"I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing 
is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing, 
kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong 
when everything seem to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prittiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day
and I believe in miracles."
- Audrey Hepburn

Valentine's Day ; The Lonely Girl

Life is a surprise!

Hi, teman-teman mahasiswa! (greeting for the listeners)
Again, I went on air this very last Monday. Usually, I immediately post the broadcasting material on the same night. I was about to post this on Monday night, but I was just too fatigue that I went straight to the bed and slept like a dead man LOL. Anyway, I will still post the material eventough it's a bit late. But being late is better than doing nothing, right? 

On 11th Feb, I talk abouted Valentine's Day and a brief about the history. As far as I can say, the history os Valentine's Day is still unclear; there are some similar versions. But in every version of the story, these names is always been told: St. Valentinus the bishop and Claudius II as the bad guy. But sometimes history is only a history. What important now is the Valentine's Day itself. 

Valentine's Day is all about sharing love and friendship. There're many different ways to celebrate this day of love, but mostly people sending cards and giving gifts. There are also people who give flowers and chocolate for their beloved one. Well.. Shortly, that's about the Valentine.

The main thing I am about to share is not about the Valentine's Day, but it's about this story which I told on the radio. I found this story on the internet. Reading this story is like reading a teenage novel. However, this sweet unique love story did happen and that's make it special. You won't stop reading and wonder what the end's gonna be. Interesting and curious. Enjoy!

The Lonely Girl

I’ve heard a saying, that “life is a surprise”. Call me a sceptic, but I generally scoff at lines that scream something that leaves us expecting so much.

My short love story may be short on words, but it’s a story that’s filled every thought and day of my existence with happiness.

I’m a guy, a 26 year old guy who works in a job he likes. A guy who hangs out with his friends when the sun goes down, and one who, when the story begins, is still single.

I’m single, not because I want to be single. I think it’s weird to be single. Or maybe that’s what all guys think.

I’m just a guy who’s been looking high and low for that girl who can make things happen inside me.

You know, your heart stops beating just for a second, your throat goes dry, you get gooseflesh, feel a bit dizzy, and the works.

I haven’t experienced that. Most of my friends haven’t experienced that too, but they’re all going out with someone. According to them, such things happen only when you’re suffering from a high temperature.

Short love stories and my life

The story of me falling madly in love didn’t actually go as I had expected. My throat never got dry, ever. But then, I liked a girl. Of course, it wasn’t ‘love’.

Actually speaking, it wasn’t even ‘like’. As a matter of fact, I have no idea what I felt. I spend my evenings at a café, next to a huge television display they’ve now acquired, and whether I like it or not, I end up spending my time staring at it. And it bloody hell annoys me! Can’t they just junk it?

Well, and just like me, there was this cute girl who would come to the same café, and stare at the same display every day. Well, sometimes she read a book.

Or sometimes, she used to light a cigarette and look at her fumes take shape, and then disappear into non-existence. She was fascinating and pretty. But there was one difference between both of us. I came to the café with a couple of friends. She came alone. I have never seen any girl do that. Who has?

Love stories and stolen glances

We used to glance across each other now and then, but there was nothing more. No jolt.  No sweat. No knots in my stomach.

The days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to a couple of months. That’s a long time once you picture the scene outside the world of literature. Long, long ago seems so cute in a book, but an hour in a suffocating conference hall? Murder! Without actually knowing it, I was attracted to this girl. I actually admired her, and her calm, comfortable, cool as a cat persona that she brought along for company every day. Could it be love?

And then, I started the staring game. I stared at her now and then, discreetly, but in a way she knew I was glancing at her. But no deal. She just wasn’t bothered. Ouch! My ego was crushed.

A rainy evening – The perfect setting for short love stories

One evening, it rained cats and dogs, and a few frogs and fishes too. I was in the café, she walked in with an umbrella. The place was packed, and there was one seat that was empty. That was facing my table. I had half a mind to get up and call her over, but before I could make up my mind and inflate my courage, she walked to a corner table that just got cleared.

An hour later, it was still raining. In the midst of all that rain and thunder, I contemplated and coined her name, “The Lonely Girl”. The Lonely Girl had walked out a few minutes before I decided to leave. When I got outside the café, I saw her standing by the sidewalk, waiting. I walked up to her quickly, and before I knew it I had asked her if I could drop her to her place. As it was raining, I added.

She didn’t smile, she just looked at me, turned around and walked away in the rain! Under her umbrella.

My friends laughed at me. Yep, it was completely embarrassing. Even the bum on the street held back a grin. I hadn’t even heard the Lonely Girl’s voice. Pathetic, I say. The next day I saw her at the café, she was sitting by herself. Perhaps she was Calvin, and she had a Hobbes around to keep her company. I was invisible. Her smoke rings were fascinating her. She couldn’t even leave good smoke rings, what was the deal with staring at it? This happened everyday for a month.

Night out clubbing – The second chance in my love story

On another great day, I was out at a club. And wonders of wonders! She was there, with a few girl pals. Perhaps it was fate. I looked at her, she saw me and then she looked away. I walked through the crowd of dancing drunks and walked right towards her. I walked up and wanted to speak to her.

She saw me and flashed a big grin. I was shocked. I was numb. I didn’t know her mouth could move that way! And before I could think of anything, she grasped her friend’s hand and walked away to the ladies room! And I didn’t see her again that night. But I couldn’t stop thinking about her for hours after that. Perhaps even days. Because she didn’t show up at the café the next day, and many days after that. That was shocking. I started wondering if she had changed her hideout because I was stalking her.

Romantic persuasions

Two whole weeks later, I walked into the café and there she was, all radiant and bright. Gosh, I had missed her! I sat down at a table a few tables away from her. I knew I wanted to talk to her. And thank God, the café was quite empty. It was a bit too early for the horde of coffee addicts to make their entrance.

I waited until her coffee arrived. And then, I waited for her check. When her check was on the table, I walked up to her. My throat was lumpy and tight. Each step I took only made my walk to her feel further away. But I walked on. The café was empty. No harm. I could always change my hangout if she slaps me. What was I thinking, dammit!

“Hey, you can’t run away from me today. You’ve got to get your check”, I quirked.

“What?” she exclaimed before she realized she actually replied.

“I said you can’t just avoid me like this, you know…”

“What are you talking about?”

“Can I sit down with you?”

“No, you can’t.”

“Oww… c’mon, just for a minute, okay?”

“No”

She took out her wallet, and wanted to dart. I couldn’t help getting mesmerized by her voice, but there were more pressing things at hand. I had to talk to her.

To cut a long jittery conversation short, I convinced her to talk to me for a few minutes. And that’s when everything started breezing through. We started talking, and the minutes stretched on at a really fast pace. I got to know so much about her, and I also got to know that she had a great sense of humor. We had a great time talking to each other, and soon, she said she had to go, as it was getting late for her.

We exchanged numbers and I asked her if we could “bump in” again tomorrow. She just smiled and walked away. Sigh! It was bliss. As I stared at her walk away, my eyes were distracted by an alphabet bracelet she had forgotten behind.  It said “life is a surprise”. Wow! Maybe that was true. I slipped the bracelet into my pocket.

Feeling the love at night

I lay awake that night and I stared at her number on my cell phone. I wanted to call her, but settled for a text. The very minute I texted her, I got a call from her. She too was contemplating over whether or not to message me. Sweet!

We spoke and spoke until the wee hours of the morning, and I just wanted to see her again that evening. We met again at the café and it felt so good. She was smiling the whole time and we were actually flirting back and forth. I asked her out for a movie that evening.

All of a sudden, she looked offended. She declined. And then, there was silence. That calm, deadly silence that makes you feel worse than getting yelled at. I asked her what was wrong, but she didn’t mention it, and our “date” was cut short that evening. I got home and looked at her bracelet. “Life is a surprise”. Simple words can be a confusing affair at times.

Rekindling my love story

That night, I called her again and we spoke. At first she was distant, but she seemed fine after a while, and then I asked her why she got so offended in the café. She didn’t tell at first, but as the hours went by, she told me that she hated guys and the worst thing she ever wanted to do was go out on a date with a guy.

Apparently, she had been hurt one too many times by guys whom she trusted with all her heart. We spoke until five in the morning, and she told me a lot more. I just wanted to hug her, but even the thought of giving her a telephonic hug scared me. But we decided to meet again. Same bat place, same bat time.

We started hanging out together all the time after that. At times, I picked her up from her workplace, and at other times, I dropped her back home. Soon, weeks turned into months, and this time, everything felt just like a fairytale.

Time stood still when it was just the two of us. One evening, when we met up and went to the café, it was too crowded for space, so we decided to go for a drive to while away the time. It was a long drive, and somewhere along the way, the sun was shining mildly at us, it was a huge red ball that made the whole world around me glow. It was the most romantic sight, or maybe I had never noticed the sun at that time of the day. Nevertheless, it was beautiful.

She said the sun was beautiful. I said it couldn’t be compared to her. She smiled. I smiled. I clasped her hand. It felt tense. And then, we locked eyes. Thank God, the road was deserted. And then, her lips split into a girlish grin that I still can’t forget. That was the moment. It was indeed beautiful. I felt warm and fuzzy. And I wanted the drive to last forever. We got to her place, and I hugged her goodbye. That was the first time I ever hugged her. As we hugged, I knew she didn’t want to let go. Neither did I.

A short love story that lasts a lifetime

The next evening, we went to the café. We sat next to each other for the first time. And we held hands. We spoke less, and smiled more. I told her that I liked her. She smiled a lot more. And then, she punched me in the arm, and said that she liked me too. And just then, I slipped her bracelet out from my pocket. “Life is a surprise”. I couldn’t agree with that more. I smiled. She saw her bracelet. And she laughed. That tinkling, sweet laugh that is so intoxicating. I was a happy boy with the perfect present, all over again. And she was a happy, lonely girl. Just lonely no more.

One can never tell how love can come into your life, or how you can experience your own short love stories out of the blue. But a great love story awaits all of us, and it’s just around the corner. After all, didn’t someone once say that life is a surprise!

***                    ***                    ***

Hug & Kiss,



Delicia

Source: http://www.lovepanky.com/love-couch/story-love-stories/short-love-stories-lonely-girl

Orangutan

Endangered to Critically Endangered!

Do you familiar with the name of 'Orangutan'?

I guess everybody know what Orangutan is. As its name 'Orangutan' means 'the man of the forest'. Originally, Orangutans can only found in Sumatera and Borneo island of Indonesia (and Malaysia). Classified in the genus Pongo, they have been devided into to two species: the Bornean Orangutan (P. pygmaeus) and the Sumatran Orangutan (P. abelii). They live in the primary and secondary forests. For your information, Orangutan is the most arboreal of the great apes.

How are Orangutans look like?

Physically, Orangutans have the ape-like shape, shaggy reddish hair and grasping hands and feet. As a tree-climbing mammal, Orangutans spend most of their time in the tree. Obviously, to climb the tree they have such a strong and long hands and arms. In opposite, their legs are relatively shorter than the arms and also weaker.

Orangutans are such an intelligent animal. Moreover, they are the most intelligent among the primates. From the articles that I read, during the last several centuries Orangutan had amazed the international scientific community impressive, human-like mental abilities allowing them to adapt to their environment. They are also a quick learner. They learn new skills, they even plan their actions ahead, and also solve their dialy problem.

Orangutans can be categorized as a solitary animal. The male and female mostly only interact during the mating period. By the statistics, female Orangutans have a much longer interbirth interval then human. Females give birth probably not more than once in 5 years (other source says they only give birth one in 7-9years) with the interbirth interval around 10 years. Everytine they give birth, usually it is only deliver 1 infant; twins is rare.

The population of Orangutan is decreasing. Somehow, I feel so sad and angry at the same time while reading about the habitat loss and also the poaching of Orangutans. Definitely not a surprise knowing that their status is now endangered to critically endangered animal. Their numbers having fallen drastically in the past centuries. If this keep on occuring, they may be lost forever from the wild in few decades ahead.

The rich tropical forests are being replaced by the logging, agricultural concessions, and unnatural forests fire. The poaching and hunting of Orangutans keep on occurRing. So many illegal trades including importation of Orangutan as a pet. The less strict policy and untransparent case and court.

So now, who to blame? The irresponsible parties? The goverment? Or our own self for being apathetic and having lack of concern?

Let's preserve our Orangutans and stop making them cry!

Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) female swinging through the trees with male baby. Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia.

Although orangutans may consume leaves, shoots, and even bird eggs, fruit is the most important part of their diet.

Mother and infant

        Baby Orangutan  

Orangutans in cage

From Delicia for Recognesia.

Recognize. Realize.

Regards,

Delicia 

Sources: 

http://www.indonesianfauna.com/orangutan.php

http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/orangutan/birth-&-care.htm

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/orangutans/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangutan#Conservation_status

19th Birthday Bash

19th already!


Heeyyhooo!
What's up, guys? I hope you have a great night ;)
Tonight, I have something to share with you. I'm gonna tell you about my just-passed-birthday celebration.

On the end of January -the 26th day to be exact- I celebrated my birthday. It was my 19th birthday. This definitely will be my last year before I turn 20. I remember, it was on Saturday morning when my friends knocked at my door and gave me the beautiful red cake which I really love -yep! It's red velvet cake from The Harvest :9- Well, that day was such a special yet hectic day. I turned 19 on that day. On the same day, I had to come to Apres band audition and at night I went to studio for radio broadcasting. Hffttt what a busy day..

I didn't go back to Jakarta on that weekend because it was obvious that I had so many things on my to-do list. Foretunately, I had a chance to went home the next weekend. I got on a car with my friends who all were heading the same direction; to the capital city of Jakarta. We departed from Bandung at 5AM on Saturday morning (February 2nd).

That day was also a busy day. My family and I were invited to my cousin's marriage. The ceremony was held at St.Antonius Curch (if I'm not mistaken) at 8AM, and the wedding feast was held at 7PM at Angke Restaurant. So, I got few hours (after the ceremony and before the feast) to do my own thing. And what is it?? 

I planned to have a birthday celebration at an orphanage in East Jakarta. People might be asking why I did so; why didn't I chose to celebrate my birthday at another fancy place like restaurant or any place like that.. Well, the answer is because I feel like I haven't done anything valueable for other people. So, on this opportunity, I want to do something that is useful for others even it's a small thing..

Don't you realize how many words of 'I', 'me', 'my', or 'mine' that you use everyday? These four words refer to the same exact subject which is yourself! It shows how people put their ego in such a high level. So where is compassion and concern? 

Clearly, people never feel they have enough. Most of the time, we always look at the things above and ignore the things below. It is good when we have a high orientation or craving for a better achievement, but in the same time we also have to look down. By that, we can finally be grateful for what we have. Yep! Simply this is why I choose to celebrate my 19th birthday with the orphan.

This orphanage is named Panti Asuhan Kasih Immanuel. The road to reach it wasn't a smooth one. This orphanage located in an alley. The road was kinda rough with potholes and puddles. We have to take the back road to reach the place. It passed the small river and even harder to pass this road. The width of the road was only fit for one car.

In a nutshell, we finally arrived there. They have such a hall for them to do the devotion. The orphanage owner said that the hall was already renovated. We started by having lunch together, and continued by the devotion. We prayed, we sang, and listened to the pastor. After that the MC called me to the front to blow the candel and cut the cake. Finally, it was over after we gave the parcel for the kids. It was a pretty simple birthday celebration.

Most of the time, the ones who inspire me a lot is people with modesty and simplicity. For me, being rich or famous or even smart are definitely not everything. Your wealth and all you have are God's give. Don't be stubborn by saying that the great things you own in your life is because of your work only. Dude, God didn't create you to be such a haughty person. Moreover, at the end we all are going to be dead and all we have will be waste. All that remains is your good deed.

At last, hands up is better then hands down. When you give is when you get. And the the life lessons that you get will give you such a joy. I might not be a good virtue, but let us do the small acts of kindness :)

the main road to the orphanage

the front door of the hall

Inside the hall. They still have the

christmas tree!

Lunchhyy

you can even see the dog inside the room -_-

Hugs & Kisses,



Delicia

10 Life Lesson People Learn Too Late

#SelamatMalam

Good evening, guys!
It's been awhile for me not to write any post. The activities and schedule somehow overtake me huhu.. Fortunately, today I go back to my routine as announcer at Radio Kampus ITB. Me so glad being on air and greeted you guys :D

Tonight, I got so many things in my mind which made me confuse for a while. Finally, I decided that I'm gonna share this one. I hope it can be something meaningful for you :)

10 Life Lesson People Learn Too Late

Here are ten things you need to know, before it’s too late:

1. This moment is your life. – Your life is not between the moments of your birth and death.  Your life is between now and your next breath.  The present – the here and now – is all the life you ever get.  So live each moment in full, in kindness and peace, without fear and regret.  And do the best you can with what you have in this moment; because that is all you can ever expect of anyone, including yourself.  
2. A lifetime isn’t very long. – This is your life, and you’ve got to fight for it.  Fight for what’s right.  Fight for what you believe in.  Fight for what’s important to you.  Fight for the people you love, and never forget to tell them how much they mean to you.  Realize that right now you’re lucky because you still have a chance.  So stop for a moment and think.  Whatever you still need to do, start doing it today.  There are only so many tomorrows.
3. The sacrifices you make today will pay dividends in the future. – When it comes to working hard to achieve a dream – earning a degree, building a business, or any other personal achievement that takes time and commitment – one thing you have to ask yourself is:  “Am I willing to live a few years of my life like many people won’t, so I can spend the rest of my life like many people can’t?”
4. When you procrastinate, you become a slave to yesterday. – But when you are proactive, it’s as if yesterday is a kind friend that helps take a load off your back.  So do something right now that your future self will thank you for.  Trust me, tomorrow you’ll be happy you started today.  
5. Failures are only lessons. – Good things come to those who still hope even though they’ve been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they’ve tasted failure, to those who still love even though they’ve been hurt.  So never regret anything that has happened in your life; it cannot be changed, undone or forgotten.  Take it all as lessons learned and move on with grace.
6. You are your most important relationship. – Happiness is when you feel good about yourself without feeling the need for anyone else’s approval.  You must first have a healthy relationship with yourself before you can have a healthy relationship with others.  You have to feel worthwhile and acceptable in your own eyes, so that you’ll be able to look confidently into the eyes of the people around you and connect with them.
7. A person’s actions speak the truth. – You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times; but in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by.  So pay attention to what people do.  Their actions will tell you everything you need to know.
8. Small acts of kindness can make the world a better place. – Smile at people who look like they are having a rough day.  Be kind to them.  Kindness is the only investment that never fails.  And wherever there is a human being, there’s an opportunity for kindness.  Learn to give, even if it’s just a smile, not because you have too much, but because you understand there are so many others who feel like they have nothing at all.  
9. Behind every beautiful life, there has been some kind of pain.– You fall, you rise, you make mistakes, you live, you learn.  You’re human, not perfect.  You’ve been hurt, but you’re alive.  Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to chase the things you love.  Sometimes there is sadness in our journey, but there is also lots of beauty.  We must keep putting one foot in front of the other even when we hurt, for we will never know what is waiting for us just around the bend.
10. Time and experience heals pain. – Several years ago when I asked my grandmother about overcoming pain, this is how she explained it to me:  Look at the circles below.  The black circles represent our relative life experiences.  Mine is larger because I am older and have experienced more in my lifetime.  The smaller red circles represent a negative event in our lives.  Assume we both experienced the same exact event, whatever the nature.  Notice that the negative event circles are the same size for each of us; but also notice what percentage of the area they occupy in each of the black circles.  Your negative event seems much larger to you because it is a greater percentage of your total life experiences.  I am not diminishing the importance of this event; I simply have a different perspective on it.  What you need to understand is that an overwhelmingly painful event in your life right now will one day be part of your much larger past and not nearly as significant as it seems.

Hug & Kiss,

Delicia

source: http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/11/12/10-life-lessons-people-learn-too-late/