THE NEXT DESTINATION

Singapore, 24 February.

Traveling.

I almost forgot how it feels like. It's been almost a year for me not having that excitement! The last time i had traveling was in the late March last year. I decided to go to Japan with 3 friends from Indonesia; one of them was my best travelmate, and the other two were my ex copywriter and ex planner. We met in Kuala Lumpur airport and continued our journey to Tokyo at the same day. That was really fun!

This year's traveling is a bit different. I planned, booked, and cancelled my air tickets to Chicago and New York for 8th March. I really could not imagine how i stand still alone in front of that Bean at The Millenium Park in a cold winter day on someone's birthday. Chicago, cold city, cold heart... :(

But God is good...

I still have the air tickets anyway.

The same year.

The same month.

The same day.

Different place.

I will go to Europe in the next 2 weeks!

Pforzheim, Germany.

A place that i have never heard about it.

A place that never on my travel list.

Such a long (funny) story...but i am happy to know that i will be there soon.

Traveling is always special wherever it is. Traveling isn't just about having fun and spend lots of money to buy any fancy things... But it always brings me to different stories. I really have to be grateful that God give me chances too see the other side of the world and see how other people have their daily life.

A perfect plan.

That's what we always have.

But DESTINY may have its own way...

Meet a friend who's having difficult situation in a time that we thought it was a perfect time to have holidays together, and at the end i have to make a decision that we need to cancel the trip. Am i disappointed? Exactly no. Sometimes... living in a bit lower expectation always makes my life easier and lighter. Then on the next level, you may know what "acceptance" is. That life doesn't always offer you good times, nor the other way around :)

A best friend is more precious than London and Paris. And this is the DESTINY that i've been questioning for this past 4 months. That i have to be there, Pforzheim, a town in Germany, 11 THOUSAND KILOMETERS away from Singapore, to meet a friend and give little supports even just for 14 days. To someone who I BELIEVE that he's my "twin", my mirror, my reflection. 

Silly, but i believe it is true. 

Traveling.

And i am sure that this year's traveling will be special like i always have. 

Now i can feel that excitement. And here i am counting the days to fly on the next (less than) 2 weeks from today!

Dear Pforzheim, i really can't wait to see you.

With heart, faith, and courage,

Rahma.

SOFT SHELL TACOS

FRENCH MACAROONS

Directions:

Pulse confectioners' sugar and almond flour in a food processor until combined. Sift mixture 2 times.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and whisk until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low, then add superfine sugar. Increase speed to high, and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Sift flour mixture over whites, and fold until mixture is smooth and shiny.

Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip, and pipe 3/4-inch rounds 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets, dragging pastry tip to the side of rounds rather than forming peaks. Tap bottom of each sheet on work surface to release trapped air. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake 1 sheet at a time, rotating halfway through, until macarons are crisp and firm, about 10 minutes. After each batch, increase oven temperature to 375 degrees, heat for 5 minutes, then reduce to 325 degrees.

Let macarons cool on sheets for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. (If macarons stick, spray water underneath parchment on hot sheet. The steam will help release macarons.)

Sandwich 2 same-size macarons with 1 teaspoon filling. Serve immediately, or stack between layers of parchment, wrap in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months.

SALIHARA THEATRE

I LOVE YOU DORAEMON!

LEGO LAND

Lego Land Malaysia, 2012.

Such a late post. Been here couple months ago actually :p
I can't forget about my experience when i was at this place. I went to LegoLand Malaysia with my 6 Chinese collages by bus, started from Ang Mo Kio bus stop - accross the bus interchange, then cross the border to the Johor Baru Malaysia and went straight to the KSL Hotel. It was a quite nice place to stay, convenient coz there's a shopping mall and some food centers.

We went to The LegoLand on the next day in the morning. It was a rainy daaaay!! But i was so excited! The LegoLand Malaysia is newly opened last year, so i guess it's not completed yet. I heard there's a Hello Kitty Land near the LegoLand itself, but ummm...okay i'm not into that pinky kitty :)

Many people compare The LegoLand Malaysia with The Universal Studios Singapore. But well, i should say that The Universal Studios Singapore has so much better attractions! Hehehe... But the most interesting part of this LegoLand is, they make it very LOCAL! Which i think it's a really good point! They show many Asian landmarks such as Taj Mahal, Merion, Angkor Wat, Forbidden City, The Twin Tower, etc. The Dragon-the roller coaster-is the most wanted attraction. It wasn't that bad, though i had to queue for more than 1 hour to have a 2 minutes ride! -___-

I love the way they promote this theme park, i like their merchandises. But they seem a bit OVER PRICE! I bought a Darth Vader Star Wars Lego t-shirt for almost....ummm....oh never mind, that hurts me! LOL!!

Well, welcome to the LegoLand Malaysia and enjoy your trip!

L.O.V.E

Singapore, Valentine's Day.

Love is feeling.
Love is understanding.

Love is stronger than gravity.

Love is responsibility.

Love is not just about John Lennon's songs.

Love is not just about Twilight movies.

Love is how strong i am to stand still.

Love is friendship set on fire.

Love is acceptance.

I AM A TOURIST!

Singapore, 12 February 2013.

My mom just went back home this early morning and i missed her already. I thank you mother to visit me here, to bring me my comfort foods, to listen to me, understand me, and to rub my back before i went to sleep. You really brought HOME to me...

Nothing else can be better than being a TOURIST! And i was a tourist for this past 3 days, here, in Singapore! Hahahaha... Visiting places that i've visited many times again and again but still fun. Nothing happening during this Chinese New Year season. All stores are closed and most of foreigners went back to their hometown. I spent this past 3 days with my mother, walking around the city, took photos, tried some local foods (i thank you mom to gain my weight! hahaha...).

Actually i wasn't feeling well, but i don't want to spoil my mom's vacation here. So i tried my best to make her enjoy her visit, though i'm dying right now in my bed hahahaha... No no no... mom...all the best things for you! Always!

I saw the Singapore skyline from the top of Singapore Flyer and that was awesome. This country is very small but very well planned actually. They never stop build and dress up their country. I love Singapore for some reasons: its vibrancy, its multicultural things, and its system. And i really enjoyed my days as a tourist with local's prices! Hahahaha....

BAGEL AND MACAROONS