BEST DAD EVER

My father died.

I know this day will come since my father got stroke a year ago. But still, we felt it was so sudden. You know, people said that someone will have a hunch about bad things that going to happen to their close relatives, I think I did. The day before, I was at the office canteen, having a coffee time with my friends when my mom called and said that my father will be taken to the hospital. Suddenly, my heart beating so fast, I’ve never been like this even when my dad was taken to the hospital before. That night, when I’m alone at home, I cried when I listened an old song that became my dad’s favorite. I remembered dad is always played this song in the morning; accompany me up while I’m getting ready for elementary school. It was a happy memory.

The reason of my mom took him to the hospital are that my father is difficult to breath and the amount of his urine was too little. He has been through something more serious than this, I should not worry too much. But I felt different this time. I was right. The morning after we took him to hospital, Mom received a phone call from hospital; Dad’s left us forever at 8.45 am, September 30^th. I was like, “what?? It can't be right!” But even when I thought that, I knew that’s what happened. My mom cried loudly. I, too, burst my eyes to tears, but I thinking of mom. I have to be stronger to help her. And so it is, from young to old. From strong to weak. From 5 to 4. Innalillahi wa ina ilaihi roji’un.

He went in peace, I believe he rest in peace. Free from pain and sorrow. Goodbye dad, Insya Allah we’ll meet again at the other side. I love you so much and I already miss you. But everything’s gonna be fine. You’ve done a great job to raise your family. We all have grown up and able to stand by ourselves. You are THE BEST DAD EVER.

Idul Fitri 2010, the last Lebaran with dad

The Singer

Had a fun time with office mate at Inul Vista Karaoke, Sarinah Building. Singing like there's no tomorrow!!!

Me, The "Banshee" voice :p

Ridho, King of Pop

Raya, Queen of Pop

Adit, worse than me :D

Mas Risky, King of Soul

Monitoring for Eid Transportation Service

I was off for a couple of service trip in order to monitor the Eid transportation service. I went to Lampung and Bandung before the Eid and Banten and Semarang after the Eid. These trips were conducted in a row, a whole week before and after Idul Fitri. Quite exhausting. We interviewed people who in charge in public transportation in kind of place like railway station, airport, harbor, and bus terminal. We also asked people who use the public transportation; what they are complaining about, what they are suggest to improve transportation services, etc. Since my family won't go to our hometown (Magelang, center of Java), I'm not complaining this no-holiday's mission :p.

Here are few pictures from my trip >>

Tanjung Karang Train Station in Lampung. Bounty for scalper. I think it's really not effective. Things that need to be improved is ticketing system.

Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung. Small airport, but very clean and luxurious. The employees are very friendly and helpfull. Well done!

A boyscout help the visitors cross the road at Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminal 1. The terminal 1 is so crowded and dirty. Even the restrooms smells so bad, uuugh. I don't know why the operator seems like can't do something about that. Terminal 2 is much much better.

My friend Habieb interviewed Mr. Jaya, Senior Service Manager at Posko Lebaran Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng.

flood at Terboyo Terminal, Semarang. People choose to wait the bus at the outside rather than in terminal. No wonder..

Just for fun..

Garuda landed safely

Ships crowd. I didn't know where is this.

Empal Gepuk Karapitan

On my spare time, I like to try new recipes that I found in magazine or internet. So this time I would like to try Empal Gepuk Karapitan (recipe from Femina Magazine). It's Sundanesse cuisine. It's not so hard too make, even an amateur like my self can prepared it without any difficulty ;). The dish is perfect when paired with a plate of hot rice and sambal masak (sauted crushed chilli (hmm, I don't know if the translate is right or not). Make it for lunch for your love one!

Ingredient :
600 gr beef, half-done stew
750 ml coconut milk (I use instant coconut milk)

Spices, mashed it all (a.k.a diulek) :
8 shallots
3 cloves garlic
2 cm galangal
a bit of tamarind
1/2 tablespoon coriander
100 gr palm sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Direction :
1. Cut the beef into 5 x 6 x 1 cm, mashed the beef to widen. Set aside.
2. Saute the spices until fragrant. Add the coconut milk, stir well. Add the beef. Reduce the heat, cook the beef while stirring occasionally until it is tender and most of the liquid is evaporated. Lift from heat.
3. Deep fried beef until brown (be careful, stay at low heat or you gonna overcooked it)
4. Served (mine is topped with fried slice shallot)

Sambal Masak :
Saute 4 red chili (cut into pieces), 1 shallot, 1/2 tomato (cut into pieces), and a bit terasi (shrimp paste) on a pan with a bit oil until tender. Finely crushed with pestle and mortar.