three times, but still not the charm.

A week has passed, and I am still in shock. Well, who would not be taken aback when a seemingly perfect and blissful couple of seven years suddenly announce their break up? Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony surely don’t count. “We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to amicable conclusion on all matters,” the couple declared in a statement, on July 15, 2011. “It is a painful time for all involved, and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time.”

Jen and Marc deserve a gold medal on keeping their private issues private. The famous pair had always shown deep and warm affection in public, including their performance on American Idol last May, in which the duo was seen kissing at the end. The couple has 3-year old twins, Max and Emme, and the family has continuously appeared joyful until the divorce news broke.

No explanation on the abrupt split has led to rumours spreading on the couple cheating on each other. Marc was reported hooking up with a stewardess in 2009, after which Jen was intending to leave him. The pair was, however, remained together after Marc begged her to stay. I don’t know if this is anything in relation, but, Jen’s single “Louboutins” includes the lyrics, “You said you changed, but still nothing. You’re still the same, I’m just a part time lover. And I’m the blame, should’ve went away. But yet I stayed, with a part time lover. See, some days you will love me, then you don’t, then you do, then you won’t, then you’re here, then you’re gone, I’m alone.” Intrigued? Me too.

In a recent interview Jen talked about her album, LOVE?, on how it was deeper and more intimate to her previous recordings. She described that the song is more serious; it is about “having kids with somebody, having a relationship and knowing that they’re cheating on you.” And I just could not help thinking, was she was talking about herself?

In the video clip of her latest number, “I’m Into You”, the Idol judge was together, on a beach, with a hunky telenovela actor, William Levy. This has brought people wondering if there’s more than just a professional relationship between the two. To those who haven’t seen the clip, watch it and have your own say. In addition, the actor’s recent divorce has put this into a more serious matter – if not than just a bad timing.

Come what may, she still is Jenny from the block.

until then,

xoxo

dear mom.

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity; it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

Reminiscing through the entire nineteen years of my life, I realize how much you have loved, cared and supported me to become who I am today. I cannot give you back enough for what you have done for me, nor can I even thank you enough. What you have given to me, what you have done for me, is more than I ever needed, more than I could ever ask for.

I can still picture all the treasured moments that we have shared together. The many celebrated birthdays. The sweet anniversaries. The joyful Christmases. The memorable holidays. The blissful new years. The list could go on and on but never once have we ever missed any of them. We have gone through them all, the ups and downs, with smiles and tears, hand in hand.

It feels like it was not very long ago when you took me to my kindergarten school, putting your best effort to provide me with excellent education from a young age. It feels like it was not that long when you took me to my first piano recital, easing the butterflies in my stomach with your warmth and tenderness. It feels like it was just the other day when I bid you goodbye as I stepped out from home to attain a decent university degree overseas. Time flies, and I wish we had spent more time together, if that is even possible.

Although I may have let you down thousands of times, your arms are always open with love and forgiveness, with enduring patience and affection. You listen to the deep voice in my heart. You catch my hands when I fall. Your kiss wipes away my tear. Your heart is pure as gold.

You are my life, you are my heart. You are the best mother in the world. Even though I may not have been the best at expressing love and appreciation, I have always loved you from the bottom of my heart and I always will.

And I want you to know that I truly am blessed to be your daughter.

Happy mother’s day, mom.

“I wish I could sit here and give you words to describe what my mother means to me. But there are not enough words in the dictionary.”

Until then,

xoxo.

a festive night.

Klepon. Nasi bakar. Sosis brood. Bubur ketan hitam. Sago pudding.

How can you say no to any of them?

To say the truth, traditional Indonesian food has always been my weak point. Only picturing those scrumptious and delightful flavors would make me crave for days. Come on, who can resist the way the flavorsome palm sugar bursts in your mouth as you slowly have a bite of klepon? Or the way the mouthwatering bubur ketan hitam melts gradually on your tongue when then a hint of lychee surprises you?

Don’t blame me if your saliva is dripping now.

But, it is lucky for us, Sydney siders, to be able to taste those delicious foods I mentioned tomorrow. Yes, The Indonesian Australian Student Association is holding an Indonesian Night Market here in Sydney tomorrow. It is an annual event to introduce the Indonesian culture as well as to provide nostalgic moments for those far-from-home Indonesians.

Held in the University of New South Wales, this year’s Indonesian Night Market is going to be such a festive and enjoyable event, not only for Indonesians but everyone of any cultural background. Numerous food stalls will be serving exotic tastes of favorite Indonesian cuisine and desserts. Titled ‘Gado-gado’, the festival will start at four in the evening, lasting for a total of five hours. In addition, there will also be live band performances of popular Indonesian songs and traditional games and dances, including Tari Saman from Aceh.

With those well arranged programs ahead in the schedule, I can assure you that you will not regret coming to this event. You wouldn’t want to miss those klepon and bubur ketan hitam, would you?

So bring your friends along and see you all there tomorrow!

Until then,

xoxo.

Photo courtesy of Irene Aprilia.

the last of april, the first of the couple.

He is officially the Duke of Cambridge. She is officially the Duchess of Cambridge. And they are officially husband and wife.

Today marks the first day of William and Kate living their royal marriage as partners for life. Having known each other for more than a third of their life and been together for seven or so years, the wedding was just a public revelation of how deep their love and feelings for one another. The small glances, the joyful smiles, the sweet kisses, you just cannot help but wish your marriage would be like theirs.

Wearing a diamond tiara and a simple yet exquisite dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Kate Middleton appeared at the entrance of Westminster Abbey with her arm slipped to his father’s crooked elbow. She gracefully walked towards the altar as people hold their breath, admiring how elegant and poised she looked entering the beautifully decorated Abbey. You can see the very special moment of history for yourself; it was the wedding that put the date into a national holiday.

Being the first royal bride with a university degree, Kate is definitely not just any ordinary princess. Having studied in St. Andrews of Scotland in the same art history class with Prince William, I believe it is not questionable that Princess Diana would have approved her to marry William. The late Princess was certainly so much missed by her family, but it is even so moving and heart rending that there was an empty seat reserved for her at the royal wedding.

 

   

The ceremony was such a serene and peaceful service. The bride looked picturesque and radiant; the groom looked confident and charming. And as they exchanged vows, a beautiful Welsh gold ring was placed on Kate’s ring finger. It was such a perfect day for a prince and his princess to tie the knot. A sincere and heartfelt prayer then followed the vows of the lovely couple. 

“God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage. In the business of each day, keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy. Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Following the royal tradition, the couple then waved to the cheering crowds when they finally appeared at the balcony of the Palace.

And the fairytale wedding was sealed with two kisses.

Until then,

xoxo.

Photo courtesy of Samuel Alexander.

n.b. click on the last picture to witness the long awaited royal balcony kiss!

Kate who?

How would you feel if you come up at the top when you type your first name in google search?

Well, you can ask Kate Middleton.

It is April the 29^th. The long awaited day has finally come; it is the day of the wedding of Catherine Middleton of Bucklebury. For any of you who are much uninformed and happen to not know who she is, she is the girl who is going to marry Prince William. And for any of you who are much more uninformed – I honestly feel sorry for you, he is the prince of England.

Wearing military uniform, he has just left Clarence hotel, heading to Westminster Abbey, where the wedding ceremony is going to be held. With 600,000 spectators around the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Mall, you can just imagine the cheering of the crowds. Expecting the balcony kiss of the couple, people are coming from all around the world to witness a history in the making.

Being covered by over 500 reporters from 180 countries and watched by two billion of people worldwide, it is not overrating to say that this is the wedding of the century. And not only Elton John and the Beckhams are in the guest list, the royal family has also invited a homeless girl who was rescued from the streets by a charity supported by Princess Diana.

Serenaded by ‘Guide me, O thou great redeemer’, Kate will walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, having the most memorable moment of her life. The hymn is chosen to pay a tribute to Princess Diana as it was played at her funeral fourteen years ago.  This international event is certainly putting immense pressure for the couple. However, with Philippa Middleton and Prince Harry as the bridesmaid and the best man, William and Kate are both relaxed, preparing to have their marriage with 1900 guests attending the day of their lives.

Kate, who once was just a girl from Bucklebury, is looking exquisitely beautiful on her way to the Abbey, having the fairytale of her own. And she is going to be the Duchess of Cambridge in less than a few minutes, bidding her single life a goodbye.

Until then,

xoxo.

more than just a plastic bag.

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?”

“Do you ever feel already buried deep, six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing?”

The thought of being alone and single handed already gives me the jitters, let alone being abandoned when you have done the best you could in life. This may look overstated, but what lies beneath is not always seen from where you stand. There will always be a number of ‘nobodies’ around, and you just don’t realize more than their mere existence. Having been surrounded by relatives and close friends may let you not see how there are people out there needing extra support and encouragement. What you have to do was just to open your eyes and take a closer look.

A life full of joy may leave us taking pleasure in what we have. I am not saying there is nobody who is caring and thoughtful – there is. And I am not saying that you should not enjoy your life – you should. It is just that when you are doing fine and having the time of your life, why consider the burden to care about others?

The world that we live in is one that is hard and complicated. Things happen, and we are expected to survive through thick and thin. The ability to effortlessly get into the swing of things is just not what we were born with. And not all of us were born to be thick as thieves either. But when you start to see how people live within tragedy and loss, you get the big picture of the lives on this world. It is not only of beauty and mystery, but also of pain and misery.

People need to be told that hope is real, and help is real. Taking the first step is always the hardest, but when you have gone past that, you realize how valuable a flicker of hope is and how worthwhile is an “I can help you.” People are just not meant to live by themselves. People need others.

And the least we can do is to spread the faith and hope.

“If you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane, comes a rainbow.”

Until then,

xoxo.

when the eggs were hatched.

“Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.”

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is a two week event welcoming the joy and delight of Easter held in Olympic Park. Having been celebrated for the last 188 years, the event is always full, not only of Sydney siders, but also of people from other parts of New South Wales and all around Australia. As the sixth largest event in the world, the show offers various attractions, including parades, competitions, amusement rides, games, shops, foods and showbags stands. This annual event is definitely one not to be missed. 

Farm animals, including horses, goats, llamas, sheep, cows, chickens, ducks and pigs participated in the competition. They were judged and top score achievers were gathered in different shelters for people to take a look. When I was there, people were walking and stopping every here and there, taking pictures of the animals. So I had to walk at the same slow pace! I couldn’t help but wonder how these people could stay there for so long. The pigs and cows were so smelly! The only place where I could stay for longer was the animal nursery. It was this large built shed where young animals are allowed to be pat and people can get up close with them.  

The showbags stands were so packed last weekend, you literally can’t walk without bumping into someone or hitting something. They were selling stuffs like chocolate, dolls, candies, magazines, bags, as one package at competitive prices. Some stuffs were available to be bought separately though. I got my sister a Wall-E and an Eve plush dolls. And I also bought a strawberry scented Lotso from Toy Story 3. They look a bit weird together, hand in hand, don’t you think?

There were also games stalls where you get to play games and receive souvenirs if you win. I tried once and I got this cute little unicorn.

The shows were held during the evening. The Grand Parade took place at the main arena, followed by a rodeo competition, motocross action and Cobb. & Co. wild ride.

And spectacular fireworks put the day to an end.

Until then,

xoxo.