Showing posts with label Amerika. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amerika. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Married Life: 6 Months

I can't believe I am married for 6 months now. There are so many things already happened but there is a feeling that things is not changing as much as I expect it to be.
Family picture on our wedding day

Living arrangement

We still live in small room, we lived in tiny studio apartment before and now moving to a kosan (room renting). We paid almost 7 million rupiah per month (including utilities) for the tiny studio apartment and by moving to a kosan, we save 3 million each month.

My role has been rapidly develop in this marriage. 

Once I was a farting champion, due to melodic farting and I did fart a lot. Rest assure, my fart is loud but not smelly. However his was silent but deadly. I am also fully function tracking device. Husband often repeatedly asking where his things are (boxer, remote, black pants, chips, usb, phone, etc). Recently, I am also calendar and alarm clock.

Have we had fight during this 6 months period? 

Sure, we had some. However, the weird thing is that ever since we got married, I could never seem to be upset or mad at him for more than a day..let alone a day, I couldn't even be upset or mad for an hour. Honeymoon stage still maybe?

I remember the last time I was upset with him was last night because he keep playing with his phone when I accidentally hurt my feet (rubbing towel too hard on it). It was minor paint, but I like the attention. I did get his attention, however, when I said 'Fine, I will just amputate my leg!' obviously a little bit dramatic. He spat his gut laughing at what I said. Sigh. I got his attention alright.

We develop similar hobby or activity together. 

We joined free zumba class every Tuesday 7pm in GBK gate 12. Do join us if you have time. He looks kinda funny when he is shaking his booty. I look sexy obviously..lol

Future Planning

As some of my friends and relatives already know. Currently we are waiting for my green card as I am planning to move to the US following my husband. It has been 4 months since we sent the application. We haven't heard a thing from the embassy. Starting to get nervous. We decided it might be good to spend some time traveling in Asia or stay in other country just to experience some more adventure while waiting for green card. I have Korea in mind and has been googling the cost of living there for several months. However, I haven't really taking any decisions.

Babies vs Reality

We both love babies. We think they are cute and adorable. Of course, we would like to have our own baby someday. But not now. Not when we are unprepared. We still moving around. I am still waiting for my green card. We barely have a stable life for that. I am getting tired of people asking if I am already pregnant or when will I be pregnant or If I use any sorts of pills to postpone it. Back off!!! It is highly annoying. I wanna rip my guts every time people ask me that question. I realized Indonesian (or most of them) has no sense of personal boundary. I have try to be nice and answer nicely. But at this point, I just ignore the question or stare coldly at whoever throw the question. The worst, when some people ask question while rubbing my tummy. Today, I am not in such a good mood for a belly rub.


Thursday, August 20, 2015

Silly Hubby Part 1

Learning Bahasa Indonesia is not always easy for him. Despite him being half Indonesian, he is not that fluent speaking Bahasa Indonesia.

We have been dating for 2 years and then married for 6 months now. There are a lot of funny 'accidents' when it comes to his pronunciation or understanding of Bahasa Indonesia's vocabulary. It is quite amusing sometimes. So, I would like to share some of things that he said.

Btw, I made this cartoon strip from a website called Pixton: www.pixton.com in case anyone wants to try creating their own funny or sad story.

1. Darah vs Daerah

This is our recent conversation. He thought that darah (blood) is daerah (area). He said he likes to stay in Benhil's blood. What he meant to say was that he likes to stay in Benhil area.

 2. Kedelai vs Keledai

We got soybean milk (susu kedelai) from my mother. He mistaken the word 'keledai' that means donkey as 'kedelai'.

 3. Balado vs Manado

I will be updating more stories like this later. Enjoy! ^_^

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Petualangan Si Neng 2

Waktu berlalu cepat ya kadang kita lupa untuk sejenak bersyukur. Menyesali yg telah lalu memang tidak ada gunanya, tetapi sejenak melihat ke belakang untuk kemudian bersyukur dengan apa yang telah dicapai juga ada baiknya.

Terkadang, sy suka sejenak melihat ke belakang sambil merindukan masa-masa lulus kuliah dan mulai bekerja. Rasanya sesuatu yang baru itu nampak lebih menarik dan penuh tantangan. Namanya jg masih muda ya, kalau melihat tantangan depan mata itu malah bersemangat. Semoga sy tak akan pernah kehilangan spirit itu.

2010 bulan Agustus
Si Neng akhirnya keterima kerja di Trans TV sebagai Research and Program Development Staff. Sehari si Neng harus (paling tidak) mengerjakan 4-6 laporan untuk beberapa program yang tayang di Trans TV. Si Neng ingat waktu itu si Neng pegang acara Reportase pagi, Islam Itu Indah, Keluarga Minus, Insert, dll.
Lorong Biru penuh kenangan, penyambung antara gedung Mega ke gedung Trans
2 bulan pertama si Neng bahkan belum punya meja sendiri dan harus kerja dari meja bundar dekat ruang Pantry. Kemudian berpindah ke bagian belakang sayap kiri bangunan yg dikenal sebagai meja pembuangan. Di sebut demikian karena sebelumnya kosong dan orang sering menyimpan barang berlebihnya di situ. Meja tersebut masih belum memiliki komputer, jadi si Neng pun masih menggunakan laptop tua peninggalan masa kuliah.
Interview bareng dan kerja di departemen yg sama dengan tmn yg manis ini
Entah kenapa sepertinya banyak yg gak tega melihat si Neng di meja itu, karena acap kali tiap pagi si Neng nemuin oleh-oleh, aksesoris, snack, atau nasi box dr yang berulang tahun di sayap kanan di atas meja. Yah lumayan lah ya, rezeki anak soleh katanya mah.
sekali-sekali si neng pengen norak foto di lokasi syutingnya Insert
Lantai tempat si Neng kerja letaknya di Gedung Mega, bukan di gedung Trans TV sebelahnya. Jd contrary to what people believe, justru si Neng malah jarang bgt ketemu artis. Sekali-sekali aja kalau kebetulan ada urusan di Gedung Trans. Tentunya si Neng harus jual mahal jgn kelihatan norak dong. Pura-pura cuek padahal dalam hati teriak girang dan gak sabar cerita sama si emak.
Hari terakhir kerja dan kumpul sama Tim
Februari 2011
Si Neng mengambil tawaran kerja dari pembimbing Hansamo/BKC (Bandung Korea Community) yg menjadi Advisory di IKECC (Indonesia-Korea Environmental Cooperation Center). Beliau menawarkan pekerjaan dengan posisi dan gaji yang lebih menarik. Si Neng ambil pekerjaan tersebut dengan bahasa Korea yg serba minim, si Neng harus bekerja dengan bos yang hanya lancar berbahasa Korea dan minim bahasa Indonesia maupun Inggris.
Peresmian dan Pembukaan IKECC
Si Neng bangga ber-batik ria mewakili Indonesia
Awal-awalnya kerja di situ, si Neng bawannya pengen mewek mulu berasa dibentak-bentak. Kemudian si Neng sadar kalau ternyata itu hanya logat bicaranya orang Korea.

Maret 2011, IKECC mengirim si Neng ke Korea untuk training. Horeeeeee. Si Neng diharuskan membuat pasport. Si Neng kembali bersemangat untuk menjelajah Kota besar lain di luar negeri. Naik pesawat pun belum pernah. Kebayang kan girangnya si Neng yg selama ini cuman dengar cerita dr si Emak yg pernah naek pesawat Merpati dan Garuda. Agak deg-degan mau minta minum atau nerima tawaran minum dari mbak cantik pramugarinya, takut nanti si Neng disuruh bayar. Cuman berbekal 700ribu di dompet berangkat ke Korea dengan dijanjikan akan terima uang tugas begitu sampai di Korea dalam bentuk Won. Untungnya mbak yg ke Korea juga dari kantor bilang semuanya gratis asal bukan yg belanja di pesawat. Si Neng nganga bloon, agak-agak dumbfounded kalau ternyata di pesawat bisa belanja juga...woooooo orang Kota(kaya) emang lain cara mainnya.

Perjalanan ke Korea naik pesawat selama 7 jam. Si Neng nyaris gak bisa tidur padahal pesawat berangkat malam. Si Neng kelewat semangat pengen lihat negerinya cowok-cowok ganteng nan cantik jelita a.k.a abang-abang K-Pop itu. Akhrinya mainin tv kecil di depan kursi (girang nemu beginian) dan nonton beberapa film sampai ketiduran.
Girang akhirnya mendarat di Korea setelah 7 jam di pesawat, deg-degan
Si Neng gak paham cara beli tiketnya..segala tombol asal pencet ah
karaoke-an sama temen kerja
Cerita ke Korea ini pernah diposting sebelumnya. Buat lebih lengkapnya bisa cek di bawah sini;
Part 1
Part 2

Sebenernya si Neng pengen banget bulan madu sama si Aa ke Korea lagi. Apa daya budget dan waktu belum memungkinkan. Banyak urusan birokrasi buat izin tinggal si Neng di US sama izin tinggal si Aa di Indonesia yang harus diurusin. Nguras dompet, nguras waktu, tenaga, dan nguras emosi pastinya. Semoga si bulan madu yg belum kesampean ini segera bisa dilaksanakan mumpung belum ada buntut.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Petualangan Si Neng

Mau curhat sedikit nih di sini..boleh kan? Boleh dong ya..blog pribadi ini hehehe

Tiba-tiba hari ini teringat 4 tahun yang lalu waktu pertama datang ke Jakarta tahun 2010 bulan Agustus. Seneng banget soalnya keterima kerja di Trans TV yg notabene (saat itu) TV swasta paling the best lah. Setelah proses wawancara yg cukup panjang, akhirnya Agustus awal sudah mulai kerja.

Berangkatlah jauh-jauh dari Majalengka, and point to note ya, itu pertama kalinya si Neng melanglang buana jauh-jauh ke Ibu Kota sendirian. Untungnya temen-temen kosan zaman kuliah pd gak tega ngeliat si Neng luntang-lantung gak jelas kesasar-sasar di Jakarta. Mereka yg ngajarin naik busway, ngenalin ke Pelangi (Plaza Semanggi) yg kemudian jd rumah kedua, ngajakin makan mewah di Pizza Hut(buat mahasiswa/anak kosan zaman itu Pizza Hut udah makan mewah yg cuman setaun sekali klo ada yg ultah)
saking culunnya, si Neng minta difotoin di halte busway Semanggi dengan latar belakang gedung tinggi
2 orang pelaku yang menemani si Neng berkenalan dengan Jakarta
Inget dulu culunnya si Neng yg gak pernah naik lift pun dan agak panik waktu harus naik lift sendirian ke lantai tempat interview atau waktu naik busway celingak-celinguk mesem-mesem kyk menang lotre. Si Neng juga pelahak-pelohok liat gedung-gedung tinggi, maklum waktu itu cuman sanggup liat di TV si abah+emak.
Sempet nyasar di sini, mau ke Pelangi malah keluar di halte Benhil akhirnya ngesot lagi deh ke arah Semanggi
Si Neng dengan logat sunda-nya yg cukup kental bersemangat menjelajahi sepetak area di Ibu Kota yg dihiasi gedung-gedung pencakar langit. 

Pindah ke Jakarta hanya dengan membawa 1 koper kecil punya si emak. Dibantu temennya temen kuliah yg kerja di Trans TV juga buat nyari kosan. Akhirnya nemu kosan kecil seharga Rp.600.000/bulan dan kamar mandi kecil yang terletak di belakang pemakaman. Tiap malam pulang kantor, harus lewat pemakaman. Jam pulang kerja 8 malam, paling cepet 7 malam dan melalui pemakaman. Life was not easy that time.

Tak terasa sudah nyaris 5 tahun di Jakarta. Sudah banyak yg terjadi dan terlewatkan. Pelan-pelan Jakarta menjadi rumah. Majalengka menjadi tempat untuk pulang kampung tapi sudah bukan rumah lagi. Walaupun sampai sekarang belum sempat mengganti alamat rumah (mostly karena malas berurusan dengan tektek bengek urusan pindahan secara resmi).

Maret lalu, akhirnya saya dipinang kekasih yg sudah sy pacari selama 2 tahunan. Tahun ketiga kami memutuskan menikah dengan pertimbangan sy akan mengikuti suami ke negaranya. Kebetulan suami berasal dari negeri Paman Sam. Setelah berdialog dan berdiskusi, kami memutuskan pindah ke negeri Paman Sam. Bukan karena kurang cinta dengan Jakarta atau negeri sendiri. Buktinya ini si Neng mendadak mellow mengingat awal-awal perjuangan datang ke Jakarta.


Wefie di acara nikahan
Minggu depan rencananya kami akan mendaftarkan nama saya untuk penerima Green Card dengan sponsor dari suami dan keluarganya. Ada kemungkinan kami harus menanti sekitar kurang lebih setahun sebelum mendapat izin tersebut.

Mohon doanya ya teman-teman. Semoga prosesnya bisa lebih cepat dan semoga si Neng bersemangat menjelajahi Paman Sam..eh negerinya ya..bukan orangnya.

Sorry ya agak nyampah..maklum agak2 mellow mikirin ninggalin zona nyaman padahal masih lama hehe.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Trip to Alabama; Day 1


After 30 hours of flight from Jakarta to Narita to Houston (Texas) and arrived in Huntsville (Alabama), I got to meet my LDR boyfriend and his family. I arrived there around midnight time, so I didn't get to chat a lot with his family that first night. I went to sleep immediately eventho thanks to Jetlag, I can only sleep till around 3a.m and stay awake the rest of the night.


the room I slept in
On my first day there, his mom invited a lot of people to come to the house on lunch time. She wanted to introduce me to everyone, so I won't feel lonely next time I move there for good. I think they really wanted me to move there. They tried so hard to make me feel comfortable there. it was very nice of them.

Right before lunch time, I took several pictures outside of the house because it was a very bright day, despite the cold weather.


Happy face

First Selfie in America

The shy selfie mode

Windy Morning
I met with their nice neighbor, super friendly. He said he was also invited to the lunch gathering later on the afternoon with his partner. 

They both came to the house for lunch with a lot of other people from the neighborhood, and mom's friend from the Fitness Center.
They were all nice and so kind. They all welcomed me. Some of them were actually bringing gifts specially for me. An Ethiopian lady brought me a red rose bouquet, she is so lovely. The neighbor guy's partner brought me 2 travel size pouches with travel size make up stuffs from American Eagle brand, his place of work.

There were plenty of foods in the house that day, from American foods to Indonesian foods. The most popular one that day was the gado-gado (salad with peanut sauce, Indonesian style) and emping (Indonesian Melinjo cracker). Glad a lot of people here also appreciate Indonesian food.

I was surprised to actually find Indonesian foods all the way there in US. His mom, being Indonesian, might be the ultimate cause of that..lol

The only think that I was somehow suddenly craving for is bakso (Indonesian Meatball soup), since it was pretty cold that day. I could totally imagine hot spicy bakso. I am still craving bakso up till now. There is no way babang/mamang bakso will pass through the neighborhood with his food cart. 

Conclusion:
1. I love taking pictures
2. Everyone is super nice
3. We have Indonesian foods in America
4. I got jetlag
5. I miss bakso
6. Autumn is pretty cold for my equator skin.
Helping out with the Gado-Gado

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Getting US Tourist VISA for Indonesian (Part 2)

Read The First Part: Here
I thought US Embassy will probably need my Bank statement, copy of KK, copy of Graduation Certificate (Ijazah), Employment record, Recommendation Letter, Invitation Letter, Invitee's Bank Record, etc.

For months I have been trying to gather all of that before actually applying for it on their website.
I cried a lot during the last week of the preparation. Things didn't really go the way I wanted it and I was on my PMS.

1. I tried to get bank statement from BNI. But they said I have to brink my saving book which I already lose it a long time ago. Plus I just found out that my BNI atm card will be expired soon. They said the only way to get the new card is to go to the bank where I issued my check which was in Jatinangor when I was a college student. I get cranky because I have no other option. So I have to move all my not-so-much money to my BCA account which I usually used for monthly/daily expenses. Now, I have to be really careful with my money. Because I put both my expenses and saving money on the same account.

2. I went to BCA in Senayan City. The teller was giving me the wrong information about the Bank Log Book (rekening koran). They said they could help with my Bank Statement Letter, but to get the Log Book, I have to go to the bank where I issued it which is all the way in Pancoran and I am working in Senayan.
So I go all the way there to find out that it can actually be done in any bank as long as I bring the book. What the.....

3. Applying on the website was not such a big deal. Their website is pretty user friendly. It has so many words, but it was actually important information for first timer like me. I print out the deposit slip.

4. And I went to Permata Bank:
Head Office
PermataBank, WTC II
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29 - 31, Jakarta 12920
Telepon: +62 21 523 7788
Fax: +62 21 523 7253

PermataTel
500111 dari fixed line
63399 dari mobile phone

The process went smoothly. Till later that day when i couldn't put the 8 digits number on the interview schedule website even after 7 hours. I tried to call their Customer Service (bad service, btw). They keep telling me what to do and I already did. Then somehow they hang up on me. Then I tried to call again. I called like 3 times with no obvious result. Then I tried to call the bank where I went to. None answer the call. So I decided to go back to the bank. But traffic was so bad on friday. I spent 1 hour on the car for nothing because when I reached the bank, it was already close. So I went back to the office with the same taxi. I paid like 100.000 rupiah for taxi and it was for nothing. I reached my patient peak, I cried on the taxi while calling boyfriend on Line Chat. He felt sorry for me.
I decided to go back to the Bank on Monday. They told me there is nothing they could do. So, they only gave me the email to the US Embassy. I did email them and the problem was fixed immediately. Should have done that on Friday. But the Customer Service told me to visit the Bank again. Meh, next time just visit Standard Chartered. Hope they will give better service.

5. Scheduling my interview to Friday that week. I got 7am. The US Embassy website told me that if my appointment is around 7am, then I would be the first batch. I should come between 6.30am-8.30am. If I was late, I will have to move my schedule.

6. On the day of the interview, I woke up early around 5am. I went there around 6am and I reached the Embassy around 6.20am. My oh my, the line is already long. There were like 50 people ahead of me. I waited for 30 minutes till I reached the gate. I didn't bring cellphone, charger, mp3, or any electronic device. So it didn't take long for me on the gate. I went inside and an Indonesian officer from the Embassy helped me out with my file. He asked for my 5X5 Photo, Bank Slip, and DS 160 Confirmation paper. I only have to wait for a while there till someone in the locket check my files (Passport, DS 160 Confirmation, and Bank Slip) Move along to another line, waiting before they let us in to the consular office for 15 minutes. In the consular office, we all have to get our finger print scanned. It was sooo crowded inside. I got group number 15. After the finger print scanned, I went to wait for the interview with the consular.

7. I saw 5 lockets and only 4 open. There was this lady on locket number 6. She made me nervous. Her line was soooo long. She took longer time examining all the applicants and asking them questions. I was hoping I would get they guy from locket number 8. He was very quick in examining the applicant. I thought my chance is good with him. But then the guy from locket 9 called out group number 15. I was second on the line. There were like 7 people in my group. The guy who was going to interview me looks really tall. I was starting to get nervous. I tried to calm myself. Here goes the interview;
Consular: What's your name?
Me: Suci Park
Consular: Why is your reason to visit US?
Me: for Holiday and visiting my Boyfriend and his family.
Consular: How long have you been dating?
Me: 2 years.
Consular: How do you met him?
Me: Starbucks. Eh are you asking like how do I met him like from where? or how?
Consular: How?
Me: Online
Consular: So he came to visit you here?
Me: He was already here.
Consular: He is still here? How often does he came here?
Me: Pretty often, like every 3 to 6 months, he has family here.
Consular: Oh I see. Are you going to marry him?
Me: Not yet. We haven't talk about it yet.
Consular: What is your occupation?
Me: I work for bla bla bla company.
Consular: What is that?
Me: Here I have the letter.
Consular was checking on my Recommendation Letter from the office.
Consular: Why only spending 2 weeks when you got 3 months there in the US?
Me: I can't. The office only gave me 2 weeks.
Consular: Okay. Your Visa is approved. However, if you plan to get married. You have to get a different Visa.
Me: Sure. Thank you.

8. And It was done. The interview took only 5 minutes and maybe less. This guy did ask a lot of question, mostly about my boyfriend. Because BF pay for my trip and I think the Embassy worried that I would come to the States, marry him and stay there. But I have always been honest with him. He saw it. So he gave me the Visa. 

I will be going to the States next October. I am excited for my first trip to America. Especially because I am going to spend Halloween there. I love Halloween. I like dressing up and put on costume. I so want to do that trick or treating. But I am probably too old for that. So, I am just gonna knock on Bf's house and asking for lots of candies and chocolates. Hey, I am a zombie who came all the way from Indonesia. Give me more candies and chocolates!!!

Suci Park