I have met a friend today. An old friend whom I just met for the first time today. It’s quite funny, but we have been friends for about 2 years and today was our first chance to meet.

There was  nothing special but I was impressed by the patience showed to my sister, how someone could appreciate her. I had great time but I felt a little bit sorry for my sister because I had to leave her in my granny’s house.

And I hope this friendship will last long.

This is my first posting after I lost my love 3 weeks ago and I always thank God I will never lose my ultimate purpose in life, in Jesus.

I have no word and I have no more tears to shed. I have no more chance to see your face and to converse with you. I was so sad, but now I am glad. I believe Jesus has better plan than that I thought and wanted.
I always wanted to live to make her happy, but I am glad it’s not the ultimate purpose of my life. I almost found no reason to continue with my life, but I remembered that the ultimate reason of my life is Christ alone.
When I am weak then I am strong.
I let you go, granny. Only God and you know my real pain. But I need to continue living the life that still in my body.
I praise You, Lord for every tear and pain, for every smile and joy.
To live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:21)
Good bye, grandma. I will love you forever.

I am not only writing about my conviction and my faith on what I hold strong until now-the Christ. What I am trying to express is more of the principle I have in my life since the very first time I decided to live with the idealistic but realistic life. Many times it seems so weird for many people how I can still carry on with that idea or principle in my life.

I would never say I can’t in my life. I believe that nothing is impossible. But I always expect more and more from others. I find out that it won’t work, the One I can put my hope on is in Christ alone. As long as I am breathing, there’s hope for everything. Many times I can´t see it, but it’s there waiting for me to take it out from the bottom of the box.

I am realizing that I am broken inside and no one can help me but Christ alone. I am not afraid to confess it because fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free (Shawshank Redemption-thanks to be my new brother for sharing this quote with me). The broke pieces are not scattered everywhere because my Christ is still holding it in His hands.  Nothing is crystal clear for me now, but I know the One in whom I put my trust is greater than anything.

May be this is a silly and absurd or crazy conviction, many have long ago leave it behind but I tell myself to keep on the track I have chosen: to put my life and hope in Him alone.

What I am going to write down in the following post may be it’s not based on any theory and it’s a kind of stupidity the idea I want to share, but I just feel the necessity to let people know of my opinion why I don’t agree we put nuclear plant in Indonesia.

The news that draw my attention this morning when I check my RSS of the latest headlines is the earthquake in Japan. It was reported in BBC that 4 people died because of the disaster meanwhile many people are injured. Read the full news here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7454283.stm

The earthquake also triggered landslide that killed at least one people and buried many others. The phenomenon of the landslide triggered by earthquake usually caused by the liquefaction of the soil, that make the soil reacts like liquid and loss its shear strength. But it isn’t mentioned in the news of this phenomenon though I think it is the main cause of the landslide. Get more simple information of liquefaction here: http://www.ce.washington.edu/~liquefaction/html/main.html

And from Times, we can get an interesting article to survive a disaster (I haven’t finishedreading it yet): http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810315,00.html

What I would like to say is that the earthquake has caused a leak in some part of the nuclear plant. Though the people in charge said it will cause no contamination, still it will raise some alert in the community. As we also know that Japan is one of the countries that depend a great part of his energy demand from the nuclear, such as France that will export their technology to some countries in the Middle East.

The earthquake not only rattled buildings, but the waves propagate from the hypocenter is also dangerous because it contains a great energy that will be destructive. And for a nuclear plant with all its delicate parts, a crack or fracture in one part may produce a posterior disaster. But of course we know that the Japanese is famous for their technology and knowledge and also discipline and it is considered that they have taken enough precaution when they build the nuclear plant and the workers in the plant are highly qualified.

Let us now make a comparison with Indonesia. Just imagine that we had nuclear power plant and the earthquake had struck Indonesia. I am not telling we don’t have enough technology or we don’t have the qualified human resources. But if we really have the nuclear and with all the people in the surrounding and with all the limited knowledge we have, it will create a great panic and subsequently another disaster.

May be we can build the nuclear plant some dream of in part of Indonesia free of seismic activity. But still can we guarantee all the guarantee the Japanese give to the people? After all, they report no existing contamination, but who can really say that it is 100% safe, even it is in Japan?

We need to reconsider to produce “clean energy”. Meanwhile we keep learning, geothermal energy in the mean time promise a great prospect for some regions in Indonesia. It’s specifically located and it will be exhausted after some periods (for a quite long periods). Meanwhile we have something free to explore and exploit, I think we don’t really need the nuclear plant. After all the fission nuclear will be left behind when we can create the fusion nuclear (it’s a long term project that will involve hundreds and thousands of scientists around the world. But there is 99% possibility in any scientific experiment) So look around us and see what we have and make the most of them.

Please send any critics for this posting. I am just a stupid in this subject, but I do think I have my own un selfish reason and consideration.

Suppose that people will get boring with my posting about my last trip to Scotland month ago since I have posted some experiences I acquired during my vacation. Now I want to share the story of my trip to Loch Ness, the first reason that attracts me to visit Scotland (but firstly it is the nature of course, but then my sis told me the must be visited place is Loch Ness, we recalled this loch after we watched the Water Horse-I recommend this movie).

I took a tour to visit the Loch Ness, it was the Highland tour, of course just part of the Highland, but the most important is the Loch Ness. The start point is from Edinburgh. So at that Saturday, I woke up very early to catch the first bus from Dundee since I stayed at Dundee during my visit to Scotland.

When I arrived at Edinburgh, I tried to find the meeting point which is on the Parliament Sq. The first tour group I found was not the one I was in, what a shame, hahaha. But luckily the people were quite friendly and showed me to the right group I supposed to be in.

I was there half an hour early, so I had to wait for the bus that would take us. I took some pictures near the parliament square. Here they are:

After some time, the bus was there. I met the tour guide, who was very friendly and the persons who joined the same tour with me (I have posted the picture in the last story. You can see that most of them are India people and just one couple from Spain and another boy from Russia. But we did had a great time during the trip).

I don’t remember our itinerary, but I will post the picture in sequence of the itinerary of my trip. The first stop we did was here:

If I remember it is said that there is the tallest in the UK in this forest (please correct me if I make a mistake)

After about one hour in that great place, we continued our journey. We didn’t make any stop until we came to a village where we had our lunch there and of course some rest after hours sitting inside the bus.

After the lunch, we headed to the snow-covered mountain. The tour guide said it’s not including in the tour (but I could hardly believe him), he just did it because in the bus, there was one person who never touched snow in his life. So here’s the picture:

Our next stop was the Culloden Battlefield. The battle was a civil war between the Jacobites and the government at that time because the Jacobites wanted to put Stuart family, at that time was Charles Edward Stuart or more famous as the Young Pretender, to the throne of Scotland. If anybody wants more detail story, here’s the link: http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Home/, since I almost have no idea about this history, I just know it’s part of Scotland past and some kind of civil war.

But here are the pictures from the Battlefield:

After that we just headed to Inverness, the capital of the Highland. There is unicorn in the street and it presents pure and justice. We were taken to see some part of Loch Ness before finally we were dropped to our hotels to get some rest before we continued our trip tomorrow. But so sad I got no photo of the hotel, but just a glimpse of the village with a part of the hotel. It’s a nice hotel though it’s little bit old and the price was not very cheap, hahaha. It’s not expensive either.

I did took pictures with three India people. They are so nice, but why don’t they send me the pics we took together since I had given them my email? I think they lost my email:( We even had dinner together in the same restaurant. But guess what, we dined in the Indian restaurant, in the village in Scotland. Ohhhhh, since I couldn’t figure out what is the typical food of Scotland and didn’t have energy to continue looking for another restaurant.

I spent great time together with them and I do hope they remember once they met Indonesian people during their trip to Loch Ness. If by chance you guys come into my blog, I put our picture in the earlier posting. And for the rest, you can also contact me. How I wish I can contact you all again. But I wish you all good luck in everything you do: in your job as doctor, in the bank, as a student, computer programmer, etc.

I woke up early the next day after a good rest but because we had to get the breakfast before the bus came to pick us at about 9 or 9.30 am, I don’t remember. I liked the breakfast: bread with butter and jam and also some fruit and of course fried egg with some mushroom.

Our first destination in our second day which was also our last day was the Loch Ness. So bad we got no time to visit the Urquhart castle. It is my favorite after we saw the movie: The Water horse. My sister was the one who reminded me to visit Loch Ness and Urquhart when I prepared my trip to Scotland. I do hope one day I can go back there. But I got some picture from very far away of the castle, haha:

And then came the best part: The Loch Ness. We stopped there, felt the water and then we took the Loch Ness tour on boat. It’s an hour trip and it’s very interesting. But when the guide tour asked my opinion of the boat cruise, I just said it’s quite great but too short and he said I never got satisfied with anything, haha. I didn’t mean it, but I really liked the tour, so one hour is not enough for me. Just check out the pictures I took. Pay attention and you’ll find something in the pictures:

I think it’s enough for Loch Ness. I do really enjoyed my stay here, just for a very short time. After that we just continue our trip to go back to Edinburgh. But we did some stop during the drive. We passed through Ben Nevis. It has some legend, I don’t remember, but it’s about 3 beautiful princesses who was turned into mountain by a witch or some kind like that. It was so windy there and actually the group picture was taken in Ben Nevis. Here are the rest pics:

After Ben Nevis, we stopped at another Loch (we don’t call lake in Scotland). I don’t remember the name, but I have the picture here. It’s also a lovely loch, smaller than Loch Ness.

We did another stop to have lunch before we went back to Edinburgh. It was raining at that time and we just got wet because I broke my umbrella in St. Andrews and I had no umbrella.

The story has to end here. Two days are not enough to explore the indescribable beautiful of Scotland. But ir’s more than enough to feel the air and to meet new nice people. Oh, I prayed I can meet again with the people that spent with me during two days trip. And thank you for our great guide tour. I wish him all the best.

And I wish all of you whom I met during this trip the greatest adventure in your lives. God bless u all.

And that is our last picture for this posting: a famous bull which we saw near the restaurant in which we had our lunch before going back to Scotland. And we did a final stop at Stirling castle before we reached Edinburgh. But because I went there before and I did my posting earlier, I don’t write it down here.

I hope you enjoy my posting.

I woke up earlier this morning, had my breakfast and took the shower. Prepared myself to going to the airport. I said a short pray before we left the residence when she has just finished the breakfast with the other girls in our residence. At 8.45, the pastor called her and we went down stair with all the luggages.

Today, my room mate is going back to her country. My friend, Tatiane is going home.  She is now in the plane, her flight has taken off at 12:36. And I know she will be very happy at last she will meet again with her family and her boyfriend.

There are so many stories we have shared together during her stay here. We have gone through good times and bad times together. We have spent some wonderful times together and she is part of my family here in Madrid. Now I feel a little bit sad since I know I can’t see her, but I know I can still talk to her later (thanks for the internet and telephone).

We arrived at 9.50 am in the airport. Her pastor left us and we went inside with her. Patricia and I help her with the check-in. We had a small problem (sorry, but I think shame on some persons who don’t know how to treat others better) but thank God everything is OK. I have exercised a lot of patience during these couple weeks and may be God thinks I need to do more.

We said a prayer together, blessing His name for our lives and put in His name the life of Tatiane. We are so glad to know her as part of our residence during her stay in Madrid. I thought we would cry, but we just after finishing the prayer, hug each other and say good bye. No tears in our eyes. God, thank You because this is not a final good bye and that’s why we are not crying.

And she will start again her life there in Brasil. And actually she is the first Brasilera that has given me such a good impression. I wish her the best and I know we will see each other again one day. But now, I still have one month ahead to finish my course and the exams. May God help me to go through these all.

Good luck, Tatiane.  See you again one day. A hug from an Indonesia.

Now I am trying to remember the visit I did to Glasgow. I want to share here some of the things I enjoyed there and put some pics here like I use to do. And here is a map: http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/maps-full.html

Glasgow is not a very big city and I didn’t visit any castle there. I supposed that there’s no castle in Glasgow (Is there one in Glasgow?) The first thing I did when I reached there was to take a walk around the bus station. And then I found a Christian bookstore and as usual, I went in and ended up buying books there (I can’t live without shopping for clothes but there are two things that I can’t get rid of: chocolate and books. I don’t have a library at my house, but I have books that enough to read for a one full year and still some I haven’t finished after years in the shelf).

The next mission, wait I always have map with me when I travel alone, so this time the map was also in my hand. I took quick glance and I knew I must visit the cathedral. So I headed up to cathedral, on foot, and at last I found it. Not very special, like the most cathedrals in UK or Europe or Western I think (I don’t know about the architecture style so don’t ask). There is graveyard in the cathedral. Quick visit was enough and then I jumped to the next building: the museum of the religion (ups, I forget its name. Let me check it first). Ok, it is the St. Mungo Museum of Religion. One can find quite huge information of the famous religion in the world.

The next stop was the people’s palace and winter garden. But to reach the place, I went on foot so I passed through some “old and dirty” (in my opinion) part of the city. Again I don’t remember the name, but it some kind of market street with so many little bit disordered shops along the street. At last in front of me there was the green field and it was the Glasgow Green where the palace is.

I took a pause and enjoyed the scene and it’s quite interesting park for me. I entered and it’s free entrance. It is a museum and the exit we can go through the greenhouse (oh, it’s so hot there) with many plants that has been turned to a “cáfe”. I enjoyed the visit really.

Then I went out and took some pics there, especially the fountain that is outside the palace. It’s quite unique and I think it was made of clay (let me check it later) and took some rest sitting in a bench there. The weather was quite nice that day and I loved it.

After that I just headed back to the bus station, on foot. I couldn’t find the right way at first, but then I found people in the street to whom I could ask for direction. I didn’t have time to visit the University of Glasgow, but I passed thru a university,University Of Strathclyde. And below the photos of the city that I took. Enjoy the pics.

The second day after I spent couple hours in St. Andrews; I headed to Stirling. It’s because St. Andrews is not a big city and the weather was not quite friendly to me so I couldn’t spend time in the beach or somewhere outdoor like the golf course since St. Andrews is the city of golf. So I just decided to go to Stirling which is about 1 hour trip.

I reached there and the sky was clear. But my stomach was singing the old song. Well, I was hungry and fortunately I found my fav food during every trip I do: Mc. Donald. So I had my lunch there. After the lunch I tried to find my way to the castle.

What a day! The sky suddenly changed its color. It was cloudy. However, I was quite relief because though the way to the castle is up climbing, I didn’t get lost and I could find the place without any difficulty (after all, it’s not very complicated).

The first thing to do was to but the entrance ticket. After having the ticket, I headed to the castle. It was a guided tour, the price is including in the entrance. The guide gave some brief explanation for every part in the castle: the room, hall, wall, etc. It was quite interesting and though it was raining for a while, I enjoyed the visit.

And after the visit, I didn’t want to miss grabbing some souvenirs. So I left there with souvenirs in my hand and some photos I took. Directly from the castle I went back to the bus station to going back to Dundee.

And here are some of the pictures. I hope you like them.

God has made you so special and I thank Him because of you in my life.

I am so glad He put you in my life.

I know nothing can take away those we  have for each other.

I know there is nothing can separate us .

I know you are always there for me.

I know many smile and tears you have in your face, they are for me.

I know the love you have for me is true one.

But I am sorry many times I can be the one you want me to be.

I can make you proud enough of me.

I can give nothing to support you, but my prayer.

Nevertheless, I know and I am sure you also know this:

that you are one of the best sister and friend I have in my life.

I thank God for making you my sister.

I love you, sis.

May God keep you in His arms forever and take good care of you because you are precious both to Him and to me.

(to celebrate the 27th anniversary of my beloved sister-Linda)

I have promised to continue with the story of my journey in the 2nd day and now here I am. I won’t write it down in detail (since I also don’t remember all, hahaha)  but I will post some picture here.

So, when I left St. Andrews after I visited St. Andrews museum and enjoyed some nice snacks there, I headed to Stirling. It’s about more than 1 hour than St. Andrews. When I reached there, the very 1st thing I tried to find was the castle. But meanwhile I was looking for the castle, I felt hungry. Well, I thought it’s time for lunch. I located one of the place I like to visit during every trip ( fast food, hehehe) and I entered there for my lunch.

Finishing my lunch, I continued my journey to the castle. I didn’t know where it is. I wanted to find the tourist center to ask for the castle. But even I couldn’t find it. But there I saw it, the plank with the instruction to the castle. So I just followed them. It’s a little bit uphill but at last I reached the castle.

After  buying the ticket I entered the castle. It’s castle in the rocky hill. We had guided tour (it’s free with the ticket. No need to pay extra for the guide). He explained the story that happened in the castle: how it was once a fortress, holding soldiers there but also long ago it’s a palace/castle (well, it’s castle after all). I enjoyed the tour. Inside there is also a museum.

But the thing that attracted my attention is the view from the castle. We can have a wide view from the castle.

I think I can finish this part here since I only visited this place in Stirling.

I will continue with some short posting of Edinburgh and Glasgow before I continue to Loch Ness (yea, the nessie, hehehe).