This city succeed made me eating DURIAN gracefully without any complaint about the strong smell or you-called-want-to-puke-expression in my face! After 27 years living in this world and never ever ever know enjoying the durian taste, in this city, Medan I learnt it. And it's such an OH moment for starting my 2017 year.

Medan, the capital city of North Sumatera, Indonesia has a ton of great food list of places, especially if you are an Indonesian food lover and dare to explore local food taste as a part of your travel experience. Below I summarize just a few of them. Because there are still plenty places that never enough to fulfil my (especially my hubby) desire of the lovely taste of local Indonesian cuisine in Medan.

Thanks God, born as Indonesian, I'm not finding difficulties to enjoy every food at my country. The more I travel abroad, the more I praise and proud for the richness of Indonesian culinary compared to other countries. Sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, salty, all we have here in Indonesia. And once again thanks God you make me as an omnivore (literally) because I love e-ve-ry food. I never get trouble for the spicy things or whatsoever. I just love food, any food. I am not vegetarian. I am not doing clean eating. So I can enjoy the food for whatever it looks and whatever it likes.

So!

These are the culinary highlights of my Medan holiday:

1. Mie Aceh Titi Bobrok
Jalan Setia Budi No. 17 D, Sei Sikambing B, Medan Sunggal
I ordered mie aceh kepiting (crab) that only cost me below IDR 20.000. The crab is not that good quality, my husband said it was not fresh. But hey! What do you expect from 2 bucks of food? For me it was still delicious.
Spicy but fresh that simply enough to be the reason why I am being a fan of mie aceh. Aceh is not an area in Medan. It is another province in Indonesia, still in Sumatera, but I've found an Acehnese wrote a blog that said "I eat mie aceh in every corner in Aceh, but the best for me I found in Medan instead."

mie aceh kering

Noodle served with 2 ways, your choice; basah (wet, not soup-so not really dried-but also not in soup form) and kering (fried, dry). Served by seafood or meat with emping (belinjo crackers), sliced onion and cucumber.
And I finished more than 5 sticks of sate kerang (scallop satay) by my own. In Medan, the side dish, scallop satay is easy to be found anywhere. Oh and this warung, the sate kerang is the best as well!

finally I finish this full plate by my own

2. Ucok Durian

Jalan KH. Wahid Hasyim No. 30-32, Babura, Medan Baru

This place is totally HEAVEN for durian lovers, you can get your durian anytime, they open 24 hours. With only IDR 40.000 per durian (price depends on seasons, better ask the price first) we can get the best quality durian and can change it with another if we are not satisfied with the taste for free.

size of boxes and the pricing

They also can pack it smells-free so you can conveniently carry it around and bring back to your house (err, but I don't think it will last longer without the ice for the long flight, haha). I bought and send a box of durian for my parents in Jakarta. In collaboration with Pos Indonesia, they can send your durian package to any cities in Indonesia within 24 hours. Very express and time efficient! Ah they also have pancake durian which in fact the durian wrapped by a thin layer of crepe. So the durian is seed-free and looks neater to be enjoyed. Because having them chilled is taste better! The frozen pancake durian even can last for months.

my first time seeing husband do literally what in Julia Perez sing in her song 'belah duren'!

and his happy face after

a lot of press reviews, achievement and certificate as this shop decor

3. RM Sinar Pagi

Jl. Sei Deli No.2, Silalas

Woah, even while writing and sort the picture already make me hungry and wanna go back there! As a soto-lover, I'm madly in love with their soto. Soto is traditional Indonesian soup. In this small restaurant (don't imagine luxurious and proper restaurant, no air conditioner here, this is warung), you can choose Soto Medan between beef, chicken, or mixed with innards one. The one ingredients that make soto medan different with other soto is they put cummin (jinten) in it. The richness of coconut milk taste mixed with herbs and spices really lift the fragrance up with the brownish yellow of the broth color.
Saya benci makan jeroan, but here kenapa enak sekali dan saya suka. Especially the fried beef lung, omg parunya enak banget. IDR 25.000 per portion at the small bowl with rice. This place is very good for breakfast and no wonder by 3 PM they closed already. There is no slow service here, by the time we entered the warung, (without counter and we were still standing) the staff approached us and asked what we were going to order deftly! By the time we reached our seat, no need to wait for minutes, the food just came quickly. Woah we were impressed! No wonder our former Indonesian president had visited this warung makan.

4. RM Sipirok

Jalan Sunggal No. 14, Sei Sikambing B, Medan Sunggal

A lot of rumah makan available in Medan and this one is the good one. Sop sumsum-nya juara! Never read or heard the review from internet till our cousin who ever lived at Medan told us to stopping by at this warung. And amazingly we love it. They specialise in bone marrow soup. Open only from 10.30-15.00 daily. Unlucky me, I arrive close to their closing time and not so many menu left. By the time we arrived, all of the menu  they had directly serve without you order. Reminds me of how Padang restaurant served their food. No sop sumsum left, so we only get the sop daging (meat soup).
Plus the side dishes that I wasn't really familiar about consist of gulai daun singkong, tapi daun singkongnya entah kenapa ditumbuk, dihancurin gitu, sambal teri, dan daging bakar sambal bawangnya really gave unique taste on it. Don't judge a book by its cover, so don't judge food by its so-so presentation. Nothing special on your plate, only the bone marrow or meat clear soup di piring ala kadarnya. They said the soup served is here is traditionally from Sipirok area, daerah sejuk di kawasan Sumatera Utara. With a price range IDR 25.000 - 50.000, warung makan ini will enrich your senses of the outstanding taste of local food. Suck it up dude! (you know what I mean right? the bone marrow, hey...)

6. Lontong Kak Lin
Jalan T. Cik Ditiro, Madras Hulu, Medan Polonia (in front of SMA 1 Medan)


Sebagai pencinta makanann berkuah. Lontong sayur adalah salah satu pilihan saya untuk sarapan pagi. Lontong sayur is rice cake with gravy. Every region in Indonesia has their own lontong sayur form. What made lontong medan different is because they are putting tauco (fermented soy beans paste), the taste is unique. They also served lontong pecel (peanut sauce gravy) with a lot of condiments selections.
The nasi gurih, similar with nasi uduk (coconut milk steamed rice) was also good for breakfast. Ssstt, but my driver that drop us to this place said  "I prefer go to her ex-husband warung, taste better." Ups did I just hear gossip or what? Haha. So Kak Lin divorced and the ex husband decided to open the same warung as well (I believe it's from one recipe). However different hands makes the taste of the food different, isn't it? Then I replied "Who's is the ex husband name?" He answered, "Bang Iwan! next time you go eat at Lontong Bang Iwan, they are still nearby, just separated by a few shops but still in one same row!" Aha!


7. Manisan Jambu


It is preserved guava. Taste sour and make you instantly awake when you are sleepy. You can find this easily anywhere in Medan. Go to Jalan Mojopahit, there are plenty of souvenir shop there, including this manisan jambu. This is very nice for sour fruit lover!


8. Medan Napoleon
Jalan Wahid Hasyim No. 46/35, Sei Babura, Medan Baru
The puff pastry wrapped by sponge cake now is the hype here. With plenty selections of flavours, chocolate, cheese, matcha, durian, red velvet, this sponge cake seems will bit by bit will be the main rival of another popular sponge cake in medan, Bolu Meranti.
The cheese that I bought is taste so good served by Sumatra coffee. Wohoo. My all time favorite is Bolu Meranti, but after I tried Medan Napoleon now I should add it at my favorite list!
p.s: just stroll around Jalan Mojopahit, all the special Medan cake are worth to try. Bika Ambon Zulaika, Bolu Meranti, pancake durian -the best one they said is the one located at Durian House, teri bajak (dried anchovies), tauco, Sumatra coffee, etc.


9. Repvblik Kopi
This is a must coffee shop when you visit Medan. Forget about the not-so-nice latte presentation. But the taste of the coffee is the best. Or just me exaggerate about my first time having Sumatra coffeee? Tell me lame, but yeah. Sebagai pencinta kopi amatir, I fall in love with their coffee. They have good selection of the beans. All the beans are originally planted from Sumatera area. They roast the beans by themselves.  I can't stand for their kopi jantan too acidic for me. But the Sidikalang coffee is the must try. I will post separately about my review in this coffee shop.  I bought a pack and ask them to grind for me so me and my husband can enjoy it at home with my Bialetti Moka Express.


And there are still so many untried eateries I haven't tried. Seafood at Belawan, Pajak (Pasar-Market) Beruang, Tip Top, mie kari bebek, Misop Starband (they said this is the good one if want to try the Misop). Promise I will go back someday!
By the way, aren't you hungry reading this post?

Thanks for reading!
Horas!!!

He is still in the bedroom when I'm writing this after yoga by the pool and finish my morning swim. 

My lazy husband that always buy a lot of sports equipment but barely use it. So I keep encouraging him to take regular exercise which seems very hard for him. Now we are at our 4th day of holiday but  his is still in his lazy mood and don't want to be early risers.

My always "ngantuk Bun..." husband. Because he keeps repeating that sentence then fall asleep anywhere anytime. During his day off also, he can wake up by noon so we don't have so much time left to go  outside and take a walk.

My not-so-easy-to-be-pleased husband if there is related to food. Lucky me, since I'm marrying him my hidden talent of cooking awakens. Thanks God he never say my cook is not good. In fact when we eat at some places and I have a "delicious" score for the food, but it turns just "hmmm OK lah" for him. Maybe because he has ever experienced the better taste from the food he eat before, so just "OK" is more than enough!

Till yesterday I ask him.

Nda: Why you never said my cooking is "hmm OK lah", when I ask is it delicious or not?

Seto: It's always good and delicious though!

N: You are not telling because you are scared I will be mad after, haha  

S: No it is not! 

N: But I believe you've tried better taste for every food I cook for you, am I right? Idk, maybe Ibu's cooking?

S: You are not cooking what Ibu cooked (-of course because I can't haha). The sop buntut, tiramisu, oseng tahu tempe, gulai. So I can't say. But the rest like sambel teri kacang, sop ayam, sayur asem it is on the same level of delicacy. 

Almost the end of January 2017.

365 days had passed.

What did I do last year?

Do I become a better person?

Do I meet my expectation?
How's everything going?
What's good... What's bad?

To be easy, let's start with the highlights of the year:

1. Maldives Anniversary Trip

5 days. I tell you guys, that was not enough! The pace of life became slower day by day. The one that you need is just pause from your life...

No wonder another guest was spending their 20 days, even more there!

We stayed at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and experienced the short visit at Four Seasons Explorer. Hope will stay someday at another Four Seasons Maldives property, Landaa Giraavaru. And definitely Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll. 

The last is their recent newly opened property. Wow, 4 Four Seasons at Maldives!

2. Joining Yoga

At the end of February, my scorpio sissy, Lucia invited me to join her recent yoga class, Hom Yoga at Orchard Central. I can not believe even till now,  I still consistent practising there.

Just 1 thing that keeps me wonder, where is my peacefulness and calm? I envy those people that can instantly manage their anger and reach the better quality of life only doing yoga. Or am I the one that couldn't implement asana in my daily value of life? Anywayyyy, keep practising, it helps me a lot controlling my breath (and my mind).

3. Completed The 30 Days Yoga Challenge

Began it with full of doubt, I was convincing my self that I can do it! Yeaaaayyy!

The effect was amazing. I gain my arm muscle, ha! My body is leaner now. Bye fat!

Oh still, the fat in my belly is not that easy to get rid off.

4. Bangkok Trip

Twice I went to Bangkok and never satisfied. Bangkok is huge! And there is always lack of time to visit all the iconic places. The shopping thingy, the food, the cafes, the massage. Check out my writing to help you arrange the itinerary. 

5. Korea, I'm in Love

Started by liking their beauty product and brand, such us Etude, Innisfree, The Face Shop. Then, it was escalated quickly by loving their drama and movie. The Kdrama! OMG! Untill now I completed:

Descendants of The Sun, Signal, W, Hidden Identity, Cheese in The Trap, I Can Hear Your Voice. I'm currently watching Another Miss Oh, Goblin, Legend of The Blue Sea. After watching the drama. I started liking chapjae, chicken galbi, Korean BBQ, champong, Samyang ramyeon, bingsu, errr. I went to Yoogane, Korean dessert shop. Till i decide to go to watch a movie, Train To Busan!

Who should I blame for? Gita Utari.

Without her, I will not hooked by Capt. Yoo Shi Jin and watching the series.

That is totally true! Kdrama is my ultimate stress medication.

6. TCC (Trying To Conceive) Program

From TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Easecox under garment, herbal-cupping-accupuncture-massage therapy to doctor-medical treatment. In sha Allah. Keep pray for me, fellas :)

7. Khatam Al-Quran in 30 Days
Terima kasih Ingkan Paramitha, without you, mungkin entah kapan gw bisa khatam Al-Quran. This is my first khatam for 26 years live in this world. Alhamdulilah, and tidak berhenti sampai disitu, the most difficult part is making read Al-Quran as our daily routine. Dan saya bersyukur tahun ini I made a little movement.

8. Started NAMAZAHRA

180 degrees change from a 100% career women to be the full time housewife who run home based online clothing business. Thank you for my great husband who supports me as always, especially when he pays all the capital for me, aha.

9. Joined Women of Haya

I'm meeting Kat, a gorgeous mothers of 4 who open my eyes not to feel different than the others. Terlepas dari pakai hijab ataupun tidak. All the things we've been through is a journey. The journey to become the better one. The process. And the process is different between one to another. So grateful for those yang sudah menunaikan kewajiban sebagai wanita muslim sesungguhnya lebih cepat. Hope a little by little I'm getting closer to it.

Hidayah itu dijemput, bukan ditunggu gitu aja ! -Tari Prabowo

True! Karena kalau ditunggu doang, gak akan tau kapan datangya. Dan bisnis NAMAZAHRA, adalah salah satu cara saya for getting close and surrounded by those of people.
More story about the journey is here.

10. Sometimes Your Circle Decreases In Size But Increases In Value
2016 is on of my learning year about friendship and relationship with people. I've been through some circumstances that taught me:
- The number of years you've knowing each other in relationship (especially friendship) doesn't guarantee you will have the same amount of understanding as your number as you expected.
-  At the journey of friendship, an old friend that know you very long time sometimes is not a friend that really know who you are, but friend that come in the middle of the way is. They come and understand about who you really are, share the same vision and can transform you to be a better person, I have a few of them.
- Blood is not always thicker than water. There are some issues who will reveal that blood is not always circulating as its way. Family who you expected can comfort you by respecting you as they should sometimes doesn't understand that point and keep being ignorance without realising there is a people behind that feel uncomfortable for what they are doing.

11. Ignorance is Needed Sometimes

Definitely! There are a looottttt of circumstances that just need to be ignored. The problem is, I am not an ignorance person. Ha! I keep paying attention with everything till all the single details. So there is a moment when make me uncomfortable but I keep thinking about instead of ignore it (yah bawaaan umur juga ya, masih berapi-api) . I'm totally that sensitive. Oh let's begin the journey of #nobaper2017 haha.
Just let it go, however when you hold it, it will hurt you more.

***

So there are 11 points above summarize my 2016 year. Feel less gloomy and more colorful compared to last year. Yeay. In sha Allah another chance to live better and better has come.

***

Here are below my countdown with my friend, Nabilla at Marina Bay area while hubby was working (as usual, hiks).

this is the crowd, so me and Nabilla look for another less crowded seating area

Those who wanna feel different experience can sail along the way Singapore river with this boat. I'm not sure but I think this is under Singapore River Cruise. They were yelling Happy New Year over and over from the boat.




Satu yang saya rindu, I miss blowing the horn. OMG, kenapa di Singapore ngerayain tahun baru gak berisik? Kemana sih abang-abang penjual terompet?

***

Wish this year bring a lot of luck and joy for all of us. Thank you for reading.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017.

Senang rasanya saaat mengalami serendipity, menemukan sesuatu kejutan yang menyenangkan saat kita tidak berusaha mencarinya. Bermula dari lelahnya saya dan suami setelah sore-sore usai belanja beberapa kebutuhan groceries di pusat perbelanjaan serba ada yang buka 24 jam, Mustafa Shopping Centre (asli ini apa aja ada loh, 'sabar' doang yang saya pernah cari tapi gak ada, kalau ada saya mau beli nyetok yang banyak, soalnya sabar saya sering habis). Haha... Anyway, lelah dan panasnya plus ngantuk membuat suami saya bertanya,

Dengan kapasitas yang mungil, mungkin hanya bisa menampung sekitar 20 orang dengan seating indoor dan outdoor. Kafe ini cukup cozy dihiasi dekorasi unfinished industrial minimalis yang diseimbangkan dengan bunga-bunga rustic (they put some dried flowers at some spots) yang bikin suasana jadi warm yang mendukung pilihan yellow lighting that really create the cozy ambiance. Ruang kecil namun jauh dari kesan sempit, karena  kaca transparan besar dengan meja dan kursi bar panjang yang menghadap ke jalan utama menampilkan ilusi ruang yang lebih luas daripada luas ukuran ruang sesungguhnya. They are good with interior design thou! And this kind of style I think it's a collaboration between female and male taste, hmmm aren't they a couple owned this place? 

Langsung masuk dalam listing favorite kafe kopi saya di Singapore. *wink

Flat white menjadi kopi suami saya sore itu. Bemacam kopi pilihan dari Sumatra, Kenya, Brasil, Kolombia, dan Ethiopia hasil roast dari Nylon Coffee Roasters menjadi andalan Old Hen dalam menyajikan secangkir kopi mereka. Hmm, nampaknya kata "cangkir" kurang  lengkap untuk menggambarkan sajian kopi ala Old Hen Coffee Bar ini. Karena mereka juga menggunakan kopi yang dikemas dalam botol dan disajikan dingin alias cold brew cofee. Kopi seduh dingin yang membuat tampilanya seperti minum bir, haha. This is my current favorite, since I know they are serving the cold brew coffee, I never order hot coffee anymore there.

Dan tidak hanya kopi tapi juga they also serve Valrhona cocoa brew dengan bentuk botolan, kalau lagi panas-panas lalu minum coklat dingin ini gak kalah sedapnya. So for those yang enggak suka kopi tapi mau nongkrong disini try their cocoa. Ohhhhh chocolate... Harganya juga yang reasonable dengan coffee price range SGD 3 - 6.5 paling mahal untuk cold brew creations mereka.

Ahhh dan yang paling saya suka adalah kafe kopi ini buka hingga pukul 22.00 on weekdays. Such a relief. Since my 2 another coffee shops closed by 18.00. Hiks. Padahal dari jaman saya dan suami pacaran dulu kalau dating ke coffee shop kita selalu pulang kerja, even ada coffee shop yang buka hingga jam 00.00 dan 13.00 di Jakarta loh. Gara-gara sering nonkrong dan ngopi sore di sini. Saya dan suami niat banget sampai cari tau harga sewa apartemen yang terletak di atas kafe kopi ini. Yes, enak banget kalo tinggal di gedung ini, mau brunch atau ngopi sore tinggal turun ke bawah, hehe. Dan yang paling penting dekat dengan stasiun MRT (Farrer Park) yang juga walking distance. Very convenient.

Another plus point for tourist, this air conditioned coffee shop located near to Mustafa Shopping Centre provides free wi-fi. Yippie, pas banget kalau habis belanja oleh-oleh segambreng yang berat-berat, jalan kaki ngadem sambil Instagram-an disini. And yes, their interior, food, coffee, and all their details are really Instagram material. The one the I can not resist, the natural light! Datang ketika waktu brunch dan sore hari, the sun is shining just perfectly through the glass wall. Never tried their food except their delicious banana cake, but I think they are also good, aren't they?

Thank you for reading and bottoms up your cold brew coffee!

Spending my last weekend at Women of Haya (WOH), Singapore on last 5-6 November 2016 gave me a very amazing experience. From doing my first flea market, be one of the speaker at the sharing session, until have my own fashion show.

Let me introduce you about Women of Haya, an event which supported by Brunei Islamic Fashion (Bifash) founded by a tough mother of 4, Katijah Aziz. “Haya" means modesty in Islam. The vision is creating a platform to connect not only about Islamic fashion but also deliver the good message and thoughts about women and family, business and entrepreneurship through Islamic point of view in Singapore. Beside the flea, this 2 days in a row weekend full of sharing session, music performance, and the fashion show itself. The sharing session is the most interesting part for me. Because so many story I heard that can encourage me to be a better person. The speakers come to different background,  from housewife, business woman, blogger, actress, lecturer to business owner. A lot of positive things  we can hear from them.

Before the event even starts I have a lot of thoughts and work to do.

From doubts questioning my self, like:

How I fulfil my last minute equipments from rack clip, paper bag, business card, etc?

I should ship my stuff to another country, how to make payment process?

How I fill my stock for the event?

How if barang yang dijual gak ada yang laku?

How will I perform my english in my first international public speaking audience? Will people listen to me when I am on the stage?

I need iPad as my marketing collateral so I can place my digital catalogue and show to my customer. But I don’t have any. Who has and willing to lend it to me?

How to get rid of the clothes wrinkle and steam all of them when I don’t have proper steamer? 

How to showcase my collection if I don’t have any mannequin?

Who will help and support me through the event since I only have 1 friend to help, and I got nobody to support. How if just incase she is sick and under any circumstances can’t make it, will I be alone?

How if nobody interested to buy the fashion show admission?

And until to these 2 most important questions, 

How if gak balik modal?

And what is going to be the public opinion when I’m trying to sell something modest but I’m not even covered up yet, have personal life far away from modesty in this kind of very modest event, surrounded by very moslem people and society, most all of the women here, from organisers, exhibitors, and the visitors, are are covered up, will they judge? (I have bitter experience with my friends on how they treat, underestimate, and discredit me only because I’m different with them)

After these long questions list, i find the answers:

Lucky me I have my new friends who willing to listen my dazzling stories and and help me with the enquiries (thank you Kak Tina and Nabilah, Ardin, and Meity)

My mompreneur friend is willing to share and teaching me step by step to create PayPal account so my online shop is nicely set up (thank you Cindy).

My friend flew along the way from Jakarta to Singapore and make time and space to put my stock and gave it to me (thank you Adeline)

Alhamdulilah dagangannya laku.

People do listen the sharing session, they kept their attention to the stage, I notice some of them even taking pictures and record that.

I get my iPad from my friend at very long way before the event so I have more than enough time to set up (thank you Helen!)

Dipinjemin steamer proper punya tetangga sebelah (plus dibelikan kopi pula) juga, so my clothes are wrinkle free. (thanks Kak Rina and Kak Yana)

After nyari mannequin kemana-mana and I can’t manage to have one, tetangga booth sebelah ternyata punya, her booth space udah kepenuhan jadi gak bisa pajang mannequin lagi and I can use it for mine for free (so there is no additional cost for me, thank you Amalina), that is cara Allah bikin mannequin yang hampir saya beli pada H-1 sebelum acara yang tinggal berangkat ngambil ke lokasi eh tapi ternyata sold out. Allah knows my tight budget but still insist want to get mannequin (yang pada akhirnya juga gak bisa dibeli karena udah last minute) sampe di tegur sama suami sendiri karena dinilai trying too hard to be perfect (perfectionist is my middle name nampaknya ya). 

Preparing many things from printing marketing collateral to have the long list of miscellaneous yang makan biaya (padahal dagangan laku aja belum tentu), sampai nahan buat gak jajan dan ngeluarin uang sepeserpun walau tergoda isi dagangan booth tetangga sebelah demi kumpulin uang buat balikin modal.

My one and only available friend is really available, she accompanied me the past 2 days, bring her nephew to help and the entire family to come, her sisters also to shop (thank you Dilla). 

An Italian best friend of mine (my scorpio sissy) bring another friend came and surprised me and shop without any bargain (thank you Lucia and Candida). They don’t mind coming to the Moslem event when they are becoming the most stand out person at the crowd just for supporting me and NAMAZAHRA. They gave me the support that I reaaaaaallllyyy appreciate.

Fahion show is running smoothly and the limited seats are full.

Sales was good considered as a first timer the most important that always my husband said and haunts me is alhamdullilah is not to be lost. Some collections are SOLD OUT !

Nobody judge me because I’m not wearing hijab, I make friends with them instead, and they are sending their prayer and encourage me to be one someday. I’m meeting my moslem hijabi friends from all over the world, Malaysia, Turkey, French, UK, Brunei Darussalam (even the founder of Bifash, Mia Suria shop at NAMAZAHRA, and get the networking with them.

A little story before I start NAMAZAHRA, my niat is not only for trading. But I have vision to get closer with my belief as moslem. That is why I choose Kaftan as my signature collection instead of day to day casual clothes yang padahal pasti making more sales than clothes like kaftan yang only occasionally dipakai. So I can target my market, yaitu Singaporean melayu yang most of them wearing hijab. And surrounded by cycle of people like them. Because you are becoming like with who you are mixing with.

Somebody who wears hijab ever said to me a bit offensive when I post my picture I play with a dog here (from banyak post about me and cat she never bother but a post about dog drive her crazy)

“Nda, lo itu hidup di negara yang bukan negara yang moslem majority, cuma ingetin aja bahwa semoga lo bisa jaga diri!”

And I just can say thank you to her. Without her knowing, even though I’m not living in moslem majority country. But this country give more tolerance between all the religions here. The multiracial part. Semua negara ada, Semua bangsa dan agama ada. We mix culture in daily dan menghormati sama lain.

Di negara yang bukan mayoritas muslim ini, saya justru belajar untuk mengerti tentang muslim yang sebenarnya. Maybe I will not do the same if I’m living at Jakarta. Maybe I will never thought about bring up kaftan as the moslem attire to be my business (secara udah rame ya bok disana, banyak saingan). Maybe I will not join moslem event like Women of Haya and get surrounded by moslem society and have friends with this kind of person.

Di negara yang bukan mayoritas muslim ini, saya justru belajar untuk menjadi "lebih muslim”yang walau hingga sekarang saya masih jauh dari sosok wanita muslim yang sempurna. So lucky for those all of you yang telah dikaruniakan hidayahNya dengan cepat. However hidayah Allah turun dengan cara berbeda-beda di waktu yang berbeda-beda, and this is my way menuju ke arah sana.

Living in a not majority moslem county doesn’t mean will erase your belief about your religion. For me personally, with or without hijab, people better not judge about other people, we will never know things that they had been through behind that. Hijab is more than the religion attribute. Your belief is inside your heart and planted into your soul. And the modesty that reflecting out from inside your self through your day to day thoughts, words, and deeds.

Thank you Allah, thank you friends (Vanya, Gita, Wirdha, Ingkan) and family for your support and prayer. Especially Kat, all the WOH team (special to Aishah who become my loyal customer and willing to be my living mannequin, because she is around and keep promoting my pleats pants), all exhibitors friends yang baik-baik kasih makanan, dan macam-macam bantuan. For my husband who put trust on me, being my source of my monetary funds, never complaint and always help me with my attention to detail thingy to prepare last weekend. I know all of you always be my biggest supporter.

After what I’m experienced, this answers are really teach me bahwa semua kekhawatiran manusia itu terkalahkan oleh yang namanya kuasa dan izin Allah. Semua bisa terjadi karena izin Allah. And I’m really grateful for that. Keep your positive mind, set your goal and mindset. Tetap yakin, berusaha, meminta, berdoa dan berserah. The universe will conspire to make it happen. 

In this situation I learn to keep and fill my mind with the positivity. From repeating my prayer affirmation goals words like:

Ya Allah, I need my mannequin, could you help me to get one? I really want the mannequin

Ya Allah, I’m new in this industry however I really wanna make this sold out, please help me

etc...

I keep repeating in my mind about what I want to get and achieve.

And I always believe in that. Sometimes something seems impossible at the beginning but Allah can easily turn it as and beyond you ever expected. Put our maximum effort and pray. We do the best, Allah do the rest.

In sha Allah. Amen.

Thank you for reading :)