Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The Best Things in Life

What are the best things in life? I realize that the answer to this question is not simply a matter of "correct or incorrect" since it depends on those concerned.


To some, brand-new sports cars or enormous castle-like houses are what makes them energetic throughout the day. Some others would like to travel all over the world and pursue that ambition in a rigorous and tireless fashion. Still, others crave for a partner, that is, a boyfriend/girlfriend or a spouse! (well, it's just my judgment since in my country it seems that being single is the 'most horrid curse a person can be put on').

As for myself, I see 'simple' things as those qualifying as the best. Friendship, peace (partly characterized by pure smiles on people's faces), and moments of love are, some of the greatest things in life. Perusing my lover's morning greeting on the screen of my Sony Xperia M2, listening to Jay Chou's enchanting art pieces countlessly (I am doing it now!) and singing them exuberantly, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of dinosaurs (and life, in general) are several other examples of what can make my day.

All in all, I am content with my life right now. However, still, I think I need to contribute more to society with all the good qualities I possess. Today I taught a class and there was this phrase coming into focus: give back to the community. This is exactly something that I wish to achieve and I would say it is part of my self-actualization desire. I really hope to fulfill it as soon as possible by bringing out the best in myself.
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Friday, April 22, 2016

Endurance


I decided to write this article after a flash of inspiration that came across my mind yesterday. I am currently searching for a "good" distributor of imported books – that is, one that can offer low prices/discounts; I would like to "resurrect" my "now-extinct", precious dinosaur and English books, which have brought me to this point of my life.

As you are a close friend of mine, chances are you already knew that my little house got burned by a big fire last year. The much sadder thing is this disastrous event decimated almost ALL my imported books, which were worth approximately 8,000,000 rupiahs (around US$605). And, "uniquely", this took place after my second trip to Vietnam, which was very exciting.

Sad? Of course, I was. But this is life. We cannot really predict what is going to happen, and both good and bad will surely come along in our lives. I didn't let myself get carried away and made up my mind to be a tough cookie instead.

I reckon endurance is a quality that everyone must possess in this world. We need to foster an accepting attitude towards reality and stay strong. Life is not always full of sweet and sparkling things; there are a lot of rocks and spines ready to torture you down the road. These can be in the form of getting dumped by your boyfriend/girlfriend, losing your dream job, being lied to by your best friend, experiencing bank fraud, and so on. Many people have decided to end their lives, but it is not a very wise decision. We have the opportunity to live (although only once) and there is always more we can do. :)
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Monday, March 14, 2016

Use It Up!


I've just visited Saigon, Vietnam for the third time and the vacation trip was totally amazing. I met lots of friends (old and new) and made newer ones, including members of Talking With The Tourist – as Cong Vien 23 Thang 9 (23/9 Park) is such a strong magnet for this Chinese Indonesian that I kept going there over and over.

I won't write every experience I had there but, instead, I am going to share a little lesson that I learned from this small part of my life.

February 24, 2016 was a day that I had been waiting for. It had been around two years since I realized I loved this huge city. I woke up around 6:30 in the morning and got prepared. Next, my father took me to the bus station from which we set out to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. I didn't book a direct flight ticket; I had to stop over at Singapore and then continued my journey to Saigon. Everything went well at the airport and I departed from Jakarta to Singapore at about 9:20 a.m. with Tigerair – it is an airline that I trust; I have always flown to Saigon with Tigerair and I have always been satisfied by its service.

I landed in Singapore at probably 11:30 a.m. Jakarta time or 12:30 p.m. Singapore time. Afterwards, I had lunch and, after doing some research on must-visit attractions in Changi Airport, I decided to take some hopefully eye-catching photos. My next flight was at 4:05 p.m. Singapore time and I thought I still had abundant time. What would happen next?

Changi Airport has so many beautiful spots, such as Sunflower Garden and Butterfly Garden, that I wanted to eternalize many moments there. At approximately 3 p.m., after collecting quite a lot of photos, I went to the information desk to ask for information about which gate my flight was set to leave Singapore from. The information lady told me the gate number and warned me to hurry. In response to that, I galloped to the destination gate despite a bit of doubt in my head. What is happening? As soon as I got to the gate, I was welcomed with confusion of the person I was trying to talk with. Then, another man turned up and told me that I had missed my flight – I saw a Tigerair airplane moving away, which was very likely my flight.

I was shocked to the marrow! I'd thought it would be a phenomenal trip but THIS "calamity" happened! As a result of this, I had to book another ticket – I spent more or less 75 USD on the next day's flight. I believe you know that the blunder was caused by me mistaking my cellphone clock time (Jakarta time) for a Singapore time.

So, what am I trying to say through this article? In spite of the horrible stuff, I decided to make this trip fantastic; I didn't want to miss out on great moments I should have in Saigon. I set a positive attitude towards everything and the trip turned out to be WOW!

Make the most of everything. Bad things happen but it is not the end of the world. Keep smiling and "use it up"! :)
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

7 "Little" Things You Can Do to Make the World a Better Place

No-one can deny that we live in one big world called Earth. The globe is the place where we entirely spend every single day – unless you are an astronaut. And I think it makes sense to think that it is highly demanded that our dwelling place increase in quality so that every Homo sapiens individual living here can take full advantage of it.


I know that this post might not change your behavior in an instant, but I am glad that you have read this article up to this point so far, making my hope go up. The last mass extinction event happened around 66 million years ago, wiping out the non-avian dinosaurs and other groups of animals, and I am sure you don't want humankind to vanish soon. So, here they are: some things that you can do to make the earth a more enjoyable place to live in.

1. Give up smoking
This is probably a 'rusty' topic. But, let's give it one more try. I am pretty sure there are smokers in each country existing today. To the best of my knowledge, there is no single advantage of consuming this 'small killer', except for escapism. Some points to highlight:

• Smoking kills you and people around you
You already know so many diseases can be caused by smoking: cancer and those with believably Latin-derived names. And the thing is, you don't only kill yourself – yes, literally kill – but also take out your loved ones. And the unique thing is I have never heard of people put into jail because of this horrendous act.

• Smoking is a waste of money
In my country, Indonesia, a pack of cigarettes costs around USD 1. Let's say, you buy one pack a day: this means it swallows USD 30 per month or USD 360 per year. You could spend that sum of money on something useful such as the education of your children or high-quality dinosaur books such as Dinosaurs: The Most Complete Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers or All Ages.

Smoking is probably one of the most terrible ideas ever in the history of the human race. Sometimes I imagine what would the world be if all smokers just quit it simultaneously. Ahh.....

2. Stop getting drunk
Well, yeah, you know the health implications of drinking too much, not to mention the family quarrels that it has contributed to. You might throw some plates or knives, which might lead to injury or even death of your spouse and/or children. And think of what you would get if you spent that amount of money on dihydrogen monoxide. Yes, children in Africa could have drunk it.

3. Put trash in the proper place
Hmm... This relates to an 'excruciating' disposition of some humans. Actually, if you think about it, it is pretty simple. You buy a package of Keripik Karuhun in a convenience store and finish it up. Then, you realize there is no garbage can around. You just need to keep it until you find one along your way home. In addition to musty smells that sting everybody's nose nearby, huge accumulations of trash can trigger major floods, which affect people's lives in a not-so-good way. And sadly, sometimes it can switch them off as well. The problem is people often do something without thinking about any harmful effects it may cause. I hope you are not one of those. Remember our existence depends on us.

4. Say thanks and sorry
This seems to be a petty thing but I consider this "of huge importance". I often experience this kind of thing, people benefiting from a good favor without saying thanks and doing something unpleasant without saying sorry. From my personal viewpoint, saying thanks and sorry is an honorable act that makes people people. I base this on my experience: the feelings that I had when I received sorry and thanks, even though the objects concerned were of little importance, were 'overwhelming'. I smiled and it seemed as if there were flowers growing in my heart. I am not trying to be poetic or whatever else but this is an honest confession. In contrast, annoyance coming out from the opposite situation is surely irritating, bringing about a bit of a bad day. Saying thanks and sorry can bring happiness to the world and cause a domino effect. Yes! Let's do it – say them sincerely, though!

5. Avoid speeding
You are not a great driver if you do this. Instead, people might call you "the Grim Reaper" or something. The speeding case of Abdul Qodir Jaelani a.k.a. Dul, the third son of famous Indonesian musician Ahmad Dhani, in which he caused many people to die, has gotten many people to deem him evil. Speeding is only for those who want put their and others' lives at stake. Why don't you just sit at home, reading blog posts by Brian Switek?

6. Stop talking garbage and that sort of thing on social media
Technology has made almost everything easier. Communicating with people 1,000 miles apart is a piece of cake, nowadays, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, and the like. However, unfortunately, not everything produced there is satisfying. Many people use this advancement to express things that are not for the good of society. Often, they insult each other and boast about themselves, acting as if they are the most important people on the planet. They exhibit something that they shouldn't and the list goes on and on. The principle is simple: before you write or post something, think about why you should do that. Will it make you and others happy? Will it be helpful for the readers in some way? Will it contribute to humanity?

7. Reduce the use of plastics, paper, etc.
I am quite sure you have heard or been given this advice at some point in your life. It might appear to be a hard thing to do, but thankfully it's not. Three things that you can start doing tomorrow – or now:

• Going shopping? Use your own bags!
Whenever you want to go to supermarkets, remember to carry your own bags. I myself try to use my own backpack to keep the things I buy from minimarkets and stuff, and often I consume them as soon as the transactions are finished.

• Do not order takeout
Yes! Why not? You don't have to eat at home: just enjoy the food in the eatery like what I do whenever possible – perhaps you will meet your future spouse; who knows?

• In the restaurant, ask for reusable items (for example, stainless steel spoons) instead of disposable ones (for example, wooden spoons)

Bonus: Eat (and drink) all of what you have bought and ordered.
It's pretty simple and actually will help you save more money. Remember that we all are connected and make up the human race. Isn't it wise to share with our fellow humans by not wasting food and drink? Bear in mind that we all must be responsible for the resources that are available on our planet, including sustenance.

Let's unite and make the world a better place!
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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Jay Chou's Songs for Weddings

Again! I am writing this article while listening to his songs. :)


Maybe some people think that it is a crazy or enigmatic idea. And I'm sure others think this is a brilliant idea—as I do. Weddings are once-in-a-life-time events. Why not use Jay Chou's heavenly, romantic music to embellish one of the unforgettable moments in your life? Your beloved one would definitely be touched and pleased! If I marry, I'd like to sing at least some of these songs for my beloved wife. :) Okay, here they are! Enjoy! ^^

Note:
• For translations click here.
• If you want to sing, changing or adjusting the lyrics so that they will suit you and your honey would be a good idea.

1. 可愛女人 (Ke Ai Nü Ren) → Lovable Woman
2. 簡單愛 (Jian Dan Ai) → Simple Love
3. 星晴 (Xing Qing) → Clear Stars
4. 七里香 (Qi Li Xiang) → Common Jasmin Orange
5. 園遊會 (Yuan You Hui) → Garden Party
6. 浪漫手機 (Lang Man Shou Ji) → Romantic Handphone
7. 麥芽糖 (Mai Ya Tang) → Maltose
8. 甜甜的 (Tian Tian De) → Sweetly
9. 愛的飛行日記 (Ai De Fei Xing Ri Ji) → Love's Flight Diary
10. 手語 (Shou Yu) → Sign Language
11. 手寫的從前 (Shou Xie De Cong Qian) → The Handwritten Past
12. 告白氣球 (Gao Bai Qi Qiu) → Love Confession

Bonus: Jay Chou's Wedding Music



Source: http://www.jaychoustudio.com/jay-chou-discography (title translations)
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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Little Love


Why do you often—or always?—buy things only for yourself? Because you have little love.

Why are you so furious that someone pokes you by accident on a bus? Because you have little love.

Why do you eat anything you want and not take care of your body? Because you have little love.

Why do you cheat when doing tests and say that it is okay because you are still a student? Because you have little love.

Why do you arrive late at the office and do your job frivolously? Because you have little love.

Why do you say bad things about your boss or your colleagues? Because you have little love.

Why do you spend five hours playing DotA but become angry when your mother interrupts and asks you to buy something for her? Because you have little love.

Why do you flirt with another girl while your girlfriend is in the restroom of a mall? Because you have little love.

Why are you so excited about going to Plaza Indonesia to buy branded bags and shoes but mad at your boyfriend when he says he can't take you home? Because you have little love.

Why do you cheat on your wife, who you married several years ago and who thought you were her Mr. Right—and thinks you are? Because you have little love.

Why do you frown when you see your husband coming home but smile when you watch Lee Min-ho acting in a Korean drama? Because you have little love.

Why did you abort your baby and say that it was your choice? Because you have little love.

Why do you prefer hanging out all day with your friends to accompanying and talking with your lonely grandparents for a short period of time? Because you have little love.

Why do you bully your juniors and say that it is a way to educate them? Because you have little love.

Why do you run a red light and not feel guilty? Because you have little love.

Why do you prefer to spend your money on five bottles of beer rather than using it to buy forty bottles of water for the poor? Because you have little love.

Why do you not say sorry if you hurt your friend's heart but slap your brother for messing up your room? Because you have little love.

Why do you not say thanks when you are helped out but grumble when your friend doesn't offer cookies to you? Because you have little love.

Why is it easy to read a comic book in half an hour but so hard to read a few Bible pericopes in an hour? Because you have little love.

Why is it very hard to go to church and spend one hour praying but so easy to go to the disco and spend seven hours dancing? Because you have little love.

Why do you not pray every day although each day is given free by God? Because you have little love.

Why do you not want to do good things and become a better person after reading this article? Because you have little love.
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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Love

What is love? A perpetually asked question. A timeless question.


As a Christian I believe that love is a free gift from God. God is love, and out of His love He created the world, and us. That's why we should be grateful for this life. Living a life is not a burden but grace.

The nature of love is giving. The more one gives another, the more love they have.

However, giving is not enough. The base of or what motivates it should be sincerity. Even though you give one million dollars to 100 people each, if you don't have sincerity, you don't have as much love as those who give only one dollar to only one person with sincerity.

Love isn't choosy or picky. It includes ALL. It doesn't care who you are, where you are from, what your sex is, what your job is, how old you are, etc. That's why love is universal. There's no exception.

Having love means having responsibility. Love is not about a mere feeling. You always have something to do and it's enjoyable! For example, if you're a husband you have to serve your wife the best and vice versa. Saying "I love you" is good but showing that it is true is much better.

Love is active, not passive. In other words, love makes one productive. You can't just sit down and procrastinate. People who have love always take action to make others happy, to advance their life, to make them feel comfortable, to reassure them. They always make efforts to achieve them.

Speaking of love between a man and a woman, one who has it must cherish their partner. They will keep their beloved's chastity until they marry. In point of fact, that's the proof that they truly love theirs.

A man who loves his partner or wife is faithful. He doesn't flirt with another woman or cheat on the woman of his life. He devotes his life to her and his eyes are only directed to her. A true man has only one woman throughout his life. This also applies to a woman.

Those are my views on love. Your comments are appreciated. :)
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Monday, May 14, 2012

Positioning

If you think this article is about soccer, you've got it wrong. :)


We are us. We have our own position. Maybe you are a father, a wife, a neighbor, a boss, or a king. Probably you are in a queue, in a shelter, on a train, at a party, or at your home. Too many examples. And, now, you are in a position (maybe more than one) too, right? :)


Various conditions make us different than other people.

Positioning: If I were him/her, what would I feel?

Before we do something, it is great to reflect on the sentence above.

→ Before we bully our friends
→ Before we speak harshly to our parents
→ Before we jeer our brothers and/or sisters
→ Before we watch porn movies
→ Before we hit our wife
→ Before we insult our husband
→ Before we sleep together with someone who is not our spouse
→ Before we meet our boyfriend or girlfriend late
→ Before we laugh at the disabled
→ Before we lie to our customers
→ Before we steal others' time
→ ... (your turn :))

not always bad:

→ Before we smile to our grandparents
→ Before we caress the sick
→ Before we give thanks to our maids
→ Before we say sorry to God or our kids
→ ... (I am tired of typing. Please. . . ;))

Imagine slowly, deeply. . . "Make" yourself him or her. . . Feel . . . Take his or her position. . . .



You are HIM! You are HER!

What do you feel? (listen carefully and thoroughly to your heart)

Grief? Bliss? Sadness? Joy?

Our life is full of acts and we contribute to them! (never forget this) The choice is in our hands and always will be. :) (I am not paid by Facebook for this LOL)

"Take your position, Messi!" Tito Vilanova shouted. (now I am speaking about soccer XD)
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Quote #5

"He who cannot enjoy one minute of his life cannot enjoy his whole life." - Klinsman Hinjaya
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