Life in 2012

As far as i recalled, i never list down, what was happened on me for a recap brief in the end of the year, as many bloggers did. Even though, i've been blogging for 10 years. But this year is different, and added by the fact on this year, i was very rare updating my life story  in this blog, my life is not that boring, au contrary, this year included as one of dynamic year in my life. Let's we jotted down :  

January
This year begin with me spending new year with my brother's family. My husband was already in Toulouse (since nov 2011). I was alone stay in Rumah Kutu, however to spend weekend, i also registered to French class in UI. In term of work, i offered to move to another magazine (which still in my group). There are lot of stories and dramas behind it. No need to explain it here, but then I understand, I was brave enough to do anything that i think is good for me. And then, I can't pleased everyone. Furthermore, i was offered promotion that I never expected before from people that i wasn't expected will offer me that. But I couldn't accept that, because I choose my family :). I will remain honor feelings that I had as compliment of my hard works before. :)

February
 I was thought French class in UI was not given any benefit as I expected. thus, i decided was register to IFI French class in Salemba, twice a week (monday and thursday) at 7-9 PM. And also to improve my english TOEFL, i registered to TOEFL Class on UI. So, that was my world. I was went on course 3 times in a week. And to be frank, I enjoyed it. I met new friends in IFI Class. Good for me. I enjoyed my new magazine which offers me new experience. I was also befriend with mba Octa, which my 'swimming friend'. Yes, i managed new hobby this year, swimming.

 March
This first time i was driving to 'far' place which was Kemayoran Jakarta to saw Java Jazz. :D Along the way, this month i was engaged so much with my friends in IFI. After class, usually we talk and chat in Seven Eleven or MacDonald. ( it was me, mba Nata, Nisa and Onny). I also practice swimming more regularly, which get compliments from people surround me. I created new KTP as well, in Depok and also created new passport. Work was busy, more advertorials means more works and more drama with a certain agency (HUH! still mad when i remembered it!)  

April
This month was the deadline to apply to the university that I wanted. I give myself short break to Bali in the beginning of the month. It was a lovely trip even though my work was demanding too (bbm bunyi muluk). After trip, i was busy to study for my TOEIC test and completed all of my application requirements. It was a last-minute work as usual. :D  

May
It was my 'galau' month. Everything was 'galau' for me. Life was going as usual. French course, work and waiting the result of my application. It was also my husband birthday. I give him truffle chocolate (ordered online)  

June
The month that i was waiting for. I was accepted in my university! after i knew that I was accepted, i taken care everything that i need to get visa. In the begging of month, my magazine has created a 3-days event which took me to another drama and problems. I was a nice experience, tough :)

July
My beibeb was back home for holiday and this was also the time to taken care my visa and prepare everything. Yuppiee.. I was also had short break to Jogja, Solo and Semarang in my birthday. It was also a holy ramadhan month. After I back for my short break, i told my boss that i was about to resign (pst, in his birthday!) And i also had a birthday party with mas Fajar dan mba Tri in office. It was nice :)

 August
Start with a short trip to Padang with big family in Ramadhan time and also to visit my father's hydro energy power in Maninjau. This was lebaran time and also after lebaran break, i resigned and fly to Toulouse. There was something problem in Frankfurt that made my flight delayed and we stranded in Frankfurt for 6 hours. Bad lufthansa!  

September
Back to college! met new friends and also get the fact, that i was the one and only Indonesian student in class. Getting used with this new city. Happy to reunite with my husband again. And also getting used with the fact that my friends were mostly younger than me. :D *feelingOLD  

October
Still busy with university, lot of projects to be done. I also visited Mirepoix, a small city near Toulouse. In the end, i got a bad news, my brother got bicycle accident which caused him a break leg. :(  

November
A one week break, we visited Paris. My father and his wife was come to visit us, so we travelled together in Paris for only 3 days and 1 day in Toulouse. so short but it was a very nice to meet a familiar face again. School is getting busier, I start my school at 9 am and back in 5 pm in almost everyday. Not to mention, meeting projects to be done.  

December
Yuppie December! School is getting 'tranquille'. and Toulouse was getting colder. But then, the weather was a bit funny. Cold in the first week and after that was getting warmer. Holiday! supposed to study but... , anyway. I was visit Albi and in Thursday, we planned to visit Amsterdam. Yey, can't wait!

All in all, thank you 2012! In the beginning of the year, i even can't imagine how i gonna survive on this year. But, I am survived. Yey, way to go for 2013, Bulan ;).

Gleek

Glee adalah salah satu serial TV favorit saya meskipun sudah hampir 10 tahun meninggalkan bangku SMA :D. Sampai sekarang saya masih rajin untuk mendownload serial terbaru mereka dan juga browsing ke Youtube untuk melihat video mereka yang sebelumnya. Pokoknya saya suka banget deh sama mereka.. Rachel Berry adalah tokoh kesukaan saya, suaranya bagus bener yah :D

Dan setiap habis mendengar lagu-lagu Glee rasanya semangat yah. Dulu di kantor dan lagi deadline saya suka iseng browsing Youtube dan mendengar lagu-lagu mereka. Mood booster! (Selain lipstik merah, tentunya)

Berikut saya list favorit video dari Glee.

Ini salah satu favorit saya sepanjang masa untuk penampilan Rachel. Just love to see them singing one of famous grease songs. And it's so funny! Disini suara Santana keren banget (dan juga penampilan si duo violin itu super keren sih). Yang saya suka dari Glee, setiap pemeran disini suaranya kyk getting better and better, this is one of Santana's milestone. Ini salah satu lagu dari season terbaru Glee. Disini sih saya suka sama videonya.. detil dan lucu. SJP disini suaranya juga so... SJP. Suka :D Those all my 4 favorites. What's yours? ;)

Keju Prancis

Peta Keju Prancis -246 jenis loh!

Sebagai seorang Indonesia tulen, kalau ada negara Eropa yg identik dengan keju yah Belanda :). 4 tahun tinggal disana, saya juga menjadi penggila keju, Keju Kambing Asap adalah salah satu  favorit saya. Saya tahu sih, Prancis juga terkenal dengan kejunya, tapi yah yg saya tau keju2 seperti keju Brie yang bau nyengit itu.

Setelah sampai disini,  ternyata, keju di Prancis itu ada 246 jenis keju loh, semua provinsi punya kejunya sendiri-sendiri sesuai dengan 'bakteri' yang tumbuh di provinsinya kali yah :D Intinya sih keju di Prancis lebih ke arah soft cheese atau jeune fromage, jadi teksturnya memang lebih lembek dibanding keju tua/keras /oud kaas seperti Gouda, etc.

Untuk penyajiannya, keju di Prancis disajikan sebagai bagian dari makan utama atau dessert. Kalau misal di Indo atau di Amerika, keju adalah bagian 'penyedap' untuk masakan lain (misalkan burger, sandwich) disini keju adalah 'bintang'nya dan roti hanya sebagai pelangkap.

Dalam satu piring disajikan beberapa jenis keju, dan orang bisa merasakan semua rasa dari keju2 tersebut, dengan atau tanpa roti. :)

Saya pernah berbincang dengan orang Prancis. " Saya baru sadar kalau di Prancis ada budaya makan keju,saya kira cuman di Belanda," dan dibalas dengan sindiran, " Oh ya, di Belanda memang punya keju yang enak yah?".

Satu pelajaran yang diambil dari sini, jangan pernah membandingkan 'kebanggan' budaya Prancis dengan negara lainnya, terutama dengan negara Anglo-Saxon. :D


Dan di musim dingin seperti ini, bermacam2 makanan dengan bahan baku keju muncul di mana-mana, hal ini bisa terlihat dari stand-stand makanan yang ada di pasar natal di setiap kota (Marche de Noel). Di Toulouse, sebagai ibu kota Midi-Pyrenes, ada makanan yg namanya Aligot, intinya sih kentang tumbuk, keju spesial ala Midi-Pyrenes diaduk2 jadi satu, enak dimakan ketika dingin2.

Fondue Cheese juga ada dimana-mana, keju dilelehkan di piring wajan panas, dimakan berbarang dengan kentang, jamur dan ham (bagi yg bisa makan) juga menggugah selera. Hmmm..  Saya suka musim dingin kalau begini terus, karena harga keju juga semakin murah.. Hehehehe..

Salah satu kunci makasan di Perancis itu yah memang, "selalu ambil bahan yang paling segar" dan itu juga berarti bahan produk yg mau dimakan sedang musimnya. Ini juga terbukti dengan flow makanan di kantin kampus saya, kalau di pasar sedang musim terong, maka masakannya akan sekitar di terong.Dan juga karena sekarang sedang musim keju, sebagai entre, keju juga mulai disajikan. :)

Saya juga pernah ditanya sama orang lokal sini :
" Kalau di negara kamu, keju lokalnya seperti apa?"
*lalu entah kenapa, bayangan yang muncul di saya adalah keju Kraft... hehehehehe*
Setelah dijelaskan oleh suami kalau negara kami tidak punya keju lokal, mereka kaget.
"Loh tapi bukannya kamu punya sapi yah.. lalu susu sapi-sapi itu diapakan?"
Kami hanya tertawa dan bilang, susu sapi itu yah hanya kami minum saja :)

Toh Indonesia tidak punya musim dingin dan juga berarti kita tidak harus mengawetkan makanan kan? :)
(karena keju dibuat oleh orang jaman dahulu untuk bahan makanan di musim dingin)

Tartiflete

Aligot

ps: pics all taken from google. thank you :)