Hello, New Year!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year, Everyone!

What did you do to celebrate last night? Did you go to restaurants, hotels, clubs, outta town, outta country? With family, friends, strangers? Whatever you did, I hope you had a great time.

I celebrated with two of my best friends, Dinda and Dana. On 31st of December 2011, last day of 2011, in the morning I went to a seminar with Dinda. It was a islamic financial seminar in BSD, from 8 am to 12 pm. At 7.30 in the morning Mama took me to the place where Dinda picked me up. Then me and Dinda went together to BSD by Dinda's car. Dinda was planning to take Gea and Ade to that seminar too, since they both also live in BSD. But they happened to be in Bali at the moment. Celebrating New Year in Bali... such a perfect New Year!

So me and Dinda attended the seminar from 8 to 12, the speaker was Ippho Santosa, best-seller-books writer. He was really funny and practical. He gave some keys to success, those I will definitely do in 2012 (well, some of them). Then we, with the rest of VIP guests, had lunch together with Mr. Ippho in Saung Serpong. The food was great! Super delicious! Especially that shrimp something... yummy!

Then I went to Carrefour ITC BSD to buy some ingredients for my cute fruit salads recipe.
 Yeah, I describe my fruit salads as something really cute. The taste is cute for me, like seeing a little girl with pinkish pale skin and fair hair. I went to Dana's new house. His parents and Putra, his brother, were out to buy some other things for the party. I made my salads there.

Dana's new house is really cool. The view, the air, the wind... yeah, the wind is really good because his house is surrounded by huge empty lots. I tried to ride Dana's bike while waiting the party started.

The party was really, really fun! We played and laughed out loud, we watched the greatest movie I've watched this week, Perfect Sense. We watched the beautiful fireworks outside the house, and also took some pictures.

We ate beef barbeque, shrimp and calamari barbeque, rootbeer with that liquor that I don't even know the name (it was really good!), roasted corn cobs, and of course, my salads! I love the food! And everyone seemed to really like my salads and it made me happy. I mean, I've made that salads some couple of times. I've usually made it for my self and my family, and everybody in my family really like it. But Dana's mom and Anne's mom are really good in cooking, so I'm flattered that they like my salads.

Anne and her parents took me home. It was already 2 o'clock in the morning I guess. My house was dark and silent. My mom was sleeping, Deany was having a job, dancing for a new year party in a club, Dad was still on duty, Adrian celebrated with his friends. I felt guilty that Mom was celebrating new year alone at home. :-(


New Days, New Plans

So this is the first day of year 2012. Time to go with the new year resolution.

I think it is really perfect that new year fall on Sunday like this. Sunday is the first day in a week. Sunday is a holiday. People usually started their weekly plan on Monday.

So, as we know, I, just like anyone else, always have plan and schedule, those I promise my self to start doing at one moment. Usually I wait for Monday to start doing those schedule and plan. And when the end of year is coming, I always wanna start it on the first Monday of the new year. But last year (wow, I can't believe that I just called 2011 last year!) the 1st of January fell on Monday! Haha! So, it made me lazy. I was waiting for the 8th of January, and it was too long to wait. When 8th of January came, I already forgot about the plan. Then I kept waiting for another Monday.

By the way, the seminar yesterday reminds me that some moslems told that it is forbidden to follow the Gregorian calendar rules. We have that Hijriah calendar. But well, we live in the Gregorian world anyway. It is easier to follow the universal date. And it is just a goddamn date for God sake! And moreover, Hijriah calendar could be very complicated because the date is not fixed. We kinda have to look for the moon and it's not easy to do. So, I worship my God in Islamic way, but I think it's not a big deal to go with the universal rules, right?

Anyway, from what happened in 2011, I can learn a lesson, that if I really want something and really fight for it, and of course also pray to God to give me what I want, so I will have anything I want.

And this is my 2012 resolution:

1. Work Harder! (the detail is in my personal agenda)
2. Write my diary every single day
3. Learn to speak, write, read, and listen Italian properly
4. Leave my parents house and live by my self (for good reason, really)
5. Publish at least one book!
6. Took English course

Wish me luck, Guys! And I also wish you luck!

My Bestfriend's Wedding

Friday, December 9, 2011

What a Day! Whew!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

The day I went to the weekly meeting in Thamrin in the morning, toy fair in Blok M in the afternoon, football practice in Senayan after, taking a shower at Celebrity Fitness, FX, left my football boots there and lost them forever, and went to my old friend's wedding at night. She's one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life. Oh, and here's the map of my agenda today and my outfit for the wedding.

The Final Day

Monday, November 21, 2011

The Final Day!

Today was a big day for Indonesia. Today was the last day of Sea Games 2011. The big event would be ended by the final of the football tournament.

Today I could see how great football is. It’s not just a game. It’s not just a sport. It’s something bigger.

Watching the excitement of most Indonesian people, we can see how important football is, at least in Indonesia.

As we can see, that wasn’t football tournament. That was Sea Games 2011. Football was only one of the sports. There were other sports such as athletic, swimming, weight lifting, and the other famous one, badminton. Indonesian athletes are good in so many kinda sports.

But for me, it really feels like a football tournament. The football tournament seems to be the main event. No one talks about the other sports. Well, not much. I didn’t hear any.

But everyday we were talking about the football tournament. I looked at my friends’ status in facebook, twitter, blackberry messenger, and any social network, they were always talking about Indonesian football team in Sea Games. To be honest, I’m one of them.

For the whole Sea Games, all I care is only about the football game. I don’t know anything about Sea Games, except that Indonesian football team beat Singapore 2 – 0, then Cambodia 6 – 0, Thailand 3 – 1, lost 0 – 1 from Malaysia, won 2 – 0 from Vietnam, and then I couldn’t wait for the final between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Most people were really focused on the football game. The tickets were always sold out. The stadium was always full of people. My friends’ status on every social network said prayers and supports for Indonesian football team.

And finally, the final between Indonesia and Malaysia. Phew! Was an epic!!

People had been waiting outside the stadium since the day before the final. Crazy!

And finally it was night. The final started. I watched it with Bapak and Deany. Wow! It was a beautiful game! Both teams were struggling till the end.

Indonesia seemed to own the game at the beginning. And they played in a really fast rhythm. Indonesia was even leading with one goal in the very beginning of the match. I think it was the 3^rd or 4^th minute of the 1^st half. And the goal was really beautiful. Gunawan, the player number 13, made it with his nice heading, from (who?)’s crossing.

It was a good goal, and it happened very early. So that’s why I put lots of hopes. I had big expectation for them to win the game.

But, after that goal, Malaysia seemed to own the game. The ball possessions turn to Malaysia. They kept on possessing the ball. Malaysia played really, really good after the first goal. Indonesian defense looked so weak. To be honest, it was lame. Horrible! If only Malaysia had a better striker, they would’ve made more goals!

There were so many chances for Malaysia. They kept attacking Indonesian defense. Ouch! It was just like in the territory issues.

And finally Malaysia made a goal! Damn it! It was really, really, really.... arrrhhh...really upsetting...!

How could it be? It was a weak shot.

Then, for the rest of the match, Malaysia really owned it. They always got the ball. They always attacked Indonesia. Seriously, if only they had better strikers, there would have been more goals for Malaysia.

And the most, most upsetting is, Indonesia actually made a goal in the second half, but it was annulled by the referee because Okto Maniani was already offside. Damn! It was a beautiful goal!

And after the full 90 minutes of hard game, Indonesia and Malaysia had to play in the extra time. In that extra time, once again Indonesia made a really beautiful goal... that was, again, annulled by the referee because our player was already offside! Darn!! Arrhh! I was screaming like crazy. Seriously crazy!

It was a breath-taking match. Incredible match. They both play good. And finally..., times up, the score was still 1 - 1, and they had to finish the match with penalty shoots! Oh my... it was tense! I prayed together with my sister... and all Indonesian people.

Indonesia had the chance to kick first.

The first executor was Titus Bonai. Malaysian goalkeeper could predict the ball move, but it was still a goal. Score was 1 - 0 for Indonesia. But then Malaysian first executor also made it, so the score was 1 - 1 (2 - 2).

Then the second executor of Indonesia was Gunawan Dwi Cahyo. OMG he's HOT! But the hottie missed the penalty. Then Malaysian second executor made a goal, so it became 2 - 1 (3 - 2) for Malaysia.

The third executor was Egi Melgiansyah. He scored, me and Deany screamed so happily, then the third executor of Malaysia didn't make it, so I scream even louder. It became 2 - 2 (3 - 3).

Then the fourth executor of both Malaysia and Indonesia (it was Abdul Rahman) made goals, so it was 3 -3 (4 - 4).

And.... OMG! The last penalty shots!

The last executor of Indonesia was Ferdinand Sinaga... and... he didn't make it! Oh no!!

Then, the last executor of Malaysia... made the goal! Noooooo....!!!!!!!

While all Indonesians cried and upset, Malaysian players, officials, and supporters jumped, ran, and screamed in happiness. They celebrated their success of winning the football tournament!

I was upset. Deany and Bapak were upset. We were... silence.

So all my friends' status in their social network account talked about the lost. Some said how upset they were. Some said how proud they were, though Indonesia lost. Some said something like "It's ok, Garuda. Bla, bla, bla." Some put a crying face. It was like... Indonesia really lost.

Even if you read the news, there are lots of headlines sound like "Indonesia failed", "Indonesia lost", "Indonesia is crying", and something like that. Everyone seemed to be very upset.

But... suddenly I read one of my friends' status in blackberry messenger. It said "Indonesia is the overall winner of Sea Games!"

And then I realized... that is absolutely right! Hey! Guys! We don't lose! We won the Sea Games.

It's true! Indonesia got the most gold medal, silver medal, and bronze medal!

Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	SUM
Indonesia	171	147	136	454
Thailand	105	95	118	318
Vietnam	96	90	101	287
Malaysia	59	48	77	184
Singapore	42	45	73	160
Philippine	36	56	77	169
Myanmar	16	27	35	78
Laos	9	12	36	57
Cambodia	4	11	24	39
Timor Leste	1	1	6	8
Brunei Darussalam	0	4	7	11

Maximize Your Financial Life

I know, It doesn't sound like me at all. But somehow, today I'm just feeling to write something about my job, and about what I am trying to do.

I'm sure that everyone mostly, basically want to maximize their life in every aspects. To have a complete and balance life, people try to get the best they can get in social life, love life, religion, financial, hobby, and other aspects.

I won't talk about getting good friends or getting the love of your life here. I'm just gonna talk about one important aspect, financial.

Basically, I don't really believe that there is someone in this world can really live without money. Okay, forget about the monks, except you are one of them.

We are either gonna have kids to raise, gonna grow old and unable to earn money, gonna need funds to reach our dreams, to help our family, to help others, or any other concerns those need lots of money. That's why we have to work. People don't work hard for nothing.

Basically, people do two main things to maximize their financial. First, they do they best to earn money, and the second, they have to manage the money they have earned. But, in reality, people--especially in Indonesia--only do the best to earn money, and forget about the manage-the-money part. So, after hardly working their ass off for getting the money, they then waste the money for a short-term happiness. They spend most of the money, even mostly spend all the money. They buy unnecessary fancy outfits, they eat fancy food, they buy everything they want.

Don't get me wrong, it is not a crime to spend your own money like that. Of course you have to spend money for your basic needs such as food, clothes, internet, electricity, transportation, rite? And sometimes you also need to spend money for fancy thing you really need, or even you really 'want' without 'need'.
But, instead of spend all of your money, why don't you save some for your future, or at least for unexpected expense. We never know, rite?

There are two unwanted possibilities in life: the possibility of something we want to happen, doesn't happen; and the possibility of something we don't want to happen, happens.

I mean, let say, now you can really tell me that you don't need anything more; you are already satisfied with your life. Okay, I get it. Maybe you are single, have a well-paid job, or maybe wealthy parents those always support your financial needs, and maybe you don't have expensive needs yet.

But what about later? Who knows that one day you'd decide to have family? Who knows that one day you might have kids to raise, kids those always need well educations. Maybe someday you're gonna need to have your own house. Maybe someday you're gonna need to support your parents. Who knows?

Maybe now you can tell me that you don't need one million dollars, but can you promise me that you would not need one million dollars EVER?

So, what I am doing now, with my job and my own life, is managing to have future assets. I am trying to control my expense efficiently, and managing the rest of my income with good financial planning. I have my own trustworthy financial adviser. I always ask him to give me advises and also learn from him, and now I'm also going to take the financial adviser class, so I can be as good as my financial adviser and can satisfy my clients just as he always satisfy me.

I work in the best financial company, with the best financial planners, and manage my money and my clients money there with them.

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us." (Imagine by Lennon)

Success always for you guys!

Don't Rain on My Parade (Glee Cast Performance)

This is such a great inspirational song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUUsp3GIEIg

Wish the link can be opened.

The song is from a Broadway musical drama I guess. It is performed by Rachel Berry (Lea Michelle) in an episode of my favorite serial 'Glee' season 1.

The lyrics are very awesome and exactly describe my feelings right now.

These are the lyrics:

"Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter.

Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter.

Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!

Don't tell me not to fly, I simply got to.

When somebody's got a spill, it's me and not you,

who told you, you're allowed to rain on my parade?

I'll march my band out. I'll beat my drum.

And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, Sir.

At least I didn't fake it.

Hat, Sir! I think I didn't make it.

But, whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection,

or freckle on the nose of life's complexion,

the cinder or the shiny apple of its eye,

I gotta fly once, I gotta try once
Can only die once, right, Sir?
Oh, life is juicy! Juicy as you'll see,
I'm gonna have my bite, Sir!

Get ready for me love, cause I'm a comer.
I simply gotta march my heart a drummer.
Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!

I'm gonna live and live now!
Get what I want, I know how!
One role for the whole show bang!
One threw that bell will go clang
Eye on the target and wham!
One shoot, one gun shot and, Bam!

Hey, Mr. Arnstein..., here I am!
I'll march my band out. I'll beat my drum.
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, Sir.
At least I didn't fake it.
Hat, Sir! I guess I didn't make it.

Get ready for me love, cause I'm a comer!
I simply gotta march my heart a drummer!
No....body no, no....body........ isss gonnaaaa... rain on myyyy... paaaa....raaaaaaade...!!"

::
Whew!
What an awesome feeling, listening to that song, over and over again, during everything that happen to me lately.
I got chill to see Lea Michelle performing this song in her role as Rachel Berry in Glee.

My favorite part is "I'm gonna live, and live now; get what I want-I know how!"
That is so true!! And "I gotta try once, I gotta fly once, can only die once..."

I'm addicted to Glee's songs, especially the songs performed by Quinn Fabray (my favorite character in 'Glee'), Kurt Hummel, Noah Puckerman, and Rachel Berry. Well, of all the characters, I hate Rachel Berry the most because she is very annoying, but gotta admit, she's good in singing theatrical song. Only theatrical song. I also like Mercedes' voice. She's also great and have amazing voice.

Two days ago I was searching for 'Glee's videos on YouTube and I found, and watched, a video where Kurt Hummel sang 'I wanna hold your hand' by the Beatles. OMG!! I was crying!! I was suddenly just crying!
It was heart touching, breath taking, amazing performance. Especially because Kurt was singing that song for his beloved father. He has a father that love him so much, although the father was disappointed, knowing that Kurt is gay/

Father-child relationship always touch my heart. Father seems to always do everything to make the children happy, to make sure that the children are safe.

That kinda relationship keeps me thinking, "Even though I don't wanna get married, and I just wannabe single parent, but still, my children need to have a father." A father is very important for kids life, as important as mother. My father is the most important thing in my life. He always does his best to make his family happy, although we don't always realize it.

He did everything to give the best, for me, for my brother and sister.
Whew! I start crying now.

Ok. The article was about 'Glee', and now I start talking about my father. I think I have to stop now before I start writing about the my grandmother's first word as baby.

Oh! BTW, I'm planning of writing my memory about my precious dog in my other blog 'Everything about Astari'. I've been planning it for so long.

What am I Doing and Why am I Doing This?

*If you want to read this, please read this article completely, do not stop before you finish

I keep asking, what am I doing, and why am I doing this?
To be honest, to tell the truth, over and over again I kept thinking of this:

I have to stop this whole crazy insurance agent thing

Look at me;

White shirt, black skirt, and pantovels

A woman’s pantovels

This is not true.

This is not me.

This is… bullshit.

I’m not this… serious woman with working suite.

I’m not a serious-financial-planner kinda person.

I’m not a financial person.

I’m an artist.

I’m basically an artist.

I’m doing art.

I love to be free and making art works.

Not selling insurance to people who don’t even know why they buy it.

Every single day I walk on the street,

In this beautiful city with beautiful buildings

I always wish that I wore something casual.

Tank-top and shorts instead this crappy working suite

SLR camera on my hand instead of a handbag with the notebook inside

Even that I already wear my working suite,

people still notice that I’m not a financial planner

This hairdo can’t lie

My hairdo is such a mess; it grows against the gravitation

And I have no interest at all to do anything about that

Or, I mean, this

I don’t like this job, and can’t act like I do.

I just pretend that I like.

But pretending to be one can’t make you the one you pretend to be.

I’m an artist.

I’m silly and spontaneous.

I can’t act serious as a serious-financial-planner.

Some financial people are pretty funny.

But they’re funny in a way they make fun of person like me.

But wait!

The question is 'Why am I doing this?'

If I follow my ego,

I might leave this job and do something more fun.

I might just leave all my responsibilities.

I might just do what I wanna do.

But every time I feel like quiting,

There will always be some great people that remind me

again and again

of the reason, why am I doing this.

I have my own reason.

I believe in what I'm doing.

I believe that I am now doing something good.

I'm doing something to make people's live change.

I help people.

I believe that the information,

this information that I have to share to people everyday

is a very, very important information.

When somebody get some trouble

Financial, health, accident, critical illness

And they need lots amount of money

I probably couldn't help them.

But if I just push my ego away for a while

and use my precious time, just to share this useful information

I wouldn't have to help them when they got into trouble,

because they already help them selves.

By having insurance.

And even if I already told them to have insurance

and they just didn't wanna have it for some silly reasons,

it would not be my responsibility,

because at least I have done my job,

which is just to tell them the precious information.

So this is me, doing this thing that lots of time I don't like to do.

Maybe I hate to wear shirt and skirt.
Maybe I hate to wear women shoes.
Maybe my hair would not compromise.

But me, my self, is the most important thing in this business.
I have the reason to keep doing this.

For love, for people, for their family, then also for me and my family.