Sometimes I just want
someone to hug me and
say,
I know it's hard.
You're going to be okay.
Here's a coffee.
And 5 million dollars.
#find this quote somewhere in socmed and I guess it made my day, haha..
The Thing about Luck
Title: The Thing about Luck
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Illustrator: Julia Kuo
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Paperback Edition June 2014
275 pages
I first knew Cynthia Kadohata when I read her previous works, Weedflower and Kira-Kira (both have been translated in Bahasa by Gramedia). Kadohata is a Japanese-American children's writer known best for winning the Newbery Medal in 2005 and the U.S. National Book Award in 2013.
Kadohata always delivers a simple yet deep story for children. She has different themes and all is always enjoyable. This time she tells a story about a young girl, Summer, and luck. Yes, luck, there is a bad luck, a good luck, making your own luck--which is exactly what Summer must do to save her family.
Summer and her lack-of-social-skills brother, Jaz, have to spend this holiday with their grandparents considering that their parents have to fly to Japan to take care of elderly relatives. Their grandparents have to work at a harvesting company in order to settle their mortgage. Summer and Jaz come along with their grandparents and other workers moving from one place to another to harvest in the wheat fields in Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Usually Summer helps her grandmother who works as the cook. Out of the blue her grandfather becomes sick and it appears that it might be up to Summer to save the day. Will she succeed?
A very moving story with strong characterisation. Completed with abundant humour between Summer and her grandparents especially on their broken english and the culture gap. A thoughtful book on growing up.
Find more on Cynthia Kadohata here.
70th Independence Day
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| Courtesy of Tr. Sonya |
I am always excited on commemorating our Independence day. I know most of us (i.e. the 80s generation) still do it the old way however it never makes me bored. I just love the laughter, the fun, togetherness and everything. Nothing beats the spirit.
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One of the things I love from Najla and Zea's school is they always celebrate the independence day in the old way. Yes…it's tarik tambang, makan kerupuk, balap karung, etc…you name it. I am glad that the teachers introduce this ritual to the students. Although it's just simple games yet they might learn lots of positive things on sharing, supporting and of course the fun itself.
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Today, the students, the teachers and even parents were invited to join the flag ceremony at the school yard. I joined them without any hesitation. It turned out that lots of parents were also interested to be part of the ceremony. I guess all of us need to bring back those childhood memories for a moment. Yep..got the warm-nostalgic feeling already and send the best wishes for our country, Indonesia, happy 70th independence.
Turning 42
Dear hubby,
You're older.
You're wiser.
You're sophisticated.
You're far more too mature to be concerned with material things like presents…
#excusegabelikado
Happy 42nd birthday, awesome hubby
a person who is smart, good looking, and funny and …reminds me a lot of myself..hahaha...
Love you to the moon and back, as always.
An Abundance of Katherines
Title: An Abundance of Katherines
Author: John Green
Publisher: Penguin Books 20013
226 pages
They like their coffee like they like their ex-boyfriend: bitter
I read lots of positive comments for John Green's works. Found this An Abundance of Katherines and curious about its plot since it's said '19 Katherines and counting…' It's about Colin. A prodigy child who has been dumped by 19 girlfriends, all named Katherines. Then continued with a road trip between Colin and his best buddy, Hassan. They encounter lots of unpredictable things yet no girl named Katherine. Tell you what, it's quite promising to be an exciting plot, right?
But, it turns out to be a definite boring story. A strange plot, not very likeable characters and many many long boring passages. I completely missed it. I guess I chose the wrong book of Green to start. Perhaps I should try reading Green's other works.
But, it turns out to be a definite boring story. A strange plot, not very likeable characters and many many long boring passages. I completely missed it. I guess I chose the wrong book of Green to start. Perhaps I should try reading Green's other works.
Landline
Title: Landline
Author: Rainbow Rowell
St Martin 's Press New York, 2014
310 pages
Continue my romance books reading week by finishing another book written down by Rainbow Rowell. Impressed by her Eleanor & Park thus I have high expectation towards Landline.
Instead of telling about teenage love-story, this time the author delivers adult story. It's about a couple who have two children and a marriage in trouble. The problem is getting more complicated when it involves a magic phone. A landline that makes it's possible to communicate with the dead people. No, it's not a horror story. It's still romance though I am just not into it perhaps since I keep comparing with Eleanor & Park so Landline seems less enjoyable. I am in the middle of Rowell's other book Fangirl and will find out pretty soon whether this one is more exciting.
Happy Eid 1436 H
30-day of Ramadan has finished.
The big day, Eid al Fitr also has been celebrated. All got together with the whole family.
Super yummy food and cookies were served all day long.
Laughter, happiness and mixed feeling were here as well.
Nevertheless everything must have an ending.
It's time to go back to reality.
Dealing with messy house,
several baskets of dirty laundry,
listing down all available food delivery (since the domestic helper is still on holiday),
checking the 'getting thinner' wallet yet the over-weight body;
and bits of these and those.
But all in all nothing can beat the happy heart during Eid al Fitr.
Hope we still can meet Ramadan and Eid al Fitr next year, amin...
