Self Reminder: The Born Day

Today is my born day, I think I never post on my born day, but this year I want to write few words.

Since I was young, in my family, not really celebrate the birthday, usually my parent and sister only give me the birthday wish, and my mother cook good food for us. So, in my mind birthday not really a big deal, and am just happy when my family remember it, thats it

I dont really wish or want people notice by birthday, I even closed my birthday from my sosmed account, coz I dont expect friends to notice it.

As the time pass and I am getting older, actually every year when the number of my age is scale up 😊, I realize spiritually its like a year lessen to live in this beautiful world

How do you feel in this year? in your 44th yo?

Well this twin number of my age that move me to write this post actually, because the twin number will be happen in another 11 years, and who knows? am I still alive? well I hope so...amin

How I feel? In general, first of all, I pray al-fatihah for my self, I thank you to Allah SWT for always bless me, my parent are healthy, I have job, I can do charity, I have good friends even not many, I can buy things that I want, I have debt but not much, I have small saving, am healthy (well in my pov tho), I can treat my fam with good food. I am happy

But then...I am happy and also sad. I sad because there are still many poor people out there and working hard to live, Palestine still suffer, many babies abandon by their parents, many orphans, I still see arrogant rich person, I face or see unfair things happen, poor children couldnt continue their school, and then how to answer, why am I not marry yet?

The last question is that mostly kind of standard question in my society, in my age and still single is like weird

They forget that every person has her own path and journey, I cannot choose my destiny, I was dreamed to get marry at 26th and having children, I made this target when I was in high school, but who can predict that am still single now. This is the path that Allah SWT assign to me, and what will be happen ahead is in His hand, in simple understanding, do you know when you will die? no one knows the answer, anybody maybe?

Therefor Rina, I talk to my self, lets enjoy this "you only live once" in this beautiful world, que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. Lets continue this life bravely and it doesnt matter if I will walk or run, I can choose the speed

Everyone that celebrates birthday in May 11th, I wish you a happy born day, and all the best for you, because your best is yours!

Bali, May 11 2024. Thank you Rina for being strong and dont forget to loving yourself!

Around 11.45PM - 15 minutes before the day will change!

Woman, Worth, Wonder

The recent news about korean k-pop and k-drama that revealed having relationship which might be called "transit love" made me feel sorry for the ex (woman)

Transit love is kind of situation where couple still in relation but a party is also build feeling with other (cmiiw) in Indonesia called selingkuh (kind of it)

I just want to describe my feeling, I dont really care which version is the truth

I want to say to you H*eri, you are worth woman, and I know you're a wonder woman

I believe you will face this shit situation bravely

I dont know you, I dont even your fans, you broke up with him, simple just because he is not worth for you

You will find yours

If not, then God knows and having better plan for you

To all the broken heart:

I am not saying that broke up is an easy thing, go cry, go alone, go find the space, go to heal the soul

But then...

Wipe the tears, wake up, stand up, walk firmly and open the window and the door

There are rainbow and sun after the rain

There is future that waiting 

You only live once....enjoy it to the fullest

Taylor Swift said:

------And you wanna scream

Don't call me "kid"

Don't call me "baby"

Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me

You showed me colors

You know I can't see with anyone else

Don't call me "kid"

Don't call me "baby"

Look at this idiotic fool that you made me

You taught me a secret language

I can't speak with anyone else

And you know damn well

For you, I would ruin myself

A million little times--------

Coldplay Concert : Singapore National Stadium

Singapore, January 24, 2024

Coldplay Concert: Music of The Spheres

Alhamdulillah, Thank you Allah SWT for making the dream happen and for the blessed that never ending You have pour in my life!

It begin with just a wishing that if I can go to abroad again, I only want go to; 1st Coldplay concert, and 2nd I want to go for Umroh, and well after the covid period passed and global access was opened, Coldplay starting their worldwide tour concert. Hoping that they will go to Asia, and yes its answered. Indonesia is in their list, preparing with friends for the war ticket, and yet failed, as sooo many people joined the war and well it just not my luck. Disappointed? ofcourse! but I accept it, maybe in another time...am trying for Malaysia, but yet its the same, failed!

Then, there is announcement for Singapore for 4 days (+2) concert! in January 2024, and again helped by my friend Lisa and Etta, we're in better prep for the tix war, as Ticketmaster.sg is like more strict and the D day was in June 19, 2023 (Presale) with big hope that this time I will get the ticket!

OMG when 3 of us enter the war, we were all in like no 600k queuing! however, a least the timeline is running eventough slowly, and finally after 3 hours waiting, I get the access to execute the tix, and yas!! succeeded bought 2 tixs.

My friend Lisa and Etta were only helped for the tix war but they dont want to go to the concert, so I share the tix with my other friend; Ulfa!

Since then, starting the prep to attending the concert in Singapore; renewing my passport, hunting hotel with reasonable price, and also the flight ticket.

After reading the reviews and price comparison, I booked thru Agoda.com and decided to stay at Summer View Hotel.

I think for booking hotel, Agoda is one of the best among others in term of price!, this is based on my experience booked hotel for domestic and abroad destinations.

For the flight I have also recommendation, which you can get best offer from Tiket.com, so far when I booked the flight tix, it offers the best price for both domestic and abroad.

I choose for DPS-Singapore with SQ, I got good offer at around IDR 2.2 mio/pax and Spore - DPS with Batik Air at IDR 1.5 mio/pax

Time flies and close to the D day, my flight was on Jan 23, 2024, me and Ulfa arrived at Singapore around 4PM, and we decided to go around Changi Airport; visit the Jewel at Terminal 1, what an experience!

This place is cool, green vibes, like having clean oxygen around! 😀 love it.

There are several photo spots around, most people that arrived at Changi will spend their time to visit Jewel. If you already at T1 to reach this area you can follow the direction and there is kind of "bridge" that you can walk by to reach Jewel.

If you are in T2 or T3, to go to Jewel, you can use the Skytrain (free of charge)

What else? well there are lot of restaurants around and if you have good budget then you can enjoy the food there!

At around 7PM we took grab to go the hotel! as we dont have much energy again to use the MRT with the suitcases we bring along!

Sometime after reach hotel, we go out for buying meal, and I booked the right hotel, because it close to Seven Eleven and also next to a Korean Store ✌. Me and Ulfa bought ready to eat meal...heat it up at sevel and bring them back to hotel, after finished the meal, we go bed for charging the energy for the D day!

On Jan 24, 2024 we took grab (again) to Kallang Wave Mall which in one area with the National Stadium where the concert will be held, we go around, bought merchandises, taking pictures, and starting queuing for the gate to be opened.

We came too early, and wait too long, this kind of learning lesson, because in Singapore, I can say no need to worry, you will be able smoothly attend the concert as long as the tix is in your hand, yes you can bit early to anticipate traffic, like 1 hour arrival before the main concert, you still have time tho. At Kallang Wave Mall, we also experience lunch at The Soup Spoon, and took cheap offer, with SGD 9.9/pax you will get a big plate of warrior salad bowl with jasmine ice tea included.

This is resto is recommended! one of best salad bowl that I ever tasted, it just sooo good!

The waiting is over! and eventough it was heavy rain, it didnt stop the coldplayers to enter the gate for the Coldplay's performance. At 8.30PM the show is begin and I cannot describe my feeling at that time, tears, blessed, happy, still cannot believe I can attend the concert, all those feelings mixed at once.

Almost all of my fave songs were presented; A Sky Full of Stars, Viva la Vida, Something Like This, My Universe, Fix You....I think I also heard Charlie Brown? whatever, I too enjoying the concert and not really remember all the songs tho.

Chris was performed well, eventho I mostly of time seeing him thru the big screen, its totally OK, this moment will never be forgotten in my life. A blessed that even until the time I write this post, I still feel that Allah is sooo kind to me. He allows this moment crossing in my life, exactly like I want, smoothen all the process from the tix war, renewing my passport process, booking the hotel and flight, the whole trip in Singapore, everything!

Friends or whoever happen drop by and read this post, wish and believe in Allah (God), He might postpone your wish to happen, because he knows the best time for you, and He will guide and be with you along the way, this is my spiritual experience, even though I was sometime neglecting Him, He still gave me endless blessings!

-Believe in Him, He will never fail you, it just about timing-

Thank You 2023, Welcome 2024

In 2023. most of the year, I full it with journeys. I started with it traveling to Surabaya and Jakarta for suppliers visit and audit, which happen around Jan - Feb. Learning lesson; most of the supplier's personnel in years I just communicate with them by email, phonecall, and whatsapp however, since the relation build by trust and good willing, by the time you meet them, its like meet your friends. The target visit and audit in overall is good.

In march, got 2nd chance to visit Selayar, as the impact of covid, the flight from makassar to selayar is limited, so for the first time I used the ferry. How do you feel? tiring tho, because from makassar I need to go to bira by rent car for about 4 hours, then continue by ferry in 2 hours to pamatata (selayar's port). On the way back to Bali, it was already entering the fasting month, so I did fasting on the journey from selayar to makassar all they way, I made it I didnt break my fast eventho the journey isnt easy. What did you do in selayar? Its more to find out why the nutmeg supply taking so long time, the conclusion is the demand isnt much, forbid to build buffer, and by the time the nuts is available it taken by other collectors, and when nuts order come in, as no buffer of raw mat, then ofcourse needs time to collect it again from farmers which is taking time. Learning lesson: Strong willing will overcome the doubt, as well as you cannot please everyone, the are always reason to judge you and complaint on your effort. But is ok, challenges will enrich my soft skill, and never fail me to keep learn doing good.

Next was in end of May to early June total in 19 days of journey, be part of harvesting vanilla and went to Maumere to Adonara. It was very challenging, as the first time I involved in harvesting process, meet farmer and buy the vanilla in cash, this year the price for green vanilla was drop, and difficult to explain it to farmer, isnt my company that arranging or planning the price down, but the fact the market price for vanilla was down, because the Madagascar is doing well with stock and crop, which impact to Indonesian's price. Arguing with fews stubborn people, starting the journey in very early morning everyday, and end it mostly at night, having meal always late, the road that not always smooth, make sure no missing on the money calculation, it does tested my patient and body endurance, and thanks Allah, I wasnt get sick. Learning lesson: Dont forget to pray in every step you take, and Allah will just stay beside you, and keep you safe and sound!

Last but not least, was in August, I got an assignment to go to Manado, as the pic of clove wasnt around, so I went on her behalf, to buy and make sure the container loading as planned. I was like 11 days there, as a sudden additional container is ready and I requested to stay and make sure the final container is safe. The good thing is that, this is the 1st time I went there alone, beside doing the transaction (I am a purchaser tho) and planning the container, I was also taking the responsibility in quality, I mean taking sample to make sure that I am not buying water (moisture shall be meet the spec.), and make sure the method of taking the sample is also following the guideline so the sample taken is representative. Alhamdulillah all is running good. Eventho at this period of assignment I experience something that against my personal life rules, but again I cannot ask everyone to have the same life rules as mine right? Learning lesson: I learn to respect other people point of view of treating others.

I believe everyone has they own stories in life, as well as mine. All I want in this life Allah will always and always take care of me and parents mostly, and others. In His guideline I will keep the willing to learn being kind, and doing good. In His decision I will follow whatever that He plans to me. I hope that me and all of you will have the best things in the next year and in the future.

-Love yourself before you love others-

Thank you 2023. Welcome 2024

Clove, The Indonesia's Spices

Working in company that processing various spices have enrich my knowledge. I am graduated from Agriculture faculty, however, I must admit that having chance to be part of my current company made me realize Indonesia has few and well known spices in the world such as; vanilla, clove, and nutmeg

I will write more about clove this time. According to Scienagri.com Indonesia is one of the nine biggest countries that producing clove. In Indonesia itself the area which are the source of clove such as; Sulawesi, Maluku, Flores, and even Bali is also has produce clove. The peak season of clove during August to Sept, however it could be changed depend on the climate condition. Like in 2023 where rainy season happen longer cause shortage of clove stock in the market and kick the price up.

In the market in Indonesia for industrial clove, the standard quality called AB6 so with kind of calculation the total of moisture percentage (Kadar Air) and foreign material (Kadar Kotor) are max 6. I must be honest that I fully understand about this calculation a year ago after educated by one of suppliers.

Manufacturer could turns clove to become extract either in liquid or powder as well as make it into tea bag cut finish goods. Cigarette, pharmacy, food and beverage industries are also using clove.

Clove it self has several benefits and good for health. There are: anti bacteria, good for blood sugar level, maintain the lever health etc.

Next time I will share more about other Indonesia's spices or perhaps my journey working in spices company which give me chance to visit many cities in Indonesia.

Picture source: Tripper Nature

Retinol B3 Serum and Hyalucera Moisturizer by The Originote

To overcome the skin aging process which basically is a normal process in life, until several months ago, I still stick to use only moisturizer as skincare for my face and adding the compact powder for outdoor activities.

However, as I also often on field duty and expose by the sunlight, then I realize I need more booster to strengthen the skin barrier, especially for my face. 

My face skin isnt sensitive type, its dry to normal condition and I know as far its moist enough it doesnt give me problem so far, so I have wide chance to trial various face skin care. One of the good combinations to boost the skin barrier during the day is to apply serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and lock them with compact powder. I will share one by one for each product in this blog, and I will start it with the serum.

Its Retinol B3 Serum by The Originote. Currently, I will buy my 3rd bottle, this retinol serum is fast absorbed into the skin, light, and giving cool sense in my skin. For the technical review of the product ingredients you can read here

Compare to the other brand of retinol serum which I also bought in the same time while having the originote, eventought it mentioned like consist of 6x retinol content, but personally the one from originote still the best for my face skin. 

In term of price, its bearable, for like 20ml the price range around IDR 40-50K, I think is good price for good quality product.

Beside the Retinol B3 Serum, other product that I recommend for from the originote is the Hyalucera Moisturizer. 

If the serum I use it for the day, the moisturizer I prefer to apply in my face the night before going to sleep. As its light and same, giving cool sensation in my face, and further for the night, I think no need like applying too heavy or to good skincare, as the skin only need to maintain its moist condition, and the Hyalucera Moisturizer is a good option for me by far. The ingredients you can also read here if you're curious and want to have more detail.
The price is also bearable around IDR 42K, here is the link for the pricing taken from The Originote Official Store

Picture sources:

Retinol B3 Serum

Hyalucera Moisturizer

Samsung S22 5G - I Hold it Perfectly

Mobile phone currently can be said one of the life complementaries, well in my point of view, because I am very rare to watching TV, or reading newspaper, or even books, because all of the news and entertainment, can be provided by so many online sources. Even books or novels, you can simply download an app, and there you go, you can read any genre that you like!.

I have been an android user ever since its existing. The size evolution, the android change series, and lots of hi tech improvements to deliver a mobile phone to user hand and make their life easier. Some user might like the size of the mobile phone big; I mean the display at 6 inch up, and it depends on their purpose on using the mobile phone, a professional photographer, or video creator, might love bigger display as they use it for making or editing their work.

Personally, I like mobile phone which fit in my "small" hand, not too big and not too small either, I have been waiting for long time to finally having the Samsung S22 5G

As usual before I buy new mobile phone, I always go to GSM ARENA to find out more information specification and recommendation. Samsung S22 5G has body dimension: 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.75 x 2.78 x 0.30 in), which exactly the size that I really like the most. Comfort in my hand and easy to keep it in my pocket. 

The internal memory, I chose the 256GB 8GB RAM, which I believe good enough to cover my need for big storage as I like to watch korean drama and keep many pictures in my mobile phone. The camera capability is also awesome, very clear and there are various options that you can choose based on your capturing target.

Of course it has a weakness, which is the battery, it has only 3700 mAh. It makes you do the charging at least twice a day, but again, I think this weakness is not really a matter, if you only use the mobile phone for daily usage such as; whatsapp, scrolling through instragram, listen to spotify, and even watching netflix, a full 1x charging still good enough tho.

So far it runs well, still less than a year, and hope it will no problem. Not a paid review, not a promotion, and with lots of source of mobile reviewers I think the GSM ARENA still my favorite place to get update information or review about gadget especially a mobile phone before I decide to buy new one. Just to make sure that with the money I will spend, I will get the optimal product with all its strength and weakness

-life is good-

pic source: Samsung Newsroom Indonesia