You, me and the future..

All the cards had been opened and now you simply make me believe in the goodness of people. both you and your father.

I cannot wait to know what the future holds for us :)

Au revoir, Shanghai. Hello, Jakarta

Okay. So all my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I finally finished my study here at Shanghai Normal University and tomorrow I will be returning back to Indonesia. Lately I barely had the time to update here, with the exams and farewells...
During my study here, I have learned a lot... not only Hanyu but also human behavior, friendship, and most importantly, life. I met a lot of new interesting people from all over the world, and from all of them I learned something new everyday (which make me a better person and I am grateful for it. Thank you guys :) ). To sum up, this one-year-holiday was interesting and fun. I just hope that I am well prepared to face whatever I'm going to face in Jakarta.

再见， 上海！＝）

口语课的故事

在口语课每个同学应该讲一个故事， 那这是我的故事：

以前有有一个男人和一个女人谈恋爱。 男人非常爱女人， 可是有一天女人离开男人然后跟别的男人结婚。
男人十分悲哀，他每天哭， 然后他问一个很有知识的老人。 只个老人告诉他： “在你们过去的生活， 女人是你的妻子， 你的对象。 可是他死的时候你没有好好埋葬她的尸体。 你只把毛毯放在她的尸体然后你离开她。 然后有别的男人， 他走路时， 看见女人的尸体， 然后他好好埋葬她。 这个别的男人现在是女人的丈夫“。

现在大家可以想一想， 谁是在过去的时候好好埋葬你的人？ ；）

Counting down to Christmas!

*background music: Deck the Halls by Aly& AJ (and Kenny G's Christmas album)*

Okay, so most of my friends already know that I love Christmas. It's my most favorite time of the year. Plus, I am a sucker for Christmas things, decorations, songs, etc.
I will be spending my Christmas in Shanghai this year (or probably in Hongkong? if only I can find a cheap ticket to fly there). Anyway it's the end of November and Shanghai's already preparing for Christmas. The lights and decorations in Xintiandi, the beautiful decorations at Xujiahui, the amazing Christmas ambience at Plaza 66, the Christmas ornaments at Starbucks and Haagen Dazs, and the Christmas preparations here and there around the town. I love them all! :)
I'm starting to prepare things for Christmas as well... I know it's a bit early but I just cannot help it!

it's the most wonderful time of the year
with the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you'll be of good cheer

it's the happiest season of all
with those holiday greetings and happy meetings when friends come to call
there be parties for hosting
marshmellows for tosting and caroling out in the snow
when hearts will be glowing,when loved ones are near
it's the most wonderful time of the year

I'm mad, but mostly ashamed, just because...

.. these are the reasons the MUI in Indonesia, MY HOME COUNTRY, wants to ban the movie 2012:

MUI: Ada Tiga Kontroversi dalam Film 2012
Selasa, 17 November 2009 - 12:07 wib
Syukri Rahmatullah - Okezone

JAKARTA - Film 2012 yang digembar-gemborkan menggambarkan mengenai kiamat, menjadi kontroversial. Dalam kacamata Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), setidaknya ada tiga poin kontroversi di dalam film tersebut.

Hal tersebut diungkapkan Ketua Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) KH Amidan saat berbincang dengan Okezone di Jakarta, Selasa (17/11/2009).

Pertama, para ulama tidak setuju jika hari kiamat divisualisasikan. Kedua, hari kiamat dalam versi Islam itu tidak ada yang selamat. "Tidak sama seperti yang digambarkan di dalam film tersebut," katanya.

Dia melanjutkan, dalam ajaran agama Islam tidak ada yang bisa memprediksi datangnya hari kiamat. Tidak seperti yang diramalkan akan datang tahun 2012. "Itu rahasia tuhan, hanya Dia yang tahu," katanya.

Yang ketiga, jangan sampai ada propaganda untuk mendeskreditkan agama tertentu melalui film ini. Karena, menurut Amidan di dalam film tersebut digambarkan masjid runtuh, akan tetapi ketika manusia masuk gereja selamat.

"Seharusnya LSF memotong yang bagian masjid itu, jangan ditampilkan. Karena kalau gereja selamat, itu kan wajar karena dibuatnya di Hollywood. Jika di Indonesia kan Masjid. Misalnya bencana tsunami di Aceh, masjid selamat itu kan real ," pungkasnya.

Karenanya, dia mengimbau kepada masyarakat bahwa bagaimana pun film 2012 hanyalah fiksi belaka dan bukan kenyataan, sebagaimana yang digembar-gemborkan. "Kiamat adalah rahasia Allah," pungkasnya.

Finally bought it :)

I finally bought this water globe. Been eye-ing it twice before and yesterday while waiting for the guys shopping at Nike near the People's Square, I decided to ask Liany's opinion about this and finally bought it. It has the 'Moon River' song in it (from one of my most favorite movie ever: Breakfast at Tiffany's) . It costed me RMB 320 but I really love it! =)

Shanghai Must- Do Checklist (according to 一个留学生 / an international student)

1. Circumnavigate the Bund
2. Dinner at exotic Tai Kang Lu


3. Enjoy the beauty of Xintiandi

4. Visit the Yu Garden

5. Eat dumpling from a semi- hygienic street vendor

6. Elbow your way onto the subway during the rush hour

7. Cross (or walk on) the road without being hit by a moped

8. Underground treasure hunt at Shanghai's subway malls

9. Dine at altitude


10. Visit a water town

11. Ride the Maglev

12. Dine on hairy crab

13. Trying out new bars and restaurants

14. Shopping!