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.