It’s hand-written!

Since telephone, fax, SMS and E-mail dominating our current communication, it is become a very rare thing to receive and to write a hand-written mail these days. Comparing to all those modern gadgets mentioned above, hand written mail is less effective in term of time in delivering urgent messages.  Take the time to write and prepare a proper hand written mail. I cannot easily push the “backspace” button when I make a mistake in writing a hand written letter. I need to concentrate in order to keep my letter neat and clean. Patience is necessary. In addition, it can take days or even weeks for delivery. No wonder this mail is also known as “Snail Mail”.

However, one of the most memorable parts is that a hand-written letter is often kept for years, while emails are thrown away quickly. Personally, I confess that I treated my hard copy mail differently than my email. I can enjoying sipping a cup of tea while reading the sincere- personal-art and attention of a hand written mail at the garden. (Well, trust me, it feels different with sipping a cup of coffee, frapucinno, or white chocolate while reading your email at Starbucks or Balzac-thanks to wireless technology, though.-). I can imagine the effort of the writer move her/his hand to express the feeling and thought through hand-written-crafted mail. and O yes, it is less irritating for my eyes, too! compare to staring at my monitor, reading a hard copy letter is much more comfortable.

In summary, I appreciate its classical, differently. As if it’s a motive on a fabric, it is a Toile compare to Contemporary Stripes.  (ugh..I guess I’m far away too subjective, hmm?)..na ja…

Ok, let me back to hand written mail,

It was my Mama and Papa’s (I call my mother and father in law as Mama and Papa) request before I left to Hamburg months ago. They asked me to give some time to write a hand written letter. For them conventional mail/letter is irreplaceable by email.

They said: “Email is okay my dear, but we will gladly appreciate your hand written mail. Your familiar handwriting boldly announces the arrival of “your hand-written visit” and replace your absence here.”

That was a simply romantic request which I, as a good daughter, need to tag on.

Hence, my latest project was creating a hand written letter. The letter; was written by my bare hands, assessed my patience and took about more than 4 hours until its final shape. I can feel that a hand written letter conveys my personal touch, perceived more traditional and may imply my sincerity. and hmm..I just realized how much my writing ability is decreasing and how extraordinary a hand written mail is.

Actually, I have several handwriting styles. (styles? *grin* I prefer to call my handwriting’s inconsistency that way.) However, there are only two of them that I usually use. I was thinking to use the first one.  But I’m afraid it looks like a physician’s prescription. Since clarity is one of the most important things for this letter, I decided to change to the last one, which I less like but clearer.

The first paragraphs were a slow start..but the next minutes, warmin up stage was over and I was flowing along with my handwriting through the river..ups no..I mean through the words in my letter. (eehh..mulai garing yaa..) It was enjoyable.

Afterward then..

“ta daaah!!!”…Four pages of hand written letter was ready to be mailed.

Then, Alhamdulillah, yesterday afternoon just before the Deutsche Post Office closed, sucessfully I sent my "Snail Mail" to Mama Papa. I hope they will like and enjoy it as I was also enjoy writting it and like the experience so much.*smile*

“I Love you” a friday-morning’s snow art

A happy morning… A happy friday morning.. My Dear rang my cell phone, woke me up and asked me to look out through the bedroom’s window…

He carved “I Love U!” on the snow before he went to work this very early morning. How sweeetttt..*blushing*

I took his art’s picture and I’ll post it….hmm..perhaps, later ..after I’m done with tendering those beef rib in pressure cooker.. .yes.. yes..then I’m thrilled to cook something special for him for today’s meal. yummy..

Additional picture –added 2 hours later–.

Overview from my bedroom’s window:

een beetje meer

Got another song and clip, this time a funny one.

  please click here: Een Beetje Meer by Jannes, if you are interested to watch.

Stand Up For Love…(where is the love?)

Click here for watching the clip

and click the title down here for downloading the song:

Stand Up For Love 

Destiny’s  Child

[Beyonce]
There are times I find it hard to sleep at night
We are living through such troubled times
And every child that reaches out for someone to hold
For one moment they become my own

Then we all stand together this one time
Then no one will get left behind
And stand up for life
Stand up and here me sing
Stand up for love

[Kelly]
I’m inspired and hopeful each and everyday
That’s how I know that things are gonna change

If we all stand together this one time
Then no one will get left behind
Stand up for life
Stand up for love

[Michelle]
And it all starts right here
And it starts right now
One person stand up
And the rest will follow
For all the forgotten
For all the unloved
I’m gonna sing this song

If we all stand together this one time
Then no one will get left behind
Stand up for life [Kelly]
Stand up and sing [Michelle]
Stand up for love [Beyonce]
For love
For love

I’ve been listening and singing this song for the last few hours while thinking about the time we are living today. As the world is globally a place of Hatred, Hypocrisy, Falsification, Ignorance and Intolerance…as my hope was sinking down and became dubious about the existence of the value of love and humanity… this song is lifting up my mood and re-arise my hope… believing that many people in this world still care to stand up for Life, for Love…for Peace..

yes my dear friend, …let us stand up for love..

Stop spreading any degrees of hatred…any kind of hatred… For God shake or anything that you believe.. can we human stop creating and spreading hatred?

Where is the love?

click the tittle for the clip, then don’t forget to click the "play" button

What’s wrong with the world, mama
People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism (!!!)
But we still got terrorists here livin’
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how a n**** works and operates
N**, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain’t the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don’t belong
Nations droppin’ bombs
Chemical gasses fillin’ lungs of little ones
With the ongoin’ sufferin’ as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin’ really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin’ wrong (???!!?)
In this world that we livin’ in people keep on givin’
in
Makin’ wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin’ each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover
The truth is kept secret, it’s swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where’s the love, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the truth, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the love, y’all

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I’m gettin’ older, y’all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ our own direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids act like what they see in the cinema
Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down
There’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
Gotta keep my faith alive to lovers bound

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where is the love (The love) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????

—end of the song text—

oh God…my heart is really bleeding.. cause I am  so scared that all I can do is only wishing and praying.. oh The Almighty.. I do really need first-aid-kit from you to relieve this pain..

praying.. for more love to heal the world..

Olive part 2

Olives, one of the oldest foods known, are thought to have originated in Crete between five and seven thousand years ago. Their use quickly spread throughout Egypt, Greece, Palestine and Asia Minor.

From the beginning, apparently, the calming and healing properties of its oil have been recognized. Thus the olive branch has long been used as a symbol of peace. Pouring oil on troubled waters–not to mention the dove bringing back a branch of olive as the first vegetation seen by Noah after the Deluge. Jeremiah (11:16) described prosperous Israel as "a green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit."

Olives are mentioned in the Bible, depicted in ancient Egyptian art, and played an important role in Greek mythology. Since ancient times, the olive tree has provided food, fuel, timber and medicine for many civilizations. It has also been regarded as a symbol of peace and wisdom. Olive oil has been consumed since 3000 BC.

Olives are mentioned in The Qur’an in several places; namely, surah al-An’am; 6: 99, 141, surah an-Nahl; 16: 11, surah an-Nur; 24:35, surah al-Mu’minun, surah at-Tin; 95: 1, and surah Abasa; 80: 29.

Here I quote part of my favorite ayah from Qur’an:

"..a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous.."
[surah an-Nur; 24: 35]

“ ..minyak pohon yang diberkati, yaitu minyak zaitun (olive) yang bukan di timur dan tidak juga di barat. Minyaknya hampir menerangi sekalipun tidak disentuh api…”

Olives have been cultivated since prehistoric times in Asia Minor. From there, they spread all over the world. Today they are commercially produced in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, China, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Angola, South Africa, Uruguay, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, and California. Hands down, though, until this day, the Mediterranean area produces the most. Around 800 million olive trees are growing on earth at this moment. 93 percent are growing in the Mediterranean area.

Olives tree known as Olea Europea. Olea is the latin word for Oil reflecting the olives very high fat content of which is oleic acid. Oleic acid is a monosaturated fat that has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Europea reminds us that Olives are naives to the Mediterranian region of Europe.

These evergreen generous trees can attain a great age–some in the eastern Mediterranan are estimated to be over 2,000 years old. They grow to a height of 20-40 feet and begin to bear fruit sometime between 4 and 8 years old. They bear lanceolate leaves and bloom with little whitish flowers that are wonderfully fragrant. 

The trees themselves are exquisite–remember Van Gogh’s branches, twisted in pain and pleasure, having dark and sunny moments.

When the olive first starts to form on the tree, it contains no oil, only a mixture of organic acids and sugars. By the magic of nature, a transformation occurs as the olive ripens. A chemical process called lipogenesis slowly turns the acid’s sugars into oil as the olive turns from pale green to black. Olives are picked at any stage through the ripening process and the degree of ripeness will determine its taste.

So why are olives different colors? They weren’t different "kinds" of olives at all–but just the same basic olive at different stages of ripeness and cured in different ways. All fresh olives are bitter (from their oleuropein) and tough–whether they’re unripe and green–any shade of getting-ripe and red/purpley or ripe and black.

Olives cannot be eaten right off the tree; they require special processing to reduce their intrinsic bitterness.

The taste difference between green and black olives is profound. Green olives have very little oil, their flesh is firm because they are not ripe and they have a sharp tang. Black olives are full of oil, the flesh is soft and the taste is mellow, mostly because they are ripe. Green olives must be treated to remove their bitter glycosides by immersing them in a soda solution, washing them in clean water and packing them in brine. Black olives, in contrasts, need only washing and preserving in brine or dry salt.

While olives have been traditionally sold in jars and cans, many stores are now offering them in bulk in large barrels. Buying bulk olives will allow you to experiment with many different types with which you may be unfamiliar and to purchase only as many as you need at one time.

While whole olives are very common, you may also find ones that have been pitted, as well as olives that have been stuffed with peppers, garlic or almonds. If you purchase olives in bulk, make sure that the store has a good turnover and keeps their olives immersed in brine for freshness and to retain moistness.

Olives will keep freshest if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Olive part 1

At the past, I did not like olives. I had never given my self a try to know and to like olives. I could not comprehend why the Qur’an, Bible, and food tales mention this fruit as a special and blessed fruit. It smells weird and must have bitter taste.

Well, I said so until I faced circumstances that changed my mind and lead me to start consuming olives.

At the beginning of this year, I got a hold of my medical check up result. My blood test results told me that I have very high cholesterol in my blood. I didn’t expect it since I do sport regularly, I ate moderately healthy, and I am far to be called as fat person.

The doctor said, “ Perhaps, it’s genetic". "You need to put extra attention to your food and try to find solution meanwhile, keep your healthy habit going on" "I recommend you to eat fish, use more olive oil and eat olives”!

I replied, “Okay Doc”.

Thus, since then, I use olives oil more often. However still, I didn’t dare to put olives fruit in to my cooking, and even less to eat the fruits as snacks.

Last March in New York, I tasted pasta sauce with a lot of black olives in it. Hanna, my Polish-Italian friend, made it for me in a surprise farewell party for me at her house.

It was surprisingly delicious and I though it was just because I was unbearably hungry at that time… Perhaps … too hungry to say, that I ate till the last drop from the pan!

2 weeks ago in Hamburg, Mustafa, whose grocery is located near to my apartment offer me to tried Turkish Black olives as snack. He was astonished to know that I don’t like olives (He thought, nobody dislikes Olives since he always know it as one of the best snack in Turkey).

“Snack?!”. I could not believe that.

On the other hand, I saw his wife wave at me and she was nibbling a platter of various color olives and acted like those olives were so damn delicious.

I would not have been interested to try and eat it as snack if they didn’t insist me to try his olives fruit for free, kostenloos.

I didn’t want to make them disappointed. So the Turkish Olives assortment that they gave me as promotion was taken home.

Then, I tried it carefully.

A strange new delicate taste immediately savors my tongue. I shall admit that it was not bad at all. Afterward I tried curiously the other kinds of Olives one by one. All of them taste so good as black olive was the champion of that day.

Hence as you would have thought, I like olives now.

Lately I even often crave Pitted Black Olives and having them as snacks. I’ve read and searched information about olives in some magazines, webs, and books. The more I read, the more I informed about how benefit-able olives are. I am glad that unexpectedly, jetzt, I can understand and enjoying the delicacy of this blessed fruit. If you are interested to read more about olives, I am gladly asking you to read further to Olive part 2. There, I have pulled together "a little bit of this and a little bit of that" information about: Olives.

Eid

Thursday was my first Eid in Hamburg.  I celebrated it together with my husband (so happy that he made himself to be in Hamburg on time, at ‘takbiran night’). Thursday morning, at 9.30 we did the Eid prayer at Indonesian Consulate. The touchy “khotbah” completed the session when every body greeted and asked forgiveness each another with tears. “Halal bi halal” and early lunch started at 11.30. It was an open house occasion for the consulate and not only Muslim and Indonesian fellow, every body who attached to Indonesia was invited to join.

At around 13.00 we went back home and called four families in Indonesia.. tried to be emotionally involved to the warmth of the family’s celebration there.

Though it was not really successful because the phone card worked improperly, still we could send the greetings and asked for forgiveness.

Every time I celebrated Eid in a "far away land", I missed my family and Eid in Indonesia. However.. I’m so thankful that I could enjoy those Eid events with my husband, which this year took place in Hamburg, Germany. Es ist mir gleich, whether in The Netherlands, in USA or in Germany. I merrily celebrate it…at home, where my heart is.