My Christmas

It was a lonely Christmas..a silent Christmas..with nobody but myself.
Kind of sad and horrible, right?
This is my first Christmas without my family around me.
I don't really want to talk about my Christmas because I will feel sad.
But really, Christmas is such a momentous celebration for everyone, the time when the baby was born, the baby that came to save us!
It's a time for family gathering, and It's a time to repent, it's a time for us to start everything all over again.
Back in my country, Christmas celebration might not be as special as it is in the United States or other Christian countries. Not all the family in Indonesia are celebrating Christmas, but in the United States, almost all the family are celebrating Christmas. Isn't that cool?
In the beginning of December, people have started decorating and shopping for Christmas!
I have never seen a house without a Christmas tree and decoration!
and I really love them..
:)
I wish I will have a white Christmas next time! it will be wonderful to see the falling snow during Christmas.
Moreover, Americans have many traditions during Christmas. For instance, the tradition of exchange gift. Everyone in the house will get Christmas gifts from the member of the family, also during the Christmas, people will have to eat pie.
It's kind of unique for me. I have always love American's house!
a nice, neat and good position. I hope I will own a house soon
LOL
again, Merry Christmas!
love,
lien

Time to write again!

Finally, finally, finally..
I got to do something this holiday! not wasting my time by sleeping and doing nothing:(
too bad so sad!
this is my first entry since last August.
I have been busy with school and my activities till i did not have time for blogging
I miss my past routine though.
Time really flies,huh?
It's been about four months since I arrived in the United States.
I have learned so much things and gained so much of experience within four months.
hahhahaha..you might doubt me! I will try to share about what I have learned about the life in the United States.
I think the people in the United States are unique, are't they?

anyway...Merry Christmas for everyone!
may the joy and peace of the Lord be with you guys always.

take care! see you soon in my next entry

HOMESICK

Making a call was the first thing stopped in my mind. I have to tell my family that I have reached Fresno because I believe they were worried about me. So I lent a phone to make a call to ce ria. She said she will be picking me up around 7pm. I was so glad. She is my hero, without her I really don’t know what I should do? Where should I go? How to get there? She picked me up and we had a dinner in down town burger restaurant. The burger was jumbo even I did not order the big one, as what people always say “everything in America is big” so do not order the large one, just take the regular size.

I could not wait to make a call. So I text ed them by using ce ria hand phone. I got to know that I have to pay a roaming if I send and receive a text message, and I have to pay if want to make or receive a call. Seem so materialistic right? We have to pay everything and the tax is around 9% for Fresno. I chose prepaid T-mobile and I did shop some foods in order to survive in few days. Back home, all I wanted to do was just call my family and ceku. I was so fed up because I could not get online as well. It was just so frustrating. It took a long time to get my number being activated and I guess I will not able to do that without my roommate hand. Thanks ce Reni.

With a desperate feeling, finally I called back home. I was crying because I just could not stand anymore. I never meant to drop my tears but it was uncontrollable, I was so happy that I could hear their voice from thousand of thousand miles away. It was just wonderful because I have been missing them even I just away for less than 3 days. Moreover, I miss ceku a lot. It’s hurt me because I can feel how far the distance between us. I did not call ceku, I just texted him because I did not dare to cry again. I have to be strong, cheering myself.

The next day, I went to church with ce ria and Hacer in the morning. That was great; because I could go to church once I reached Fresno. You know what? I realized how different America compares to Asia, from the living style, foods, tradition and many other things. But one thing I found the same is the church, where I found peacefulness in my heart, where I feel like I am home. Jesus is with me. I should not scared, I should not cry, I should be thanked Him because He always with me, I am not alone.

Ceku and Achin will be having on Tuesday. I prayed for them, wishing them all the best. Ceku called me that day after he came back from library. I was so happy. I think around 5 days after I arrived then only I could do video call with him. I feel like I have not seen him for 5 years! The first video call that we had was like a SPECIAL treatment for my desperation. How precious was the time that we had together! You know what? I wish I can meet ceku even for just a while right now. At least we still can see and talk to each other even for just for half an hour every day. Moreover, what I should do all the time is just say thank you to Jesus. We still can be together while we are apart. That’s good enough for me.

how precious was that time...

Alien da fresno

Finally I have gone through my first week in Fresno. I arrived on the 16th of August 2008. I was exciting, nervous; all the ridiculous thoughts were in my mind until today. Yet, still I could not believe that I AM IN AMERICA right now. Everything was like a dream for me, and now it’s true. When I stepped down my feet in San Francisco, I wanted to shout out to the world and to myself that AMERICA here I AM! I was carrying two big suitcases and 3 hand bags and I got to continue my last flight to Fresno. It was my first experience travelling thousand miles away from home alone. Spending more than 24 hours to reach the destination; sitting on the huge plane, waiting for the boarding time, watching and listening to the air FM, reading the purpose driven life, and talking to the person beside me. After been through all of that, something terrible was happened in San Francisco. We have to pass the strict security check and custom clearance otherwise we will never be allowed to enter United State. I even had to take out my shoes and my scarf to the boxes. Everything was fine, but my stuffs were split and it was heavy! I reminded myself not to forget to check my stuffs completely when I leave to make sure that everything was clear. this photo was taken in Nari ta Japan (the lonely me)

45 Minutes before my boarding time, I realized that I missed a folder of my important documents. OH my goodness, I was shocked and panic, how careless I am! I was telling myself not to forget my stuffs but still I left it out there. Realizing my carelessness, I quickly ran to the place where I left my stuff. There, I talked to the immigration officer and he tried to help me out of my trouble at the end. He called and checked my documents at the security office in the airport and it was there! My documents are safe *_* How lucky am I! I thanked God for letting me out of this trouble. I could board just in time to my last destination. An hour of trip me bring me to Fresno.

Do you know what my first impression to Fresno was? FRESNO is HOT! When I arrived it was about 104F which is almost 40C. It’s considered as one of the hottest city in California because it located in the valley of California! I felt like burning my skin under the sun light even when it was around 4pm. Ms. Linda is the one who picked me up in the airport. She is a volunteer for arrival assistance for new international students. I was so glad that when I walked out from the plane she was there waiting for me with her warmest smile. She hugged me and welcomed me to Fresno. Somehow I felt so bad that time because she helped me to carry my heavy suitcase. She drove me around the campus before she sent me to my new home.

I am home staying with an Indonesian American family in Fresno, my friend, ce inge is the one who found the house for me. The house is lovely, so does my room. I love it very much. I never expect to get that kind of lovely room. Everything is provided, furniture and even the rest room. It’s really good enough for me. My host, they are originally from the capital city of Indonesia, but they have been immigrated to America for more than 50 years. They don’t speak Indonesian with me, they speak English to me. It’s just occasionally I found out them willing to speak Indonesian with me, especially om ad. He never wants to speak Indonesian to me. But he is nice and adorable. That’s all I can say

the day i went away

It was on 15th of August, the day when I really have to say goodbye to my family and my friends. It was really a hard time for me. After I finished my exam and it was not a great exams! I had a barbecue with my friends in Subang and at that night we had say goodbye to Eric. I really HATE to say goodbye. I am wondering why there should be a farewell after a meeting. It's just really hard to understand. it's like a life and the death.
I just couldn't believe that finally it's the time for me to go. The time that i have waited for so long. I am going to meet uncle sam. After spending approximately 2 years in Malaysia, now i have to go to continue my study. The time flew like a blink of my eyes. it's just too fast!!
You know what? I was crying all over the time that night. I just couldn't stand anymore. I told myself to be strong, I forced myself to smile, everything is just the opposite! I AM WEAK.
After packed all my stuffs in two big suitcases and 3 hand carry, finally I was done. I wish I could spend those few worthy hours with everyone there. But I could not do so because most of them were having exams that day. It was just TOO sad.
so I spent my time writing letters and cards to my family and friends.
ceku was picking me up earlier because we wanted to have dinner before I go to airport. We had our dinner in Bondi. My favorite menu seems not delighted even it was! Because i had my dinner with my tears falling off. That was bad because I just ashamed my self. I am so childish!

No matter what i felt sad that time, messages were coming in to my phone and all the good bye and good luck wishes from many of my friends. That was really hurt me, because I was really not ready to say good bye. Lepi and tante told me that they would not sending me to airport because they have to prepare for the next exam. I was just so sad to know about that because I have not hugged tante before I leave Inti.

Even though I knew that they were telling lie, but i was just so tempting and I cried easily.
When I reached the airport, THEY WERE THERE! ALL OF THEM.
my friends from subang, all of my close friends in INTI. Everyone was there. it was around 27 of them.
Shu, Wisen, Fery, Chelsea, erna, Kitin, and Marco came from such a distance just to send me to airport. I was so happy and again i could bear my tears no more.
Lepi, tante, christine, meliana, dustin, arip, rio, nathan, edo, jerry, indra, iva, shu yi, kelwin, foo sean, setiawan, chin n also ceku...
EVeryone was there to send me off. I really thanked everyone for everything...
I was really touched. I can be strong because of all of you. Your support, help, care and many more!
I will never FORGET EACH AND EVERYONE THERE.
You are lovely. You are the best. I am so lucky that i have this precise CHANCE to know all of you.

Love u all.
wish me all the best in my new life in fresno.

Counting down

Another 14days left before I have to depart to the country of Uncle Sam. I AM EXCITED, but I just and I AM not sure whether i have ready to go or not!
There are so many things in my head:
- MY SOciology trial
( I don't care! no matter what, we have to win the trial. We have to fight until the end of the TRIAL! Because we come to win not to Lose the trial)
once the trial completed, I am sure that I will miss you guys.
thank you for putting so much effort in this trial..thank you for everything you guys have done.

- the coming of Final exam
I have not ready for my final exam..but I will do my best of it. I have to continue my preparation...


- MY FAMILY.
I AM MISSING them right now. I miss them all the time.
I can say nothing except I love you all.

-ceku
ceku...I WILL MISS YOU
huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuuhuhuhhuhuuh..let me cry..let me cry

-my Friends
lovely friends! I will never forget you guys. Thanks for being such a nice,charming,and caring people.
I will bring our memories until the end of the time.


-preparation to fresno
i hope everything will be on the right track even though I still have so much things to do!

and many...
many
many more ..

and when I have to say good bye

Just couldn't stand..I was crying so badly and still and I don't know how to stop it right now. 8 days being with them was really sweet and unforgettable. They just gone for few hours but I can feel how tough it is right now.
love you mom, love you dad, love u sisters..I will surely miss you all.
Thanks for everything.

have to prepare my self for tomorrow test..
see ya! huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu