Blogmas 10, 2013 ❄ Happiness ≠ Inspiration?

It's freaking cold in San Jose right now. The temperature drops like crazy during this past two weeks, and it's not even winter yet. It's not usually like this. This morning, I woke up to ice on my window. I know it's not as bad as other places, but it's the sunny state. Bbrrr..

Last night, I was browsing around and came across my favorite writer. She wrote several novels, in Bahasa, and I've everything but one which I started reading and stopped because the writing style was just different and I didn't enjoy it as much. It was one of her earliest novel in her writing career. She is a banker, a writer, and now I just found out she also draws too. She's really talented. Her name is Ika Natassa, and you can check her blog here.

I enjoy how she manages to pour her critical thinking into meaningful words and conflicts how people feel about something. And then it occurred to me, it's been a while since I write. I mean, really write. I used to keep a journal where I just pour out all my heart and soul into it, and when I read back what I wrote I was amazed how I could write deep things like that. I haven't done that for a loooonngg time. 

I mentioned it to my boyfriend. He used to write too, one thing that we shared in common. He also hasn't been writing ever since we got together. And we agree that the reason is because we are happy now. Not that we were not happy back then. Well, who am I kidding, I can't speak for him, but for me I am definitely in a better place right now. I have someone I can care for and rely on and do the same to me. I'm not alone anymore, and I think somehow it steals that inspiration out of me or at least I think it does.

It's funny how being content makes you not search anymore. I remember reading (or was it listening?) Taylor Swift's interview about her inspiration in writing songs. She mentioned that she was afraid that in the future she will meet someone, be content and happy because heartbreaks have done wonders in her music career. 

I think happiness, or in this case love can bring just as great of inspiration as heartbreaks or loneliness. I just need to be willing to search deep and take time to write again.

What do you think?

Blogmas 8, 2013 ❄ Feelin' Meh

I'm not about to skip a day of blogmas, although nothing really interesting going on today. Again, sorry for such a late post of the day. I gotta be honest, it's hard to keep track when you're out and about. 

I went to the church this morning, and  then had lunch with friends, and went back home and took a two-hour nap. It's been a long time since I took a nap, so it really felt great! I'm gonna have to start prepping for my next exam in February tomorrow, so might as well enjoying the day with chillaxin'. 

Does any fellow blogger out there ever feel like there nothing interesting to blog about but they blog anyway? So that's what I'm doing right now. haha. Anyway, I didn't get a good night sleep last night. I was up crunching my expenses and realized how much I had spent just for shopping alone. I really have to start controlling myself from shopping. I think I am a shopaholic, although I can still refrain myself from buying stuff but it doesn't last long, though. Any idea how to manage shopping craze?

Okay, dinner is about ready. My boyfriend is kind enough to warm up the leftover food while I'm lounging on the couch in front of the TV with the Holidaze playing on abc family. I think it's another abc family christmas movie. The have it every year, and it's quite enjoyable to watch actually. I'm a sucker for light-weight, rom-com movie.

Thanks for dropping by. Hope y'all have an awesome week!

Blogmas 6, 2013 ❄ Chat Away: The Sound of Music Live, Naked 3

Greetings from under the blanket! 

Sorry for such a late post in the day. It was a moving day at the office for me - moving to a new cube that is. The weather here in San Jose is getting colder and colder. I'm bundling up with layers as I'm typing this. I have a new beauty-related post coming up tomorrow, promise.

 Let me just chat away for now. 

Who watched The Sound of Music last night? I'm a huge fan of the movie, so when I heard NBC is producing the broadway I was excited. I think Carrie Underwood did a pretty good job last night. One thing that I noticed was the lack of chemistry between the casts. It was a pity. The frumpy clothes also didn't do her any justice. The singing was outstanding, as always. I applaud her for doing the show live and having the courage to be compared with Julie Andrews by millions of people. Although, now that I mention it, I realized I didn't even think of the original movie a bit last night. I was just enjoying the musical as it is. Great job NBC. I read nasty reviews about the show. Let me just say, everyone's entitled to their opinions, and I think it was a great show. 

And do y'all know that Naked 3 palette is finally available at Sephora and Ulta? I did place my order last night as soon as I found out. I've been waiting for buy it for my mom, and I think I'm a bit sucked in to the hype thanks to Urban Decay. It seems like a smart move to make people want something that they can't have right away. I remember one day I got an email from the website letting me know that the palette is back on stock. At that time, I was still contemplating whether I should get the naked3 or 2. When I was done thinking, the palette was already sold out again! Jeez! 

I will do a blog post as soon as I receive it. But you can see the review from Tiffany from MakeupbyTiffanyD here. She also has swatches on her blog. 

I took my exam yesterday. I felt 50/50 about it, so we'll see. I feel like I'm never prepared to fail at something, so if I fail this one....argh, I don't even wanna think about that. 

Thank you every one for dropping by.

Happy Friday!

Blogmas 5, 2013 ❄ Luck

It's the day of my third exam. For those who don't know, I'm currently taking CPA - Certified Public Accountants - exams. There are four exams total, each covers different materials, Regulations, Business Environmental and concepts, Auditing and Attestation, and Financial Accounting Reporting. Sounds exciting, ei? Once I pass all four, I will need to take another ethics exam, but it's a take-home exam, which means that I do the exam at home in my own time. My friend told me it's still a challenging test regardless.

Anyway, I've studied for about one and a half month for this one, Auditing. I felt pretty good, but still I don't think I can ever feel ready for an exam. I just have to go do it and see it for myself. 

My friends who know I'm taking the test today said "Good luck" to me. Almost all of them say good luck. And every single time people say that to me, I always feel the need to correct them but I always manage to just smile and say thanks instead.

I remember a while back my best friend's response to me when I told him good luck for something. I don't remember his exact words, but he said something like this, "I don't need luck. I've got God by my side." I was like an aha moment for me. I said good luck all the time because it is a customary thing to do. It's like as if it has no important meaning, and it's just something people say. But really, when I think about it, there's no such thing as luck. 

You might not agree with me, it's okay. But I don't believe in luck. Sure, I can't explain all the things that happen in the world, but I do believe God has a purpose for everything and luck has nothing to do with it. If I pass my exams, it's not because of luck for sure. 

So instead of saying good luck, I say "All the best!" or "Good grace!"

Thanks for reading! 

Blogmas 4, 2013 ❄ What Christmas is All About

Last night, on History channel, a documentary about Christmas was on. I was studying and didn't pay attention until the narrator mentioned something about the tradition/culture of Christmas.

The show went on about how there had been two kinds of celebration in respect of Christmas - the religious one, and the not-so. People outside the church took the opportunity to celebrate by getting drunk and partying. It got me thinking. People around the world celebrate Christmas, but do they really know what Christmas is all about? 

Later on that night, The Voice was on. The Top 6 sang "O Holy Night". It was a very profound and somewhat majestic arrangement to me. It got my eyes screwed to the telly as I was listening to their beautiful singing. I believe most of you are familiar about the song. For me, it is a true song of Christmas telling what all the celebration is all about.

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!"

                                                                                               -O Holy Night

Christmas deserves a celebration, but it's not for the reason that I myself am guilty of doing.  Christmas is about the birth of the King of the world, the savior, Jesus Christ. The reason I'm sharing about this it not to kill the joy of Christmas spirit, rather to bring back the spirit in its true meaning. This is a beautiful time of the year, and it's all because Jesus was born. And for that I am forever grateful.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."

-Luke 2:11 (NIV)

On other note, today is my anniversary with my boyfriend. I am grateful to have him in my life and hope to spend more coming years together.

I'm Thankful For...

as many accounting standards say, I'm thankful for the followings but not limited to:

...having to get up early every morning because it means I'm alive and well

...having to do laundry every other week because it means I have more than enough clothes 

...having to study for CPA exams because it means I have a future to look forward to

...having to go to church every Sunday because it means I have a community that shares my faith

...having to park further from the store entrance because it means I am able to walk

...the colder weather because it means Christmas is just around the corner

...my parents who often call me because it means I have people care about me

...my bible study group because I get to study more about the word of the Lord

...the workload I have because it means I have a job 

...all the bills I have to pay every month because it means I am able to support myself

...the friendship with people around me

...the love I share with my boyfriend

...life.

Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you all a very merry one =)

Never Stop Dreaming

Happy Friday! I was looking forward for the 4th of July weekend, and now I don't want it to end. It's already Friday and soon it's gonna be Monday again.

Excuse my whining, i don't mean to spread any negativity.

Yesterday, I went to the beach with my boyfriend, enjoying the view and the sun, and unfortunately, the wind. We didn't go into the water beause it was really cold despite the bold sunshine. I kept holding tight my jacket and walked on the beach paying attention to how majestic all of this view in front of me. 

                     

      We saw crab shells everywhere. RIP crab family. 

I've been watching Private Practice on netflix. It's not as good as my favorite Grey's Anatomy, but it does take my mind off when I'm taking a brea. Addison, the main character, lives in this gorgeous ocean-view house. She literally can see the beach from her patio. I wish i could live there. Someday, maybe. Never stop dreaming, cause when you stop that's when the hope dies.

Blogmas 11, 2012 ❄ Worst Fish Noodle Soup, Gossip Girl and Cars Land

As you're reading this post, I'd probably already on my way to Los Angeles. Excuse my very late blogmas post. My friend just came from Indiana to visit. She's going back to Indonesia for good, so I am savoring all the time I have left with her here. Last night after picking her up at the airport, we went to this little place called Kopitiam. I purchased $5 for $10 groupon. I ordered Milo Ice and fish noodle soup. It was not a really pleasant experience. The soup tasted more like soap water even though the fish was quite tasty. We had to wait for about 30 minutes, quite a long time considering it was a small shop and not too many people were there. Kopitiam offers Singaporean/Malaysian cuisine. It's more like a cafe with small variety of dishes and some drinks and desserts. We got kaya toast on the house for waiting too long. The best thing we had there. It was really disappointing, and I wouldn't go back there considering.

I finally got a chance to watch Gossip Girls' very last episode. It is so sad thinking that there's no more Gossip Girl to look forward to even though it's been quite a while since I was eager to watch new episode of the show. The show has finally come to an end, and I have to say the ending was not bad at all. I won't spoil anything for those who haven't and want to watch Gossip Girl, but let's just say everyone's getting a long fine at the end. I do think there's a little too much impossibility like Georgina and Jack. Oops. Anyway....

My boyfriend and I had been wanting to check out the new Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. Having my friend here was the perfect time for all of us to spend time and have fun at the supposedly "happiest place on earth". I don't know if that's true, but I do feel happy every time I go to Disneyland. I will post more about my trip to Disneyland. Stay tune!

Blogmas 8, 2012 ❄ My Story: How I Got Into Makeup

I have always been interested in makeup for as long as I remember. When I was about 11, my mom got me in a beauty workshop with Belia, an Indonesian youth makeup brand. I don't know whether the brand still exists or not, but it was the first time I learned how to apply makeup properly. A couple of years later, there's another beauty workshop held by Etude, a Korean beauty brand at the mall near my house. My sister and I participated in the workshop. I learned about applying foundation, powder, eyeliner, etc. I remember it was the first time I used a pencil eyeliner on my waterline and I could see a significant difference on my overall look. It made my small eyes look more defined and somewhat bigger. I tried it the next day to school and one of my friends came up to me and asked, "What happened to your eyes?" I never again wore eyeliner. At that time, I thought makeup was only for parties and other formal events. I also thought, as taught at the workshops, applying makeup consisted on fixed number of steps.

I also remember thinking I could never apply eyeshadows because it was just too hard making it even and pretty and all. A little over a year ago, I was hooked watching Blair Fowler or Juicystar07 on youtube along with her sister, Elle Fowler of AllThatGlitters21. I discovered them through my marketing professor who introduced the concept of 'haul' to me. I started watching their Forever21 hauls, makeup hauls and makeup tutorial. I really believed they were the only ones on youtube doing this kind of stuff if not the best. I then came across Bethany Mota or Macbarbie07 whom I thought was just copying Juicystar07 because of the name and the video style. I was really naive back then. I didn't watch youtube often. A lot has changed since then.

These two products was the first makeup products I purchased on my own. I bought the mascara because Bethany said that she loved it, and I bought the elf beauty clutch because I thought it was such a good deal for only $10. Little did I know that both products just didn't work for me.




Blair's video was the first ever makeup tutorial I have ever tried.
"Strolling by the Seaside"

And here's the result

It doesn't look good, I know.
It was the first time ever I apply eyeshadow on my lids on my own! I have come a long way since.

I then discovered Beauty Broadcast, a beauty channel and blog by Emily Eddington or emilynoel83. She really changed my life forever. I might sound a little bit exaggerating, but she really did. I literally spent hours watching her makeup tutorials back to back and learned how to apply my makeup, especially eyeshadows. I learned how to do smokey eyes from her. I bought things she said she loved and I loved them and still do! I find Emily is really passionate about what she does on BeautyBroadcast. Her reviews on products she's tried are really thorough and right to the point. She will say what products she loves or hates and why unlike many other beauty gurus who just say they love something without giving more details. Emily comes across really sincere and dear to my heart, and I thank you for all of her hard work making great videos for her subscribers.

After that, I just continue learning from my youtube experience. Here's a list of my favorite beauty gurus on youtube:

MakeupByTiffanyD by Tiffany
Pixiwoo by Samantha and Nicola Chapman
Pixi2woo by Tanya Burr
MissGlamorazzi by Ingrid

I don't use makeup to hide my imperfection nor do I think makeup should be used for it. I found makeup was a new hobby and now I am passionate about all things beauty, and I would love to share this passion with people just like those beauty gurus do. I am learning as I'm watching the beauty videos. I have friends come up to me and ask me makeup related questions. I first felt a little embarrassed knowing people I know actually read my blog, but then when I know I get to help them and answer their questions, I feel really glad and not at all embarrassed. I wish I can share my knowledge and passion with more people.
So thank you for reading. Write you on the next blogmas! =)

Blogmas 5, 2012 ❄ My Favorite Stores to Shop

Holiday is the hardest time of the year for me to avoid shopping. The jolly mood, all the Christmas hype, and crazy markdowns around me really succeed in attracting me to at least window shop. Regardless, I find myself a new-found self-control by revealing my checking account. Lol. Anyway, here are some of my favorite places to shop.

Target

Surprise, Surprise. Yes, I love Target. Who doesn't? I can ge everything from chips to shoes, from blanket to Wii u! Target has just the most amazing range of stuff, and they manage to have the store designed  neatly and enjoyable for customers to walk in. Target is by far my most favorite place to shop. If you never check out the clothes section, you should. Target really has amazing finds, and the best thing about it is they are on sale every couple of months. I got my favorite skirt and jacket for less than $15 after 70% off. I heart Target. Also, if you bring your own bag for your purchase, you get a 5c discount for each bag. Way to promote go green!

Forever21, Loft, Loft, Target

Forever21

What can I say? Forever 21 still and alway gets me. I do however prefer to shop online rather than at the store because I find Forever21 doesn't have good item arrangement. Things just scatter around randomly instead of being arranged neatly and properly. It is just hard to find colors or sizes for a single clothing item. It's just crazy. The other thing that really bugs me is that the rack is always awfully full and packed making it hard for me to browse around the clothes and take the ones I like. Regardless, I still like Forever21 for its fashion sense and low price. 

LOFT

This is my new-found favorite store thanks to Veronica. She is petite and tells me that it is hard to find clothes (and shoes for that matter) that fit. She's been kinda obsessed with  Wendy's Lookbook and ExtraPetite because both bloggers have similar body type with her. Extra Petite especially gives insights for petite fashion and petite-friendly stores. LOFT is one of them. I find myself shopping in petite section, and it fits me slightly better than the regular size. Wow. I guess my body type is somewhere in between, but I like fitness a little bit more when it comes to tailored outfits like LOFT offers. LOFT is also one of many stores that always have items for sale.  The sale is always around  an additional 40% off for its already reduced item, and occasionally 40-50% for its full-priced. I have never buy full-priced item from the store. The key is to be patient and willing to go from store to store to find your size.

Rose Gold Bracelet from BaubleBar

BaubleBar.com

I was a little bit obsessed with jewelry a couple of years back, and I was really thrilled when I find this website. BaubleBar offers wide range of jewelry design from classic to customized. Another great thing about it is its free shipping. Yay! You also get point for every dollar you spend that can be used for discount toward your next purchase. I have made four purchases from the website, and I like them all. 

Ulta vs. Sephora

I've known about Sephora just a little bit longer than I have about Ulta. Both provide me with the same level of excitement when I walk in to the stores, but Sephora does give a little more edge in my shopping experience. I always bump into at least 2 or 3 people with their heavy makeup who offer to help me with anything while at Ulta, the people will occasionally ask how I'm doing when they walk right pass me.  Sephora offers a wider range of high-end brand while Ulta provides BOGO 50% regularly for drugstore items. I like it because it can be my one stop shop for high-end as well as drugstore beauty stuff. The other thing that I like most about Ulta is its reward program that offers certain dollar value discount after you reach certain point. It really wins me over Sephora who only offers deluxe samples of beauty items that often times seem useless and unattractive to me. All in all, I like both stores because they complement each other. Sephora has my favorite high-end brands like Laura Mercier, Makeup Forever that Ulta doesn't, but Ulta has drugstore makeup which is really convenient. 

I'll let you know when I discover another favorite. Until then, thank you for reading!

Don't forget to subscribe =)

Blogmas 4, 2012 ❄ A New Chapter: Job, Relationship, Anniversary

Today I broke the news to my supervisor at my volunteering workplace that I got a job, and she was thrilled for me. She hugged me with joy. She also told me she was jealous of me that I got to move on with my life and finally get a real job. It really is something to be excited about. 

For the last five months, I had used to plan for the short term because I had always thought that I might go back to my hometown soon. Every day had been a battle of tears and fear. Once I got the offer letter, I couldn't help but jumping in joy. 

Three days before I got the news, I was sitting on my bed pondering on what my life would be. My insomnia was kicking in, and I prayed to God. That night, I got a revelation that I was here to stay. I had always been torn between staying and going back. I knew that I wanted to stay, but I just felt that I wasn't strong enough to bear the fight and struggle in finding a job even though I was already in the battle. I have always been a realist and am used to prepare for the worst-case scenario. That night, I found it in me that as much as I wanted to go home, I wanted to stay here more. Than two days later, just the day before I learned about the offer, I found myself thinking how I would allocate my first salary once I got the job. Suddenly, I felt the urge and excitement to start working as soon as possible I couldn't wait to start my career. At that point I realized that my gut was telling me something. It was telling me that I got the job. Despite all the feelings, I kept silent because I didn't want to keep my hopes up. The next day, when I got the news, I was literally jumping up and down while the HR manager was delivering the news on the phone. 

I finally feel that I am moving forward. I will start in January so I still have about a month or so to prepare and enjoy the holiday with peace of mind.  I thank God for His early Christmas present. And I just can't thank my boyfriend enough for his support. Many people asked me what would happen if I have to go back. What would happen to my boyfriend? He'd be alone, but he'd never be lonely. I guess   we are at the point of relationship where I can see getting stronger and stronger. Some people even suggest us to get married so that I can stay. I'm sorry, but it's just the dumbest idea ever. I would never get married for a visa. You should get married for the right reasons, and getting to stay in the country is not one of them. That's just my opinion. 

Anyway, my anniversary was finally here. We were supposed to go to this French restaurant in San Francisco but he was feeling a little under the weather. So we stayed in instead. When he picked me up, he said that he wanted to go to Target first before dinner to pick up something. I asked him what it was, and he said some electronic stuff. Then as we drove to the area, I reminded him to take the left lane as Target was on our left hand-side. I was focusing on my phone when I realized that he had taken the wrong turn. Or had he? I remember telling him to make a u-turn when he finally said that he wanted to buy me a present at Ulta, which was in the complex just across Target. He was really sneaky. I didn't see that coming.  He bought me Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so fresh. It has been my favorite scent for quite a while, and it was on my wish list too! Thank you for the little surprise, Dear!

La Jolla Beach, San Diego, CA
Rocking the journey together  for 2 years

Thank you for reading. Until the next blogmas!

Have Faith

Hi everyone. It's been quite a while since my last post. I'm just back from a one week vacation, yet I feel exhausted and stressed. I had the most amazing weekend, and that makes it more difficult for me to leave the country once the certainty hits me. Two months until I have to go back to my hometown. On one hand I feel like it is the right thing to do. I feel like it is time to stop being desperate and actually start my career. It is time for a new beginning. But on the other hand it is hard for me to leave the people I have become really close with and the place where I have grown to be a more mature and independent person for the last 4 years.

I feel tired of coming through rejection after rejection in my job hunting. Being unemployed is not fun nor is doing a job without getting paid. My friend tweeted me that my rejection is my direction. It is a really powerful revelation for me even though I can't help but feeling sad every time I think of what might or might not happen.

I just want to share with you guys who might be in the same situation as I am or maybe in a more difficult situation. Don't give up. The best is yet to come. It is okay to feel sad. It is okay to feel down. But you just gotta remember to pick yourself up because nobody else can. And most importantly, have faith. When all things fail, faith is all you've got and the closest thing you have to keep you sane.

Have blessed week everyone.

Cheers,

Miss Kristani

I Have a Dream

I just digged through my old files, and wow! It was just treasure of memories. Mostly good ones. It's one of the perks of being a keeper like me. You get to look back and remember things. Sometimes things that you don't wish to remember, but they're just part of your past. You can't delete it unless you get amnesia or something like what happened in the movie, The Vow (Has anybody seen it yet? I love the movie, hate the ending).

Anyway, I now remember again how I love to write. I've always thought that I only think I love to write but in practice I don't really do it as much. But seeing my writings and what people have been saying to me, I knew. I do love writing, and it's a shame I did not pursue it longer. I used to keep my writings to myself, telling people (and myself) that I only write for personal pleasure. But is it? My so-called articles got published 4 times already in a local magazine, but that was not enough for me because it wasn't really quality writing. It was just me summarizing what places to go to.

I do have fear that people won't like what I write/ yet in a way I embrace everything that I have ever written. Most importantly, I embrace who I am and I wish someday I could fulfill my true passion. It is important for me that people recognize my work, but it is more important for me that I pursue that and not just let it hanging on the backdoor of my mind.

So dream big and pursue it! Dreaming along won't do any good to you. Do something. That's what matters!