Adjustment

I come to this place almost everyday. The bus stop. Obviously, because I dont have a car to transport me anywhere. I only have a bike which in this nearly-0-degree season is no longer of much use. I can only depend on CATA Bus service whose bus stop is perfectly standing right behind my apartment. Initially, I was reluctant to come to the bus stop. Hmmmm, not the bus stop specifically, but Spartan Village building complex in general. At first sight, and then after recurrent gazes, I could not differentiate streets crossing over this complex and, in my eyes, all the buildings looked all the same. After a while, I am getting used to recognize my own apartment building.

When I opened the blinds early in the morning, every time I stepped out the house, in a second I stepped on the green house and when I come near the bus stop, there was always this same odd feeling. Was it fear? There was slightly fear there. Fear of being rejected, fear of incapability, fear of change. We fear the unexpected change, especially the bad one and worse, the PERMANENT one. I was just not ready, well I never would be ready.

But as time passes by, as they becomes more familiar, I developed intimate bonding while I am getting used to the routes, same routines, same roads. Basically, human feels a need of time to adapt to their new surrounding. The duration of it depends on the individual's ability. I might need a little longer. That is probably because I dont possess enough courage to make me fearless to try. When asked, I would simply answer : I am lazy. And.. obviously this 'lazy' things is contagious, cause people become unwilling to ask further questions hahahaha. That is the most irrevocable reply, since there`s no concrete solution except those that come from the very self of the individual. Do you know that the fear is able to build up a transparent wall surrounding us, which occlude our sight and chance of finding interesting things that probably do exist?

Once again, human needs adaptation and adjustments. The main key is time. Give yourself a try. Give yourself a chance to know our surrounding and then interact with it. It's not gonna be easy at the beginning but once you stepped over the boundary, you're safe. But remember, there will always be another boundaries of fear ahead. Get prepared :) Cause that's what life is about.

Halloween

Halloween atmosphere fills up the air. The fact that all children in US are excited waiting this month to end to celebrate the Halloween makes Halloween issues and everything in relation to Halloween is so prevalent in every corner of the city. In three different activities I have during the week, Halloween theme is obviously become the center of discussion and activity. I also carved a pumpkin on Tuesday (that was my first experience) and it actually was really fun. The sale is lingering around halloween decorations, halloween costumes and pumpkins. I personally dont believe in the real essence of Halloween but I think so do the people here in US. In fact, Halloween here is celebrated as a media to have some fun mostly by children. People need a reason to hold a party. People need a reason to have some fun. Having some fun without reason is like wasting time. That's funny, isn't?

Altough I dont join the costume party, or the corn maze and I also dont have a child whom I prepare to go trick or treating, but I actually enjoy this cultural moment, with the fuss and the decorations. I thought that there will be some children knock on the door trick or treating but today my friend told me that they wont come to our apartments due to the cold weather. I dont have to prepare candies, then :)

Trick or treat!!

Eidul Fitri Celebration

The Eidul FItri Celebration in East Lansing was held on Monday, October 24th 2006. Fortunately, Reza found a sub to teach his morning class where he should have teached that day. So he could join the Idul Fitr prayer in Islamic Center. We woke up early that day and had some light meal and I fried some shrimp crackers for our potluck Idul Fitr feast (as I was already asked to bring). The weather was so cold that we need to wear warm outfits so that we could stay warm. After prayer we are headed to Mbak Ririn`s house where we had the feast together with Malaysian moslems.

Although I still miss the atmosphere of Idul Fitri in Indonesia which I believe would have been so different (it would have been so sacred yet in the same time so festive), I am still happy that I didnt have to spend the day alone, we get together in a family-like feast, and one more important thing that should be grateful upon: the GULE KAMBING (Indonesian Lamb Curry) was soooo delicious.

Reflection in the end of Ramadhan

Today is our last day of fasting. Tomorrow we have the celebration of Idul Fitri, marking the end of month-long fasting. For this passing week, I didnt realize that time flew by fast due to mounting activities I have this month. There is a little remorse for not giving this Ramadhan the best I could have given. I once promised myself that each year must improve upon the preceding year, in terms of quantity and quality of Islamic work. I hope that I've been successful in keeping it. Although once again, I think I could have given more. May Allah (God) bless us.

Worldly matters tends to drag human to forget heavenly affairs. Yet, this world is temporary. Everything in this world will some day vanish. The material world is no more solid than an idea or a concept in a person's mind. This material world is here one moment, then vanishes, and is then forgotten. I pray for His forgiveness and guidance. Amin.

For everything hurtful I have said and done to you, my friends, please forgive me. Minal Aidzin wal Faidzin. Let's go back to 0 point.

Insha'Allah, this Idul Fitri will bring us the best in Iman,
Happiness, Good Health, Hidayah (God's guidance), and Prosperity.

Happy Idul Fitri 1427 H!

The Bridges of Madison County

Maybe you`ve heard or read about this title many times, or you may even have watched the film, or read the novel. I found the book in the library and suddenly I have my curiosity aroused. Once I read the book, I just couldnt stop reading. On and on I was reading. I only stopped when it was the time for me to break fasting. I am lucky having Reza, so understanding a husband that he willingly cooked some food for dinner and sahur.

This book is about love. Since Oliver`s Story and Only Love (novels by Erich Segall), I had never found other books with interesting love story. Until I read this one. I am a pure naturalist, who has realistic system of thought, and doesnt like mawkish idea of love story in majority. But this one is an exception. It is a short story in essence but written in long description. This is also a long yearning of love grown from a very short encounter (4 days only!!), which has to be ended beacuse of cruel reality.

Has anyone seen the film yet?? I hope the film can actually represent the book . I dont want to disrupt the beauty of the story by watching the film as I realized that the idea of many stories I read has been distorted by the display of characters and story in a film.


PS. Dew, if you happen read this post, have you ever read this book yet?

Korean Fashion Show

On Friday night, I got an invitation attending a Korean Fashion Show. Thanks to my friend Jin Sun who has generously given the opportunity to watch the show. It was held in Peasant Hall,Wharton Center,MSU by a renowned Korean designer (I heard that she also designs dress for Miss Universes). The show was divided into 2 sections, Modern Korean and Traditional Korean. I can say that I like the Traditional Korean better than the Modern Korean. To my inexperienced eyes, the Modern Korean dress appears more or less similar to Modern Dress in general. Well, maybe the garment differs, but seriously I cant tell. But the Hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) were magnificent. Some white models also came up on the stage wearing those beautiful dresses.
The whole performance (the clothes, the hair decoration, the hair style, the cute unique socks) reminds me of Jang Gem ( I dont know if I wrote that down correctly or not ), a Korean drama broadcasted in television program in Indonesia. It was like seeing the real show of ancient Korean's palace civilization. There were also some Korean children wearing Hanbok showed up in intermission, they looked so cute, lovely and natural. There was photo session in the last of the show but since we were fasting that day, our stomach fighted for rebellion. For the sake of health, we hurried to Taco Bell to have some fast-breaker.

We Were the Mulvaneys

This is one of things I do to fill up my free time. East Lansing Public Library offers wide variety of books that we can borrow. Just finished reading this book. In the main, I like it. I think Oates is a genius writer, describing punctiliously every part of the story. I dont know how she is able to do this. Sometimes I got lost inside the story because I can`t make a bridge between my limited vocabulary and Oates's GRE-word-usage tendency, but in overall I can catch the meaning of it.

If you are an avid reader, I recommend you to read this book. It tells us about how family values can easily be shattered by overmuch pride. It takes years and life to put the shattered parts together again. How sad...

If you are looking for fun reading, stay away from this one. This book`s emotional influence brings sad wonder because in my case, I`m a little bit disappointed reading the end part. After long meandering story exposed, Oates gives so little in the end part. Or... maybe that`s what she intended it to be.

Nice Afternoon on A Chilly Day

"Women desire regular intimate contact with their girlfriends," acknowledges Dr. Sherrod. "Men, on the other hand, can play a round of golf with a close friend once a year and that's enough."

I would say that, that is true, in the woman part (because I dont know the man part, I am not a man). Husband is unmistakably our lifetime friend, he provides assistance with affection whether I need it or not. BUT... when we want to simply discuss about
clothes, accessories, women stuff, well surely he still listens but WOULD he understand?? Conversation should work two ways. Without any feedback (not only grunting and nodding), it turns dry easily since it lacks emotional involvement from his side. I am not complaining, it is just the way it is.

That`s what girlfriends are for. That day, on a snowy day, me, Mee Hye and Jinsun went together on a lunch (I was free from fasting obligation that day) in Omi Sushi. I met them in English Tutoring Program at MSU. And we also join Every Tuesday together.The talk over lunch was nice , the food was nice, but the weather was not nice at all. Conversation got warmer when we continued talking in Starbucks coffee. I identify with them due to many things in common. Current status, experience, need. Agenda scheduled, plans designed. I am a happier person now.

New Snow

I cant believe it`s snowing!!!!, the day before were sunny and it's still in the middle of October, to make things odder. But it was only light snow, falling down soo beautifully. Makes me remember this old song by Michael Ruff that I want to hear again soooo badly.I`ll just have to look up to find the CD. Too bad that those online music stores dont offer the song cause I am so determined to buy it.

Look, look out on the trees
Well from here it looks like crystal
Shining in the breeze
Look, look out on the land
Well it finally looks like winter
so just reach out your hand

Feel the new snow falling softly round me
a second chance to make things alright
Like a new love calling
new snow is falling
just outside my window tonight

She never said goodbye
she just walked out through the garden
and never told me why
she never shed a tear
now I’m watchin out my window
as her footprints disappear

until the new snow falling softly round me
a second chance to make things alright
Like a new love calling
new snow is falling
just outside my window tonight

New snow falling softly round me
a second chance to make things alright
[make things alright]
Like a new love calling
new snow is falling
Just outside my window tonight
Just outside my window tonight

Apples for Americans, Fast Food for Nothing

I have been wondering since moments ago about what food specialty American has. Everyone must know McDonalds, Burger King, KFC that serve fast-food like burger, hot dog, etc. Are those food really their specialty? Japan has sushi, Korea has Kim-chi (My friend, Mee Hye, made this last week and I love it!), Indonesia has Soto Ayam, Indian has Tandoori Chicken, so what does American have ?(except those fast food which nationwide is proven insalubrious and strongly not recommended due to arising number of obese adults and also children in US).

I found out the answer soon after I came to join Every Tuesday program at MSU. This program is a fun activity program for international women. Two programs scheduled in two consecutive weeks are Cooking American Food and Apple Picking. Mary, the chairman of this organization, explains that Apples is the food specialty for American (Here is what I thought : But Apple is categorized as fruit, just like salak or rambutan in Indonesia. Whatever). So here is what we did, we cooked some apple-based food like Apple Pie, Apple-Kuchen (all I know, Kuchen is a German word for cake), Fruit Salad, Apple crumbs. The 'how-to' itself is easy, and all we need is just standard ingredients for cake (flour, butter, sugar) plus apples. The following week we went to a farm in a near city to pick apples. There are many varieties of Apples like Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Ida Red, etc. What fun weeks I had.

Speaking of eating lifestyle here, everyone knows the platitude ofAn apple a day keeps your doctor away. Meaning that there are already consciousness about healthy diet. Yet, the temptation to eat unhealthy food wins over the knowledge of healthy diet.An oprah.com poll found out that 46 percentage of respondents eat fast food at least once a week and 52 percentage whose children do the same. Obviously, this is like a major problem for US has to face nowadays. And in the future. In effort to reduce the number of overweight people here, there is a program named 3-Apple-a-Day Plan. It combines delicious balanced meal plans with exercise to help people achieve increased muscle tone and maximum fat loss while maintaining or increasing metabolism. Basically, by consuming an apple before every meal 3 times a day. So, apple really is a healthy food for us, isn't? I'll make an apple pie tomorrow :)

Ramadhan, Busy but Blessed

This is my third Ramadhan away from home. I miss the atmosphere of Ramadhan in Indonesia when every channel broadcasting various shows about Ramadhan, or every advertisement heavily putting fasting as theme of their products. However, despite the desire to reexperience ramadhan in home country, I am (and should be) very grateful that I am still having it in a family.

Far from expectation, my Ramadhan here has been very busy. Indonesian Moslems here held a weekly Buka Puasa on the weekend, while on the weekdays, some Indonesians, Malaysians and Singaporeans held daily Buka Puasa in turn in the first week of Ramadhan. There is also community dinner in Islamic Center of East Lansing every Friday. I am excited to have these in substitute of family atmosphere we used to have every buka puasa, at one point. On the other side, as potluck is a usual custom here, I get confused everyday thinking about what food to cook or what food to bring to the event.As for me, I dont have many food selection that I can cook. This problem became major when our turn as a host comes. The solution came out so easy. What kind of food should we serve that fulfills the requirement in quantity, taste and of course it has to be Indonesian food?

I am glad I live in this modern instant society. Thanks to Bumbu Kokita Rasa Soto Ayam. We are happy, and everyone is happy, too. The guests stayed late at our apartment until 12.00 pm.

This is a very blessed Ramadhan for me. With family atmosphere around us and hopes to make this Ramadhan meaningful for us. Mohon maaf lahir batin :)

Learn To Cook

Cooking is not really my thing. Not that I hate it, I just simply never had a chance to like this activity and everything associated with it. Dont get me wrong, I love eating a lot. But cooking? I never got near this territory. My mom is not fond of cooking. She naturally can cook some food, which some I like and some I dont, but she never put herself too often in the kitchen. We always had relatives cook delicious food for us. Or we could always go out for dinner (and I tell you, we have so much choices of food in my hometown). Everyone has their own part in a larger community and cooking was just not ours.

My mother never forced or taught me to cook. She frequently complained about my inability to cook. And I never took it seriously. I knew somehow that she was not serious. Well, not that serious. It had never crossed my mind that I would have to do it seriously one day. I went to another city to continue my undergraduate study and again, I always had a choice not to cook. What for, anyway? With uninterrupted and abundant supply of delicious ready-to-eat food everywhere, what`s the point of being able to cook.

Faith brought me to Japan. Earlier times, we arranged change of turn of cooking in coterie. As time passed by, one after another, we avoid the obligation of cooking with various fabricated excuses. And that was me most of the time. I had a very nice friend with a gift in cooking (especially Padangnese food). And she was unusually generous to cook for us. Often (Thank you, Kak Lusi).I love her doing that for us. And I always had her, who always remembered me when she had food and kindly shared them with me. Life has been pleasant to me.

Now that I`m married and living far away from easiness (in terms of Indonesian food availability), I need to learn to cook. It`s not that I must do that. But as a person having common sense, I have to be considerate when it comes to things related to domestic affairs. I am not telling you that it is easy or I of a sudden love this activity or anything, but it becomes less and less complex each time. Sometimes I enjoy it when the food turns out to be delicious, but more often I lose my appetite when I think that it is not tasteful. My husband never complains, though. So far :)