I think I'm in love...
Well, wait!
I think I'm really really in love!

The past weekend was really hectic for me. Loads and loads of assignments and stuffs here and there that needed to be done. I was tired and 'sick.' But, the good thing is I finally got a chance to catch up with some sleeps yesterday and today... I'm now fully recharged and refreshed! Yeah!

We did a table display for The Mission yesterday at the RSC handing out some flyers. I'm thankful that I could be there the whole time and watched people pass by. As I was sitting there, I thought and looked back at my life, I can testify that I'm really blessed! I really feel that I am. Yes, I do have the ups and downs in my life. And sometimes I feel that my problems will never have the solution. Everybody experiences the same thing, I'm sure!

But one thing that I realize, God's love for me never fails.
God never said when you follow me, everything will be bright and beautiful all the time. But He sure said that everything happens for a reason. And He promised that everything will be beautiful in the end. He promised that He has a wonderful plan for each of us.

He knows our past. Even if we think that our past is too dark, He said it's okay, I love you. He knows our present. He understands what we're going through. He knows whatever we think about even before we open our mouth and say it. And when we say, "God, I don't deserve You because I'm such a bad person" He says, "That's fine! I still love you! That's why I died on the cross! It's for your sins." He knows our future. He knows what kind of job we're gonna have. He knows where we're gonna be located in the next two years, five years, 10 years or even 25 years! He knows everything.

When I felt my world was falling apart, when I felt that I don't have anything to hold so that I can stand still, when I felt that I was only by myself,
God has always been there for me.
He gave me His hands so that I can hold on to Him.
He carried me so that I won't fall.
He guided me and gave me direction so that I won't be lost.
He looks at me deep in my eyes and assures me that He loves me always and forever no matter what.

Yes, I always feel His love in my life. But yesterday and today, it's becoming more and more real. All I can say right now is I'm amazed by His unconditional love. And, I love Him more! Yes, much more! I can't wait to see what He's going to do in my life. And, I'm ready! I wouldn't trade Him for anything in this world. Not for anything!

"The simplest of all love songs, I want to bring to You

So, I'll let my words be few

Jesus, I am so in love with You"

from: Let my words be few

Phillips Craig and Dean

Lee Ya is homesick!

It's been about one month and 11 days since I'm back here in Wichita...
You probably think that, Oh! You've just been here for a month and you already miss home? Ridiculous? haha! But, it's true! Lee Ya is truly homesick!

Miss mommy's cooking...
Miss my little princess, Joy...
Miss those chit chat times with my girlfriends...
Miss relaxing at home...
Miss being driven around...
Miss buying good food on the street...
Miss the busyness of Jakarta...
Miss the praise and worship at JPCC...
Bottom line, I miss being home....

I chatted with one of my highschool friends this morning. He mentioned about the bird's flu that's going around again in Indonesia... I guess I have a flu too today... But, it's a HOME flu!
Anybody has the medicine for me??

Anyway, here's some pics taken when I was in Bandung last summer...

Buying Durian Ice Cream on the street in Bandung

Eating Durian Ice Cream on the street in Bandung

Kansas State Fair...

Went to the state fair today after we got home from church... Had lotsa fun there, except for one thing! I GOT TANNED! It was really hot today and I don't think my sunblock did a good job in 'blocking' the sun! Mannn... I need a whitening cream!!!

Anyways, ate lots and lots of fair's food also there! We went with limited budget, but that's what made it really fun! When we wanted to buy anything to eat, everyone just chipped in their quarters, dimes and pennies! This is what you really call friends! hahaha! Friends when we are happy, and friends when we are in need! And obviously, we were all in need, coz we were all hungry....

We passed by all the rides.. And one ride really stood out to me! Yeap! It's the Ferris Wheel! This is the ride that I love the most since I was really young! That ride really reminded me of one episode from the TV series "The OC" that was aired two summers ago... One sweet episode that always makes me smile! Haha! Yeap! It's when Marissa asked Ryan to go ride the Ferris Wheel.... Ryan is scared of height, but he still went and rode with her with his eyes closed the whole time (haha!), just because he knew Marissa loves it...

And here comes the best part! When they were supposed to get off the wheel and Marissa was actually getting ready to go down, he gave money to the ride's operator STILL with his eyes closed (due to his fear.. haha!) and said, "One more time!" So, they went for another round! Aaaawwwwwhhhhhh...... that's so sweet, Ryan!!

Thoughts after thoughts....

Hmmm... been doing lots and lots of thinking for the past few weeks.. Yeah, i meant lots! I got to the point where I told myself, okay! Gotta sort through every thought one by one... So, I started listing everything that I've been thinking about... and if you want to go down the list, hahah! You don't wanna know how many numbers I had!

Then, being a communication major student who just took her research method class last fall, I decided to find the emergent themes from all the thoughts that I have... Yeah! I did a content analysis of what's been running on my mind! Wow! I'm sure Dr. Dooley will be very very proud of me, if she reads my blog! I can't even believe myself that I'm actually putting what I have learned into practice! Wow! I'm still amazed...

Anyway, I guess all students really face this tough situation when they are about to graduate. "WHAT'S NEXT?" Am I right? We get that question a lot from friends, family, relatives or even other people in general.... So yeah, that's the first emergent theme that I got from the list. Then, second, WHERE? Am I gonna be home or here in the US after graduation? And it is in the US, is it gonna be here in Wichita or somewhere else? West coast or east coast? This is really tough! As much as I love my friends and family here in Wichita, I do love the place where I was born and where I grew up that I can always call HOME to death... Yes, home where you feel that you do belong there....

As I thought and prayed about all these, I'm very grateful to always know that God has a wonderful plan for me. He has reserved the right job and the right place where I should be at.... A very very close friend of mine (who is a buddy to me too) 'woke me up' and reminded me that when a person still has the chance to choose from different options, he or she should be thankful. Some people are stuck with the situation that they have. They can't go anywhere, because they don't have the luxury to choose which path to go for their lives. And I thought, "This is very true!" What an eye opening thought for me!

All these made me realize that God loves me so much that He has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life that I can really count on. My parents who are always there for me and support whatever I decide in mylife. They actually offer their perspectives too, which is great! My sisters who are always here with me... My buddy, Jasmine, who always encourages me during my grad school life... My brothers at the Mission who always help me when me and my sisters are in need, pray for me when I face difficult times and pick me up when I'm down with their crazy jokes and their 'stupidity' haha! My girlfriends back home that always send those funny emails to keep me updated.... (Gosh, I miss them so much!) My church families for their love and caring... Without these people in my life I don't think I'm gonna make it this far... (Man, I feel like I'm giving an acceptance speech at the grammy award or something! :p)

So in conclusion (I always teach my students to give a signal when they are about to end their speeches), after weeks and weeks full of thinking, I know what I really want to do now! I'll sure enjoy these last 8 months before graduation to the fullest! So, Jakarta (at least for now), you are next!

Buhbye summer...

"Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they're gone..."

-Duke "The Notebook"

I wanna go homeeeeeeeee!!!!!

My 'lil baby...

Truly missing you, my babe!

The true Sistas!

A great nite at Bradley Fair!

Come on puggy! Look at the camera!

Me and 'lil puggy!

Back to School!

Yeah? What does that particular phrase mean to you? I've seen those signs everywhere I go.. Walmart, Target, Dillons, Campus (of course), TV ads... They are all over the town! Should be fun and exciting, huh?

Well, I guess this phrase really means "BACK TO REALITY" for me! I guess my 'honeymoon' period is over..
Yes, Amelia! It is completely over...

Today is my first teaching and school day! What a fun thing to start my weekend with... *wink* My schedule this semester is kinda hectic... Started teaching from 8:30 to 9:20 and continued with my second class from 9:30 to 10:20... My students were lively... They talked.. They laughed at my jokes (I hope they were not laughing at me!).. And, they looked very attentive.... But you'll never know! Students usually showed their "true colors" when assignments and speeches are due...

Then I went to my own class where I actually sat as a student at 11:30... It wasn't that bad, until one of the ladies in my sociology class waved happily at me and actually made her way down (coz it was a big lecture hall, she was sitting at the very back; while i sat at the third row from the front) and said, "Hi Ms. Hendra! Do you still remember me??"

And all I could think of at that very second was, "GOSH! I'm now in the same class as my ex student! What in the world is happening?" But,of course Ms. Hendra still professionally smiled at her, "Of course, K**E*, I still remember you! It was nice to see you again here!"

Wow! What a fun thing to start my weekend with!

Then, went to this Christian fellowship's "welcome back party..." Had lotsa fun! And thought we would wrap up the nite with a nice and soft donought in Newton! Thanks to the bad weather! "Oh well!!"

My very last nite!

Well, well, well...

It's me again writing for the last time from my sweet home, Jakarta!

Totally feeling blue at the moment..

Totally hate the feeling when I pack my things here in my own house..

It's my very very last nite here in Indonesia..

It's gonna be my very last nite sleeping in my own bedroom..

It's gonna be my very last nite enjoying mommy's homecooked food this year..

It's gonna be my very last nite enjoying a very relaxing lifestyle

that I've had for the past month..

It's gonna be my very last nite playing with my little sister, Joy

and seeing her funny actions...

It's gonna be my very last nite living life without worrying about

paying the rental, utility bills, phone bills or even credit card bills...

Time is almost up for me!

I'm going to leave Indonesia in less than 24 hours...

It's been a fun and exciting life here!

Lots of unexpected moments to be cherished...

Lots of memorable talks to be remembered...

Lots of thoughts that have been confirmed...

If I had to summarize what my life is like for the past one month;

This is a fantastic life that

I would never trade for anything!

It's been excellent,

amazing, wonderful,

fabulous and terrific!

And although it sounds really redundant

(I really don't know how to describe it in just one word),

I would have to admit that, "Yes, I totally mean it!"

Sayonara, Jakarta!

I'm spending my very last weekend in my sweet hometown, Jakarta...
Summer vacation is almost over...
And, it went by too fast!
I felt like I haven't really done much here...
Although I'm still here,
somehow I have missed my beautiful life for the past one month in Jakarta...
But, life sure moves on!
I still have to finish my degree...
Well I guess it's now appropriate to say, "Bye bye, my friends!"
I had so much fun here! You are all the best!
Lee Ya will miss you lots!

Spending my best times ever!

Hello ya'll! Glad to know I have people reading my blog! For those of you who've been asking where I've been, haha! I'm still alive and well in Jakarta, the city that never sleeps! Been having so much fun here in Jakarta until I realized few days ago that my time is almost up! Oh mannnn! It's definetely too fast!!

I'm sure gonna miss my 'lil sister JOY
I'm sure gonna miss spending time with my parents
I'm sure gonna miss my mom's cooking
I'm sure gonna miss al the spicy and delicious food here
I'm sure gonna miss my time chit chatting with my girlfriends
I'm sure gonna miss my other friends
I'm sure gonna miss JPCC
I'm sure gonna miss being called A Conk
I'm sure gonna miss being lazy at home

Sigh.. I miss Jakarta already! I'm in the process of calling those airlines to extend my stay...

Lee Ya is crossing her fingers and pray....

Martha, Lee Ya, Monik, Sandra, Rosa at Taman Anggrek Mall

Attention!

Hey friends!

Just wanted to tell you all that I haven't been able to reply your emails. I was in Surabaya for about 4 days and had no internet connection at my grandma's house. I'll get in touch with you soon!

Amelia

Special dedication for Indos in Wichita!

Guess what I had today! Huahuahuahua....
1. Kepiting Saos Padang
2. Ikan bakar
3. Kangkung cah terasi
4. Cumi cumi bakar
5. Sambel terasi ulek...
Yummmmmmmmyyyyyy *wink wink*
Oh by the way, I'm attaching this picture of ikan bakar to kinda remind you all about how it looks like.. Coz I know there is someone who's been in Wichita for almost 9 years.. (ehmm, Hi Den!) Huahuahuaa!!

Me and the girls....

Totally had a blast yesterday with my girlfriends. Started with lunch at Din Tai Fung. Did some catching ups. Lots and lotsa updates! As usual, it's always fun when the girls meet up and 'discuss' some stuffs! It's been a while since we met, but the 'discussion' still flew really well... Haha! And I didn't realize that there are loads of 'news' that I've been missing out on. Then, we continued our 'catching up session' at Gelato's Ice Cream. That's even better! Haha! Andddd.. of course thanks to Rosa who had the idea of ordering 8 flavors of ice cream. That was a lot of ice cream! I felt like a cow! But, but, but... they were great! Haha! We had hazelnut, coffee, ogura, green tea, strawberry, wine, black sesame and chocolate mint flavors. Totally pampering! And guess what I'm left with now! Okay, you're right! Extra pounds! Alrites girls, can't wait for our next 'meeting' on Friday nite!