Stars and Stripes

Happy 4th of July my American readers! Ladies, be sure you wear chic stars and stripes outfit on your Independence Day celebration. Chic outfit like this one right here... I'm so in love.

Daria Werbowy in Chanel on Vogue UK, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.

image via tumblr

Joel Osteen Podcast

There are times - with enormous guilt, I confess: many times - I fail to attend Sunday Church Service. This is when the internet, iTunes and Joel Osteen Ministry, which provide a virtual worship space free to anyone on the Internet, come in handy. But I still prefer going to church lah. I'd like to think that I'm a good Christian, well at least I'm trying.

Out of many pastors in the world, I like Joel Osteen the most. I've been to Benny Hinn's Miracle Crusade few years ago and truly felt God's presence during the event and also hear other pastors' sermons, but I feel more connected to Joel Osteen's sermons, I also read his daily devotionals. So comforting - well, to me everything according to the bible is comforting (: And oh, for daily devotionals I also love reading the ones from Streaming Faith!

I love the part where he raises his Bible and asks everyone in the audience to raise their Bibles in the air. Then the whole people in the church chant the following words:

“This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive; I'll never be the same. In Jesus name, God bless you.”

I know some people who think that he's a materialist pastor because he has big house and pretty wealthy, I don't care about that. That is his business with God, not with people. I really think that religion is very intimate and private (well since this blog is my diary, I can share my innermost part and intimate details, can't I?) and I keep wondering why people have to harass, threat, attack those who don't share the same beliefs since it's truly none of their business?! --- ergh sorry can't help it. Anyhoo, I like the way Joel Osteen delivers the words of God. And if you are a Christian and fail to attend Sunday Church Service everytime, download his podcast and you can watch the videos on iTunes. Well you can also sync the podcast videos to your iPhone / iPad / iPod, then you can watch the videos anywhere, anytime.

D'Angelo and Amanda

I've been watching this dance competition show "Live To Dance" --- ehm thanks to Starworld for always repeating one episode a hundred times a day so I never missed one (: Anyhoo, since the very first show, I've fallen for these kids: D'Angelo Castro and Amanda Carbajales. They are very talented ballroom dancers, possessed amazing techniques and so adorable!!!

Their audition:


On Semi-finals:


On Finals:

And on Finale Night, when they won the competition and received US$500,000.- prize!! They truly deserve to win! Congratulations cute darlings, I'm a big fan!!! (:

Birthday Wishlist

So my birthday is coming up, to help you guys finding the right birthday gift for me is the least I could do. Without further ado, here are the stuffs I've been eye-ing for the past week... 

Lovely pair of flat shoes by Kate Spade, but unfortunately this isn't my size... can you find my size? It's 8 and sometime 8.5 also works. 

Absolutely in love with this Gap Jeans... my size: 27

Would looove to own this swimsuit by Lisa Vogel! 

I'm still looking for this pair of Espadrille shoes...

Loving this vintage Etienne Aigner leather handbag!

I want a free birthday trip to Misool Eco Resort for two.

And of course, as I mentioned earlier: iPad 2 (((;  

Thank you in advance for reading my desperate post. Take note, darling blog readers. My birthday is in two weeks. Your generous intentions will be truly, greatly appreciated (:

The Kennedy's

I really want to watch "The Kennedy's". I'm so intrigued to see how Katie Holmes pulls off playing Jacqueline Kennedy. I've always been interested with the Kennedys and of course, Jackie. I love them. Already read one of their (JFK & Jackie's) biographies and couple of documentaries, but I want to see more. Especially this one. Are you as excited as I am?

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

I hereby stated that I regret not seeing this video before I got married. If I did, I'd do exactly the same and would have asked my bridesmaids and groomsmen to dance like the ones in the video. I shared the video to my brother, Abraham; and then he said, he definitely going to do this on his wedding day. ARRRRGGHHH!!! Oh amazing video, why didn't you show up in 2008? WHY?! Oh well, let's just do this on my 10th Wedding Anniversary. My dear friends, prepare to DANCE!!!

Books

The BBC believes most people will have read only six of the 100 books listed here.

Instructions: Copy this into your NOTES. Bold those books you’ve read in their entirety, italicize the ones you started but did not finish or read an excerpt.  

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6 The Bible  

7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte 

8 1984 - George Orwell

9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott

12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare

15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk

18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger --- already watch the movie.

20 Middlemarch - George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald --- only the movie

24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy --- only the movie (starred by Audrey Hepburn hihi)

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame 

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens 

 33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis 

34 Emma -Jane Austen

35 Persuasion - Jane Austen

36 The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40 Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell

42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery  

47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood 

49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding 

50 Atonement - Ian McEwan 

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel 

52 Dune - Frank Herbert 

53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck 

62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov 

63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac 

67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding

69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville 

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72 Dracula - Bram Stoker 

73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses - James Joyce

76 The Inferno - Dante

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal - Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession - AS Byatt

 81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

 82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

 83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker 

 84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

 85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

 86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

 87 Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White

 88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

 89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

 90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

 92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

 93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

 94 Watership Down - Richard Adams 

 95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

 96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

 98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare

 99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl 

 100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I've read only 18 of out these 100. Darn it! 82 books to go!

Best Actress of Golden Globe 2011

is... NATALIE PORTMAN for her role as Nina Sayers in Black Swan!!! Yaaaaaaaaayyy!

Congratulations mommy-to-be and soon-to-be-bride! God knows (and everyone who has been reading this blog since the very beginning) how much I adore her!

Here are Natalie Portman’s Golden Globes photos, including her gorgeous pale satin, rose encrusted VIKTOR & ROLF gown. OMG She looks super stunning...

And here is the video when she  gave speech on stage:

Her lovely speech: 

“Jeff Bridges, I love you.  Thank you.  Thank you to the HFPA, this is such a great honor.  Truly the most wonderful experience of this whole reaction to the movie has been to get to spend time with so many of the people in this room.  It has been the most meaningful thing that I will take away from this post movie experience.”

“I also want to thank you for the opportunity to say hi to my Grandma Bernice in Cincinnati, who’s watching at home.  “I hope you’re having a drink, Grandma, enjoying this.”

“I thank you for bringing my mom into the world, my mom is the most wonderful person; she’s here.  My father, who’s also the most wonderful person, thank you for bringing me into this world, and giving me such a wonderful life. “ 

“Thank you to Benjamin, who is helping me continue this creation of creating more life.  Benjamin choreographed the film, and also you might remember him in the movie as the guy when they ask, 'Would you sleep with that girl?' And he's like, 'Pffsh, no.' He's the best actor. It's not true: He totally wants to sleep with me!" 

“Aleen Keshishian my manager, since I was 12-years-old.  You listened to me when I said to you, I want to do something with dance someday, I admire the arts so much.  Thank you so much.  My agents, Kevin and John, my fellow actors, Mila “Sweet Lips” Kunis, you’re the greatest; Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, everyone at Fox Searchlight, Nancy Utley, thank you so much.”

"Darren, I met you 10 years ago, and we talked about this for the first time, and thank you for continuing to work on this movie and then to give me such a beautiful, beautiful gift with this role.”

"Every time we finished our takes, you would say, 'Now do this one for yourself,' and that gave me such beautiful inspiration as an actor to not just be amused, that I could create on my own as well.  I love you so much and you're the most wonderful and I'm so grateful to you.  Thank you.”

* all photos via Natalie Portman's tumblr fan blogs.

She & Him - Fools Rush In

Yes, I'm back with another song from She & Him (read: the best duo ever!!!). I got this song for months now and it's time to share this song to you, readers! This is an old song, originally performed by Louis Armstrong, being a devoted fan of She & Him, of course-lah I love their version of this song better!

Fools Rush In

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread

And so I come to you, my love, my heart above my head.

Though I see the danger there

If there's a chance for me, then I don't care

Mm-mm-mm-mm

Fools rush in where wise men never go

But wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?

When we met, I felt my life begin

So open up your heart and let this fool rush in

Fools rush in where wise men never, never, never go

Eh, but wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?

Ahh, when we met, girl, I felt my life begin

So open up your heart and let this fool rush in

24: Season 8 - fin

Oh nooo!!! I just read it on the internet, fox confirmed that Season 8 is 24's last season. They're stopping my 24! *crying out loud*

Read the article below:

'24' Canceled -- Jack Bauer's Last Day!

After eight seasons, Fox has decided to cancel 24!!!
Series star Kiefer Sutherland reflected on the show’s run: “This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible. While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon. This feels like the culmination of all our efforts from the writers to the actors to our fantastic crew and everyone at Fox. Looking ahead to the future, [executive producer and showrunner] Howard Gordon and I are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24. But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
Gordon told Variety, “Kiefer and me and the writers had (a decision to make). What’s the creative? What do we do? Is there any more story left to be told in this 24-hour format? We turned over every stone, and really determined that the story has come to an end in this 24-hour format.”
24 regular Mary Lynn Rajskub confirmed the news, tweeting, “Just found out we got the word officially. This is 24’s last season.”
The final two-hour episode will air May 24. Sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Source: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/03/26/24-canceled/

It does suuuckkkk! (T___T)

 

Nine Words Women Use

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the football before helping around the house.

3. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!

4. A Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer quickly to No 9 for the meaning of nothing.)

5. That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

6. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you’re welcome. (I want to add a clause here - This is true, unless she says ‘Thanks a lot’, which is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say ‘you’re welcome’ - that will bring on No. 7).

7. Whatever: Is a woman’s way of saying, “F— YOU!”

8. Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking ‘What’s wrong?’ For the woman’s response refer to No. 4.

9. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in “Fine”.

Note from yours truly, I stumbled upon this article while browsing the www. I found it very amusing and... surprisingly true. HAHAHAHA... Hubby dearest, please read this article and maybe next time, you'll understand me better :D

It's Complicated

Officially my fav movie for 2010 so far :D Must looove Nancy Meyers. She never fails to amaze me.

Alec Baldwin, wow, glad to see Steve Martin is back, and Meryl Streep, what part can't that woman play. Great fun! I absoulutely love everything about it from the actors, writing & music was stupendous! Just like I love Father of The Bride I & II, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday, The Parent Trap (ohhh I'm basically mentioned movies produced and written by Nancy Meyers. I love her so much, God bless her. I'm a Romance Comedy junkie. There I said it! :p Eventhough it's a bit different compared with (500) Days of Summer *the best drama in 2010 --- best sci-fi of course Avatar, followed by Star Trek* , yet I'm so in love with this movie. The one with middle aged people & shows there can still be a flame no matter your age! Kudos to everyone involved making this movie!

I first watched this movie yesterday, and todaaay... I watched it twice! :) Highly recommended, if you have the same taste as yours truly.

Check out their website, classy & entertaining. It's complicated !!!

Jingle Bells!

For unto us a child is given, unto us a Savior is born and the order of the world will be upon his shoulders.

Merry Christmas.

Bali, 2009

Summer Finn & Tom Hansen at the park

T: Why'd you dance with me?

S: Coz I wanted to.

T: You just do what you want don't you? You never wanted to be someone's gf and now you're somebody's wife.

S: Surprised me too.

T: I don't think I'll ever understand that. I mean it doesn't make sense.

S: It just happened.

T: Right that's what I don't understand. What just happened?

S: I just woke up one day and I knew.

T: Knew what?

S: What I was never sure of with you.

At the Karaoke, (500) Days of Summer

McKenzie: [drunk] So do you have a boyfriend?

Summer: No.

McKenzie: Why not?

Summer: Because I don’t want one.

McKenzie: Come on; I don’t believe that.

Summer: You don’t believe that a woman could enjoy being free and independent?

McKenzie: Are you a lesbian?

Summer: [laughing] No I’m not a lesbian. I just, don’t feel comfortable being anyone’s girlfriend. I don’t actually feel comfortable being anyone’s anything.

McKenzie: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Summer: Really?

McKenzie: Nope.

Summer: Ok, let me break it down for you–

McKenzie: Break it down!

Summer: Ok. I, like being on my own. I think relationships are messy and people’s feelings get hurt. Who needs it? We’re young, we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world; might as well have fun while we can and, save the serious stuff for later.

McKenzie: You’re a dude. [to Tom] She’s a dude!

Tom: Ok but wait–wait. What happens, if you fall in love?

[she scoffs]

Tom: What?

Summer: You don’t believe that, do you?

Tom: It’s love, it’s not Santa Claus.

I was a Summer Finn before I met my husband (:

(500) Days of Summer

This has to be my movie of 2009.

My closest cousin (yes, that would be you, Ara) told me that Summer Finn reminds her of me. The story is not exactly the same, yet Summer and I both have the opinion about love and how it got changed. Maybe that's also the reason why I have been watching this movie over and over again for the past 2 weeks.

Moreover, Zooey Deschanel, was playing Summer Finn. I love her a lot. She's my girl.

I recommend everybody to watch (500) days of summer.

images via google/imagesearch

October Playlist

I’ve been listening to these tracks over and over again for the past few weeks - in no particular order:

Green Day : 21 Guns
Death Cab for Cutie's : Meet Me on the Equinox
Cece Winanas : Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Carl Douglas : Kungfu Fighting (Classic yet FUN MUSIC)
Michael Buble : Haven't Met You Yet
The Temper Trap : Sweet Disposition
The Temper Trap : Hearts
Clodplay : Viva La Vida
She & Him: I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
The All American Rejects : Time Stands Still
Sergio Mendes : Y Vamos Ya

♡♥♡♥ Quotes

I'm feeling romantic tonight. Romance is in the air and I want to share it to the world. A few of my favorite love quotes. Feel the love!

ever thine,
ever mine,
ever ours,
(Immortal Beloved Letter, Ludwig van Beethoven)

Note on this one: Thanks to Ms. Carrie Bradshaw for introducing this beautiful words to the world ;)

Let your love see me even through the barrier of nearness
(Fireflies, Rabindranath Tagore)

Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
(Immortal Beloved Letter, Ludwig van Beethoven)

Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one.
(John Keats)

My heart is ever at your service
(William Shakespeare)

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.
(Paulo Coelho)

Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth.
(Mark Twain)

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.
(Dr. Seuss)

my most favorite would be the love quote my husband and I put on our wedding invitation:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves

(Bible - New Testament - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

New Idols

I'm following this season's American Idol and became Adam Lambert's fan since the first time I saw him performed. He's amazing. I call him, Adamazing Lambert. He could reach the nearly impossible high notes and I can always feel the emotion everytime he sings. Watch these videos and prove me wrong...

ADAMazing LAMBERT

and I read on my friend's twitter (yes, I'm on a mission to find twitter worthy of my time and effort - so far, it goes really well ;D ) about this contestant of Holland's Got Talent. I can only say: FUNNY SHIIIITTTT

"Britney Spear" --- yes, Spear not Spears.

Loving Bali...

Ohhhh dammnnn... I'm back to Jakarta. I still wanna be in Baliiiiiiiiiiiii... I love Bali... I love Bali!!! Especially the dreamland beach! Geezzzz... the most beautiful beach I've ever seen so far! If any of you gonna go to Bali, you HAVE TO GO TO DREAMLAND BEACH. It's near the Uluwatu area, southern part of Bali. It's only an hour from Kuta Area.

Actually, there are so many things to tell... but words are not good enough to describe this magnificent island! Bali will always be a paradise for me...