All is Well

Post pertama... di tahun 2014
"WOW"
I survived
We survived
From everything that had happened..
2013...adalah sebuah tahun perjalanan...
Dimulai dengan perjalanan mama yg aku sebut... a journey after life...
Dilanjutkan dengan papa Ge bulan Februari, tante Nancy bulan April, lalu disusul Erin Walker, Om Solihin, Troy Wollf my english 102 professor.
Mereka semua telah melakukan perjalanan penting dalam hidup mereka. Sebuah langkah akhir. Untuk kembali ke awal. Dan aku, kamu, kita semua akan melewatinya dalam sebuah waktu yg tidak kita ketahui.
Semua kehilangan diisi dengan kehangatan dari orang2 yang peduli. Orang yg masih ada. Dan di situ kamu tahu bahwa kamu masih ada dlam sebuah perjalanan...
Proses...
Sesederhana itu...
Tahun 2013 sudah selesai. Cerita baru akan dimulai di tahun 2014...
Malam ini adalah waktu kita untuk melihat lagi ke belakang dan tersenyum bangga karena ... sekarang kita ada di sini setelah melewati berbagai tantangan, situasi, keadaan.... ;)
Pada akhirnya kamu cuma bisa tersenyum
Joy...
Sambil mengucapkan terima kasih...

All is well...

Here it is - Bucket List

2 minggu lagi, tahun 2013 akan mengucapkan salam perpisahan, dan kita akan disambut 2014 berikut segala kejutan-kejutannya.
Entah mengapa yang terpikir olehku sekarang bukan evaluasi, bukan juga resolusi, melainkan "daftar keinginan" yang mungkin lebih dikenal sebagai "Bucket List" .
Setelah mampir di blog kesukaanku Puty's Journal, daftarku menjadi semakin solid. Puty (blogger) bahkan membuat satu page sendiri berisikan daftar panjang "Bucket List"nya dan juga hal-hal yang sudah ia lakukan. Hal itu membuatku berpikir bahwa "sungguh akan sangat menyenangkan jika aku pun bisa mencoret satu persatu daftar panjang itu." Seakan-akan, aku menyelesaikan satu tugas demi satu tugas. Accomplishment sounds so prestigious. Padahal tidak ada hadiah ketika menyelesaikan daftar itu. Hanya sebuah rasa puas bahwa "aku sudah menyelesaikannya"
Well, mungkin ini juga yang akan membumbui nasib kita, hidup kita, dan perjalanan itu sendiri. Proses.
Daftarku belum sepanjang Puty, hanya sebuah daftar pendek berisikan iming-iming seorang Chendani. Tak lebih.

Bucket List
1. 50 judul buku dalam 1 tahun
2. Java Jazz Festival
3. Perayaan Waisak di Borobudur

4. Leavesden studio trip, Warner Bross world of Harry Potter
5. Drinking butterbeer
6. Publish books/writings
7. Gets involve in a film making
8. Mengetahui ajaran Buddha
9. South Korea for a year.
10. learn photography
11. Hobitton

Daftar ini mungkin akan menjadi panjang. Mungkin akan terlupakan begitu saja. Namun, aku selalu bersemangat untuk menghadapi tahun baru. Apalagi kira-kira yang akan berlangsung di tahun 2014?
Tahun 2013 aku nobatkan sebagai "tahun perjalanan"
dan menulis bucket list ini adalah sebuah awal... ya sebuah awal perjalanan baru :)
Bukankah begitu? Sebelum aku mencoret satu item dalam daftar ini, aku akan berada dalam sebuah perjalanan, sebuah proses, untuk menyelesaikan satu item tersebut.

"Jika terlalu fokus sama tujuan, kita akan lupa sama perjalanan" - Abimanyu, film HELLO GOODBYE

CVB

Scorpionism

 Aku sedang ingin mempelajari yang namanya "scorpionism." Sebuah istilah yang (maaf) kuciptakan sendiri. Karena, efek yang pernah aku dapatkan ketika bergaul dengan banyak "scorpus" - orang yang lahir di bawah bintang Scorpio.
Terlebih satu manusia itu, yang tak usah kusebut namanya.
Sederhana saja, 'dia yang namanya tak boleh disebut' (versi Chendani), telah membuat duniaku jumpalitan, dan membuka mata ku yang selama ini tertutup debu, terbentur kebiasaan buruk, menjadi terbuka.
Kebiasaanku terdahulu adalah mengambil impresi pertama secara cepat dan memakluminya sebagai teori paling benar. Padahal, itu masih varian pertama, tidak banyak yang kulihat, tapi sudah cepat aku menyimpulkan. Ini pun terbentuk karena memang... lingkungan ku dulunya seperti ini. Teman, mama, keluarga, dan sinetron. Ya, komunitas kolektif yang menyebut dirinya Indonesia yang pelan-pelan membentukku seperti itu. Bukan sebuah kesalahan teman. Tentu saja, aku tidak menyalahkan siapapun. Dan tidak ingin mengecam bahwa kebiasaan ini adalah kebiasaan buruk. Hanya saja, 'dia yang namanya tak boleh disebut' telah membuatku ... 'berpikir', menggunakan logika tanpa terlalu menumpu pada impresi pertama.
Pernah kusebutkan di sebuah postingan mengenai Persepsi  bahwa kadang kebiasaan orang Indonesia ini membuat satu individu menjadi bodoh, dan tertipu. Kusebut tertipu, karena suatu kejadian, atau seseorang tidak bisa disimpulkan hanya sebatas impresi pertama.
Mungkin judul ini terlalu menjereralisasi, tidak semua scorpus begini adanya, hanya saja, aku tidak bisa memikirkan judul yang lebih baik daripada ini hehehe.
Nah, kembali ke Indonesia, aku merasa efek yang diberikannya kepadaku mulai melemah, kadang menguat, kadang hilang sama sekali. Menurutku, ini sebuah peringatan. Ujian.
Menolak menelan bulat-bulat impresi pertama mirip dengan kriminalitas di sini haha, aku bahkan merasa diberi cap "outisder" dan sebagainya dan sebagainya. Ya, aku memang berbeda. Kadang, merasa terlalu blak-blakan, tetapi terus terang terlalu gemas untuk tidak berkomentar. Apalagi ketika ada orang yang langsung loncat pada kesimpulan impresi pertama.
Aku tidak menyalahkan siapapun. Ini hanyalah jalan untuk aku menginstropeksi diri sendiri.
Sekarang, mungkin adalah waktu buat aku untuk komtemplasi, menjadi "arian dewasa".
Aku memang seorang Arian - seorang yang lahir di bawah bintang Aries. Seorang yang selalu tergesa-gesa. Menurut teori astrologi, seorang Arian dikatakan dewasa ketika dia mampu untuk "slowing down."
Dan, kembali ke lingkungan seperti ini mengingatkanku untuk lebih "slowing down"
Komitmen aku ke depan, biarlah efek scorpionism yang diberikan "dia yang tak boleh disebut namanya" tumbuh lagi pelan-pelan. Karena aku membutuhkannya.
Sangat membutuhkannya...

   
CVB

Encephalon - Homo Sapiens

Organ tercantik dan tersexy dari manusia adalah otak - Dian Sastrowardoyo

Yup ...  organ terletak di dalam puncak tengkorak kita. Otak. Dan Dian betul. Otak adalah pusat. Otak yang membuat jantung kita berdetak, otak yang membuat kita bisa mempelajari bahasa, dan otak yang mengirim sinyal-sinyal kepada organ-organ, neuron, hingga sel untuk bekerja. Encephalon bahasa kerennya (baca Latin).

Dari berbagai macam tugas otak, ada satu yang menarik perhatian saya.
Otak juga yang membuat kita merasakan berbagai macam perasaan. Takut, marah, bahagia...
Dan kali ini, otak aku berkata ... "saya takut" (past tense)

Takut....

Apa sih takut itu?

Sebuah perasaan yang muncul karena merasa terancam, adanya bahaya, atau... perasaan tersakiti...

Ini semua adalah penyebab perasaan takut itu.

Di setiap otak manusia, kita mempunyai bagian kecil yang mengontrol perasaan kita - terutama rasa takut. Namanya Amygdala. Dilihat dari letaknya, Amygdala itu terletak di ujung daripada Hippocampus yang dimana berfungsi untuk mengontrol memori (long term memory, short term memory). Makanya, orang biasa merasa takut terhadap sesuatu diakibatkan oleh pengalaman buruk yang pernah terjadi pada dirinya. Misalnya, orang yang mengalami trauma pernah pegang api saat dia kecil, sejak saat itu, dia selalu menghindari yang namanya lilin, korek api, kembang api, dan sebagainya.
Jadi, kesimpulannya, amygdala dan hippocampus secara tidak langsung membuat kita menghindari "ancaman-ancaman" yang akan menimbulkan perasaan "takut" itu. 

Nah...

Tapi, terus kita diam, mundur, bahkan berhenti?

Ungkapan bahwa Tuhan itu adil bisa dibuktikan dari cara Dia menciptakan otak kita. Psikologi modern mengatakan bahwa Prefrontal Cortex atau bagian depan daripada otak kita itu yang mengontrol facial expression, membantu kita dalam membuat keputusan, dan juga perilaku sosial termasuk mengatakan ini perilaku baik, ini perilaku buruk. Conscience atau hati nurani adalah salah satu bentuknya.Begitu canggihnya otak kita itu bahkan ia selalu memberi tahu kita DUA sisi sekaligus. Di sisi yang lain, kita secara insting akan merasa takut, lalu ada 'bisikan' lain yang mengatakan bahwa kita harus berani. Memang, masing-masing manusia mempunyai kapasitas yang berbeda untuk dua 'perasaan' yang saling berlawanan ini - berani & takut. Kedua perasaan ini mempunyai korelasi dengan maju atau mundurnya kita dalam satu keadaan.


Nah, jadi sekarang tinggal giliran Lateral Habenula (part of Prefrontal Cortex).Pengambil keputusan. Apakah kamu mau menyetujui ketakutan itu dan bersembunyi di balik selimut, atau berani melihat ke depan. Menatap ketakutan itu lurus-lurus.

Perkataan "tidak ada jalan keluar" sama absurdnya seperti mengklaim bahwa "manusia tidak akan mati."
Tuhan sudah menciptakan otak sebagai buah pemikiran yang menjadi mesin penggerak, penentu kelakuan kita. Tinggal kitalah yang menentukan ruang dan waktu kapan kita akan bergerak, diam, atau lari.

Setiap keputusan yang kita ambil adalah proses pembelajaran.
Klise.
Sesederhana itu memang... :)

Behind the post: 
Do you think I have no fear?
Do you see that I am a brave girl?
It's only an outer.
The process inside is full of fear.
I was haunted
I am haunted
I will be haunted, but...
there's always but... 

^____^
  #promisetomakealotofposts

CVB

Desember oh Desember

Cerita hari ke-4 bulan Desember membawa aku ke tahun 2011 di Minnesota, Dimana aku mengalami 2 kali kebajiran. Ya, teman di Minnesota, kebanjiran pun bisa terjadi, apalagi di Surabaya :D hahaha

Stories here: Mellow Minneapolis & Banjir Lagi

Nah, semalam tanggal 4 Desember, Surabaya diguyur hujan keras kurang lebih selama 1 1/2 jam. Beberapa menit pertama, bumi seperti diguyur air hujan deras, seperti air yang dibuang melalui ember super gede! hahaha. Aku saat itu masih leyeh-leyeh di tempat tidur, menunggu untuk terlelap. Eh, begitu turun tempat tidur untuk ke kamar mandi, aku merasa kakiku menginjak air. Genangan air lebih tepatnya. Begitu sadar, ternyata kamar saya sudah dialiri air.
Bagaimana menurutmu reaksiku? hahaha

Yang aku lakukan, hanya berjalan jingkrat-jingkrat, air sudah setinggi mata kaki di luar kamar. Halaman belakang sudah seperti taman air haha, bahkan kamar mandi di luar, sudah seperti kolam anak-anak. Aku cuma membangunkan si mbok dan mulai mengambil kain apapun dan mulai mengeringkan kamarku. Airnya mengalir pelan-pelan merembes. Awalnya kasurku belum kena air, tapi lama kelamaan kena. Untungnya spring bed, jadi bukan kapuk. Kalau dari kapuk, aku mungkin sudah mengungsi ke sofa ditemani nyamuk2 lapar hahaha.

Kamu tahu, apa yang kurasakan saat itu?
"tidak ada"
Panik pun tidak, katakan aku aneh. Tapi, sekali lagi, aku cuma mengingat bahwa ada orang lain yang mengalami banjir yang lebih mengenaskan.
Aku hanya merasa syukur.Ini bagai paradoks, merasa syukur atas 'musibah'.
Merasa bersyukur. Tertawa-tiwi, malah aku mengenang pada saat aku kebanjiran di Minnesota. Saat itu, my lovely roomate lagi nggak ada di rumah, dua kali banjir, dua kali tidak ada di rumah. Alhasil, cuma aku yang menjadi saksi mata air merembes masuk tanpa diundang haha. Our landlord sampai ngasih kita banyak koin $1 untuk laundry, ada $30an hahaha. . 

Semalam, aku tertidur, dan paginya kasurku sudah basah semua di bagian bawahnya. Tidak bisa berharap kepada matahari hari-hari ini, jadi hal terakhir yang aku lakukan hanya mengangkatnya dan membiarkan air merembes keluar lagi dari kasur. Ditemani kipas angin pinjaman sang empunya kos, aku berharap kasurku bisa cepat kering. Dan tentu saja, semoga hujan tidak terlalu deras malam ini.

Paling pulang kantor, waktunya aku membersihkan kamarku dan mengatur ulang. Ya, ini bisa jadi karma karena aku jarang mengepel kamar (uups hihihihi).


CVB

Cerita awal Bulan Desember

Halo Desember, kamu ternyata mengawali bulan ini dengan hari yg campur aduk, mengetes intuisi.
Tanggal 1 Desember hari Minggu, pagi-pagi aku ke Gereja dengan semangat walaupun terlambat. Pasalnya temanku mengajakku ke sebuah paroki lain. Saya selalu semangat untuk mengeksplor sebanyak mungkin Gereja yang ada di Surabaya :) Dan pilihan saya tidak salah. Gereja itu unik berdiri di antara ruang kelas.
Umat bergelimang di tiap kelas. Kami mengikuti misa melalui layar televisi dengan zoom in zoom out seperti nonton live pidato. Hebatnya, tiap umat walaupun mengikuti misa melalui layar tv, kami tetap berdiri pada saat kami harus berdiri, menjawab setiap jawaban (ex: Tuhan Sertamu "dan sertamu juga"), bahkan memberi hormat ketika para misdinar ingin mendupai kami (perayaan masa adven).Padahal aroma wiruq hanya sebatas layar kaca. 
Bulan Desember itu diawali dengan perasaan unik oleh perayaan unik. Dan itu masih cerita pagi.
Cerita Siang berlanjut ketika dengan tidak sengaja aku mengikuti doa sel inti KTM (Komunitas Tritunggal Mahakudus), yang berarti dihadiri oleh para pelayan sel KTM, wakil pelayan sel, dan semua yg 'petinggi-petinggi'. Saya nyasar di situ karena ruwetnya cerita yg menyangkut soal mobil yg diparkir terhalang tak bisa keluar, waktu mepet, pindah mobil, dan akhirnya terseret ke pertemuan itu. Kapan lagi bisa mengikuti sel inti, padahal status masih dalam masa "probation" hahahaha
Lalu, cerita malam hari pertama bulan Desember menurutku adalah tindakan nekat ala Chendani.
Beberapa minggu lalu, tante Retty di Makassar mengatakan bahwa akan ada undangan pernikahan sepupu mama yg juga sudah almarhum di Surabaya. Saya diminta untuk hadir karena dia termasuk yg terdekat dengan mama. Saya awalnya agak malas, karena tidak ada yg menemani, dan saya tidak begitu kenal dengan mereka. Silsilahnya saja, saya tidak tahu hahahaa.
Tetapi, semakin dekat hari H, semakin kuat saya merasa bahwa saya harus hadir. Alasan pertama, karena kedua belah pihak yg awalnya bersaudara sudah meninggal. Almarhum papa dari penganten wanita adalah sepupu ibu saya yang juga seperti kalian tahu sudah menjadi almahumah. Tetapi, undangan itu dilayangkan kepada papa. Saya juga harus tahu diri, sekarang saya adalah wakil ibu saya mau tidak mau. Jadi, saya nekat pergi ke sana, berharap tidak mati gaya karena pergi sendirian. kalaupun tidak ada yang saya kenal, saya sudah berniat untuk makan sebanyak-banyaknya hehehehe.

Terus terang, saya ketika tiba, hati saya agak riuh. Tempat undangan masih kosong kecuali keluarga mempelai sudah ada, tapi parahanya tidak ada satupun yang saya ingat. Bahkan ibu pengantin perempuan pun saya tidak tahu. Mau perkenalkan diri, tapi tidak tahu pada siapa. Alhasil masuk WC. Sengaja berlama-lama.
Ketika sudah tenang, baru saya keluar dan menyalami keluarga penganten, sambil menebak-nebak apakah mereka mengenali saya atau tidak? Maklum, saya terkenal seperti ciplakan ibu saya. Baiklah, urusan salam menyalam terlewat sederhana tanpa cerita. Masuk ke cerita pencarian tempat duduk.
Dengan trend masa kini, Event organizer yang mengambil alih posisi pengaturan tempat duduk yang dulunya diisi oleh para anggota keluarga. Alhasil, terjadilah percakapan berikut.
EO 1: ........ (diam menunggu sambil memberikan senyum tercantik)
Saya:... (berdiam sejenak menunggu ditanya, tapi karena si EO 1 diam tersenyum), "saya dari keluarga perempuan"
EO1: kartu mejanya ce...(masih tersenyum manis)
Saya: (kagok), saya tidak dapat kartu meja, tp saya dari keluarga perempuan
EO 1 bertemu EO2
saya disambut EO 3
EO 3: Kartu meja ce
EO4: teman kuliah ya?
Saya: bukan, saya dari keluarga perempuan dari Makassar. Di kartu souvenir cuma ada nama ayah saya
EO2 membaca peta meja rumit dengan nomor-nomor
EO2: meja 42 saja ya...
Saya: manggut-manggut
Sesampainya di sana, saya duduk dengan 2 orang lain yg saya tidak kenal tp mereka jelas keluarga perempuan.
Saya menunggu dan menunggu...
Selang beberapa waktu, meja mulai diisi. Kursi di samping saya ditarik ke belakang. Begitu saya menoleh, betapa bahagianya saya, orang yang menarik kursi itu adalah orang yang saya kenal baik :)
(Adegan wajah saya, tersenyum sumringah. Adegan hati saya berteriak gegap gempita, seperti meloloskan bola salju yang menggumpal... hahaha) 
Kursi itu ditarik oleh istri sepupu mama saya yang lain. Mantu dari saudara perempuan kakek saya.saya cukup akrab dengan beliau, Angkim Nirma, angkim favorit saya dengan gaya yang keren (ppsst; dia orang Bugis asli).  :) Lega... dan akhirnya wajah-wajah familier semakin bermunculan. Ketemu dengan Ai Shennie (yang ternyata saudara dengan papa si pengantin perempuan), yang bertahun-tahun cuma kenal lewat cerita mama, dan baru ketemu muka ketika dia datang melayat mama Januari lalu. Dan betapa ajaibnya, saudara ai Shennie yang tidak pernah saya temui (atau seingat saya begitu) mengenali saya dan memperkenalkan saya ke anak-anaknya lengkap dengan informasi di mana saya bersekolah.
Luar biasa sekali jaringan keluarga ini. Entah memakai sinyal apa.
Hahaha.
Pesta pernikahan tersebut sangat mengingatkan saya akan mama. Pasalnya, sudah lama mama tidak bisa pergi ke pesta-pesta seperti itu sewaktu mama hidup, sayalah yang selalu menjadi matanya. Saya selalu meng-update dengan sms. Siapa yang datang, si angkim ini pake baju apa, atau makanannya apa-apa saja. Semua saya lapor secara terperinci dan mama selalu bilang, dia seperti sedang ada di pesta :')
Saya merasa sangat bersyukur bahwa saya pergi ke pesta itu. Merasa sperti "sudah ditakdirkan"
Saya ingat, ai Shennie memandang saya lama, dan berkata "jangan sampai karena mamamu sudah tidak ada kau tidak cari-cari kita lagi :)" saya menjawabnya dengan janji akan selalu keep in touch.
 Ah Bulan Desember, hari pertama saja, saya sudah mengalami kejadian-kejadian yang menurutku bukan kebetulan.
yang pasti, Bulan Desember saya awali dengan mengikuti intuisi, dan intuisi saya mengatakan mengenai "bulan yang baik"
Tahun yang baik...
ya... "semua akan baik-baik saja"

CVB

Pertanyaan (menjelang) tengah malam

 Menjelang berakhirnya bulan November, tidak ada pikiran lain selain kesuntukkan.
Sangat kontras bukan?
Ya, setelah ini ujian yang sebenarnya.
3 bulan hanya pemanasan...
berikutnya adalah permainan yang sebenarnya...
Selamat datang Bulan Desember.
Aku punya banyak cerita tahun ini...
kira-kira apa yang akan kau berikan padaku Desember?
untuk merangkai rantai kisah mengenai 'perjalanan'



CVB

Within 2 months

 I can't believe myself that oneself can experience many things within 2 months. Just like me...
All the feelings are abruptly coming to me in a sec. Sad and happy in one minute, fear and excitement in one plate. What a weird way to express it, but it did really happen..
Within two months.. many people have been asking me whether I am enjoying my job.
I always hesitate to answer that particular question just because I am saying to myself  that it's too early to judge. It's only 2 months. I was coming at the highest peak of the year. School expos, fairs, trainings, work trips, I don't spend many times in the office. While the office work is more hectic and complicated, because the more you know the parents/students, the weirder things could be happened. haha.
Anyway, the reality is, I wake up every morning, or before I go to bed, I always say bluntly that "I like my job." ;)
But again, is it early to think like that? Because this is just the beginning. In January next year, maybe something else coming up, maybe changes are going to happen. Maybe next year, desperate is awaiting. Maybe, next year...
I don't know...
However, I should be grateful of whatever I've got in these two months. Weird cases, some nagging parents, enrollment, cancellation, work trips, loveable parents, snobby colleague, great manager, handsome representatives, cool Bandung, and amazing God I have, not to mention my super papo and my mambo (from up there) who have been supporting me in every way. Making me believe that I am doing alright. Plus, as a bonus, I got to meet Arina Mocca, my favorite band in Bandung on the way back to Surabaya. I was with my coworkers :D
As usual, I get used to find myself a bit different from other. We are all Indonesian, but it was only me who recognized her. Well, I was so excited in one plane with Mocca hahaha.. Only She that understood my feeling...
Hahaha...(psst: I've posted my picture with her on Facebook and instagram #sivibi)

Mocca, Indonesian band who is famously known in South Korea

Last night, I re-watched Princess Diaries 1. Yes the movie was 12 years ago.

one of the classics, Princess Diaries

While enjoying the movie, I caught one cool quote.
"Courage is not an absence of fear, but a way to go beyond the fear. Be cautious is Ok, but you never going anywhere..."
It is exactly what I do sense.
I feel fear, but I think it's silly if it stops me.
This is a real adventure... indeed.
Within two months, I could meet a lot of people and experienced a lot of things.
Just to say in the end that I am ... grateful...
At the same time, there are moments that I wish, I could still text with my mom or facebook-message Erin Walker. Both who could be the greatest help in what I am currently doing. Nevertheless ... "Everything happens for a reason, right?"

I am totally curious to see 'where I'd be' in the next 4 months...
What state I will be, how I will be handling things. How I will see conditions. What actions I will take...
Now, I am going to enjoy my cup of mocha and hop to another plane for a wedding in Makassar (this weekend)... :)
My Big bro is getting married, and be sure, his little sis will not miss it. 
And I will have time to recharge my courage by a long warm hug from my papo and hairy Echong-Gassing

CVB

The arts of "Ketidakpastian" - Kita

kespastian adalah salah satu hal yg ingin kita cari.  sebaliknya lawan kata kepastian, ketidak pastian adalah salah satu hal yg ingin kita hindari. 

Namun, kini aku bertemu denganmu dan lalu aku sadar bahwa segala sesuatu tentang kita adalah ketidakpastian. 

Satu yg pasti, kamu awalnya hanya hadir dlm bentuk pengandaian yg tak berwujud. Hanya sebuah konsep. Celetukan yg.entah datang dr mana. 

Satu yg pasti, kehadiranmu yg nyata di hadapanku saat itu adalah sebuah euphoria. Aku tidak pernah menyangka bahwa kamu ada. nyata. dalam bentuk padat. Hanya semalam aku mengandaikan kamu tanpa pernah bertemu denganmu. 

Satu yg pasti, aku menikmati segala sesuatu tentang kamu yg nyata. tatapanmu salah satunya. 

Satu yg pasi, aku menikmati percakapan yg kita lakukan hingga akhir td. 

Satu yg pasti, selepas peninggalanmu, aku kembali sadar akan ketidakpastian. 

Satu yg pasti, aku akan mengabadikan tatapanmu, senyumanmu, bunyi2an yg kau keluarkan saat berpikir, dan namamu. 

Karena "kita" adalah "ketidakpastian"

CVB

hujan pertama 

dan listrik pun padam 

Colors of the life

Halfway through the second month of working.

I hope it's not too late to tell you about this job.
I had no idea that I would be here today, working in this company. The same company that helped me to go to U.S.A
Is it coincidence that I happened to be their client, and now I am the one who's dealing with client? People may think there's nepotism or 'political' going on... I tell you, it happens to be this way.

My current position is called "Student Consultant" Yup, it's involving STUDENT AGAIN. That means, I am in the educational field ONCE again! The thing here, it's not fully learning-teaching activities, more about consulting Telling which school is a good fit for them... Though, not gonna lie, there's a need of marketing skill here. Anyway, this current job makes me feel that I am attending a so called Graduate school. I am learning by doing research myself and practicing at the same time. Learning about one school with one country's immigration regulation, then presenting to parents. It's more likely a graduate program in Marketing and Consulting, and may I add in observing.
Second day of working was a big expo. Weeks afterward were all about school expos and school presentations. Not to mention the work trip. I got to go home - Makassar after a month working for school expo in Dian Harapan. It's a day trip! Nevertheless, it was paid by company, and one more trip to home next week, it's gonna be longer. The fun is not end, next month, will be a big road trip. Hell yeah.
To begin with, school expos and presentations allowed me to observe more about the characteristics of schools, teachers, and students. I did go to National plus/ International school, new schools, Christian schools, and Catholic schools. The characteristics between National Plus, Christian and Catholic schools are distinct in general. Students in National school are somehow more active, but seem not having a traditional Asian way of respecting older people. It's simply like Western attitude, not saying that they are not respectful, but you may understand after you experience it by yourself. Christian school's students are also critical, but somehow they don't have discipline. They were talking while we're presenting and everything is organized by teachers, which is OK. Students in Catholic schools are having this high pride somehow. haha. Looks a bit carefree(cuek) in term of asking questions. However, one school expo that I had been to, it was organized by students, and I was amazed by it. It was kinda reminding me of how I was in High school.
I am also fascinated going to Catholic schools. It has this same feeling with my almamater (I went to Catholic school as well). They pretty much have a big sports field, cross with corpus is everywhere, Mother Mary Statue, and Angelus prayer at noon. Christian schools are pretty much similar to Chatolic schools, but more modern compared to Catholic schools. National plus/international school is simply 'RUKO', I may say. Not so much outdoor field, more indoors, smaller classroom and nicer bath room hahahaha. I personally just go traditional. I will put my trust of my children into missionaries school if I have one. Safe and sound.
Enough for that, back to my job. The overall climate in the office gits me well do far. I dont need to wear uniform. I can wear jeans and t-shirt on Saturdays. There will be no fashion police telling not supposed to wear leggings because parents said so... "iiih I disgusted thinking about it. duh". Every regulation is real and rational.
We are free to choose when we want to take a break. We all are responsible of our freedom.
And as the job itself, I sometimes need to do a lot of phone calls, and take a lot of phone calls. What I think the most exciting part is when they are really coming for a consultation. I enjoy the consultation part, but frankly, I still need a lot of learning in close dealing. Well, it's a 'master program' anyway. I am learning :D
The job description reminds me of Academic Adviser in U.S.A. I had a privilege to meet one beautiful lady to be my adviser for about two and a half year of my college life in Seattle. Erin Walker. The name that I keep my respect to, and the third biggest loss I had after losing my mom and my uncle this year. She passed away last July, and I was desperately frustrated (excuse my choice of words) However, I have made a promise to myself that I would work hard and be like her. It may sound a little too ambitious, but I'd like to have students who feels that they get enough help from me just what I always think about her. She did her job nicely and did have a personal connection to each student that she had handled. She showed no pessimist attitude, but lead me in the correct way. As a result, transferring to UofM was the best decision I had made so far. It was all because of her help. I still remember when once I told her about my plan transferring there, she hummed and paused for a while thinking the right word to say. "hmm... well... it's nice there. It's so white. So American. So different from here, but you have a possibility going there" :) It made me smile, and gave me tears at the same time. She took a big part in my support system and losing her and my mom in the same year makes it so hard. I feel like being tortured because they are gone when they're most needed. There're times that I want to take my phone and send a text to my mom asking for advice. Asking what she thinks about what I did to this client, about how to deal with that client, how to deal with "that matter". She is a born marketer, she did a great job in selling, and she had this sense to know 'good and bad people. Literally.
I would like to send a Facebook message to Erin asking about schools in America.I bet she would be very proud knowing that I am doing a similar job to hers. Nonetheless, God always gives out test to know how good we are doesn't He? He took all the help tools, thinking that I am fully furnished, and let me walking half blind. It reminds me of Dumbledore's death. He arranged his death after telling Harry Potter the big plot, but not the detail in the hope that Harry will learn and fully understood of what he will reach. I know it's best to figure out things by ourselves. It's hard. and I feel frustrated sometimes. But again,yes, God has planned things beautifully. He did really prepare me through all those teaching experience, studying abroad, and those people who helped me the most.

 Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it - Dumbledore, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

Here I am... all alone, with a little marketing skills of my mom's, a little advising skills of Erin's, and a little help of my psychology and working experience ready to face this whole scene.
Like an old Indonesian pop Song - Warna

Dalam kumencoba mengejari cita. Aneka warna nan menawan di jiwa

Cinta teman setia menolong segala

Terima kasih kuucapkan padamu.  - Warna, Sheila Majid

Can be meant; In trying to reach our dream, there's always colors surround us. One of the colors is love of loyal friends.
and for me it's them. My mom, and Erin... :) They are my colors. Will always be here... in my heart. coloring the grey area of my heart.

Bright and sincere, Erin Walker ... you are loved

CVB

Ganteng No. 10

Ada suatu saat di mana kau memasuki ruang pikiranku tanpa tahu malu.
Melalui musik, melalui kilasan kenangan-kenangan.
Aku tidak keberatan...
 Karena kau selalu begitu... dengan gayamu yang tidak tahu malu.
Datang seenaknya, lalu pergi menghilang juga seenaknya.
Aku tahu hanya kenanganmu yang masih membuatku tersenyum. Tentang keberadaanmu sendiri, sudah tidak begitu penting.
Namun, kamu... dan segala tentang dirimu tidak membuatku merasa sesal setitik pun. Kamu tetap menjadi Ganteng no. 10.Kegantenganmu bukan rupawan, daya tarikmu yg kuat, sifatmu yang seenak jidat, dan sepasang mata itu... menjadikanmu angka sepuluh...

Sepuluh, angka sempurna...

Malahan, tiap kali mengenangmu, aku dipenuhi luapan rasa syukur. Hingga sekarang. Terbilang 2 tahun setelah segala tentangmu sangat nyata dalam hidupku, aku tetap bersyukur..
Aku selalu mengucapkan terima kasih ketika kau datang mampir seenak hati...




CVB

Di Persimpangan Jalan

Pernahkah aku berkata bahwa aku adalah orang yang aneh? Tidak pernah mengikuti arus mainstream. Nampak sekilas seperti ikan salmon yang berlomba-lomba melawan arus untuk bertelur dan akhirnya mati. Pembawaanku yang aneh ini 'terbaca' oleh seorang psikolog yang sedang meneliti tanda tanganku. Ia menjelaskan bahwa aku adalah orang yang penuh pertimbangan, namun di satu sisi... aku orang yang skeptikal.
Cukup kompleks, dan tidak umum tentunya.
Ya, itulah aku.
Aku sendiri tidak pernah 100% mengerti kenapa aku tetap berada di sebuah posisi pada saat hati ini dipenuhi dengan kewaspadaan. Banyak orang yang akan beralih dan pergi ke jalur aman, di mana mereka merasa aman dan nyaman. Jangan kira aku tidak suka dengan kenyamanan...

Setelah melewati sekian banyak petualangan di tahun ini, aku mulai menyadari bahwa aku adalah orang aneh.
Saat jelas-jelas tahu bahwa di sana ada belokan tajam yang memungkinkan aku terjun ke jurang, aku tidak akan menginjak rem, malah sebaliknya, aku akan menginjak gas.
Aku sendiri tidak mengatakan bahwa aku adalah petualang sejati yang tidak kenal takut. Aku adalah penakut,
yang pemberani...

Kontradiksi...
sekali lagi...

Aku selalu dipenuhi ketakutan-ketakutan... tapi, anehnya, semua itu tidak pernah menghentikanku, walaupun tentu saja, semua ketakutan itu memperlambat tindakanku. Tapi, kerap kali, aku akan terus di jalur yang aku ambil, yang kutahu ada bahaya-bahaya yang akan ada.

Mereka menyimpulkan aku pemberani...
Aku sendiri tidak menganggap aku pemberani.
Namun, konsekuensi-konsekuensi yang sudah aku pikirkan tidak akan membuat aku berhenti.
Tentu saja tidak...
Aneh ya?

Baiklah...
Aku memulai pekerjaan ini dengan hati yang penuh dengan was-was. Tidak begitu kuungkapkan dalam post-post yang sebelumnya. Belum pernah kukatakan dengan gamblang. Akan tetapi, di satu sisi, aku mengatakan aku takut, dan excited sekaligus. Kita berbicara bukan hal 'ketakutan' akan sesuatu baru, ini berbicara mengenai 'hal-hal negatif'' yang sudah pernah diperingatkan. Dan itu... yang membuatku makin was-was.
Katakan aku gila.
Bukan aku tidak mengindahkan peringatan-peringatan itu. Hanya saja, aku hanya bertindak mengikuti alur.
Aku sendiri percaya bahwa setiap manusia sudah mempunyai alur sendiri. Naik turun berkelok-kelok.
Dan segala pengalaman pahit maupun baik akan membawa kita kepada satu titik dimana akan diawali dengan penyesalan, dan akan ditutup dengan suatu ucapan syukur...
Aku di sini.. sekarang... di persimpangan jalan sebelum memasuki jalan penuh kerikil yang mungkin akan menciptakan rasa menyesal dan sakit. Tetapi, aku juga sekaligus menanti momen itu. Di mana aku akan bersyukur... akan semuanya...
Ya semuanya...
Mulai dari senyum manis ibu tua pemilik rumah sebelah kos-kosan, hingga orang-orang yang memakai topeng...yang belum tentu adalah pilihan mereka...

CVB

"Within a week..."

Many things have happened within a week...
Only within a week, I flew twice!
Only within a week, I changed my current city, Makassar to Surabaya
Only within a week, my current life style is changed, taken care by to taking care of...
Only within a week, I changed my status, jobless - employee
Yep..
I am no longer jobless, no longer live with my papo, no longer stay in Makassar...
For the next 6 months or more, I will be living in Surabaya, staying in a room of someone's house, walking to work, and being a student consultant...
This has actually been planned a year ago... in October or November, when I first offered the job. I thought.. "hey why not! hopping on another ride of adventure out of home"
I hope I will not regret it!
Today is working day 4! and I have been to two education fairs, got a lot of freebies, and met a lot of people... Not to mention hours of talking to parents ....
Well, I hope it's going to be a good choice... and whatever obstacles I'll be facing, I am ready for it...

Pictures are comiiiiiiiiingggggg!!!! :D


CVB

My Roller Coaster Ride

Saya kembali dihadapkan sama sebuah pilihan. 

Pilihan ini terlihat menakutkan sekaligus menantang. Mirip ketika kita ingin naik Roller Coaster. Sudah tahu jantung kita akan cepat-cepot, bayangan kengerian menghantui, napas sengal-sengal, intinya... "udah tahu menakutkan tp masih sj kekeuh mau naik"

Exactly like my current status. This new adventure is scary yet exciting. 

Orang bilang saya berani. 

Saya takut... tapi sama seperti naik roller coaster, setelah kaki injak tanah rasanya senaaaaaang sekali seperti sehabis menyelesaikan satu accomplishment. Satisfying...

hahaha

Apapun Roller coaster saya, saya berharap pilihan saya tepat ;) 

Happy Eid frieeeends ;)

CVB

#10000miles - third edition "Last MInute"

Last Minute

I believe in intuition...
For me, it is the easiest way to make a decision...
Logic can give u headache sometimes, sedangkan intuisi bisa bikin segala-galanya menjadi "mudah" :p

Aku jadi ingat dengan keputusan aku mengenai pulang-for-good di thaun 2011 membawa aku ke sebuah pemikiran bahwa intuisi memang tidak pernah berbohong. Mungkin mengelabui pada awalnya, namun pada akhirnya mau nggak mau kita setuju dengan intuisi itu.
Keputusan aku di tahun 2011 memberi aku kesempatan untuk bersama dengan mambo selama setahun... daaan... aku nggak menyesal sama sekali... :). It was started out pretty roughly - story here.
But it was not a regret at all - story here.

Nah,
I honestly cant tell you what I actually gained out of this semi-impulsive-journey. It didn't take me a long time to decide. It's absolutely not only for recharging and relaxing. Anyway, it's more miraculous in terms of meeting friends. I first told you in the second week about how I bumped into friends without any plan at all! Hahaha... 
Now, it's all about last Monday - my last day in Minneapolis.
I headed out in the afternoon. I was going to Keiko san for last lunch with her, and impulsively I stopped by at Newman Center which was a long the way. I hardly met Greg - my ex boss when I was a peer minister 3 years ago - on every Sunday for mass. Based on father Ivan's information, I urged my self to once again look for meeting him. Yes! He was there. I did not try hard to look for him, he was just standing there at the gathering space. LOL... it was only 5 minutes meeting, but it was a miracle number 1 for me. Very last minute, yet very special.


Then, I had a wonderful lunch with Keiko san and friends. She made a pasta with fresh organic pesto. Also, I was surprised how delicious sweet met savory - prosciutto and cantaloupe- was amazing my friend. We talked a lot about food culture LOL... There were Korean American Indian, Chinese Indonesian, and Japanese. All was about food... :)

In the evening, I headed out to campus to meet another friend in the last minute. Since, she was really busy during summer school. She's a Korean friend who was in psychology major. While I was walking, I found a familiar face on the road. LOL. It's Tony, an African gentleman who played jembe at Newman Center in the evening mass. How lucky I was. I was thinking about him during my visit in Minneapolis, but I always went to morning mass so it was quiet impossible to meet him. Oh miracle number 2!
5 minutes but again... it's a special encounter...

That very night, a dear dear friend of mine whose place I invaded for three weeks turned 21! HAPPY BIRTHDAY @cehaha.
That then be my last chance to meet all fellow Indonesians... :) Glad to meet them in the last minute..

My last weekend was also memorable. Saturday morning was quiet an exercise and adventure haha. I was out with Ern and her friends to Minehaha park and fall. Though, it's not my first time going there, it was my first time going down to see the fall upclose, and ride quart surrey hahaha. Remarkably tiring. FUN! haha

At night, I finally got to go to jazz bar. Well, it's not actually a jazz bar but there was a live jazz performance aaaand good cocktail as a companion. Gah! Best "malam minggu" ever! It was one of my want-to-do-list. It's well executed. Thank you bang Weha and Ceha..

My Last Sunday was also amazing! Started out with a breakfast date with Katie my super CA. How funny that her boyfriend said that we two were so alike. She is American Chen version and I am Indonesian Katie version LOL Yep, we had so much in common regardless our appearance difference LOL
Then, at the mass, at St. Lawrence Newman Center, I found it was a super good last mass when I was sitting with all my good friends in one bench hahaha. Katie became one of 'Indonesian'(s) hahaha... The mass was led by Father Bob whom I knew since I first came to Minneapolis 3 years ago.
It's a great last mass!
Lunch was loud and delicious. We were eating at Old Spaghetti Factory. I did not know how it happened, but we giggled all the time until stomach was about to explode by good food and good laugh.
Dinner was the best. I had the best meal ever hahaha. I was so excited about Kimchi pizza and it's soooo gooood... :)

Kimchi Pizza

The Forager - mushrooomssss

Korean BBQ Pizza

Ah I had a wonderful time... but thinking about airport, airplane, baggage, and flying back home made me nervous. Remember how sucks United regarding baggage checked in? I was so ready to pay my second baggage - $100 :(
I kept praying to get a last minute miracle...
AND
yes... it happened :)
MIRACLE NUMBER 3...
I still needed to pay my baggage but only $60. I knew it's not so much different. But hey! I still got $40 to spend in Singapore and Hongkong hahaha. I could get starbucks, nylon magazine, and took a shower in Singapore... God is good...

In the end, this journey is ended with a smile...
I smile because I had so many good good friends...
I smile because they all care about me...
I smile because there are these people who exceptionally accepting who I am...
I know I am not a perfect friend... for some people, they found me annoying and immature, but I still smile... because I cannot lie that these wonderful things (including those whom I hurt) strengthen me...
I know I don't have my mother to share laugh with anymore, but she's still there... I feel the exact same love that she would give to me trough these friends... :)
I am sorry that everytime I write a blog, it's always being related to my mom. hehehe
She was my good example of how treat people. She is an expert in hospitality. She does not hesitate to ask people for help and she has no hesitation to give more... more... and more...

Thanks mambo to teach me to smile to everyone...

Thank you EVErYONE!! Thanks Minneapolis..
and yes...


Till we meet again...

PS: More pictures are on instagram- sivibi
Can I tell you that I can't wait to meet them ??? My summer is not ended yeeet !
More smile to come...

mej dutch folks ;)

Current time: 6.21 AM and I need to board at 6.45 AM - a last minute post :P

CVB

#10000 miles - second Edition

Friends-Companion-Happiness 

It's such a bless...
Friend it is....
Teman adalah berkat. Mau yang sering cekcok ama kita, mau yang pernah bikin sakit hati, sampai yang masih baik sama kita apapun keadaannya...
Semua itu baik...

I know I am not a perfect girl, but I have met a bunch of good friends.. and I am happier than ever....

Minggu kedua di Minneapolis, Minnesota... penuh dengan "temu kangen" haha. Sebenarnya sih sudah dimulai dari minggu pertama. Dimulai dengan "temu kangen" makan makanan pedas ala sechuan, makan BABI panggang ala Korea Cafe (mambo's favorite), dan pastinya beberapa teman... :)
Nah, di minggu kedua di sini, the real adventure began!
Dimulai dengan ketemu ama TANTE JEPANG a.k.a Keiko san... a lovely Japanese lady that I met in the middle of a concert. She was just a random person sat beside me while enjoying a gospel concert. LOL and... the conversation started. That's how everything started. I started to go to her place for practicing piano. Then, we got to know that we had in common other than piano - it's cooking!!!Especially, Japanese and Korean food lol...
So, I was invited to have a big feast of Korean food ;)
I got introduced by a Korean-Native-American woman - and yes! we had in common. It's FOOD! hahahaha... So, by saying things like that, I just made another friend.... don't you think?

Lalu... berikutnya! Akhirnya bisa ketemuan dengan Ern. One of my besties...
 Dia yang menemani pas lagi menggalau, beberapa bulan sebelum memutuskan untuk "pulang for good" 2 tahun yang lalu!!! and our destination was BUn MI andd MOA - Mall of Americaaaa

2 stories giant Forever 21 in a Giant Mall - Mall of America

Then! We had 4th July!
Yellow Fireworks!
My friends brought me to Fort Snelling, a historical fort.
It's interesting.
Bentengnya tidak lebih besar daripada Benteng Rotterdam yang ada di Makassar. Tapi, yang bikin saya salut adalah orang Amerika sebisa mungkin menjaga dan melestarikan bangunan bersejarah mereka. Bukannya dijadikan ruko atau gedung bertingkat - (saaaad about what had happened to Makassar historical sites).
Anyway, ada banyak "tentara" yang udah lansia... haha... tapi jadinya bisa merasakan a strong old feeling LOL.

Old Library at the quarters

These were used by soldiers BACK then!!

me and the "lady"

us and the "soldier"

left right...left right... left right... left right... 

Malamnya, tentu aja kita nonton Fireworks di Stone Arch Bridge!!!!!!!

It's so packed!!!!!

me and my super CA - Katie

Weekendnya, aku diajak berpetualang ke Still Water - 25 to 30 minutes driving.
Honestly, it reminds me a lot like Ubud LOL! Little cute stores and bars along the street. However, instead of rice fields, we will see St. Croix river that separates Minnesota and Wisconsin. We definitely did not miss the chance to pay Wisconsin a quick visit! ;)
 It's just across the bridge! Yippy!

 I got to taste Wisconsin Cheese curds and wear the cheese head! LOL
What made me even happier was - I bumped into my Malaysian frieeends!!! Tralalalalalalala
Jadi, waktu itu aku lagi berakting menjadi tukang parkir untuk Katie. Then, tiba-tiba ada yang teriak "chendani... chendani... chendani" Begitu kaca mobil diturunkan - Ya ampuuun, all the familiar faces were shown! LOL...
BERUNTUNG KALI
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's not even closed to where we lived, but I could meet them there! LOL

 Dinner time, Katie ngajakin aku ketemu dengan pacarnya! I just knew him from stories 2 years ago! Hahaha nice to meet you.
We headed to downtown St. Paul for Mickey's diner!!!!
I love this place. Kalau untuk ukuran lidah Indonesia, mungkin terlalu plain and too simple, but diner food is American pride. :) Greasily Good! hahahaha

Cheese Burger and homemade fries

I got my beef patty melts with coleslaw

And the night was ended with

 "moca falito marakee pochi moca patachi patata moja moca linguini maradee loto na do re do re naa lapa take alo tubu dewaa lapa take alo tubu dewaa palake lemiju palaku lenoka kappapo kule PAPRIKA lapa take alo tubu dewaa lapa take alo tubu dewaa linda lulebodo lile CARBONARA ledeshi lede GARLIC laaa (repeat 3x) YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOHUUUUU"

 Despicable Me 2!!!!

Hari Minggu, di Gereja, I met another friend!!!!
I didn't know that she's still going there... since I didnt meet her last Sunday!! LOL
Gosh!!! Happier than ever!

Bener kan... omongan "kalau jodoh pasti bertemu" itu nggak main... dan kemarin Yoon-Jee the new friend that I just met through tante Jepang, dia bilang "everybody was met on purpose" and I totally agree with it...

Semua ini sudah seperti diatur. Ada juga orang yang biar sudah satu kota atau satu daerah tapi jarang sekali ketemu. I have traveled around 10000 miles and I got to meet these people... :) Feel so blessed now! 

Dan hari ini tepat seminggu sebelum pulang ke rumah...
And I am ready to go home :)
I hope, everything gets better in the last week before 23 hours flight ahead. (sad face)

 

CVB

#10000miles - first edition

Yellow!!!!
I would like to inform you that
1. I am officially jobless... since I have no intention to extend my contract as a school teacher, not because I don't like it but mostly because I want to try something else, aaaand I got an offer in other field... still education related, details will come soon IF only IF everything works as planned...
2. I am on my LONG BREAK! I called it 10000 miles trip because yes! it's 10000 miles journey hahaha...

I am going back to Minnesota baby... yup! Minnesota, USA...
Reminiscing...
Relaxing...
Recharging...  for next steps... to keep going... :)
I am feeling like taking a step back to move 10 steps forward... at least that's my goal..
Oh well... I just tell you about my flight for now...

First thing first, it's all about my ticket.
One week before my flight, I just REALIZED that the ticket has been canceled... In fact, I bought it in April which was 2 months before I left, but I never paid attention to the confirmation status until the day I decided to print it out. I know... stupid right? HOWEVER! it ended up giving me 100 bucks off from the price I got in April balahahahahahahhaa....
I am grateful it happened! WHY? Because, to be frank with you, I don't really like the route I took previously. In spite of fancy All Nippon Airlines (ANA), I was not really happy with the transit schedule. I needed to change airport at New York, JFK to Newark, and with crazy traffic of New York, I didn't think that 4.45hr was enough for my next flight... AND when I came back, I needed to wait at Narita Airport for 17 HOURS!!! Please deh hahaha... So, I was back with safe route. CGK-SIN-OHD-MSP (Jakarta - Singapore - Chicago - Minneapolis) with United Airlines. Still, it didn't turn out smoothly.
I just realized that United (the airline that I have after changed schedule) only allowed ONE baggage!!! Lalalalala, I brought 2 suitcases with an intention to bring back my stuff that I left in MSP. Kudos to Garuda Counter Man...with his brilliant idea I could get my 2 suitcases wrapped with plastic; and counted as ONE baggage... the fact that I will still go home with 2 suitcases was saved for later to think about haha...
Oh yes... Rewind----- to the flight I had from Makassar to Jakarta... I met Jaxith (one of my former students in kinder 2) and his family. His mom asked me whether I needed help since she saw my 2 big suitcases. For your information, weight limit for domestic flight is 20kg. I think I had 3 kg more than it should be. To play safe, I agreed to join them since they were 4 people and their stuff were not that many. And... THank you to Jaxith's mom, I didn't need to pay for airport tax... thanks thanks thanks...

ok... BACK to United.
All was well until the United - Counter - Man told me that I needed to pass the immigration, got my bags, and checked them back in, AND caught my flight in ONE AND A HALF HOUR!!!!!! GaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHHHH
When I first arrived in Chicago, OF COURSE I was half running toward immigration... everything looked good until the officer said... "do you bring your i-20?" I said no, why should I bring it while I am not a student anymore... he insisted that I would be asked, because they needed a proof... GAAH. I got my Traveller visa already... PLEASEEeeeeee! I ended up waiting in the immigration office for 1;25 hr. YES 5 minutes before my flight to MSP... I wanted to cry... T__________T. 30 minutes before the flight, I already tried to let it go... I prepared myself to change my schedule (and... :( bought another ticket perhaps?) 
Then, the nice officer made it all better... He said to me that I needed to go to here... there... and there... after I got my passport back with a sad face.
Such in a nice tone... It did make me feel better...just as simple as that...

Then... the United counter woman gave me help as well. She tried to find another ticket for me... Then! I got it. To MSP at 7.25PM arrived around 9PM by Delta... I said it's fine, and I asked if I needed to pay or not. he shook her head... LALALALA... So, I got a couple hours to cool my self down. I checked in at United counter and they said one baggage is $25. Yes baby, domestic flight (for some airlines) - we needed to pay for checked in baggage. However, they said that my baggage was already checked in 20 hours ago, when I was in Jakarta, so they let my beautiful baggage in without paying anything... Pheeeewwww
So, what I needed to do was only passed the security check point and then waited for my flight.
For little tips to pass the checkpoint in simpler way and fasteeer,
 "don't wear complicated shoes" - because you needed to take them off...
"if you need to wear belt" - please take them off before you entered the checkpoint.
 "if you bring water in a bottle" - drink it up or empty it. There are plenty of water fountain inside the gates.
"if you bring more than one gadgets; ipod, iphone, blackberry, galaxy tab, galaxy note, ipad, sanitary pad (?)" - you better put them all together in one bag. Don't forget to take out your laptop from your bag.
I passed the checkpoint without any problem
After everything was done... I felt like every muscles were broken down, shouted out loud, asked for rest!!!
I was on 'air' for about 23 hours with around 20 hrs lay over in total!
48 hrs without proper sleep
Needed to run
Needed to rush
Carried baggage up and down...
Then, I felt it...
the night breeze of Minneapolis Summer...

I am here...
and it's all good.
Already met good good friendsss and ate Sebastian Joe's ice cream TWICE, ate korean porky bulgogi, dduk boki, and Sechuanese... I still have a long list... and 2 weeks more to go... :)
I don't know what's the outcome of this semi impulsive trip. Well, I already planned this trip last year. I got my visa last August, my original plan was going in December last year, but it turned out that my cousin's wedding, relatives visiting, and it was my last christmas with mambo (who knew). Then, I got my contract ended in June 2013; thus, I decided to take a long break.
I hope you can understand... :)

Here some pictures ...
D-1!!!

Travel document checking!

Things that I brought

For killing time - books, laptop, notes, and spare clothes

 D-DAY

Caught Uzbekistan kids around the counters

Arrived at Singapore!!

this was my spot for 7 hours  - Changi

Day one

a treat after all the fuss

"you - you, me-me attitude is ON!" - Ohare airport 

Day Two

Sechuanese feast for dinner! - Little Sechuan

signing with spooned pen haha

Cakes for dessert from my ultimate favorite Asian bakery in MSP (Green tea cake, taro cake, Pineaple cake, mango cake, and tiramisu)

Meeting good good friends :)

Day THREE

ddukboki and mandu with "anak" I never say no to Korean food ;)

Day FOUR

Met my Super CA - Katie Disalvi and had a beautiful full meal at patio - Stella's, Uptown

Basil Vanila ice cream from Sebastian Joe's for dessert

cooling down at Stone Arch Bridge

Day FIVE

head down to downtown for Pride Parade!!! - AFTER CHURCH hahaha

cooling down after the heat for some frozen yogurt

aaaand then Food Truck for dinner!!!

honey bucket 

of course I chose the best food truck hahaha

Worls Secret Kitchen

It's  A LOOOOONG QUE!!!!!!!!!!

And the wait was worthwhile  - Red Chicken Curry Burrito baby

'anak' got 2 types of taco

a night was not ended yet - Lake Calhoon for Sunday evening walk ;)

d' Handjajas

That's all for now... :)
Excuse me for my bad English... I haven't written in English for a long time hahaha... 

CVB