Can I have the 25th hour?

Lately I found it harder and harder to read books. Especially if they're thick and in small caps... Not because I'm bored, but more like I don't feel I have enough time in a day to read seriously. When I read, I think. And I put myself into it. Now with the traffic and all, the soonest I can get home is around 7pm already. After bath and stuff it's already 8pm. Mosty I go to bed around 10 or 11pm, but sometimes before that I have to make some calls, replying sms, and of course... watch some downloads or dorama from Yannie. Between watching & reading, I think I watch more now.

So now I usually finish the comics first before other books. But I can't even finish more than 2 comics on 1 night. *sigh* I have now 3 books waiting to finish on my bedside: Letters From Iwo Jima, The Language of God & The 47 Ronin. I have read at least 15% of each books. Not to count the one that I got from Gale as my birthday present... And last Sunday I just got another 2 from Gabriel (The Zahir - Paulo Coelho) & Kristian (How to get your prayers answered - forgot the author).

I think I need another hour in a day just to read. Too bad I can't have the 25th hour... But I pray to God that my 24 hour is useful everyday. I have to finish at least one of the books in the next 2 weeks. I have to.

Downloads over Rice?? And scary movie...

What a day! I slept so well last night after a nice massage after work... Aaaah, should go home early tonight to have another good sleep session since tomorrow I'm going to jog at Senayan after work.

Friday night text-ed Yannie and she said I should come over to her house to copy her downloads. I said I'd think about it. And on Saturday the Japanese lesson started half an hour early, so I decided to go to Yannie's. When I got there the whole family was having lunch (without Yannie, she worked). Funny thing was, her mom offered me lunch, since I was kinda hungry & the maid didn't cook for me at home I took up the offer. Then her father just realized something: "Eh, we don't have anymore rice. Are you cooking now?" (he was asking her mom). Her mom asked something to Kuma, then Kuma went to check on something... she returned with a shocking answer: "Oh, we'll wait until the downloads finish, then we cook the rice."

I was like: "Heh?? Downloads first before rice???" (^o^) ROFL It turned out that they're actually downloading belly dancing lesson for their mom, who showed me a little of what she has learned so far... (though I actually expected to see more). She then made me an instant noodle... which was filled with fishcake, onions & veggie... to my liking... And I asked Kuma: "Wow, this is great! Is this how your mom always made this?" Kuma took a good look inside the bowl and said sadly: "No, never... this is special I think." HUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I was a princess for half a day at Yannie's house! Her mom kept bringing something to eat to the room, even Melon syrup in a large glass, with ice! Perfect... Then Kuma mad a request: "Mom, get me some fruit?" to which she answered: "Get it your self!" BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA So I told Kuma: "It's nicer being a guest rather than being the host! Next time come to my place again, you'll be guest!" I had a really really good laugh over there with Kuma & her mom...

Yannie got home around 4, and brought some ice cream... Yummy... Too bad I had to leave, I had to drop by the office to check on the network, cause HK IT just had some maintenance or upgrade or whatever to it, better check to make sure that everything works before Monday.

Then came Sunday... when I thought I'll be home early to watch the downloads from Yannie (9 DVDs in total). But then my cousin bought me ticket to watch The Dark Knight at PIM 2. My comment: DON'T BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO WATCH THIS MOVIE. It's the darkest and scariest Batman movie I've ever seen. Some kids actually cried in the cinema and their parents had to take them out. All in all, I don't really like the movie. Too much talking and not enough Batman showcase in my opinion... But two thumbs up for the late Heath Ledger. But I definitely won't watch it for the second time...

LOVE IS ALL AROUND...

Ok.. so yesterday I just turned one year older... twin digits and still single hahaha in the end most people wish the same thing for me: "... that you will find your soul mate soon." Amen.

Really, in my 30something life, this is one of the toughest and the most memorable birthday for me. I can really feel the blessing of friends and family, I feel so loved and overjoyed that I can't stop smiling despite my tiredness & lack of sleep. And no matter how long this post is going to be, I want to try to express my feelings of gratitude with words. I want to thank everyone who has made feel so special with their presence. Here's my story in chronological order... hehehe

I went to sleep quite late on Sat night, preparing the plates, etc. Then woke up at 5 on Sunday to lead in the morning service at 7. Around 6.15 I called my dad on his mobile. Every morning since he was away he called at 6:30am. I didn't want to worry him when he called and no one picked up the phone, cause I forgot to tell him that I'd be in morning service. Apparently my dad didn't realized it's the 13th until I reminded him! And he sounded so guilty... He wished me happy birthday and I told him that some friends were coming over for lunch. He sounded relieved he3x.

Suryo was the winner of birthday sms wish this year! I received his at 12:02... Echa came second at 12:03 and Didi came third at 12:05. But my brother's sms really amused me: "Big sis, I hope you have a happy birthday even without our parents around..." It felt that he really grew up for the past year and since our mom gone. When I got to church around 6:30am I was told that there's already a birthday cake on the fridge, from om Kumis' family. My first birthday cake so early in the morning.


Happy Birthday Gateaux African??? Am I Gateaux African?? *ROFL* The couple is like my parents and their kids also sent me sms. Thanks a lot Om!! You're like my foster parents for me & my bro... I hope you'll keep watching over us.

After the service I invited K' El & K' Atin for lunch, the whole family gave me a birthday kiss on the cheek, I'm so happy. But her present was a big surprise. The cheese on top of the baked macaroni actually read: "Happy B'day Kristin"... And she baked it at 5am in the morning... just for me... K, thanks for always being there with me, in my best & worst moments. When I'm good and when I'm bad. As my mom also entrusted me in your family's care before she's gone, I also pray the best for you in every way.

I rushed home to start the cooking... Believe it or not, I made Fettucine Carbonara & Meat Curry at the same time. Fettucine on the left stove, Meat Curry in the right stove. And the maid helped me prepare the ingredients. But the incoming calls & sms really annoyed me for a second cause they kept interrupting my cooking, but I knew that everybody just wanted to wish the best for me, I should be grateful instead. Ira came around 11:30 when things were almost done. Then I took another shower at 12:00AM (I was sweating like crazy, it was so hot in the kitchen). And we watched Iza Now 2004 Concert while waiting for others to arrive. Around 01:00pm Yannie & Kuma came, hooray!! Look what I got from them!


Tadaaaa! Sabaku no Gaara!! Yay... another thing too add up to my Naruto collection (*_^) Thanks a bunch, buddy!! You always knew how to satisfy my craziness & to keep up with it he3x Really appreciate it. And I love you in all your psycho way!! LoL Btw, how's my carbonara? Is it a OK?

After that we're waiting and waiting and waiting for Gale... since she's the one who's going to bring the other food & rice... Around 1:30pm we can't hold out hunger anymore and we started with the carbonara! Ha3x When Gale arrived, she brought a lot of food! And lookie, the table was full... And she brought Bebe along her! Hahahaha

And I didn't see what she gave me until late night after I finished tidying up the house... She got me a bunch of present and a card in a very nice paper bag! Now I can cross 2 items from my wish list, yay!!

Gale, thanks for the presents, especially for the card! (^_^) When I read it I was alone and ready for bed, but I can feel your sincerity in it. I know you're hoping for the best for me as I'm hoping for the best for you too. Yeah, I'm also expecting more birthdays to celebrate together in the future ;) Oh, since I'm older, please pray that I get married before you do! Hahahahahahahaha *bad joke*

Then people from church started coming... Alex, Suryo, Borah, Didi, Patrick, Sarah, Agus... Later on there's Ezra, K' Atin, K' El, Riri... Gendro came in the evening. And we had a "DURIAN PARTY" He3x When Ratno - the fruitseller in front of my house - heard that it's my birthday, I got these Durians as my birthday present! Hahahaha

Marci also came in the evening, then Echa & Bank Ucok... The house was full! And all the while I "forced" them to watch Arashi concerts & TV shows! LoL My dad called again around 6pm, he's so glad that I had my friends over. And just when I thought that it's almost over, Dini arrived with another cake!


This time no one can touch it anymore... but they managed to wiped clean the Durians & ice creams... We continued to watched DVDs, some were joking, the other were going online & check out their friendster accounts, and it was already 8:30 when they left the house. Ira stayed over to clean up a little with me and transfer some data. By that time I already had a bad headache...

When I opened the gate to drive Ira home, Zainal & Wulan (the fruitsellers' brother & his wife) came over and also gave me a present! I can't sayd anything more but thank you. They're like family to me and I know that they really care about our family. Not to mention that they gave me something that I almost buy a couple of weeks ago, a pair of black Adidas sandal! Yatta!! So I got 2 pair of sandals for my birthday, the other one was from Ira's Mom hehehehe

For those who has brought cakes & presents, thank you so much. As for the others, your SMS, calls & presence are also a beautiful gift in my view. I couldn't ask for anything more. My boss & wife sent sms, little boss called from Hong Kong. It's complete!

Popon: Wish you were here with us! Next time you're coming I'll cook especially for you! Promise... Richie Sambora really misses Bon Jovi... a lot!!! *ROFL*

Valen: Man, after all these years since you're back to San Fransisco, I never thought you still remember my birthday! And thanks for the beautiful message, I wish the best for you and your wife.

Maya: Istri tua gak boleh lupa ultahnya Istri muda! Ntar suami bete loh... *ngakak* Berbagi suami... arigatou!

Ira: Thanks for spending a lot of time for me lately... Appreciate it. I'll come over to see your parents when I'm back to normal hehehe

Marci: WAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKA satu2nya wakil dari Plaza B*****O!! Thanks for coming, Cong! I love you! WAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKAKA

After I read and re-read an re-read this entry... I think it sounds strange! Bwahahahahahahahaha MINNA, DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA!!

Slumber Party

Eventually it's not going to be a lonely week... (^_^)

Ira & Maya are going to sleepover tonight... Kon ban no thema wa... hai, dozo:

OHNO SATOSHI desu!

Hahahahahaha Why him?, 2 reasons:
First, Maya is a huge fan of him since many years ago
Second, I always consider him like a shadow in the group :p until I heard "Take Me Faraway" and the song got stuck in my head. Now Maya is trying her best to turn me into another crazy fan of Ohno_Satoshi! LoL So Ira's just stuck in the middle of "Riida everywhere" situation tonight Bwahahahahahahaaha (^o^)

Can't wait 'till the clock strike 5...

Update [Jul 14]
It wasn't a big success... May was so engrossed in my comics, I was too tired (lack of sleep for the past 3 days) and Ira was the one who kept reminding us the purpose of the sleep over... hahahaha But it was cool, we got to chat until 2am, too bad Maya had to leave early on Saturday :D Girls, let's have another session... and this time for real!! hehehe

Home Alone

My dad just left this morning to Balikpapan, he'll be there for PON (National Sports Competition). I'll be home alone for a week. And for my birthday. *sigh* I don't feel like celebrating my birthday anyway, I'll be serving in morning service in church on that day (7-9am), and definitely I wanna spend some time by myself. Or maybe I'll have lunch with a couple of friends. Maybe...

However, I was a bit sentimental last night. I met an old friend and that was the first time in my life that I just cried over meeting someone. I hugged her hard, she understood. And I'm thankful for that.