Leif

My family used to have 24 dogs. Twenty-four. No, we were not a breeder.

My old man and my had ma started with 2 dogs and they, you know, bred. None of the family members had any heart to sterilize the gods nor to sell the puppies, we did give some puppies to people who had a good track recorder with dogs though.

"My family used to have 24 dogs"
It was a great line and had become a great ice-breaker telling people that we used to have twenty-four dogs. They were mixed-breed and they were all playful. We kept them since we love them not because we were proud showing them off around.

My mom now has a pure-bred shih-tzu named Thomas Phillip. I'm sure (after living with the dog for the last 3 years) that I'm nothing like Thomas, personality traits and resemblance wise. For starter, I'm not that spoiled a girl and I don't follow people around like that nosy dog. I'm sure I'm nothing like a pomeranian (which will come to the house next week as my mom's next dog). I'm not that yappy.

I may be a German shepherd, I'm nervous being around noisy kids (and crying babies). I may be a Jack Russel Terrier because : I'm good at hunting, I'm loyal to my loved ones, and one shouldn't forget the one blue eye (one bruised eye to be exact) that I had once.

So there you go, a mixed of German Shepherd and Jack Russel terrier.

ps : I'm cute also, so I guess it's a mixed between German Shepherd, Jack Russel terrier and a maltese.

I'm certain there are more of uncertainties in life than certainties in life. I can only think like a hundred or so.

Here are 10 of them :

1. I'm certain that sun sets in the west and rises in the east.
It's there in the encyclopedia, in the science book, in wikipedia, and here in my blog.

2. I'm certain that being too careful in setting the aperture and the speed in your DSLR camera will just a waste of time and you'll lose THE moment. My advice : set it in automatic setting and click away

3. I'm certain that scatting (as in jazz) can only be done by a very few singers in the world. Ms. Ella Fitzgerald's ones are the best.

4. I'm certain that driving an automatic transmission car can be done in using 1 foot only

5. I'm certain that Ubud, Bali is the place to go if you want to be away from the city life.
Ask Liz Gilbert (whose book, btw, I haven't finished reading)

6. I'm certain that Frank Sinatra has the smoothest voice in history.
Ask your dad.

7. I'm certain that the hardest problem is that the one one is having that moment.

8. I'm certain that things will always pass, including that hardest problem one is facing.

9. I'm certain that putting on night cream is one of the boring things in life. Ask me (but please don't tell my dermatologist friend)

10. I'm certain that life is awesome.

Casablanca Poster

As time goes by, when I'm asked what's my favorite old movie I always reply -not The Sound of Music given how musical I am -, "Casablanca". It was made in 1942 with great stars like Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart.

Basically it is a normal romantic film. What makes it so extra-ordinary is the ending. It doesn't have a usual happy ending a la current Hollywood films. It makes the film is even more 'real'.

Setting in Casablanca in 1941 with NAZIS, Italian and Vichy French soldiers, we get a war-film impression. But with the bar and the people who are at the bar (may it be the singers, the bartender, Sam the pianist) and the jokes makes the military people less frightening. Come Ilsa Lund as Rick's old lover in Paris onto the screen, and I'm in love with the film. And alas that beautiful woman is married to the Hungarian activist.

The lines in this film, some of them are touching ("I wish I didn't love you so much"), some of them are darn funny ("Ten watch"), but most of them are smart - you have to watch it, really.

Anyways, I am so impressed that a man can fly to a safer place than Casablanca with the woman he was once in love, but then he'd rather stay in Casablanca and let the woman's husband fly with her. The line in this scene is one of my favorite lines ever, "If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." I personally think this scene makes this film great.

Note : Just in case you're renting this film, beside popcorn please prepare a box of tissue.

UTMB 2008 (231)

To answer this question, I need to ask popular opinion if one should stick to do what one does best or one should keep trying on new things?

I've climb mountains throughout my university years (and boy was it a loong years). Some of the classes required us in climbing these mountains, the student uni required us in climbing other mountains, and for some others I did it for fun. Climbing a mountain was like going to the dentist when I first did it (Hell no. My dentist is very kind and I'm never afraid to be with my dentist, so this association is not very well) : I didn't like the preparation, the breath panting, the extreme weather, the pain in my legs.
But then I got used to it, it becomes a ritual and I got smarter in preparing myself (mentally and physically), storing oxygen, and wiser clothing (I can never get over the pain in my legs). Climbing a mountain became no longer a challenge, it's just an option for my weekend.

I run of course : Every morning with my dog (every day from reality?? -kidding). But I never run a marathon. Is it that hard really? Or is the secret to run a marathon is like Barney Stinson of HIMYM once said : "Step one : you start running. There's no step two" Hahaha. Seriously, for the sake of my life reputation I should run a marathon. People will surely think I do try everything in life, "What a fun life that gal has"

Now. Se-Ri-Ous-Ly. To answer that question sincerely. I'd climb a mountain. Why? Because I forgot to tell you how wonderful feeling I had being on the top on any mountain.

After FRIENDS and Ally McBeal era have ended, I rarely watch TV. Then in 2009, my friend #3 in Singapore told me that I must watch How I Met Your Mother because "it's too damn funny to be missed".
So I watch one by one and it's sure too damn funny to be missed.

I love the interaction of the gang, the story, the jokes.. they're all so real and too damn funny

It looks nice.
A bit unstable for 't', 'w', 'I', 'l' but it still looks nice.

If it were a font it would be called 'skylark' because skylarks don't care if your handwriting looks nice or preppy, as long as you can write and others can read the writing.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Because :

1. Jack and Jackie Kennedy.
I love them. His brain and her look is a fatal combination.

2. The Beatles and the British invasion.
They rock!

3. Motown is founded.
My soul is in the making.

4. Lots of movements happened : African American Civil right movements and Gay Rights movements.
You do know that I love being a part of history, don't ya?

5. Mary Quant's mini skirt
In my mind, I have loooong legs.

6. Breakfast at Tiffany's with George Peppard and Audrey Hepburn
"So what?" "So plenty!"

7. Human landed on moon.
How cool is that? Way cool.

8. The G-30s PKI coup in Jakarta
I know it's scary but I want to know how it was like.

9. The Rat Pack

10. Bossa nova in Brazil by A.C Jobim and Joao Gilberto
Without them, I wouldn't be this jazz.

The future

For starter, I never thought that I would still have problems with acne, like I was still 15. It had never entered my mind, that I would still have to go to dermatologist twice a week to treat my skin.

Then my marital status, ten years ago I thought that I'd be married to someone when I turned 26 or 27. A complete Javanese wedding rituals would have taken place in the house followed by a medium big wedding reception. A wedding for a Javanese princess, exactly what my mom had once told me.

Ten years ago I never really thought so much about where I would be working. But I'm pretty sure that working in my current position had never entered my mind.

Not all my predictions have gone wrong though. I knew that my friendship with my best friends will be as strong as what we have right now. It has lasted for more than 15 years and the bond can't get any better than this.

In the last ten years I may have a few regrets, but then again, it's too few to mention. My life may not work as what I predicted, but life's still awesome and I'm thankful for that.

Doubtful Sound in the morning

I think that most of people will turn to parents (mom/dad) when they're in doubt. This makes sense because parents naturally have more experience in life, hence it's expected that they know all the answers. If they didn't know the answer anyways, they would give you directions how to get on the right track or even solve the problem.

Other experienced and respected people will be the great place to turn to also when one's in doubt. I think spiritual leaders or spiritual teachers (pastor, mullah, monk, reverend, guru) are used to people who come to see them seeking for some answers or at least to get a peaceful mind.

I can think of other people that some people can turn to when they're in doubt. However this prompt is not about other people's choice. So this is my story.

When in doubt, the first person I turn to is myself. I will go to a place so quiet I can think and I can listen to myself. 9 out of 10 times after doing this, I will already know what i should do, doubtlessly.
But, when I'm still in doubt, I go to my fiance. He will know how to deal with my doubt, I will have my problem solved and my peaceful mind ready to face another day.

I was once asked why I didn't turn to my family.
I'd rather turn to Frank Sinatra or the Beatles than to them. Not because I don't love them enough to trust them with my problem, I just love them too much, I don't want to burden their minds with my problems.

So here's what I do after the security team in my office building done their daily thoroughly check of my car every working days : I drive slowly past Starbucks (yes, I'm lucky to work in a building which has its own Starbucks) while checking out if there's any familiar face inside. As soon as I park my car, I walk my way into Starbucks and my day begins.

The order for a usual morning is Tall Hazelnut Latte* in one of my many Starbucks mugs/tumblers. Ah, to smell the hazelnut syrup is heaven. And I'm raised to the seventh heaven when the barista knows me well to add another or two pumps of hazelnut syrup on my latte.

In the morning of a sleepless night, I will order "For Kids Double Tall Vanilla Latte". 'for kids' mean that the drink is warm and not hot so I can drink it pretty quick for instant eye-opener. The baristas usually can tell I'm not in a good mood when I order this drink, they will serve me fast and not asking me how the traffic condition is.

When I feel under the weather, tea is my cup of tea. Starbucks' Chai Latte, Twinning's Earl Grey or Chamomile, and the traditional Indonesian Teh Poci (literally, teapot tea). Just the smell of it my mood is lifted. I may need more time to heal whatever the disease I have, but one smell and a sip of whatever tea I'm having and I instantly feel better.

The smell and the taste is not enough reason to make it a perfect drink. It has to be prepared with heart and handed to me with a smile. This is my way of saying that I rarely make my own coffee or tea. It won't taste good. But I can be a good company and that makes YOUR drink perfect.


* My fiance is allergic to nuts and he made me promise that I can never order any hazelnut drink if we live in the same country.

Jacqueline Kennedy's Evening Gown

But I can think of 3! They will be : Jackie O's; Jennifer Lopez's and Reese Witherspoon's.

I always love Jackie O's style. May it be her gowns, her shift dress, her pill box hat (which I can never sport), or her jodhpurs (another thing I can never pull off). Elegance and stylish is what I have in mind when looking at her. She's just perfect and it's no wonder why she's one of the most photographed woman in the world.

Now, J-Lo. She just knows how to accentuate her body. Not every body know how to do this. She knows what's work for her, she wears it and be a trend-setter, while others just become the followers.

Last but not least, Reese Witherspoon's red-carpet dresses. She has a petite body (and surprise surprise, I'm also a petite, i'm actually tiny) yet she can look tall (no, I'm not talking about the high heels). She has all the right dresses and I love to steal them

I know that most of us love sunny day. But for me having a sunny day in cities in Asia means more problem. Most of the cities have a very high level of humidity, so sunny day means sweating. Ugh.

I used to like rainy days. I love walking in the rain, with the raincoat and umbrella. But rainy days in this city means more puddle and flooded streets which make me nervous in driving everywhere.

Perfect weather for me is a cloudy day.
In cloudy days, I can walk around without cursing the sunlight and wondering if I had smeared enough sunblock on my face. Drinking hot hazelnut latte in the outdoor area in Starbucks is just a perfect thing to do in a cloudy afternoon.

Come soon, cloudy days... I kinda miss you!

Warthog in Field

I won a trip to South Africa for winning a writing competition on environment.
Not just a trip. It's a trip of a lifetime.

I won a photography competition. Unfortunately I forgot what was the prize, but I won fair and square

I won a weekend stay at Hyatt hotel in a town nearby for voting some oldies song in the radio. This is so cool.

1. Fayetteville, NC
Because the man I love lives there, because of the Cape Fear River Trail and because how cheap Clinique products are.

2. New York City, NY
It's unexplainable, but ever since I can remember I always want to live here

3. London, UK
I like the fact that it's almost always cloudy and drizzling in London.
And so that I can sing, "I saw you there and in a foggy London town, the sun is shining everywhere" again

4. Johannesburg, South Africa
A big city which is only hours away from Kruger National Park, I can't ask for more

5. Jaipur, India
Less crowded than New Delhi and a historical city.
This is going to be my home base when I write the travel book (for high maintenance tourist) on India

6. Jogjakarta, Indonesia
A city closest to my root.

Relationship goes wrong. After all the madness, the fights, the dramas, the puffy eyes, we bet ourselves not to give our hearts (and mind and soul) to someone else. To fall in love is like a nostalgia. Let's just (put our bad habit here) like crazy until we can forget his/her phone numbers.

Life is back to normal when we can pass 3 days in a row not thinking about our bad habit (FYI : I was abroad and I didn't have a will in 3 days in a row to shop). Life's good. We survive major heartbreak. We're survivors!

Then a someone new comes in our way.
We can't tell which one of these elements tell the other two (mind tells heart and soul?) that this someone is so nice that we don't mind spending more time with this person, he/she looks so cute, etc (we all know the standard operation procedure is, right?). We're about to lose the bet. Or are we?

It's your call.

In my case, I lost the bet.

Now let's sing.

(Lyrics)
I'm through with love
It's only a madness
I'm finished with this
This moment was never my joy
Who needs a heart break?
Don't want anybody to call my own

But when you're near
The sweetest sensation
Takes over my heart
I feel like I'm losing control
These moments of weakness
Allow me a glimpse of heaven

But I've been so strong, can it be true?
It's like a mystery too soulful
For you broke my resolve
Now I'm fighting I try
but I cannot deny
that I could really go for you

I'm looking for clues
What else to do
I take leave of my senses
Give back all defenses
I have to comply
Can no longer deny
That I could really go for you

It could be so good
I'm wishing anew
oh why should I resent
something I've always missed?
What's the point in my pride
if I cannot deny that I could really
go for you

xavier, raftwet at sphynx jazz club party

When I was young, my parents signed me into this club. An art club, where I learned to do all these : traditional dance, ballet, modern/jazz dance, painting, acting, and singing. I don't remember if there was a test to join this club but I was considered talented enough to join the club I stayed there for more than 5 years (Note : my painting teacher was not too impressed by my paintings though).

We performed on stage once in every 3-4 months. An operette, that's what we called these performances. And boy, was it a hard work. I did a little dancing, a little acting and lots of singing. I was OK, I consider myself a pretty talented girl.

Until a few years ago, these reality shows on TV (which name i can never remember) hit me. Man, those people really know how to dance. Those jazz steps are more sophisticated now, and the break-dance, the hip-hop dance.. Damn, why didn't the teachers teach me all that 20-25 years ago?
I tried to mimic their steps but my legs get twisted and all.

If only I could dance that pretty, I would join a famous dance company and perform on big stages like I once did when I was a very young girl.
And people who had seen me on stage singing a standard jazz number would have whispered under their breaths, "God, that is one talented girl"

But. That's just too ambitious. Even for me.

[Portrait of Deryk Sampson, Lynn Carver, Justin Arndt, and Clair Dorward, Famous Door, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947] (LOC)

I sing in my spare time. I sing jazz, R&B, a bit of rock and roll, and some showtunes. I can’t tell which one of them is my most favorite genres, luckily I’m not a professional singer having to choose one only. I find that they’re all beautiful and they’re all challenging. But to have a music genre as a metaphor for myself, I must say it’s jazz (with a twist of rock and roll).

I understand that jazz is not only about singing and not also about just playing an instrument.
My understanding about jazz is that you have to know the ground rule of the original composition, you put your heart and soul in performing it, and you perform it beautifully with your own interpretation and improvisation.
Most of the times, I know what I want to do in life. Obstacles are met here and there. I just have to compromise with them, make some slight improvisation in life. And I hope people see me living my life as an entertaining one, like watching a jazz concert.

In my bag

People call me crazy but they start to do the same thing once they know why. I like to bring them all for the sake of 'just in case'. Just in case there's an unplanned dinner date I have to go to; just in case the day is bringing me down and I need to go yoga class; in case an old friend calls and asks me out.

Come weekend, the baggage was slightly lighter. Let's see : my keys, my Blackberry, my Ipod, my laptop, pens and notebooks, and a book. Still heavy, you thought? Yes, it was.

A couple of weekend ago, I was pretty late for the dermatologist appointment. And I grabbed only my keys and my blackberry and drove like a crazy woman to the skin clinic. Though I came late, the nurse told me to wait for 30 minutes before the dermatologist could see me. I silently cursed for leaving my Orhan Pamuk's book at home. And another curse for leaving the notebook as well, how on earth could i jot down whatever I'm thinking into words? Then my Blackberry application came to rescue. I read TIME there and I post some drafts in my blog application. Life's beautiful.

I 'travel' light now with only keys and blackberry thanks to the nerds in Honda and RIM. But not that light though, I still have to put in my skin care in my purse now. Leaving home without it means throwing a fit with my dermatologist and it's not going to be a pretty one.

It’s not the best place to live in. It’s located in the tropic, so there are only 2 seasons: the dry one and the wet one. Decades ago at school we were taught that dry season starts from March till September, and October till February is the wet season and you have to prepare the rain coat and umbrella. Thanks to the global warming, thunderstorm still hit the city yesterday (if my calendar is right, the month is April). The drainage system sucks so rain will affect the traffic. I’m not saying that during the dry season the traffic is bearable, but rain usually worsens the traffic condition that during the Morning Prayer Jakartans usually ask universe for extra patience just to bear the bumper to bumper traffic jam.
Depends on the distance between your residence to your work, commute time varies from 30 minutes to 2.5 hour. Traffic starts from the suburban areas to the central business district area. There are trains, buses, motorcycles, bikes, and cars in the road. The traffic image is not pretty. I usually have to check out the Traffic Management centre twitter account first before going to and from work to know which route has less traffic. Otherwise the bad mood stays for the rest of the days/nights.
There are lots of Jakartans who love this city so much that those 2 things don’t stop them from making this city a nice place to live in. The city has lots of big and beautiful modern parks. Though not a very sociable person, I like to see how people mingle in the park. The haves and the have-nots enjoy the park all the same. In the morning, people come there to have a morning exercise. On Sunday afternoons, a chamber (yes, chamber) orchestra regularly performs there. The parks can be rented for art exhibitions and weddings as well.
The old town of Jakarta –famously known as Batavia- is one cool place that the city has as well. We still have to do lots of restorations and renovations, but currently when I step into it, I instantly felt like I’m in the early 1800s when the Dutch still occupied Batavia. Beautiful old buildings, museums, and cafes are perfect. I used to hang out in this area on Sundays. In the morning I join the historical morning walk with a historian as my guide, sipping cool drinks in the café before hitting the museum, and on Sunday afternoon having a photo shoot with my goofy friends.
And one must not forget the only biggest jazz festival in Asia. The annual Jakarta Java Jazz Festival is held in the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in March. Musicians all over the world come to Jakarta to attend this event and thousands of people (including tourists) come to see the performers. Come March, and Jakarta looks and sounds a whole jazzier than ever. Perfect.
These are not the only 3 good things about Jakarta. There are a whole lot more reasons why I sometimes drift away and think about home when I’m away. Like right now, I’m thinking it will be nice to go to Chinatown area and hang out there for a Saturday breakfast with my ma. Ah, if only I were there. I miss being there. I miss home.
Next week, I’ll go to that park where the chamber orchestra plays. My dog will sit quietly there as usual. And I’m going to really suck the air into my lung and commit it to my memory that I am in love with this city.

You see, I am now in a position where I really despise my friend. He is not just any friend. He’s one of my really good friends and we’ve known each other for 12 years. I always look up to him for he’s a great guy (I know I really have to list his good qualities here but I’m already close to tears now).
Anyways, we’ve been through a lot. We both love yoga and meditation and have an ongoing debate on how to do a proper surya namashkar type 2 and do the proper sudarshan kriya. I learn a lot from him, he always has a profound understanding of spiritual things as well on the earthly things. And I introduced him to my other interest: photography.


Over time, he criticizes me on my pictures and at last on my Nikon D40 camera.
This Nikon D40 means a lot to me. This is my 28th birthday present from my (die-hard Canon camera lover) fiancé (he was still my boyfriend at that time) and this is my first DSLR camera. It took me almost a year and more than 5 trips to the camera shop to get it on the right setting. It becomes MY camera and I take a lot of great pictures with it.

Last February my friend looked at my camera in disgust and suggested that I should have my camera professionally cleaned. And despite my wish to only want to have the camera body cleaned, he ordered the technician (and not even a Nikon technician) to clean it inside out. That was the last time I saw my camera in one piece. The technician in that service place did something and my D40 just wouldn't turn on. When finally they took my camera to Nikon authorized centre, the service charge cost more than a new Nikon camera.

If a shrink sits before me, he’ll ask me how I feel.
I’ll say that I’m sad, upset, and angry. I can’t tell you though if I’m feeling all that because of losing a camera or because I’m saying good bye for a 12 year long friendship.

Some lessons are learned, though.
I should never expect other people to know me and I learn that no matter how you think you’ve prepared for bad news, you can never be ready to part with something you really treasure. I know I’m not.

You see, I am now in a position where I really despise my friend. He is not just any friend. He’s one of my really good friends and we’ve known each other for 12 years. I always look up to him for he’s a great guy (I know I really have to list his good qualities here but I’m already close to tears now).
Anyways, we’ve been through a lot. We both love yoga and meditation and have an ongoing debate on how to do a proper surya namashkar type 2 and do the proper sudarshan kriya. I learn a lot from him, he always has a profound understanding of spiritual things as well on the earthly things. And I introduced him to my other interest: photography.


Over time, he criticizes me on my pictures and at last on my Nikon D40 camera.
This Nikon D40 means a lot to me. This is my 28th birthday present from my (die-hard Canon camera lover) fiancé (he was still my boyfriend at that time) and this is my first DSLR camera. It took me almost a year and more than 5 trips to the camera shop to get it on the right setting. It becomes MY camera and I take a lot of great pictures with it.

Last February my friend looked at my camera in disgust and suggested that I should have my camera professionally cleaned. And despite my wish to only want to have the camera body cleaned, he ordered the technician (and not even a Nikon technician) to clean it inside out. That was the last time I saw my camera in one piece. The technician in that service place did something and my D40 just wouldn't turn on. When finally they took my camera to Nikon authorized centre, the service charge cost more than a new Nikon camera.

If a shrink sits before me, he’ll ask me how I feel.
I’ll say that I’m sad, upset, and angry. I can’t tell you though if I’m feeling all that because of losing a camera or because I’m saying good bye for a 12 year long friendship.

Some lessons are learned, though.
I should never expect other people to know me and I learn that no matter how you think you’ve prepared for bad news, you can never be ready to part with something you really treasure. I know I’m not.

Old bike

I've learned how to ride a bike. First when I was in 3rd grade.
I successly landed on my nose. The old man thought that the bike was too big (does it really make sense?). So he bought a smaller bike and time to learn a bike chapter two began. I don't remember what happenned but my left side of my body was suddenly under the bike.Traumatic that I was, the following week I tried again. That Sunday morning ended up in ER and the 5 stitches are still quite visible on my left knee.

In 2002, I lived in a village and one of the villager offered me to teach me how to ride a bike. I'm too embarrassed to write what happenned afterward. It involved rice brans and swollen body parts.

Ah, if only I knew how to ride a bike, I can ride a bike in a small town when I'm on holiday. Instead of renting a car or walking around to places 5 km away.
I can participate in this 'bike to work' movement in my city.
And alas, bike is so hip right now, i'm an outsider among my biker friends.

Nikon DoF Old Skool Lens Cap

I'm going to the nearest mall 10 minutes away from here and heading to the camera store. I'll buy a Nikon lens that I've been dreaming about.

Geez, i can't believe I just spent $1000 in 25 minutes.

It will take longer if only I'd headed to the shoe store.

I know some German and Dutch because my parents used to speak both in the house.

I'm oh so interested in learning Spanish so that I can sing those romantic love songs. Then I want to learn Italian for the same reason.

Phone booths

That guy was my first boyfriend and we were supposed to celebrate our first month anniversary. For a 16 year old girl, dating a same guy for a whole month is a BIG deal.
The plan was to watch the midnight show of Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet (I didn't have any curfew. I was a lucky 16 year old gal).

"I'll pick you up at around 10.45 PM", he said.

And I waited outside the gate since 10.40 PM.
I remember the mosquitoes.
I remember people walking by staring at me.
I remember he was saying that he'd pick me up at around 10.45 to watch the 11.50 PM film.

I waited outside until 11.35 PM.
I remember walking slowly from outside the gate to the phone booth.
I remember wishing if only I had a cell phone.
If only he had a cell phone.

He didn't come.

He came at 6 AM the following morning with a good story. Lost his car key and all.

But that night was the worst date ever.

I can't seem to throw away my clothes and shoes, especially the ones I like.
I don't care if they're expensive or cheap, beautiful or quirky, and whether I bought it in a boutique or thrift store, I keep them till forever. This fuschia The Simpson tee is one of my treasure, my mom bought me this shirt in 1991 (and yes I can still wear it).

Do you think I'm sick?
Well, in my defense, it's hereditary sickness.
My mom still has yellow polka dot dress she bought in Hongkong in 1971 (among other things) and she still keeps at least 100 pair of high heels at the shoe rack in the garage. (O, speaking of that huge shoe rack, we still keep my dad's yellow Bally loafer there as well).
Does she still wear those things? Nah.. She's gained at least 25 kgs over these 40 years. I get to 'borrow' her dresses (and thank God, they're all designer clothes) and my sisters and niece her shoes (why can't I have bigger feet, God? Why God, Why?)

Someone asks my mom why didn't she get rid of all her fashion items. She doesn't know how to answer that, she only gave that person her look (she has this look that kills).
I know that sometimes one will ask me why i can't get rid of my fashion treasure (like ehm, plinky now), and I have prepared several answers:
a. "Because I don't get any bigger than I was when purchasing these stuffs"
b. "Because it's classic.. in other words, vintage"
c. "It'll look good on my future daughter or my niece"
d. "C'mon honey, I had to literally go around (put a city here) to find this piece"

Now, which of those answers do you like?

L.A. Bank Robbery

Number one on the list : Kill one of the exes. Just. Because.
The next targets will be those who've hurt the people I love. Or maybe just steal back whatever they have stolen.
(Inspired by Godfather 1.2.3)

Then, I'll go rob a bank, just for kicks.
See if the heist films that I love can really work well in real lives.
(Inspired by Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen; Italian Job to name a few)

Maybe you think I'm a bad person just because I have a list of the things I'd do if there were no consequences. Fear not, I'm one of the person on earth who can only bite her anger and not do anything but to really supress it by meditating.

But if only there were really no consequences..

What can I say, I'm just human.