Happiest New Year of 2013

Hi! How’s the new year? And how’s the year-end holiday? Me? Actually I’m still on my holiday mood – yes – I took my few weeks of holiday…travelling…mall hopping…reading…eating…playing  games (mostly never leave my bedroom unless we are going somewhere ha ha ha). So, it is quite a hard to will myself to open my laptop and start writing for my blog again (kinda neglected it during the holiday…I was fully taken over by the-lazy-me).

But no worry…once I write…all words are flowing effortlessly from my fingers…so make sure to visit again sometimes next week since I’ve drafted quite lots of post re to places that I visited and books that I read   J    And before I sign off, I wish for a better year ahead for all of us.

Cheers

Aston Imperium Purwokerto

The reception area

 Awarded as the best hotel in Purwokerto by Trip Advisor, this newly opened hotel brings fresh and comfort for both business-related-guest and leisure-traveler in Purwokerto (a small district in Central Java – about 4hours drive from Jogjakarta). During our one-day-stop-over there, I would say that the hotel deserves the award (it was quite hard to find another hotel which offers more or less the same service and comfort as Aston). With its sleek and minimalist design – along with selected pop art item displayed, the hotel gives off the modern and chic vibes. Look at the indoor pool with open view to Mount Batur, covered by cute circling awning or the plush seating area in the vast and high ceiling lobby. All are served and provided with smile of the staffs.

The lobby

The restaurant...I luv the ceiling

My humble breakfast   :-)

Strategically located in the heart of Purwokerto, the hotel is quite easy to find. Few mini-markets are available within walking distance, not to mention the food stalls that offer local delicacies, are scattered around for you to choose. But if you are short on time for exploring the area, the hotel has restaurant and coffee lounge that provide not only local but international menu as well (and it was cheap – compared to the similar menu in Jkt). Beside resto, Aston Imperium also provides meeting room, gym and spa facilities. The pool is not too big, with separation between the children pool (knee-depth) and a deeper one (around 190cm).

The cold swimming pool

The pool view from the bedroom

The room itself was clean and sparsely decorated and furnished, but I liked the double queen beds (enough for 4 of us). The space was adequate (not too big and yet not too small as well) with complete facilities like cable tv, coffee-tea-maker, SDB, mini bar, as well as basic amenities. One thing that I liked the most was the fast free wifi which was available (you can easily access it wherever you are, no fussy for login and logout...no fussy for remembering your user ID and password). I couldn’t find a thing for complain…except the inflexibility which pool towel has to be returned on spot but I could live with those LOL   J   Surely, I would love to try another Aston hotel elsewhere.

The simple bedroom

Reached – by Ally Condie

Synopsis

Cassia’s journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most – family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.

With exquisite prose, the emotionally griping conclusion to the international bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose.

I say…

I have to say that I was pretty upset with the ending of this Matched trilogy. Perhaps the ending was different with what I’ve imagined it before. And unconsciously, I was reminded of Hunger Games trilogy with pretty much the same surprising (lame) ending. Those 512 pages tells the days of Ky and Indie as the pilots in the Rising, Xander’s part in the Rising as well and Cassia’s unexected way of revolution in the Gallery.

The plot moves slowly, from one character to anothers, until the end (geez…I was sleepy reading it – the book didn’t give me the excitement like the previous ones). Without new problem except the mutation plaque, I consider this as the most boring book within Matched trilogy.

Fifty Shade Darker – by E L James

Synopsis

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking though, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Ana cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Ana learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

I say…

The second book is not as surprising and disturbing as the first one, since Grey and Ana compromise the terms of their relationship…that means more normal but still hot sexual scenes. On this book, Grey bares his despair, his vurnability and weakness, the ugliness of his past and the passion for Ana, showing the trueself of him. This book also tells another side of Grey…among those fifty shades of his, Grey being cheerful, witty and fun. But is that all or there is something darker still lurking in his closet?

On the other hand, Ana is on her own struggle…her fear of her dark desire, her jealousy over Grey’s exes, her freedom against Grey’s possessiveness, her and Grey’s safety as well. Despite all of it, the book has a nice sweet ending. And for the first time, Grey run out of condom LOL (EL James never ceases to amaze and surprise me ha ha ha luv it)

Lets move onto the third book   J

Happy 10th anniversary dear

Daddy...

It's been 10years...a quite long one if we recall the day-to-day stuff but it is also a short one. Never thought that in a blink of eyes(ok...maybe several thousands of blink)...time has passed.

I know it's not a fairy tale...so I've never been into happily-ever-after (it is good to watch though...with a goeying eyes). And since I don't have any chrystal ball in my possession nor both of us have any experience in fortune telling...I guess there will be lots of ups and downs in the next 10years ahead. I hope we are blessed with an overflowing happiness (crossing my fingers) despite the bumps. I don't know what will happen (otherwise I would have probably been asking for a refund LOL) and I don't wanna give out a guarantee, but one I am sure...that we will go through it day-by-day (in between of the girls' laughing and my yelling "̮˚°◦♡ώκωķ(∩_∩)◦°˚"̮  )until the next decade. Just bear with me...my selfishness...my books shopping spree 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 ...my unpredictable mood...and my home cooking too LOL

I don't know what will hold and what will give away...but at least I promise you....that I'll be there...as long as уσυ are there too

Luv u
xoxo