Finally Woken Finally Woken A look into Scotland from a stranger's eyes. An Indonesian stranded in Aberdeen and has to deal with Scottish people, accent, weather, food, and football. Also a look into Indonesia from 12,000km away. Articles
Is Our Ministry of Tourism Sleeping?
2007-09-27 17:32:00 I never thought I was a proud Indonesia n. There are so many things our nation has done that made me embarrass enough to admit that I'm from the largest archipelago state. It struck me when I was living in Australia, especially during East Timor's independence issue. By that time we were still recovering from economy crisis, we were struggling with new presidents, we were juggling whether we need military support in our lives and if we don't, what are we gonna do with them, and there were constant riots and terrors throughout the region. I remember we went to uni theatre to be presented with images of beheaded people in Kalimantan (Borneo) as part of the stupid fight between indigenous people and immigrants from Java, and Aceh people were constantly seeking supports to be free from the republic. When Ramos Horta (now East Timor's president) was visiting our uni to seek supports and to give his speech about the preparation of East Timor to be separated from Indonesia, I ... More About: Sleeping , Tourism , Ministry
Things that We Thought Are Normal....
2007-08-31 18:28:00 Stuart finds me crazy. Well, it's not the first time, but this is the first time I realize that what we usually have in Indonesia are considered crazy. Here they are: Pisang goreng (banana fritter). Pisang goreng with chocolate sauce, condensed milk, and grated cheese. Or pisang goreng with melted brown sugar and icing sugar. Or pisang goreng with sambal (Manado style).Bread or toast with strawberry jam, poached egg, and cheese. (Or is it just me? Anyone else fancy that?)French fries with McDonald's ice cream (I don't do that, but many of my friends are insane enough to combine something deep fried and hot with extremely soft, cold, and sweet taste) We have ice tea and hot tea. We can order teh tawar (means tea without sugar or bitter tea) or teh manis (with sugar). We don't have tea with milk. Only Thai and Indian people do. And some Taiwanese invent bubble tea, which I love but am sure that British will find it disgusting....Pizza with egg in it. Noone does that, only In... More About: Thought , Things , Normal
Confusing Weather (2)
2007-08-27 18:30:00 Note: I must say here that I am forced to write something good about Scottish weather. Stuart and GG are deeply concerned that I have sent the incorrect message across the nation that the sun forget to shine in Scotland and the weather is entirely, continuously dreadful. But to me, the virgin of weather-changing-climate, the amateur of four-season-in-one-day temperature, Scottish weather is still confusing. It's not just because it is awfully cold during summer, but because it could change just in seconds. Last Wednesday I put a grey cashmere dress which reaches my knees on, have a pair of black thighs and ankle boots, because when I looked outside the window, I strongly believe that it was cold and windy. It took 10 minutes walking for me to to reach the town, and of course, the joke was on me! Suddenly the sun decided to finish hiding and to show itself in all glory, and the town was filled with people walking down in Union Street only wearing tank tops and mini skirts. I felt ... More About: Weather
Confusing Weather
2007-08-03 18:32:00 Tips: read this while listening to Ciara's 1,2 Step song. Let me see ya1, 2 stepI love it when ya1, 2 stepEverybody1, 2 stepWe about to get it on People have had warned me that UK weather is terrible, but I've only come here during autumn and it was usually cold and cloudy, so I thought, what can be more awful than that? I've had a bonus when the first time we landed in London three years ago and it was so bright, warm and clear I was only wearing a tanktop next to my pregnant friend. And my experience of autumn in these past 3 years wasn't so bad, ultimately I've survived by wearing 3 layers, my winter coat (bought in Australia, so it's not thick), and knee-length boots. So when I arrived in Aberdeen in early July, I thought, it's summer, it's supposed to be warm (hopefully hot), and I can wear my Bali attire (you know, backless, low neckline, very short pants, and jeweled sandals). Well so far I've been here for a month, and never in my life I've worn the wro... More About: Weather
RSVP
2007-07-30 13:21:00 RSVP: "Répondez s'il-vous-plaît" or "Réservez s'il-vous-plaît", a French phrase that translates to "Please respond" or "Please book your place". "Response Shall Verify Presence" is an English substitute for the meaning of "R.S.V.P." What would you do if you hold the biggest party in your life and the people you invite haven't RSVP-ed, and it's already less than 2 weeks to D-Day? Why is it so difficult for some people just to say NO, sorry, I couldn't make it? I remember vividly, when my friend in Singapore held a wedding, she said how upset she was because one of our highschool friends couldn't confirm until a week before the wedding. The problem was with seating arrangement the bride must decide whether to spare 2 chairs (and must pay for those!), or simply just cross her friends out of the list, with the risk of having her confirmed in last minute that she could attend the wedding (and of course she wanted her friends to be there so crossing someone out of the list is ...
These Pumps Are NOT Made For Walkin'
2007-07-22 18:37:00 Tips: read this while watching or listening to the Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made for Walkin' cover version, where Jessica Simpson is strutting around with sexy red boots.... In my attempt to conquer the granite city (a.k.a Aberdeen), I decided that last Thursday was a perfect day to walk around the city. Now, as everybody knows, Indonesians are not used to walk. Yes, we could walk for hours while shopping in Plaza Senayan or even Mangga Dua, but that's a totally different exercise. In Jakarta, while working at Jakarta Stock Exchange Building, just to go to Automall (which is, literally, practically, across the street and only takes 3 minutes walk), we sometimes opt for driving. While working in L'Oreal in Kuningan, Stuart couldn't understand why I always insisted on driving my car to Cazbar for lunch, fighting the consistent traffic jam on the roundabout across Singaporean & The Netherlands Embassies, rather than walking, which perhaps, takes less time than dri... More About: Pumps
My Survival Kits
2007-07-22 18:35:00 A month before quitting from L'Oreal Group, the news that I was moving to Scotland was spread and everybody always gave me the same questions: 1) where is Scotland, 2) it's far and cold, how do you survive? and 3) won't you miss Indonesian food? For number one, I've already tried to explain it in great details in my blog (see Where Is Scotland? in October 2006). Number 2 question, hmm, nothing I could do about it except try to wear warm clothes. And for number three, interestingly enough, food is never an issue for me. I like trying on new food. We have been to Turkish restaurant in Aberdeen twice this month and I've fallen in love with its huge appetizer selection (it's so funny, they served 6-plates hot food and 4-plates cold food just for appetizer, and my dad asked for a bill, he didn't know it's just appetizer and the main course was yet to come!). I like other middle eastern food like Al-Nafoura in Le Meridian (it's Lebanese, it has nice atmosphere, and it has bell... More About: Kits , Survival , Viva
Like Father Like Daughter
More articles from this author:2007-07-11 03:04:00 The photographer had sent 60 photos to me the other day, all must be reviewed and approved before they print them all and compile them in 3 albums. My fiance approves all 60 without any questions. I approve only 5 of them and send the rest of 55 pieces to the photographer with comments here and there. I put all 60 pics in MS Power Point and make marks in every spot, every inch, and comment them from angle, color, lay out, background ornaments, etc. My fiance couldn't understand about my big fuss about it. He says that to him, all pictures look great. My answer is, "it's all about details, honey." I see everything and scan it thoroughly inch by inch and I don't leave any single spot unchecked. He shrugges and accepts that that's the way I am. I'm always like that, attentive to details. That's who I am, that's what I do. If we go traveling, I must know how far the hotel from the airport and how to get there (if there is a hotel pick up, I will call the hotel 1 day before... More About: Father , Daughter , Fath 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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