“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” – Anatole France

Semalem adalah salah satu malam dimana gw bisa belajar banyak dari beberapa orang sekaligus. Sebetulnya talk-wise, gak ada pembahasan dalam sampe hampir setengah debat, tapi cuma pintasan-pintasan dan cerita-cerita dari teman-teman ini yang bikin gw belajar banyak. Ada dua orang yang menginspirasi gw malam itu, my rockstar/idol/”uncle” Rene Suhardono everybody’s favourite inspirational talker (he refused to be called ‘Motivational’) and Yulia Indriati, Rene’s publisher.

Setelah membaca bukunya Coach Rene “Your Job Is Not Your Career”, gw sempet merasa tertampar sedikit demi sedikit. Bukan karena gw salah ngambil step dalam career path gw, tapi lebih kepada finding my purpose of life and my values. I’ve never learned so much from a book (tenang.. ini bukan promo). Although lucky enough, I have found (one of) my passion.

Setelah Coach bertanya tentang “What’s new?”, dia menghampiri gw dengan pertanyaan yang buat gw seru abis! Challenging and yet inspiring enough for me to start grinding my gears. “What is your wildest dream?” Simple kan? Tapi siapa yang nyangka pertanyaan kayak gitu bisa bikin gw kembali berpikir. Bukan berpikir “what is my wildest dream?” tapi lebih ke arah, “how I will I make this dream come true?”

Pertanyaan itu gw jawab dengan dua dari sekian banyak mimpi-mimpi liar gw (yang sebagian sebetulnya agak kurang realistis).

1. To have my own Desserts Bistro
2. To have a Macaroon Shop called “Ménage a trois”

Terlalu mimpi? Kok kalau menurut gw, tidak sama sekali. I’m lucky enough to be granted with all the access, knowledge and facilities to this particular industry in which I’m very passionate in doing. Dan kalo sesuai dengan apa yang Coach bilang, Passion is still the key.

So what’s next? Apa yang harus gw lakukan untuk merealisasikan si mimpi-mimpi ini (yang menurut gw sendiri, bukan sesuatu yang mustahil)? Mungkin gw nggak harus jabarin disini, but I really am thankful for that one question that grinds my gears. Moga-moga, gak cuma grinding my gears but also starts my engine and let all the work going.

Orang kedua yang menjadi inspirasi gw semalam adalah publisher dari bukunya Coach Rene: Mbak Yulia. She told me this story when she was living in Melbourne with her husband. Dia kerja for nearly 12 hours a day to support the living there. Kalau dalam kasta per-chef-an, kerjaan yang dia dapat disana adalah kasta (sorry…sorry…sorry…) yang cukup rendah: Kitchenhand. Tapi gw percaya bahwa one must start from the very beginning in order to climbs up to the peak of what they really want/passionate to do.

Tapi gak cuma sekedar kerja aja, tapi mbak Yulia enjoys doing this. She finds every single things (be it little or big things) yang dia bisa enjoy dari kerjaannya itu. Dari kitchen yang tertata secara rapi sampai the satisfactory feeling yang dia dapat setelah make sure bahwa kitchen-nya dia tinggal dalam keadaan bersih. Sometimes, it’s the smallest things like that that matters dan bukan big image-nya. And apparently she’s doing very well now, blessed with a great husband and a beautiful daughter…

Kalau kata Astrid Alauda, “Dreams are free, so free your dreams!”. That’s what my key is, bahwa I will never stop dreaming and will never stop working. Pada akhirnya, gw pun akan menemukan satu purpose of life yang masuk akal dan ‘matters’.

Thanks a bunch to Coach Rene & Yamuna, Mbak Yulia and Sekar for the amazing night together around Surabaya! Will be looking forward to another visit!

Dith

 Kalau boleh jujur..
sebetulnya sekarang ini gw lagi stress se ampun2an...
perihal kerjaan gw yg deadline-nya mundur terus dikarenakan persoalan logistic yang harusnya dikerjakan dari Jakarta gak beres2.. gimana gw bisa mulai kerja kalo logistic gw aja belom siap? 
Asli, kesannya gw magabut abis dikantor ini..
kerjaan gw cuma facebook-an, twitter-an, dengerin lagu, chatting-an...
mau jadi apa??
how to make myself look useful instead?

anyway,
why am i feeling so stressed out??
Area manager gw akan ke Jakarta... dua2nya.. satu cuti... satu lagi ada meeting R&D..
berarti..
tinggal gw
sendirian di kantor
di toko...
ARGH!
im such a hypocrite myself..
tadi gw ga ada kerjaan ngamuk, sekarang dikasih kerjaan tambah ngamuk..
mau lo apa sih????

Makanya gw ended up update blog lagi...
biar bagaimanapun juga, kmren ada kejadian yg bikin gw menjadi kuat sekuat-kuatnya...
i feel much stronger now...
tapi not in total sih.. ibaratnya kalo besi kena karat, gw masih agak rapuh soalnya masih ada karat2 diujung2nya...
but, i'll live..
i'll survive...

Somebody.
Somewhere.

Dith

 Lagi nunggu draft surat penawaran di edit beserta dengan kop suratnya di kantor Jakarta... internet emang ajaib yaa.. bikin kerjaan bisa dilempar saana sini... bikin Jakarta-Surabaya bedanya cuma selemparan kancut emak...

Baru sadar lagi kalo bulan Maret merupakan bulan pelanggaran Resolusi gw... (deuhh.. lebaaayy!!! cuma satu ajeee...)
Jadi waktu pergantian tahun salah satu resolusi gw adalah "Ga boleh ada drama (hidup lempeng2 aja)!". dari 8 resolusi gw, sebetulnya udah ada setengah yang gw penuhi. tapi sisanya belom.. dan bahkan satu ini gw langgar telak-telakkan di bulan Maret.

kenapa drama?
karena lagi2 gw me"liar"kan hati gw...
gw membiarkan dia lari2 sampe jatoh ke sumur dalem...
sumurnya import sih.. tapi tetep ajaa... jatohnya dalem...
jatoh-nya parah deh.. sampe mewek2 segala...
but anyway,
gw udah berjanji untuk get over it... terutama menyambut april ini..

bulan maret juga bulan remembrance gw.
ga tau kenapa tapi bulan ini membuka cerita2 lama di hidup gw setaun dan dua taun yang lalu... dari crita2 tengah malem, gosip2 cantik sampe gosipan BBM bersama penyiar acara request disebuah radio di Jakarta...

intinya sih satu..
MARET = DRAMA
jadi buat gw 
bukan Maginificent March..
tapi MELODRAMATIC MARCH!!!! XD

tapi ya udah lah yaaa...
secara kata Carrie Underwood juga "The past cant be re-written"
jadi apa daya?
move on? i guess that's the only solution here.

April ini diawali dengan kerjaan yang sudah mendekati deadline.
beruntung kerjaan juga udah sampe pada tahap mendekati sana..
tinggal dicetak terus dikirim.
kalo program ini berhasil, niscaya gw pun akan senang..

Naaahhhh....
namun..
sembari gw nunggu, gw mampir2 ke blog2 temen2 gw...
terutama temen baik gw nan ndut satu ini...
yang baru gw april-fool-in tadi pagi jam 12 waktu lagi berduaan dengan pacarnyaaa..... (Woooppsss maafff!!)

Genap per 31 Maret kemarin,
si temen gw ini sudah sebulan sama pacar barunya.
he's settling down
enjoying the goodness of life..
enjoying the New him...
di blog-nya dia, dia share apa yang dia rasain setelah memasuki dunia per-pacaran lagi..
dunia non single yang dipenuhi dengan derita kesendirian (Hadddeeuuhh LEBAY!!!)

Stelah berstatus Menikah (ga deiinnngg.. pacaran..), temen gw ini merasa bahwa banyak sifat2 jelek dia yang mulai berkurang sedikit demi sedikit...
mulai dari ga sabarannyaaa...
sampe ngedumel yang merupakan aktifitas yang adiktif buat dia pun akhirnya kalah...
intinya..
Pacaran merubah dia menjadi jauh lebih positif..
and that's very very very good...

If relationship doesnt change you into a better person, than you should forget about it...
biar gimanapun juga gw sangat setuju sama itu..
itu adalah salah satu prinsip gw dalam menjalankan relationship2 gw sebelumnya...
terbukti kan kalo itu ga cuma gw doang?


btw, si temen ini selalu jadi tempat gw untuk teriak2..
untuk curhat2..
Waktu malam minggu kelabu itu...
gw berlindung ke dia melalui telpon..
dia adalah orang (kedua sih sbtulnya) yang gw informasikan tentang situasi galau mellow halau gw hari itu...
Well, he indeed sounded much wiser than he used to become..
dia dengerin cerita gw...
sabar..
walopun di sisi lain, gw udah gerah pengen jejeritan.. pengen jambakin mbak2 disekitar gw...
Trus,
si temen gw ini lagi ngerjain kerjaan di Grando...
dia pun ngirimin foto...
tulisan tangan dia sendiri..
isinya...dan sekarang... 
si foto itu selalu jadi wallpaper gw...
Menyenangkan?
sangat..
setidaknya gw tau each days kalo masih ada orang yg mau ngingetin gw untuk terus bersyukur.. 
no matter what...

Jadi...
mari kita buat April ini menjadi AMAZING APRIL..
daripada sekedar Ahh--okay April...


le Combattant,
Dith


PS: j'e taime, mon ami! duper vous nuit derniere etait la preuve que i ne!! xoxo!

 once i knew a friend who fell in love with a city for it's beauty and i thought it's silly...
but, the wheel has turn around, and i did fell in love with a city..
The city of light..
The City of love..
Paris...

It's been 5 days since i landed in Paris in that darn amazing morning..
it was love at the first sight..
and to count it as the true love, i do believe that it is one now..

Love the city...
every corners of Paris enhances the charm that tingles all my senses.
the smell of the fresh boulangers,
the chill breeze from the fresh air of Paris,
the sights of tres chic Parisienne
and the sound of the bustling city that really let you blends into it.

Covet thy people...
who have been blessed with such a beautiful sights of amorous city
who have been blessed with such amazing looks to be so lovely.
Who have created such an amazing environment into their surroundings.
Simply creating this city to be lovelier day by day as you interacts with their people..

Savour thy food...
The luscious foie-gras au canard 
the delicate Beouf Tartare. 
The unlimited supply of the sweet Macarons
the kick up from their Cafe au Lait
The classic and indescribably amazing taste of their pains.
the buttery croissant et Pain Au Chocolat.
The city where desserts are so important, you have to have it on a daily basis..
the city where love comes from the first bite.

It's a whole different feeling than what i've experienced under the MTV studios in Time Square, New York.
i literally teared myself for the disbelief that i've finally landed myself in New York the city of dreams.
That i've finally step in one place i've always dream of..

In Paris,
it's not just about those points.
It's about being in the city of your dreams ;not just anybody's
I stared at the sight of glittering Tour de Eiffel with amazement and a very wide smile staring at the lights that shines through the city from its peak.
I couldnt stop smiling.
Under all the stars that shines above myself.
just me, myself and i..
realizing that this is where i want to be..
this is the part of my biggest dream...
Paris...

As what Friendly Fires love to say... 
"One day, we're gonna live in Paris.. I Promise.."

I dunno what the future will call, but i'm sure this is where i want to be..

And now, sitting down at the table in my hotel room on the last night in Paris for me..
with a nearly-empty pack of McDonald's Pomme Frites (yes... i know.. Ironic..)
im closing down this journal..
of Paris...
of Dreams..
of true feelings..
of Love...

Paris...
I'm in love...
With you...

Bonne Nuit...
Dith

 Considered myself pretty lucky, i still got a full day chance to roam around Paris before the exhibitions start tomorrow morning. At least, i wont be regarding myself as a pretty unlucky visitor who didnt get a chance to walk around Tour de Eiffel on my first visit to Paris.

Started the day not-so-early, i left the hotel at about 10ish via metro to Tour de Eiffel. 

A lil bit of my 2 cents worth about the Metropolitain in Paris.
being one of the oldest underground train that has existed since god-knows-when, i have to say Paris' Metro has a much easier route and more understandable system as compared to what Sydney has. 
Le Metro is still become the number 1 transportation method that the Parisienne took to commute around the city.
number 1 reason being it's cheap as compared to other method of transportation and also it's very passenger friendly and also very accessible. 
The metro stations cover almost all the arrondissements throughout Paris, thus making it easy for everyone including first-timer like me to get around the city without getting lost.
Also the trains here are much more humane as compared to those in New York or Sydney.

It takes about 20 minutes journey from Denfert-Rochearau to Bir-Hakeim which are still located in the same line 6 and is the closest metro to Tour de Eiffel. 
Btw, the 6C weather doesnt make it that easy to walk from the station towards the Tower. however, my excitements level kinda changes it all. Took photos with the tower from every different possible angles, especially those that aren't so mainstream.

Seeing the Tour de Eiffel with my own eyes is one of my Bucket List.
and im pretty much glad that i've checked one of my Bucket List this year.
It is indeed an amazing experience to be able to go all the way to the tip of the tower and getting a very clear sky to see the unique pattern of Paris.

Being the previous 7 wonders of the world, i believe that it really worth the reward. it is one of the most visited sites in the world and have become a very iconic building of Paris. 
It is amazing how someone could build up a tower that high, before there was an invention of cranes and other construction machineries that would help to build such tower easily these days.

Was about to have lunch at Attitude 85 at the Level 1 of the Tower but had to move on to Louvre as mom's friend is waiting to take us around the city.
Then took a cab across the river to the Louvre.

The signature glass Pyramides greeted me as i took of from the cab.
Surrounded by the Baroque style Jardin de l'Oratoire and Jardin de l'Infante, this pyramid is one of the new in-thing in Paris.
Especially after the success of Da Vinci Code the novel and the movie, the Louvre has become one of the iconic thing to do when in Paris.
However, apart from taking photos near the Pyramides, i did not take a further look inside the exhibition where the Monalisa and the Madonna of The Rocks are being displayed.

Met up with mom's friend, a lady who has been married to a Frenchman and settled in Paris for nearly 25 years now.
Went for a lunch at Restaurants du Monde in the building right next to the Louvre.
Though the name says a 'Restaurant', it isn't... it is a food court indeed. But, it's a food court with class and varieties. 

I took a chance on their spanish stall and try their Paella. nothing to special, but it was a pretty good Paella.

One thing that i've observed with Parisienne, is that they could never live without Desserts.
Be it salade aux Fruits or Gateau L'Opera en finger. 
The set menu in almost every place includes themselves with a dessert.
This is the first time in my life to see Dessert got so much attention in the Food Court.
and that's what i love about Paris..

Then moved on to Rue de Saint-Honore towards the Place de Marche Saint-Honore towards the Marc by Marc Jacobs store.
yes, it is me the one who's obsessed with Marc Jacobs.

However, along the way, mom's friend told me about this one place called "Colette".
it is a chic and modern shop, selling all kind of new and edgy stuffs.
And believe me, those who went there are the hippest and the chic-est urban people in Paris.
Artsy fartsy and those with fetishes over good shoes and being known in Public.
Thank God i wasn't wearing my worst overcoat into the store.

And in the Marc Jacobs, i couldnt really find all the stuffs that i was looking for throughout the past one year.
i do spot the Fist Backpack and the necklace that i want.
anyway, was pretty happy with the catches and additional of a belt.

Being obsessed with more and more Desserts,
i decided to go to the Pierre Herme boutique at 185 rue Vaugirard.
The boutique has a very nice and simple display of their mouth watering products.
Including the wide varieties of their Petit Macaron and the book that Monsieur Pierre Herme himself wrote.
I honestly loves the Pierre Herme more than Laduree..
the packaging are more edgy instead of classic and they are much more daring with the flavours.

I did tried their Rose Macaron (Yes, i think i've become very obsessed with the usage of Rose Water in desserts) and kinda liking it more than Laduree's.
This includes the Wasabi & Raspberry Macaron (Wasabi cremeux with raspberry preserve in the middle bite) which really tingles my tongue and made me amazed with disbelief. 
Also the Mille Feuille with Rose Mascarpone and Raspberry jelly compote that are assembled to perfection and is one of the best desserts i've ever eaten in my life.

Not forgetting the fact that i bought a book filled with Macaron Recipes by the man himself, Pierre Herme...
and yes, it's en Francaise.
so i guess.. it's time for me to learn French for the sake of making a perfect Macaron...

Another Paris Night up ahead...
my tummy is a bit grumbling 
and it is half past 7 at night local time (GMT +1).
This is me writing with a huge excitement for tomorrow's event
and heart full of thanks and gratitude to what i've been granted with..

Merci Beaucop,
Dith

 Paris is a city of love.
That's what they said...
I said, the city itself will make you be in love.

I took a walk around the hotel, The Montparnasse arrondissement. 
who holds so many of indeed a very beautiful charcuterie, fromagerie, poissoniere, Patissiere, Boulangerie and Braserrie. 

Decided to take a lunch at "Cafe du Rendez-Vous" Just right around the corner of Ave. Rene Cote.. 
Had a pretty amazing Foie Gras served with toast and preserved onions for Entree. The Foie Gras was so delicate that i really dont give a damn that Foie Gras is still a cruelty to animal. The oily and tangy flavour of the liver mixed well with the crispy white toast and the sweet and tangy onions. 

Foie Gras is made out of Goose Liver. the olden days, it came naturally from the goose and their normal eating cycle. However, as the demand gets higher, many breeders actually did stuffed their Goose forcefully with water to make their liver much bigger. This still counts as a cruelty towards animal by many people.

For Main, i go with the Canard which is in english means Duck.
The dish that i had was a fried duck meat, gratin-ed with mashed potato on top served with a garden salad in balsamic vinegar. The tasty duck and the creamy potato mixed so well, that it is nearly one of the most perfect dish i've ever had.

Decided to go to Champs-Elysees post late lunch activity.
throughout the journey there, i was amazed by the many sights that i've seen in movies before. The location for scenes from 'The Devil Wears Prada', 'Amelie' and 'Paris, J'e T'aime'..
That feelings of "hey, Anne Hathaway was there!" is simply amazing..
and stopped at Arc De Triomphe. 
Snapped few photos of myself and enjoy being a tourist there.
Walk down the avenue and loving the sights of many shops and interesting places along the road towards the Place de la Concorde.
and landed my freezing butt inside the glorious 'Laduree'

My sights got caught in their turquoise metal canopy that drapes over the elegant-baroque style maroon interior.
Their current display is the playful Alice in Wonderland packagings. The got displays of Alice's classic dress with few images of the Rabbits and few cartonized desserts. Not forgetting, their Macaroons bouche display that are simply eye catching..
I go to the cafe seating area and ordered myself their Rose-Framboise Gateau St. Honore, Rum Baba, Arabica (their version of Opera with much stronger espresso and less almond) and Elysees (their super duper chocolate cake).



Honestly said, 
im not the big fan of their desserts but the St. Honore.
The baba has too much rhum that it overcomes the poaching syrup flavours. The Arabica has good coffee kick but a bit too sweet and the Elysees is just so-so..
however, the delicate rose chantilly and raspberry cream inside the scrumptious puff pastry and choux puff coated with white chocolate is just soooooooooooooo delicious.
i couldnt get over the fact that rose water really gets into my taste bud. it tingles every parts of it with the sweet and delicate taste of that perfumed flavour.

You'll never go to Laduree without buying their famous Macaroon. So instead of having it on the cafe, i decided to take them home as their packagings are soooooo beautiful. in total i bought 12pcs of Macaroons of different flavours (Chocolate, Rose water, Orange Blossom, Coffee, Caramel, Framboise, etc.) and one of their dark pink gothic-esque box.



It is indeed an amazing first half day and night in Paris.
im gonna scout for Marc by Marc Jacobs store tomorrow and most likely will score myself another bag there..
ah me...
bags bags and bags....
shoes shoes and shoes...
bless those who make them worship-able...

Sleep Tight,
Dith

 Pronounce that with the most French accented voice you can ever make.
Yes.. indeed... I'm in love with Paris as i land here.

A lil bit tad on the flight, i got myself into the A380. Honestly said, it was pretty amazing. The aircraft was very huge and the inflight entertainment services are amazing.
HOWEVER, the service from the Flight attendant doesnt really changed... So, i still am disappointed with the service from Emirates.

It's 10 minutes past 4PM local time (GMT +1). Just took a shower and soon to head out for something to eat.
staying in the hotel du Midi on the south of Paris, right across the Denfert-Rocherau station. I actually love this hotel. The classic terra-cotta look just like every other buildings that i've seen on my way here in the cab.

On the first glance, i really feel that Paris is a lot like Melbourne. The classic feel in the city and the bald-looking trees (yes, it's still very cold here.. at about 8C now). The gothic statues on nearly every building. The con-block tiling on the junctions of every Rue. I just simply love this city on the first Glance..

J'e T'aime Paris...
Dith

Local time now is quarter to 7 in the morning (GMT +4: Abu Dhabi).

With 14% battery remains on Macaroon, I typed this journal after light shopping session at the Dubai DFS.

I have to agree that the airport itself is a bit OVER… and by OVER I really mean it. Upon arriving I was faced with what I called as Mazecalator. Post the security screened, you were brought down and up just to get into the gate areas. The architectural design was okay, but u can see too much Arabian touch on it. But overall, it’s a pretty great airport.

Another thing that I found from the Airport, that Dubai is another very diverse country. An interesting views is that majority of the DFS staffs are Filipinos. Not that I have any judgmental against the Pinoys nor the Pinays. But I have to say they pretty much cover up the 75% of staffs majority in this building.

The good thing about high traffic airport is that you can see how many ridiculous outfits are there inside a building (at least for a bitch like I am). I see overcoat, grandma sweaters, burkhas and many other ridiculous Outfits. So it’s nice to bitch about them, but it’s not nice to actually find some superb cute Caucasian guy looking at you with a pretty cute smile while you are trying to pick out the remains of the nuts that were stuck in your teeth. :(

And since im not that lucky to get into the country itself, I am observing the country from the airport. I have to say Dubai really is a great to country to visit. I am looking forward for any chances that I will have upon visiting Dubai. Social House opening soon here anyway, right?

And about the flight, I spent almost the entire journey by sleeping and listening to my iPod only. Wasn’t the comfiest seat I’ve ever sat on, but not the worse either. Emirates overall has a pretty okay flying experience. But I’m wondering why am I the only one that complains about the service from the flight attendants? They rarely smile, though some are pretty good looking. But in general, Qantas still have the much preferable services on board. Hopefully the flight to Paris will prove me wrong.

Should board in an hour or so.
Prove me wrong mister…
Prove me….



Much Love,
Dith

 The time is now ten minutes past 11 PM at night. am inside the Executive lounge, seeking for good Wifi connection with a can of Diet Coke to start the night.
Yep, the night that i'll always remember.
My First European Trip.

gw sangat amat senang sekali and am looking forward to land in dubai within the next 6 hours i guess...
(baru aja ngambil sandwiches and canapes).

Realizes that everyone kinda likes my new passport case with Bajaj(s) all over it.
Thanks Sera for giving me the info about the place where she got hers (Hers is pink with only ONE Bajaj on it! HA!)

Tadi gw dapet the latest release album from my beloved friend, LEONARDO..
Seriously! you guys should go ahead and scout for his album "The Sun"
I highly recommend the album (and not just because he's my friend) for the great musicalities, catchy lyrics and the amazing sound of his..
oh yeah, catch him in Java Jazz Festival too.

Stay here for more updates on this Paris & Belgium trip..
i'd be more than happy to let you guys see and feel what i really feel here...

Much Much Much Love!
Dith

PS: the canapes sucks!! X(

 Di post kali ini, saya cuma ingin bersyukur...
bersyukur punya teman2 yang hebat...
bersyukur bisa tertawa lepas..
bersyukur diberi hidup yang lebih dari sekedar berkecukupan..
bersyukur diberi kemudahan dalam menjalan apapun..
bersyukur dipercayakan dengan sebuah kebebasan..
bersyukur dikelilingi orang2 hebat..
bersyukur boleh belajar dari orang2 hebat itu..
bersyukur boleh mengucap syukur untuk semuanya itu...

Indeed..
i am thankful..
i am grateful...
it's waaaayyyy too precious...

I
Am
Happy...

Dith