Week 2 - Muffin Top Challenge ( My Confession )

As I'm entering the week two, the challenge is increasing. Now, I'm having PMS and pretty busy with work. From putting on class displays, practicing for school's International Arts Evening and getting all my students ready to perform ( they are really good ).

Okay, so today, I felt really really hungry and I could use a little bit of sugar rush, I took some of potato crisps ( seriously divine !! ). My hunger was satisfied with the taste and was a good energy boost.

However....there is one thing I really miss from my muffin top challenge and at this stage I'm not allowing myself to drink this. It's my favorite coffee. Whole variant of Nescafe coffee that come in the box. From Nescafe French Vanilla, Caramelicious and Original. I miss them sooooo...much...when I'm progressing enough I'll drink like mad probably. I don't mind cutting my carbs but not having my coffee is killing me.

Anyway, not my whole diet ruined, I had grilled chicken salad, avocado, and kiwifruit for lunch. I hope I'm still alright ( finger crossed ).

Blabbing After A Long Time

My last post was about my trip to Singapore and when I visited Singapore again in June, I didn't even have time to update the trip. It's always the same excuse not to update my blog. I'm busy..well it's true ( justifying myself ) , can't find time to sit in front of computer and write something, when I had time to write, my pieces ended up as drafts, when I want to update it, I feel like it's not fit anymore.

Well, how am I doing? I'm doing fine, I love my new place. I have good friends in gym and at work. I enjoy the morning breakfast club in the staff room with my friends. Love the ambiance that always full of laughter, chit chat and jokes. It's my favorite time of my work. Loving my students for sure, they are cute as ever. I'm involved in many things, school excursions ( thank God all of them went so well ), PYP assembly and the upcoming is International Arts Evening where I'm the choreographer for local staff dance performance.

The sad news is, my favorite instructor,the person who taught me how to dance is leaving Jakarta next week. I miss him already. And for sure, my dancing time is decreased. There are other classes, but there's no dance class like his.

I'm learning again about photoshop, sharpening the skill, practice and practice. This motivate me when I saw print ad that says " Train like there's no finish line" . It sounds daunting and tiring but I guess in life you don't give in until your last breath.

Tough work, long journey but I know I can make it.

Singappore Day 2

Alright, second day in Singapore! We started early, we went to Bugis first. I always like Bugis street and its area. The stuffs there are just cheap. I found toys for my nephew, cool stickers ( 2SGD each ) for my tutorial student.

So, we split up for while because we wanted to different ways and different interest. On the left here, is like a piazza at Bencoleen Street ( if I'm not mistaken ). Very attractive for me, lots of hawker food, knick knacks and very Asian*enough with Orchard Road*


Interesting asian style ice cream in the bun, and only cost 1SGD. Very nice in unpredictable weather. BTW, the weather changes in Singapore is same as in Jakarta.










Around that Bencoleen street, I found this rare delicacy, Cuttlefish Kan Kong, only cost 3SGD. The taste? Weird but delicious! I've never tasted this food.









After 3 hours of getting around, Bugis and Bencoleen street then Orchard Road, then we are off to...IKEA!! It's not Singapore if not going to Ikea. I don't know how many hours I spent in IKEA. I was soo busy taking pictures to my sisters, making sure these are the things they want. Thank you to the technology, making our life simpler.

My elder sister is giving birth this June, and so she made a long list what to buy in IKEA. The baby stuffs are cute!!! For myself, I got a new lunchbox, bed quilt, pillow, bed sheet...and...what else? *Can't remember what I bought*


I take the benefit and the pleasure walking in Singapore. Unlike Jakarta where walking is not a pleasant experience. We walked hours and hours in Singapore, my legs barely moved. Well, it is wise to bring pair of sneakers, but I don't have sneakers and I don't want to bring my Nike with me. So, ended up wearing flat shoes.

Then I found these , Scholl products, cost 4-5SGD, not bad ya? Put the patches on and...voila..I'm back hitting the Singapore street again!

Singapore Day 1

Hellooww..I'm writing from Singapore now,I was ready for bed but my mind is too excited to sleep. I'm traveling with my friend Diane ( she's Australian and we were colleague ). We never thought we would travel this far. Well anyway, thank God we have the same school holidays. This is the first day, and there are a lot story to share!

Alright, our flight from Jakarta was delayed for 15 minutes,it was smooth take off and flight, until finally the pilot said prepared for landing. We felt that the plane slowly going down, then it flew up again! I was..like what happened? We hit clouds and caused pretty rough turbulence. Our guess was must be the weather, and of course we were right ( the pilot finally told us soon as the plane touched the ground ). So, we arrived Singapore 1 hour behind the scheduled time! Ok..so that was the flight. But the story it's not about that.

We arrived at Changi, passed the immigration, then we tried to look for cheap shuttle bus as said in internet. We were going around the circles for nothing. We asked some people, but they can't speak english, and one has speech difficulty. Our trip is finally getting better. We found the shuttle bus, cost only $9 and takes you right to your hotel. We've made hotel reservation online, we gambled how the hotel would be. Ok, the room is very small! but the great thing is FREE WI FI!! they also have converter ( save my netbook and blackberry's life ). We were tying to get that converter at City Hall and Bugis Junction but couldn't find it. Our brain seemed not connected with Singapore one.

Here's something funny ( or little bit frightening ), after freshened up, we went to City Hall and walked to Bugis from there. As we descended from MRT, my card didn't work. The gate didn't open. I was panicking! And suddenly the evil minx came across my mind. I thought, I could pass the gate when somebody tapping his/her card. I swiftly passed the gate, and since the gate is very close with MRT staffs, theres one Indian staff called out angrily " That's an offense lady!" To be really honest my heart stopped. I thought I'd go to jail! ( I don't want to give my 500SGD to him, it supposed to be for shopping ).You know how strict Singaporeans are. Oh Thank God, the other guy was nicer and let me do my card again. So, I got out with relief straight to Raffles City *whew*.

We had nice walk to Bugis Junction, bought nice scarves and sling bag. I haven't found the shoes that I want, but I can look for them tomorrow. Finished our shopping in Bugis, we headed to hotel. We challenged ourselves to walk from Novena station to hotel. The hotel staff told me to take bus instead. We did take bus on the way to Novena station, but on the way back no. We are gym babes! Walking is not an issue for us! Well turn out took 30mins walking from Novena station to hotel. Ok, we'd so slim by the time we are in Jakarta!

Didn't take many pictures on the first day, just these 2 pictures below.

Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer, view from the shuttle bus

This is heaven for foodie like me! Look all those food! It's just 5 minutes walk from our hotel

Well, that;s it the story for day 1. It''s starting good. Hotel turn out to be good,free wi fi, friendly and helpful staffs, nice hot water. We got good bargain in the first day, And..20% discount for Universal Studio's tickets!!! Yippeeee

Helloooowww April !

Well how time flies when you are having fun. It's the second day of April already. I'm still in holiday *yippeee* and just 2 days away from trip to Singapore * can't wait*. I just finished my tutorial this week *wheeww*, now it's time to make lists of what to buy, what to do and where to go in Singapore. I love this kind of activity!

As for today ( which is weekend ) and still on holiday, just want to read a book, chilling at home, maybe doing some errands in the afternoon. Basically away from hustle and bustle! Ooohh..I forgot packing! I like going places but never like packing. I just put everything in the suitcase * that I can do later*

For The Love of Dancing

Everyone knows I love dancing. I can express myself through dancing, I can let out my sorrow through dancing. I love the new things in dancing, I love learning it. I'm not a professional dancer but I live with dancing.

So for the love of dancing, I'm taking extra time learning new styles at this dance community, Metro Soul Dance. The founder..the only guy in the picture, Tommy. He's also the instructor at Celebrity Fitness. He's good at street hip hop and LA style. Love him to death for his great moves. So here we are, in order supporting his dance community and for my love in dancing, last Thursday before Tommy's class, we took some snapshots. The quality may be not good, because only through mobile phone.

Mega, Tommy and me posing before class

Street hip hop enough?

Proud to be Metro Soul Dance Crew ^_^

Here we are with our dearest Lita ( don't judge her by her looks, she's a funk maestro ).

So yeah, I always excited when it comes to dancing. I'd travel all the way to western part of Jakarta just for dancing ( because different instructor different style ). I don't mind dancing for hours and hours. I just LOVE dancing!

Learning Photoshop

You know..I never interested to learn Photoshop, I always lean on my sister to make any designs that I need for my blog. But today, I discovered the excitement of learning Photoshop. And..peeps..please give big clap to Ms. Alia Aswinanda *clap* *clap* ..My first design using Photoshop it's the header of this blog.

If before I have no idea what to do during my 5 weeks summer holiday, now I know!! Beside giving private tutorial, I'm going to learn more applying my Photoshop knowledge.

Oh BTW, I haven't mentioned the reason why I suddenly so excited about Photoshop. It's the because the YearBook thingy. Third week of my job in new school, I'm assigned to do YearBook for my class at least. At first..I was like...*what* I have no idea how to use Photoshop, was thinking to pay my sister instead. But heyy...I'm no quitter! So I just Googled..and Googled, teach myself learning Photoshop.

Book Review : Dan Brown Deception Point

This will be my first post about reviewing a book that I just finished reading, which is Deception Point. For those who doesn't know the author is Dan Brown.

I must put two thumbs up for his novel. I couldn't put it down until I finish reading it. He's such a great writer, he seems to know everything. This book is much to politics and scientific, very much different than his previous books that I read; Da Vinci Code and Demons and Angels.

Anyway, one of the great things about working in school ( especially in an international school ) is I can borrow any types of books from the library. Gosh...I miss reading books so much. And I've got two more books waiting to be read.

Today's Another Post

*I think* About three weeks ago, we went to the grand opening of the new gym branch at Gandaria City ( another shopping center to be visited ), and of course we had great time there.

There were dance competition, dance performances by the instructors ( love them soo mucccchhh ), and performances by a local artist ( not really into it ).


--- one of the dance performances by the instructors ( very blur..well it's hard to take pics when they are moving all the time )





Well, here we are...nice decoration celebrating the Chinese New Year.
I'm really happy to be with good friends and treasure every moment with them.

Heyyyaaaa...It's Been A While

Whoooaaaaa....I haven't been writing anything for ages! And the typical excuse is...BUSY!! Yeah, working everyday makes my body and brain tired. I had bad flu for while, my students' examination is getting nearer.

Another thing happened is, I'm moving to a school ( again ). Yes, my new job in English Institution didn't last long. I have proposed my resignation. To be really honest, I missed my students in school. When there was opening in an International School, I just applied and I got accepted.

The funny thing is, I'll be surrounded with Brits again. My teaching team is a British. Well, I guess I'm over hating and avoiding the Brits.

I'm looking forward to be working in my school...agaiiiinnnn!!!!!

Writing About Food

Eating has been my one of many things I love to do. Today, I'm just going to write about food. I went to this newly opened cute restaurant, called TenTen. At first, I thought it serves sushi as well.

However, with the cute interior, I won't mind with the lack of menu varieties. So I ordered, all veggies tempura ( to justify for eating deep fried food ) and iced green tea. Really enjoyable lunch I had. I'm a big fan of Japanese food ( well..I'm a big fan of all kind of food ). And, after I had my tempura and miso soup...next stop would be Sushi Tei!! I miss their sashimi salad, jumbo yakitori and dragon roll. Oh..my I'm hungry again...

Another thought for today : I think I'm in love..........

First Random Thoughts in 2011

Helloo...Holaaa..As I wrote in my previous post, my new started very early,so I didn't put anything special on the first day of 2011. However, it was a great start of in year 2011. Special dance class at Central Park for 2 amazing hours!! Only happened at Celebrity Fitness Central Park.

So this is almost the second week of January, and it has been fabulous. I have been occupied with my tutorial. The national examination is getting closer for my students. We are all working hard to catch up. The relief part is, they are got accepted in one of the best IB schools in Jakarta. I'm so proud with them.

As work..it's okay, I can't complain about it although every Thursday I have to run from PIM 1 to PIM 2 to catch my dance class ( I take it as warm up ).

Well..hmm...what else ? My life been busy, juggling between work and gym and tutorial. I have no day off.

Gotta go now..work is waiting...*poof*

Random Thoughts for Today

Wednesday is my day off from work and I don't feel like to give tutorial today, to be even make me more lazy is the weather. It has been raining since last night. I'm trying to get back to sleep although it's already 10.30 AM.

So, here I am, with my mug of coffee, my favorite cookies; my mind start to wander. First stop, is the topic in online newspaper; a teenager committed suicide. The interesting part is this kid comes from a wealthy family. He supposed to go to college next January in one of best universities in Australia. He has bright future in front of him and why would he kill himself? To be honest, committing suicide had ever occurred in my mind. But comparing to this boy, my life was a big mess. However, I managed to live until this day. Finished reading the news, I realized the teenager suicide is a true example how money is not a guarantee for happiness. Being wealthy and got accepted in a reputable university don't make somebody strong to face the reality. Or..I don't know...people have their own ways to overcome their problems. But, it's a shame ending your life without Allah's will. Maybe if I could say to him..if you would just hang on for a little while, maybe things would be different.

My second thought; now stop in my guilty pleasure : BURGER KING!! I can't believe my workplace is just 1 minute away from Burger King. After weeks and weeks of trying not to get tempted to have the burger, my wall of defense fell down. I couldn't resist to try their new menu : Angry Angus with jalapeno and cheese. How was it? It was GOOD!!! DIVINE!! It tastes better than Big Whopper. Well, it's guilty pleasure indeed. Then during my break, I had body combat class, so at least the fatty part of angry angus didn't stay for long.



Next is, my picture in new work place, it's almost a month now and I haven't told what is it like. My new job is as Personal Tutor at Wall Street Institute of English. Fairly new in Jakarta, but it's a big and well known english institution . Very easy job, the level stress is not high and the best part is the payment is pretty good. With this new job, I have more time to focus on practicing my writing skill. The company allows me to join the writing workshop, allows me to have my "me" time sit in the front of my netbook to write. And by the way, one of the teachers here is also a journalist, so I learn a lot from him. Am I the luckiest woman on earth or what?

Well that's all my random thoughts for today. I'm person with full of thoughts and they can be anything.

Happy Christmas, Happy Time @ Central Park

It's Christmas Day, and of course I don't have to go to work. Luckily, there is special Christmas class at Celebrity Fitness Central Park : 2.5 hours of dancing class!! The dress code is of course all about Christmas. BTW, I don't celebrate Christmas but it's always fun to join the hype! With my awesome dance mate Mega, we traveled all the way to western part of Jakarta. And it's all worth it! The class was super fun, great choreography and great people there. Now..I can't wait to have another special class for New Year still at Celebrity Fitness Central Park.

The Pictures are in random order...2.5 hours of dancing surely tiring!! and we were busy taking pictures.

among the presents

Front of gigantic christmas tree

@dance studio

big posers!

Stolen presents

Yo!!!

locker's poser

Always Workout Always Happy!!!

Posing before Body Pump class

Yeaappp...don't think I'm just sitting around, sobbing, regretting what had happened..ohh noooo....I'm not like that and I'm not pretending to be happy. I'm REALLY happy because I'm surrounded with good friends and positive people. Working out is one of the things that often take my sorrow away. I love the endorphin rush running through my vein. Here are mobile photos as real proof. I love my gym time at FX.

Almost time for Body Pump!

Having my plates,bar, and step ready for Body Pump class

A Bag Full of Happines : Don't Know Why I'm Happy

Wowww...this is good right? Feeling happy without reason. It just in me. I'm feeling happy, excited and all the positive feelings.

It's been just less than a month, I joined Wallstreet Institute but I like the atmosphere so far. Only few staff who are seems ignorance. But,m I don't bother. It's less stressful in my new place. I have more time to do writing workshop ( the institute provides it for free !! ) . I have new friends at the gym now. Well...since my gym hour is changed to morning, so I found good friendship with some members who usually come in the morning. The great part is, some of them are also studying in the place where I teach. So cool huh?

Ok..what else? what else that make me feel happy now...hmmm..maybe because I go to the gym more often now. More endorphine produced. Thatsn good...hmmm...what else ya??

So far only those reasons above make me happy....yeaaahhh I'm happy!!!!

With Allah is Whom I Want To Be With

I'm very touched with one of Sami Yusuf's song called : You Came To Me ( I put the lyric in the previous post ). The song really makes me cry, not cry for sadness but cry how great Allah is. How kind Allah is. How I'm just small as dust in front of Him. How I'm just weak human being without You. How I'm just nothing in this world with You.

When I feel hopeless, He gives me hope through prayers Man's way leads to hopeless end, Allah's way leads to endless hope

When other human beings betray me, He always around

When reason reaches its peak and the souls of His lovers feel helpless and disabled, they grow restless and stretch their hands in supplication, seeking comfort for their burning souls. When every manner of search within their power has been consumed, the doorway to Him is opened.

- Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

When other human beings hurt me, He heals me

When other human beings break their promises, He keeps His Promises

When other human beings turn their love, He loves me always

Allah kindles the fire of love in the hearts of the chosen, so that their carnal selves are consumed. Once ignited the fire of longing never dies. That is the flame about which the Prophet said, "When Allah wills the good of his servant, He kindles a light of faith in his heart."

When they asked him what were the signs of that fire, he replied, "Deviation from the abode of vanity; progression toward the Eternal."

- Abu Sa'id, "Rabi'a the Mystic"

When other human beings find forgive is hard to do, He forgives my sins

He who transgresses or wrongs his own soul but then turns to Allah seeking forgiveness shall find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.

- Qur'an, An-Nisa, Surah 4:11

Praise to you yaa Allah....Allah Akbar
You are my creator, thus to You I shall return

Please Let Me Enjoy My Peace. Please Don't Open My Scar

This blog is my personal point of view. There are posts about my anger, and posts how I calm down. This is my diary, the ride of my life. The storms I had in life and how I overcome it. Inspiration mostly comes from John Tucker, although not in good way.

Three months of struggle. Getting out the pain in the chest. Holding back the rage. Trying to smile even though it was very aching. I couldn't breath because of the pain.
With tears and in silence I talked to Allah. HE prevented me of doing destructive things to John Tucker, although I could destroy his life. HE helped me to be strong. HE showed me the way.

Yesterday's post about my old scar being opened again. It was accident and I thought I was ready. But I'm not ready. Every time his name being spoken, the pain comes back. The rage bursted out.

It's good for me that I'm left alone with my own peace, my own life. I'm putting my life back, breathing the air. Please don't remind me of him in any way. It's toxicating for me and slowing down my healing process.

103rd Post

Heyy...I didn't realize this is my 103rd post. I'm such productive writer today. What's the trigger?
Well, I have no idea why that english woman called me again. Somehow, she opened the old scar back. Which I don't need. I have struggled overcome the pain that John Tucker caused me. Now, because of her the flashes of his evil, the beast, heartless stuff he did to me came back. Struggling from the start again. So, I decided to delete her name from my BB. I just want to live in peace.

Luckily, the first bright side is I'm now again closer to Allah, having my faith thickened again. Allah always has HIS magical hands to help me. Again, one blessed woman. And while browsing in YouTube, I found english nasheed singer, Sami Yusuf and wow... he's very handsome.

Another good thing is, because I really need diversion from the pain, I put my thoughts in my blog. It will take few days again to remove the pain. With Allah's help I'm sure I will get through this.

You Came To me

Again, music plays important role in my life. I stumble upon to this guy while I searched more about Asmaul Husa Dzikir. Due to technical reason, I couldn't upload the related video. Just search for Sami Yusuf on YouTube. But in here, I'm just showing the lyric :

You came to me in that hour of need
When I was so lost, so lonely
You came to me took my breath away
Showed me the right way, the way to lead

You filled my heart with love
Showed me the light above
Now all I want Is to be with you

You are my one true love
Taught me to never judge
Now all I want Is to be with you

CHORUS (x2): ALLAHUMA! Sal 'ala Sayideena Mustafa
'Alaa Habeebika Nabieeka Mustafa
(O God! Send Your Blessings upon our leader, the chosen one (Muhammad (peace upon him))
Upon Your Beloved, Your Prophet, the chosen one)

You came to me in a time of despair
I called on you, you were there
Without You what would my life mean?
To not know the unseen, the worlds between

For you I'd sacrifice
For you I'd give my life
Anything, just to be with you

I feel so lost at times
By all the hurt and lies
Now all I want Is to be with you

Showed right from wrong
Taught me to be strong
Need you more than ever
Ya Rasul ALLAH (O Messenger of God (Muhammad (peace be upon him))

You came to me
In that hour of need
Need you more than ever
Ya Rasul ALLAH

You filled my heart with love
Showed me the light above
Now all I want is to be with you

You are my one true love
Taught me to never judge
Now all I want Is to be with you

I cried to tears listened to this song. Praise to Allah The Almighty. Subhanallah, Allahu Akbar