Origena

Puppy Mills Kill Kindness on Earth

2009-07-14T23:19:00.001+07:00

When I was a little girl, my ankle once was bitten by our family dog. I don't remember why she bite me, but I will never forget that her name was Lassie, her fur was black and white, and she was a pekingese. I've never hated nor been afraid of her or any other dogs because of the incident, I love the creature still.

They're cute, witty, but if I must pick one from many good qualities that usually dogs possess, then I choose dog's willingness to help. Some anomalies do exist, such as dogs who bite without reason or savage dog who killed or injured others, I really hope I will never meet one like that!

Back to my pick -dog's willingness to help, this heartwrenching video really depicts that quality. I've already read about the story in a newspaper months ago, but found the video just today. It's about a stray dog who helped another stray dog who was hit by a car on a highway in Chile.

Normal dogs -like dolphins- seem inherited instinct to help others in need. Pity that some people still see dogs (and dolphins) as food, and pity that some dogs are treated badly like those puppies in Puppy Mill. After seeing an article about Puppy Mills, I began to think maybe that's why ferocious dogs exist. The puppies are born and breed in a terrible condition where they're not considered as living creature, but simply as commercial items. The mills are always dirty, jam-packed by too many puppies in one cage, and lack of care. Some puppies survive, some don't. Some will grow to be normal dogs, and some will become who I define as troubled dogs :-\

I decide to join The Puppy Mill Link Exchange Project (thanks to Kelvin) to prevent the existence of savage dogs and to save those little 'angels on Earth'.

I hope many bloggers also join this movement and place the badge and article on their blogs to spread the words. Remember......

Going to Vietnam?

2009-07-09T10:08:00.000+07:00

Recently when I and a friend were at a bookstore, she spent most of the time in the travel books section. She's a travel freak and she seems to know the tips on how to travel within budget. Like for instance, hunting for special flight rates, so she sometimes has already booked some flights in advanced. If I'm not wrong, Vietnam is amongst her fix travel plans, and it will not be the first visit for her, but I think the third (?) visit. So, I knew when I found out about Vietnam Super sale, this sure is gonna be on her menu :)

By the way, I'm not talking about clothes and bags shopping spree sale time here, but this sale is set by Accor hospitality!! Yes, so for the travel freak like her, this will be a great deal, cause Novotel, Grand Mercure and Mercure are well-known hotel brands. However, I'm curious why she always wants to visit Vietnam? I knew that she met her recent boy friend while they both were travelling in Vietnam years ago, so is it for the sake of her private beautiful memory or is Vietnam indeed worth visited repeatedly? Good idea, I will ask her when I meet her this Saturday :) Oh no, I should contact her quickly because that Vietnam Hotel Super sale offer is only running for 7 days, ie. 7- July 13, 2009 and that's for the stays from July 17 till September 30, 2009.

In the meantime, I can only find out from the internet about the beauties that one can find in Vietnam. I am now curious about Ha Long Bay, which is apparently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 3,000 limestone islands scattering on the South China Sea, creating a strange, eerie but very beautiful scene. I wonder the feeling that will overwhelm when sailing through those islands. I also read, those islands comprises bizarre cave formation and grottoes. Cool!!

Missing, Voting, Shopping

2009-07-08T23:59:00.008+07:00

Today's holiday, I was very disappointed! Not because of the result of our presidential election, but because this morning when I was browsing the net, I realised that I missed Michael Jackson's memorial service live coverage on tv last night, Indonesia time. Later, I felt gutted at lunch when my bro told me that he and his family watched the reply in the morning. I knew then there would be no hope, because today is presidential election day in my country, means all the media would be fix on that.

So I decided to give my vote, especially because yesterday I received a promo sms from one Shopping Centre telling that all the voters will receive 50% discount at certain resto and cafe, including at ColdStone. A good way to encourage people to use their vote right, besides of course it's indeed a good marketing plan. But it turned out this became the second disappointment of the day!! All of the ColdStone shops were packed of people queuing, that made all that I, my sis-in-law and my cutie pie nephew could do was doing a little shopping of nothing essentials :-P but we're glad that we got the thingies on discounted prices. I bought the Batdog doggy-bank -~~will post the pic later~~, that caught my attention when I first saw it some months ago, and my sis-in-law got some good bargain prices on two pieces of shirts for her cutie pie. I also decided to buy again some decorated ribbons for my new hobby, ie. card making, because they're also on 30% discount prices. That's all. Oh, and the winner of the election is already predicted.

Photo ColdStone by wikimedia

We Are The World Meme

2009-07-01T20:19:00.005+07:00

Ok I have something to post today thanks to Monica. Seems that the world is still mourning because of the shocking dead of Michael Jackson, and to me the feeling came in slowly. I didn't really feel anything on day one or two, but since yesterday I've felt the lost, and guess what song that has been lingering on my head? Not We Are the World, but..

..this...

..One day in your life...
--//---
you remember me somehow..though you don't need me now
..I will stay in your heart...
and when things fall apart...you remember one day...

He certainly stays in many people's hearts already.
Well, better stop now before I'm getting emotional, better get back to the We Are the World Meme from Monica.

*Start Copy Here*
You do not have to be tagged to play along. The game is simple and so are the rules.
1. Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*
2. Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post at each site you add.
3. Tag as many bloggers as you like so the list keeps on growing.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.
5. Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in.

We Are The World Bloggers Master List:

1. Emila Yusof 2. The Other Side of Emila 3. Mariuca 4. Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery 5. Meow Diaries 11. Unlisted One 7. Spiff, the Spaceman 8. My Sweet Escape 9. Nota Nurul 10. Life’s Tapestry 11. Spontaneous Insignificancy 12. LadyJava 13. Miss Igorota 14. AnnyBoo 15. Yoon See 16. Jia’s Life 17. Nessa’s Mumblings 18. Also Mommy 19. The Walk of Life 20.Pretty Firefly 21. Untouchable EARTH 22. Baterya 23. Comedy Plus 24. Bain Cardin 25. Strawberry Milkshake 26. Turn-U-Off 27. Jom Heboh Di Sini 28. Notes by Marvic 29. Memoir Mez 30.Origena 31. You’re next

*End Copy Here*

My Wow Sleek Template

2009-06-28T23:55:00.008+07:00

Be warned *Narcissistic-mode: on* ;-P.
I made up my mind and changed my template again, after I found a template named Joomla Template for Blogger. It's so irresistible. It might look more conventional than the previous template I used, but it's more compact. It's built with many compartments in it, and its clean look design makes this template versatile enough that allows me to experiment even with my limitations :-P.

Since I'm still possessed by one of Gmail layouts -can you guess which one? ;)- I've tweaked the template into this woody board. I also did a bit coding changes so to make the right column appears properly on the old IE6, and so the above two ad compartments to appear on every pages, not only on the homepage.

Luckily I have a techie online buddy, and lucky that my memory was cooperative, I was getting the clue on how to code the template from one of our many chat sessions.

I'm proud with the result, cause it does look like what I imagined, and with this template I can accommodate as many blog candy as ~~before~~ I want.

Here are the recipe of the makeover, in case someone is interested :-P

Main Ingredient:
1. Joomla Template for Blogger that can be downloaded here.
Spices:
1. Wood background: Makore
2. Images: Old World Wax Seal, bubbles
3. Font: Conglomerfont
4. Contact System: VisitorContact
5. Interactive toolbar: Wibiya
6. Navigation: Bloggerbuster
7. Comment System: Commentluv -now with its one-click installation for Blogger, a must have gadget.

That's all, but this look is not final yet.

Accor Hotels City Super Sale

2009-06-23T20:45:00.001+07:00

One of my buddies is very excited about her holiday plan next month, because she is going to enjoy her days for half a month in Europe. She has meticulously picked the tour package by checking its destination, itinerary, price and also accommodation. She's very happy to find out that her tour travel says that most of the time the company chooses branded hotels like Novotel or at least Ibis, those of Accor Hotels. I remember sometimes ago when I stayed at the Novotel in Bogor city, I loved to come to its Bale Bengong -or in English it can be described as a place for doing nothing- which is located on a huge tree. So I agree with her choice, with that kind of hotel choices that tour packaged sounds promising.

How about you? Do you go this holiday season by joining a tour package, or loosely? Whatever choice you make, don't forget to search for your hotels. Like my friend, I also play carefully when choosing hotel. We need to have a good sleep too to restore the energy, right?

Now this is a great news for you who are coming to Asia Pacific -that of course includes my beloved Indonesia, there's a great bargain rates from Accor Hotels City Super Sale. The bargain rates would even become more exciting if you book online between 23 - 29 June for stays between July 10 and September 30, 2009, because then you will be able to save up to 60%!!

Go check it out now, and book this limited time offers for your vacation in Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hanoi, Manila, Mumbai, Sydney and Auckland. Don't forget Bogor too, if you want to see my favourite Balai Bengong ;). Yes, Bogor is included amongst 27 cities in that offer.

Smell it, Squeez it, but don't...

2009-06-13T08:03:00.001+07:00

Yes...don't eat any of the above donuts, no matter scrumptiously they look. They are only of benefit when you want to stress-free yourself, like when you want to punch someone but you know fighting is no good, just grab the donut and squeeze it then smell it...hmm...it'll be completely overpowering your agitation. Really? Heheh, maybe.

Anyway, you don't have to be first stressed to get any of those donuts. I think if I can have it I will tease my friends with it cause it looks so real, at least from the photo, and moreover as the maker said they smell like ones too.

How to get these special donuts?
According to webdesignerwall, just pick one of the donuts and tell the reason why it's picked and write it on the comment box of Breadou Donut Giveaways posting. No need to make post about it, I do it cause currently I don't have things to put here and cause the donuts are cute :-D
In boca al lupo, it's an Italian's way to say good luck! to me and to everyone.
Enjoy the stress-free Saturday.

Err...sorry but your zipper is open

2009-06-10T23:59:00.005+07:00

Photo by azrainman

I recently had appointment with an oculist for my currently trouble eye. Yes, luckily not both of them :).
Went to a doctor recommended by a friend. She said he's a sympathetic doctor. My need of seeing this type of doctor is due to the previous doctor that I met, who gave me a distressing diagnosis with distressing explanation and urged me to undertake some thorough medical checkups. I told a friend and my Dad about that doctor's diagnosis, both of them assured me to see different doctor for the second opinion.

So that's how I met this doctor.
After some preliminary checkups, I went to the nice and modern waiting lounge where the patients wait for the doctors. I and the other patients of this doctor had to wait an hour because he had an urgent operation, so most of them then changed to another available doctor.
That made me number one in queue, and when the doctor finally arrived in his examination room I got called by his nurse. After a bit chit-chat of my case, he asked me go to the examination seat.

Then the drama happened, as I and he stand up, suddenly in reflex he covered his zipper area and murmured in shame "oh...sorry" then continued nervously "I was in a rush from the operation room".
The nurse giggled and said "luckily (she) doesn't see", and she repeated that again.
'Lucky' that I am currently quarterly blind :-P cause some weeks ago before I have this problem both of my eyes were very sharp.

I wonder if the nurse actually had known it, because they were in the room for some minutes before I got called in. Probably she was too embarrassed to tell him?
That makes me think, what if I were in her situation? How would I tell it? :-D

By the way, because of my Mom- thank God she's getting better and better-, I've been to many hospitals, but that was the first time for me to see a nurse with a 'polished' look. I mean she's lean, at least 1.70m height and has long legs that makes her more looks like a stewardess than a nurse.

UPDATE..
eheheh..just found this link about Mens Open Zipper Alarm. Lol.

Blog Candy

2009-05-31T18:18:00.000+07:00

What kind of candy that I want these days?
Blog candy!! I chanced upon it when I searched the internet about clear stamps.

Yes, recently I've been dabbling in craft things. Started from kurumie -a Japanese washi paper craft-, puncher and now clear stamps.

At first I was reluctant to buy clear stamps, I felt those images are just simple ones, and that I am able to draw those kind of things. However, having seen some creative clear stamps creations on the internet, I begin to understand that stamps thing is not about drawing, but about making nice and fun creations. Am I right?? :-P

Right now, since I'm just currently 'aware' of these things, I only have a set of clear stamps that I bought online almost a month ago. Maybe I'm lack of information or maybe because clear stamps are still fresh in my country, I only find one shop in my city that sells clear stamps, and the choices are limited too.

That's why I'm very happy when I find blog candy!! Well yes, I need the good luck factor to get any of the blog candies, nevertheless it's still a joy matter to me and from now on this blog will have some candies around.
I shall wish myself good luck from now on! :-D

Two Cool Templates and A Contest

2009-05-24T18:18:00.000+07:00

It appears that my current layout is not paid post friendly. Probably my blog subscribers notice that my previous post is suddenly gone. I have to take it off, after the ad marketing agent told me that the post is obstructed from full view on the homepage that I must allow at least two of my recent posts to be fully visible.

I'm in like with my current template very much, so I can't be bother to change it right now. Though this means that I won't be able to do paid post while this template is alive, and though I'm not sure if this template is SEO friendly, it's always satisfying to wear the outfit that you really want, right.

What else?
Still about template, I finally made my purchase from themeforest. Remember that last time I became one of the lucky 2500 PSDTUTS readers who receives $US10.
There are so many templates there, and because I also have wordpress blog, it took me months before I can decide which template to buy. I chose to buy the blogger one, because there are more free wordpress templates out there than blogger ones.
Gamediary-templates is the name of a template that I purchased. It has a nice colour schemes and good insertion of ad placements. Also, unlike the usual left side blog post, this template has the post section on its right.
Take a peek on how it looks.

What else?
While I was on themforest, I read about this awesome "Win $3500 to Spend on the ULTIMATE Creative Setup!". Enter just by creating a free account on any of Envato market places, including themeforest, and start compiling a public collection.
This is a snip that I quote from the site on how to create a public collection after you join:

1. Decide on the theme of your collection (e.g. Best Vector Illustrations, Killer WordPress Themes)
2. At the top of the page where your username is, click the Bookmarks link
3. Name your new collection in the Create a New Collection box
4. Add an awesome image to represent your collection
5. Add a description for your collection
6. Make it publicly viewable (this is important!), then click Create.

Good luck!!

My Current Template Talk

2009-05-11T11:11:00.001+07:00

It's been awhile that I took off my dear "choco block template" and using this very unique free template which is created by Jaloee, an Indonesian blogger.
Quite lucky that I've saved this template before it's become unavailable anymore for download. Sometimes ago I went back to the site and didn't find this template, that then makes this template a limited edition ;-))
Other unique templates made by Jalooe are still available to download for free there, but I like the clear structure of this template.
The structure gives equal exposure to the postings, and eases the reader to choose what to read.

I only face a problem to fill the abundant link and ad compartments that come with this template. I haven't tried to fit project wonderful or similar ads there because collaborating those kind of ads into this template is not as simple as a plug-n-play thing. For now, I just leave them as they are.

Another things that I want to do to this template are adding icons, and probably background for the widgets . Icons might be small in size, but they can bring prominent effect to a site. This template doesn't come with many icons.

I haven't decided what icons to use, but the huge collections of icon from my recent finding gives enough choices.
Have a look:
icojoy, here you can find the Maneki Neko Japanese good-luck cat. I'm not a cat person, but these cats are indeed cute.
fordesigner, this will pamper your need of icons with its super cute collection.
dryicons, it has icons and many more.
dezignous, essential source for free icons and other free graphic stuffs.
visual blast, not many collections, but very good ones.

Hope this finding can benefit other icon lovers too ;-)

Because short is better

2009-05-10T15:35:00.007+07:00

Size does matter, the shorter the better.
Sure the spammers that hit your inbox disagree that :-D.

So where in the world this the-shorter-the better-idea exists?
The answer is in the world of Twitter, HelloTxt, Hictu, Jaiku, Plurk and those kind of service.
With the restriction of 140 characters per message, we need to be smart enough to fit the whole words we want to tell the words. That won't be a problem when there's no url address in it, but when there is, then we need a short url service.

Here is compilation of url shortening machines:
u.nu
xr.com (custom alias, edit-able, adsense integration, real-time tracking)
is.gd
tr.im (custom alias, password, real-time tracking)
nn.nf
to.ly
adf.ly (real-time tracking, pay-per-click, API, referral included in the link)
cli.gs (custom alias, password, real-time analytics, social media monitoring, geo-targeting, search engine friendly, tools, API)
2pl.us
bit.ly (custom alias , real-time tracking)
tini.us (custom alias)

There you are, a prove that short is better! :-D

UPDATED!!
fa.by (custom alias, password, bulk submission, cloaking, tracking, editable)

My so called doll

2009-03-29T21:49:00.006+07:00

I just tried to make my cartoon-like character with urFooz and I am not satisfied with the result. It's not urFooz fault though, it's because I don't have the patient to find and to try one by one the eyes, lips and etc in a meticulous way, I want to see the final result straight off.
Hairs and lips are the hardest parts, these that I adopted are what I think have some similarities to mine -the hair of course when my hair is long.

Look at her, I think in some ways, I can look like her when my hair is longer :-D.
Anyone who wants their own dolls shall get one or more for free at urFooz :-)

My O and the Others

2009-03-24T22:58:00.001+07:00

Photo by McPig

Once again Monica opts me as one of her tag victims :-P and this time tag is called "First Letter of My Name".
Since mine begins with O, all the answers must start with an O!

1. What is your name? Ori
2. A four letter word: Oops
3. A boy's name : Orlando
4. A girl's name : Odelia
5. An occupation : Orthodontist
6. A color : Ochre
7. Something you wear : Optical instrument
8. A type of food : Oatmeal
9. Something found in the bathroom : Oral-B
10. A place : Opera
11. A reason for being late : Oversleep
12. Something you shout : Oohh........
13. A movie title : One Fine Day
14. Something you drink : Orange juice
15. A musical group : Oasis
16. A street name : Oxford St
17. A type of car : Osca - oh so cutee!
18. A song title : One - my favourite song from U2
19. A verb : Offer

I've met whale, how about you?

2009-03-10T12:28:00.005+07:00

I love to see whale swimming and hopping in the ocean. Its monolithic body is just like a small moving hump on the infiniteness of the ocean. I think I've seen it twice, I mean in real and not just on television. I even believe that I've seen the whale spouting water through its blow-hole -but sometimes my mind can't really remember which is real and which is just my imagination, or whether I made some imagination while I was watching it :)) anyhow...

As a whale admire, I'm sad about whale hunting. I understand that whaling is considered part of culture in certain countries, but I think we need to preserve this gentle giant from extinction.
Whales are rare, no other animals or living creatures have bodies as big as theirs. Let's help them to survive, let's give chance to our future generation to meet them, thus let's end commercial whaling by joining the following move.

For Sammy who deserves lots of love

2009-02-26T09:59:00.002+07:00

Today when I visit blogcatalog, one of the thread tells me to visit a link about Sammy's story. Maybe because I have a very weak heart for dogs, I couldn't continue to watch the following video yet. It's too sad, made my head hurts.

It would be wasting time to question how could someone do bad things to such a loving creature while in fact there have been many stories about dogs' valours in helping humanity.

So this case is just one example of terrible cruelty. Very sad.
Nevertheless, dog's survival ability and its life spirit are amazing.
Sammy is really an inspiration.
I hope Sammy will now always get all love that he deserves.
He will never be able to see again, but he sure can live much better with much love.

Please help spreading this video of Sammy.

See how Sammy looks now in the care of Noah's Ark Rescue, and he still needs some help.

Lay across my big br****

2009-02-08T20:45:00.004+07:00

Photo by cpurl

The complete title should be "Lay across my big breasts babe"
So crude eh?
Yes, that's really part of the lyrics of a song that I 'heard' from the radio when I was in a car. Unfortunately I didn't hear the song completely since it's already almost ended when I got to the radio channel that aired the song. The song sounded light and soothing, and the male singer had a dreamy voice that made me almost forgot to type the lyrics into my mobile. All that stuck to my mind was that bizarre phrase *lol*.

How can it not be bizarre when a man sings "lay across my big breasts babe"?
I was not sure about the "babe" thing though, I couldn't guess it better, since I also heard he previously uttered lay lady lay.

I remembered again that song after browsing my mobile notes just some moments ago, and I became curious again on how strange that piece of lyrics sounds.
I put the whole phrase into Google search engine and it's a magic that the words took me to Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay. As I checked it out on youtube, I found out that it's not exactly the version that I heard, but it's indeed the song that I was looking for. Youtube then showed me the version that I wanted, it's from Magnet & Gemma Hayes.

Still feel amused with the fact that I was not the only one who has kinky ears *hehe*, I did further search about the misheard song of Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay, and here is the funniest one:

My husband has a huge chest. After we'd had an argument, I sat in my room playing that song over and over, thinking of that big chest. I was really disappointed when I finally read the lyrics. - Submitted by: Diana

Now, let me present the song and get your ears tested by listening to it. See if you have twisted ears too like mine, Diana and.......the Everly Brothers.

Proceed to check the lyrics here.

Have you ever?

2009-02-03T20:11:00.001+07:00

Photo by Thomas Hawk

I get some questions from Monica, and here they are with their answers:

1. Have you ever been on TV?
My auntie and my late uncle told me that they saw me on tv. They said I was at a library, reading a book, lol.

2. Have you ever sung in public?
Well..I'm a Church goer, so it's obvious it's a yes.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
Yes, ash blond if I'm not wrong.

4. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs?
Used to be my childhood favourite dish, until I found out that my late last dog -Zippo- befriended frogs :-D

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?
Nope, but a present that made me bored, yes. Lol...but I can't reveal it here.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post?
Nope, I think I have sensitive detector system.

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?
Oh no...I would be hungry first.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?
Yes, and it happened in front of my senior highschool principal and her important guess. She was showing him the school and they found me at the school cafeteria chatting up with a friend, and it's not even at a break time, and I suddenly lost my balance when they came into the cafeteria. I fell off my seat and my back kissed the floor. It didn't hurt, but I remember I felt so embarrassed and was hoping they didn't see my panties, heh.

9. Have you ever done volunteer work?
Yes, small scale though, and through internet.

Seeking Comfort

2009-01-16T10:50:00.004+07:00

At last...my first entry for this 2009 :), sorry to all EC dropper who visited this blog, and to bloggers who left messages that I hadn't had time to visit back. I didn't have mood to write before because since 26 Dec last year, there has been stressful moment in my family that is due to my Mom's health problem.

Anyhow, today she's going to have small surgery. It's a small one, but yet since my Mom has a bit problem with her current weak heart, we're all still in a state of worry. So, anyone, friends or strangers who read this please kindly pray for my Mom's wellness ok :))

Some say that when in time of trouble some people tend to be more religious, meaning, their dosage of pray is more than usual :-P and it seems I'm one of them.

I can't write much, because I have to go to hospital soon. The surgery will take place today around 1 pm. I searched the internet before for some songs that I usually sing at Church, and here's one of my favourite:

Almighty God my redeemer
My hiding place my safe refuge, no other name like Jesus
No power can stand against You.

My feet are planted on this rock
And I will not be shaken
My hope it comes from You alone
My Lord and my salvation

Your praise is always on my lips
Your word is living in my heart
And I will praise You with a new song, My soul will bless You Lord

You fill my life with greater joy
Yes I delight myself in You
And I will praise You with a new song, My soul will bless You, Lord

When I am weak, you make me strong
When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of Your name
All things are possible
All things are possible
All things are possible
All things are possible

Hijacked Christmas

2008-12-25T21:59:00.003+07:00

Photo by kevindooley

Go Google the internet for "Father Christmas", and you don't have to hard guess, because it will sure list things about Santa Claus. Go check out the Christmas decorations in Shopping Centres, Malls, or at many houses, then it's almost certainly Santa is around.
Most everything about Christmas has long been referred to Santa Claus. Ask the children, and I'm sure many of them will think first of that old white-bearded man with red outfit, than of the One who actually has the Christmas Day.

That's pretty sad. Some people may say that telling the children not to believe in Santa Claus is like taking away the joy of Christmas from them, but for Christian letting the children believing in fallacy about Christmas it's like letting them to have weak foundation of Faith. After all what makes Santa that special that you don't mind to lie to children?

Does Santa Claus really teach us or children about love, giving or kindness?
I wouldn't mind if people say that, but I really mind when people idolise Santa Clause in Christmas time and make it as an occasion to teach children to behave well so Santa will grant them with gifts.

Why not teach children about the Love of God instead?
Christmas is the celebration of giving. God gave His only Son, Jesus to the world to save human. At least three wise men -the Magi- gave their best gift to welcome Baby Jesus, their long journey I think also showed their love to Him.

Therefore, teaching the children about Love is the right way rather than to let them to believe in something that is groundless. Instead using Santa Clause as an intermediary, it's better to give the present directly to those you love, and say something like "I give you present because God love us very much and long ago He gave the most wonderful present to us through Jesus, and because of that we can celebrate Christmas. So this present is also because I love you."

Or you can say anything else, just don't let them be chained in a false belief.
After all Christmas is about Christ' birthday, it's His big day, though it's not really on 25 Dec but Christmas Day 25 Dec was and is meant for Christ Jesus.
How do you feel when your Birthday event is hijacked by someone else?

I hope those who still idolise Santa Clause on Christmas Day can realise this.
Christ gave His life to us, but Santa Clause can only provide 'bought' gifts :-P
Stop saying that Father Christmas is him, because it's God.
Jesus is our Friend, our Shepherd, our God and our Father.

Happy Birthday Jesus...and Merry Christmas to you who read this :))
and don't just say "Happy Holidays."
May the Christmas spirit stay with us forever and guide us to always follow Jesus.

Photo by We Are CS

Prizes from the Blog World

2008-12-20T18:48:00.004+07:00

Photo by Tim Caynes

This post contains some scrumptious chances that I found on the net and also is about the prizes that I have got from there up til now during 2008. I don't get many prizes but these prizes are still something that's rejoice-able ;-D

It started back in April, I was confused when I received mysterious 100 EC in my Entrecard account, but then the mystery revealed in a short time :)).

In August, without pretension I entered Win a Free Italian Lesson from Edufire, and I won. I haven't used the voucher, but I have checked that I can claim the prize whenever I want.

Keep reading to see some things that I luckily acquired from the net, and oh, you probably can also get your own luck! ;)
In November, I received email from www.hordit.com informing me that they are sending me t-shirt for helping spread the word about hordit. I'm still waiting for the t-shirt now :)

This December, as I already expected, I won $10 from PSDTUTS for buying a template. At first, I was very sure that I would buy the very cute Playful Planet template from Amanda, but then I saw Gamediary template which I think unique. I think I better don't rush, after all I don't yet need the template and I have a year before the prize is expired.

The most recent thing that I won from the net is the Holiday Special from Slamblogger. I won a month text-link ad there. I like this blog when it slams things, for instance those exclusively payperpost blogs, and currently it slams in-text ads. Harsh, but quite funny :))

I think that's all. Now I'm crossing my fingers for this $6000 contest that will end on 24 December and will be drawn on 27 December. I also feel very excited for HP Computer Giveaway contest from Labnol that will end pretty soon, i.e today!!
So hurry if you're interested to win yummy prizes. Try your luck just by answering a short survey. I have entered it some days ago, but I found out just now that this contest is actually just one of The HP Magic Giveaway contests!! But sadly many of them are ended already, though there's still chances until 22 Dec for tekkie people here.
Good luck! ;)

Gossiping Our Gigolo Friends

2008-12-15T22:08:00.002+07:00

Photo by 1v0

What a title :))
Well, a week ago I met a long time friend after having not seen each other for quite a long time. We met because Ira invited me and our other friend, Fedi, to watch a movie for free at JIFFEST. I probably will write the review of that movie on my next post.

This time I'm writing about the thing that came up after we spoke about our friends from the past. One of the news that I heard reminded me on what I heard when I met Noe -a friend from my senior highschool. Fedi told a surprising similar story, of course about a different person. However when I think over about those two persons who become the subjects of the stories, I found similarities between them.

So what kind of surprising news would you hear when you meet your old friends?
Me, for the second times I heard news about friend who has (I think the other one has stop) other profession as a.. ahem..gigolo!

Like most gossip, of course this is not something that matters to us, but still it's a guilty pleasure thing that brought us a lot of laugh during our gathering.

None of us was questioning our gigolo friend's morality when Fedi disclosed the news. Ira and I instead disbelieved that news, because in our eyes or maybe in our thought we remembered him as being an effeminate boy. We still can remember the way his speaking which was quite cissy, so I asked Fedi something like "are you sure he escorts women?."
Fedi said he once even ever revealed to her that he usually met the women in fitness centre and that he enjoyed the company of senior women.
Then Ira suddenly made gesture with hands on her neck and said "yeah I remember he has a disproportional big neck after he joined fitness."
We all laughed being reminded of that, but it's very true and that big neck thing had been circulated when we're still at the university, it's not because he was a popular guy, but maybe because of the sudden transformation of him becoming bulking up with muscle, especially bulking neck :))
We think he's too bunglesome to be a gigolo :-D -not that we've met one in person.

As I already mentioned, it's not the first time I heard about a friend become gigolo. About four years ago when I met Noe, I also disbelieved what he said about our friend who became a gigolo, but he said it's already known by many friends. I've known that friend since I was in the junior highschool. In those junior highschool time he only mingled with one boy and both of them were shunned by most of other friends. He was short, a bit sissy, and was sometimes dejected by other friends. But he changed a lot at the senior highschool, I knew it because we went to the same school again. He grew up fast, became quite tall with an athletic built body. He had a bigger circle of friends this time, but from what I could render from Noe's story, he wasn't really liked by many. He was always nice to me though, so I never had any problem with him.

The similarity between those friends is that they both once were reputed as sissy boys.
Other similarities are they both academically smart persons and come from well-off families.
Not long after I heard that thing from Noe, I learned another surprising thing about that allegedly gigolo friend. I read about him on a big local newspaper, not about him being gigolo of course, but the news was talking about the marriage of a daughter of one prominent person, and the groom was him. Pretty happy 'ending' life for him :)), but still not sure about the other gigolo friend.

Double Decker Tag

2008-12-14T16:38:00.000+07:00

Tag time is easy and tough thing for me :-D
Easy because (these) questions are simple and don't really cross the privacy line ;-)
Hard because I'm quite a loner in this blogsphere, I don't have many friends who do blogging nor I have many acquaintances from the blogsphere. Previously when I tagged some friends and other bloggers, they didn't respond, so I guess it needs the right chemistry to do this tag thing :-D.
So Monica, I hope you can understand my incomplete tag task ;)

Let's begin.

Two names you go by:
1. Ori.
2. Ouli.

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Green t-shirt.
2. Khaki shorts.

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. Go to a certain place.
2. Do yoga with ease.

Two things you did last night just before bed:
1. Shower.
2. Trying to sleep :P.

Two things you ate today:
1. Brownie.
2. Vegetable Samosa.

Two people you just spoke with:
1. Maya.
2. Mom.

Two things you are doing tomorrow:
1. Meeting Maya.
2. Trying to finish a logo.

Two longest car rides:
1. Somewhere in Europe.
2. Jakarta to Lampung.

Two favourite beverages:
1. Chocolate drink.
2. Santal juice, any of its flavours.

2+1 persons who are chosen to do this meme:
None :))

Hurry!! Giveaway worth $25,000 for the first 2500 PSDTUTS readers

2008-12-10T11:13:00.002+07:00

How long will 2500 available posts last?
Hmm...let's see, I at least have saved my place yesterday, and since the contest started 9th December,I think I am definitely going to receive one of $10 for 2500 lucky PSDTUTS readers.

I forgot to share here when I read good news on my iGoogle yesterday, it's a bountiful giveaway of total $25,000 from PSDTUTS for its 2500 lucky readers. Yes I have been a subscriber to www.psdtuts.com since I don't remember when.

There are many nice professional look templates on Themeforest.com and $10 is sure enough for buying one. Since I'm a blogger user and I'm a bit used with template from Amanda, I chose one of Amanda's designs there.

One final note, in order to join PSDTUTS contest, you have to sign up for free an account on ThemeForest -ugh..sorry for the referral thingy, that's an option ;). I didn't know that I actually have already joined Themeforest.net, because long ago I've joined Flashden.net, I just realised that they both are on the same boat.

Google Friend Connect is Open

2008-12-04T23:00:00.007+07:00

On 3rd December I got an email from Google Friend Connect that says "you have been whitelisted to use Google Friend Connect." To be honest I almost forgot what it is, I think I read its review from some review site for betas some time ago.

It's quite nice, Google Friend Connect provides member gadgets and social gadgets. There are two kind of member gadgets, one is merely for signing in and the other is physically looks like Mybloglog, BlogCatalog and Blogger Follower feature but with some plus. Google Friend Connect allows anyone with Google, Yahoo, AOL, and OpenID to join. Once joined, member can have their profile automatically displayed there, and clicking member's profile won't take visitor away from the site where that Google Friend Connect nests, instead it will show anything that the member put on the profile ie. 'about me', 'links', 'site I've joined'. From there member can interact with other member or even directly invite friends from member's social networks.

Social gadgets consist of some nice gadgets, and one that I also install here is Wall gadget which allows visitor to leave comment or link to video. There is also Review/ Rate gadget that allows visitors to rate books, movie, etc. Other gadgets are Open Social demonstration - I don't know what it is :-P, then Lame Game demonstration and Custom Gadget. I'm not sure about Custom Gadget, but it's similar with blogger html widget, no?

Anyhow, it seems just now as I'm writing this (I found out that) Google Friend Connect is out of beta already, means anyone can join without being first whitelisted.

So grab it, it's worth to try and it's easy to install it, and you are welcome to showcase your profile, links, etc on my GFC, let's get viral