A reading survey, which I haven't done in ages

Courtesy of Ndari's blog post about 55 reading questions, I'm inspired to fill out one at random.

Here goes my book escapades!

1. Favorite childhood book?

I have always loved fairy tales. There was this one book with lush handmade illustrations, with dark fairy tales such as the Ice Queen and Edelweiss. I lost it when a friend borrowed and never returned the book. Till now I still think of that book fondly.

Other books that deserve an honorable mention: Roald Dahl's Matilda, Enid Blyton's The Naughtiest Girl series, a Little Princess by Frances H. Burnett.

2. What are you reading right now? 

Nothing at the moment. I just finished reading Ibuk by Iwan Setyawan, which was inspiring, and Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink before that.

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

This question makes me wish I was in Brisbane, requesting Sweet Valley Sr High books for only 50 cents a book. The answer is none. I have not visited a library in years.

4. Bad book habit? 

Buying them and putting the books in a pile but never getting round to reading them. I'm book-obsessive so I never lend them to anyone I don't trust. Leaving the books I can't finish. Prone to love at first sights with some books that turn out to be bad, or just the opposite - a delight.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? 

What about the last book I remembered checking out at the library? The Fearless series, Sweet Valley Jr High, and Sarah Dessen's Dreamland.

6. Do you have an e-reader? 

No, although I've been eyeing Kindle for some time. I'm still pro real books at the moment, though.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

One at a time, always. I don't like getting confused with many characters at once.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? 

Not really. But it changes as soon as I registered to Goodreads. We have an annual reading target.

9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far)? 

I can't get through Lord of the Rings though I'm sure it's a lovely book - it's just so difficult to get into. Fifty Shades of Grey - erotica is never my thing and it's so dense I can't make myself finish.

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? 

Whenever a particular book manages to catch my eye and interest. I'm an eclectic reader at heart though I seem to border on certain types of genres only.

12. What is your reading comfort zone? 

Young adult, children's books, general fiction and fantasy/science fiction, sometimes.

13. Can you read on the bus?

I always do. I mean, did.

14. Favorite place to read? 

Bed. Lounge chair.

15. What is your policy on book lending? 

Always return in perfect pristine condition, no dog-ears, no stains, no marks, no handwriting on the pages. Never smear. Or better, I'd rather not lend out anything at all.

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?

OMG NEVER.

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? 

Only for books that are meant to be personal gifts.

18. Not even with text books? 

I do, all the time.

19. What is your favourite language to read in? 

English.

20. What makes you love a book? 

Reading is traveling through another dimension.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? 

When I find that I'm aching to read it and think about it for days even after I've finished the book.

22. Favorite genre? 

Young adult.

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)?

Chicklit. I used to read them but nowadays I find a lot formulaic so I pass.

24. Favourite biography? 

Walt Disney's. I also read a book on multiple personality disorder by Dr. Bauer and find it really interesting.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book? 

Yup, but they only inspire. I find that we need to let them help us, not construct or change us.

26. Favourite cookbook?

Anything simple but original. I usually love the gorgeous covers. So far I only have a few thin volumes on several food types and Eat Tweet. I don't read cookbooks often, I search for recipes online.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

Ibuk by Iwan Setyawan.

28. Favorite reading snack?

Chocolate-flavored milk and biscuits.

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. 

Again, Fifty Shades of Grey.

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? 

Not often. I prefer to form my own opinions after I read them, but before I buy books, I usually check out reviews and stars just to see how well it's doing or whether other people think they're any good. Goodreads reviews usually make a lot of sense :D and help me in my buying decisions.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? 

As long as it's objective (though this is hard to say). I feel bad sometimes, but can't help the way I feel.

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?

My Dad is persuading me to read Chinese martial art novels and poems. French. I wish I could read E=MC 2, which is the basis for a Little Romance.

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? 

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? 

Umm.. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights. War and Peace. Lolita. Most literature. Don't get me wrong - love them, but sometimes find them hard to get through.

35. Favorite Poet? 

Pablo Neruda. I don't read many poems, but I do like some I'm reading.

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?

One to three books.

37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?

Sometimes, when I cannot get through the book and find it interesting :)

38. Favorite fictional character?

Macy and Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. Alex from Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy. Noah Shaw from Mara Dyer trilogy.

39. Favourite fictional villain? 

Um. Can't think of one at the moment. Alice Milthorpe from Prophecy of the Sisters?

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?

YA books and fun chicklits, and a journal.

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading. 

A month or two, when I'm writing a novel/book draft.

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.

Fifty Shades of Grey. Lord of the Rings. Jane Eyre.

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

Movies. Writing projects. Work. Twitter.

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?

Harry Potter series. I think they're really fascinating and stay true to both story and characters.

45. Most disappointing film adaptation? 

Twilight and the Hunger Games. Personally I feel they're bland and my reading experiences differ greatly.

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? 

700ish. Can't really remember.

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? 

Always, when I receive the package or just bought it home, or before reading it. I skim the first few pages, the ending, then the middle parts.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?

Work. Sleep. Work. Writing. Movies. Distractions. Life.

49. Do you like to keep your books organized? 

I used to. But I moved and some books were relocated, and now they were scattered here and there.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? 

I sell the ones I don't like and keep the ones I love.

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?

Heavy literature and horror books.

52. Name a book that made you angry. 

Fifty Shades of Grey. Ugh.

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?

The Fault in Our Stars, my very first John Green book. Divergent and Insurgent. They're brilliant.

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?

How We Met and other stories by David Levithan. I thought it'd be like the Lover's Dictionary, but it's not.

The Incorrigible Children series. Alice in Wonderland. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?

Shopaholic series and Alexandra Potter books. Sweet Valley.

Day 9: photos that I took

I've been neglecting this blog for weeks, both intentionally and unintentionally. Been really busy these couple of weeks, so I apologize for any unreplied messages, ignored posts and unresponsive behavior of any kind.

Regarding my MEME challenge, yes I haven't been able to continue writing. Therefore rather than not finishing what I've started, I think I'll begin again, slowly this time. Whenever I have the time, I'll continue my MEME journals.

The next topic on the list is a photo that I took. I haven't taken lots of pictures recently, and I am not a very good photographer, even if I do enjoy photography and art. I've been on a trip to Taiwan recently, so I'll be posting some pictures that I took with my phone.

This is Shihlin Night Market, one of the most popular night markets in Taipei. A friend, Jean, told me that there are three popular night markets there, one famous for food (Gongguan, if I'm not mistaken), one famous for little knick knacks (Shihlin), and another famous for fashion.

Even though I only have one night to spend in Taipei, and I'd rather spend hours on an Eslite bookstore (where they film Au Revoir Taipei), I enjoyed Shihlin night market a lot. It was such fun to be on an overcrowded street, blending in with both locals and tourists. The smell of street stall food was in the air - we could have one of those red sticky round candies, or hot thick paste squid noodle soup. We could have barbecued beef or chicken or pork with sauce, and finish them off with refreshing frog eggs drinks (don't worry, they're not really frog eggs).

Shihlin Night Market consisted of long streets with lots of stores; trendy Korean style clothing, street stalls selling anything you could possibly think of, candies, snacks, food stalls.. it was so much fun roaming around, and the price range varied from downright cheap to really expensive.

The crowd started from around 6 in the evening and subsided when it got closer to 9 or 10. The market opened till midnight though, and it was such a hip place that everyone looked so trendy :)

Bargains: I got a French lounge music CD for only 2 bucks, some snacks and mouth watering food (loved the stinky tofu), a solar lucky cat stand, and my mom got a lime colored blouse.

Day 08 - a photo that makes me sad

Not going to post any photos here, but I will tell you a story about the photo that makes me sad.

Just flicking around the photos in my digital camera a while ago when I stumbled across the last one. It was of my family, on Chinese New Year around 4 years ago. My grandfather was on a wheelchair, not quite looking at the camera. He looked so frail and so old, it brought tears to my eyes.

He died 3 years ago. It was during the early weeks of Eid Mubarak, and I remember sitting on the hospital cafeteria, waiting. And then he was gone.

It was the first time a close family member died.

So when I looked at the photograph, I was constantly reminded of how it used to be, the trip we took to the zoo and arcade, the things he'd done when we were younger, the things he said, and the look on his face.

Day 06 - a photo that makes you happy

Photos of flowers, the sky, the ocean, lights, and Ferris wheels especially make me happy. So here's one from a website. I think it looks beautiful.

Out of every flower in the world, daisies are my favorites in a photograph. They look so spunky, energetic yet innocent. Not as elegant as lilies, not as beautiful as roses, not as strong as sunflowers, not as carefree as dandelions, but there's something so sweet and pure about daisies..

Day 06 - cerita mengenai langkah

Alkisah, ada seorang lelaki dan kekasihnya seorang perempuan. Sang lelaki terbiasa berjalan sangat cepat, langkahnya panjang, mantap dan tegas. Sedangkan sang perempuan, seberapa berusahanya dia untuk melangkah, seringkali tidak mampu sejajar dengan sang lelaki.

Suatu hari, sang lelaki dan sang perempuan sedang berjalan berdampingan. Sang lelaki mencoba berjalan lebih lambat, namun langkah-langkahnya yang panjang tetap menciptakan jarak antara ia dan kekasihnya. Sedangkan sang perempuan mulai tertinggal di belakang.

Sambil memandang ke depan, sang perempuan mendadak berhenti berjalan.
Sang lelaki menoleh ke belakang, kecewa karena perempuan itu berbuat demikian.
Sang perempuan hanya ingin tahu, apakah lelaki itu akan menunggu atau terus berjalan menjauh.

Malam itu, sang lelaki bercerita mengenai kisah sepasang kakek nenek yang sudah tua.

Sang kakek berjalan dengan sangat cepat, sedangkan sang nenek berjalan dengan sangat lambat. Suatu hari mereka terpisah cukup jauh. Namun sang kakek terus berpikir.. "Dia pasti tidak akan berhenti berjalan untuk menemukan aku" dan sang nenek juga berkata dalam hati, "Dia tidak akan meninggalkanku, dia pasti akan memperlambat langkahnya dan terus menunggu sampai aku datang."

Sang lelaki berkata, kepercayaan adalah segalanya yang membuat mereka demikian. Dan sejak saat itu, sang perempuan tidak pernah berhenti lagi.

Day 05: favorite quote(s)

Saya seorang pengumpul quote. Kalau ada yang bagus, selalu saya tulis di status BBMlah, di FBlah, sampai punya buku sendiri khusus quote. Dari yang temanya persahabatan sampai cinta-cintaan, dan belakangan, hidup. Self reflecting. Cara pandang.

Smile, even though it's a sad smile, coz sadder than a sad smile is the sadness of not knowing how to smile.

Nggak begitu relevan, sekarang :)

Kalau dulu, beberapa quote favorit saya adalah yang bermakna khusus untuk saya, misalnya, love is a merry little elf dancing a jig, and then suddenly he turns on you with a machine gun. Nggak banyak temen-temen saya yang menangkap artinya seperti saya mengartikannya. Meanings to quotes are very personal.

Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakes - Carl Jung. Ini mengenai introspeksi diri dan pengenalan diri. Juga beberapa mengenai keindahan hati seseorang dan bagaimana untuk judge less, feel more, misalnya the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen by the eyes, but can only be felt with the heart - Hellen Keller.

Belakangan, quote-quote indah datang dari pujaan hati yang senang sekali membuat quote versinya sendiri, yang kadang lucu dan unik tapi sebenarnya sangat bermakna, kalau kita benar-benar menyesapinya.

Life is not perfect, so fill it with as many perfect moments as possible.

Waktu pertama kali di-SMS begitu oleh sang pacar, saya sempat bingung. Gimana, maksudnya? Tapi belakangan, bersama dia saya mengerti.. perfect moments have to be built. There are moments that we need to catch and make them ours.

Dan yang paling kami sukai - segala sesuatu indah pada waktunya.

:)

Day 04: Favorite book

Bolos sehari. Ga apa-apa lah ya, yang penting masih lanjut :) Favorite books sebenarnya banyak banget. Tapi yang dibaca di tahun 2010 dan benar-benar menyentuh hati cuma satu.

The Last Summer (of You and Me)
by Ann Brashares

Sebenarnya saya agak ragu dengan Sisterhood series-nya, tapi belakangan saya jatuh cinta setelah baca bukunya dan nonton filmnya. Bukan pada idenya, tapi seberapa besar pembaca bisa merasakan keterkaitan dengan karakternya. Dan menurut saya pribadi, The Last Summer ini adalah buku terbaik Ann Brashares. Saya belum baca buku terbarunya, My Name is Memory.

Kalau ditanya, saya suka baca buku seperti apa sih, yang lucu kah, adventure kah, yang chicklit kah.. jawabannya adalah, saya suka buku yang mellow. Buku mellow itu kayak apa? Ya seperti the Last Summer ini. Juga seperti Dogs of Babel. Seperti the Myth of You and Me. Nggak banyak saya menemukan buku-buku mellow yang bagus.. dan biasanya kalau menemukannya, saya akan betul-betul menyukainya.

The Last Summer adalah buku dewasa Brashares yang pertama. Dewasanya pun untuk kalangan 20an. Ceritanya mengenai Alice, Paul dan Riley yang tumbuh besar bersama. Alice adalah sang adik yang menggemaskan, cantik, lembut dan penyayang. Riley adalah sang kakak perempuan tomboy yang bekerja sebagai lifeguard di pantai, kuat, punya kepemimpinan tinggi, cuek. Paul.. laki-laki di rumah sebelah yang sensitif dan merupakan kawan baik Riley sejak kecil.

He had missed two summers. She couldn't imagine how he could do that. Without him, they had been shadow seasons. Feelings were felt thinly, there and then gone.... In some ways, she was always waiting for him.

Begitu dewasa, semakin Paul dan Alice merasa saling memiliki. Ketertarikan mereka pada satu sama lain makin kuat, sampai akhirnya mereka berpacaran tanpa sepengetahuan Riley. Dan Riley punya penyakit berbahaya yang bisa membunuh kapan saja.

It was the same beach, the same sun. The same shirt and pants. The same girl walking beside him. And yet somehow different.

Ini hanya cerita biasa. Tapi bukan juga cerita biasa.

Bahasanya sangat indah. Prosa demi prosa mengalir lembut, subtle, penuh makna, tanpa harus ribet dan berat. Setiap dialog punya arti di baliknya yang benar-benar bikin mikir. Alice dan Paul punya off screen chemistry yang bikin kita merasa.. how can two people feel like that about each other?

Day 03: Favorite TV Program

Baru hari ketiga, tapi udah hampir absen dan bolos satu entry. dan edisi hari ini nggak pake (s) alias plural alias banyak. Hari ini temanya: satu TV program favorit.

I'm thinking of a lot of programs, from the silly ones and cartoons like Upin and Ipin (love!), Doraemon, Dexter's Laboratory, Sailor Moon.. TV quizzes as Who wants to be a millionnaire, Family 100 (old times!).. and dramas like Sex and the City, House, Lipstick Jungle.

Tapi kayaknya hari ini saya hanya mau membahas satu: America's Next Top Model.

Kenapa?

It's fun! Nonton remaja-remaja berlomba-lomba jadi model, catfights and arguments, photoshoots, challenges.. Saya paling suka proses pemotretannya, dan waktu judging di mana kita bisa melihat hasil pemotretannya. Saat photoshoot mungkin terlihat sulit, tapi hasilnya kelihatan flawless. Dan sebaliknya.

And we're never sure who's gonna win. That's the best part.

Biasanya saya akan punya favorit di setiap season. Belakangan, kandidat favorit saya di season 13, Nicole Fox, menang menjadi petite model Amerika yang pertama. Dan lucunya, biasa favorit saya selalu masuk setidaknya Top 5 atau Top 2.. misalnya Natasha Galkina, Marjorie Conrad, Chantal Jones..

Marjorie

Season pertama yang saya tonton kalau nggak salah adalah season 6 atau 7.. I'm not exactly sure. Pemenangnya adalah Caridee English, dengan Melrose di posisi kedua, dan si kembar Michelle dan Amanda. Konsep pemotretannya high fashion, semua kontestannya berbakat, dan konflik 'domestik'nya juga berasa.

Chantal

Sejak saat itu saya menonton back to back episodes-nya di YouTube. Agak kecewa juga karena belakangan episode-nya semakin membosankan, dan kadang ada kesan judge favoritism seperti pada gadis Asia (yang sampai sekarang belum pernah menang ANTM), plus-sized model (Whitney, misalnya, yang menang walau menurut saya season ini kontestan Top 5-nya nggak menarik), dan beberapa orang yang seharusnya lanjut tapi tereliminasi.

Natasha

Tapi sejauh ini saya menilai para judge, terutama Tyra, cukup fair. I love her concepts, and even though she and the rest of the judges can get so quirky and corny sometimes.. it's in a good way.

And till today, watching the final runway never fails to give me goosebumps.

Day 02: favorite movie(s)

Berhubung saya cukup cinta nonton film, saya agak kebingungan memilih film mana saja yang pernah saya tonton dan saya suka setengah mati. Tapi rasanya, saya akan menulis tentang film-film yang sudah saya nonton beberapa kali dan sama-sekali nggak pernah bosan, dan sampai sekarang masih membekas di ingatan.

1. A Little Romance (1979) - Laurence Olivier, Diane Lane, Thelonius Bernard

Film jadul yang saya tonton di tahun 90an, di sebuah stasiun TV lokal. Masih teringat sampai belasan tahun kemudian, betapa saya suka adegan terakhirnya di mana Diane Lane dan Thelonius Bernard yang masih berumur dua belasan, berciuman di bawah Bridge of Sighs di Venice. Akhirnya saya menemukan DVDnya di Amazon dan sampai sekarang merupakan koleksi favorit saya.

Ceritanya mengenai seorang remaja Amerika (Diane Lane) yang tinggal di Perancis mengikuti ayah angkatnya, lalu bertemu dengan pemuda Perancis penyuka blockbuster (Thelonius Bernard). Karena karakter Diane Lane akan pindah ke Amerika, mereka berdua memutuskan untuk melarikan diri ke Venice. Menurut legenda yang diceritakan oleh seorang pria paruh baya (Laurence Olivier), sepasang kekasih akan mendapatkan cinta abadi saat berciuman di bawah Bridge of Sighs.

Kedua karakternya begitu hidup, dan cerdas. Mereka sama-sama berpikir, bagaimana di antara sekian banyak orang, mereka bisa menemukan the one? Bagaimana mereka yang tidak fit in dengan teman-teman sebaya mereka yang kekanakan, bisa menemukan seseorang yang benar-benar cocok?

Memorable quote: BINGO!

2. Titanic (1997)- Leonardo di Caprio, Kate Winslet

Masih ingat saya nonton film ini sekeluarga saat baru pindah rumah, dan setelahnya saya berbaring di atas kasur dan tumpukan koran, memikirkan betapa tragisnya kisah tersebut.

Romance yang dipadukan dengan tragedi epik semacam ini berhasil. Karakternya juga bukan hanya tipikal Romeo Juliet biasa. Setiap adegannya bermakna. Dan Leonardo di Caprio di sini ganteng sekali :)

Memorable quote: You jump, I jump.

3. A Moment to Remember - Son Ye Jin

Pertama kalinya sungguh-sungguh menyukai film Korea dan Son Ye Jin selalu menjadi aktris favorit saya. Ceritanya tidak terlampau dramatis, justru menurut saya sedikit whimsical dan sinematografinya indah sekali. Semakin ke belakang, karakter-karakternya semakin tergali, menunjukkan ketakutan terbesar mereka, apa yang menyakiti mereka, dan bagaimana mereka bereaksi saat panik dan ketakutan.

Endingnya juga dibuat menggantung - happy ending kah, walau kita semua tahu sebenarnya akhirnya akan tragis?

4. When Harry Met Sally (1989) - Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal


Lucu! Komedi romantis yang satu ini belum ada yang bisa mengalahkan, kalau menurut saya. Dialog demi dialog sangat manusiawi dan cerdas, karakter keduanya sangat natural dan chemistry-nya juga dapet (walau saya lebih suka Meg dengan Tom Hanks di You've Got Mail dan Sleepless in Seattle). Rasanya kita bisa mengerti ketakutan dasar dan perasaan keduanya, bagaimana rasanya mencari soulmate, kehilangan mereka, jatuh cinta lagi, suka tapi benci, man-woman friendship..

I have a good time watching this one, really.

Memorable quote: I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

Film-film lain yang saya suka, berdasarkan genre:

romance: Closer, If Only, Wicker Park, the Painted Veil, Forget Paris, Sleepless in Seattle
drama: the Reader, Juno
action: Minority Report, Eagle Eye, the Transformers (yang pertama, bukan yang kedua), Inception
foreign: (chinese) Painted Skin, A Time to Love, So Close, (japanese/chinese) Longest Night in Shanghai, About Love, (french) Love Me if You Dare
comedy: the Hangover

Day 01: favorite song(s)

Dalam rangka memulai hari-hari dengan MEME, maka inilah posting pertama saya, yaitu mengenai lagu-lagu favorit (karena memilih satu sangat susah, dan memilih beberapa pun harus dibantu dengan seleksi lewat iTunes) :)

1. One and Only - Teitur


Lagu wedding proposal yang sangat.. unik. Saking inspiratifnya lagu ini, saya membuatnya menjadi judul sekaligus isi utama song fiction saya dari seri Saya, Kamu dan Dia episode ketiga, di mana Laura memberikan lagu ini sebagai kado cintanya yang terbesar untuk si lelaki, yang akan melamar teman baik Laura.

Laura adalah seorang karakter yang merupakan hopeless romantic, sekaligus penyendiri. Dia kontradiktif - pembenci keramaian, namun rela berdesakan demi konser Coldplay. Tidak suka boyband, namun gembira alang kepalang saat melihat CD Kings of Convenience satu dolaran dari pasar loak. Dan lagu inilah yang dipilihnya, di antara ratusan lagu love confessions lain yang romantis.

I've been wishing on a star but I never could have imagined
I would land just where you are after all this lonesome travelling
Took one look in your eye, reached out to hold your hand
This is when I realized what I could never understand

Do you want to be my one and only love?

2. Shape of My Heart - Backstreet Boys


Mengalahkan puluhan lagu favorit saya dari band yang sama. Entah mengapa. Dan liriknya terasa begitu honest, begitu real, dan disandingkan dengan video klip serba biru, rasanya pas banget.

I'm here with my confession
Got nothing to hide no more
I don't know where to start
But to show you the shape of my heart

3. Hazy - Rosi Golan

Saking cintanya dengan duet Rosi Golan dan William Fitzsimmons dengan suara mellow keduanya yang saling melengkapi dengan sempurna, saya membuat satu playlist khusus di iPod yang hanya memuat satu lagu ini saja, sehingga lagunya berputar berulang kali sampai saya bosan. Dan saya jadi ingin belajar gitar demi memainkan lagu ini.

Liriknya pun sederhana. Seperti pertanyaan-pertanyaan inosen yang diajukan kepada sang kekasih, yang bersumber dari ketakutan terdalam dari diri sang penanya.

What if I fall and hurt myself?
Would you know how to fix me
What if I went and lost myself?
Would you know where to find me
If I forgot who I am,
Would you please remind me oh?
Cause without you things go hazy

4. She's My Kind of Rain - Ryan Cabrera


Versi favorit adalah saat seseorang menyanyikannya secara akustik, dengan gitar, sehari sebelum saya berangkat ke luar negeri. Katanya ini adalah lagu yang dinyanyikan Tim McGraw dan ditulis untuk istrinya, Faith Hill.

She's the sun set shadows
She's like Rembrandt's light
She's the history that's made at night
She's my lost companion
She's my dreaming tree
Together in this brief eternity
Summer days, winter snows
She's all things to behold

5. I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman

The kind of song played on weddings. Liriknya sederhana saja.. I will be here, no matter what. Itu intinya :)

Masih ada ratusan lagu favorit saya, sesuai dengan mood.. so I'm categorizing based on genre:

oldies and mushy songs: Have I Told You Lately that I Love You, (Rod Stewart), It Might Be You (Steven Bishop), Fallen

pops and mellows: Iris (Goo Goo Dolls), John Mayer, James Morrisson, William Fitzsimmons, James Blunt

lagu-lagu penyemangat: It's My Life/My Confessions (Glee OST), Imitation of Life (REM), Save Tonight (Save Ferris), I'll Be Alright (Anggun)

songs that remind me of you: When you say nothing at all (Ronan Keating), Don't know much (Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt), You're Beautiful (James Blunt), Vanilla Twilight (Owl City) and loads more

-dan inilah akhir dari posting pertama saya, untuk MEME-

30 days of MEME

Berawal dari blognya Marie Olive yang menganjurkan saya untuk ikutan 30 days of MEME.. idenya adalah menuliskan satu topik yang berbeda setiap harinya di blog, kurang lebih seperti 30 hari menulis blog *iya, secara rutin, nggak pakai lompat sehari atau lupa hehehe*

MEME sendiri adalah ide yang ditularkan. Dengar-dengar 30 days of MEME sedang booming di MP, dan saya tertarik untuk mencobanya karena:

1. Saya sudah terlampau sering menelantarkan blog.
2. Saya butuh alasan untuk menulis lagi, apa pun jenisnya.
3. Idenya menarik.
4. It's gonna be fun *and errrr, hard, too*
5. I'd like to be part of it.

Jadi, berikut adalah list MEME:

Day 01- Your favourite song
Day 02 - Your favourite movie
Day 03 - Your favourite television programme
Day 04 - Your favourite book
Day 05 - Your favourite quote
Day 06 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 - A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - A photo you took
Day 10 - A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 - A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 - A fictional book
Day 14 - A non-fictional book
Day 15 - A fanfic
Day 16 - A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 - A talent of yours
Day 20 - A hobby of yours
Day 21 - A recipe
Day 22 - A website
Day 23 - A YouTube video
Day 24 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 - Your day, in great detail
Day 26 - Your week, in great detail
Day 27 - This month, in great detail
Day 28 - This year, in great detail
Day 29 - Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - Whatever tickles your fancy

Sounds fun? Ikutan, yuk.