Légende du Millier de Temples de Prambanan

C’était à l’époque du Millier de Temples de Prambanan. Il y a un chevalier nommé Bandung Bondowoso. Il tue un roi et demande à la princesse Lara Jonggrang de se marier. Elle ne veut pas l’épouser mais elle a peur de refuser. Elle lui demande pour que le chevalier construire un millier de temples en une nuit. Bandung Bondowoso appelle les esprits pour l’aider.

Juste avant que le soleil se lève, quand ils finissent le 999^e temple, Lara Jonggrang et les villageois font beaucoup de bruit. Les esprits s’enfuient parce qu’ils pensent que c’est déjà le matin. Bandung Bondowoso est fâché. Il jette un sort à la princesse. A l’instant, elle se change en temple. Donc, à la fin il y a un millier de temples.

En javanais, "mille temples" se dit Candi Sewu, qui est le nom d'un ensemble bouddhique qui se trouve au nord de Prambanan.

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Legend of The One Thousand Temples

This is a legend about the One Thousand Temples in Prambanan. There was a knight named Bandung Bondowoso. He killed a king and ask the princess, Lara Jonggrang, to marry him. She didn't want to marry the knight but she was afraid to refuse so she asked Bandung Bondowoso to build a thousand temples in one night. He asked the help of the demon spirits.

Just before the sun came up, when they had already finished 999 temples, Lara Jonggrang and the villagers made loud noises. The demon spirits fled because they thought it was already morning. The knight was furious. He cursed the princess and she turned into the final temple. In the end, there were one thousand temples.

Disclaimer: The pic is courtesy of Wikipedia. I don't own them.

Ratatouille

(from The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Microwave Cookbook)

¼ cup olive or salad oil

1 large onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 red or green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons oregano

1 teaspoons sugar

2 large tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges

2 tablespoons tomato paste

Basil leaves for garnish

1. In 13” by 9” microwave-safe baking dish, place oil, onion, and garlic. Cook on high (100% power) 3 to 4 minutes, until onion softens, stirring halfway through cooking.

2. Stir in red or green pepper, eggplant, and zucchini. Cook, covered, on High 10 to 12 minutes, until eggplant and zucchini are slightly softened, stirring twice during cooking.

3. Into eggplant mixture, stir salt, oregano, sugar, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook on High 15 to 18 minutes, until vegetables are tender and juices thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.

4. Spoon ratatouille onto serving platter; serve hot or cover and refrigerate to serve chilled later; garnish before serving.

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RATATOUILLE

¼ cup minyak zaitun

1 buah bawang bombay yang besar dipotong dadu, kalau kecil pake 2 buah

2 siung bawang putih dicincang, biasanya aku pakai 3 siung

1 buah paprika merah atau hijau, dipotong-potong jadi 1 inchi, biasanya aku tidak pakai karena keluargaku tidak suka paprika

1 buah terong ungu ukuran sedang, dipotong kotak-kotak 1 inchi, biasanya aku pakai 2 terong ukuran sedang untuk mengkompensasi karena tidak pakai paprika & zucchini

3 buah zucchini ukuran sedang, dipotong kotak-kotak 1 inchi, aku jarang pakai karena warung dekat rumah tidak jual zucchini

2 sdt garam

2 sdt oregano kering

1 sdt gula pasir

2 buah tomat besar, masing-masing dipotong memanjang jadi 8 bagian

2 sdm pasta tomat, biasanya aku pakai jauh lebih banyak, sesuka hati

Daun basil untuk garnish, aku jarang pakai karena tidak penting-penting amat

1. Dalam pinggan tahan panas ukuran sedang, masukkan minyak zaitun, bawang Bombay, dan bawang putih. Masak dalam microwave, selama 2 menit, aduk-aduk, masak lagi 2 menit.

2. Masukkan paprika, terong, dan zucchini. Masak dalam microwave, selama 4 menit, aduk, masak lagi 4 menit, aduk lagi, masak lagi 4 menit sampai terong dan zucchini agak lunak.

3. Masukkan garam, oregano, gula, tomat, dan pasta tomat. Masak dalam microwave, selama 5 menit, aduk, masak lagi 5 menit, aduk lagi, masak lagi 5 menit sampai sayurannya empuk.

4. Sajikan hangat atau tutup dan simpan di kulkas untuk disajikan dinging. Garnish dengan daun basil sebelum disajikan.

*Semua tahap memasak dengan microwave untuk resep ini dalam setting panas maksimum (High)

**Font warna ungu adalah adaptasiku terhadap resep ini

Azur

This poem is dedicated to the people in BBC who gave us 'Planet Earth' & 'Life'.

AZUR

At first glance
Zero movement
Unexpectedly a school of fish pass by
Race of the creatures of the blue sea
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Ce poème est dédié aux gens qui nous a donné «Océans» par Jacques Perrin et Jacques Cluzaud.

AZUR

Au premier coup d'œil
Zero mouvement, mais
Une bande des poissons passent
Race des créatures de la mer azur

TWO WORDS

This is a wedding gift for my friend, Ira.
This story is part facts, mostly fiction. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the song “Two Words” sung by Lea Salonga. Nor do I own the songfic "Two Words" by Jiru-senpai.
Words in blue are lyrics of the song "Two Words" by Lea Salonga.
You can watch the video of that song in the video bar on the left. Click on the picture of a blue rose.

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In a while, in a word

Every moment now returns

(Flashback)

“Hello, Ira?” His soft voice called her name.

She held the phone tightly to her ear. “Yes, this is she. How can I help you?” She tried to hide her sobs.

He paused before he said, “This is Iko. I just wanted to know how you are doing.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now.” Her voice was trembling.

For a while, seen or heard

How each memory softly burns

His voice was full of concern as he said, “Okay, I’ll call again soon.”

She was about to hang up, when, suddenly, he asked, “Mmm, Ira?”

“Yes?”

“Whenever you need me, I’ll be here.”

“Thank you.”

(End of Flashback)

Facing you who brings me new tomorrows

I thank God for yesterdays

How they led me to this very hour

How they led me to this place

“Ira.”

She looked up, breaking free from her daydream, and saw her love before her. He looked into her eyes, lingering there as if there was no tomorrow. His lips turned into a small genuine smile, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

(Flashback)

Every touch, every smile

You have given me in care

Keep in heart always I’ll now be treasuring everywhere

She had just put her white coat on the back of a chair, when, suddenly, her cell phone rang.

“Hello, Ira?” It was the same kind voice as before.

“Yes, this is she.” She didn’t know why, but her lips turned into a smile. The first true smile in a month.

“Ira, are you still in the hospital?”

She was amused. “How did you know?”

“I’ve just been to your house. Your mother told me that you had gone to work to cover for another doctor.”

She smiled again. “I see that my mom has told you everything.”

“That’s not all. She also told me that you haven’t eaten dinner. So, now I’m in the parking lot, delivering your meal.”

“What?”

“Can I see you now? Or do I have to get hurt before I can enter the ER?”

“You can come here. I don't have a patient at the moment. I’m not busy.”

She met him by the receptionist's desk. He handed her a food container. She opened the lid and let the steam from the soup escape.

She inhaled the aroma. “Smells delicious.”

He grinned. “Your mother said it’s your favorite.”

“It is.”

He didn’t let her finish her sentence. “Ira, I just want to offer my condolences for the loss of your sister. I didn’t know. The other day I called at the worst possible time, didn’t I?”

She shook her head. “No. You reminded me that I still have friends. Friends who care.”

A nurse called out to her. “Doctor, there’s a call from ICU.”

Ira thanked the nurse and took the phone. Iko gestured goodbye and went towards the door in long strides.

She finished her phone conversation and called to him. “Iko!”

He was standing by the doorway, waiting for what she had to say.

She took a deep breath and said, “Thank you.” She gave him her sincerest smile, hoping he would understand.

And if life should come to just one question

Do I hold each moment true

No trace of sadness, always with gladness

I do

(End of Flashback)

She could hear a song in her heart. This was it. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

Now a song that speaks of now and ever

Beckons me to someone new

Unexpected, unexplored, unseen

Filled with promise coming through

She looked at him and saw that he showed no doubt of her love. And she knew, wholeheartedly, that he loved her, too.

(Flashback)

In a while, in a word

You and I forever change

Love so clear never blurred

Has me feeling wondrous strange

He walked towards her in calculated steps and stopped in front of her. He gazed at her for a long time until he reached out for something behind him. There, held between his fingers, was a red long-stemmed rose.

She looked at his face, then to the rose, and back to his face. She felt love warmed her heart. But he still held her gaze, waiting patiently for her to comprehend.

Then she saw it.

No words needed to be said. A wide, yet watery, smile rose to her face, and he accepted it with an earnest smile of his own.

And if life should come to just one question

Do I face each moment true

No trace of sadness, always with gladness

I do

(End of Flashback)

He finished his vows and shook her father’s hand. She looked at her new husband and saw his tense expression. She gave him a teasing smile and he started to relax.

All her memories with him flashed in front of her, culminating in this moment, a memory that was soon to be. She gave a deep sigh and looked up at him, her future.

Never with sadness, always with gladness

I do.

And they live happily ever after.

THE END

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Author's Notes: This songfiction is an adaptation from a fanfiction by Jiru-senpai. She granted me permission to use her fic. If you want to read the original fic, this is the link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4200396/1/Two_Words

I would also like to thank Mockingbyrds_Tune for her beta.

Disclaimer: I took the picture of the happy couple from http://www.ewedding.com/sites/iraiko19071430h/

Transjakarta a.k.a. Busway

Beberapa tahun yang lalu Pemda DKI meresmikan Bis Transjakarta alias Busway sebagai salah satu moda transportasi umum. Bukan, gue bukan mau mengevaluasi keberhasilan program itu. Gue cuma mau mengucapkan selamat kepada teman kantor gue, Kiky, yang akhirnya naik Bis Transjakarta untuk pertama kalinya kemarin. SELAMAT! He3x, gue gak bermaksud mengejek dia kok. Kiky sendiri yang bilang hal ini perlu ditulis di blog gue. Gue pikir itu ide bagus. Jadi, inilah dia. Btw ini tiketku sendiri. Kebetulan tanggalnya sama dengan tiketnya Kiky.
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A few years ago Jakarta's local government introduced a new public transport system. It is called Transjakarta. But people are more familiar with the term Busway. No, I'm not going to discuss about the bus. I just want to congratulate my friend, Kiky, who took that bus for the first time yesterday. CONGRATS! For you dear readers, please don't think bad about me. She was the one who came up with the idea to write it in this blog. So, Kiky, I dedicate this post to you. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I took the pic from www.creativesore.wordpress.com.

Baked Potato Recipe

Disclaimer: The recipe is not mine. I copied it from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Microwave-Baked-Potato/Detail.aspx
I put it here because my friend asked me about this recipe.

Microwave Baked Potato

INGREDIENTS
1 large russet potato
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
3 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Scrub the potato, and prick several time with the tines of a fork. Place on a plate.
Cook on full power in the microwave for 5 minutes. Turn over, and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. When the potato is soft, remove from the microwave, and cut in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper, and mash up the inside a little using a fork. Top the open sides with butter and 2 tablespoons of cheese. Return to the microwave, and cook for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.
Top with remaining cheese and serve.
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Ita, ini resepnya. Gak sama persis, tapi kurang lebihnya sama.

Kentang Panggang pake Microwave

Bahan
1 buah kentang (katanya paling bagus russet, tapi pake kentang apa aja bisa)
1 sdm mentega/margarin
3 sdm parutan keju cheddar (biasanya gue pake keju Kraft Quick Melt)
garam & merica secukupnya

Cara Membuat
Cuci bersih kentang, gosok dengan sikat, keringkan. Tusuk-tusuk dengan garpu, jarak sekitar 2 cm. Letakkan di piring untuk microwave.
Masak dengan panas maksimal selama kurang lebih 5 menit (kalo gue sih 4 menit cukup). Balik, masak lagi 5 menit. Balik, panas dikurangi sampai setengahnya (medium), masak selama 2 menit. Setelah kentang menjadi lunak, keluarkan dan buat irisan pada bagian tengah kentang, jangan sampai terbelah menjadi dua. Tekan bagian yg tidak teriris sampai kentang merekah.Taburkan garam & merica (gue sih nggak) & beri parutan keju (yg Quick Melt). Masukkan lagi ke microwave, masak dengan panas medium selama 1-2 menit (jangan lama2, ntar kering). Bisa ditambahkan cacahan paprika, brokoli, potongan ayam, baso, sosis, daging asap (intinya: terserah, sesuai selera).
Hidangkan. Selamat Makan :P

Emergency Hotline???

On Saturday I went with my family by car. We took the Jagorawi toll road. At Km.2 an ambulance tried to pass a tanker truck but it swerved to the right instead. It tipped over and skidded across the road, stopping right in front of our car. Thankfully the ambulance only carried one passanger & the driver. The passanger had lacerations on his arm & head, but nothing major. I immediately ran to the ambulance & soon other people showed up, trying to help. It's nice to know that people still care about each other.
After making sure that noone was seriously injured & had been taken to a safe place, we tried to call the emergency hotlines: 118 (ambulance), 110 (police), & the toll road hotline. But none got through. My sister even called 108 (information). The operator suggested her to call the police number & she tried it. Alas, noone answered.
Fortunately the accident the other day was not very serious, but what if it was & we couldn't contact the emergency services?
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Sabtu kemarin gue pergi sama keluarga gue naik mobil, lewat tol Jagorawi. Di Km.2 ada mobil ambulans yg mencoba mendahului mobil tanki yg berada paling kiri. Tapi ambulans itu malah miring ke kanan, terbalik, & meluncur ke sisi paling kanan. Berhentinya pas depan mobil gue. Alhamdulillah gak ada korban jiwa. Ambulansnya gak lagi bawa pasien. Penumpangnya luka lecet di lengan & kepala, tapi gak ada luka berat. Gak lama kemudian para penumpang mobil lain & warga sekitar berdatangan utk memberi pertolongan. Masih ada yg peduli dengan sesama, ya? Jadi terharu.
Kami gue nyoba telpon ke nomor2 darurat, misalnya 118 (ambulans), 110 (polisi), & info jln tol, tapi gak ada yg ngangkat. Adek gue sampe nelpon 108 segala. Operator 108 menyarankan menghubungi nomor polisi. Tapi wkt dicoba juga gak diangkat. Gimana sih?
Untung kemaren kecelakaannya tdk terlalu parah. Sangat disayangkan, Jakarta, ibu kota negara ini, sistem bantuan gawat daruratnya masih kacau. Kapan bisa kyk 911 di US ya?