Friday, February 22, 2008

[I dream of] Jodhpur, India

I was smitten by this city when I saw Barry Vera's program, Feast India, on Discovery Travel And Living.

Still in Rajashtan, India, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state, also known as the Sun City due to the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year.

[I dream of] Jaipur, India

I'm always enchanted by India's rich culture, food, and colors. I collect many things Indian - I've a wide collection of Indian accessories (esp. bangles) and some India-inspired clothing. I also enjoy their music - well, not the pop ones like from the movies, but rather the chill-out version like the ones from Putumayo. And lastly, I'm very into yoga. Hahah...

Thursday, February 21, 2008

[I dream of] Istanbul, Turkey


I am a small girl with big dreams of traveling the world. Always have been, always will be. And I hope one day that dream of mine would be fulfilled. I've already had some must-visit-and-explore places on my list. From now on, I'll post them up gradually, one by one. It's a long list - and it'll keep growing longer.

Most places on my list are places with strong culture, stunning architectures, and rainbow of colors. I am a sucker for exotic culture and beautiful images.

Now, first on the list to be posted is Turkey.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Bittersweet Symphony

Monday, 18 February 2008, 08.50 a.m.

It was raining again this morning when I got out of the house for work. Looking out through the car window scattered with raindrops, my mind wandered off.

As I saw the cars and buildings along the road, I thought about my life - my state of being for the moment. Not that it's of any importance. It was nothing serious or depressing nor reflective - I was just daydreaming. My mood was content.

And then on the radio, I suddenly noticed this crystal clear voice, singing one too familiar song. The new version of Sempurna, sung by Gita Gutawa.


Kau begitu sempurna. Di mataku kau begitu indah. Kau membuat diriku akan slalu memujimu.
Di setiap langkahku. Ku kan slalu memikirkan dirimu. Tak bisa kubayangkan hidupku tanpa cintamu.

One very popular song with one too many memories in it. Hidden within the words, there was a brief story of us. And I can't help but be nostalgic about it. Reliving the past, revisiting the moments. Maybe this is what they call a bittersweet symphony.

And so as I saw the cars and buildings along the road, I though about my life - and I smiled at the uncertainties of it.

Janganlah kau tinggalkan diriku. Takkan mampu ku menghadapi semua. Hanya bersamamu ku akan bisa.
Kau adalah darahku. Kau adalah jantungku. Kau adalah hidupku, lengkapi diriku. Oh sayangku, kau begitu... Sempurna..

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Jakarta, Indonesia - A Sinking Giant? by Andre Vitchek

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - A SINKING GIANT?

Jakarta (Jaya Karta - Prosperous, Glorious City) Capital City of Indonesia, what are they doing to you!
http://www.worldpress.org/Asia/ 2875.cfm

by Andre Vitchek

Today, high-rises dot the skyline, hundreds of thousands of vehicles belch fumes on congested traffic arteries and super-malls have become the cultural centers of gravity in Jakarta, the fourth largest city in the world. In between towering super-structures, humble kampongs house the majority of the city dwellers, who often have no access to basic sanitation, running water or waste management.

While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.