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! :) 

three's a charm

My life in university turned out to be not as bad as the early semesters. Re-studying Japanese wasn't so bad anymore the moment it turned harder. Odd as it is, I think the boyfriend has a role in it.

I never find it a good thing to re-find a passion in something due to another reason completely unconnected to it. But this is totally different. I love Japanese language and culture, and I always will. I've just been gifted with another happiness in my life. A happiness that also share the same passion and love as me. : )

We're bookworms, movie-geeks, lazy-weekends type of lovers. No loud clubs, not much fancy dinners, and I kinda like it that way.

When you're happier in life, you'd find your days brighter, and bad things seemed to have half an impact. To be honest, I've never been this happier and active in life.

I pay attention to school even more, study a little bit more when I have to, actively involved in my university's English Club, count my expenses, and somehow a bit more obsessed with cleanliness and tidiness. The last one started just a few weeks ago without any fathomable reasoning whatsoever. I sweep my rented room more than twice a day, I cant stand clutter, routines calm me down, and I tidy the house (which threw my mum into an absolute silent observing mode).

I can't be bothered with the grammar of this post right now, as I'm gonna go back to doing my assignments, and maybe jet off to find the boyfriend's Xmas present.

love, noirette.

*OH OH OH! Chanel Pre-fall 2012 is GORGEOUS to say the least. 

It was inspired by India and the show was done IN India. Having said this, you must thought Karl indulged himself in a month or two in an Indian inspirational meditation in Bombay or whatsoever, but NO. He never does. Like previous Shanghai collection, Karl thought being inspired by India does not mean one have to go to India, on the contrary, it's far more inspiring not to go. 

As i read his quote, I can't help but sneer. Nevertheless, seeing the collection makes me realize that what he did was showing the world how to incorporate Indian elegance to fashion. It's not in-your-face Indian costumes and accessories, it's more chic, more wearable (if you have a wad of bills just hanging around in your pocket), and of course, more marketable. In this crisis, you must sell fashion. Karl definitely know how to do it. 

Glossy Satin tulip skirts, golden accessories and shoes, those boots, incorporated with signature Chanel tweed, whites, and cap-toes. Chanel's Indian chic indeed.

OKAY, assignments now.