Bukchon is  a 'house' for around 900 Korean traditional houses (Hanok). Every spot here is beautiful. Try to get lost in the alleys while enjoying the houses, the walls, the roofs, the garden and everything, you'll feel that you're sent away to Korea in hundred of years a go. Bukchon  is such a contrast with the modern city afar.

Beside Bukchon, we also dropped by at Gyeongbokgung Palace and got the opportunity to watch the changing palace guards ceremony.  

Banana Milk is the perfect drink during Korean summer

Other happening place in Seoul, it must be Myeong-dong, a heaven for skincare, cosmetics, shopping for all tourists and cosmetics sellers. Such a packed place with local products and imported products, just choose what you want. People were busy spending their money on everything. Many of them brought their luggages to put all the stuff they bought. If you're into Korean products, you'll love this place since there are many variations of skincare put in a beautiful package and sold at affordable price. Do not forget, Koreans like to give their customers some bonuses, buy 10 hand creams and get 20, buy 15 face mask and get 25, and more and more offers that will make you headache and later on you will be shocked to see your credit card bills, what the hell did I buy at Myeong-dong??? Hahaha...

I didn't shop much since I need to accompany my girls there. We just tried several cute-look-yet-yummy snacks sold by the street hawkers there.  

Seoul was the last place we visited during our eight-day of backpacking with kids. The girls were super happy. They kept saying, 'This is the best day in my life." 

All in all Korea is not only K-Pop or DraKor. It is also an alternative destination for backpacking with kids.  

"Holiday with young kids isn't about the holiday, (because let's face it, it's beyond exhausting), it's about making MEMORIES."