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.

Cabin in The Wood, Lake Guntersville

Cabin in The Wood

We were driving at night for 8 hours from Golf Shore to Guntersville. It was cold autumn night, the fog was hovering the road. We passed by Albertville first and went to wooden area surrounded by fog around 11pm. It was eerie and I felt jumpy. I was worried something might pop out on the middle of the road. The road was pretty empty. We only saw one or 2 cars passing us.

View of Lake Guntersville from the Camp

The Empty Camp Site

The cabin was located near Camp Ney A Ti surrounded by few smaller cabins and woods area. The House cabin in front of us was used by a sick old man and his sister. The other cabin several meters away from our cabin looks like a witch's house. So scary that I don't dare to take picture of it. 

The Forrest

View from The Hill

Wefie in front of The Cabin

The next day, we went to Huddle House to get some breakfast. I was craving for some pancake or waffle. The portion was realllllly huge. I can only ate a quarter of the portion. But it was really good pancake. Boyfriend said that the one from iHop should be even better. Next time, I would like to try this one. 

Selfie in Huddle House

Seriously delicious Blueberry-Choco Chip Pancake drizzled with Strawberry Sauce

We drove back to the cabin because his dad will come and stay with us in the cabin. He is going to take me sailing with his boat. Sailing is his passion. I found an old newspaper about a young boy building his own boat with the money he had been saving, turned out that young boy was dad. He took so much pride for his boat and his hobby.

Wefie with dad and the boat 'SeaPearl 21'

Helping Dad out with the excess water from the rain that morning

After sailing, we decided to go to The Lodge on top of the hill to see the sunset and the view of the lake. The Lodge is a hotel located on top of the hill in Guntersville State Park. I assume it must be state owned hotel. It has amazing view.

He came over to our car on our way to go to the Lodge.

The Lodge

Bob Cat

Majestic View of Lake Guntersville, we went sailing there. 

Still waiting for Sunset 

Almost time

Beautiful Sun Set 

Giant ate the Sun

We went to get grocery immediately since we decided to do BBQ. We had a late dinner because we were too busy sightseeing in The Lodge. Dad and Bf cooked BBQ burger for us. It was a very satisfying dinner accompanied with good wine that dad bought from Germany. 

BBQ

Yummy Beef Burger

Germany Wine 

Dad likes to drink his wine with Sarden.

It was only a short visit to Guntersville. But I enjoyed the sailing, sunset gazing, sightseeing, and BBQ-ing with Dad and Bf. Cabin in the wood is kinda scary, but it was warm inside and I felt safe somehow.

New Orleans: Land of Merriment

 New Orleans, Yeay!!

This was totally a trip to remember. Are you familiar with Red District in Amsterdam? I have never been there, but I heard about Red District before. A place where debauchery is a common thing. New Orleans (for me) was like Red District of The United States. It wasn't as frontal as the one in Amsterdam, I am sure. But you would still see the joy, merry, gay (happy and gay gay), festivity, cheerfulness, vibrant, and a lot more other things. There is no place like New Orleans.
New Orleans <- Official Guide

Pop-up Musics

It was suppose to be fall season, but it feels like summer in New Orleans. I changed my outfit in the car earlier to summer jumpsuit dress that I got for free in American Eagle store, thanks to a friend.

Let me tell you something I learned on this trip, New Orleans is the only French Colony area that still adopts the French Governmental system. All the buildings, houses, foods, etc in New Orleans resembles French on the old era (I think, what do I know, never been to France either).

Jail Looking place

One of the Parks in New Orleans

Cute Houses

The thing about New Orleans is that they are quite open minded to homosexuality which is good. They respect gay(s), lesbians, and bi(s) there. They even put on a certain color flags on the street or on their house that symbolize their respect for the LGBT community.

Strip Bar?

Red District of USA

Right before we entered New Orleans, I already plan to eat Lousiana Crab. Last time I wanted to eat one in Holy Crab Jakarta but it was super expensive. I only bought the local mud crab and it cost me Rp.600.000. Crazy right!!?

We went to the restaurant that the nice lady in Rest Area told us to check, apparently they don't have the crab that I was looking for. The waitress lady told us to go to the Crazy Lobster next to River Walk Mall. I was so surprise that this lady was super nice to told me where to go. She also reminded us that the price will be expensive. Well, I came prepared. So it was not a big deal. It wouldn't be as expensive as Holy Crab, I am sure.

We were lost on Bourbon Street, so we had to ask one of those guides who stayed on a box. Tourist can come over, ask them questions, or get a booklet. He told us the direction and said "Good Luck!" as if making sure that the price would be expensive. We were having a doubt at this point. People seems to think the price in Crazy Lobster will be expensive. Now, we are worried.

The Crazy Lobster

We still went anyway. I ordered Snow Crab for $23.99 (Rp.290.000) still twice cheaper than the one from Holy Crab. Boyfriend ordered Po Boy special sandwich for $13.99 (Rp.190.000). We were worried that the price was gonna be super expensive. It is kinda expensive, the normal price for foods in Southern area would be around $5-$10. It was totally worth all the money tho!!
Crazy Lobster

Truly yummy and jaw dropping portion of Snow Crabs (Louisiana Crab)

One of New Orleans special delicacy: Po Boy

We saw some attraction near Crazy Lobster. It was the bull machine that we have to ride and stay on top as long as possible. The guy gave me 2 chances and I failed miserably on both times. The bull was not even on a difficult mode. It was an easy ride (said the operator guy). On my defense, I never ride one (fake or real).  It was pretty empty at first but my screams was so loud that people started to gather around the area, seems like they had a good laugh. One boy was actually wanting to try, but after the mother saw the bull throw me. She said No firmly and dragged the boy. Poor kid hahaha.

paid 2 pennies for using this telescope

Knocked out by the Bull

Give a hug to the evil looking bull. Thanks for the ride, Bull Bull!

We decided to go to River Walk Mall next to the Tour Boat Terminal (or something like that). Boyfriend said he really wanted to eat Beignet, is the French term for a pastry made fromdeep-fried choux paste.^[2] Beignets are commonly known in New Orleans as a breakfast served with powdered sugar on top. He said the best Beignet in town is in Cafe Du Monde, one of the oldest cafe ever open in America. Cafe

The Beignet was warm, fluffy, delicious, and right amount of sweets.

Beignet from Cafe Du Monde

After all the foods, we decided to walk around in French Market and bought some trinkets for my friends and walk around in French Quarter, Bourbon Street, etc. 

Funny things happened when I was walking. A manly looking lady (pretty sure she is a she, maybe the manly one in the relationship) came to me and touched my hand and flirt with me. She said "Hey, how are ya, pretty!?" and smiled brightly. She said something about going out with her. I said "haha (awkwardly), thanks!" and ran to my boyfriend, immediately cling to his hand. Originally, I am not homophobic. I actually feel flattered when anyone check me out (men or women). But she was drank and looks kinda creepy.

We had a good laugh about it. While I was roaming around in New Orleans, I was hoping to spot The Originals (Spin off from Vampire Diaries) cast. I am really into Claus. I saw some of the places that appeared on the series, but Claus or any Originals and other vampires was no where to be seen.

One of the Shooting Locations for The Originals

Unfortunately, we had to leave before it gets too dark. I was actually hoping to join one of the tours. New Orleans is also famous for their witch, vampire, werewolf, and other dark creatures. They actually have designed tour (a make believe world) for Vampires, Werewolves, Witch, etc. I saw some voodoo store along the way, but too scaredy cat to actually went inside.

A day was not enough, because at night in New Orleans will be even more festive. I am definitely going back, but next time we will stay in one of those french looking houses.

Written in Voodoo store

PS: Some of the available Night Tours

Haunted History Tours
Spirit Town
Witches Brew Tours
Magic Tours Nola
French Quarter Panthom (Including vampires,  werewolves, other night creatures)

Day 5 in Alabama (American Eagle Shopping Haul)

Do you think after spending 3 days shopping I would be tired of shopping already? Nah, it might never happened. I am not too old for shopping yet (hopefully will never be).
Maybe I should change my blog name and blog theme, from lifestyle blogger to shopaholic blogger lol

Outfit of the day

My 5th day in Alabama could not get any better. I have been blessed that I was surrounded by people who fully support my shopping hobby (addiction). One of them is his parents neighbor. He works in American Eagle. At first, I didn't know what is American Eagle. Then I learned that it is an apparel brand originally from U.S.A

Mr.X bought me this one with their brand on it.

My usual American brands are Forever 21 and H&M. I was not aware of American Eagle because they are only open exclusively in several countries including London (UK), Tokyo (Japan), etc. Unfortunately they haven't open their brand in Indonesia which could be a big market since I can verify that Consumerism level in Indonesia is really high. We love foreign fashion brand. Me personally loves Forever 21, H&M, New Look, and Stradivarius. And now, after this I am in love with American Eagle too.

Some of the clothes, picture taken from American Eagle's website:

This friend, lets call him Mr.X, has an eyes for style and design. He picked and choose more than a dozen of clothes for me to try. It felt like some kind of fashion show because I get to show it to boyfriend and the personal stylist in the store. Yup, they have personal stylist in the store that will help you dressing up, choosing clothes, finding the right size for you, and giving final touch. How fun!!!

I was pretty lucky that day because they were having 60% sale, and all those clothes that they picked mostly come from the 60% sale.

Boyfriend bought me 4 or 5 outfits for a really great deal. To my surprise, Mr.X asked me to pick clothes that I already tried and in which I like but not planning to buy. I picked 5 of them and he bought it for me. I was really surprised. I mean we just met 2 days ago and he offered such a great kindness to a girl from another country that has no affiliation with him. He said he wanted to welcome me to his country, so I will be back for sure. Oh I will be back for sure, even without the kind act. I know pronounced him my shopping soulmate.

I tried some of the clothes on out trip to New Orleans which will be posted any time soon.

New Orleans on autumn, yet it feels like summer.

A very comfy top from AEO

I forgot to tell you, before we went to Madison Parkway Mall (where American Eagle is), we went to eat some lunch in Mexican Restaurant. They said it was one of the best. I forgot the name. I love their decoration. It was a week prior to Halloween and they already decorated their restaurant. The restaurant itself already has colorful ambiance.

Before we went home, we went to check some Christmas decoration in 2 stores. We went to Tuesday Morning (Yup, that is the name of the store, don't ask me why!)

 Wrong move, leaving me alone with all these fun stuffs. I just had to take some silly pictures. Hihihi

I met one old guy who has been working there for more than 15 years or so. He asked if I am Indonesian. I was surprised because so far people could not tell from which part in Asia I am coming from. I asked him how did he know that. He said he could tell. He told me he just bought Time Magazine with Jokowi's face on the cover. He has been planning to read it and he is gonna do it on his day off. He congratulated me for the new President of Indonesia. My chest was swelling up with pride. I didn't saw it coming. Superb day indeed.

Yuhuuuuu Shopping Haul!!!

PS: Goood news!!!! American Eagle Outfitters in Indonesia!!!!
They just opened their branch in Jakarta. I just found out about the news today (Nov 21st, 9pm)
News
For now they will be available in Central Park Mall
Go get your AEO Style, ladies and Gents.
To update yourself with AEO Style, you can find it on Instagram with hashtag #AEOStyle or on their Instagram: AEO