Labels: devil in you, devil of 20th century

Labels: chic dress, lifestyle, shopping online, urban

ADHD is primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring infrequently alone."

ADHD has three subtypes:
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
- Predominantly inattentive
- Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive 

Predominantly inattentive type symptoms may include:

• Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
• Have difficulty focusing on one thing
• Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
• Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
• Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
• Not seem to listen when spoken to
• Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
• Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Struggle to follow instructions.

• Fidget and squirm in their seats
• Talk nonstop
• Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
• Be constantly in motion
• Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

• Be very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
• Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games

Labels: ADD, julie and julia, writer's block, writing

I just watched a channel which broadcasted a documentary called "Escaping North Korea*" and am stirred to write this. I don't really know about that socialist country, but after reading several articles on the internet I feel more sad and concerned about North Korean people. Although almost all of them are literate, they do not have freedom for their own lives. As one of five remaining socialist countries in the world, North Korea clearly declare themselves as self-governed country which centralized everything. Food, education, shelter are provided free for the people, but that doesn't mean that the people have enough. Meat and fruits are two rare things for ordinary people. Imagine if you have never known banana, mango, or orange fruits! It's madness!! Imagine that the food "store" in town only provides cabbages, tomatoes, and turnips... Are you feeling lucky now?


You should feel lucky. North Korean people are not allowed to have internet connection or accept any influences from outside world. This concentrated camp which has been allowed to call themselves as a country is a strong proof of human right's violation. While the elite could indulge themselves in finer clothes and transportation, the ordinary people are meant to work like cows and expected to behave in such a way to please the elite (including wearing uniforms every other day of their lives!) So it's not so shocking to know that the live-span of North Koreans are shorter than most people in the world (and similar to Pakistan, Burma, and Russia).

I wonder what would happen after the current dictator, Kim Jong-Il is gone one day. Oh, he is ill-minded, indeed. May the grace of God be upon him and his family, as they have been living in luxury, out of the misery of his people. I couldn't imagine how it likes to be a citizen in that hell on earth which cultivates nuclear weapons, distributes illegal drugs, and builds military zone like some kind of amusement parks. 

I still don't know how, but the world must save North Koreans. As one of chinese people who was born outside that socialist country, I can say that I am proud of my ancestors who once decided to have a better future by migrating abroad. Having said that, I will not trade my freedom with anything. And I pray that God will open doors and give hopes for North Koreans. It is not their faults to be born there, and they should not be kept hidden from the rest of the world. They should be able to laugh and speak like other country's citizens. They are God created human beings. The Hermit kingdom sadly were also God created being, and they were here for a purpose. We do not know why such people were created in the first place; Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Mao, Osama bin Laden. What did their mothers teach. What bitterness root. But as Romans 8:28 says, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." So I truly believe that amongst those bitter roots, there will be one or more better roots that grow to fulfill that purpose. When you are oppressed, you will likely find the best strength inside. God is not neglecting the North Koreans, just like He is not forgetting the Jews. One day we'd look back and see the revelation of His plans for their lives. Maybe not in this decade, maybe not in this world. But I believe God loves and values 10 out of 10 each of his creation. We should remember that whenever we treat other people in our lives.

Do you value a 10 out of yourself? 


*The documentary told that North Korean must crossed over China, Myanmar, Thailand, and then fly to South Korean embassy to seek for asylum. If they get caught before they reach Thailand, they will be sent back to North Korea and executed there.  

Labels: cruelty, dictator, distress, ill government, introvert, kim jong il, less freedom, lucky, north korea, oppressed people, refugee, socialist, unfortunate people, worst country in the world

Labels: air conditioner, click, office building, primary, secondary

Labels: ies thamrin 9, red mango, sunday service in jakarta, t9

Labels: IES, international english service, weekend review

If you have played Scrabble before, you would know that Q10 term was taken from the game. Now, I am starting to get myself used to these mini keyboards of mine, and Q10 software. The beauty of this freeware is how it allows you to concentrate solely to your words and typing only. To make it even more fun like the older days (well, for us writers who had ever experience the joy of using vintage typing machine. I personally would like to store mine forever and ever! My parents used to give me an all-black classic typing machine, and I used it to publish my first writing for local newspaper. What a sweet memory!), Q10 provides the typing sound automatically, either from movies such as Amelie, Chicago, or Super Mario (huh? never mind)... So, while I could focus on my writing without being distracted by chat screens or Mozilla or Opera... I could save the energy, too, because the screen is using all-black as background :) So, thank you, poystories, for plurking about this, and I wish you good luck for your writing, too. If I have time, I'll try to come to the meet-up this weekend.

Happy Nanowrimo!

Labels: nanowrimo, novel, typing, writing

Sitting on this cafe sofa, under a soft yellow light which glow throughout the small room...
Drinking juice, eating ice cream, listening to excellent bass and drum from the jazz players...
Just relaxing, trying to unwind and get my groove back... mojo, gusto, whatever...
Tomorrow is weekend again, and I still have so many plans in my mind...
Be it unto me according to Your will, God. And I promise, I will trade my sorrow.

Have a great weekend, friends.

Today is my fifth day in my hometown, Surabaya, and already I felt like I'm moving in back to my parents house :D Once again being asked if I'm gonna stay for good in Jakarta, or gonna come back to Surabaya after several years of experience... But the truth is, the city is similar like Jakarta now, and it is scorching hot (maybe cuz it's October ya). I'm thinking to myself that if I am gonna stay again in Surabaya, I'm gonna stay on my own. So, yup, might as well buy a house and a car. But anyways, since that's a long-term plan, right now I'm just focusing on short-term plan such as embracing opportunities that come my way. Hey, do you find yourself thinking of short and long term goal when it's close to the end of the year? I do, cuz my birthday falls just few days before New Year.  

I'm going to have a morning flight tomorrow, and still haven't figured out how I'm gonna bring all the "oleh-oleh" for friends and colleagues in Jakarta. You know, simple stuff like "kerupuk upil" (sand cracker) can be a pain in *** when it's being carried (very light, yet must be carried very carefully- cuz once they crack, they would not be able to be called "crackers" anymore). Anywyas, I've promised mself that this is the last time I'm bringing "oleh-oleh" and this is the last time I'm coming home only for wedding. It's not really a "eco-friendly" activity you know; taking round trip on an airplane in the name of invitation. Next time, I'll save the money and send the newlyweds a wedding gift instead :) Nice idea, eh? Next year, the only wedding I will be attending is S*n & D*n's (cuz she's my best friend of 12 years, and I've promised her a ladies party). Can't wait to arrange it... ^^

Labels: blog action day, cinta bumi, global warming, green, loving earth, trees

   

     

I had had so much fun yesterday. This is a Japanese festival that had gotten a heart-warming support from the local society. One of the festivals which you can't afford to loose... Well, here are the reasons:
- this happens once a year (with undetermined location).
- this year it took place inside Monas (the National Museum), so it was really strategic! :)
- there were so many attractive and unique people walking around with confidence (where else you can paint your face, use colorful wig, or carry a samurai on your back?)
- there were many Japanese food, toys, souvenirs, and games
- there was a chance for you to hook up with a beautiful Japanese women in their yukata. Also, typical slim Japanese guys who wore rattan hat.

Still not enough reason? How about a jazz performance and a traditional Omikoshi (神輿) parade just like it was in Japan? Well, I wasn't expecting to meet them all, but apparently they were all there! It was absolutely an all-out closing festival. I kinda felt touched when I observe the relationship that's been built between Indonesia and Japan. Despite the short colonial era, I think Japan has left its root in Indonesia more than we realized. There are so many Indonesians who love Japanese language (including myself), and learn its culture with so much enthusiasm. On the other hand, Japan has been trying to facilitate Indonesia, by providing different scholarship and cultural programs. Honestly, not even the Dutch had done that (some may say "redeem" or whatever, but the truth is this is a different generation, so I don't think it's fair to say that). All of that was done to create a mutual relationship, which become a loving relationship. I saw one Indonesian lady wearing a veil, who was joining other elder women in mochi-making process. After the gents were hitting the mochi rice with big wood hammer, the rice was finally being rolled into flour and mix with different ganishes. The Indonesian lady was talking to the women in Japanese, when suddenly she got a gentle tap on her back. A Japanese man of her age asked in Bahasa, "Sudah selesai?" (Have you finished yet?) and she answered, "Baru mulai" (It's just started). I was smiling seeing their interaction; and I could tell that they were husband and wife. What do you think? :)

I hope more and more festivals like this will be held in Indonesia. Not just Jakarta, but a roadshow would be great. I remember how I've always found it difficult to keep up with cultural events when I was living in Surabaya. Well, I guess the rest is up to the government, but for this one I will give salute *bow in Japanese way* and say "doumo arigatou gozaimashita".

Labels: hana matsuri, jakarta festival, japan-indonesia, mikoshi, nippon festival

I was planning on writing about the Batik day on Oct 2nd yesterday, but then apparently I got distracted by a lot of things that I didn't write it at the end of the day. If many of you don't know, on Oct 2nd UNESCO is officially admitting Batik as one of the world's heritage, therefore to celebrate it the goverment officials and institutions were encouraging people to wear Batik. The result was, Indonesia were dominated by Batik during that day. Even the street sellers were wearing "blankon" (one of the national attire for men). Here is one news from the national newspaper.

Labels: alone, batik, eqrthquake, typhoon

Halo, Apa Kabar?

Allow me to introduce myself as the blogger of this month. The above title show how I greet people in my native language (Bahasa Indonesia), which means "Hello, how are you?". We use that to greet people, especially those we haven't met for a long time. When we meet somebody for the first time, it could also mean "Hello, how do you do?", but unlike English, we don't say "apa kabar" back to the greeter. Honestly, when I first learned English, I found that "How do you do" thing was kind of weird at first. Why -instead of answering the question- do we have to repeat the same question again. Well, I guess that's the uniqueness of a language.

All through this September, I will try my best to keep you posted about many interesting things that happen in my world. I am currently living in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, a.k.a. one of the most populated cities in the world. Over two hundred millions of people are currently living in Jakarta, and that cause unbearable traffic jam at certain areas every single day. It is very common for us to leave for work at 6 am in the morning, and reach home again at 9 pm in the evening. Is it a normal thing for you?

I am currently sitting behind my office desk now. In case you are wondering, I work as a copywriter. This is one of those jobs that may sound fancy, but actually only related to words and concepts. Don't you just love writing? *seeking approval* I feel that writing could lead to many many things. One of the result is advertising, an interesting industry that I am involved in. When I was a little girl, I loved to watch commercials on television. Whenever there was a new product being introduced, I would come up to my dad and ask for that same thing. My dad said that many advertisements told lies. Well, he might be true at some point, but don't we like being lied to sometimes? I can speak as a woman that I like being told that I have lost weight (when the fact was I just looked thinner thanks to the black dress that I wore). I think advertising sell hopes and dreams. Without those two things, we will not have motivation. What do you think? On my next post, I will share you some of my favorite commercials of all times. Please do come back and leave me a comment. Thanks!

See the comments and my other blog posts in:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/communicate/blog/student/

Labels: bbc, blog, blogger, english, language

Hmmmm... it's been a while since I've visited Plaza Senayan... (maybe since 6 months ago?). The last time I went there to dine at Pacific Diner, which located in front of the Cinema XXI. Well, yesterday, I finally went to Plaza Senayan again... and well, turned out that I've missed a lot of improvements that they've made :)

This mall was one of the first shopping destinations in Jakarta. Located in a very strategic area (connected with Ratu Plaza, behind Gelora Bung Karno), a bit to the South, yet close to the Central Business area (Sudirman); Plaza Senayan sure has become a high-end spot. But since a couple of years ago, this place has a strong head-to-head competitor, Senayan City, which built right in front of the area and targeted high-end market as well. I personally don't really like going to SC, maybe the reason is more because of geographical issue. See, either SC or PS is located near my office, yet quite far from my place. It's slightly easier to go to PS for me, because I can walk passing Ratu Plaza and quickly end up in Jl. Sudirman. During the first year of my stay in Jakarta, this mall used to be my favorite mall. Imagine, you can hop at any shopping place according budget. Most of all, I love SOGO :D Metro is not bad either, cuz it provides a lot of choices (but then again, you better have the member card if you want to get additional benefits). But, I dunno why, most of my friends prefer to go to SC nowadays... despite it's lackness of middle class shopping choices, SC does carry a refreshing "youthful" energy as a relatively new player in town :)

Yesterday was the first time after 6 months (or more) of avoiding going to PS... *lols*... I mean, hey, why should I go there if I could just roll in 10 minutes and reach Plaza Indonesia, or Grand Indonesia. Especially, now PI has expanded its area, becoming extension and.... adding another XXI! *happy dance* Hohoho, it was a joyful sound in my ear when I heard it. Mall competition could be tough, man, and we (read: the customers) are absorbing more benefits from that :p Anyways, back to story about PS... I got this ticket to see premiere of "The Proposal" (I just love Sandra Bullock!) and I had to go, right... *wink* so, I stepped into PS and noticed a difference on elevator. Since the XXI was re-opened, they have added extra elevator near the parking lot. Voila! It took me only about 5 minutes to get to Cinema XXI on 5th floor. After the show, the clock is showing 9.30 pm, and some restaurants were still serving. Me and my friends still had time to look around, checking on Marche restaurant. It's a must-visit place for a change. I surely will come back, and see what other changes that PS has to offer... (Like my boyfriend always says, changes are good).

Here are some of good offers from PS this month*:
Periplus- Save 20% off for all Paolo Coelho books, Save 15% off for all dictionaries and language learning-books.
Everbest- Save up to 50% for selected items.
Mango- Save up to 70% for selected items.
Zara- End of season sale. Discount up to 50% off.
Lacoste- End of season sale. Discount up to 50% off.
Levi's- Save up to 40%, select items and get additional discount 10% off for HSBC card holders.
*as quoted from web.

Labels: lifestyle, mall, plaza, sale, shopping