August 17th, '13

For some of you who doesn't live in Indonesia, maybe 17th August is just an usual day. But in Indonesia, it's our Independence day! For me? It's another my very, very big day in a year: My hubby's birthday!

Saturday, August 17th.

Well I kinda freaked out about the preps, since I haven't done anything except for window-shopping his gift.

*Should I make cupcakes, or cake? Chocolate or cheese? When should I buy the gift? Does he gonna like it?* Etc, etc, etc. The next big surprise is, because our Independence day was on Saturday, that means we had extra weekend holiday. His family were planning on spending his birthday at Batu. Short two-days escape. And he asked me to go with him and his fams, along with my lil' bro too. How can I say no, with that puppy look? *sigh

Long story short, I managed to keep everything done just in time! We went on saturday morning, so I tried to finish everything on Friday (luckily I don't have any lecture on friday, so I can focus on preps.) My plan was fixed: 1. Chocolate cake, with chocolate frosting and some Oreo toppings; and 2. Creamy Fettuccine Carbonara with smoked ham. He looooovvvesss those. Well basically he just loves to eat anything :p

The cake went smoothly. The pain-in-the-ass problem is.. The frosting! It turned out so buttery.. Almost like water bath. And I'm like whaaaaat? Sh*t.. Bla,bla, bla, I did everything I can to fix the frosting, and in next 2 hours, the cake was finally done! yeaaay! It's already 9pm or so, and I'm very tired.. But I went to bed thinking about my cake and I couldn't believe that I really can make one :') It's my first time.

Next morning I cooked the Fettuccine (well it's for substitute for noodles. Chinese's tradition: you have to eat noodles on your birthday, so you can have a long life.) No problem because I made it several times before. Packing, packing, preparing, etc, then We started our trip!

Arrived at Batu, at Singhasari Resort as our Hotel. It was a very good place to stay. Warm and friendly and refreshing. And the food is quite good, too. Passed our afternoon with walked around the resort. took pics, and even spent some time swimming ;)

My hubby, his big sister and my lil bro.

I really love this gazebo!

Later on night we found the perfect spot to take pics and brought the cake along, so he can blow the candle birthday ;) 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mr. Boss

Really hoping your years ahead will be more awesome. And success. Loveyouuuuu :*

The birthday boy :*

Sunday, August 18th

Woke up 5am to a very beautiful sunrise. We decided to take a little walk. But the air was so cold.. I'm freezing!

Another thing: there's a wedding chapel here on the resort. My room balcony was facing right to this chapel.

Got hungry, so we ate a few bites ;)

After breakfast, we were getting ready for our next stop: Eco Green. Yay! After finished packing we took some selfies around the hotel ;)

There's a bar there with a unique and beautiful interior, take a look:

Time to leave this beautiful resort! Headed to Eco Green ;) But we stopped at KUD Batu to drink some milk. Do you know that Batu has a veeeery delicious milk? It's a must-try.

Arrived at Eco Green!

Eco Green has everything you have to know about nature. Animals, Environments, Places and twc, with entertainments. t's a very unique place to explore! You're gonna need a looong time because you have to walk from one place to another. But it's worth it!

There's also a photobooth are, where you can take pics with the lovely parrots! These birds are soo cute.

It's an eagle, everybody. And he's so heavy!

And there's this place I love most <3

Last selfies ;)

What do you think, fellas? :)

Thanks for reading!

Irene

Felice anniversario.

Last April 30th is my second relationship anniversary,

with the only guy who can stick with me in my every mood and condition,

Mr. Jonathan Juwono :*

It's unusual but, I planned to make a little dish for our dinner at my home. Imagine a romantic-fine-dining style dinner, but only DIY version. Haha. But I hasn't prepared anything before *except the ingredients and recipes*  and it's very very hectic at that day, and I didn't have the time to even take a single photo. *cry. CRY.* Sorry! I made Fettuccine Alfredo, Grilled Cheese, Bacon, and Hash-brown Sandwich, and Flour-less Chocolate Cake. All yummy!

Two years. Very short time, eh? But it changed me a lot.

In life, God put someone to take care after you.

We're surrounded by God's greatest gift, the people who loves us. And by His time, there will come someone who will really enjoy every time with you, despite all of the condition you're in. We may haven't know when, but when you exchange vow with him on your big day, He will make sure you're looking at the face of someone who will always love you until your last breath.

So keep faith. Keep love. And love will keep you back. :)

I might often make you angry, and sad, and I know I'm too stubborn sometimes, but you'll never can be replaced by anything. Period.

**

My darling,

I love you.

You are the dearest thing that I have.

I want to spend my life with you.

Happy anniversary ♥

Thanks for reading!

Irene.

I watched it Begin Again.

Begin Again
Taylor Swift

Took a deep breath in the mirror
He didn't like it when I wore high heels
But I do
Turned the lock and put my headphones on
He always said he didn't get this song
But I do, I do

Walked in expecting you'd be late
But you got here early and you stand and wave
I walk to you
You pull my chair out and help me in
And you don't know how nice that is
But I do

And you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again

He said he never met one girl
Who had as many James Taylor records as you
But I do
We tell stories and you don't know why
I'm coming off a little shy
But I do

But you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again

And we walked down the block to my car and I almost brought him up
But you start to talk about the movies that your family watches
Every single Christmas and I won't talk about that
And for the first time what's past is past

'Cause you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again

But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again

You know, sometimes, you just will meet this one song, which you think that it is made for you. A song that truly can describe your feelings, or your circumstances so precisely.

I played this song for the first time yesterday on my new downloaded songs playlist and totally in love in the first tune. And when I listened carefully to the lyrics.. I shocked a little bit. This song is so me. Was. Even the 'eight months' line was completely true.

I mentioned before in earlier post last year, that I've been in the lowest times in my life because of this one badass. Well let's call it-ehem-him, this guy. I won't describe more with some pity broken hearted girl stories again, it was so last year and I have dealt with them a long, long time ago. It's amazing how love can change a person. I couldn't get over thinking how lame and blind I was. Well, everyone often made a big mistake when they're young. But still, I am really thankful that it have happened to me. I realize how big God's love for me, that He wanted me to learn and learn again from my mistakes.

I was crushed, destroyed, and never looked to myself the way I was at that time. YES I was the type of girl who believes that everyone is good, that someone who love me wouldn't hurt me. In fact I knew it later that they're the ones who will hurt you the most. They often said it, I just never listened to them.

And then he, yes, you hubby! One day like the lyrics, he showed up a time in my life and the wounded bounds planted in my heart, they slowly faded. Like a balloon, they popped one by one. Pop, pop, pop, until all of them were gone. And they never came back again. How?

I didn't say that it was easy -- 

'I've been spending the last eight months, thinking all love ever does is break, and burn, and end.'

I've been on that phase. Eight months I were lost and I never truly believed in someone. I even was too scared to open my heart again for someone.

But suddenly you came and fills everything I ever wanted, everything I only can imagine that can ever happen to me -- those kind of love. Like a father loves his only daughter. That soft look everytime I turn my eyes on yours. I could never doubt that you're inlove with me, and I feel the same about you too.

I owe You too much, right, Father? :)

'And for the first time what's past is past.'

Yes, what's past is past. Now I can look at those hard times as a very important lesson in my life. I am blessed now with much more love, than I thought I never could ever deserve. You fills my world with laughter, you makes it up for both of us, you try and fight to stay with me. And I can't ever stop to think if I'm worthy enough for you, but you always ensure me that I am.

Happy 21st monthversary. I'm so glad I have you're here with me.

I love you, hun.

*

Thanks for reading. :)

Sorry if it's too long and whatever, but I hope you enjoyed it.

Irene.

The lovable August 20th!

Maybe for some of you, August 20th is just an ordinary day. Or maybe this year, it was a little bit special because it was on eid mubarak holiday, so you don't have to go to school, college, or work.

But for me, August 20th has always been my special day of the year. :)

Yes, it's my birthday!

So let me tell you about what happened that day ;p

August 19th, 2012

Okay. Day-1 before my birthday. I met my hubby by evening, and he accompanied me until night. He wanted to wait until it's 00.00 am, to greet me his Happy Birthday. Well, no one has ever done that for me, so, thankyou, huni♥

He waited with all of energy left, because the day before he didn't slept well, only one hour maybe :\ He had a sleepover with some of his friends. He barely can open his eyes, and just lay there on my bed looking so exhausted.. :'' I told him to go back to home but he just shaked his head. That means "No, I'll wait".

Tick Tock, it's 12 'clock, I asked him to go home and he agreed. Before he get in to his car, he said Happy Birthday to me. But what surprised me was, he opened his car trunk and took out a cake! So silly of him, he haven't lit the candle yet. So he lit out the candle, but when he stick the candle to the cake, they fell. the candle was too big, hahahaha. But it's okay, we hold the candle together, I made a wish and blew it all. We couldn't take any pictures because our hands were full. Sorry :p

Next surprise, he gave me my first present! *By that time I didn't know he prepared more than one gift for me..* He gave me a piggy pot! It's a pot that used for cooking, but it's very cute because it's shaped like pig. Actually I didn't have any single idea about that pot. We usually joked about a piggy pot, but I never take it seriously. He saw it the other day on a store, and he bought it for me. Oh :*

So there I was, blowing my first 19th Birthday cake and holding my first present.

August 20th, 2012

Your birthday day always feels so damn good to you. And that was what I feel that day.

I woke up with a big smile. *After what happened the night before, it's impossible for you not to smile like a stupid pig.* For today, I've planned to spend it with my boy. Just spend some time at home, since it's holiday. But my parents asked me to went somewhere with all of my sister-brothers, because they're going to taking care of my house.

Long story short, we went to Galaxy Mall with my boy, too. The mall was crowded, so we decided to went to TGA Bookstore. After half an hour maybe, suddenly my boy asked me to go out from that place. No, he insisted me to follow him. I was confused and absolutely had no idea why he wanted to go. I left my sister and brother, but I took my youngest brother with me.

We went to the parking lot. I kept asking "What's going on?" and "Where are we going?" and "Are we gonna leave my sister and brother here?" and "What are we doing now?" and "Please tell me." and so many more. But he just answered, "Just wait and see."

So we went up about, two or three floors and TADAAAA, my best friends were waiting there!

I was so surprised, I really didn't expect anything, like any surprises, because it was a holiday time, I thought they were on their vacation somewhere. 

They sang Happy Birthday and pulled out a cake. I close my eyes, made a wish and blew it.

Now's for the present time.. My hubby gave me a 'carton box?' and asked me to open it. 

And thankyou, he had wrapped it so strictly with tapes crossing all over the box and I couldn't opened it easily, I have to tear it with a little scream :\. Everytime you've done torn those, there was an another box inside it again, and again, and again, and it was full of newspaper pages, and tapes. And none of them were willing to help me .____. Maybe I spent about 15 minutes (or half an hour?) to open it. 

And when I saw what's the real present is, I just.. Couldn't say.. anything. They gave me a blackberry! Ohmy! Yes, they complain much about how hard to communicate with me -since I'm not a blackberry user, while most of them uses bb- but I never, ever, had any idea that they will give me this. I mean, it's expensive, and  it's.. I just can't say anythinggggg

So, THANKYOU SO MUCH, hubby, and 

Xcelent crew♥ (Dewi-Mita-Guen-Jennifer-Stevania-Polo-Kevin-Vina-Wen)

I love you all ♥ :*

It means so much to me to feel such this loved :') You guys are the best. EVER.

Oh, and on the first day of college, my friends in DKV and GG:* give me a little surprise! This one was unexpexted too. 

Thankyou for the delicious cake, DKVers!

Thankyou, Lord, for giving me them in my Life.

Thankyou for Your kindness, for everyday I only living by Your grace.

And I hope in this 19th year in my life, I will be a better person for You and for people around me. :)

Happy Birthday, hubby ♥

Yes, yess! I told you before on my previous post, this month is my hubby's 19th birthday! :$

His birthday is on the same day with the independence day of my country, Indonesia. It's on August 17th :)

That photo above is a few things I gave to him for his birthday. No, I won't tell you what's inside the gift box :p Just guess! ;)

Before the H day.

So, first, the cupcakes. I planned to make a MADE BY ME cupcakes for his birthday cake, because I want to make it special. This crazy idea came out to me about, hmm, maybe one month before his birthday? I don't really remember. Why is it crazy, you say? Because I never made a cupcake before .______. My grandma is a pro for making cakes and cookies, but I rarely help her make those. So after the idea popped, I grabbed a piece of paper and started to think what kind of cupcakes will I give to him. Well, since my hubby loves oreos, I want to make him cupcakes with oreo toppings. And the result is set, I'll make a Oreo Cheesecake cupcakes :D Because I loove cheesecakes :p hahaha. No no, a year ago, on my birthday, he and my friends gave me an Oreo Cheesecake cake, and he loves it. That's why I think he'll love this one, too♥
I surfed the internet for the recipe. At that time I was really-really not sure if I can make those cupcakes or not, but I keep noted every ingredients and steps to make the cupcakes. Since I've never made a cupcake before, I planned to practice first. Aaaaand there goes the problem again: I don't have an oven! By 'oven' I means electric oven. At home there's only my grandma's old oven that she usually used to make cakes, it looks like a big box and you have to put it on a stove to heat them. So, yeah. You know how I feels, right?

But after a few thoughts, I didn't think it will stop me. The oven may be old, but it still working anyway. It's like it was screaming to me, Give me a chance! Thank God it's still on my holiday time, so one day I went and bought all the ingredients with my grandma, and made it at home. He didn't know it, of course :p

Well.. I think it was quite succeeded. Hahaha. It tasted like cheesecake, and smelled like cheesecake, so.. I guess I've made it! And I thought, If I can made it now, I can make it for his birthday, too. And there they are! Tadaaaa. Looking very yummy and delicious :9

And the little blue box with a ribbon on it? It's his birthday present :p Oh, and the squared box with a tie thingy on it is his birthday card ;)

On the H day.

Morning-Noon

I woke up at 8.30am, because I slept very late, about 2am in the morning :\ I stayed out all night to make the birthday card. Hahaha how romantic I am. He already fell asleep before 00.00am, so I just texted him my 'Happy Birthday'. Sleepyhead. Haha. After woke up, I took a bath and started immediately to make the cupcakes. It took me about 2 hours to finish it. Then I store them in my refrigerator.

At first I planned some surprise with his friend, but it didn't work. He end up came to my house, we went to his friend's house *with a little pursuasion, of course* and they gave him a cake. After then he dropped me back to my house, because I had to go to church.

Afternoon-Evening-Night

After church, I went back to home and he picked me to dinner with his family. I gave him the cupcakes, and the gifts. He looked a little bit surprise :p Maybe he didn't even think I will made the birthday cake by myself. Got you♥ We went to Moi, a chinese food restaurant on Manyar. We joined his family there, and started the dinner.

Everything went quite well!

The birthday boy, Jonathan Juwono♥

With his family. Cousins, aunt, and grandma :)

I promise that wherever you may go,

Wherever life may lead you,

With all my heart, Ill be there too..

Once again, Happy 19th Birthday, hubby♥

Wish you all the best for your years ahead. I love you always :*

Oh, can you guess what day tomorrow is? Hahaha. I'll tell you soon!

Thankyou for reading! :)

Month 8

It's august already!



I always love august. I don't know why, it has always been  my favorite month since I was a kid. Maybe because it's my birthday? hahaha. Or maybe it's because August means new semester in school, new friends, new this, new that, new, new, new. But now I love august twice more than before! My hubby's birthday is also on August, that's why :$

Got a lot of things to prepare! Gonna be a big month :) I'll tell you soon! :p

Anywayy, tomorrow is my first day on college, going on in 3rd semester with my major, Visual Communication Design. Hello deadline and sleepless night, we'll meet soon. *sigh*



Well, wish me luck, everybody!

What about you? :)
I wish your August will be as good, too! Hugs!

When God made you, He must've been thinking about me..

Hello everyone :)
Just one post before my book-review, okay? ;)

Last saturday, I attended my family's wedding party, ko Daniel and ce Adelina 's Wedding. The Reception was held at Grand Royal Ballroom, Kertajaya Indah Regency. I have to admit, this is the most romantic wedding I've ever been.

"80 months have been passed, and the sweetest moments are yet to come."

You can see the love they share when you entered the building. At one of the corner of the entrance, there's a big frame contains a lot of movie tickets from movies they've watched since they're officially in a relationship. There are sooooo many of them, I simply can't count them one by one.
The party started when the groom came in to the party room while singing a song. Then the bride came from the opposite direction, singing along with the groom. And then they met in the middle of the room, singing the song with looking straight to each other's eyes.. very beautiful. After the song finished, the The Master of Ceremonies came along. They chit chat-ing for a while and then calls all people in the room to stand up and make a toast for the married couple. And the dinner is served.

The Menu. Nomnom :9

While eating the dinner, there were some special videos about The Journey of Love from the happy couple. The first video, is about how they met for the first time. It was a very funny animation video! The second video was about the marriage proposal. The video was so damn romantic, and sweet! Especially the groom. To propose her girlfriend, he made this video for her. He made a marriage proposal by standing in places they met while holding papers like this, "This is where I saw you for the first time", "This place, when we finally start ur love life", and ended with, "Would you marry me?" "I just simply can't live without you." and there were a lot of people who holds the same papers: taxi drivers, cashiers, ice cream sellers, waitress and waiters, and many more. Everyone in the room was holding their breath, looked speechless and moved. I almost cry! Then the video ended, as hundreds of clapping hands echoing all over the room.

She's so lucky, to find a boy who loves her truly from the heart, with all of his life. She's the one and only girl for him, because no other girls has ever stolen his heart. His first love, is the last true love he'll ever need. I couldn't ever imagine what will I be when it comes the time to marry someone. Somone who will love me truly for who I am. Who is he? Or maybe .. Have I found him yet? Well, I'm not an expert in love. Yes, I'm happy with my boy now, but there was the time when I was so weak, so .. delicate. And I don't even know who I was back then, when I was .. brokenhearted. It was the lowest level of me, ever, in my life. I kept crying every minute, crawled inside my sheets, wiping my tears with the memories keep flashing through my mind. I acted like a psycho or something. I didn't even know how to speak rightly. I've never been so quiet, never been so beaten.

But I know now, God will make everything beutiful in His time and His way. I realized now, if I didn't hurt so much like that, I would've never been this strong, insted I will end up being the same girl I was. But I didn't. I learned how to survive, and I learned the most important lesson: even the one you love the most will hurt you the most, too.
I'm happy now. The happiest of me, maybe. I have someone who will always stay right by my side, and I know he will always protect me, cheer me, talk with me when I have problems, someone who will accompany me when I'm alone, someone who will say 'I miss you' on his way to home after he drop me at my home. And someone who you know truly by the deepest lung of your heart, he will not, ever, let you go.

That's you, hubby :*
and I thank God every second in my life, because He has given you to me.