A conversation with an Old Lady

As usually this evening I waited for Mayasari bus AC49 at the bus stop in front of Slipi Jaya Mall, West Jakarta. Looking at the waiting seat under the shelter, I slipped my body in an empty space between two women.

A moment later, an old lady on my left side spoke to me with a wierd words. She appologized that she couldn't speak clearly due to a stroke. But I understood a bit.

"My purse was torn by a pick pocket," she said showing me the torn purse, "I had no money for paying the bus home."

I was pitty on her. "Just tell the bus conductor that you have no money, Maam", I said.

"I don't think he'll understand my words." Her voice sounded miserable.

Later I knew she needed Rp8k to pay for the bus. I thought for a while whether she lied or not. But then I changed some money before gave it to her. She was grateful.

Our conversation continued to her life story. It was her sick brother that brought her there. He was alone taking the trip to his place since her children were at work. They were married and left home to live their new lives. She got a grandchild to nurse since his mom worked. But the grandchild had passed away due to dengue fever. This story part made her sad.

Suddenly my bus came that made a farewell for us. May Allah saved her on her way home, and me too.

Smokes in the Campus Building

The fire alarm rang followed by white smokes entering the campus hall. Then we heard information through the speaker that there was a fire on the fifth floor! Everybody was ordered to leave the building to the assembly point, and to be not panic!

Surely I and two colleages followed the instruction to leave out. We walked out slowly since this was only a simulation of how to handle a fire in our building. We went to an open space and had a little break. We just sat down, had a little talk and played our smartphones.

After some minutes we decided to go back to the work station, although most people were still outside. Once we were in, several security officers came in and ordered us to leave. Surprisingly they found a little boy beside our room. An officer held him out.

A colleage named Yogi was mad to the security officer when he came with the boy. "I've told you there was a boy inside!", shout Yogi "I should have come in to take him. Why the hell you didn't allow me?"

The boy was with us. He was a colleage's son namely Reynold - 7 years old. He was found alone in his dad's room playing his phone. He was not afraid with the situation. He was a brave boy. I liked him.
In a moment we heard another information that the simulation was over. "Let's come in." I told the little boy.

My baby's first year: getting enriched

I have never written anything for a year. Now my baby boy "Fathan Arfa Makhazi" is already one year old. Alhamdulillah. He is still a crawler, but sometimes can walk one to three steps by himself.

He's getting enriched day by day. He can wave to someone who is leaving. He can do "kiss bye". Surprisingly, he can dance with different styles according to the types of music he is listening to.

He lifts his hands like praying when he heards sholawat. I teach him to do it. On contrary, he shakes his head and twist his wrists when heards dangdut musics. I don't teach him this one. Haha..

I'm so proud of him and what he achieves during the growth. I hope he can walk by him self before my birthday next two weeks as my birthday gift. I love you son.

Coconut Oil: A Tip for Smooth Delivery

A few days ago I had a morning walk with granny to Aunt Yayang's house. When we had a conversation, Aunt Yayang suggested me to consume coconut oil for smooth delivery. She did it since her first pregnancy, and it worked. Granny did it also.

So as I arrived home, I told mom to make me some home-made coconut oil. She said that she consumed it also. It is easy to make. Cook some shredded coconut (without oil) until it releases some oil. Filter the waste, and take the oil.

This morning the coconut oil is already served on the dining table. I drank it a spoon. Hoped it will work. Wanna try? It tasted like Klepon cake flavor, which is not bad.

Seperti Mimpi

Kemarin selepas sholat ashar aku dengar samar-samar suara ayah dari lantai bawah bahwa suamiku datang. Tapi tak kuhiraukan karena setahuku dia seharusya ada di Bandung untuk dinas sore. "Gak mungkin," batinku. Lalu dengan masih memakai mukena kulanjutkan berdoa, diiringi suara hujan deras, sambil menunggu magrib yang hanya tinggal 15 menitan lagi.

Selang beberapa detik ada yang mengetuk pintu kamar. Saatku menoleh ternyata suamiku! I'm so surprised! Dia datang dengan basah kuyup kehujanan. Senangnya aku.

"Kok gak bilang mau pulang?" tanyaku sambil cubit-cubitin perutnya yang agak buncit itu.
"Aku tadi rapat di kantor unit Kramat," katanya mencoba menghindar dari cubitanku.
"Jelek... kenapa gak ngasih tau sih.." Aku terus mencubitinya.
"Aduh sakit.Tadi siang kan aku sms lagi rapat."
"Iya tapi gak bilang kalo di Jakarta."
"Hehe.. kan mau nengokin dede.." Ujarnya cengar-cengir.

Ini sudah kali ke 3 dia membuatku surprised dengan kedatangannya. hihi.. Tapi pagi tadi sekitar pukul 8 dia sudah berangkat lagi ke Bandung untuk kembali kerja dan latihan persiapan lomba di Lombok 27 November nanti. Pertemuan yang hanya berlangsung satu malam ini bener-bener seperti mimpi. Mimpi yang menyenangkan :)

Jerawat Saat Hamil

Sudah dua kali selama delapan bulan ini jerawat tumbuh di wajahku. Gak tanggung-tanggung ukurannya hampir setengah senti. Rasanya gatal dan kepingin garuk aja. Gemes deh setiap kali melihat ke cermin.

Tapi urusan jerawat ini memang menguji kesabaran kaum perempuan ya. Apalagi saat hamil, jerawat bisa tumbuh karena pengaruh meningkatnya hormon. Mengutip dari sehat-enak.blogspot.com, perubahan hormon di tingkat progesteron adalah salah satu faktor yang berhubungan dengan jerawat selama kehamilan. Progesteron dapat meningkatkan sekresi kulit, menyebabkan kelenjar minyak memproduksi untuk mengaktifkan. Minyak yang dihasilkan dapat menyediakan media pertumbuhan yang sempurna untuk bakteri yang menyebabkan masalah kulit, termasuk jerawat.

Gimana sih cara mengatasainya? Seperti yang banyak dikatakan dokter, konsumsi obat-obatan tertentu sangat tidak disarankan selama kita hamil, karena bisa saja bahan kimia di dalam obat memberi pengaruh yang tak kita ketahui pada janin. Nah, berikut tips aman mengatasi jerawat yang dikutip dari bayidanibu.blogspot.com:

1. Minum air mineral delapan gelas sehari
2. Tambahkan asupan buah-buahan pada menu makan
3. Usap keringat dengan tisu, dan jangan biarkan tinggal lama-lama di wajah
4. Lakukan perawatan dengan masker jeruk atau mentimun yang alami dan tidak berbahaya bagi kandungan

Sepertinya tips di atas sangat mudah untuk dipraktikkan. Yuk kita coba!

Pilah-Pilih Nama

It's a Boy! Empat kali hasil USG menyatakan bahwa jenis kelamin anak kami Insya Allah lelaki. So, aku dan suami concern mencari hanya nama untuk anak lelaki. But, cukup sulit ya memilih nama anak dari ratusan nama-nama bagus yang ada. Aku dan suami lebih menyukai nama yang bernafaskan Islam sehingga tanpa ditanya agamanya orang sudah tahu bahwa anak ini seorang muslim. Selain itu, nama belakangnya wajib memakai Makhazi seperti nama Papanya, Kurnia Agung Makhazi.

Sejauh ini ada dua rangkaian nama pilihan yang menjadi kandidat untuk diberikan kepada anakku, yaitu:
Fathan Affan Makhazi yang artinya kemenangan putra Makhazi dalam mencegah dari perbuatan buruk
dan
Faeyza Arfa Makhazi yang artinya kesuksesan yang mulia dari anak Makhazi.

Dua-duanya aku suka. Tapi suami lebih suka yang pertama. Masalahnya, anak ini adalah cucu sekaligus cicit pertama di keluargaku. So, banyak banget yang antusias berkomentar soal nama. Terutama nenekku yang tinggal satu-satunya. Beliau gak suka banget dengan nama Fathan, karena mirip dengan nama tetangga depan yaitu Matan. Fiuh...

Bingung ih. Kita lihat perkembangannya nanti setelah si baby lahir. Hope we'll get the best one for all.