{ amara blogs }

2012

2012-12-30T21:23:00.003+07:00

Bye 2012!

2012-12-30T16:28:00.001+07:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our little family to yours! xoxo

Wow, there's just a lot of things been going on in my life these past few months... and it's hard to keep up with blogging as often as before.

But here we are, at the end of the year. I still cannot believe that tomorrow would be the last day of 2012! So have you spent this year according to your liking? Well I think I'm sort of having a good year in terms of business and of course my relationship with my family and husband despite the fact that our journey this year has been riddled with trials and tribulations.

And if there's one thing I managed to do quite well this year was: I didn't get caught up in trivial things and waste time and energy on issues that don't deserve my attention. Yay! Not exactly drama-free year for me but the drama that was already brewing didn't involve me. I only listened to some of them, observed the situation and gave opinion / offered advice whenever I'm asked. I already been dealing with personal issues and refuse to insert myself into issues that don't involve me.

Thank you dear God, for 2012. For all Your blessings. The good and the bad, the laughter and tears, the merriment and tragedy, the memories and the lessons. I value and cherish all of them, they made my life this year more interesting.

And dear God, please still be with us, protect us and bless us in 2013. :) Amen.

I wish you happy holidays from our home to yours and I pray that each day, love - health - happiness will come your way! Toodles! xx

TV Shows of 2012

2012-10-02T07:00:00.000+07:00

Remember this post?

I, the TV shows enthusiast, hereby sharing you the new TV shows to watch this year...

1. Revolution.

So far I'm loving it and it's like the combination of Lost, Flash Forward and The Hunger Games. Gotta love J. J. Abrams!

2. The Mindy Project.

Helloooo... it's Mindy Kaling, everyone! What's not to love!

3. Last Resort.

I just like this type of storyline.

4. Made In Jersey.

A little more fun version of "The Good Wife".

5. Partners.

Funny show and Brandon Routh!

6. Elementary.

I have a soft spot for detective stories.

And returning shows I love:

2 Broke Girls

How I Met Your Mother

New Girl

Once Upon A Time

Downton Abbey

Revenge

The Good Wife

Homeland

CSI (all of them)

Castle

The Amazing Race

If we have the same taste in movies / tv-shows, you might want to check them all out. (;

Enjoy them to the hilt, darlings!

Monday ManiPedi: Teal - Turquoise - Seafoam Ombre

2012-10-01T07:00:00.000+07:00

Right hand.

Left hand.

Wanderlust: Egypt by Boat

2012-09-29T07:00:00.000+07:00

image via exPress-o

Fabulous Friday Finds

2012-09-28T23:30:00.000+07:00

via manresa amigos

Well hello darlings!

I know I have been missing for almost a month. I've been quite preoccupied and also it's been a strangely busy month. A lot had happened this September: Daddy dearest's birthday, ******** stuffs, a lot of exercise (trying to beat the little voice in mind that wants to quit everytime), my husband's dear grandmother Nelly passed away in her sleep (she was 88 years old, God bless her soul...), went to Manado and back, my husband came to Jakarta for a few days, my husband's birthday and every night watching variety show (I'm currently addicted to watching Korean variety show called "Running Man", so hilarious! I love it a lot.) until I fell asleep.

That being said, yes I hardly had time to blog. But now I'm back! I'll try to update this blog more consistently, starting with these fabulous links...

How romantic!

Beautiful wedding in the Bahamas.

Attention, Starbucks addicts!

Would love to own some TokyoMilk products.

Saying "I Do" means saying "I Will".

New found food blog. Yummm!

Gorgeous eyes...

'til next week, darlings. Toodles!

Jason: Manado Bound

2012-09-28T20:36:00.000+07:00

Went to my homeland sweet homeland, Minahasa, earlier this September yet I didn't take a picture of myself at all on purpose. Stumbled upon this interesting article a while back, then after reading and found myself smiling looking at the pictures, I decided do the same. I thought it would be fun and yet doing childish thing makes people feel younger.

So when I went to Minahasa, I brought Jason along. Sadly not too many pictures because I didn't always remember to take pic of Jason. However, I must admit it was fun, refreshing and I'm so going to bring Jason everytime I travel!

Here are the pictures of Jason in Minahasa which I posted on my instagram account...

Manado Bound!

Worried. Jason's first trip ever!

Jason seemed to enjoy the pretty blue skies and sea of clouds.

Arrived in Manado!

Exploring Tondano.

The bestest pork bun in the whole wide world.

at Rumah Kopi Gembira.

Loving the view.

GMIM Immanuel, Koya. Church with the bestest view.

This is the view...

Stunning sunset in Manado...

Time to go back to Jakarta...

Sam Ratulangi International Airport.

That's the plane.

Beoing 737-900 ER

Jason hated the turbulence that lasted for 1.5 hour ):

Finally arrived in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Waiting for our suitcases and boxes of Minahasan food ((:

Folk Story: The Legend of Toar and Lumimuut

2012-09-23T11:00:00.000+07:00

Since today is North Sulawesi's 48th Birthday, I'd like to share some old Minahasan folk story, about a man named Toar and a woman named Lumimuut. According to Minahasa mythology the Minahasans are descendants of Toar and Lumimuut. And oh, to get the Minahasan-feel to this folk story, play below video. It happens to be my grandfather's and my father's favorite Minahasan song! We still sing this song at our family gathering events in Minahasa. (;

So here the story goes...

Root of the Minahasa People

A very long time ago there was a beautifully shaped rock on the shore at the west side of the Wulur Mahatus mountain. This rock was not attracting much attention of the people because in fact there were not many people around by that time over there.

One day, in the dry season, the sun was shining so brightly, that the rock began to sweat. At the same time then a beautiful woman was created. Her name was Karema. She turned her head upward and spread her arms to the sky and prayed : ” O, Kasuruan opo e walian wangko! ” , which means : “O Great God if you will, say to me where I am and give me somebody to share my life with”

After saying this prayer, the beautiful rock split, and out of it appeared a beautiful young woman. Now Karema was not alone anymore and she said to the young woman : “Because you were created by a rock which was sweating I give you the name : Lumimuut. Your descendants will continue to live here and will multiply until they are as many as there are sand particles on the shore. But first you have to work very hard, and sweat.”

One day Karema instructed her daughter to face herself southward so that she may inseminate and give her descendants. Lumimuut did as was told to her by her mother, but nothing happened. Because the southern direction did not give any result, Lumimuut was said to turn herself eastward, westward and northward. This also did not result to anything.

The ceremony was was repeated again. Lumimuut was said to face herself westward from which a strong wind was blowing. Slowly after the ceremony was over Lumimuut’s body began to change. It turns ou that Lumimuut was now with child.

During pregnancy Lumimuut was very well taken care of by Karema. When the time has come Lumimuut gave birth to a baby boy who was named Toar. Toar was given all the knowledge and abilities that Karema possessed.

Toar grew up very fast. His body became strong and yet agile. In the forest, Toar was not afraid of anything and could not be defeated by any anoa, wild pig or snake.

Upon reaching Toar’s adulthood, Karema told to both Toar and Lumimuut, “Now is the time for you both to roam in the world. I have prepared two sticks which are of equal length. The stick for Toar was made of wood of the tuis tree, whilst the stick for Lumimuut was made of the tawaang tree. When traveling around you meet somebody : either female or male, you have to measure each others sticks. If the sticks turn out to be of equal length, then you have a family relation. But, when the sticks are not of the same length, then you may join to build a family. I hope this will happen to both of you, and that you might have descendants. Your descendants will live separated by mountains and forests. But there’ll always be a will to unite and to siege”

Karema’s nuwu (message) became a source of strength to Lumimuut and Toar during their roaming about in the mountains, hills,valleys and cloves. Toar went north whilst Lumimuut went southward. The tuis stick in Toar’s hands grew, whilst the tawaang stick in Lumimuut’s hands stayed the same length.

Toar and Lumimuut illustration.

One night at a full moonshine, Toar met Lumimuut. According to Karema’s instructions they measured each others sticks which turned out not to be of equal length. Thus the wedding ceremony was held with the stars and the moon as witnesses. The peak of the mountain where the ceremony was held glowed like a golden sphere, and the mountain was therefore named Lolombulan.

After the wedding ceremony they went to seek for Karema, but did not succeed to find her. They later stayed at the mountainous area on which many buluh tui (small bamboo stems) grew. There theylived, had their children and their children’s children. Generation after generation were semakarua siyouw multiples of nine. Each new generation was welcomed by the cry of the wala bird which was the sign of good blessings.

*)Translated by Manda Ratulangi from the tale “Toar dan Lumimuut”, in the book titled : ” Cerita Rakyat dari Minahasa”, by Aneke Sumarauw Pangkerego from PT Gramedia Widiasarana Indonesia, Jakarta, 1993

Source: http://matulanda.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/the-legend-of-toar-and-lumimuut/

More old Minahasan folk stories from the same source:

* The Mount Lokon and Mount Klabat

* Kokokuk

Monday ManiPedi: Pastel Polkadot French Manicure Style

2012-09-03T21:13:00.002+07:00

Some fashion bloggers think that polkadots are going to be hip and trendy this fall, hence my polkadot nail art.

I did the dots randomly, just dotted them away. I did all the pastel dots on all 10 nails and was done in less than 15 minutes. Seal everything with top coat and voila, nice and shiny!

This time around I used pastel colors from OPI and essie, next time I'm going to put some more neon or dark dots on my nails because I really like this polkadot french manicure art. My nails look lovely and blend nicely with my clothes. ^^

Papa's 65th!

2012-09-02T23:54:00.003+07:00

Happy Birthday to the best Papa in the world!

Dad was having breakfast at a hotel in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

It's one of favorite photos of my papa: breakfast, stripes tablecloth, seaside and Europe! This photo was taken in late 1970s when my papa and his friends went to Monte Carlo for vacation. Papa loves traveling and enjoying every minute of it! He truly knows how to embrace il dolce far niente! You'll never have a dull moment when vacationing with my papa. (: Always looking forward to go on a vacation with my papa. God bless you papa!

And oh, because it's Sunday, here's a Sunday Thought feature for today:
"God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old." Psalm 44:1

Yes, Thank You, Lord Jesus for always giving the best things to papa and our family. We treasure everything including our failures and setbacks. Because to our family, failures and setbacks are actually Your blessings in disguise. Thank you for all your blessings and may You continue to shower us with your blessings. Amen.

PS. My husband took this photo below this morning when he was flying to Sumbawa and sent it to my papa. Papa loves it!

My husband took this pic early this morning and sent it to my papa! <3 td="td">

Fabulous Friday Finds: Indonesia's Independence Day

2012-08-17T23:57:00.000+07:00

Hello darlings!

Today is Indonesia's Independence Day! Therefore, I'm going to post some fabulous links about Indonesia this Friday. Enjoyyy...

One of the most beautiful places in Indonesia I've been dying to visit... and wishing to stay here for a week or two!

If you're planning to visit Jakarta, the Capital of Indonesia, visiting this site is mandatory and make sure to schedule a visit to this restaurant.

My lovely hometown.

More places to visit: Bali, Lombok, Karimunjawa, Derawan, Candi Borobudur... and many more...

Our National Anthem: Indonesia Raya.

One of the best Indonesian designers and my favorite.

'til next Friday! Kiss.

Hair Inspiration: Stacking Bobby Pins

2012-08-16T09:00:00.000+07:00

images via moodboard

Go Forward!

2012-08-15T13:00:00.000+07:00

It saddens me how some of my friends love to dwell in the past. Moving forward is not easy, but...

via sweetposh.tumblr.com

simply because...

via Pinterest

So brace yourself! Love life and life will love you back.

Wanderlust: Amalfi Coast, Italy

2012-08-15T07:00:00.000+07:00

via blue pueblo

About Making A Difference...

2012-08-14T15:00:00.000+07:00

via Oprah

Reminder to keep on upgrading myself...

Starry Bandage

2012-08-14T09:00:00.000+07:00

It was my second time wearing my jelly shoes and as per usual (the one thing I hate about new shoes), I got blisters! I stopped by at Lotte Mart in Ratu Plaza, looking for my usual nude bandage but there was NONE. They only have this amanplast, bandage for kids, I have no choice but to buy anyway. Then I opened it, I was surprised to find this supercute starry bandage. I'm in love.

I love stars! I hereby declare that I will always use starry bandage from now on... LOL! I love you, amanplast!


I've thrown away the receipt, but I think the price for 1 pack of amanplast bandage is around Rp 2,600.- (USD 0.20) only.

My staryy bandage protecting my blisters.

Closing Ceremony London 2012 Olympic Games

2012-08-13T15:00:00.000+07:00

Beautiful closing ceremony... and my most favorite performances are:

SPICE GIRLS! I feel like I was a teenager again...

Liam Gallagher singing Wonderwall! Oh wow...

See other performances here.

Farrago Indonesia

2012-08-13T13:00:00.000+07:00

So few weeks ago I received an invitation to a website launch event at Pacific Place (one of my favorite malls in Jakarta) and I decided to attend (for the first time - usually I'm not up for these sort of events) simply because they acknowledge me as a blogger. The now-already-launched Website is called FARRAGO INDONESIA, the food and fashion online magazine.

I rarely browse around Indonesian websites but FARRAGO is quite interesting. All sections are interesting, however being a food lover, my favorite section is naturally "Eats & Drinks", where on F-Spot, they give restaurants/cafes/et cetera reviews and their complete information (address, opening hours, price range and even map location). It's very helpful to me because everytime my husband's in town, we always struggling on where to go for a nice lunch or dinner. We usually end up going to our "usual" places, but I guess those days will be over soon now that we can always browse FARRAGO website anytime, anywhere to get information on where to go for a nice lunch or dinner.

Happy news, my husband will be in town tomorrow for 2 weeks (Yay!), so sometime this week we shall have lunch or dinner at LIO, out of curiosity, as I'm quite taken by a surprise when knowing that the Chef was trained by the famous Gordon Ramsay! That should be interesting, right! I hope FARRAGO will keep on finding Jakarta's best-kept-secrets and review them on the website for us Jakartans who crave for exciting culinary adventure. Best of luck to FARRAGO INDONESIA!

PS. Some photos from the website launch...

The invitation sent to my e-mail.

www.farragoindonesia.com

Venue.

Official press release.

Got a goodie bag filled with gift vouchers from sponsors, but my favorite is Jason the Hush Puppies dog doll! Too cute! I used to have a pair of Basset Hounds named Bomba and Bimbo in Manado. *sobs*

Monday ManiPedi: Peacock Colors

2012-08-13T07:00:00.000+07:00

On this ManiPedi feature, I was inspired by Peacock birds.

China Glaze: For Audrey

OPI: Do You Lilac It

Faceshop: Goldish Green (old collection from 2006)

50 Shades Trilogy

2012-08-12T20:00:00.000+07:00

via fashtastic

Okay, so yesterday I finally finished reading the Fifty Shades Trilogy, all three of them within one week. Eventhough they're not my favorite books, they are a good fun read. I actually enjoyed reading them. Most of people who are vocally negative of the series have not finished the series. *rolling my eyes* Please make sure when you give opinion on these books, read all three of them first. But if you have read all three of them and still have no love for the books, that's okay too. People have different opinions anyways.

Yes, there is a lot of sex including BDSM but the series is about pure love, a deep passionate one. Much of the activity described in full detail was beyond my personal comfort. The story of seduction, and magnetic attraction is what I related to in the novel. 50 Shades of Grey, should be read with an open mind.

For me, the story got better with each book but still it's not a classic / literally masterpiece. Also heard that their going to make the movie soon... my only hope that Colin Egglesfield will play as Christian Grey. He's got it all, the look, the stare, the eyes and the charm.

And oh, the story explores the unconventional relationship between: Anastasia Steel, a 22 year old literature major; and Christian Grey, a 26 year old business tycoon. The couple met by fluke chance; and were both seduced by a carnal need for the other. Pick it up, read it, and don't judge the book by it adult content. E.L James, is challenging taboo and writing for the modern world.

PS. If you already read the books, these your ecards will make you laugh! Some of my fave below...

Always Remember...

2012-08-12T15:00:00.000+07:00

Being perfectionist or idealist is perfectly fine. But always remember to compromise...

via Pinterest

Sunday Thoughts: Book of Ecclesiastes

2012-08-12T07:00:00.000+07:00

via Pinterest

I'm going to read the book of Ecclesiastes today...

Two-Tone Lips

2012-08-11T09:00:00.000+07:00

via Pinterest

Oh wow, this two-tone lips looks very interesting. Hmmm.. I'm intrigued to try! (:

Wanderlust: San Alfonso del Mar, Chile

2012-08-10T14:00:00.000+07:00

both images via heycaryl

Fabulous Friday Finds

2012-08-10T09:00:00.000+07:00

via heycaryl

Hello darlings!

Are you a risk-taker or safe-player? I think I have been a safe-player for serious matters most of the time and occasionally a risk-taker on fun / harmless craziness. It is very comforting in being a safe player but it's also extremely fun and dangerous to be a risk-taker, but I guess once in a blue moon we all probably should try to be a risk-taker just to add more spices / sparks (whatever you call it) to our daily routine and activities, again, in my opinion.

I'm not going to reveal my fun / harmless craziness here on this blog *grin* , however I could share the feelings I experience. Yes, my "20 seconds of insane courage" moments made my heart beating so fast like it could literally pop out of my chest, but the big laughter after the "20 seconds of embarrassing bravery" moments were priceless! I called them "my fun and silly things I did when I was young and will be the things I smile about when I'm old and ... *ahem* ... wise". *lol* I was really insanely courageous when I took those "leaps"! However, that was before I got married. Now I opt to always be a safe-player eventhough I secretly wish that I'd have "20 seconds of insane courage moment" when I'm at this parasailing facility someday. I hope I'd be brave enough to take that leap and overcome my acrophobia.

So what about you, darlings? If you haven't done those things, are you going to challenge yourself today, tomorrow or some time in the future or are you pretty comfortable being a safe-player? Whatever your decision is, I hope it brings you happiness and in peace with our daily routine and activities.

Now, unto the links for this Friday...

Really like this iPhone case.

Etiquette Guide: First Impressions and Introductions.

Party idea: Little People Balloon Weights

Sloppy. Peanut Butter. Pie.

DIY Sliding Knot Bracelet but I'll pick love charm or owl charm over the evil eye charm.

The most heavenly and mouth-watering Pinterest account, ever!!!

Peplum top tutorial

I love madeleines!

Bring baby powder to the beach.

The best salsa you'll ever have.

Free stuff for photographers and scrapbookers!

'til next Friday, darlings! kiss.