I'm such a terrible blogger

Ah well, lots had been going on.

Let me just give you a brief update on things that has happened to me since last July:

1. I got first place at the National Japanese Speech Competition! :) Will be representing Indonesia for the Asean Competition next October in Tokyo!

2. I am now in Osaka, Japan. Well, I've been here for a month, actually and haven't gotten around to post about it despite so many stories and photos hanging around in my computer..
I'm studying Japanese for a year in a language school here, and I'm kinda still trying to get used to a 34/35 degree summer.

I'm living in a tiny little apartment in a suburban area in Osaka, here's a glimpse of my room:

and some dinners/lunches the boyfriend and I have made for ourselves.. :)
getting the hang of this alien thing called cooking nowadays.. let's hope I keep getting better and better!

made a decent enough Omuraisu (オムライス) or Omelette Rice to photograph by following a recipe I saw on a TV show one day :P

Well, I guess that's the main points of my life as of late, will do some more post on Gion Matsuri later. Toodlz.

The girl in the red dress

Hello!

I finally got the copy of my photos that were taken last September! These were done for Bina Nusantara English Club's EMax (English Magazine) and the theme was Christmas. Wasn't totally satisfied with the whole look since I barely have time to decide what ensemble I'm gonna wear. The photos that I love were actually not used in the final cut. The photos I don't really like got used. Sadface.

Weekly Noirs 1 / 21 May 2012

Hello there!

One of my resolutions this.. year? Lately? Whatever, is to blog more often. Kinda making it a habit to keep record of my life, of some sort. It's nice to know how I've been spending my days, and since diaries are only limited to words, I shall make blog posts instead! I'm gonna do some sort of weekly updates of little things I've been doing. Shall call it Weekly Noirs because I'm bad at naming. I for sure will somehow regret naming it this way.

Last Wednesday I went to Sari Pan Pacific Hotel to meet with a possible employer.

Having lived under a cardboard box for so long, I didn't know where Sari Pan Pacific was, so I asked around and googled. Not only did I not have any clue of where this supposedly famous hotel is, I have no friggin idea of how to get there, too.

Since I thought the TransJakarta was a breakthrough in Jakarta public transportation, I decided to take it. Oh who am I kidding, I took the bus because I simply cannot afford the cab fare. Or at least I thought so.

A very nice friend enlightened me the route and it's as follow:

1. Take the super scary Metromini 91 to Mall Citraland

2. Walk to Transjakarta bus stop, ride the one going to Harmoni

3. Transit at Harmoni and take another one heading to Blok M

4. Alight at Sarinah stop

5. Walk to Sari Pan Pasific

So I went. Transjakarta, especially at Harmoni was absolutely crowded, which was no surprise. I got to step five without any notable problems, until I was about to cross the street to get to Sari Pan Pasific...

And that's what I saw. Cars and cars plaiting. And two guys jaywalking haha. Not only that, when it was okay for me to cross, there were TONS of motorcycles ON and OVER the zebra crossing so I was so scared to cross! Because if I do, I'd be so close to the center of the intersection!
There was a policeman around and he saw me having trouble crossing, but he just stared at me for like 5 seconds and resume to waving his hand to signal the cars. FML.

Turns out the cab fare home was only 28k.

Jakarta, ckck.

Inspired by Danny Choo, I actually have been taking pictures of my living space and working space for a few years now. Turns out it's quite interesting to see how my desks, my room arrangement, decor, etc. changes. I feel it says a lot about my working habit and ethic, so I kept a folder of it. Here's one I took just now, while doing some homework and drinking lots of water like there's no tomorrow.

 On the right hand side on my desk are the books I'm currently reading or just happen to have around. I'm a Murakami fan and I'm currently re-reading 1Q84 that I finished a few days ago. Haven't managed to finish Trespassing since I find it a bit long-winded. The Sputnik Sweetheart was a gift from a friend in the US and is one of my favorite works by Murakami!

I have a habit where I multi-task too much that I have to have something to watch during my meals. So in the mornings, I usually load itsjudyslife and eat my breakfast watching it. Judy does makeup tutorial and vlogs on Youtube, and she's pretty famous, not to mention so down to earth!

I'm actually not a very sporty person and I don't do sports. Now though, I realize I have to exercise quite regularly if I don't want to be flabby and lose my fitness. So this is what I watch. Yes, the thumbnail kinda makes you wanna slap the guy. No, it's not a sexy pole dancing video.



It's quite easy to follow and although it's not that heavy, I find it to be a good warm up exercise!



Alright, that's about it. I'll try to update a lot more regularly, and let's just hope this isn't the last of my Weekly Noirs. Geez, now I'm already thinking about changing the title.

Bed time! Cheers!

The Japan Foundation Japanese Speech Contest! (Jabodetabek)

Last Saturday, 12th May 2012 was my Japan Foundation Speech Contest for Jabodetabek! (for those of you who doesn't know Jabodetabek, it's Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi)

My Speech was titled 頑張りの魂or Ganbari no Tamashii. Which is about the fighting spirit of people, perseverance, and the learning process.

oh hello hugeface.

And... I won 2nd Place :)

I was so happy that I got second place, even though everybody that congratulated me wondered why I didn't get the first. But, hey, it's a learning process, and I believe this will make me work harder for the Nationals!

And I keep feeling confused as to why people keep asking me what the prizes are. And when I said I was given a radio, the trophy and a Kanji Dictionary, they seem kinda disappointed. What? I don't give a holy poop about the prizes. The best prizes was to be able to go to Nationals! And what do you care about MY prizes?

The National Speech Competition is on June 9th! I'm gonna work so hard to get the first or second place, since they got to go to Japan for free! :D

And it's also the birthday of someone special :)

**edit

More photos from Japan Foundation's official Facebook!

 Let's all just laugh at myself. There was only one photo of participants talking that was published on the facebook and it had to be this one. Me looking like a rabbit.. punching something. 

contemplating on wearing heels, but.. I already looked like a giant without one.

These are all ten of the participants and the honorable judges! :) 

Byebyebabybyebye

Hello! Please ignore the weird titling (which is a song I have in my head).


I've been so busy with speech practice as of late since I'm gonna be a representative of my university for Japan Foundation's Speech Contest... erm tomorrow. Been rehearsing a lot and despite having previous experiences delivering speeches in English, debating, or MC-ing, I find that I've been working really hard. Never in my life I've to practice so much in order to do a public speaking.

First, the speech is in Japanese, in case you haven't notice. My Japanese is... uhm. Good? Well, according to the university standards it is. But to write a speech in a foreign language, I need to abuse so many dictionaries..

Second, despite having won the internal selection in the university, my pronunciation still has a lot to work on. And when i say a lot, I mean a whole A4 HVS full of words a lot.

Third, doing a speech Japanese style. For the life of me I don't know how Japanese prefer, or do their speeches. What kind of style, is my hand moving to much? is my voice annoying? am I wearing the right outfit? do I smile too much? and all of those. It's a culture kind of thing. Still trying to be me and do the right thing at the same time. Not hard, just VERY HARD. Heheh.

A friend took a shot of me practicing and posted it on her instagram, Cherlydai :) I look supa unglam but the filter's nice. eheheheh.

On a more weird unrelated note, here's a photo of my palms.

If you're wondering why on earth you're looking at my palms, thank god, you're still sane.

Look closely to the lines of my palms. It was taken on a webcam, so the left side is my left palm and the right one is my right palm.
I've always had a long and straight Heart Line. A Heart Line begins from either beneath the index or middle finger.
But noooo, mine just go horizontally across. Compare the figure's Heart Line and my Heart Line.

And I've done some research, and it isn't the Single Palmar Crease too. People with Single Palmar Crease means they only have ONE line instead of their Heart and Head Line.
I still have a Head Line.

And look at my right palm. You can see that the heart line is ALSO long, but it's branching upwards. Or rather, it has another line that starts after it ends under my index finger. Or argsjdsafaidof i don't know lah my palm is super weird.

Thing is, I've done my research, and there are people with extraordinarily long Head Line, which is the line under the Heart Line.. but I don't have that. What do you call extraordinarily long Heart Line?

Maybe anyone could explain? :P For now, I'd just settle with "your heart line's very long, you've a very good heart and people love you so much" DOHOHOHOH.

Yesterday's Outfit of The Day. Been wearing headscarves lately because FAKE REASON :I'm converting into Emoda girl.

REAL REASON: I haven't washed my hair.

Oh, and if you have a few millions to burn on fabulous clothing, and you don't know what on earth is Emoda... you're probably not too into gyaru stuff. I won't blame you.

 Emoda is a very famous gyaru brand in Japan, produced by Ena Matsumoto. She has amazing style and a very good eye. Lately their concept is definitely more subtle, high end, sophisticated gyaru style.

They've recently launched a world-wide webstore, too, and it's been advertised everywhere! Here's my few picks from the store.

As far as Japanese fashion goes, I really love Ena's gyaru style! Oh if I've unlimited shopping budget.. *wipes drool*

Abrupt end because I've got to go to school. Toodles!

April's Museum Day

Hi there! Haven't blogged for quite a while since I've been busy or simply too forgetful!

A few things:
- Watched the Avengers yesterday when it opens! It's BEYOND AWESOME! For all of you who haven't catch it for god knows what reason, go to your nearest theaters and go watch it. Now. NOW.
- I'm currently training for Japan Foundation's Speech Contest for Jabodetabek. It's on May 12th and I'm training like mad! So excited!
- Moved to a new rented room and still coughing non stop because the bed is so dusty. My allergies are killing me each morning. Le sigh, but I have to count my blessings!
- Went to Museum Bank Indonesia and Museum Fatahillah last month! Picture spam below!

We rode the (driver from hell) Metro Mini then Transjakarta to Kota! It was my Japanese Lecturer's first time on a Trans Jakarta :) Waited for so long for the bus to Kota (in heat!) and felt like we just won a lottery when a bus finally came. #lifeinjakarta

First stop: Museum Bank Indonesia! Obviously I'm not gonna comment on every picture retelling what the picture's all about since I'm basically too lazy. heh.

The building was so spectacular against the bright blue sky! Had fun kidnapping my friend's camera (since i forgot mine) and took so many photos.

Favorite family portrait ever wtf

 Then we're off to Kota Tua, Fatahillah was meh, and I've been there too many times already so I didn't take any photos. We walked around then tried some rujak and Kerak Telor :P YUMS! Okay, so i basically like anything with eggs in it, but it was really good kay!

 

Off to some late late lunch at Grand Indonesia then of course, Japanese student and a Japanese, of course we have to have Karaoke Time! 

All in all was a great day, had lotsa fun going around Jakarta with my Japanese Literature friends!

Oh, the watermark on my pictures are annoying, but I've been dealing with a serial plagiarist lately, so.

Awrite, gonna go do more practice nao. .___.
See ya!