Living in Jimbaran has a multiple advantage in terms of a distance to famous and beautiful beaches. 5 Min from Jimbaran Bay and its seafood cafes, 10 min to Dreamland that is now called ‘New Kuta’ Beach (how silly and dare the investor change a legendary name of a beach that was once found by a western surfer back in 70′s, I’ll tell more about this on different post!), about 15 min to the famous Padang Padang Beach, known as Bali’s most fearsome and notorious wave, where Rip Curl usually hold its ISC surfing contest on this one & only perfect tube ride (and a long waiting period to get the perfect tube).

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It was back in 2003, where I used to live in a boarding house, we called it “kost”, a 4×5 room I rented in Denpasar city. Cooking or being in the kitchen was not my thing at all, although my mom was a perfect in that department,and it is obvious I wasn’t herited her talent at all… But Bart had been longing for Sayur Asem made in ‘moi’!, and he always encouraged me to try!

At the supermarket, they have this ready pack complete with the ‘bumbu’ (spices), so here I was, grinding my first Sayur Asem herbs & spices.

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Located in Petanu River,Ubud,Bali, this new outdoor adventure really rushed my adrenaline & boosted up my spirit. Closer to nature, that’s what I wanted, Bayu-my ex co worker needed a model for the brochure of this new product. And Bart wants to try  being an adventure photographer on the river along with his friend, Yanson (a medical doctor whose biggest passion is IT & Photography).

December 2007. So we do this tour trial. Safety briefing is a must. I used to work at SOBEK Bali-another adventure tour operator in the island that has rafting, cycling, trekking, and 4WD adventure, and I feel like going rafting without the raft boat and paddle. It’s a fantastic mix of trekking, swimming, physical challenge !

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You know, when you’re sick, normally you go to a doctor. No no no, this is not Doctor’s Fee – FOC Part 2.

They are people who studied for a certain period of time in a university to be able to cure a sick person, and Itrust them as people who know what they’re doing. I told this before, both of my parents are doctors.

And I know nowadays alternative medicine & therapy are also so popular, as some people believe chemical medicine the doctors give you such as antibiotics could damage your internal organ, ie. kidney for a long term and continuous consumption. I guess for traditional & alternative medicine as long as you know what you’re taking is save for your body, than it is acceptable.

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Medical expense is not cheap now.You’re lucky if you are covered by an insurance, or your company reimburse your
medical bills. Not in my case.

I went to Prima Medika Hospital in Denpasar to check my condition this morning. I have this sore throat that feels unusual, something just feels wrong. And I also have this swollen glands since several months under my left jaw I’m always afraid to check it out. Dr Arista is a young female general practitioner, she’s very nice & friendly and was so attentive to my complaints & worries, and gave me all the suggestions for a better health. She said I should avoid these following, for the next couple of weeks :

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Monday, 9th February’09 was my birthday. I was craving for Italian food for so long, so WARUNG ITALIA was our choice. Bart chose the buffet menu : roasted chicken with herbs, potato gratin, spinach pasta, while I opted for Spaghetti with mushroom (can’t remember the italian name anymore).

This non-aircon Italian Rest in ‘warung’ style is located in Jalan Kunti,Seminyak, and has been favorite to both locals and tourists in Bali wanting for real Italian Food in affordable price. It was a bit hot that evening, but I enjoyed the food anyway, until…..!!! I got home and my indonesian stomach that is too familiar with nasi (rice) gave a reaction to the food….ouggh so not nice.

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Jamar Rogers out and let his best friend Danny Gokey speechless; Tatiana freakin’ nut scary laugh made it one more round; Danny Osmond who is so talented out! Fake Norman Guy who can not sing but acting like lunatic in??

Some people think the judges smoked cracks before they started the show, Simon Cowell who normally has a very sharp judgment and vision on a Star to be, now I think has lost his common sense!

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Every musician/singer mostly must have a Go International dream in their carrer, and we know America is what they’re talking about. I guess now Anggun, an indonesian incredible singer, who made her international career for more than a decade now, wants the same thing too. Conquering Europe was not enough for her.

She could deny it by saying she would not change her british accent (how did she do that in just 10 years living outside Indonesia) to american accent nor change her image and style, as suggested by an american producer to her recently. But by choosing a collaboration with american rappers & composer, it’s the same statement, and the result is quite disappointing ‘pour moi personellement’.

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YES!YES!YES! I got my dream mobile NOKIA 5000 for my birthday from my Bart!! It was a one day belated birthday
present from him, and I thought he was going to give me White Musk Body Spray from THE BODY SHOP I’ve always wanted.

I’m a person who like to “pre-order” a birthday gift to my closest friends and boyfriend simply to avoid a disappointment receiving an unwanted gift. There are so many classified ads on Bali Advertiser selling stuffs as “unwanted gift” starting from hotel voucher, shoes, bags, etc.

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This morning I went to the Police office in Denpasar to renew my driving licenses both for car & motorbike. I usually get a help from Pak Gede & his team– a police officer I knew back in 2001, just to speedy the process and you’ll give some extra money for this extra service, off course. Using a normal procedure will take a whole day and that means : longggg queuing.

I knew as a woman when you are at this kind of place where most people there are men, they will try to make nice conversation with you, ask personal questions typically Indonesians, ie. where you are from, what our parents do, whether if you’re married or not (this police officer was surprised-half shock- to hear that I’m single and asked me why, I said : why not!), bla bla …then they will ask for your mobile number as a closure! When this officer found out that my dad is a retired military doctor of Indonesian Air Force with one star on his shoulder (yes! I’m a general’s daughter), he suddenly ended this unnecessary and boring conversation and instructed right away his staff to bring my documents and help me to get my driving licenses renewed.

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