Forty One

 So, 41 happened. 

I turned 41 last week, 11th January. With no intention of making resolutions, I am posting this as a journal of gratitude and if I'm being honest, a nervous list of hopes and plans.

Two things:

1. Business (or, the lack thereof)

Some new strategies are to be implemented. The last 10 months was a topsy turvy one as we had to yield into a suffering demand. I have been reading articles from The Economists to feed my starving mind and cannot help but feeling mind boggled about it. It will not be an easy one, surprise surprise... But I need to gear myself up, physically by going back to training, emotionally by keep writing, and spiritually by drawing myself even closer to Jesus.

2. Relationship

I want the real thing, or nothing at all. Like I wrote here: THE relationship

Letter to CURRIE Hutasoit

This post is to celebrate your birthday, Detrianie Anna CURRIE Hutasoit!

And I believe that this is something that you can relate!

Even for a genius like Marie Currie, haters exist! She won two Nobel Prizes for her work in two different categories, she was one of the leading physicists doing groundbreaking work in radioactivity (I seriously have zero idea about it, I mean, what the what is radium?!). As a bonus, she gave the world... well... "JUST" X-rays. But trolls and haters of 1911 attacked and judge her anyway. Her religious background, her relationship status was questioned and criticized. Haters came after her (and any of us) for being remarkably happy and successful. They despise anyone who shines, especially if it is their eyes that got burn.

So, it does not matter how you carefully select what to feed your baby with, people will criticize anyway. You will never gain or lose enough weight for haters, because the minute you are happy with your body, that's when they think you look like you need help. And when your husband accepts you for who you are (say you did not crisp-iron his Sunday's best) other people will roll their eyes as if they're the ones going to church with you. When your business attempts fail, and you manage to keep that smile on your face as you try again, they curse you for being "unrealistic." And dear, you're right. It is not even their money.

However, just like you, Marie Curie had plenty of people who supported her too, including Albert Einstein. He wrote her a letter of support, essentially telling her to shake it off. The advice still holds up: “don’t read that hogwash.”

Trying to be slightly like Einstein, I am asking you to remember this; you are an amazing Mama, a sweet sister and daughter, the greatest cook and brave entrepreneur, a supportive and loving wife. Nothing... nothing can change that. 

Happy Birthday, Selamat Ulang Tahun, Tuhan Yesus memberkati :)

ps: Dad did not give you that name for no reason, and... faith. 

Oh, and my post about Marie Curie a few years ago.

Drummer Boy's Birthday

You can turn 6 and be a big boy and grow up to be an adult as you want.
You still are a baby in my heart:).
Happy birthday, sweet Joseph!

Proverbs 31 on My Birthday

For a solid roof on top of my head. For the continuous chance to be a blessing channel, no matter how small or big. I thank You.

For my beloved, and a friend at once. 

Families and friends. Lost, and found. 

I thank You.

Tears burst. Laughter's cherished. I, Your child... am thanking You.

Improving health and a restoration of faith. 

I forever am thanking You.

ps: Been great with you 32. And now 33, allow me to learn more and more to become the woman God wants me to be...

Pinterest

Happy 5, big boy!

To my nephew, Joseph Kiyoshi Clement Sinaga. 

The cheeky monkey in the family, a bookworm, a color and number coordinated little man with a brain that is oh so full of fantasies and wondrous ideas, but who's heart is in a pure adoration in Jesus.

I cannot believe that you are now 5! When you read this, please remember that you are blessed to be a blessings.

Enjoy your day, big boy! (hmmm... Tho' you will always be a baby to my heart ;))

Happy 54, Mama!

Happy 54 to Rosita Simanjuntak! Our free-spirited, loving and cheerful Mom, and a grandma (a.k.a Ompung) to her soon to be 5 year old Joseph! Remember that you are blessed and we are grateful that you have become stronger and happier each and everyday.

To pray for your health may sound cheesy but you know what, Mom... that is the one thing we need to have you around for at least another century! Hahaha...

Thank you for the roller coaster life that we have been through to this day,it was never a merry go-round indeed! Thank you for never judging any of your children and to let us just be us. Thank you for believing in our decisions, our ways, in our dreams. For loving, trusting our friends and lovers (and dogs)
 All in all...  thank you for sticking up with us the whole time!

Tuhan Yesus memberkati Mama.

Hugs and kisses... 

Tressabel (and my man ;)), Benevolent (+ Budi and Joseph Kiyoshi), Detrianne (+ Oki Leonardus and their bun in the oven), Maharani, Isaac.

Yes, she is in the kid's  "mandi bola"

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Our youngest, the only man in the troops, one we are oh so proud of. 

My Mom's jewel, a spitting image of our Dad. 

You are a young man now... May you ways always be guided by Lord Jesus. May your dreams and hopes are in His graceful hands and blessings. We couldn't ask for anything more but to thank God for granting you in our family and to wish that you let your heart and future be molded by Him every.single.day. Amen!

Three's a charm: Birthday Cakes

So I got 3 cakes on my birthday this year! How lucky... I have a strong feeling that this is going to be a good good year :)

Not the real pic. But it was something like this. A surprise that I need to keep as a secret :)

From team, friends at the office who sang an off key but very sweet Happy Birthday

Dinner at Mama san with friends. A sweet surprise at the end of the meal.

Important Day : I am officially 32 years old!

Usually, I am a low key for my own birthday. But it has been a hard ones- the past 2 years in my life- so I have this urge to claim a good way of celebrating this year. Good good way ;)

So this is to share that I am happily (giddy, swoon and excited all mixed up) ... entering the coming of 32! Definitely an important day!

Lucky Magazine

Happy Birthday Google!

Happy birthday Google! May you never get weary of our searches and random wanderings :)

Happy Birthday Benevolent!

Happy 30th Birthday to my daring but timid, delicate but strong, fearful but courageous little sister; Benevolent. I will always have that picture of you with that long braided hair in my mind, but admit the fact that you are now portraying a role of a great mother for your lovely son; Joseph Kiyoshi.

I wish you all the love in the world and may the grace from Jesus Christ showers you all the time!

the birthday mama:)

Graphic from Scripture Slides by Randall Bowman

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Well yes, I am one Obama's fan. And seeing how much of a family man the president is, how can I not adore him even more?

Here's to wish a very Happy 50th Birthday to the President of The United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama.

The Obamas don smiles and their Sunday finest to attend a prayer service at St. John's Church across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C

 Image from here

Surat cinta untuk Mama

my mom and dad

Dear Mama,

I don’t always understand you. But then again, I also don’t think that it was easy for you to handle my “know it all” attitude, my mood swing, and my tendency to rebel almost everything you said. Back when I was a walking hormone in a growing 16 year old girl body.

Then time travels. And here we are. I am in my 30-ies, well 31 to be exact and you are gracefully reaching 53. We are no longer the same women who keep fighting over our most lovable Man. My Dad, that is. We no longer judge each other choices and decisions. We accept our differences.We stepped out from our long dwell on the past, we embrace future- no matter how shady it sometimes seems.

We don’t see each other as a competition no more, I see you as a personality. You see me as a friend. I see us grow.

Your say, your tears, your grief, your happiness…and the fact that you stand still, even though I know your hardships is eating you out most of the time... Elevates me…

You used to give up easily. Now that you are alone, you grow stronger everyday.

You used to be the weak one, now that you are a grandmother; we cannot imagine how that beautiful grandson of yours ever life without your crazy yet strong strong love.

You used to contra every single thing I do. And now, even at my lowest moment, you got my back.

Happy birthday, Mama. Let us celebrate every bits and pieces that God has placed around you.

Don’t give up. Not now. Especially, not you.

Love,
Proud daughter

ps: And remember, we have a full 4 days tour in Bali arranged for you at the end of this month!