It becomes more complicated. And, no, I don't enjoy this new point of view.

I wish I still could see it the way I did before. But, people change. I change. They change--those whom I used to call friends.

My dear cousin who gave me a lift to office today told me about her excitement on seeing her beloved friends. I told her, "Enjoy it, dear. As you might see it differently later when you really grow up."

When I was little, I wished to grow up very very soon. And, now, I wish, time didn't go by that fast. I want to enjoy those days when I thought of nothing but fun. Just like my dear cousin.

I knew the fact that she was the one taking me to the office this afternoon--after we went to my grandpa's brother funeral preparation--was somehow planned by Allah. As, maybe, Allah wanted me to change (again) this new idea of mine on friendship.

I want to really enjoy friendship. I do!

Labels: about me, friends, life

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

Yup, it was indeed serious...

This afternoon, I went to my friend's house--the friend who gave me the fashion writing job. Frankly speaking, I was kinda freaked out. As I said, she is a perfectionist. I was afraid that my writing didn't meet her standard.

But, she said, she loved it. And, alhamdulillah, there will be more projects ahead.

Yet, it's not about the projects that excited me most. It's about how the meeting was held!

She told me the good news and the plans ahead in her bedroom, in her bed, surrounded by her two pretty funny daughters who kept trying to get her attention---which was fun! We sat and lay in her bed--chitchatted in between serious conversations and some diagrams she made. It was merrier after her high school friend--I'm her elementary school pal who became her best friend--who also works for her came over and joined us.

It was the coolest meeting I've ever had. And even better, this friend of hers brought one package of onion crispy chips along with the yummy spicy sauce. For me, it was more like a party than a meeting!

Labels: about me, friends, job, writing

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

How do you picture a friendship?

I picture it as something beautiful, loving, and soothing.

So, when it seems to lose all those three--not only one, all three, 'coz if only losing one, you still have the other two, right?--do I still call it a friendship?

I don't know. To be honest, I can't answer that question. I wish I had another name to call or describe the relationship without those three. But, I have no idea which word would be best.

Do you?

Labels: about me, friends

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

I went to visit a friend of mine today. And, I had such a great time. We talked and talked and talked. With her, I can talk about anything.

Yeah, we did talk a lot.

She needed to be listened to, so did I. So, we talked and listened.

And, we discussed things, we analyzed them. We didn't do gossips. They are just useless. Well, we did talk about some friends but it was more like analyzing their situations so that we could learn from there. Oh yeah, we're some analyzers, for sure! ;D

But, there was something more. Today, I was officially hired by her. She needs somebody to help her do some copy writing for her business (website and company profile).

Frankly speaking, I was not sure about taking the job. First, because she is a friend and I am kinda afraid of doing business with friends for there is a chance of ruining the relationship. Second, because I haven't really done it before. I did some copy writing for some websites but I haven't had any experience with a company profile.

But then, she said she would help me. So, I told her that if she likes my work, she could take it but if she doesn't, that is ok with me. So, it was a deal.

However, to be honest, I am EXCITED! So, please...wish me luck!

Labels: about me, friends, job

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

Labels: friends, wordless wednesday

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

Labels: friends, wordless wednesday

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

This is the month of Ramadhan, a month where Moslems all over the world are fasting. Of course, I am. My family, too. Also my friends.

Every now and then, we gather to break the fasting. Just like last Saturday, my friends from campus and their husband or wife and kid assembled in a restaurant named Ikan Bakar Cianjur located in Cipete to break our fasting together.

It was fun although not everyone was coming. Nia, Ari and I brought our dear husbands while Dony brought her lovely wife and son. The food was great, the chit-chat was nice.

On the way home, my husband took me to a department store where he bought two pairs of goggles, one for him and one for me. We need them to ride his bike. His was broken while I never had any for he always said that I looked funny wearing one. But then, about three weeks ago, something got into my eyes while we rode on his bike and it hurt a lot. So, he decided not to make fun of my face wearing a pair of glasses anymore so that I can buy one and protect my eyes.

After buying the goggles, we went to a supermarket and bought some water spinach (kangkung) and canned sardines for ‘the dinner.’

Let me explain about the concept of meals in Ramadhan.

Right after sunset, we break the fasting. But, this is not the dinner. It’s the breakfast for the day in Moslem’s calendar starts right after sunset. Then, before dawn we would eat again, and this is the dinner.

After ‘dinner’ we are not allowed to eat again until the breakfast time comes. That is the time when we fast. In my country it takes approximately 13,5 hours. What’s so amazing about fasting in my religion is that the more you pray or read Al-Qur’an the more vibrant you are. That’s the beauty of faith.

So, back to my weekend. The next day, my hubby, daughter and I went to break the fasting at my mother in law’s. I brought bubur sumsum (it’s a kind of snack made of rice flour and coconut juice and served with some liquefied brown sugar). She seemed to like it. And I was veeery glad ‘coz I put lots of effort preparing the snack.

So, there it was…a story of my great weekend.

Labels: friends

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

I've known this wonderful lady for only less than a year, yet she means a lot already.

Our friendship grows stronger for we have the same interests and profession (or at least in less than a month, the profession will be the same), and mostly the same opinions over some stuff. We haven't met offline but we meet online almost everyday (except for some weekends while I'm off).

We talk about many things. We have great discussions over books, writing, editing, and many more.

But, most important, she has faith in me. She believes that I am talented.

That is so beautiful to have someone who believes in your ability more than you do.

To be honest, I haven't gotten my confidence back--I lost it over some silly happenings in my life. I keep thinking that I'm nothing. But she protested. She told me that I was good.

Well, that meant a lot. I was so deeply touched.

Without her realizing it, actually, she's been helping me gain my confidence back little by little.

This post is dedicated to her, my dear friend, Rini.

Labels: about me, friends, inspiration

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

She's one of my bestest friends. Yes, I have many, lucky aren't I? Yet, 2 don't live in Jakarta. Risma or Nonie is one of them.

Her real name is Risma Yuliani but her family call her Nonie. Of all her friends who come to her house regularly (since I was in the elementary school), I'm the only one who's not influenced by the whole big family of hers to call her Nonie instead of Risma. I'd known her as Risma and it would be weird to change it into Nonie (at least for me).

She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her husband and two little lovely daughters. She is now in Jakarta to meet her family and of course, ME! Hahaha...

This week, I've met her 3 times (Zek, you haven't met her, have u? ). And just like usual, we've talked and talked and talked, laughed and laughed and laughed, wondered and wondered and wondered, thought and thought and thought...for there are zillions of memories I share with her.

Today is her birthday. We talked and of course ATE. With her, food is one of the main thing I have to deal with. She doesn't care if I am still fat and she has got her figure back. She keeps giving me food and food and food. Last week, she sent her driver to give me this yummy chocolate pudding. Oh, dear...how I love you for that.

So, happy birthday, sweetheart. I'll always be there for you as you're always there for me (the same thing I told my hubby 2 days ago hahaha).

Love you!

Labels: friends

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

I get so excited. A dear friend asked me to collaborate with her on a project. I always call her Ms. Ideable coz she has such an amazing amount of ideas in her head.

I've worked with her on some projects a few years ago. All were great.

And, now, we're about to do something together again. I'm excited!

Labels: friends, projects

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

Labels: friends, wordless wednesday

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.

I have a dear friend from highschool named Dita. She and her husband have been posting videos on the flood which .

I put the link here so you can check out their videos (which happened to be used by CNN by their permission).

PINODITA

Labels: friends, news

Now, I'm blogging at http://NadiahAlwi.com/english, please visit me there. Thanks.