Congratulation to Randy, Leo and Tenri Ukke!
Akademi Fantasi Indosiar (AFI) 2 is finished. Then come the new one! AFI 3. Hmmph.., isn’t too soon to start the new one? Well nobody knows what the producer’s thinking, except themselves. This time, 3 new cities are join too such as Palembang, Denpasar, and my city.. Makassar! Yes the audition was taken here too, on the mid of June. It was about more than 2000 young fellas registered and took the audition, after that become the big 20, and then the big 3. The big 3 will go to Jakarta to join the pre-elimination concert. They are Edwin Leo (left), Tenri Ukke (center), and Randy Rehatta (right), as seen on the picture above.
This time the pre-elimination is different. They are still 12 academias. So they got to pass the really tight competition, since it was 27 competitor. The big 3 will go to Jakarta each week, one by one. This Saturday is the first pre-elimination concert. They are not eliminated by the short message service (sms) or premium call this time. They got three juries who will decide which one is the best. Each week, 9 are in competition, and only 4 of them may enter the Akademi Fantasi Indosiar and be the academia. Tough isn’t it! It’s getting more difficult now. There’s a possibility just one from the big 3 or none of them.
Talking bout the big 3 from Makassar, one of them, the one named Randy, is my lecturer’s son! Hehehe… *promotion mode*
Ok, let’s stay tune at the TV at the end of this week and watch who will get eliminated.

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All You Need is Love?
No love can compare to God’s love..
In these days many people talks about love. Also in the bloogerians’ site. Talks about love, love and love. Love which related with relationship with other person, loving each other, who is the one we love. Various postings! A few of tomodachi wrote bout love in their blogsite such as Sa, Tusuk Gigi, Ira, and many more…
In the summer of 1969, one of the popular songs heard frequently on the radio went something like this:

What the world needs now
Is love, sweet love;
It’s the only thing
That there’s just too little of.

It had a theme similar to a Beatles tune:

All you need is love, love
Love is all you need.

Is love all we need? Is it the answer to the world’s problems? If we all just loved each other a little more-would that be enough to solve all the problems in the world? That could work only if the love were pure, with no false motivations or hidden agendas. But who has a love that big?
There’s only One who can demonstrate love that perfect. I read a wonderful reminder of the real source of all love in my friend’s wedding invitation. It read: “God who is love Himself, has brought us together“.
It is a simple truth taught to the youngest of children: God is love. The human love we have for our boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, friends and children, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, as sweet and as strong an emotion as it is, cannot compare to the love that God for us.
How much has God loved us? So much!!! Nothing can compare to God’s love! It has been proven and cannot be doubt anymore.
Does God want our love in return? Absolutely. And God wants us to love others. God said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “love your neighbor as yourself“.
Love. It’s the theme of most of the songs that are written and thousands of books that are published each year.
Is love all we need? Yes! All we need is love-the perfect love of God.
Now sit back and relax. Try to think these questions and answer it in your mind for reflection:
� Whom do I love most?
� Do I believe that God loves me?
� Do I love God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength?
� Do I love my neighbor as much as I love myself?
Do you? The answers are yours.. :)

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Moonlight and Mystery
Years back, I remembered I watched a news program on TV. A journalist in Madrid, Spain, was among those reporters selected by the Spanish government to interview the American astronaut James Irwin, who was on a European tour after his Apollo 15 mission to the moon. Monroy asked the astronaut, �What did you feel when you stepped out of that capsule and your feet touched the surface of the moon?�
To Monroy’s utter surprise, Irwin replied, �It was one of the most profoundly disillusioning moments of my life.�
Monroy pressed the astronaut: �How could standing on the moon be so disappointing?�
Irwin explained, �All of my life I have been enchanted by the romance and the mystery of the moon. I sang love songs under the moon. I read poems by moonstruck poets. I embraced my lover in the moonlight. I looked up in wonder at the lunar sphere. But that day when I stepped from the capsule onto the lunar surface and reached down at my feet, I came up with nothing but two handfuls of gray dirt. I cannot describe the loss I felt as the romance and mystery were stripped away. There will be no more moon in my sky!�
Monroy observed further, �When we come to the place that we think we comprehend and can explain the Almighty, there will be no more God in our heavens.�
God’s Word not only reveals His endless love and awesome holiness, but also veils His majesty in mystery and paradox that transcend comprehension. He is God, not human!
�My thoughts are not your thoughts,� says the Lord, �neither are your ways my ways.� (Isaiah 55:8)
I think God is also saying, �And you, my children, are not just mortal, either. You will always be stretching beyond your temporary finitude, watching for glimpses and listening for whispers from infinity.�
God has put eternity in our hearts. A part of us lives in worlds beyond, even if we at times find it difficult to stay in touch!
Oh yes! Because both God and humanity are too big for explanation, the Bible conveys far more than information and logical objectives. God speaks to all of our worlds through drama, music, poetry, stories, paradox, and mystery. The Bible teases out nuances that stretch far beyond mere data in ways too wonderful to explain and too sacred to be contrived. Full faith awakens all of our worlds and dances through them, touching us on multiple levels and moving us with profound force. This kind of faith, like a tent pegged from many angles, is much less likely to go flat.
The mystery moves us onward and upward. Until next time…

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The Medical Profession
The medical profession
Has at least one grand obsession
If it cannot diagnose your case,
and your problems cannot place,
ot will put you in disgrace
And will say behind your face

We don’t mean to be despotic,
but we find that he’s neurotic
Since we cannot find a reason
For his aches and pains in season,
cannot name a name exotic
We must call it plain neurotic!

For they think they’ve learned a lesson
In a medical profession
‘Every symptom has a reason,
everyache and pain in season’.

I don’t mean to be despotic,
If they say that you’re neurotic
The odds are stacked against you so far,
It’s ten to one of you really are!

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Borrowed Heaven
To sum this album up I would use the word “Grower”. First time that I heard this album I have to admit I was disappointed, I’ve heard the sort of songs, I thought countless times. But I sat and listened to every song, every lyric and the melodies grow on you, they really do.
With 4 years since the last album The Corrs would have to pull off something fantastic to win back the crowd, and it seems they have done it. The album is a mixture of styles from both Talk on Corners and In Blue which both won them many fans. With the poppy upbeat song Summer Sunshine storming the chart currently, Angel; a beautiful tribute to the departed Jean Corr is sure to follow in its footsteps. Hideaway and Even If are also very catchy tracks. Long Night is a nice beautiful ballard which really stands out and reminds you of the like of Intimacy from Talk On Corners. Humdrum and Borrowed Heaven (featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo) are very unique songs the latter is very soleful. Silver Strand finishes the album off very nicely.
The “Irish” feel is partly back in this album, with a lot more violin than In Blue and the welcomed return of the tin wistle in Angel. The only song which lets the album down is Time Enough for Tears, from the In America soundtrack.
The Corrs album shows growth for me, no album will surpass the wonderful Talk on Corners, but I believe this is a return to form after a few years break. We all no what to expect from the Corrs, those who have realistic expections I can guarantee will not be disappointed :)

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Congratulations, Tia!
No, not because I’m a fan of Tia in Akademi Fantasi Indosiar (AFI), but because I am happy that this time the viewer’s choice is right. Yes she deserved it. Nice voice she had. Anyway, the gossips about AFI’s winner already predicted and decided by Indosiar is fully erased. :) But one thing in the Grand Final that happened made a few of viewer lost feeling to continue watching. Two persons that not supposed to sing there, were singing!! Gosh! Come on, this is not a campaign! So rude, entering a great show with those kind of acts. Truly, I just want to see pure music concert! Not politic :( Well hope I can forget those things happened and we’re still talking bout the winner, Tia, again, CONGRATS!!
Pat Riley, the famous basketball coach said, �There�s only two things in this league: winning and misery!� No wonder so many sports figures will do anything to win, including taking steroids, hurting players intentionally, or altering their transcripts so a player can play illegally. No wonder one coach rewards players with stickers on their football helmets for big hits he calls �slobber-knockers�!
The Lord said a leader is someone who sits at the foot of the table; one who is willing to assist others, pick them up instead of bad-mouthing them down. That�s the real winner. God came to reverse our priorities because our priorities are wrong.
All our children�all our nations children�will be better off if we follow in God’s steps.

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My 4th Week Puppies
I got 4 new puppies from my dog 4 weeks ago. They’re so small, really need help from their mom. So I didn’t bother them for these 4 weeks :) But yesterday I was so surprise seeing them walk around, so cute.. then I grabbed to of them and make some pictures of them :p

After a few minutes, I watched these puppies are trying to walk faster, step by step just like a baby who learn how to walk. So cute. Then their mom is keep in sight of them. If these puppies fell and start to cry then the mom come and rise it up while licking her child (licking refers kissing for the dogs :p), so the puppy stand up again n walks :)
I imagined the condition going something like this: �Hey junior, come on stand up. You can make it, just try to walk slowly first. Not so fast. You may fall down again. Slower. Smoother. Now, stop crying. Be sure to make it look effortless. That girl watching us and taking notes. Now, here�s how you hover. Good! Now walk! Stop hopeless! You can do it! Remember, smooth and leisurely. Excellent! Now let�s walk right here where I stand. You�re doing great kid, but we�re not finished. This is our big moment. Ready? You�re doing great! Just keep doing what you do and you�ll be fine.�
A little later I saw the these puppies walks woth their mom on their way back down the doghouse. This time they have switched places. These puppies are walks faster than a few minutes ago. They are in front of their mom now. I imagined the older once say, �Okay, kids. Your turn to lead. Take off!�
Look around you. See any puppies wanting to learn to walk. There may be someone who needs the wisdom and experience you have. The new guy on the job, the new couple at church, that young mother who seems to have her hands full, or the young man who has just begun his walk with the Lord. You have the knowledge, you have the wisdom, and you have the gift they need. Don�t waste the opportunity!
Take time and teach someone to walk!

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Vagina Monolog
Hi fellas! Long time no write huh? Yeah sorry.. i got much time to write now :) On Monday (14/06/2004) night I went to Sahid Makassar Hotel to see a theatre play titled “Vagina Monolog”. Don’t ever think dirty about it hehehe, no it is not a porn play or sumthing mesum. It was a really great theatre play! Starring: Aliyah Mustika Ilham Arif Sirajuddin, Zohra Andi Baso, Shinta Febriyanti, Dewi Ritanaya, Luna Vidya, Suti Karno, Rima Melati, Jajang C. Noer, Rachel Maryam, Ratna Riantiarno, Marcella Zhaliyanti.
Vagina Monolog talks about woman, woman and woman. This theatre play made to fight against woman abuse, girl abuse in every side of the story. Many woman in this world forget what she had. Many woman in this world prisoned to know her inches of her body. And vagina is almost forgotten, always hidden. Woman abuse such as prostitute, sexual abuse, woman-trade.. always happens days by days in this world, wherever. Victims increasing. And again, it’s all about the vagina and how vagina feels about the abuses.
Really great theatre play, again I said! Kewl! Cool! :p
Anyway i got some pictures and I hope this time pictures talk :)
  
When the stage still clear (left), the opening (right)
  
Suti Karno (left), Rima Melati (right)
  
The singer (left), komunitas kerudung hitam in concert (right)
  
Marcella Zhaliyanti (left), Rachel Maryam (center)
  
The epilogue…

Suti Karno-Rachel Maryam-Marcella Zhalianty after play (right)

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Happy Birthday, mas Katon Bagaskara!
Today one of my favorite Indonesian male singer, Katon Bagaskara, celebrating his birthday! He got one more year on this earth! :) Wish you all the best and always success in your career.. as a male singer or with your group, KLa Project.
Have you noticed how hard it is to have a simple joyful event anymore? Something inside wants me to blame it on some external factor like political correctness run amuck. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. We live in a fallen world of complicated joy.
Birthday parties are special because a group of friends come to rejoice at the blessings of someone else. Much is the same in our celebrations of complicated joy at church. We will never assemble with unfettered joy on this side of heaven. But, if we will allow ourselves, we can anticipate that unfettered joy in moments of celebration where the broken, injured, and wounded share in the joy of the moment with those who are not. While it may be a bit complicated by our fallen and broken world, our time together as God�s family must be a time to anticipate the joy that awaits us when our Father in Heaven brings us home!
Even though it may be complicated, rejoice!

…dedicated to Katon Bagaskara. Happy Birthday!

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It Hurts to Breathe
Recently I didnt post anything? Why? I don’t know why :p hehehe probably I just feel a bit busy and tired. Yesterday is the most tired day in the world. One of my patient come. She wants me to make her full dentures. Now in the try-in stage. I must try-in her base dentures to her mouth to know is it fit already or not. And it is not fit!! So I got ot walk back to the laboratory to decrease some of the acrylic and back to the clinic room and try in again. So exhausted!
Yesterday also, during in my business, my friend Ardi talked to me. His dad just passed away about two weeks ago. He still feels so depressed. He told me something. If it doesn’t touch your heart, nothing will.
“I really miss my Dad. I know that God is in control, but it is so very hard to remember that every hour of the day. Please pray for my family. We need lifting up to the Lord. This is the most horrible thing I have ever had to go through. It hurts to breathe. I know that God will not give us more than we can handle, but this is killing me.”
He is just one of many people scattered around the world. For many of us, the internet is a lifeline! We are able to daily reach out and touch someone else. Sometimes we reach out to hear about some problem of our brothers and sisters and sometimes to share some heartbreak of our own.
Sometimes we hurt so much that “it hurts to breathe”! Every breath we take is filled with sobs of anguish and tears of sorrow. As much as I would wish it were otherwise, there just is no quick fix! There is no easy way to rid us of the sorrow of a loss like this.
We are not alone as we endure our tragedy. Even though it may seem like little comfort to us at the moment, hang on, because things will get better! Just keep your eyes on God. Don’t lose that vision! The faith is what we need today! That we could accept the death of a loved one, especially of a precious dad with the statement of faith, “I will go to him one day,” and then get on with life. It was a test of our faith, but we were able put it all in God’s hands and turn loose of the grief.
For those of you who are dealing with this type of tragedy, I don’t intend to sound flippant or uncaring. Spend the time necessary to mourn, and then turn it over to God. Know that there are others who can feel with you in your grief and pain and that you are not alone. Having done that, make the commitment that you will live your life in such a way as to someday be with the one you lost!
May our God give us the strength to endure what we must to live with him forever, even when “it hurts to breathe”!

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