Strawbearies: July 2013

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

#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

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

#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

Monday, July 1, 2013

#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!!!