Mind Slate

I think I am done with my book list in 2009.  I have been trying to recall what I have been reading last year before writing this post but some books just missing in my head.   I read a lot of comics, books for young reader, some of non-fictions and autobiography, books I thought years ago I won’t be reading much.
The number of the books may sound enormous (44, 45 or 46, I know I read one short biography about Ozzy Osbourne and Yusuf Islam but I can’t remember the titles) but trully, the fact is I don’t think I read that much.  I have failed my secret goal to finish a book in every week.

I was supposed to read 52 books.

I can’t decide what’s the best book for the year 2009.  I really love Anastasia Krupnik series but I also really was influenced by Frank Mc Court’s books (Angela’s AShes and ‘Tis) last year. They convey painful hardship of life but I couldn’t stop reading it.  Won’t spoil much because I think people should read it and savour every detail of it.

Then I also like Water for Elephants (Sara Gruel) The plot is casually common but the setting and detail are enourmous, considering that the author never been to circus prior writing the book. 

The Devil Wears Prada is also  good because I can relate myself to it.  I once had a dream to work for lifestyle magazine, be a writer who write about designer handbag, liposuction and chemical dermabrasion. But life has been steering me toward unknown path.  After I finished the book, I was glad I let life swifted my career direction into something that less painful. Not always, but at least there are sunny days at work.

My first book in 2010 is Bridget Jones, The Edge of Reason (Helen FIelding), courtesy of Ine. Despite of it’s vague writing style, it’s absolutely hilarious and thoughtful.  In case you are interested, here is the link to my reading list. Click on your own risk though.

“….Maka sesungguhnya setelah kesulitan itu ada kemudahan. Sungguh, setelah kesulitan itu ada kemudahan. Maka apabila engkau telah selesai (dari suatu urusan) maka kerjakanlah (urusan yang lain) dengan sungguh-sungguh, dan hanya kepada Tuhanmu hendaklah engkau berharap.”
(QS Al-Insyiraah)

At first I didn’t really know if I should really write about the heroic battle Ine and I endured to watch Avatar last week but just for the sake remembering the fun, then I will.

But, I am going to write it in bullet points. I am still in a phase where I think in list form.

• PJ had already watched it, in 3D without asking me and Tk refused to watch it. Come on girls!
• Ine was willing to watch it with me. Thanks Ine!
• The rain was pouring hard when I tried to reach the place so my shoes were dirty, my jeans legs were wet and I shivered.
• The electricity of the theatre was off after one hour of the show. Bummer!
• Then we had to wait almost half an hour before someone talked to us and said we need to leave. We could redeem the ticket or wait until the repair the generator. Yes, PLN was acting up.
• We decided to had late lunch but my order of Spaghetti Carbonara in Hot Planet tasted so bitter I had to return it and cancelled the order. Honestly, I almost yelled to the third waiter who kept asking if I wanted to order other dish and saying that they already made the dish. Like I care? Your food tasted bad mister.
• We went back to the theatre only to find out that they still had not fixed the generator so we’re better redeem our tickets.
• Then we went to the next theatre just across the street to see if they played Avatar.
• They did not.
• What kind of theatre was that?
• So we went to Pasaraya MPX, but due to confusing floor arrangement, we errr get lost on fifth floor.
• Finally watched the movie yay!
• It was SO good, an awesome movie! I wanted to visit Pandora! as Na’vi of course.
• But inside the theatre was so cold we had to use mukena as blanket.
• Then Ine lost her music CD, which probably fell out from her carry out bag inside the first dark theatre.

The end.

The weekend was spent watching movie others won’t see much ( so I make assumption). One of the movies was Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, a 2008 Japanes animated film by Studio Ghibli.

First impression about this anime was OMG I LOVE IT SO MUCH SO KAWAII CUTE CUTE CUTE. Then I was doomed. There was just too much cuteness I can handle but no, I will not regret the day I laid eyes on this cute “gold fish” and Sosuke and Lisa and Fujimoto and cute little animated house on the cliff.

Ok, take a deep breath now, I can control myself. Let me write my version of review about this movie.

The story is about a small chubby goldfish who lives in an aquarium underwater kept by her father Fujimoto. One day the goldfish or is known as Ponyo escapes from her aquarium attempting to see what human life is like. On the way to surface Ponyo is trapped inside a jar and stranded on the beach. Sosuke, a five year old boy finds her and rescues her by breaking the jar and injures himself. Ponyo licks the blood hence there is major changes in her DNA.

Fujimoto is very upset and believe that his child was kidnapped. He tries to bring back Ponyo by delivering huge waves, snatching her from Sosuke. However, when Ponyo returns to her father, she refuses to be called Brunhilda (her real name), declares that she wants to be a human and gets back to Sosuke who loves her and will take care of her forever.

I won’t spoil the end and the story too much but it was just magical and touching. The animation was breathtaking The story is simple yet deep. If you need a recommendation what movie you should watch on the weekend, try this. Meanwhile, let me just nursing my obsession of this movie.

I read the book months ago and last week, on the verge of buying its pirated dvd’s (I am sorry!) finally I got a chance to watch the movie when one of TV stations aired it for end of the year movieathon (is there such a word?).
I finished reading the book in 2 days because it made me so curious! Working in a magazine had always been my passion until I read the book. I just can’t believe you can be a writer or an editor by starting out as an assistant. It’s a two different professions!
When I finished the book almost in the middle of the night, I immediately googled the author’s name to find facts about her book, inspirations, characters, background, controversy. And yes, as I had expected before, Miranda is a character created from a real profile, a real editor in chief of a famous fashion magazine.

I expected lots of fashion scene from the movie but I only saw Valentino dan Giametti in one of the scenes and not much transformation of Andy. The outfit, accessories, bags, purse, her hair, shoes are amazing!

I love and enjoy watching it! It made me thankful that my career choices swifted from a wish to work for lifestyle or fashion magazine to a less stressful job. Well, sometimes.

My favorite quote is from Emily, Miranda’s first assistant who is presented as a super-scrawny-almost-anorexic-girl.

it’s my new diet. I don’t eat and when I feel I’m going to faint I have a cube of cheese.”

How could I forget? The last Christmas day was my tenth anniversary of covering up. I still can’t believe I’ve been a hijabi for ten years! I have been covering my head for a decade!

For ten years I don’t think I have changed that much. I am still struggling to be a better muslim than I was yesterday, I have doubts here and there (it’s actually my main problem), I try to do more sunnah ibadah, to have ‘cleaner, hollier, more positive’ mind, to be a more accountable person toward myself, my family and the environment and dedicate more time to learn more about the religion.

I hope for many years to come, happy hijabi birthday self!