I Buy For You

I went to the mall a few days ago. Oh yes, this is news for me because I hardly ever go out anymore lately. Anyway, I went there with my sister and my daughter. While we were there, we went into one of the stores that sells shoes and other ladies' stuffs. The minute we looked around, my daughter started to taking shoes and sandals from the shelves, putting them down, and telling me to try them on. And she always gave me the colorful ones, like red and blue. Oh dear, I said to her, I'm looking for white sandals. And as expected, she started to look around again. What I didn't expect was her comment. After finding a white sandal, she put it in front of me, looked at me in a very serious way, and she said (and this is her word by word): 'Mama, try it on. If you like it, I buy for you'. Right there in that moment, I felt so happy. I mean, I know she's just doing what I usually do to her. But for her to reciprocate it to me ... it's just so wonderful. Knowing that she wants to buy things for me is just great. Plus she said it in English. It's far from perfect, but I think it's great, because we usually speak in Indonesian. We speak in English too, but Indonesian is the dominant language in our home. Anyway, it's just a nice experience that brighten up my mood that day.

The New Activities

Well, it really has been a while since I post something up. I was really really busy and didn't have time to surf the internet for fun. Gosh, I miss blogging, and reading people's blogs and commenting on them.

Anyway, for those who doesn't know, I'm working as a freelance translator right now. I don't need to go to office 'cause I can simply do the job right at home. I only translate English to Indonesian (and vice versa) because those are basically the languages I know =)

Anyhow, I was lucky enough to get a translating project 2 weeks ago. The project is for a local TV station here in Jakarta and I need to translate a TV series called "Early Edition" first season. I have 23 episodes in my hand that I need to finish, well, as soon as possible. I also need to put them in the format of subtitles (with time code and everything). That's basically why I don't blog so often anymore.

Right now, I have to allocate my time between taking care of my daughter (playing, feeding, bathing, etc.), cleaning up the house, cooking, and translating. It feels like I don't have enough time to do all that, but I just have to make the time. But at the end of the day, although I was exhausted, I felt happy and useful. I made a little money doing this translation job too, so that's a plus side :)

Unfortunately, until I finish this one project, I won't be blogging as much as I want to. I'd still try to find the time though, because I need to blog to relax (like right now). I have to log off now to attend to my little girl. I'll try to blog again soon ....

Yay! Another award!

The most active blogger I know and also the kindest one, if I may add, SquirrelQueen at The Road to Here, has delivered the Love My Friends award to my blog. First, I apologize for taking so long to put it up. It doesn't mean that I don't think it's important, but I have been kept rather busy lately that I didn't have time to blog (I'm stealing time right now, while my little girl is still asleep).

Well anyway, The Love My Friends award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

As a rule, we need to deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award. But I won't be following the rule this time (sorry). Instead, I would like to pass this award to all my followers who are kind enough to leave comments when I post something up.

I will post again soon :)

Another proud moment

Last Saturday was my daughter's preschool event, where they had their K2 students graduating to primary levels, and their "annual concert". It wasn't much of a concert, but every single class got to perform on stage in front of the audiences (who's basically all the kids' parents and grandparents and nannies). I know all the kids had been preparing for the event like weeks before. I know it's tough for the teachers. I mean, try imagining lining up 10 2-year-old kids and almost 20 3-year-old kids, and teaching them a dancing steps routine. They even done 2 routines for each class. There were also the 4 year olds and the 5 year olds, but they're much bigger so they're easier to manage and more receptive to the teacher's instructions. Anyhow, the event was considered a success. Most parents showed up. All the classed performed well. The graduation ceremony went smoothly. I think everyone agreed the teachers had done such a wonderful job with all the kids.

Well anyway, my proudest moment was seeing my daughter who's in the pre-K senior level (age 3.5-4 years old) got on the stage and danced her heart out. I could tell how happy she was. And she was proud too. Days before the event, she kept telling me that she was going to be on stage, and that she's going to sing and dance, and that I should watch her do all that. I knew she was all prepared to do all her routines, but still, to actually see and watch her did all that brought me a special kind of feeling. I was proud and scared at the same time. I was proud because ... well, I think everyone knows why I'm so proud of her :) But I'm scared because she's growing up so fast in front of my eyes. I still can remember when I was pregnant with her, and now? She's almost 4 and being so independent. It feels like if I close my eyes just for a moment, she's going to just grow up and grow up and grow up ... I guess part of me is afraid of losing my little girl. I know it's ridiculous. I know she has to grow up. And I also know she'll always be my little girl no matter how old she is. She is just such a joy ... and I thank God for giving her to me. Well, I must stop writing now, I think I'm tearing up again just thinking about this. Just as an end-note, if I weigh the proud part and the scary part ... I must say I'm more proud than I'm scared.

Lemons and Lemonade

THE LEMONADE STAND

When life gives you lemons, make some lemonade.

Thank you, Anne at My Husband, Love and Soul Mate is on Kidney Dialysis for passing this wonderful award to me.

I honestly don't feel like I deserve it, but I greatly appreciate the thought behind this award. And it made my day too :)

I encourage anyone who reads this to visit her blogs and become her follower. She is such a wonderful and kind person. Thanks again, Anne ...

The Golden Heart

SquirrelQueen at The Road to Here is so kind and she's passing The Golden Heart Award to all of her followers, making me one of the receivers. I feel so happy and grateful.

Please pay a visit to her blogs and become her follower! I for one really enjoy them and find them educating, encouraging, fascinating, and just simply fulfilling. With daily quotes and beautiful pictures, she reminds me of the simple things in life, yet so important.

Thanks again, Judy. You're the best!

a blessing: 10 Guidelines from God

I received this email from a good friend of mine. No one really knew who wrote it, but it was beautiful. I hope it will be a blessing for you as it has been for me. You're welcome to share this to as many people as you'd like.

Ten Guidelines From God

Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines:

1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME:
Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget.

Touch someone with your love.

Rather than focus upon the thorns of life,

smell the roses and count your blessings!

Sad blog?

I recently asked my sister in law to visit my blogspot and click on my amazon link if she ever needs to buy anything from amazon. She took the time to read over my posts and she thought they were sad. I was not surprised by her response but it wasn't exactly what I was aiming at actually. I realized I might have sad stories to tell but what I wanted to share was the way I dealt with those sad situations.

My first goal when I started this blog was just for fun, to have an outlet for all the emotions that's building up on me. There were times when I thought I was going to explode. I felt angry almost all the time and I thought that wasn't healthy. And I hated what this did for my daughter. It was so hard for me to have fun with her because even though I was smiling and played with her, there was always a bothering thought at the back of my mind: how am I going to provide for her if business doesn't turn up well? But then I found out about blogspot and how people used it for all kind of purposes. My sister actually uses it for some kind of her diary so hers is private and no one can read any of her posts. So I tried this blogspot stuff ... and it worked out for me.

My sister in law comment was actually helping. I really don't want to tell just the sad stories of my life. I'm still waiting for the good happy story to tell too. And I'd like to tell my dear readers out there ... I really appreciated all your comments and advices all this time. Your comments are always welcomed. And I really hope I will post something more 'happy' soon.

The Most Wonderful FavoUrite!

As I wrote in my previous post, sometimes it is hard to find things to be thankful about. But today, I have something to be happy about.
My fellow blogger Jase at Fool Stop has just shared The Most Wonderful FavoUrite award with me. See the 'U' in capital red? Jase came up with that and I think it's wicked hehehe ... Anyway, thank you Jase for giving it to me and making me feel good today. Oh by the way, you can see the award at the side part of my blogspot. I listed the bloggers whom I have received the award from.