La Petite France

Time of procrastination :  5 months

This post is exactly about what I use as the title, the name of an enchanting area in Strasbourg. I visited La Petite France three times during my stay in Strasbourg at the end of 2012. The first time was when I walked around, jumped from a tram to another, just to give my eyes an intro to the city, then I popped up to this distinct area. I recalled that time was so cloudy, as it was in winter so I told myself “I should go back here once the weather is good”. I was lucky as the other day I saw the sky was perfectly bright and so I changed my destination from visiting the museums to be giving another chance to La Petite France. 

C’était vraiment magnifique!

Maybe I haven’t visit many places yet, but in my opinion this little piece of France is one of the most romantic place in France. I just felt. And I melt.

Here are some views that will welcome us:

Sorry for my amateur shots, the real views are much more beautiful than what you see in my photos, hehe…

During our walking and sightseeing inside the pavement area, we can enjoy the half-timbered buildings here and there. It’s really more to be Germany than France.

Many of them are restaurants which offer the typical Alsace culinary, I tasted one of it (I really forgot the complicated name, but hey, I’ve got the photo, hehe…)

the food that I forgot its name, let's call it: stewed fish with vegetables (under the fish I found carrots, potatoes, and others) 

And, the best part is, to walk up to the bridge and voila! You’ll get one of the best unforgettable moment in your life.

before going up...

one of the iconic view of Strasbourg with the Cathedral behind, I'm glad I jumped to this place; maybe it's because the cold weather but I nearly cried the moment I was on the bridge

people on the bridge

I remember I spent quite some times on the bridge, just in silence, praising God for creating this beautiful scenery, thanking God for bringing me there, enjoying the view, the perfect sky and wind. Since I came early in the morning there were not too much tourist and most of them were also "busy" enjoying the scenery themselves.

The third time, I went there when I had few hours just before my flight. I then decided to join a city tour boat and still got a wow effect. If you have only one day in Strasbourg, I really recommend this place to visit and if you have a chance, have an Alsace styled lunch! If you have more days to spend maybe this post will help you a little bit :)

Strasbourg - The Capital of...you name it!

Time of procrastination : 4 months

During Christmas vacation I visited Strasbourg, a city located at north east of France, bordered by Rhein River on east side from which we can just cross the bridge to go to Germany's area. Being less than 3 hours from Paris by train, it is worth to smuggle to the itinerary for one day or two. I spent 5 days there and for me, in general, Strasbourg has a very strong charm in its history and culture.
The interesting one, during my visit, I found at least 3 principal labels of "capital of..." attached to this city. Well, maybe there's more, but let us talk  about those three  :)

1. Capital of Alsace
This label is administratively given for its role as the capital of the region of Alsace. Look at the name closely , "Strasbourg" must be a derivative from German as we also know many German cities ended with burg. Most visitors, and I myself, feel that Strasbourg is not really French enough. The capital has been passed between  France and Germany several times in the past. It makes the taste of Germany strongly infiltrate many parts of the city, society, language, or even culinary. We can find the street names in Germany as much as in French, we can find beer as easy as wine, etc. Oh, they do write the street names and almost all the signage in both language. So it's not really French, but not so German tho'. That double identity blends well and create a unique aculturation that bring a real feel of European city. And no need to bother whether it's French or German, it's Alsace! :D

the picture is taken from here

2. Capital of Europe

Strasbourg is home for several important buildings of European Union institution. The most famous, stylish, and magnificient one is European Parliament building. Located quite far from the centre but easy to acces both by tram or by boat if we join a tour. With an advance arrangement and registration, it is possible to visit the real parliament plenary for free, check http://www.europarl.europa.eu/visiting/en/visits.html for more information. But, if there is no plenary schedule, we can still enjoy that rounded building with the historical photographs of Europe around the outring pillars.

European Parliament Building - front view

rear view / from the canal, with the message of VOTRE PAIX  VOTRE PRIX! (your peace your prize!) in many european languages

Hallo! It's me inside the outer ring.

3. Capital of Christmas

This famous label is the one that brought me, and huge number of tourists from any part of this planet, to pick Strasbourg as the destination during Christmas - New Year holiday.

Capitale de Noël - Capital of Christmas

According to my observation, the label came out most likely because of three main reasons. Firstly, Strasbourg is really proud of having introduced the Christmas Market since 16th century to be one of a common tradition in many other European cities nowadays. 

Secondly, Strasbourg has a super giant-yes-it's-more-than-30-meters christmas tree, claimed as the highest in Europe. Again, since 16th century.

Day and night, it's really HUGE, isn't it? 

The tree's placed in Place Kleber, the center of the center, so surely you won't miss it.

Thirdly, with its 142 meters high, Strasbourg Cathedral remains to be one of the tallest church in Europe and in the world during the old century. It is really IMPRESSIVE! We can march up to the tower (until 66 meters = 330 steps) to get the literally "breathtaking" effect, if you know what I mean :)).
Well, I did! And it was splendid!

However, here are my personal opinion:

• since the christmas market has been replicated here and there, I can experience the very similar of it in Nantes. What really different is the number of the market, there're only 2 in Nantes while Strasbourg has around 15 markets spread all over the city! But then again, why spend time to visit 15 similar markets that more likely sell overpriced stuff?

The christmas market. Above: Strasbourg, below: Nantes

• the giant tree, as you can see at the picture, is indeed super duper tall. But, that's all.
• and as I mentioned, the cathedral is amazingly impressive and majestic. Unfortunately, the famous christmas market cover up its beauty :(

The Cathedral (and the Christmas Market)

Found this beautiful lighting but also with...another christmas market

So, for me personally, the third label is kind of overrated to be the main reason for people going there. As I don't celebrate christmas, maybe it can be totally different opinion from those who celebrate.

Overall, I'd like to give 7/10 point for Strasbourg. If I have any chance to re-visit, I would love to do that not in December to avoid the tourists crowd and the christmas markets that cover up the city. So, surprisingly it's not the initial reason I came that broguht me liking this city, it's going to be another post :)

RomanTech 2.0 by a Silentlover

Time of Procrastination a month

In the mid of January, I was joining a kind of study tour for 5 days. We're going to Le Havre, a port city at north France. It takes 6-8 hours from Nantes to get there by bus.

On the first hours way back to Nantes, my phone battery was drained. It shutted down without any warning. As I was in the middle of a conversation with my bf, I immediately dredged up my bag tried to find a spare battery. But it wasn't there. And I could not find anywhere else. It must be lost somewhere. 

Soon when I got home, it's about 7pm at my timezone and 1am at his, I turned it on and read messages from him, questioning where I am. I texted him, saying sorry and telling what actually happen. He just smiled and gave me a smooch emoticon. He then told me to have a rest.

Morning on the next day, I woke up and found a concise texts from him just like this:

I buy 2 batteries and 1 power bank for you, those are all ready to ship by this noon.

Each battery may stands for one or two days while the power bank is equal with 3-4 batteries. So you can still be "on" without relying on power jack for about 3-4 days.

What? I still needed some time to fully gather my soul after long sleeping before digesting any of technologycal-related information like that. I have quite many questions to him afterward and his answer was just not far than "it's shipping, just wait for it".

A week after, I received a package from 7438 miles away contained 2 batteries and 1 power bank. Nothing else. I said my thank-you and ask him just like all women all over the world will, why did you do this? 

I do not want to lose you

He replied.

the cute facts are taken from here

Time of Procrastination

My truly old bad habit.

I procrastinate almost everything but sleeping. Or gaming.

It can be 5 minutes, an hour, two days, a month, or even a year.

I believe that I actually was born perfectionist as I am not easily satisfied with what I'm doing, I always ask myself to do more. But then I grew up with this bad habit that makes my work is quite far from "perfect". Let alone to be perfect, most of the times I finished my work because it must be finished at the time being. It then leaves me stranded with guilty feeling and regrets.

Many plans were not executed.

Many ideas were poorly manifested.

Many notions were barely realized.

Many dreams were not achieved.

Many things were just listed in the calendar.

Many things were just landed in those post-it.

Many things were just stuck in my brain.

Until I start counting. If I procrastinate "only" 10 minutes for "just"3 activities, it'll cost me half an hour per day, multiplied to be 15 HOURS per month, and 180 HOURS per year!

How many great things in my life were skipped? 

To start breaking the habit is also a new problem. And of several choices, I chose to start from here. I chose to start doing thing as simple as it can be so that my brain won't think that it's hard to do.

From this blog. From now on, I will add a note of "time of procrastination" for each upcoming post just to let myself know how long that post has been buried in my draft box or maybe in my mind. To boldly tell me how long I wasted.

I know that it's just a post. But the more I procrastinate, the less possibility to write down even a short post. So, the number will tell me a lot about the progress.

I guess I'll surprise myself.

taken from here

I Love Nantais!!!

Nantais or Nantaise is the word used referring the citizen of Nantes, a comfortable France city where I live until the next 7 months. This week I'm entering my 5th month staying here and apart of the city, I'd love to state that I DO LIKE THE NANTAIS!!! :)

because:

1. The car drivers ALWAYS slow their speed down for the pedestrian

Formerly I thought that it was a common act in wherever european cities. But later I knew, the same thing do not exist in Paris, Marseille, and even Le Havre. I can easily understand for Paris or Marseille case given by its heavy city activities. But Le Havre? 

This quite big and busy intersection does not have a traffic light, but hey it's totally fine :)

2. Everyone moves in a "normal pace", not in a hurry, not in a worry

I barely see people who walk in a hurry even in a rush hour. Again, unlike in Paris where you find almost all of them in a hurry and a serious "strict face". In Nantes, you also don't need to put your bag in front of your body when you're in a public space (bus/tram, park, tourism spot) be it your slinged camera, hand bag, purse, just wear it as you wish. Do it in Marseille and you'll regret the other day.

3. When they pass a door, they check whether there's someone else who will pass behind, if so, they then hold the door

It's really simple act yet nice!  

4. The smokers don't share the smoke with the non-smokers

That's what I see from my classmates, they always move away when they start smoking, love it :) And so far in public space, I haven't met any who "produce smog" share it for those who don't want to. Maybe there's a regulation but even if there is one, it's still quite cool that people show respect without having it displayed in a board or banner.

Surely there's a bold relationship between the city atmosphere and its citizens. A lovely city would make its citizen happy and so that they do lovely things to others. Oh, did I mention that Nantes has been awarded as Green Capital of Europe 2013? :)

Tu Me Manques

Quand tu prends ma main

Quand on parle de tous et de rien

Quand ton nez touche le mien

Quand tu mal tes mains pour mon oreiller

Quand on est sur bord de la mer

Quand tu m’attends de gravir la montagne

Tu m'as dit t’inquiète pas...
Tu m'as dit je serai toujours là...

Quand j’étais en bateau sur la Seine

Quand j’ai traversé le pont du Rhin

Quand les feuilles virent au rouge

Quand les arbres couverts de neige

de l'automne à l'hiver
du calme d'Etretat à l'éclat de la Tour Eiffel

Tu me manques...

took this pic in a park in front of my campus :')

I’m a (stil rational) Huge Fans of Agnes Monica!

That’s a kind of a bold statement methinks, realizing there are sooooo many haters out  there and even in my inner circle, hehe... And on the other hand, there are also soooo many die-hard-fans which might hate and curse me for several words I jot down here :p And that's why I put the words in the bracket on the title above. A lot of her die-hard fans barely accept any negative comment/ opinion addressed to her, even if it's true! Hahahah...

Yah well, I write this post because I’m just feeling deeply amazed watching her latest performance in one of TV station last night. She sang 3 newest songs from her soon upcoming album consecutively. And it was DOPE! The band, especially. Don't mean to put her at the second part of the awesomeness, no, she’s still the star, haha... But, the band is indeed great and I’m quite sure that it's also because of her strong involvement. And the songs! I already like two of it at my first time listening to it (that last night show was the second time she performed those songs). Aaand, those 3 were written by herself. Cool!!! You can watch it here......

 How wasss itttt? Uber cool wasn’t it?

Anyway, loving her since childhood, I then bought her first (adult) album with no much consideration. To be honest, I was really disappointed. If there’s no “Hanya Cinta Yang Bisa” in it, it would only be stored on the shelf. And her voice...not bad, it’s just not well-formed yet.

But she made very much progress, in terms of both singing and dancing skill, in her second album. You might understand what I meant by listening to “Bilang Saja” and then “Tak Ada Logika”. Not to forget, her taste in fashion is kind of upgraded. Maybe this is just me, but at her first album, I felt that she’s trying too much to be called funky. Well, teenager...

That’s only an honest opinion of mine dear you all the die-hard-fans. Want to kill me now? :p

My college friends and my office colleagues know very well that I adore her and even did some “stupid things” such as imitate her dancing. I have no problem with singing, but danciiiing...LOL! Obviously FAILED!

Actually, one thing that I really admire so much from her is her serious and continous hard work! No doubt about it. People call it (too) ambitious, but try objectively look what she’ve done and what she’s still doing up till now. She is now becoming a really great performer, who’s not just CAN sing or CAN dance but do those things AMAZINGLY. The way she moves her hands, her legs, her body, INCREDIBLE. It’s like, how can she do thatttt! This one is my favorite (1.30-2.10 is the WOW part). And never get bored to watch her stomping dance.

If you’re questioning her voice, try to LISTEN TO one of her live performance this one...just advice, you’d better just listen otherwise you’ll be distracted by her wardrobe :p
Or my most favorite song of her here... Lllllooveee it!

Well, I can’t imagine if she’s able to make her dream of going international comes true like...5 years ago, with her skills 5 years ago, with her experiences 5 years ago, how would it be...  But I’m pretty much sure, she’s now completely ready to achieve that! And she deserves it!

To end this post, I would like to wish her a best luck, keep aiming high but keep the humbleness, and keep up the best work :)

Passing Time Crossing The Border

2012 is over and we're all still alive! :)

I thank you, God, for giving me such amazing experience throughout the year. There were a lots of wonderful things in 2012 that make me really feel more than blessed. Sadness, anxiety, joys, love, hatred, failure, success, and elses so that I could possibly call it "life". God is truly good!

Managed to pass the selection process and then got a scolarship to continue my study in France is obviously one of the major thing I should be forever grateful.

I'm also blessed for being able to see new things, visite new places, taste new cuisine, meet new people, learn another foreign language, share new knowledge, mingle in a new culture, totally new experience! As well as meet "fake" friends which made me be able to see clearly which ones are the real friend ;)

I learned a lot (and I believe I will still keep learning) what it really means of happiness, lonely, sincere, giving, choice, decision, patience, family, regret, to love, to respect, to share, judgment, tolerance, to give up, to believe, striving, dreaming, dedication, and also continue to figure out how to love and to live my life in a good way.

Not all of it is good. But, even the worst thing was giving me an amazing lesson as human being who is in progress to be a better person. Hopefully.

At the end of 2012, I did a short trip crossing the border of France (Strasbourg) - Germany (Kehl) by...walking. Well, actually that was not weird since Kehl, a small town in West Germany, is now becoming the suburbs part of Starsbourg and they are connected in local public transportation network.

But for me, this is quite interesting, remembering how those two countries once were fighting in a war like crazy! We all know from the history of World War I and also World War II, that there is never be a single good thing in war. Tell me, if any.

And nowadays, we can go from one city to another by train, by bus (headway every 30 minutes), by car, or like I and many people right there do, by walking! There's no border and no document needed to move your ass to another country. Strasbourg and  Kehl even have a beautiful spacious collective public park "Jardin Deux Rives" in both sides of Rhine riverbank. 

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk down the river and cross the bridge. There's a non-motorized bridge (or called "passerelle" in French) that can be used also by the cyclist or the parents with baby stroller.

THE CUTEST PART of all of this border thingy is, right in the middle of the bridge, we can stop for a while and sit in the wooden benches. Maybe it's just me being dramatic, but in my opinion, the idea is just simply cool!

Imagine you're sitting right there, calling one of your friend and then telling them, "I'm in between, my right ass is in Germany while the left one is in France!", hahah...

We can also find the love padlock as we seen at the bridge near Paris Notre Dame or maybe at many other bridges (because I just found the same thing at a smaller bridge in Strasbourg).

La passerelle

In that spacious park we can see the elder couples sitting or walking while enjoying the river scenery, the loverbirds holding hands and giggling, the kids playing around happily. We'll hear they talk using French in the German side or vice versa. Wonderful!

Germany's side

France's side (notice the crêperie kiosk that is so "France" :p)

Well, it was just a "border crossing" experience but beyond that it gave me a reflection that in our life, we might have a very bad experience in the past, we might passed a horrible moment, we might done evil, in the France-Germany case: one of the cruelest war ever..., whatever we've done or how bad it was, we can never turn back the time.

But, we have to realize that we will always have a chance to do our best, to give our greatest effort,to make a progress, in order to be better and to have something really good and wonderful in our future. Each of us deserves it!

Welcome 2013, I'm so ready!

:)