Year End Quote

Never save the best for later
You don't know what tomorrow holds
--Paulo Coelho--

Happy New Year, everybody....!!!

Jakarta Maghrib

Director/Writer: Salman Aristo
Casts: Indra Birowo, Widi Mulia, Lukman Sardi,
Ringgo Agus Rahman, Reza Rahadian, Adinia Wirasti

I have read many positive comments about this movie on twitter. A couple days a go I found the DVD at Gunung Agung bookstore, bought it and couldn't wait to watch it.

The movie tries to capture Jakarta people at maghrib time. Maghrib is special since it is the transition from noon to evening. There are 5 different stories (Iman Cuma Ingin Nur, Adzan, Menunggu Aki, Jalan Pintas, Cerita Si Ivan). Telling about many kinds of people with their own different stories. Some stories are touching, others are funny and also some others are so-so.

The movie is closed by a story called Ba'da. It is the time when all characters in the movie has experienced his/her own maghrib moment. They will eventually meet each other with or without interaction. A unique movie. My favorite stories are Iman Cuma Ingin Nur and Jalan Pintas. Truly entertaining!

The Marriage Bureau For Rich People

Author: Farahad Zama
Translator: Rinurbad
Publisher: Penerbit Matahati
Publication Date: January 2010
Pages: 455

I bought this book in a bookstore nearby my home. They sold a lot of discount books there and this book was only sold for Rp 20.000,- a kind of cheap. I bought the book without expecting too much but it turned out to be very enjoyable.

The story takes place in India, the lead character here is Mr. Ali, a retired civil servant. He starts to build a marriage bureau in order to have something to do. To his surprise, the business becomes so successful that he needs to hire an assistant, Aruna, a poor but admirable girl. Here it goes the clients' stories and also stories about Mr. and Mrs. Ali, their son, Aruna and all the ups and downs of their life.

From the book description we will get a glimpse of modern India and how complicated they are in arranging a marriage. So many things to consider in the marriage such as: the religion, the caste and the socioeconomic status. To this day this marriage 'screening' is still going strong. One doesn't marry outside of his caste and one very rarely marries for love. Instead family members will prepare an appropriate match.

Along the way, the author will tell about many interesting Indian customs. I love the way the author put the readers inside life in India today. Little conversation between people in India. A sneak peek into Indian wedding ceremonies. Little visit with people seeking a husband or a wife. A funny, warm-hearted and delightful read.

I found out that there are the sequel of this book The Many Conditions of Love and The Wedding Wallah. Hope that Penerbit Matahati will translate all:))

Aleph

Aleph
By Paulo Coelho
HarperCollins Publishers
2011
300 pages

To live is to experience things
not to sit around pondering the meaning of life

In his newest book, this Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho tells about his most personal experience. It's all started when Coelho felt dissatisfaction in life and stagnation in spiritual growth. After discussing with his master, he finally decided to experience a journey of personal discovery. He then set off onto a journey starting from Africa, Europe and Asia via Trans-Siberian railway during March-July 2006.

Most of the novel describes Coelho's experiences during the train journey. Coelho is not alone in the journey. He is there with his publisher and a mysterious girl whom he meets in the journey. The girl insists to join the journey with Coelho. Later on Coelho finds out that she is Hilal whom he loved five hundred years a go in a different incarnation. Here it goes a very personal account where Coelho talks about relationship with Hilal in the previous incarnation.

As usual Coelho is awesome in naratting a story and provide some lessons at the end of his writing. I read the book slowly, digest it bit by bit then enjoy it as a food to my soul. Very inspiring.

It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present.
It's what you do in present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future.

Quote of the Day

You have a lifetime of work, but children are only young once
--Polish Proverb--

Macaroon on Weekend

I am sure almost all of you will fall in love to see this tempting-look cookies. Yes it's macaroon. After looking at so many pics of this cute macaroon, finally I decided to order it via Facebook. The macaroon packages had already arrived last Saturday. They accompanied me enjoying my weekend.

How's about the taste? Is it as tempting as its look? Well...not bad lah...People might have different taste. For me the taste of macaroon is just too sweet. Too much for my kampung tongue. Perhaps I'd rather go back to my original taste: martabak, getuk and gemblong :)

A Little Girl who Falls in Love with Fancy Cookies

My girl, Najla, is a huge fan of cemilan. She loves cookies and all kinds of pastries. Last week she suddenly told me that she desperately wanted to munch fancy cookies. I asked our usual baker, unfortunately she could not fulfill our request:(

I thought Najla already forgot about this sudden request. But..I was wrong. She continued saying that the urge to eat the cookies was so unbearable *drama* and asked me to please..please find other baker who has fancy cookies as she wish.

Thanks to the internet. As a mom who has poor cooking skill, all I can do are to open my laptop and browse here and there. Finally I found this blog. After e-mailing each other, the baker, mbak Ochie, promised me to send the cookies on Monday. Najla was super excited.

Last night the cookies arrived at 8 pm. Actually it's already Najla sleep time but she asked an exception, "Ma, aku boleh cobain kukisnya nggak? Satu aja?" Well...okay sweety, I know exactly how it feels to have a dream comes true. I also knew for sure that Najla slept with a big smile last night:)