How do you find your true love?

Love isn't always a lightning bolt. Maybe sometimes it's just a choice. Maybe true love is a decision. A decision to take a chance with somebody. To give to somebody. Without worrying whether they'll give anything back. Or if they're gonna hurt you, or if they really are the one. Maybe love isn't something that happens to you. Maybe it's something you have to choose. (Memorable quotes from the movie, Love and Other Disaster, 2006).

I absolutely agree with these quotes as It happened in my real life. I made a decision that brought me to my true love.

Think carefully before asking questions

The mother thought her daughter should have a comprehensive checkup before starting kindergarten. She made an appointment with an eminent psychologist to examine the youngster for any possible abnormal tendencies. Among the questions, the man of science asked, "Are you a boy or a girl?" "A boy," the little girl answered. Somewhat startled, the psychologist tried again. "When you grow up, are you going to be a woman or a man?" "A man", the little girl answered. On the way home, the mother asked, "Why did you make such strange replies to what the psychologist asked?" In a serious tone, the little girl replied, "He asked such silly questions, I thought he wanted silly answers!" (Krueger & Casey, 2000)

Book Hunting

Yesterday I went to the Biggest Book Fest in QLD. It's held by Lifeline, the charity organisation. Thousands of used books were available during the 5 days of the fest, from children collections, textbooks, references, adults, hobbies, art, until rare collection. Magazines and cd/dvds were also available. There were three sections, unpriced, priced, and high quality. The 1st section was the used books and magazines with low quality, meaning that might be some tears, or writings in the books. But all of the items in this section were not more than $2. The 2nd section was the used books with better quality than that available at the 1st one, hence, the price also varied from less than $1 to more than $2 depending on the subject of the book. The last section offered high quality, like very new condition. Even some books were still in plastic sealed. In this section, the price of the books varied from more than $4 to almost $15 but compared to the original price it was much much cheaper. No wonder, the Brisbane Convention Centre, the place where the book fest was held, was full with people from babies until elderly. It became a heaven for the hungry readers.

To add my library collection, the hunting started from the priced section then continued to the unpriced and finally ended at the high quality section. In total, i spent about $150 for almost one hundred items. what a bargain !! I got heaps of story books, learning aid books, and jigsaws for children. For adult collection i got psychology, health, photography, food magazines, and parenting education.



Photos by Arief Budiman

Another Delicious Lunch

Today, I tried a recipe that my friend gave me. It's called dendeng balado a traditional dish from Padang, West Sumatra.
Thanks to Yessi..I made it although it's still little bit less delicious than yours, but for the 1st trial it's okay. Perhaps I should put more red chili to make it more spicy but my hubby can't stand with the hot food :(

Delicious Lunch

Yesterday I cooked a mouth watering seafood dish for lunch. I used all the ingredients that I bought at Darra Market on last Saturday…calamari, water spinach (kangkung), tomato, chilli, etc. I ate it with warm rice..so delicious.

Here is the recipe..

Calamari & Water spinach Stir Fry

Ingredients:

500 grams calamari, cut into medium pieces

1 bunch of water spinach (kangkung), cut moderately

2 cloves of garlic, cracked

A half of big red onion, mince into small pieces

1 tomato, cut into small cubes

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

salt, added as required

2 bird eye chili (red small chili), for hot version

Procedures:

Heat the oil on a stir fry pan. Stir fry the onion, garlic, tomato, and chili until produce nice aroma. Put the calamari into the pan and stir gently until calamari mixed with the spices. Cover the pan with the lid and leave it for 3 minutes until the calamari turns to brown. Put the water spinach in and stir until mixed with calamari. Add a little water and cover the pan with the lid. After 3 minutes or the water spinach and calamari becomes tender, add the soy sauce and oyster sauce and stir gently until mixed with the whole dish. Turn of the stove and put the dish on the plate. Eat it with warm rice.

New Study desk

Nothing was unusual yesterday except I got a new study desk from my beloved hubby. He bought me one from Officeworks, the discounted store for office appliances. It's much more comfy than my old desk..that actually not an original study desk :). Thanks honey..I'll study harder with this new desk.

Ayah and Hadith for this month

"Indeed Allah has purchased from the Believers their lives and their wealth (in exchange) for that the Paradise is theirs." (Quran, Surah Tawbah, Ayah 111)

The Prophet Muhammed (s) said in an authentic hadith, "Three (traits) whoever has them finds the sweetness of Iman: that Allah and His Messenger be more beloved to him than anyone else, that he loves a person and does not love him except for Allah, and that he hates returning to Kufr after Allah has saved him from it just as he hates to be thrown into fire." [Bukhari and Muslim recorded it].

Busy Saturday!

Last Weekend, full of planning was on the way…Successfully executed. Early morning under the mist and a little bit broken umbrella..I ran to catch the train with a full speed but empty stomach..”O Gosh only one minute left or I miss the train!!” Fortunately, I did it 22 minutes later I arrived at the destination..Darra Market. Then I started to check the shopping list and went for browsing to get what’s on the list. My heart was beating when I found my favourite fish that I missed so much for almost 2 years..and much more excited when I saw the price..soo cheap. After finishing with the seafood section, the hunting continued with the veggies and fruits. Again, lots of cheap and fresh stuff. I felt so excited and almost forgot the time..it has been two hours shopping!!..until my empty stomach started to rumbling. So, it has to be ended.

The train left the market to city..another shopping destination ;). Arrived at city, I went to the Indian restaurant to oder my favourite food..chicken biryani rice. My stomach was then filled up and stopped produce sounds I felt more energised and ready to go for another shopping schedule. I searched the items I need at Big W, Wollies, and other stores but could not find it, hmmm I need to go to the other shopping mall then. I decided to go back home first to put all the stuff and again by train and bus I went to Garden city shopping centre. Luckely, I found all the stuff I need there.

6 pm. arrived back at home and felt so tired at my feet but so satisfied in my heart “I’ll have a good sleep tonight”…

New year begins

Photo by Arief Budiman (2007)

A new year begins, without a new year resolution but many hopes for more success in my study, marriage life, and my career.

New year eve celebration at South Bank Parkland with fully shining fireworks and little shower,, what a lovely evening in the coolest summer night in Brissie!!

1st path, one step ahead

Photo by Arief Budiman (2007)

Brisbane, late evening

Little shower outside..wind is blowing slowly ..brings a cool atmosphere into my small but comfy castle. This is the first step in one of my journey paths. The man who has filled in my heart gives his contribution to build this path.