Dancers, I Love

We're all strangers in the beginning.

I never really consider that in the end we have a connection, a soulful and very strong connection,

through dancing, of course.

I don't know, we share same passion, same excitement, move together, have a lot of laugh, and I feel close, so close.

I'm very thankful to Hyang Widhi, I have met them.

I'm very happy, makes me keep smiling.

Feels like I find LOVE.

And I don't wanna be apart.

Yes, I LOVE you all.

Can't wait until our next performance.

Revisiting Medan

I had promised myself, when I had second opportunity visiting Medan I would never wasting it.Then I got the chance in this beginning of 2015. This time I didn't take train services from Kualanamu International Airport to Medan because we had been picked up by team (I visited Medan because of something related my work as an officer). Such my prediction, I spent about 2 hours to reach Medan from the airport because of traffic (normal time is about 45-60 minutes, and ya by train it's 45 minutes without traffic and delay).

I could see the same city as Medan that I had visited last year. City with culinary pleasures, that sure make your weigh scale move forward. And eventhough you know it would happened, you still can't refuse it. I thought It's temptation is more than having selfie with Reza Rahardian.

Couple years ago, Medan in my mind is a harsh city as reflected in the way abang-abang angkot speaks and talk, and their driving style (some I found when I was in college). I thought that Medan is a city with full of reckless drivers, and that's all. But yes, I prove myself wrong.

Now I experienced myself, Medan, city that has diversity in it's society, dominated by Suku Batak, Melayu, dan Tionghoa. I could feel I could feel the acculturation when seeing the buildings. I saw many old buildings that remind me of Kota Tua, Jakarta. And those building is still used as office buildings until now.

Because of still on duty, I didn't have much time to visit all of Medan's icon like Danau Toba or the beauty of Berastagi. Only few I did visit.

Istana Maimoon (Maimoon Palace)

was built more than 100 years (was built on 1888) by Sultan Deli ke-IX, Sultan Ma'moen Al Rasyid. this palace is one of the Indonesian heritage and cultural site, and icon of Medan at once. Maimoon Palace has beautiful architecture, acculturation of Islam Melayu, India, Italy, and Spain. The entrance ticket is surprisingly very cheap, only IDR 5.000 that would be used for maintenance and take care of that heritage. You can also rent costumes and take photo wearing it by paying IDR 10.000.

Graha Maria Annai Velangkani

I do smiling when hear it's name. Pretty, isn't it?:) .Graha Maria Annai Velangkani is a church with touch of Indian architecture. At first, I thought It was a temple. It looks like Vihara too. It has a beautiful architecture that worthed to chase by 40 minutes driving. It's located quite far from the downtown but it would be no problem because there was no traffic. My friend told me that we could see paintings when we took step on the stairs. The paintings would told us about life circle from day 1 to 7 where on the 7th day was time for us to take a break and pray to God. Oh I see, this was one of the fundamental philosophy in Catholic.

Ucok Durian

Well, frome those bunch of culinary place in Medan, would be unperfect without visiting this place. Bang Ucok, I visited this Durian house at about 10 pm and it's still crowded. Oh my diet! At first I promised myself to not tasting it even though I love Durian so much. But my determination easily gone when I smell it. Haha! For you who love Durian It looks like heaven. Although the place was just like "kaki lima" but it's crowded. I didn't understand why the people keep coming at that time (too late to have Durian as dinner). Weren't they afraid of illness that might come because of Durian?. Well normally (in the afternoon with bright blue sky) I could have one whole of those fruit by myself. Yes, I'm a lover! So I felt really excited and happy to go there. That night I only ate a little (because it's already 10 pm! I couldn't burn it all anymore, haha), the rest was took photos with Bang Ucok, the founder!

I hadn't satisfy enough because I still wanna taste more culinary in Medan. In the last night I and team tried Wajir Seafood. They said that it was the most delicious. I told myself, were there any culinary in Medan that isn't delicious?

I promise, I'll go back again to visit more places and experience more culinary. With happy tummy and happy heart I went back, Jakarta's waiting. 

Horas Medan! 

January 23th

January 23rd is...

when you wake up happily, and is very excited about the whole day,

when your mom, dad, brother, text you saying that they love you and wish you everything the best,

when your bestfriends send you sweet messages with many wishes although there's no reminder you put on your social media,

when your bestfriends put your face on their BBM picture and change their status into wishes,

when friends you meet congrat you and say beautiful words,

when you feel really loved,

when you become older,

when you make a good start to become a better person.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

Mt. Bromo, a Short Trip

It’s been a while since my last trip, a real trip. Biasanya numpang jalan – jalan when i was on duty. I rarely have a trip with girl friend. Most of my trips are accompanied by bf. Well, I’m such a picky person ketika menyangkut teman bepergian. I can’t easily match with any person. But this time I went with my girl friends.

Biasanya bepergian dengan cewek-cewek itu repot. Terlalu banyak pertimbangan dan tidak praktis. Oke, it doesn’t always happened, but most does. Mungkin sebabnya kamu tidak bersama orang yang tepat. Like me, meskipun bepergian dengan cewek – cewek, tapi kami menikmatinya, tidak ribet, dan sangat spontan.

This was my first time visiting Mt. Bromo, I and Putri exactly. We’ve heard many stories about Mt. Bromo. It’s beauty, the breathtaking panorama, and of course a perfect spot for taking photos.

Mt. Bromo is located in East Java regency, tepatnya Kabupaten Pasuruan. Untuk menuju Bromo, kita dapat melalui Kota Surabaya atau Malang. Kebetulan kali ini kami semua berada di Malang (I only know that Mt. Bromo is located in Malang). We use travel from Harris Hotel Malang. Oh ya, a little review about Harris Hotel Malang, the place is so good, the foods are delicious, It has beautiful pool, lovely view, but the only but is the bad service by the Sales named R. We’re really disappointed of him.

Travel from Harris Hotel costs IDR 1.350.000 for full package trip to Mt. Bromo  (exclude the entrance ticket and the horse). We can share it with 6 persons actually, but unfortunately no one want to join us. Awalnya ada ide sharing dengan guests yang lain, tapi apa daya no one guests has same ideas with us. Kami berangkat dari hotel tepat pukul 01.00 pagi. Rute Malang – Bromo termasuk yang paling cepat (kurang lebih 1,5 jam kalau lancar). Kalau dari Surabaya kita harus berangkat sekitar jam 00.00 dini hari. Benar-benar perjuangan keras bagi orang seperti saya yang tidak pernah terjaga malam – malam.

That package we took includes acomodation (return) with Avanza and Jeep for visiting 4 spots. So these are the spots:

      Penanjakan Satu

We arrived at Bromo at 2.30 am. We’re transfered to Jeep in a parking space to reach the spots. Masih dengan mata terkantuk – kantuk kami keluar mobil menuju Jeep sewaan. I’ve heard about the cold weather jadi saya, Putri dan Bu Aris sudah bersiap-siap dengan peralatan perang baju berlapis-lapis dibungkus baju hangat. But if you don’t have enough preparation don’t be worry, begitu keluar mobil akan ada banyak masyarakat Suku Tengger (masyarakat sekitar Bromo) yang menawarkan perlengkapan mulai dari sarung tangan, topi rajut, shawl, sampai menyewakan baju hangat. And what surprises me is not too-markup-price. The price is reasonable.

Please do not mind my huge arm. It's all about the angle :P

The beautiful scenery of Bromo

Kami menempuh 30 menit untuk sampai ke Penanjakan Satu. Kami sengaja ingin sampai secepat-cepatnya agar mendapatkan momen sunrise Bromo terbaik. Ketika kami sampai, everything is still dark no view. I told my self berulang-ulang, told Putri, “Mana bagusnya?”. Well, after 30 minutes waiting, the sun rised. Mungkin karena  semalam hujan jadi langit sedikit berkabut dan kami harus menunggu lama agar dapat melihat warna langit pagi idaman, tapi view Bromo dengan lembah tertutup kabut really breathtaking.

     Bukit “Teletubbies”

I never understand why the hill was named “Teletubbies”. We had a quick visit here dan belum sempat melihat tampak sebenarnya dari Bukit Teletubbies karena kabut tebal yang masih menutupinya.

Oh ya, finally I can check my list, praying at Bromo Temple. Beruntung pemilik Jeep bersedia mengantarkan saya. Many thanks.

     Pasir Berbisik

Dinamai demikian konon karena pergerakan pasir-pasir di lembah Bromo ini menimbulkan gesekan yang terdengar seperti sedang berbisik-bisik. Taking photos here is a must! Lembah berpasir yang cantik dan fotogenik.

Kawah Bromo

This is our last spot to visit. Quite hard to reach the crater. Jika memilih berjalan kaki, perjalanan ke kawah ditempuh sekitar 30-40 menit. Kami traveller yang manja memilih riding a horse. Believe it or not, this was my first time riding a horse. Although riding horse, we had to walkng up 200 stairs to reach the crater. Lucunya, saat kami menaiki tangga, di sepanjang perjalanan banyak pendaki yang menyemangati kami. Bukan hanya kami tepatnya, pendaki tangga saling menyemangati untuk tetap bertahan melalui tangga ke-200. Super!

Those were 4 spots we reached in our quick getaway. Such a quick visit that we returned to Hotel at 9.00 am. We’re so satisfy with this trip.

Sunrise, checked.

Praying at Bromo Temple, checked.

Riding horse, checked.

Taking pretty photos, checked.

Our return trip to hotel took more times because of traffic. Arrived at 11.30 am, we prepared our luggage quickly then went toward airport to catch our flight to Jakarta.

See you again in another trip!

Xoxo, Putu Gian

*all photos by : Fardhani Hamiputri (@fardhaniputri)

Turning 23

Nothing is sweeter than birthday wishes. One day of a year, I wake up with my sweetest smile...greatest energy knowing that many people remember my day.

I love gifts so much! who doesn't? But my most beautiful gift this year are wishes from Ibu, Bapak, Deadi, bf, and friends. 

Celebrating my birthday with calling special persons in my life, eating delicious foods, working passionately, and buying chic bag was so great.

Hello 23! I love turning 23 in 23th of January.

as my friend's wishes,

please come...tons of happiness, joy, and luck.

become a better person, greater mind, and a bigger heart.

Happy Birthday

Indonesia Menari 2013

Joined a traditional Indonesian flashmob yesterday, and It was really fun! Gerakan Indonesia Menari 2013 was held by Djarum Bakti Budaya, Djarum Foundation. Located in Grand Indonesia Shoppig Town, this was the second time after had held around Bundaran HI last year. Me joined it with some excited friends, and we did have fun!

OOTD : Canting Cantik outwear, F21 dress & necklace, CottonInk legging, Wondershoe shoes

Thanks to Putri for the video :)

When Dancing We Uniting

Mereka menari seperti sudah gila.

Hentakan kaki, jentikan jemari, seirama berpadu bunyi-bunyian dari alat musik, pekikan, dan nyanyian merdu.

Mereka menari seperti sudah lupa.

Akhir pekan ini saya mengunjungi Galeri Indonesia Kaya di Grand Indonesia -lagi- untuk ketiga kalinya. Pagelaran seni kali ini menampilkan tari piring dari Liga Tari Krida Budaya Universitas Indonesia. Saya sudah familiar dengan Liga Tari UI ini. Saya sering kepoin mereka di social media. Sebenarnya lebih tepatnya tidak sengaja kepo karena ada dua teman saya yang adalah anggota senior dari Liga Tari UI. Amazing ya, mereka memiliki program misi budaya yang bertujuan "bring peace to the world by dance and culture". Menari, bukan sekadar memenuhi hobi, tapi juga memperkenalkan bangsa Indonesia ke mancanegara, membawa kedamaian, persahabatan, dan memberikan angin sejuk di atas semua cap buruk tentang Indonesia di mata dunia.

Dan hari itu saya kagum sekali. Badan saya berdenyut-denyut ingin ikut menari. Performers yang baik adalah yang bisa membuat penontonnya larut dan seakan ikut menari. Yes, they did it!

Seusai pertunjukan saya langsung celingak-celinguk mencari seseorang dari Liga Tari yang bisa saya ajak berbicara. Luckily, saya bertemu teman saya yang menjadi PIC Liga Tari hari itu. Talked about some plans.

Doakan saya, I wanna make a project.

Ketika menari,

musik adalah suara, gerak adalah bicara.

Lenggokan badan, ayunan tangan adalah pesan.

Tengokan kepala, delikan mata

Beradu, bersatu, berpadu.

Mari Menari! :)

Culinary Recommendation #1

1. Pizza Marzano, Kelapa Gading Mall #3

First time I try Pizza Marzano at Kelapa Gading Mall. In the beginning I was so confused and not sure about the taste. I don't really like pizza. I usually have pizza in Pizza Hut before, not impressing me enough. In that day I gave a chance to Pizza Marzano. I and my friend were curious why it's sooo crowded at lunch time. I remember my bf said that a restaurant can be so crowded because of two reasons, if it's not because of the low price, then it must be the delicious foods. Then I gave it a try. We think it should be a pizza because we're in a pizza restaurant.

We ordered a crepe pizza called Biance Pollo e Porchini. Quite difficult to remember, right? It's a crispy pizza with various toppings like chicken, portabello mushroom, mozzarella cheese, and oregano sauce/basil. How's the taste?Well, I've underestimated it. It was GOOD! From 1-8 I give it 7 point. For me who don't like pizza, it taste delicious. And so did my friend. He told me that he'll surely come again because he keep remembering the taste of the pizza.

Pizza Biance Pollo e Porchini (IDR 88k)

2. Warung Pasta, Rawamangun

The other day I tried pasta at Warung Pasta, Rawamangun in my senior's farewell party who moved to new office in Yogyakarta this month. Well actually I don't really like pasta too (haha what food I like then). I ordered Redd Bull Fetucinni Pasta, a pasta with tuna and salmon fish. Surprisingly it taste good :) I give 5.5 point which is good. It costs about IDR 20k. Warung Pasta has various menu with affordable price. When you wanna have Italian food with a good taste and affordable price, you can go there.

3. Bubur Ayam,  Jalan Tanjung Menteng

Just like most of the culinary I've tried, the crowd was attracting me. You can imagine, there were about 6 persons who served the customers in that small place. I mean, it's a "kaki lima". But I didn't taste it because I don't like Bubur Ayam (chicken porridge). It makes me wanna vomit :). But my bestfriend who tried said it was good. We give 5.5 point.

Bubur Ayam IDR 14k

The crowd

4. All you can eat Dim Sum, Sands Restaurant/Hongkong Restaurant, Mangga Dua Square

First time I ate Dim Sum I feel...desicious! From the beginning I like Siew May. First time I ordered all you can eat menu I feel...guilty. But it taste delicious so I enjoyed my lunch a lot. I ate 8 pieces, is it okay? :D It cost about IDR 70k/person for all you can eat menu. (49k for dimsum, 12k for Chinese tea, +++ tax and services). Quite affordable, right? I give 6.5 for the Dim Sum.

Finally a Course

Yesterday was my first time joining EAP course at LBI FB UI Salemba. FInally! After thinking too much for a year. I take 4 hours course a week, every Monday and Wednesday from 7-9 pm. Quite challenging for me where I'm usually scared going home late. Well, now i really move from my comfort zone.

I was placed in class EAP 2, together with 9 others classmates. Various person, various jobs, various ages. I'm really excited. Yesterday was a blast. I think I'll enjoy it. Wish me everything's going well.

Okay then, don't forget tomorrow's course, and your task for next Monday.

I'm a Garuda Finisher!

Today did my first 8 km run on BRI Independence Day Run. Actually I only run for 6 km but non stop...hihi. Still, I'm proud of myself. With Ika, meet friends, well I really enjoyed today's event. Eventhough didn't get the doorprize, none of it :( but I went home happily.

NB : Still the same heartbreaking problem when Jakarta held an event...Yup, "trash"! Like I said in my last post. There a always lot of trashes after event. :(

First Blood

Selamat Hari Raya Pagerwesi.

Berbakti kepada Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa saya yakin bisa ditempuh dalam banyak cara. Catur Marga adalah empat jalan dalam ajaran Agama Hindu untuk mendekatkan diri kepada Sang Hyang Widhi demi mencapai Moksa, ya itu dia. Bhakti Marga, yaitu dengan menghaturkan sembah bakti kepadaNya, Karma Marga, yaitu dengan perbuatan,kebajikan, Jnana Marga, yaitu dengan mempelajari ilmu pengetahuan, dan yang keempat adalah Yoga Marga/Raja Yoga Marga yaitu dengan cara meditasi. 

Today I did my first donor. I think I'm doing Karma Marga in this holy day. Finally I'm brave doing this. Many thanks to Marissa who guides me sehingga saya bisa mendonorkan darah saya yang masih sisa banyak ini kepada dia yang membutuhkan. Get well soon, dear! 

Well, yang masih takut donor karena takut gemuk, takut pingsan, takut-takut yang lain, coba saja! My friend said that every donor is a hero. Seems cool, yes? 

Tidak lupa saya mengucapkan Selamat Ulang Tahun Provinsi Bali! Bali Dwipa! Jayalah selalu. Tetaplah menjadi Bali yang membanggakan. Dan, Selamat Hari Pramuka. Semoga Pramuka tetap eksis. If it does, Pramuka akan menjadi kegiatan pertama yang saya sarankan kepada anak saya. 

Like a Boss!

My first post after a loooonggg hibernation is dedicated to Trans Jakarta's improvement.

Sebagai pengguna setia Trans Jakarta, inovasi dan peningkatan pelayanan menjadi sangat penting bagi saya. Apalagi sekarang, di saat tarif angkutan umum naik. Mikrolet, mini bus, semua ditarif Rp3.000 dekat, dekat banget, kalau jauh lebih. Sungguh tidak adil.

Mungkin karena itu saya merasa seminggu belakangan ini pengguna TJ meningkat pesat. Ya bagaimana tidak, tarif pagi cukup duaribu rupiah saja, di atas jam 7 pagi cukup tigaribulimaratus rupiah saja. Hanya saja masih banyak kendala seperti bus-lama-banget meskipun saya tahu Pak Jokowi dan pengelola TJ sudah melakukan banyak perbaikan. 

Penambahan armada sudah, tapi kalau macet berapapun armadanya tetap saja perjalanan terhambat. Ya meskipun sekarang ini jadi terasa kurang lagi akibat pengguna yang terus bertambah. 

Nah, yang saya suka sekarang TJ sudah menerapkan halte dengan pintu otomatis. Naik TJ tidak perlu antri membeli karcis, tinggal tempel kartu prabayar langsung melenggang. Kartu prabayar ini adalah produk dari bank-bank besar yaitu Bank Mandiri dengan e-money, BRI dengan Brizzi, BCA dengan Flazz, Bank DKI dengan Jack-card, dan BNI (lupa namanya). Kartu-kartu ini disediakan di halte-halte transit (sepanjang koridor satu juga jual). 

Jumat kemarin akhirnya kesampaian juga saya membeli Flazz di Halte Harmoni. Penjualnya susah ditemui sih, harus hari kerja dan belum tentu pagi-pagi jam 6.15 saya sampai sana mereka sudah buka.

Tapi penantian saya terbayar :'). Then from now, I'll pass through the gate "like a boss"! Yay!

Ayo dong pengguna TJ segera beralih ke kartu prabayar pengganti uang tunai. Serius lebih mudah, cepat, dan praktis. "Hari gini masih pakai uang tunai?"

And now much much happier for me using Trans Jakarta. 

PS: soon to be applied in train ticketing :).

Wait For Me On Friday!

Yesss, finally I heard that Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part #2 will be available to watch on Friday! I'm SUPER EXCITED!!! So, that's a piece of cake for queuing ticket next Friday. Wait for me yah :D.

No Smoking Anymore!

"Dear SMOKERS, Please get a plastic bag and cover yourself whenever you want to start smoking to enable you to enjoy the smoke 100% by yourself. I don't want any percentage of it nor do my friends who don't smoke. Don't kill me if you want to kill yourself .

Regards, Your Friend :)

P.S.: Copy and paste this message to your profile to support the Keep-Smoke-Away Campaign

This is a -keep smoke away- campaign I've found on my friend's status on Facebook. Do read guys! I really support the campaign as much as I hate cigarette. I hate smoke "to the max". I'm sorry for rebuking you smokers when you start smoking near me. The worst is when I'm eating. I like doing culinary at "jajanan pinggiran" when most people smoke everywhere, no smoking area, and hey! of course there will be no smoking area outside. I'm sorry but I personally think you have no manners. I'm sorry for disturbing your right, but yeah I'm disturbed.

Morning Bless

Thank you so much Hyang Widhi for your bless. I know You always hear me, send me what I need, not what I want. I Love You. :')

Rollin' In The Deep

Officially become Adelle's fans! Her voice touch my heart so deep.Hahah :D. This song also makes me love the couple of Gossip Girl : "Blair Waldorf & Chuck Bass". *melting...

Lovable Talk

Just had a late conversation with my bf. It's all about perfectionism and being responsible  to our duty. One question still in my mind, am I that perfectionist? Is it that bad being  perfectionist?
My bf said that he knew I'm a perfectionist person at the first sight. And he such a contra-perfectionist person. On his view: a perfectionist is person who can't hear anything contrast with his/her opinion. He/she believe that the truth and the best is his/her opinion. He/she can't accept any failure. It's hard for him/her to get any criticism.
Am I such a kind of that person? Oh,really?
On my view: being perfectionist isn't that bad. You just have to know the right way to apply that character. I believe, sometimes we need to be perfectionist. Scheduling, managing our life, doing and looking for the best, It does work! But we must learn. In life all the things are always be in two sides. Good and bad. We can't always be good in this life so that success. My bf believes that success and failure comes together as two sides of a coin and so do I. We agree that we could never get success if we never get a failure. How bout fail but don't wanna try anymore? "He/she who has failed will try another way, and it's imposible that he/she can't find the best way to success, the way is always there," he said. Such a great man! :D
Although I'm a perfectionist, I'll learn to make a friendship with failure so I can be friend with it's brother/sister (i can't define the sex of "success" word :3). I'll be open to many many criticisms that make me better and stronger. Oh yeaaa the whole new world, I come....

Me : So, you don't feel comfortable with any perfectionist person? You don't like them?
He : I didn'said that I don't like them. I just don't match them...
Me : Well, you are dating me. Why?
He : Such a perfectionist person. You think that If A same as B, B will same as B exactly?
Me : hmm...In math yess..
He : So?
Me : So...we different each other and you still want me.
He : Okay, we different each other. That's why we match as a couple. You are wrong if you think that a couples is only made with similarity. I prove you that our differences will make us stand stronger.
Me : speesles....