Massive Winter Sale 2011

Most everyone is excited when comes to winter sale season, particularly me ^^. Although I got an expensive one as Christmas gift from my hubby, I still can't miss this special rarely event *as it comes only twice a year!

I and my hubby has been going around two days in the town to look some stuffs. I have been reminded by him not to go crazy though ^^, and I must proudly announce it to you that I haven't bought anything for myself - I mean not yet ^^.

Apart of Stephen Green shopping centre, we have visited the main shopping centre in Henry street area. And here are our tracks for two days shopping ^^.

Arnotts

Our first plan was went to this shopping centre, Arnotts, one of the main shopping centre in Dublin. Many stuffs in Arnotts are quite cost, therefore sale season is the best choice for those who like good stuff with good price, just like me ^^.

My hubby went to look for his stuff I.e. shoes, suit, etc. I myself try to not to go crazy, so I tried to be good by company him.

Arnotts have winter sale offer starting from 20%-70% off. We didn't really went around - I went to look for parfume Dior but there was no sale for the parfume I wanted. They have sale for Dior parfume in a small package though.

The hand bags area offer good sale too, I visited the Guess, they have some bags with bargain price, but none I like, but I love the new arrivals, the cute pink color ^^ - unfortunately I can't have one :(.

Arnotts has three floors, but we just went around on the ground floor. My hubby got bored very quickly when shopping, and believe or not I do too sometimes.

As I didn't really find interesting ones so far and neither my hubby so we left Arnotts after less than an hour in the ground floor.

We decided to continue checking the following day - we off to Asian Market instead, bought my things ^^.

DBLN, 17.24-291211

Film: It's A Wonderful Life (1947)

I have set my alarm on last night to watch my favorite Christmas movie, It's A Wonderful Life, on at 9.30 am which too early to watch a movie in here, specially in the Christmas day.

This movie is always played on Christmas, and as I don't have the DVD so I only have a change to watch this movie every once a year.

What a special from this movie?

Its a very special movie. If you haven't seen this movie, you can see the detail review in here.

I know this movie from my hubby when it was Christmas. He told me that I would like this movie. Perhaps he told me that as I am a sentimental sometimes when watching a drama movie.

The movie was set in 1947, old enough, but still good enough to watch, and played by an actor James Stewart.

This movie very special because its very inspiring me, especially the way I think about a life. Many of us often complain and regret what has passed or happened in our life, and we often forget to appreciate it even just a bit.

Just like when George brought by his guardian angel to a life where there was no one knew him, George realised how his life that he always regret was much better than the current life.

If you look for something good to watch this Christmas then I highly recommend to watch this movie.

Merry Christmas everyone.

DBLN, 17.04251211 

Ransom

Definition ransom according to Oxford English Dictionary is sum of money demanded or paid of someone for the release who is held  captive. If someone say: "you're holding me to ransom" it means you force him to do something, usually by threatening damaging action.

And its a  new word to me that I got from my hubby text the other day.

Seeing its definition of ransom, it sounds a bit negative. However, ransom can become a way to get a good deal in a circumstances.... especially if you think you're always in the unprofitable party.

First thing if you want ransom someone you must first ensure you have something significant that the person has. When you really sure that the person would no way to go then the negotiation could happen as you wanted.

It's tricky, bold and a bit unkind. But believe it or not many people do it naturally.


DBLN, 01.37-251211

Letter To Santa

Dear Santa,

This is my first letter to you after what all you give to me. Although Christmas is still three days to go but I got your present already and I want to apologise as I couldn't resist myself not to open it straight away *as always.

I know I often act like a child - just like yesterday when I received the present from the shop cashier, I couldn't stop smiling all the way home, I felt like winning a million lottery, and I'm sorry for not being more mature at my 35 - I just can't sometimes.

I know that you can't help yourself either not to give me a present *you said you wanted to think about it as its quite expensive but yet you still let me bought it.

I know you could stop it if you wanted to but I know you don't like to see me upset, and badly that I use it as advantage. But yet you call me I'm a very good girl.

Santa, your kindness is like a mother who loving her child.

Santa, I love you. I'm sorry for my childishness, I promise I'll try to be a good girl.

DBLN, 18.12-231211

Because She Loves Me,

When I was teenager my mom used to make syukuran on my birthday, usually she made nasi kuning, the Indonesian food made from yellow rice and she decorated around its cone yellow rice beautifully. She was very active woman, a lovable woman, enjoy very much cooking and the thing I like most from her is she's very positive attitude to anyone. 

As a single parent, she couldn't be dependent to anyone, she worked seven days and timelessly but I've never heard she complained of what she did. She was a very tough woman. 

She taught me load of things, looking back through her past life experience, don't do that and don't this. I was bored sometimes and even didn't want to listen to her. Once we were apart I realise I must learn, learn to listen what she said.

She always told me since even I was kid, to wake up early as wake early in the morning and having exercise is good for our health. "Always tidy as a girl is also important" she said.  

She wanted me to study hard so that I could have a good future. I remember when I tried to get try out, my mom warned if I couldn't get through the try out I would not be continuing study, she told me instead that she would buy a sewing for me and looking for a man to marry me.

She always had something to keeping me  up so that I didn't give up very easily.

I'm yearning you - your cooking, your old advice, your nagging, your everything. I wish you were her, mom. 

Happy Mother's day. 

DBLN, 18.47-221211

Happy Birthday

He's been busy recently, I mean very very busy. Well, he's always busy anyway since the crisis economic hits Ireland - and to be honest I don't really like it when he's so busy.

The problem is on me and that because only the two of us at home so you can imagine how quite the house would be if only one person in the house - especially in the big house! Our house has three floors, three bed rooms, three bathrooms, a big kitchen, a dining room and a cold-lonely living room - so I feel like in the middle of a grave when he's not home.

Anyway, today is his birthday. As I wrote on my previous posting, I meant to look for a gift for his birthday but unfortunately I couldn't make it so I decided to make a very quick cake this evening.

I've been extremely tired myself from not being slept well last night, wake up at 4.27 am this morning and couldn't back to sleep since then. I decided not to go to the gym as I'd survive to prepare anything for his birthday.

As my energy down, I didn't prepare for the stuffs so I decided to make something easy and quick: Brownie cake and pasta lasagna for his dinner.

the unprepared birthday cake

A simple dinner: Beef lasagna. I'll post the recipes on DapuR-Qu

It took less than one and half hour until everything is ready. I even still have time to posting this while waiting him.

The dinner was finished so quickly (I guess he's starving), and the cake too. We're back to the living room, as usual watching TV, and I'm fixing the old laptop myself, beside him, I must see his jumping and shouting while watching his favourite team play.

Happy birthday honey.


DBLN, 21.22-211211

The Christmas

25th December only four days left. And Its Christmas. Since I live in Ireland just realise what its Christmas about:  for Kids it means the Gift Day, for women it means Shopping Day *its always about shopping for women, anyway!, for husband it maybe the Headache Day,  and for me --- I'm not sure.

So its so a special day for everyone.

I don't celebrate Christmas for sure, but the atmosphere during Eve Christmas makes me feel like to celebrate it - most people in Ireland are very Christmas, they could decorate their home two months before the Christmas; many shopping centre display the Christmas sale or the Christmas decorations; and most the TV ads is about Christmas. 

As I have nothing to do on Christmas so I went look what the shopping centre offer for me. I usually like when doing a window shopping, but today when I arrives in a shopping centre, something very unusual happens to me - the mall gives me a headache instead! 

I meant to look for the present for my hubby's birthday, which is today. I haven't got anything for him *he has always warned not to buy anything for him but I insist to buy something for his birthday - that due to I was a bit reluctant to go for shopping in the other day as I know all the shopping centre are very busy during the Christmas Eve and until the Winter Sale. 

I hate being in the middle of crowded so there is absolutely no way to go shopping - even though on Winter Sale: how can you enjoy the shopping in the crowded?

I've decided to have something else for his gift birthday anyway.

My hubby himself hasn't done any Christmas-shopping yet. He has three nieces who are waiting for a present so willy-nilly he must buy something for them. I've reminded him yesterday to look for something for the Christmas, and he said he would do it on Tuesday *which I'm expecting something too from his shopping :).

That's it about Christmas from me today - will be back again in another story. Happy Christmas everyone.

DBLN, 08.26-211211

Women In Psychosis (3): Provoke

We know most women are insane, and sadly, no scientists can know why. Here is another case of women who are inspired to write it on my Blog. I try not to judge these women,  even though it's too difficult to just observing without unconsciously interfering a judgement: Don't you think all human beings like that? - like to judge other?

Anne Case 

Anne was a woman in her middle age. I've known this woman since the past of four years. She likes make everything so complicated - enjoying so much talking about other people business, especially if she dislike them, she can be a very bad judge.

She dislike if her opinion is unsupported by people around her - she can stand stubbornly on her own opinion. I want to be a good friend her (trust me, I try) so I try to fix her, but unfortunately she has very strong negative attitudes that unable me to stay longer beside her.

I shouldn't  be so bother about her attitude, but the other thing she has provoke attitude that could influence people. She can make up a story about people who she dislike very much - like aggravate the personal existence of other people. 

She can change her attitude from like to dislike with someone and the opposite depending what she up to with the person. For example, she praised a woman who was once very close to her, one day they break up their friendship (with no reason), she suddenly change her attitude  one hundreds degree toward this woman. When I ask what's wrong with her, she replied that she's not capable for being her friends.

And she starts to provoke other people by saying bad things about this woman. Even worst, she would dislike anyone who close with her!

After studying her behaviour and  attitude I realise that she has a personality problem. 

I haven't contacted her for ages - well, I actually avoid her as it won't be good for me. I know I study Psychology and it should be a good case for me to study her; however, that might not be a good idea and unfair to her if I do that as I really want to be a good friend.

Till I write this, her behaviour and attitude still unchanged. 

DBLN, 15.35-191211

Have You Got A Secret?

I watch this movie more than twice, not a brilliant movie really, its a drama movie called City Island played by a handsome american actor, Andy Garcia. This movie inspired me about a thing that human always has something : a secret.

When I was a kid, I got a lot of secrets that I hide from my mom. As a bold girl, surely need to keep everything secretly, and as most kids, I did it to avoid 'conviction' from my mom. When once she find out my secret, first question was: "Why did you not tell me?" 

Is keeping a secret bad?

Keeping a secret is not necessary a bad thing. Sometimes it's only way to make things peaceful - well, according to somebody maybe.

How long can secret stay?

Short or later the truth will finally emerge. Someone knows something. Your body language say something to the world. 

Good luck on keeping your secret.

DBLN, 20.06-151211

Two Facebook Accounts?

Today, having Facebook account is so crucial, and to be honest I don't why. But mostly people I meet they will come up with a question: "Do you have Facebook?". 

Everywhere and anywhere you go you will see the F symbol means for Facebook, and they normally go with ads saying: find us on Facebook. 

When I see my friend's Facebook with more than a thousand of friends, I become wonder: Does she really know all those people? Well,  actually she doesn't really know them all. 

However, many people don't like being friends on Facebook who they don't really know - and I'm one of those people. I need to know the person very well to be my friend on Facebook. 

As I'm quite diligent in blogging activity so willy-nilly that I must accept unknown people on my Facebook *which the thing that my hubby dislike of having Facebook and often asking: "Why does he/she add me as a friend? we don't really know each other?" - and this kinda influence me a lot the way he chose close friends.

When he said he doesn't really know each other - it means they know each other by names, and have met before, even chatting, even co-workers, but according to him the meaning of know each other is both people really know each other very well at least for many years.

So that will be very different to you or other people by know each other means. 

Although it isn't necessary thing to do, however, if you have a blog and want your voice is known by many people in the world then this is necessary. 

So therefore I came with the idea to have another account for my Facebook; the other one is for my online friends, my blog followers, etc.

Surely I don't put many photos or details information on the second Facebook. So having two Facebook accounts is not because that I'm kinda a Facebook mania - it's for safety and satisfaction. 

Although it's for my blog purposes I still set it for privacy so people can't search my second Facebook and still select only the good people :). 

DBLN, 2024-101211

Proud To Be A Volunteer: The Cheaster Beatty Library And The Lovely People

I have registered again for another volunteering activity. This time is helping refugee in Ireland. I was actually thinking to continue teaching computer but then I change my mind as it maybe better if I just take one volunteer activity once a week - especially in December, the weather is not very supportive to go anywhere ^^.

As like other organisation, all volunteers mus be interviewed first. The office is located in city centre so good spot for me to come (about 20 minutes walking from train station). The people in the office organisation are also very friendly and welcome. They explain about the organisation, what they do.

JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) organisation is an international Catholic non-governmental organisation. Their main task is helping refugee in Ireland. The office isn't really big as I thought, simple with a small nice garden front of the office.

My first purpose was for teaching European Computer Driving License, but they have someone already to teach in the class. They offer me another program instead. The program (that I'm currently doing now) is to accompany the refugee visiting a place around Dublin.

First Week Trip


We met in spy ware (I call it the Dublin Monas) at 2 pm. There were some people already come. My coordinator was there too. She introduced me to all of them. Some of them were refugee and the rest were volunteer, too, like me.

We walked off to the Cheaster Beatty Library where  located very near to Dublin Castle. Although I live in Ireland quite long but that was first time I visited the place (and it actually very close to my college!). On the way off to the library, I had a chat with an African guy who also volunteer in JRS. As well as studying he do volunteer activity to keep himself busy.

The freezing weather wasn't really bad at all as there was a bit sunny. When we arrived in Library we waited for approximately 15 minutes. A tour guide was walking us to first place where Cheaster Beatty had his collection books.

First time entering this library I could feel the art ancient atmosphere straight away. A big gown from the king of Japan (I can't remember what century it was) was hanging near to the entrance. Most of Cheaster Beatty collections were from different country i.e. Europe, East Europe, Arab and Asia. I saw a collection of Koran complete with its history Islam.

One of amongs stuffs that amazed me was the display window of The Koran that was given by Cheaster Beatty's wife on his birthday. When I told this to my hubby, he himself commented: "Was his wife Muslim?" - well, actually she's not. That was made me interesting.

The guide tour led us to the second place, this time was full of religious images, they're all story about christian, Islam, Budha and Hindu. 

Being around these ancient stuffs make me want to go back to my elementary history subject - that the one I wasn't never really interested in: I can't understand why when we're getting older we start to get interested in something? Is that because the guilt of being lazy to learn when younger? lol.

After went around to two very interesting places for about one and half hours, we went to a coffee cafe where located just at ground floor library near to reception.

We had chat for about a half hour and then finishing the meeting with a photographed at the front of Library. I was very happy surrounded by lovely people. Next Tuesday the trip will be more interesting and nicer :).

DBLN, 16.12-08121112

Health, Health, Health!

"The first wealth is health"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

As you know (did I tell you about my weight?), I have gain more weights since I came back from holiday few months ago, and you know it's easier to gain weight than to keep the weight or to reduce it. Since the past of two months I've been focusing my exercise - to do it moderately. So I go to the gym doing different classes five days a week. 

The first month of concentrating in exercise was doing great - I lost 2 KG. Yey! I'm happy enough with the result. It's not just about losing weights but I'm also more motivated and fresher than before and I'm currently planning to do a simple diet program. 

I was thinking to go to a clinic where offers a weight lose programs before, but then I laughed at myself: am I really that obsessed about losing weight (or skinny image?)? - fortunately , no, I'm not (a little bit before ^^). 

So before I go to the wrong way to lose some weight, I try to make a plan, and I promise to myself not to invade it!

The gym is doing fine, but when I want to start the extreme diet that I read on Krikris's Blog, I find obstacles to start it. I've got visitors that makes me invade my diet program. Well, I thought it's okay as it's just beginning (so I don't want too hard to myself). 

As many people (women particularly) when they think about their thoughts of over weight , most of them become obsessed of being thinner, as like I always thought.

When thinking of this *being thinner - it make people forget about being thinner in healthy way, most people would only think the way to be thinner.

This attitude can be dangerous or fatal for our health as once the obsession is patterned in our mind we will do any ways to get this dream image.

When I search about losing weight programs on the internet, they come up with dozen of slimming products. It is very attempting, especially if we're already obsessed with thinner body image.

I was attempting to buy one as well but when I research the information of the product then I realized I was lucky not to buy one. Always read the ingredients of whatever products you buy - they can be harmful for your health. 

Since I'm interested in losing weight in healthier way, I surf any information about it. Any slimming products, in the name of health or whatsoever - I look for its their information. And I come with my conclusion that they're all are only ads which never give you a permanent result. 

The current life style modern likely influence how we think about being healthy, and we've forgotten the pretty simpler way to be slimmer and healthier: how many percent do you think people would take a slimming product  rather than exercise to get slimming?

I'm afraid the answer will be above average. 

I was thinking about current life style we live today. Everything has to be done instantly. And look what happens in the existence around us?

DBLN, 21.26-061211

Posted in My VIP Members Effortless English Blog. 

If You Can't Access Your Blog Account Or Your Blog is Removed...

Alright, this is the continuation of my previous posting regarding account issue. As I said on my previous posting that I ain't expert on this, the reason why posting this due to I concern to blogger's perception regarding their account issue, and therefore I want to share my little knowledge and experience related to this issue.

If the case is you can't access your account, it usually come up with a message telling you why you can't access it. There many reasons why your account has been disabled or removed so read the message carefully what it tells you and if this is the case i.e. deleted or removed, the message will give you a detail description the cause of the removal account - in most cases this is not hacked or whatsoever i.e. password stolen.

Go to Blogger Help Forum


Just to remind you again about blogger help forum: this a forum to ask your blogging forum but it doesn't always help you as there some technical reasons if/why you problem is still unresolved. For more details please go to this site.

So my first advise is once you can't access your account or your blog has been removed, go to blogger help forum. Type related issue to your problems and then click search. You will find many discussions related to your issue. If there is no discussion that can help your problem the next step is posting a question.

Post a question in Blogger Help forum


If you have read the site I've given above then you know how to post a question. Knowing Technic how to post a question in the blogger help forum is very important *if you want get the response from the right person. 


The top contributors from the Blogger Help Forum are actually very helpful. If they reply your question take this for good, ask them any necessary questions, but remember to keep the question clear.

If you follow the steps how to post a question then you will get quick, good response and satisfy result.

Up to Date Your Question


Once your question is posted you need to up to date it. Do not post the same/related question in new/other discussion. Just stay on. Your question influence why its answered or unanswered, so again read its steps how to post a question!

So ensure you visit your discussion often in case there is a reply for your question.

Be Patient


Finally, patient is also important as it's not only you who have problem. If they ask you to wait for a couple of weeks then wait. It will take longer or even no answer if you keep asking the same question to them - so be patient ^^.

DBLN, 23.40-23.40-0411


P.S. This posting is to celebrate the reactive of DyahRachmi's Blog. Question was posted on 28th November 2012 and the blog has active again on 4th December 2012 at 15.30 GMT. Yay!

Is Your Blog Hacked Or Deleted By Google?

I don't usually posting about this but since I see some bloggers (Indonesian bloggers especially) are having trouble accessing their blogs, even their blog has been deleted, then I decide to have a label special discussion about this.

Obviously, I'm not expert in Blogging nor working for Google. But I bravely to share this as I see many bloggers have been 'miss-knowledge' about the difference their blogs have been hacked and unable to access their account due to certain reasons - the recent phenomena that happens in blogging activity according to some bloggers assume that their password account has been stolen or hacked.

To ensure you don't give too quick assumption here are my very easy simple steps to know whether your blogs has been hacked or deleted by Google.

Read The Warning Message

This is the most important thing to know whether your blog has been hacked or deleted by Google: the warning message. As this in English many bloggers ignore the message and only focus in 'why I can't access my account' or 'Why my blog is disappear' without reading carefully what the message tells them.

This is the common mistake that often done by Indonesian bloggers. Once they're unable to access their account they assume that their account has been hacked. 

It will be obvious if your blog has been hacked by someone. A warning message will appear once you access your account, something that saying about malware that can harm your computer. Any message that comes up will be in English, if your unsure what it tells you than try use the translation tools.

Any time you can't access your blog account or your blog is disappeared it always give a message what the cause of the events - so do not make assumption yourself without reading the message clearly.

When a blogger tells me that her blog has been hacked, I curiously offer her for helps *curious that her blog is really hacked. Her account is apparently has been deleted by Google as well as her blog. 

So remember, any access problems have a reason. I know your blog is important but most importantly is not to panic!  So take a deep breath and as someone somewhere said: It's not the end of the world!

Use Blogger Help Forum 

This is for Blogspot users account. Google provides a forum to to ask your blogging problems and many bloggers don't know or don't care about this. Perhaps that because in English so its unconvinced them to learn it. 

As I mention earlier, use the translation tools if you're unsure about your English ability - I'm sure they will understand even with your basic English *I hope so.

No matter what problems with your blog just posting a question in this blogger help forum. But bear in mind that although the forum is the place to ask your blogging problems there also regulations that you must know so ensure you know its rules before you post your question. 

Next posting about how to get your question responded by Blogger Support. See ya!

DBLN, 21.14-041211

Hello December,

"The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can". ~ Robert Cushing ~

I see my spirit last month was a bit better than the other month which a good start to greet the 2012 I suppose. As I don't want feel dumb in 2012 (who wants to feel dumb anyway?) - I'd better keep the spirit high. Do you know what difficult to do in life is? I've recently thought about this, and according to my mental break down experience for the past of two months there are two things that hardly for us to do: to start a thing and to keep going. 

I thought these two things are easy (obviously not especially in mental breakdown time), so I start  from doing exercise first... 

Even a small step seems too hard to do, especially in the mental break down time - you need a big 'think' and big motivation from yourself, not from people around you. They might give you good advice to make yourself better to motivate you but trust me it won't work as the one who feel 'down' is you.

It is also hard not to show negative attitudes to people around us, everything seems disinterest. But as long as there is a positive think remains (even just a small chance), I'm sure this can change the negative attitude.

My plan to lose weight is a bit success. Although it's not a big success but I'm happy enough as I can start to do it and stick to it. Last month was my big motivation of the month to do exercise, I went to exercise moderately, 5 days in a week. I was also kinda addicted to do spin class. 

To keep myself motivate I do a research about health and diet and I find some very good websites about losing weight in healthy way. I plan to change a bit the way I exercise (including change the spin class from 5 days a week to twice a week). 

I'm now starting to do extreme diet. The first day is unfortunately fail, which is today - and I don't want too hard to myself as that probably would break my motivate and get me back to negative attitude. I told myself it's okay if I don't want to start to do it now. 

The most important thing for me now is that I can start to do what I've planned and for 30 days I've been able to stick to it. May this month gives me higher spirit.

DBLN, 13.37-021211