I love you because...

Thanks Kaori!

How romantic is this idea? Place a board in your bedroom/ kitchen/ family room that says " I love you because... " with an empty space enough for you to jot down a phrase or two. 

Write something different every day for the person you love. Doesn't always have to be something big ... Remember, it is the little things mounting up to be big that makes a relationship a strong one. I can imagine mine will say something like " You told me a sweet bedtime story last night"

(that is me thanking my loved one)

ps: Have a great evening to usher 2012 sweethearts and lovely readers :)

Love,

Tressabel Hutasoit

D-1: About a solid promise

from LIFE

Loving Friday: "We accept the love we think we deserve"

As promised ladies...  On today' s Loving Friday , we will talk about  "We accept the love we think we deserve ". I read the quote in "The Perks of being a Wallflower" - a coming of age book by Stephen Chbosky . A quote that struck me at heart and deliver me to another affirmation.

Rather than phrasing a long paragraph... Why don't we have a look on these brief samples:

ps: I should warn you this can be a little knife-like. If you have a feeling you will not going to like what I am about to say, you can skip this page. But this is something that a woman should not keep quiet about and I hope this way is decent enough....

If you think it is alright for your partner to abuse you with his words, far worse... hit  you, lay his hands on you and make you feel you are not worth his respect, I have to use this chance to let you know that you are wrong. 

You think that is how a relationship is supposed to be or that you deserve it. You do not.

I am sorry, and I know your pain. Let me know how I can be of help, because there is no shame in saying so.

If you let the relationship change you to become someone that you are not.... it is probably because you do not really know who you really are yet, so you get carried away and try to re assure that this is just a phase that you need to go through. It's okay, I have been there. But self exploring is something we owe to self and not anyone else. Keep walking.

I am nowhere near perfection but fitted enough to share because I speak by a bittersweet truth I have experienced from a thing or two out of the scenario above. With a massive courage, I also have to get through a severe pain before being able to save myself.  I know what I am worth. Know what I deserve. 

Truth is, it took me a while to be able to gather myself and speak this up, with only one humble intention, I have to let you know  : No one... nothing... should stop you from getting the love that you deserve. 

Too hard and too  impossible for you? I know, I probably will need to read this for myself if I ever be in a similar situation again. But, remember one more thing... 

What are you doing New Year's eve?

(First heard this from Harry Connick Jr, but the video I just found is from Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) Cuteness!

ps: Yes, this one is dedicated for you and you alone. I really wonder... :)

Maybe it's much too early in the game/ Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same/ What are you doing New Year's/ New Year's eve?/ Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight/ When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night/ Welcoming in the New Year/ New Year's eve
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose/ I'd ever be the one you chose/ Out of a thousand invitations You received
Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance/ Here comes the jackpot question in advance/ What are you doing New Year's/ New Year's Eve? 

When the bells all ring and the horns all blow/ And the couples we know are fondly kissing/ Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?

Library sign

One witty public library message. I will have this sign over my children's bedroom someday in the future. Change the wording of xxx public library to something like " my private library" or " my crazy mom's reading list" ... 
Hahaha. Yes, even if by that time e-book has sporadically become too overrated (as it is now, to be honest) . I will still do this.

from read and write

D-2: About a bittersweet wisdom I learned (the most) this year

Black Beau

Hey baby... Aren't you a beauty?

from petswelove

D-3: About Life

No funny t-shirt, please

Time to post something for our fine gentlemen readers!

Let me tell you this dude.. You can be cute without wearing this "funny" shirt. Really. We understand your feeling towards a mama's jeans... kinda make sense, thus we toss them away. Far far away.
Why no funny t-shirt? Well... it makes you look like you are not well literate, rude and corny in a very ugly sense. Like mama's jeans can be a turn off, this one is an assassin.

So this one is from us... You guys can let this one go. Away. Far far away.

from heydude

Slalu Bersamaku

A very simple song from one of Indonesia's talented gospel singer. If you do not speak bahasa... I can wrap the whole meaning of the song... " You know me to the very deep part of my heart,  be it in my moments of hardships or when I am in my victory ... "

Sedalamnya hatiku Kaupun tahu/ dan kasih Mu tak jauh dalam jiwaku/ Didalam kesesakan didalam kemenangan/ Ku tahu Engkau selalu bersama ku
Hanya Kau tempat ku berlindung/ Hanya Engau lagu ku dan kekuatan ku/ Ijinkanlah kudatang menyembah membawa syukur ku
Sedalamnya hatiku Kaupun tahu/ dan kasih Mu tak jauh dalam jiwaku/ Didalam kesesakan didalam kemenangan/ Ku tahu Engkau selalu bersama ku.

Paradise

In music, I am not a big mainstream listener *wink. Yea, some even say my taste is a bit weird. I pay attention to credit title in movies if I catch a good songs during the 2hours or so, I search for singles from a backing vocal of a great band/solo/duo. Hence... not many friends loving my music collection. 

Howeveeeer... there is always one thing than can become an exception to the rule. And this one piece from Coldplay is one! Hope you like it too! 

D-4: About me

From Lightbulb

More than Autism

Ever been in a group of people (or in an environment of cliques) who casually throw jokes on autism? For example, when someone on the table is too busy with his or her gadget and the other person will just lightly shout " Hey, do not be autistic! drop your gadget". And they just laugh... STUPID. I say this again with all my heart... That is just STUPID.

So I was the first one in my group of friends who took the liberty of saying there is no way I will tolerate that kind of joke. Try read about autism (yes, I can give you some references), or be friends with someone who is having a family member with autism. If you can still use that joke, you might as well just plainly... moronic or simply a mean ignorance.
I have no one close to me dealing with this battle. But I do not need to wait or to encounter with one first to be able to show a sincere empathy. I may not as grand as other people who can do bigger things like working as a volunteer in a special need school (thumbs up), but I at least know that I can chose my jokes and humors. And autism is not one of it. Not even close.

ps: To all the family out there who are so courageous in facing autism. My love and prayers are with you.
To find out more about autism, click here. 

Autism Awareness

A wrap: Christmas all around the world

This is to officially wrap my 2011 Christmas post series.

Must love this photo article from The Atlantic: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (the many ways of celebrating Christmas) . Great to know how the fest is celebrated in other parts of the world. Oh and a bungee Santa in Kuta-Bali is included too!

A bungee jumper dressed as Santa Claus leaps from a platform above Kuta beach, Denpasar, on Indonesia's resort island of Bali, on December 2, 2011. (Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP/Getty Images)

D-5: About my Father

Note to self. Counting down to a bright and shinning 2012 :)

From Quotes

Peekaboo

Can you imagine what kind of an adventurous (fun, crazy,) life that this baby girl will be having? And don't forget all the drama and irritation of being over protected by the big brothers and all the awkwardness if one of their friend is a cutie?

Oh how I always love all the works from Peekabo Photography ... It gets me wander...

Love (not really) lost and found

I literally am now panting and trying to catch my breath! Too excited. I just read about (yeaaa... you've guessed it) a quirky book which happens to be published by Quirk books Philadelphia : Insults Every Man Should Know . An intriguing title always facinates me so I was thinking about buying it online or maybe to or ask my friend who lives in SG to get it for me... bla..bla..blaa... But, I found it today! Attached to another funny book from the same publisher. What a coincidence.

But... the main reason I am all giddy and ultra excited is that a friend, also considered as a client/ business partner, my match for idea exchange, got me this graphic book I once rambling (and post) about.

If you have read my post abut Love; Lost and Found ; which basically is a brief reference of one of my must have read book: Missed Connections... You will understand why even after 3 glasses of GT, an hour by the road with traffic... I am still wide awake and energized enough to be posting about this :)

Thank you so very much! This is by far is the cutest gift of all...
Merry Christmas again, you... xx

One of my fave story from the book: Love lost in the library

Excuse me...

Talk to you later sweethearts. I have a big family reunion to attend, Christmas spread to eat all up, church mass, guests to host, gifts to share and to unwrap, loved ones to kiss and hug,  stories, laugh and a bit of tears to exchange, songs to sing and... long grateful prayers to lift up.

You should get some too! So please do as written below... 
ps: God bless and joy to the world. We sure need some.

Goodnight

Another sweet black furry animal to call it a night... 
Goodnight sweethearts. We only need 2 more sleeps before Christmas :)

thanks Fransisca!

Ben Taylor : Wicked Way

A bit out of the theme from this holiday season. I have been listening to Ben Taylor songs for the last couple of days and loving his sweet but also dark voice. Kinda like my coffee. 
Hope you like this one... the song I mean. Not my coffee :)

Loving Friday: The Love of Friends

This is our second Loving Friday . And as promised, it will be about Love. I just had the most intimate (too short of time) reunion with some of my friends last night. Friends from... elementary school! Yes. Elementary school. I cannot find the words to describe how fun the dinner was, how the laughter brought me to the sweetest, funniest reminisce. Of all other things in life... I think no one can ever survive without the love of friends... yes?

On the way

I am somewhere in between. Not a saint but living in a clean slate present, a sinner who repented and embracing the days of tomorrow. 

You can judge me for my past (and might as well be part of it)... or, you can take a sneak peek into a dashing future with me in it. Your call. 

From C. Martinez

Kiss a toad

Truth be told. I have kissed a toad. Oh well... :)

from Maggie Wahl

Santa is real!

I was 10 when Santa transformed into a "reality". Yes, 10 is quite old. Scary indeed. My sweet, very soft spoken Grandfather revealed the truth by telling me the history of St.Nicholas and how the spirit of giving is packaged in such beautiful story of an old men in red suit.  I cried at that time. I am one of those people who have trouble in letting go off of the childhood magical vibes. 

So, today as I reached home, found that the Kerstboom (Christmas tree- we still use dutch verbiage sometimes for almost everything Christmastide) is standing beautifully, all carols are on standby in the CD player, socks are hanging... I am reminded of my childhood. 

Then I started to think of how far am I going to enliven the story of Santa for my children in the future. Browsing through related stories, I stumble upon this  website:  CapturetheMagic.com .

It lets you upload a photo of your living room and then add a stock image of Santa (hundreds of poses) into the scene.  Proof you can present to your little ones that Santa exists. To me this is mind boggling!

I am crazy about childhood... So if you ask me how far am I going to go to enliven this story to my children... I think you can guess it, yes?

ps: Thanking one of my fave blogger  Joanna:)

from Capture the magic

Quirky holiday gift(s): for the geek in everybody

I will try to make this as my last holiday gift guide. Like I said, we only have 5 more sleeps before Christmas and there is no way you will be all empty handed or bringing boring stuffs for your loved ones. Okay... it is the thought that counts I knoooow... but why go mediocre when you can be awesome! Oh crap am I exaggerating this? I don 't care really. 

Now... below items are just the "IT" gift for the little geek in you, your brother, sister, friends...  and me! (yes... I would love them too) or anyone else who are just as cool :)) Order now or keep looking for other gift ideas :) .

Ueber cool grassy charger docket

Camera lens mug- perfect for Me!

Kill you with my brain... I just did ;)

Happy Holidays!

Dear sweethearts and loved ones... We only need 5 more sleeps before Christmas!
This is to extend you my most sincere holiday greetings. May all the love, warmth, joy be with you during this wonderful season and all the way through!

God bless.

In every opportunity

Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow  ; a divine, distinguished portrait of a godly man  .

Praiseworthy Phil 4:8

More holiday gift guide ( for your solid team at the office)

What is your work force like? Do you have a team/assistant that has been helping and supporting you to reach all the division's goal and target? Not to mention run errands, filtering your incoming calls (ahem...), and even make you laugh during the stress hours?

This holiday season, you may want to look back and take time to thank them. No need to buy them a fancy watch or a big dinner at a posh restaurant. A simple card will do. Show them that they are a part of you and that you really appreciate what they have done. I have a gift guides you may want to use. 

Also, I can show you what I got for my two witty and creative assistants (See image on top: Simple, a bit cheesy but useful)

I attached a "thanks a latte"card to a tumbler I got from Starbucks

A do it yourself pinhole camera tip

Phonekerchief

Awesome Monday: Awesome people hanging out together; James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor

Happy Monday happy people! This is my last Monday here in Bali before going back to Jakarta to spend Christmas with Mom and siblings and loved ones. I will be back before New Year tho'(not too sure how I feel about it). 
On today's picture for Awesome Monday, I must say that  James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor are the true icon of classic handsomeness and beauty! There are things than cannot go out of time and they represent that from the "look" section :).

Enjoy your day and the rest of the festive days sweethearts!

from Awesome People Hanging Out Together

If you were not afraid

This is the question:

This is my answer(s): 1. Fall in and out of love again.Take risk in getting my heart broken or maybe.. who knows... cherished! 2. Singing in front of all the flock at church. Without crying. 3. Say yes to a proposal. 4. Get that darn beautiful tattoo . 5. Buy that house. 6. Kiss a cute stranger. 7. Skydiving. Skydiving. Skydiving.

How about you?

Birong

What is it with me and black haired animals these days?

ps: Birong (Batak language, means : Blacky :)

No bitterness

A friend asked why is it possible for me to hold no grudge about my past. Why I don't even bother to grow hatred to someone or anyone... or any situation that have had hurt me (prob to the most).

These are some of the reasons why.. in my own words:

• I deserve a second chance. So does love. I learned that if it did not work with one, it does not mean I have to love less the next time I have the chance to. I instead, need to love more.
• I believe not only that happiness is a state of mind and heart, but also an act of freedom. I have zero interest to even consider that painful destiny exist.
• Proverbs 31 is an ultimate guide that I will never gave up trying to comprehend. I may not be there yet but I am closer every step of the way. One day at a time.
• Tho I wander and sometimes think in the most complicated labyrinth, it is so easy to make me laugh and feel happy. Really easy. So I think that affects :)
• God. And I do not have to explain to you why  :)

More holiday gifts (and or birthday)

Now I have to excuse myself from the so-called gift guide browsing and read my book instead. 

These three are too dashing and awesome I will marry whoever can give it to me! Oh, just kidding. I will kiss you and that's about it.

Because if you borrow my book I really want it back.

Because of the title of my blog and because I wander a lot.

Because my ipod playlist is for real.

Inspiration Sunday: 45 Lessons

Happy Sunday! This article below is written by a 90 Year Old Regina Brett, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio. I agree that this is something we should all read at least once a week:)  I took the liberty to bold ones I like and or learning to understand at this very moment. 

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words :'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life.. 28. Forgive everyone everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life.. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Quirky holiday gift(s)

Are you a high key on holiday seasons? I am. I am getting presents (small-mediocre-big) to people I care about, playing carols, dress up and even add cinnamon in my coffee at this  time of the year :)) A real sucker for Christmas.

Well, aside from that, I also love to pamper myself. I am now looking forward to get this quirky stuffs! Dashing cool!

In case we bump into eachother again *grind

Breathe in... and out

Ask again...

And I know!

Chivalry is (not) dead

Dear gentlemen, you do not need to ride horses and be in a shining armor. There are other ways of showing chivalry:

Open the door for us. Not because we are a lady but because you are a gentleman. 
Pull the chair. It makes you look classy even when you are not wearing a designer label suit. Pay for dinner ,  and say yes when we offer you a cup of coffee or ice cream from that place by the corner- on us. 
Know (and actually watch) at least one black and white movie, listen to James Taylor, the Beach Boys. Or both. 
Dance. No, not the twist you do after shots of tequila or jugs of beer and you do not have to be as magnificent as Fred Astaire. Somewhere in the middle works. Tho, do NOT pout.

Show passion in what you do. Never joke about a woman's look in front of other woman. If you really have to, do it with your crowd and we will pretend that we don't care. Yep, pretend.

Be a good listener. Be on time. 
Always wear a pair of good shoes. 
Make that call. Cut the crap. Send us flowers.
Be well educated, articulate, literate, soft spoken.

And before you realize it,  you will have a real lady in your arms.

Photo tip

from Snapsort

Loving Friday : What if it does?

So starting from now, every Friday I will post a quote or a short story on LOVE! Yay! In many alter shapes and forms. Not only in relationship but in general. A Universal love, if I may say? This is the first one.

Carolyn Brown

Don't Worry Baby

You ever worry a lot? Like a lot you even have no idea how to start explaining it to yourself?

I have this one song I keep listening to whenever this big old disease comes. The saying " Worry does not empty... " will work too, but this song has this eerie power in me. Another sweet reminder of my Dad and how much of an old soul I am. My friend Adis said she could imagine me being in the 1960's :)). 

Well enough with that. Let me listen to this one more time before I snuggle up with my book, being all prepared for whatever tomorrow may bring. 

ps: What is your worry repellent song? 

A Pirate

Johnny Depp:

My daughter was asked by a little old lady in  London hotel restaurant- what her daddy did-  She answered  "He's a pirate". I was very proud of that answer.

Definition revealed

This is too funny. I got it from " And so we ramble ". Loving the introduction of the page too. As from the saying below, I laughed so hard on the description of "K"  and "Never mind" :))

Hellooo geeks!

Loving this. Tho... Is there some reason why this somehow looks like a "male area" only? Am I being too sensitive? But, you agree with me than Women can rule the geek world too, yes?

from: Revolution of Geek

Capricorn

I did tell you that I am not a horoscope big believer. One of my closest friend is on the contrary, rule her world and daily life based on what her star sign says about her. She is trying to change my idea about it. I think.
She just sent all these to me with a note saying: See?! Tell me this is not you! :))

My sweethearts, you probably have a way more objective point of view in seeing me. Just like what my friend does. But I cannot help but to post all the 3 sayings she sent me.  And no, I will never rule my daily life based on a star sign premonition.

Darn it! This is true!

Hmmm....

snobbish and picky... What the?! oh well...