Category Archives: Jakarta

Hello 2018!!

Realised that I’m pretty frivolous in the way I spent money last year. I did 2 staycation (for purposes) in this short 3 weeks break. HAIYO! (But to defend myself, I did pause at the 2nd one and hesitated.)ย  This year will be better!ย  They say, if you dont know how to spend, you dont know how to earn right. OKAY MAN!! I will earn extra, very many this year! I am awesome and nothing can stop me!! ๐Ÿ˜€
Actually, nothing spectacular, worth me writing about for the year 2017. But well, when in Rome, do as Roman do.

Let me go flip flip my diary. Review the past so I can be better in the future.

Wah, I actually went Macritchie Tree Top and did like multiple walks in Bukit Timah in the short 2 weeks on Dec 2016. Christmas Wonderland at GBB. That is memorable. ๐Ÿ˜€ Bcos I thought its open at 3pm (like thought its a indoor thing) and, I was all dressed up and pretty, walked from the MRT station in the drizzle to get there. Then nope, its not open yet, went to meet the Kor and gf for dinner, then went back at 7pm to check it out, only to realise that there really isnt much.

I went Taipei in January! That zoo trip! that eerie area.. ๐Ÿ˜€ Dont remember much about the other animals besides the Bison and feeling grateful for the variety of animals that the SG zoo has upon hearing some other tourist’s conversation. The got-lucky-cos-I-went-early trip at the public hot spring (cos they had to close due to lack of water, after my batch) MUAHAHHAHA! OH and the cable car ride up MaoKong, cannot siA, took it up, like want to puke like that. then took a cab ride down. Interesting. Oh yes, I missed Chun Shui Tang’s bubble tea. :)ยฌยฌยฌยฌย  Bought my 3S and 3 for the dad. Spectacular CNY, cos I threw up on the way to visits on the 2nd day – migraine dont know due to spinal issues or woman problem. interesting.

Suprisingly, the highlight of February was with 2 students. One is my own growth, the other is to help the child deal with his differences. ๐Ÿ™‚ Of course, the spectacular teeths…. Around the 6/3, had issues with 2 teeth, crown and root. :/ then 27th, came back to SG to have the roots and the wisdom teeth removed. My wisdom tooth was very pretty! ๐Ÿ˜€

March is when I started watching Goblin. Courtesy of Iris. ๐Ÿ˜€ and Telcomsel.

April, had a hangout with a interesting teacher. It bags the question, if hangout needs an objective or a purpose. Then its not a hangout after all isnt it? Last day of April also sees me chatting with a guy thats… lets just call him Batman. ๐Ÿ˜€ yea, nice guy that didnt work out. In fact my whole month of May was all about him. The whole get to know part.

June sees Batman fading away, Mr T rising. My birthday! Situation being taken advantage of. OH! and declutter too. 11 Red bags for the Salvation Army.ย and then the crazy stroll at Bukit Timah andย  that one-time-and-never-again scale from Diary Farm up to Bukit Timah on the 27th.. O_O Madness. of course MacRitchie again. Babies gratuated…
Decluttering was fun, lots of old memories, of relationship that didnt happen (but were recorded in my own way of course). Identification cards that were significant.

July, went Jogjakarta, visited Borobudur for the first time. Highlight? heh….. kanna the same spot of Tomcat as the previous time. :/

August started beautifully. ๐Ÿ˜€ Just kidding, 1st August was the day when someone texted me to say to not bother him again. ๐Ÿ˜€ It wasnt me. it was we. too bad it became me. LOL

September and the start of October sees 2 guys that came in my hands. Shocking.
But the 3rd guy in the month of October was a class of its own. Will blog about him specifically in a bit. Dont think he was out to gain advantage (not talking about sexually), but I have no conclusion on it. 13th was the first dinner date with Natasha, its an evolution from Dentist to friend. ๐Ÿ™‚

November was the decision month for coming back to SG for good. One of the nights – 6th Nov, when I woke up and felt a prompting in the heart, that its time to come back. Perhaps nothing to do with the loneliness, just… “go back”. Big BOO BOO! Bought a Monday flight when I was supposed to fly on a Sunday. Dumb dumb siA. LOL dont know where that came from (well, I think that afternoon when I was booking, I was booking multiple flights. Probably overlooked then)

December 2nd, I was watching Bridget Jones Diary, That lawyer moving to another place to continue his career. I also want that. Press the RESTART button. Go to another place, do what im good at, be paid well, be esteemed. Restart. ๐Ÿ™‚ If only life is that easy. Started BP monitoring. 2nd year to retainers and braces. Did an interesting photoshoot. 28th, officially let the 1st guy go. Some guys are good but not necessary mine. (2nd guy was not even worth mentioning in my diary. Major laugh). 3rd guy. wasted. lol anyway, offically ditched him on the 31st, not that it matters that much to him actually. Hes a player.
Probably would write about him too. theres a good lesson beneath it. ๐Ÿ˜€

and oh yes, of course, my face is much more contoured now. hey hey! Weight havent really drop, but I know I shrinked.

 

Signing offfffffff
Happy 2018, everyone!

 

Thanks for coming by
Be Blessed
Love,
Amanda

Feeling a tad gloomy lately, but still sparkling! :D

Feeling a tad gloomy lately, but still sparkling! ๐Ÿ˜€
Feeling a tad gloomy lately, but still sparkling! :D

Feeling a tad gloomy these days…

Probably the weather, probably the days ahead, probably the mood swing, probably…..
Don’t know, Dont really care. Just know that I need to snap out of it.
The best way to, is to write to myself, I realise. Reflective exercises are always good. To be set on path, to know and be crystal clear. To Re-centre (as google maps would say) To just be happy and alive. Live life…
Okay, I’m just blabbering already.

Think Amanda is gloomy because its time for change again. I know right… no one likes change. At least not me. Or you know I’m way too comfortable here.

I can still remember the initial year when I came, didnt really share that I was abroad, didnt really reveal where I’m working at – more for the privacy of the children actually. Now, to the stage where I would share photos of location at times. Openly tag my home and the nearby mall location. ๐Ÿ™‚ Its been a blissful coming-to-4-years.
Bringing along the need to come up with Character Reference letter and searching for a new job. *sulk*

ok ok enough of being gloomy.

The plans ahead.
I dont know actually. Was suppose to stay on for one more year, but due to changes in certain polices and recent events, just felt that its time to go. To leave here, or at least the school.
I think I might come back to Jakarta to teach. Its a good place – for an expat like me.

I really learnt tons about myself after being here. The beauty of being alone. The tireness of flying alternate weekends at times. The beauty of sleeping 10hours 2 weekdays a week during the PMS season. Understanding the effects of PMS on the body. Understanding what keeps me rooted. Understanding what I want. Understanding that money is not everything.

Which reminded me. I was undecided about whether to stay and finished that 1 year or work that 1 more year in some other countries.

After that recent scam, I know it is imperative that I find love and settle down, soon. ๐Ÿ˜€ Was telling myself I should go back to Singapore and be available there. Thats the way to be attached and settle down isnt it. But deep in my heart, I was like but back in Singapore, the payscale will not be on par with the current I’m getting…
Then I reminded myself. Money is a powerbase. If you can ignore it, it will not be used against you. You can be set free to do the things that you want to do.
That was a good answer. I feel.

and obviously, by going back to Singapore, it doesnt necessary mean I will be able to “find love and settle down” ๐Ÿ˜€

But well, It is still one step.

So… 1 more year.. to go or not to go?

Dont know, dont want to know, just keep sending resume I guess. ๐Ÿ˜€

Any takers? ๐Ÿ˜€

Thanks for coming by

Be Bless
Love,
Amanda

I think I know the answer..

Whatever that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

It’s been a season of head-over-heels, back-breaking, sleep-deprived, responsibilities-overload, Ridiculous-complaints, but patience-growing, body-understanding, spine-alignment, better-health and death-defying season.

๐Ÿ˜€ damn drama, this Amanda.
Seriously, these words cannot even begin to describe what I have gone through these 2 months.

Started with the chiropractic treatment, turns out I have non-textbook categorized scoliosis (basically it’s not so bad that it cld categorize as that, but neither is it so mild that it’s negligible), I have 2 2nd phase degeneration (takes over 10yrs to develop) (a bit too young for that) misalignment in the spinal area between my shoulder blades and lower back (think slipped disc). my neck is a little too straight for my own good.
11910247_116003788748380_1934280035_n
That means, I need to stop wearing heels so that the 50yrs old will thank me. need to go for adjustment 3 times a week for first 3mths n whatever follows follows, which amounts to nerve hyper-sensitivity, which I felt caused the REM images to be so vivid, and light sleep becomes consciousness (for the past 2 months). I have no life, n as a form of therapy, the heart wld induce the body to cook (for others) therefore further reducing rest time (cooking! the marketing, the cleaning, the smell.. heavenly but not good for a open concept studio, at the same time)

on and we top it up with demands at work. well, everyone faces them. except that this happen to be a real tight semester w Prefects training n investiture at the same season. did I mention about how effective and on time some Indonesian ppl are? but well, the training went fine, the investiture was over, many thanks to great people that are involved.

the usually don’t come at all PMS hormones swing that is regulating and therefore pretty on-the-ball these 2mths? nobody likes to deal with hyper-happiness in the mind on 1 day (bcos the events for that day went well, PRAISE THE LORD!) and tearing the next bcos the family members n loved ones of the finalist for master chef came n visit (so touching! u know! family support! how long have they not seen each other and how much it meant to them. … )

oh, did I mention the still-unknown cause of the inflammation/rash at the back of the left knee, thigh? cld have been the seats of the flight, or attack frm “tomcat” insect, known to have caused death, w poison 12 times more potent than snake bites.ย  the traumatizing effects of seeing a muscular, well-sculpt female leg (nice thigh n calves btw) plague with a bigger than palm-sized, ugly, red-black-peeling-dark grey patch. yes, I absolutely love my legs. but praise the Lord, besides the discoloration it’s not giving me any problems now.

pic1of3 pic2of3 pic3of3

all these…

and frequent flying, of 6 times in that 2 months. I really don’t like flying, but I’ve found ways to cope w it.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Wanted to do the Serenity Prayer for the longest time. set it as my wallpaper.
I knew that the thigh is pretty much the only reasonable space for the next tattoo.
didnt get around to doing it bcos I was thinking, next time cellulite develops, it will look bad..

with that patch, forget it man, there’s no uglier thing that could happen to my legs. so there we are!
FullSizeRender
even had a whole dilemma to put leopard or not, same, it’s something I wanted. but obviously didn’t happen.

it’s the term break, since I’m not going anywhere (other countries/state as a holiday break) I really should do something that I had wanted to do. ๐Ÿ™‚

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change, the courage to change the things I can, the wisdom to know the difference.”

24-27-30
I wonder how old I wld be when the next finds itself on me. From the mind to the body.

thanks for coming by.

Be Blessed
Love,
Amanda

p/s: did I mention I’m doing dental braces, next? ๐Ÿ˜€ sure am thankful I am fit n strong, not weak and dainty.

That Queer Feeling

babies

I woke up this morning and in a state of semi-consciousness, I got reminded of a kid… one of the students I taught in the first class I took in JKT. Those really smart kids.

Shes the one that led a cake-in-a-cup activity during Home Economics CCA, shes also the one that got it bad from me bcos of a April Fool’s prank. She apologize immediately after the class-lecture about the trick.

April Fool’s day, perhaps kids will put stuff on the chair, behind the door whatever whatever.
If its something minor thats fine.
But this team..

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JKT Cookies

I’m not a particular fan of Cookies, because its basically all flour and sugar. Carbs, carbs and sugar.

BUT!

๐Ÿ˜€
The other time, my property agent came with his peeps and ingredients for 4 grand burger. Guess what got left behind.

Yup… Butter….. or Margarine I think. that yellow block of processed milk and whatever that is in it.
and then there was that half used pack of flour from the Home Econs class I was conducting
and raisins and walnuts that I bought sometime about as snack and as add-on for lunch salad.
VoaLA! the ingredients required for a cookie treat!

Oh, no egg or sugar or vanilla essence though.

and… that 3 packs of milo powder thats due next month.

Cookie`
I know… I didnt sieve the flour..

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That crush..

That crushโ€ฆ *giggle giggle giggle*
๐Ÿ˜€
Yes I do giggle in real life. So not my age rightโ€ฆ. ar.. wellโ€ฆ

I have absolutely no intention to tell him, cos its obviously a season thing. Donโ€™t know why? You got to read the previous entry.

Anyway, I was cooking and a thought came to meโ€ฆ
I should tell him what I like about him, what got me attracted?
Then it hit me, I shouldnโ€™t.. ๐Ÿ˜€ cos its gonna be awkward, no matter how matured we are at handling it.
and of course Amanda has changed. ๐Ÿ™‚ I would do it in the past, but Iโ€™m not val now. ๐Ÿ™‚

It hit me. Its actually a very beautiful to do, to share with another about why you like him or her.
Cos really, how many persons in this world would spend time, attention, energy and just appreciate a person for who he/she is?

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That stroll…

Jakartaโ€™s traffic is badโ€ฆ

that_traffic

๐Ÿ˜€ I bet this isnโ€™t the first time youโ€™ve heard of this.
Iโ€™m in the north, so its not so bad actually. Its bad usually in the centre and south.

This entry isnโ€™t exactly about bad traffic, though the picture above illustrates that little bit of it.

SO! ๐Ÿ˜€ I went to the mall nearby for grocery shopping. Usually its a mini-bus ride and then a cab ride back home.

I have heard of colleagues walking to and fro, like for the 7 months past at least already. But no, Amanda aint gonna do that, because the exhaust fumes and sun exposure. ๐Ÿ˜€
My therapist (in SG) would probably murder me, I would not forgive myself (bcos the sun damage treatment for the face would cost me at least 300SGD per session).

So So, nope, I have not walked to or from that mall to my place.

Till that dayโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ˜€

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Multiple Conversations

Soโ€ฆ I was involved in this really awkward conversation the other day.
Okay, actually its a series of conversation. ๐Ÿ˜€

Its not my thing. A little bit of over-stimulation I would say. Cos theres just too many things going on at one time. oh well.. thats just uniquely introvert ๐Ÿ˜‰ none at fault.

It was a table of 5 including me.
At any one time 2 persons or 3 persons would be involved in a conversation.
and while 4 persons were talking about this part of the topic, 1 person will breakout and share with another a different perspective or angle or related part of this topic.

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