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Okay my friends… as you notice, im gonna be 22 soon!!! Per usual, I list up some stuffs i hope im gonna get on my birthday. hehehe. (Carlo, read this down carefully!!!)
- Band of Brothers book (Stephen E Ambrose) – said that the book is worth to read, and it’s as good as the mini series. I cannot find this book in Jakarta, and in any other book stores I visited on my trip.
- iPod touch – Papa didn’t wanna buy me another iPod coz I’ve broken the first 2 iPods he bought me. For some personal reasons, I won’t buy it with my own money too (my money is strictly allocated for doctors, hand bags, shoes, and stuffs like that)
- Harry Potter book number 4 – I lost it… I need a new one. It won’t cost me more than £ 15, but I think it’s gonna be more fun if I can get it as a birthday gift
- Westlife : Our Story (autobiography of Westlife) – and I know someone can easily get me this book with the autographs of Shane, Mark, Nicky, and Kian on it
- Graf ice skating shoes (with good blades) – I own a pair already, but I want to have another one. It will make me look like a pro
My father won’t let me spend another £ 400 for another pair that im only gonna use 4 times a year (max!!!) - A plane ticket with a route of CGK-ZRH-CGK or CGK-LHR-CGK. Flight by EY (crystal) or BA (club) (hahahaha. wondering if there’s any of you will give me this kind of bday gift )
- A box of truffle from Sprüngli or Teushcer – im gonna warn you in advance, it’s a big struggle to get them shipping chocolates to CGK
- A dozen of red roses – dunno why, but I always want to have red roses on my birthday. 21 years old, there’s only one man gave me a dozen of red roses. That man was my foster brother!!
- Gift-wrapped Ben Barnes - hehehe… another stupid wish. considering i might be fainting at the very first second i see him, getting me the very real Ben Barnes wouldn’t be a great idea
One long month I’ve been in this lovely city. It’s just few hours before I have to leave… and now im sad. It’s hard to believe that I wasn’t really keen on this place before I landed here.
Lots of great things happened, and they came together with so many wonderful new friends. Saying good bye is a hard thing to do. Not only to my new friends, but also to the city it self. Feels like now im attached to this country in general, specially to the city where I spend the last 28 days of my life.
It makes me remember one thing by the way. My first ever Switzerland friend told me that his country is the best country in the world. Sarcastically I replied to him, “well, if im a native of south pole ill say the same about south pole, sir”. I was kinda … well… having a regret for saying that to him He happened to be (a bit) true. His homeland is surely one of the greatest.
This city is completely different from the city I used to spend most of my days. But somehow I feel the same comfort as I feel in the land I call home. The same friendliness, even (almost) the same stupidness in bureaucracy
Been to so many places before. Never felt this mellow when it’s time to go back home. Even I’ve never felt this way when im leaving my favourite city ever (London, of course ^_^).
Walking alone in the darkness of winter last eve. That’s how I said good bye and thank you to this city for its warm welcome to a stranger like me. Now bags are packed… and im (almost) ready to go. Got enough truffles for the long flight im gonna get through.
And ill be home… but ill be still thinking of this place. Ill be home… with a nicely wrapped box I should’ve given as an early xmas gift for a friend. A friend that I was expecting to meet before I depart home. He never showed up, and I never told him that I wanted to meet him.
Never know when ill have another chance to be back in this city. Yet, I hope there’ll be another chance for me…
xx
Started with a friend who wrote on my FB wall, telling me that an old friend of ours went to Eton at Berkshire before he moved to Berlin some of years ago. It continued with a call which was not purposed to talk about that friend, but at the end it seems like the 40 mins convos was all about that friend Since then, I got attracted to Eton.
After the convos, I intentionally googled Eton and browsed on its website. First impression… the web wasn’t so bad. A bit plain, and somehow it looks cold. Dunno, it was just my feeling. The language is a bit refined too, as it’s expected to be read by some royal families, or at least the common citizen with a high level of education.
Read through some pages before I downloaded the prospectus and other information related to Eton. Truly amazed by it. Gotta read the prospectus over and over again before I finally catch what they’re trying to deliver in those prospectus pages (NOTE: it’s not happening to all human being, it’s only me and perhaps some other unlucky people who are a bit lame in language that will experience this kind of difficulty!).
More than 6 centuries Eton has been participating in making a better civilization in the United Kingdom. That’s cool enough for me. During that 6 centuries, Eton College has been giving its highest service to the country by educating 18 Prime Ministers of the UK. What an achievement.
At Eton College, there used to be an old system where registration at birth is allowed! That’s beyond!! I mean, you could register your son literally 2 seconds after he was born! Too bad the system has been abolished some years ago. If that system of registration is still being used today, you probably can register your son even before your son is born! You just have to bring the 3D sonogram pictures from your ob/gyn and tell the school committee that you carry a baby boy! That’d be major, really But after that, make sure you put a reminder on your iPhone that you need to bring your son to Eton right after his 10th bday for a tour, and after his 13th bday to begin his 5 years of studying at Eton.
The tuition fee is kinda high there. Nearly £30.000 for a year study (£ 9360 per half, and there are 3 halves per year). Not including some extracurricular and music classes that your son will take. And the uniforms. And other stuffs that might follow later. Approximately £40 -45.000 per year. Not bad for an old school, eh?
The curriculums are kinda old, but they’re good. Strict schedule and a lot of activities. For me, the coolest thing about this school is all the boys are required to meet their House Master or Dame at 7.30 am (sharp) every single day. What they do? Reading newspaper! Hah! I wish my school applied the same system!! 6.15 pm to 7.30 pm, the boys are obliged to run what they call as ‘quite hour’ where they must spend the hours working on things or studying (or prolly… sleeping) in their own room. Supper is served at 7.30 pm, a great punishment for those who are sleeping on their quite hour coz they’ll possibly overslept and miss the supper. Hehe.
Overall, I like what Eton offers in their prospectus. Even it makes me want to send my future sons to Eton. Conditional applied though. I will send my sons to Eton IF I only got no more than 2 sons! OR if I’ve got more than 2 sons BUT my husband later is kind of man who earns more than £ 2 mills a year. Fair enough, right? I’m assuming (and my “PR Plan & Campaign” lecturer will be mad at me coz according to him a PR person will NEVER assume. Just a note ^_^) that it will cost around £ 60.000 to £ 75.000 per year –or even much more- for the tuition fee at Eton by the time I’ll finally send my sons to Eton. Hah!
There’ll be the time when I finally feel my parents’ ‘misery’ working on pretty much everything so they can send their babies to the best school possible (and to get their daughters the best things that LV and Prada boutiques sell! * just kidding, mummy ^_^*)
My future sons will need to go to a prep school before they go to Eton. In the mean time, im doing my own ‘prep class’. Hehe. So… anyone… what you think it takes to get a great young man who will love you and your family with a guarantee that he’ll earn more than £ 2 mills a year in his future??
just saw a programme earlier on TV… 1000 places to go before you die. i wanna make my own list. not 1000 tho… a bit too much. ill go as many as i can, but i can guarantee it won’t be more than 100. even its going to be good if i can pass number 50
so here is part number 1… the first 10 of sum places you should consider to visit before you die neway, I put them all in a random order, so it doesn’t mean the place on the top of the list will be the greatest place you should visit before you die ^_^
1. Alexandria, Egypt
should be there… in summer! one of the greatest place to have a simulation of hell. riding a camel in the middle of sandy wind is a cool thing, as long as you don’t forget your goggle (yup mate… sunglasses don’t really work here)and pashmina or balaclava to cover up your face.
Thus, it’s a beautiful city to enjoy. for girls… don’t use heavy make-up while you’re around. There are some cute tourists sumtimes, but the creature that only will put some interest in you is the camel. putting on lots of foundation just to be seen by camels isn’t something your stylist will recommend, yeah?
One more thing, don’t forget to take picture with the Pharos!
2. Budapest, Hungary
Pathetic night life, correct. But there are lots to see in Budapest. The buildings there are fantastic… it brings you back to the past. This city shares Danube river with 2 other cities (Vienna and Belgrade). I havent been to Belgrade before (sum1 will take me there?? hahahaha…) so i dont know how’s the Danube river there. But the one in Budapest is different from the Danube in Vienna. it’s more lively, yet quite.
Finding good food a bit of problem tho. And don’t go out too late at night without any accompaniment. Never forget to keep your passport and other civil documents of yours at the safest place possible. i won’t tell you what happened when a friend of mine lost his passport and international driving license there…
3. Cordoba, Spain
One of my favourite city. full of history, and it’s located in Andalusia. You won’t believe that there’s a building which actually once a mosque, then converted into a cathedral, then it became a mosque again before it finally legalised as a cathedral as well as tourism object.
Don’t know why, but i think it’s not the best place to hunt for some guys. 1st day in Cordoba, you still feel the excitement. 2nd day being there, you are amazed by the scenery. however, on the 3rd day… i can guarantee that most of the girls are already on their way to the hotel concierge to ask for the fastest ride to Barcelona or Sevilla
4. Agra, India
The city where Taj Mahal is standing tall. This small city must be so thankful for having Taj Mahal, otherwise not many people will come around to visit this place.
There’s a weird sensation when you’re in Taj Mahal. It’s so beyond that a husband could love his wife so much that made her such a wonderful palace after she passed away.
Being there alone, you’ll pray that you’ll find someone that will love that much. And for men… congrats. Your girlfriend, fiancee, or wife will never stop asking you if you’re gonna make a palace like that to show them how much you love them. don’t worry mate, it’d over in 2 weeks (at least).
Ladies… don’t stop asking till your men say yes ^_^
5. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Again… this place is so cool to be visited in summer. Fishing in the red sea on Thursday night (it’s like the Saturday night in other countries since Arab countries are having holiday on Friday, not Sunday) and watching over Arabian teens roller skating near the pier.
30 degree C or more in summer night, around 40 degree maybe in the afternoon. however, women must still wear the black outfit named Abaya. Even all the gorgeous flight attendants from any airlines (except SIA maybe) must own at least one set of Abaya if they’re a frequent flyer to Jeddah. My mother once tried to ignore this thing, and she got chased by many Arabian men in one of the biggest market there.
I got plenty of Abaya if you want to borrow one from me
6. Swansea, United Kingdom
Great seafood, bad weather most of the times. What can i say? it’s UK anyway The food in this place is fantastic… and relatively cheap. the town it self is kinda small and you just need 2 days to getting around the city.
communication barrier is quite a problem here… the accent is a bit ‘unacceptable’ for some outsiders especially if you’re not a british. Talking bout that, you should hear me speak after i return from Swansea.. hehehe.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
The buildings are great! my personal favourite will be the blue mosque. Soooo beyond… the traditional clothes they call turkish is also great (im collecting them)! Istanbul is one of the most colourful city in this world.
Not to mention that the people are so friendly! i was once asking a lady on the street where she bought her shawl and socks because they were so lovely. instead of showing me the shop or taking me there, she gave me her shawl and socks! totally surprised by it and ill never forget that for sure. im still keeping the shawl and socks
8. Barcelona, Spain
There’s a personal reason why I LOVE THIS CITY SO MUCH. but forget it…there are loadsa more reasons too why you should love and visit this beautiful city.The Plaza de Espana, the crowds when people are doing catalonian dance… i really don’t know what to write about this city. just come there, experience the whole things your self and you’ll understand why you’ll fall in love with this city and you might fall in love in this city too
9. Harrods Food Hall, London, UK
i believe this food hall is the best place ever made by human. Forget the diet, just have fun. you can find anything, from the most normal food to the strangest one. the one which surprised me was when i found out that they actually sold rambutan there. Rambutan is kind of fruit that you can only find in South East Asia countries.
Challenge your self to eat as many as you can. my record… 6 tastes of gelato, 11 kinds of chocolate, 4 varieties of cheese, and only God knows what else i eat there… in one single visit!
10. Dubai, UEA
The airport impressed me so much. my second favourite after Changi International. Well, maybe its a bit subjective since i had to do so many stop over in this airport on my flight to or from europe.
The city it self is cool too! we can almost find everything here. skiing in the mall, checked. rallying in the dessert, done. celebs, loads of them! gold, everywhere.
However, the coolest thing about Dubai is…. non-tax item you can only find here babe, which makes everything there are much cheaper!
im thinking to live in Dubai someday… with a husband… some kids… and David Beckham as my neighbor! hahaha
anyone can give more places to go before we actually die?
xx
