Do not get annoyed just because I like to clean up my house

30 August 201517 November 20152 Comments

For some people cleaning up house would waste their working hours, meanwhile for me, to work in an untidy house may cause my works is less than optimal. It’s better for me to take some 2-3 hours to clean the rooms and do the daily works before I sit working on my job. Being in a clean house, I feel comfort and can be more focused doing my works. When my house is clean and stuffs is stored neatly in its place, I can complete my works one by one, faster. There is a sense of calm that I couldn’t feel when my mind was still thinking about bedrooms that are still unmade, bathroom that is not yet dry and clean, kitchen that is still a mess, or that I haven’t yet take care of plants.

Tidy room tidy mind

The tidy rooms with things organized, make me easy to find the goods I need. Put the goods back to its place right after using them, is one of the must-to-obey-rules in my house. Some other rules are: never leave the bedroom before making the bed, do not let many clothes hanging, do not eat in the bedroom, avoid the crumbs to fall onto the floor, always clean up the stove and kitchen after cooking, never ever put the towel –before or after using it- on the place it is not supposed to be, do not wait until tomorrow morning to put the shoes and sandals back in the shoe rack.

Looks like too many rules in my house, but as we have been taking it as a habit, we do not feel weighed down doing it. Instead, we do feel homey being at home.

I have been applying the ways of living clean since I was a teenager when I lived with my parent. After getting married and live in our own house, I asked my husband to accompany me creating a clean pleasant home. Of course, it didn’t instantly work bang-up, but it didn’t take a long time either. Then, when two lovely girls coming enliven our lives, we teached them how to make us feeling homey in our dwelling. The result is quite got me excited, among their friends, they are known as tidy and orderly persons, just exactly their mama 😀

“My home is a happy place to be. I bless everyone who enters, myself included. Pleasant experiences fill every room.” ~ Louise Hay

Serpong, 30th August 2015, 00.54

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To my beloved girls – a poem

29 August 201524 September 20152 Comments

My beloved girls, flowers of my soul

Bethinking the initial of your presence in my life

It’s such a thrilling hope

Could I string the blessings up into a perfection?

My beloved girls, serenade of my heart

Accompanying your little steps along the life path

It’s such a blissful disquiet

Could I aim your inner eyes straight to the truthfulness?

My beloved girls, picture of my love

Relishing your cheerful juvenile moment

It’s such the luminous colours that clearing out all the blue

Would I enjoy your hearty laughters along my time?

My beloved girls, strand of my breath

Perceiving your anxiety and restlessness

It’s like overhearing the melancholic rhythm

Would I able to switch it into a song of loving kindness?

My beloved girls, sequence of my hopes and desires

Fingering the tones of your dream and passion hums

It’s such an excitement bounced my heart up

I want to feel the most beautiful moment at the knot of my hopes afterwards

Serpong, 25th June 2015

Published on 29th August 2015, 17.19

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The Fidgetiness – a poem

29 August 201529 August 2015Leave a comment

Gloomy sky…

Foliage is in a tizzy …

A meaningless serenade …

How far are thee?

A somber day…

The winds scurry…

Petite bluebird’s whispering atonal warble…

Do I flit through your mind for just a while?

Drizzle’s falling silently…

O, I like this wet earth aroma avidly…

Firmament’s in gray, still, with no saffron even slightly…

What color is your day anyway?

At the terminus, downpour’s ending this tiring episode…

Dandelions are drooping in fatigue…

Cold nights brought in a rigmarole…

I am restive …

Serpong, Mei 2004

Published on 29th August 2015, 14.22

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Food Reviewing…Enjoying cuisine, enjoying friendship

23 August 201517 November 2015Leave a comment

Yesterday we have had a good lunch, some Indonesian foods had become our preference.

Friends of mine, a couple of husband-Hans and wife-Lina, are the owner of Javanese and Balinese cuisine specialties. There are plenty of Indonesian cuisine restaurants around the area of our living quarters who offers delicious menus, and this friends’ resto is one of them.

Located in neighborhood housing complex, Gading Serpong, they open for dining-in, taking-away and the most I guess, accepting delivery-orders. They deliver meal boxes and Nasi Tumpeng Lengkap (completed cone rice) for ceremonial events, family, community and corporate gatherings, and any other kinds of event. I have few times ordered their Nasi Tumpeng Lengkap and meal boxes. The nasi tumpeng is amply with various appendage side dishes, and they are all so tasty.

For me and my family, the taste of each menu is toothsome, the look is tempting, that’s the reasons of why we are visiting this resto quite often, besides as the location is not too far to our home.

Talk a little about the background of how I know this couple; Lina has been my long time friend since we were in kindergarten, while Hans, being friends since we were in high school. I know them as an ordinary couple, educated and religious in a humble manner. The fun side is, Lina is an active and talkative woman, while Hans is a quiet but ready-to-assist person. We have once never met each other for a long period, but then by chance we have chosen the same residential area, so the precious friendship is pleasantly reconnected. We had a lot to talks every time we meet –of which not too often-, but just the fun and good things, about our family and friends. I think Lina and I have one similarity in viewing the life, that is enjoying whatever we have with gratitude, in the way we are.

Here are some appetizing choices available in their resto:

Nasi Pecel Komplit

Includes: rice, boiled vegetables, spicy peanut sauce, peanut cracker, shredded sweet spiced fried beef, sliced cucumber, kemangi leaves, chili paste

Nasi Gudeg Telur

Includes: rice, sayur nangka gudeg, spiced boiled egg (telur bacem), fried tofu cooked in coconut sauce (opor tahu), calfskin cracker in spicy coconut sauce (kerecek), sliced cucumber, chili paste

Nasi Langgi

Includes: rice, savory beef, chili fried beef liver, sweet sauted tempe, thinly sliced omelette, sweet potato chips, grated coconut, sliced cucumber, kemangi leaves, chili paste

Nasi Kuning

Includes: yellow rice (yellow color is derived from turmeric), Javanese style fried chicken, red chili potato cubes , thinly sliced omelette, sliced cucumber, kemangi leaves, chili paste

Nasi Kuning

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him…the people who give you their food, give you their heart” ~ Cesar Chavez

Serpong, 23rd August 2015, 20.07 (editing time)

Updated on 17th November 2015, 14.31

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Let’s cook ~ Steamed Stuffed Tofu

19 August 201516 November 2015Leave a comment

~ not to forget, I love to cook too ~

My family like tofu, cooked in any way, and this is one of the ‘love it sooo..’ kinds

Ingredients:

* tofu, chopped

* carrot, diced cut

* black fungus (black ear fungus), sliced thin

* beef sausages, diced cut

* garlic, chopped

* onion, chopped

* spring onion, finely chopped

* salt

* white pepper

Garnish:

* egg, fairly shaken

* red chili, finely sliced

* spring onion, finely sliced

Cooking steps:

* saute garlic and onion in 2 spoons of cooking oil

* add carrot, then beef sausages, then black fungus, stir-fry

* add salt and white pepper

* add spring onion

* put about 2 spoons of stir-fried mix into small pyrex bowls

* add chopped tofu on top of the stir-fried mix until covered flattened

* spread the top of tofu with shaken egg

* steam over medium heat for 5-6 minutes

* add garnish, sliced red chili and sliced spring onion

* served hot is the best, with chili sauce would be more tasty

Serpong, 19th August 2015, 13.32

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Craft Cloth Collaboration

13 August 201513 August 2015Leave a comment

I’ve been in love with fabrics, especially cotton, since pretty long ago. There are many common reasons for people to love cottons, two of the reasons that fit the most to me are it is comfort to wear and it is great for both clothings and crafts.

Cotton is known for its versatility, performance and natural comfort. It’s used to make all kinds of clothes and homewares as well as for industrial purposes (http://cottonaustralia.com.au/australian-cotton/basics/uses-of-cotton)

Doing fabric crafts is my favourite activity during these last 15 years. Since 2-3 years back, my girls have been my best mates in needlework crafts; making bags, wallets, quilts, doing appliqués, red-works, even crocheting & knitting by my younger one. We really enjoy playing with cotton fabrics.

I also self-taught how to sew clothes in the simplest way I would say, making dress for my girls and myself. As I’ve never attended any sewing class, I make the pattern by plagiarizing the existing comfortable-to-wear clothes. This method works pretty well, all the dresses and tops I made are good & suitable to worn, of course I didn’t make any dress with tricky design. My favourite design is shift dress with sleeve, and something with sixties ideas…hmmm … how I want to have my line collection under this theme… 😉

No wonder that we are having a talent in needlework, we (me, my sisters and my daughters) proudly got this ability from our mama/grandma. She sewn all her clothes and our childhood clothes, as well, by herself. Until two months before she went to our Father’s home (February 11, 2015 was the saddest day for all of us), she was still sewing the patchwork blankets. She made almost 200 pcs of patchwork blanket in approximately 48 months. I’ve always set a waiting list for customers who were happily waiting for their turn to purchase the blanket – with no options for design, prints, and colors, tho. Each piece of the blanket is always sold out before it is completely done. Ahh…I miss my mom a lot…never a day I don’t think about you, Mom…

And here are Batik Dress with the matched Batik Handbag, designed and made by me. Yup, I love Batiks! ❤ 🙂

Serpong, 13th August 2015, 09.09

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Some notes about early mornings

11 August 201525 March 20167 Comments

I love early mornings. It feels like I the only one who is awake while the others are still asleep and the world seems so quiet. I like the aroma of dawn, it brings a lot of memories; the romantic, the sweet, the miserably, the cheeriness, the doubtfulness, the blissfulness, the anxiety, and the blessedness.

The wet ground, dew drops on the leaves, dimness daybreak… as if took me into some moments in the past. I can recall the memories with the ones I loved, especially my mom and my sister who are in heaven now, about the places I’d visited either alone or with my family, as well as the situations I’d ever experienced.

Morning walks is one of the good moments to breath-in the dawn aroma. Walking around the neighborhoods when it was still somewhat dark makes me relax to start the day. Thanks to The Lord for allowing us living in this beautiful environment.

Looking back in 2010, we gratefully had a wonderful chance to make a pilgrimage journey to 16 Mother Mary caves throughout Java island. During the trip we had two-times stay in Hotel Indah, Sarangan, Magetan – East Java. There is Sarangan Lake (Telaga Sarangan) with beautiful scenery right across the hotel. The early morning is truly a fascinating view we’ve never missed.

Further, gladly that I have once worked in Singapore for a couple months. It wasn’t easy to find a quiet moment in this busy city. However, as I prefer to get in the office earlier, it’s quite often that I found myself being in empty train. Early mornings in Singapore is fun, I used to buy fresh-cooked food from the hawkers for my breakfast and occasionally get a cup of coffee from the coffee shop close to my office.

The latest visits to Singapore, we were so delighted as we may indulge the lovely early mornings in The Infinity Pool at Sands Sky Park, Marina Bay Sands. I’m really happy that my beloved mom had already enjoyed such a lovely moment.

Last but not least, when I got an opportunity for working visit to Germany, I enjoyed the morning drives from one location to another nearby in Schalksmuehle. Of course, it wasn’t me who drives 🙂

The most I like when morning comes was breakfast in the hotel, I love German breads and all the spreads on the breakfast table, the smell combination of toast and coffee is totally perfect…hmmm…

I love early mornings, I love the days full of activities, I love the pleasant evenings, I love the relaxed nights. I thank God for all the blessed moments He lets us to perceive.

Serpong, 11th August 2015, 21.33

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I Love Birthdays… hari-hari ulang tahun itu menyenangkan… :D

3 August 20154 November 2015Leave a comment

Karena acara utamanya pasti makan, menikmati kuliner yang enak di lidah dan bersahabat dengan perut.

2 hari lalu adalah hari ulang tahun saya, kebetulan hari Sabtu, hari ngumpul keluarga. Acara makan-makan dimulai dari sarapan. Mie Karet Krekot, mie paling enak buat kami sekeluarga, jadi tujuan pertama kuliner ulang tahun kali ini. Ulang tahun harus ada mie kan? semoga kebahagiaan, kesejahteraan dan rejeki selalu hadir dan berlangsung panjang dalam kehidupan keluarga.

Berlokasi di Jl. K.H. Samanhudi (Krekot), tepat di sebelah lintasan Kereta Api Krekot untuk jurusan Senen-Kota, resto sederhana ini sudah ada sejak sekitar 40 tahun lalu. Selain menu utama mie ayam, resto ini juga menyediakan nasi tim, pangsit kuah, kwetiau kuah. Kami belum pernah mencoba menu selain mie ayamnya, bukannya tidak suka, tapi setiap kali kesana gak pernah bisa pindah ke pilihan lain. Makanan pelengkap mie ayam yang tidak pernah kami lewatkan –karena benar-benar menambah selera- adalah cakwe, baso sapi garing, hati ayam rebus, dan baso goreng. Jika datang antara jam 06.30 – 08.00 menu utama dan makanan pelengkap bisa dipastikan masih tersedia lengkap, selewat jam 08.00 pasti ada saja yang sudah habis, cakwe dan hati ayam rebus paling cepat habis.

Untuk makan siang, kami pilih Resto Warung Entjiem Lauw’Tan yang berlokasi di Jl. Batu Ceper no. 7, dari Jl. Hayam Wuruk, masuk jalan di sebelah Dunkin’ Donuts, posisinya tepat disebelah Dunkin’ Donuts. Resto bersuasana nyaman, dengan perabot kursi kayu warna gelap, meja-meja marmer untuk 2-4 orang, dan meja besar dari jati untuk 8-10 orang. Nuansa Cina Peranakan cukup terasa, ada beberapa foto tua di langit-langit, tapi buat saya kog kurang bisa dinikmati ya, harus mendongak sih, leher bisa pegel. Pelayanannya cukup baik dan cepat.

Sesuai namanya, resto ini menawarkan masakan Indonesia ala peranakan (encim). Kami memilih beberapa menu andalannya, yaitu Nasi Granat, Nasi Ranjau, Bubur Kampoeng, Gado-gado, Es Campur sebagai desert, dan minumnya Hot Chocolate dan Teh Panas Celup-celup yang free-refill.

Nasi granat (menu terkenal dari resto ini): nasi putih yang legit dengan topping campuran potongan ikan peda, pete dan sambel dibungkus daun pisang berbentuk segitiga dengan semat lidi. Porsinya kecil banget, paling ukuran 2-3 suapan normal. Buat saya yang gak terlalu kuat dengan rasa pedas level tinggi, sambelnya terasa cukup menyengat, tapi karena rasanya enak, meskipun megap-megap kepedasan, habis juga sih. Harga Rp8.500,- perporsi.

Nasi Ranjau: mirip dengan Nasi Granat, tapi ada tambahan ayam suwir dan telur dadar diiris tipis, dibungkus daun pisang berbentuk panjang pipih seperti Nagasari (kue pisang). Porsinya satu suap lebih besar daripada Nasi Granat. Pedasnya sama, bikin saya megap-megap juga. Harga Rp10.000,- perporsi.

Bubur Kampoeng: bubur ala Jakarta dengan taburan ayam suwir, irisan cakwe, kacang kedelai goreng dan daun bawang iris, disajikan dengan kerupuk meriah dan kuah santan kuning dalam mangkuk terpisah. Rasanya gurih (karena kuah santannya) dan enak, buburnya gak encer, jadi cukup bikin kenyang. Harga Rp22.000,- perporsi.

Gado-gado: seperti umumnya, campuran sayuran rebus dengan saus kacang, dilengkapi potongan lontong. Yang saya suka saus kacangnya diulek, jadi sayurannya dimasukkan ke saus kacang ulek yang sudah diracik dengan bumbu-bumbu. Saya tidak suka gado-gado dengan saus kacang yang diblender, kurang klik rasanya. Toppingnya telur rebus setengah, bawang goreng, dan emping. Harga Rp25.000,- perporsi.

Es campur: ada kolang-kaling, tape, alpukat, nangka, dan potongan roti tawar dipenuhi es serut dengan sirup merah dan susu kental manis. Belakangan ini saya memang lagi senang menikmati desert, jadi menurut saya es campur ini enak J. Harga Rp22.500,- perporsi.

Hot Chocolate: ini pesanan anak saya yang suka banget minuman coklat. Harga Rp19.000,- percangkir

Teh Panas Celup-celup: Air putih panas dengan 1 kantong teh beraroma melati. Boleh minta air putih panasnya berkali-kali. Harga Rp13.000,- percangkir.

Menu andalan lainnya yang layak dicoba:

* Homemade Tahu Lada Garam Rp27.000,- perporsi

* Engkong Tan’s Favorite Rice: nasi dengan topping irisan daging sapi dan sayuran, Rp45.000,- perporsi

* Entjiem Hainam Chicken Rice Rp35.000,- perporsi

* Nasi Lemak Bakar Rp35.000,- perporsi

* Laksa Nyonya Besar Rp37.000,- perporsi

Di tulisan berikutnya akan saya lengkapi foto menu-menu sedap tersebut 🙂

Resto berlokasi mudah dicari, bersuasana nyaman dan bersih, makanannya enak, harganya cakep buat kantong, pelayanannya oke, narsis tidak dilarang (boleh foto-foto), kami pasti datang lagi dan lagi… 😀

“Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated” ~Osho~

Monday, 3rd August 2015

Serpong, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia

Published on 3rd August 2015, 23.22

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Sherly Hermawan writes

Thoughts, moods, gratitudes, along the journey

Month: August 2015

Do not get annoyed just because I like to clean up my house

To my beloved girls – a poem

The Fidgetiness – a poem

Food Reviewing…Enjoying cuisine, enjoying friendship

Let’s cook ~ Steamed Stuffed Tofu

Craft Cloth Collaboration

Some notes about early mornings

I Love Birthdays… hari-hari ulang tahun itu menyenangkan… :D

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