Sketch of the Day - Whole

Just get well after a week sickness.. how I realize that health is important..
Stay healthy people, mind and body! :)

After the AFCC I really want to get in to Haiku, a simple, deep , personal poem that very straight and personal.. so this is the first one..

Sketch of the day- Sunshine

Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.
Hans Christian Andersen

A little bit of Tintinism :)

:: My recent entry for Kelir, this month topic is about 'Tintin' :) just click the picture to see it bigger
and Djamboel means 'top knot' in Indonesia..

There's a little bit euphoria about 'Tintin' in my house recently, I've been a fans of  Herge since I'm in elementary school, my dad was a huge fans of Tintin too, there's always a quarrel between us, there's 6 of us, about who's gonna read it first...

Now it is a little bit melancholic for me, it's more than an ordinary piece of a comic book, the way it make my daughter laugh, the way it 'still' and 'used to' make me laugh, there's something classical inside it..

and I'm glad the movies captured my expectation of the character quite well, but still, I love the books more :)

Gratitude :)

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." 

-Melody Beattie

:: For the singing birds, for remind me that I still have ears to listen good things .. we decide, we pick..

:: Sun light, that giving us life, although there is a thousand, a million asteroids that could crash and take what we have today in just per millisecond, well skip this hehehe.. too much science fiction movies..

fulfill ourlife while we still have it..




















:: love, love, love, for hope.. for friends, family, and amazing heart shape clouds that look like one.. :)

Totoro dear

I just love.. loveee.... Ghibli.. what else can I say.. :)

:: Mei first lesson from Totoro.. 

The Lunar New Year 2011

The new year is about tradition, where all the family members gather together and pay respect for the elder, my family is not really a ' Chinese' family, well we have a crescent shape eyes and yellow skin tone, but we can not speak mandarin, we are better Javanese speaker though.. :)

But I loove the tradition, in fact I love tradition from all around the world, it is fascinating, knowing what the reason behind every cultures and things.

:: The seller said that this sticker is the chinese character for "luck" , I use it as a hung pao sealer.., sorry for the upside down photos :)












:: Bunnies finger puppets  for Rabbit Year!

And I copied this Chinese tradition and custom during the New Years.. it is fun to read.. (taken from here)

BEFORE NEW YEAR's EVE

The celebration actually starts on New Year's Eve with the reunion dinner. By New Year’s Eve, you should have done the following:

• Clean the entire home to get rid of all the things that are associated with the old year.
• Put away all brooms and brushes.
• Pay all your debts.
• Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbors and business associates.
• Buy the following: - red money envelopes
  - oranges and/or tangerines
  - circular candy tray
  - flowers (especially plum blossom, peach blossom, water lily)
  - a new set of clothes and shoes for children, preferably something red or orange.
  
• Get new dollar bills from the bank. Insert the new dollar bills into the red envelopes. Now the red envelope is called a lee see or lucky money envelope. (note: Very few modern families follow all the "cleaning" traditions.)

ON NEW YEAR’s EVE:

• Get together with close family members (not including married daughters and their families) for the "reunion" dinner.
• Pay respect to ancestors and household gods. Acknowledge the presence of ancestors because they are responsible for the fortunes of future generations.
• Open every door and window in your home at midnight to let go of the old year.

ON NEW YEAR’s DAY:

• Decorate your home with symbols of good fortune. Here are some suggestions:
  - Colors: Bright red (happiness); gold/orange (wealth & happiness).
  - Fruits: Oranges and tangerines (good health & long life); tangerines with leaves intact (long lasting relationships; fruitful and multiply as in having children); persimmons (happiness and wealth).
  - Circular candy tray (candy for sweet and circular for togetherness).
  - Flowers: If flowers bloom on New Year’s Day, it will be a prosperous year.
  - Red banners or couplets with New Year wishes and symbols of good fortune in gold.
  
  
• Here are some suggestions for food:
  
• - Jai - a combination of food that represents good fortune. Jai comprises of ginkgo nut, black moss, dried bean curd, bamboo shoots, vermicelli and scallion.
• - Fish and chicken represent prosperity. Always present the fish and chicken as a whole. Do not cut them in pieces. The head, tail and feet (for chicken) must be presented to symbolize completeness.
• - Noodles represent longevity. Again, they should not be cut.
• - Desserts include oranges, Chinese New Year cake (ni gao) and prosperous cakes (they look like golden nuggets).

DO’s & DON'Ts on NEW YEAR’s DAY:

• - Greet others with "Gong Xi Fat Choi " which means "Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth".
• - Give two lee see’s to each child. Because happiness comes in two’s, do not just give one. This is your way of passing good luck to the next generation. Business owners also give lee see’s to employees and associates. *well, I don't know what lee see is.. hehehee
• - Wear brand new clothes - preferably in red. Children should wear new clothes and new shoes.
• - Don’t wash your hair.
• - Don’t sweep the floor.
• - Don’t greet people who are in mourning.
• - Don’t drop your chopsticks.
• - Don’t say the number ‘four’ (Chinese homonym for death) or mention death.
• - Don’t borrow or lend money. *there's a lot of superstitious things heree...

well, happy Lunar New Year everybody :)

About Christmas

What's left after Christmas, was memories, all the laugh and feelings that will always written in our mind. What will waiting on our journey in life, we don't know yet. Still we could learn from the past, from the parents, the elder, brother and sister, and recharged all the bond between families. And learn what life trying to tell us, to be more wiser an better..

:: The cakes from the editor's, thank you all :)

:: Christmas Party. Cousins . Drama king and queen.

:: Gift from a dear friends, Cecil, thanks a lot, your cards are wonderful!

Happy Holiday everybody!

Happy Holiday to you all, thank's for all the nice comments and for reading my blog, it's really, really nice to know you all, what a wonderful world wide web :)

"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong."
— Laura Ingalls Wilder

Saya versus industri anak perempuan

Eh bukan masalah trafficking ya ini, tp ttg mainan anak2 perempuan skrg ini :)

Kalo diliat2, bener2 banyak sekali industri komersil yang mengangkat efek2 emosional dan fisik anak perempuan, coba aja liat Barbie, Princess, dan masih banyak lagi. Terus terang dari kecil saya tidak mau mendorong anak saya untuk 'attached' dengan salah satu karakter yang sangat komersil ini, kalaupun ada , kebanyakan karena faktor lingkungan dan teman yang benar2 membombardir dengan segala barang2 berbau glitter dan warna pink ini. Rada mabok juga karena setiap kali ke mall, semua yang berwarna pink dan berkilau ini terasa sekali mendominasi mata. Kenapa saya enggak suka?

1. Ada pembentukan stereotype tertentu dibalik produk2 ini, bahwa yang namanya anak perempuan itu harus penuh dengan semua yang berkilau, harus berwarna pink, harus berambut panjang, berbadan seksi, anak saya yang berumur 6 tahun sudah bisa berkomentar, perempuan itu seksi lho... apa itu seksi nak? itu yang perutnya kelihatan mah..Yah kebanyakan  karakter princess kelihatan perutnya lho.

2. Korelasi ke sifat, coba lihat film2 barbie, euh.. penuh dengan tipikal sifat khas perempuan, yang kalau melihat baju bagus langsung matanya melotot, suaranya melengking tinggi sambil menjerit kecil, 'eeeek... so kyuuute...', yaah tidak langsung secara harafiah begitu, coba lihat gestur tubuhnya, cara mereka bicara, cara pemerannya berbisik2, aduh, itu yang biasa diterapkan dikehidupan sehari2 oleh si anak2 kecil yang manis2 ini.., hasilnya, itu tambahan pekerjaan buat orangtua untuk meluruskan label2 yang sudah kadung nemplok dijidat anak2nya. :)

3. Jadi sekarang peernya adalah untuk menjelaskan ttg kenapa ngak sopan kl bisik2 didepan teman, bahwa berambut pendek itu tetap cantik, bertemanlah dengan banyak teman, tidak usah pilih2 hanya mau berteman dengan sesama anak perempuan saja, bahwa berteman dengan anak laki2 tetap ok, bisa main sepeda2an atau bola atau petak umpet, intinya kreativitas, jangan batasi diri dengan segala macam faktor duniawi yang intinya menjual menjual menjual.. :)

4. Dan buat orangtua, ya harus sensitif juga, sensitif memilihkan barang2 untuk anaknya, tidak cuma melihat bungkus luarnya, tp esensi dari barang itu, jangan termakan bujuk rayu iklan tivi dan yang lain2nya. Maka marilah berdoa dan menguatkan diri.. heehee

To Market!

Almost every week we go to 'pasar' - local market. There's so much to see in there, and somehow I could find my happiness in here, despite all the heat , busy, clattered things around you, there's so much to see here, the mutual transaction between the seller and the buyer, all the fresh things that you could find and see, a rather non artificial feelings - if you know what I mean :).

I don't know why, I love the traditional things lately- maybe gonna use the traditional mail rather than email for this year Christmas card.. hmm, and trying  to sew again- well wish me luck for this one.

:: A 'Padang restaurant', looking at this make me drool again, I love Padang food.





















:: Things, things, things
the wood board is a 'washing board', the truly invention before the 'washing machine' eh..?

:: and eat...























 :: and drink! Fresh coffee for 5000 Rp,-

IF- Subterranean

Grateful-I'm so feeling this today that I made this doodle..

and I think it suit the IF topic Subterranean too.. :) what do you think about a nice critter hiding below the earth, a happy and friendly one..

One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. 
G. E. Lessing (1729 - 1781)

Down

I can't help to feel down.

after read the news in CNN that maybe 4000 people still buried inside the falling building and houses in Sumatra. This is the link, and please help if you could. the Indonesian Red Cross:

Sumatera Earthquake Donation

BCA KCU Thamrin Bank Account Number: 206.300668.8, Kantor Pusat PMI (Indonesian Red Cross Office) And via Bank Mandiri KCU Jakarta Krakatau Steel Account number: 070-00-0011601-7 Account name Palang Merah Indonesia.

I wish for *_*

What would you do if you have 3 ongoing parallel project..? *_*

I'll wish for a long holiday at the farm, with no disturbance, a lot of animal friend and family, like this.., and then when I get back all the project has been done. Click. Just like that.


Oh well! Quit that dream and get back to work! make priorities- Go!Go! Go!

Words for today

It's been 9 days since I do my last post.. :)

It's means datelines, it's means house to clean, a daughter to play with, a husband to chat with, a mother to be accompanied, and you know what, in all these commotion I found this beautiful prayer from Melody, thanks Mel!

I mean beauuutiful prayer, well.. you can call me melancholic, but read this and let me know whats on your mind..



















Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of good clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels, and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smidged refrigerator that needs cleaning inside and out. It has served us faithfully for many years and has enough food in it for several meals.

Thank you, Lord for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard. Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming door; my kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says that you have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

2008

1. My daughter - a unique creation, blessing from Above

2. The first children books - a beautiful achievement as a person

3. The joy of crafting and making things, so many possibilities and new things to learn

4. The nature that come to our daily life, and the awareness to enjoy the beauty of it

5. Our home, the feeling of happiness of a good clean pillow, the smell of a new air from a last night rain, and the spirit to keep it as a home

6. The illustrator circle of friends, with an amazing and challenging skill everyday, the warm comments and tips, you're all make my day!

7. Every bit of a holiday warmth- not only Christmas, but every holiday when we could be together as a family, communicating, relaxing.. I think that's why God creating Sunday, right?

8. Of our pet, Bunny and Moki, which is sometimes could be so joyfully irritating, and somehow are the fanatic loyal fans of these human beings- who haven't really realize how they have make our day brighter

9. My family. Nothing can describe how precious and how I'm honored to have them as part of my life. Thanks God

Happiness

sampai sebesar apapun nak,
aku menggendongmu dalam hatiku

no matter how big you've grown dear child
I'll carry you in my heart

Diambil waktu kita lagi santai dirumah,
tau2 sikunyil ngeliat selendang yg dulu pernah dipake buat ngegendong dia,
dia bilang 'mama-mama, gendong aku dong!'
Udah umur 4 tahun, 16 kilo, cukup butuh perjuangan buat ngiket selendangnya,
dan karena kita ketawa2, ngakak berduaan, tambah susahlah proses gendong menggendong ini,


Taken when we just have an ordinary time at home, suddenly she saw her 'selendang', the one who use to cradle her when she was a baby, "mom, carry me, carry me!' 4 years old, 16 kg, yes it needs a struggle to carry her between weight and hysterically laugh and giggle but at least we made it, no make up, no dress up, just an ordinary moment between mother and baby- well in my eyes she still my baby always- and an everlasting happiness etched in my heart that day! :)

A thankful feeling

Just wanna be thankful for:

The family and friends, for letting me know that there are so many things, so many kind of people, in these biiiiggg world...

















The chance for thinking positive, waking me up that there are many things that can be thankful for, do and make to..


To know that the power of mind could make a difference to someone, depend how they take it personally, even if they're in the same situation, the result could be totally different. To realize that life is about choice.., so be wise girl.. :)
















:: This trees gives so much little flower that smells sooo nice, maybe this smells make me wondering about all this stuff heehee... ohmmmmm.......

IF- Clutter

Beautifully cluttered.. :)

I have 3 concept about this 'clutter' topic, first I want to make a sketch of poor houses in Indonesia, then I was thinking about many cluttered signage in Jakarta's street, but I end up with this, whimsical fairy things again, well I guess I'm a little bit off of that untouchable gloomy side of this humanoid life..

IF- Detach

On Children Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

End of School Year- preschool

This month Mika will be graduate from preschool, and the teacher give us the whole project to look at, I believe it is an amazing experience for every parents to see their children creation, as for me it's like looking at her personal journal of learning and seeing new things everyday.

This is just part of her project, every time she went to school, she drew her expression, maybe her or her friend, I loveee looking at this, it's like having your own sticker with a personal touch from your kid :D..
Still cannot believe it. Click here for her art project journal :)






















As for my self it is a privilege for me to be able to work and look at her growth from home. For everything is passing so fast, thanks God for this opportunity.. :')