Monday Off: Apple Pie

okay, it's Thursday already, but I still like to share what me n Bebe did on Monday; when the shop is closed n we have this Monday off for family day. But this time GC got to finish some of his motorcycle stuff at various garage in town, so we decide to make something for him to eat when he got home :)

I'm not the best chef in the world but I LOVE to experiment. so I went off blogging through food blogs n found some recipes. I was having difficulty about conversions. how many exactly is, 2 1/2 CUPS of flour? my last conversion-trial went with hard cupcakes x( oh well, so it was a trial-and-error conversion until now, I guess. And now I get a new recipe with a more comprehensive measurement (for me, at least):

pie crust ingredients (yeah I made it from scratch :))

• 500 grams flour
• 150 grams butter, cut them into small pieces n put them on freezer around 1/4-1 hour
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 4-8 tablespoon of cold water

directions:
1. mix flour, salt and sugar on mixer and set it on low speed. Add butter eventually. Add ice water 1 tbsp at a time, pulsing until mixture just begins to clump together. If you pinch some of the crumbly dough and it holds together, it's ready. If the dough doesn't hold together, add a little more water and pulse again.

2. Remove dough from machine and place in a mound on a clean surface. Gently shape into 2 discs. Sprinkle a little flour around the discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour, and up to 2 days.

3. Remove one crust disk from the refrigerator. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes in order to soften just enough to make rolling out a bit easier. Roll out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to a circle (I was using a 25 cm pie plate); about 1/8 of an inch thick. As you roll out the dough, check if the dough is sticking to the surface below. If necessary, add a few sprinkles of flour under the dough to keep the dough from sticking. Carefully place onto a pie plate.

And now it's the apple filling ingredients:

• 100 grams sugar (or less, if you don't like it too sweet)
• 75 grams flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 6 medium-sized apples, sliced into thin pieces
  
• 2 tablespoon of margarine

direction:
1. Heat oven in 180 °C (I was using a convection oven and set all heater - upper n lower) for 15 minutes.
2. mix sugar, flour, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon and salt.
3. Insert apple slices, mix

4. Add filling to the pie

5. Roll out second disk of dough, as before. Gently place onto the top of the filling in the pie. Pinch top and bottom of dough rounds firmly together. Fold the edge of the top piece of dough over and under the edge of the bottom piece of dough, pressing together. Flute edges using thumb and forefinger or press with a fork. Score the top of the pie with four 2-inch long cuts, so that steam from the cooking pie can escape.

6. Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes or until the center seems set.

7. Allow to cool (difficult part, huh :))

8. Enjoy! :)

While baking, Bebe couldn't wait to taste the pie n I asked her to take a nap. After taking a good 2 hours nap, the apple pie is already cool down n ready to eat! I was just realized that it is a HUGE apple pie and wonders how can we eat it all. At least now I got a menu for a tea party with friends, or maybe for Carpe Diem Tattoo Studio's 3rd anniversary party next November! :)

You are only as big as you think

While waiting for a consulting appointment at the studio, I was blog walking and find someone very inspiring.



Mark sang RHCP's Soul to Squeeze in the other video. It is a beautiful song, with beautiful lyric. I tried to keep up singing with Mark but somehow I can't follow him singing. I was burst in tears. He is so radiant and grateful for what he has n don't stop struggling for something he loves: music. Here goes his biography I've found in Big Toe official website:

Mark Goffeney frequently performs and speaks at schools and various organizations promoting independence, self acceptance, and diversity.

Mark Goffeney is a native San Diegan whose talent and ambition have helped him to achieve ongoing success as a performer, speaker and television personality.

Mark has been recognized for his work internationally and was nominated for an Emmy award in 1998 for his principal role in the Fox Network commercial, “Feet”.

Born without arms in 1969, Mark was raised to see himself as an equal in society and to value independence. With these values instilled, Mark was soon noticed by several charities and by 1973 had become a Poster Child and principal; fund-raiser for both the Variety Club and March of Dimes. For the next decade, Mark co-hosted hundreds of telethons working side by side with celebrities including Monte Hall and Kathy Lee Gifford. By 1981, Mark was credited for having raised over 6 million dollars for children’s charities.
He has appeared on Real People, the Mike Douglas Show and Regis Philbin.

Mark's band Big Toe appears nationwide, and Mark often travels solo to Japan,. Korea, Germany and the Netherlands. Mark now is also playing guitar with Alice and the Cooper gang, an Alice Cooper tribute band.

From other readings I also found out that Mark was raised in a musical family and started his music at age nine with his handicap, played trombone before he picked up a four-strings guitar as a start. wow.

And something gets me curious is the tattoo he has. I noticed his left-foot tattoo in a video which shoot his feet playing guitar. It's a design of gunungan, a tree of life in Javanese culture which is used in shadow puppets shows, and also regarded as a physical manifestation of thankfulness. It has a deep meaning, which suits Mark perfectly. I wish someday I can have conversation with him. I'll put up about gunungan later on :)

Mark Goffeney's gunungan


Carpe Diem Tattoo Studio's simplified gunungan tattoo work


Javanese gunungan

oh, how I'm so easily distracted :) well, In Gunungan there is a painting or relief of a tree, we call it Kalpataru – The Tree of Life. It shows that Life is complex and men will overcome everything from joy to sorrow and fall into so many emotions. By walking through all the complexities, one shall find the way to the top of the tree (of Life). One become wise to see the complexity of Life, no longer longing on the maze of emotions and no longer asking for a light in the dark jungle (depicted in the Gunungan), since one already shining by oneself. Gunungan reminds the audiences (of shadow puppets) with the complexity of Life, and how we are having a journey in Life.

Mark Goffeney is the man today, who leads the way.
A proof that a human is always as big as he/she thinks.

Mardi Wuto Foundation - Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart

Mardi Wuto Foundation building is one of so many beautiful heritage buildings in Jogjakarta, located behind Dr. Yap Eye Hospital, facing east (C. Simanjuntak Street), in November 2, 2009, corrugated iron fence were established to cover anything happen inside the site, and rumor has it when the building has to be down, replaced by an URBAN SHOPPING AREA. Nothing is too heroic in Mardi Wuto Foundation, but this building has take its part in Indonesia history.

*these photos were taken on November 3, 2009

Like or dislike, bureaucracy is the worst problem we all have to face. No stakeholder seems to bother for explaining what was really happening. We did haphazard research, playing hide n seek to get clear photographs, etc.

Below are photographs taken from madyaindonesia.wordpress.com. As we can see, this site is clearly a potential green area and happens to be a potential local water reserve in Jogjakarta.

one of the big trees is estimated attain the age of 100

And what about Mardi Wuto Foundation itself?
Mardi Wuto Foundation was established to assist government in increasing blind men welfare. Some attempts and activities are: establishing cassette library and Braille books library; science books recording for blind students and accepting requests for Braille records; self-development guidance; education opportunities for blind persons; job opportunities for blind persons; craft trainings for blind persons; English-speaking, art and sport skills development for blind persons.

I copied (and translated) the paragraph above from Dr. Yap Eye Hospital website, http://www.rsmyap.com/content/view/2/1/ . It was stated clearly - and since it is a formal institution with a formal website, the author or whoever has the idea to put it on the company history should re-read and reconsider it, and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the statement. I hope this writing can open our eyes, our mind and our hearts about the high dedication of Mardi Wuto's existence.

Mardi Wuto Foundation, photograph taken on Friday, May 7, 2010 by Joe Marbun.

Mardi Wuto Foundation, photograph taken on Friday, May 7, 2010 by Joe Marbun.

photo taken by Joe Marbun

photo taken by Joe Marbun

Aggression never solve a thing, some says. Some people had agreed to sabotage one of the backhoes n more tools few months ago, but drew themselves for that reason. Advocacy and parley are 'the answers'. But hell no. We can't deny that most part of this world worships MONEY, and the one who own most of it usually win.

But nothing is too late to take action. Mardi Wuto Foundation is one of our life lessons and there still so many Indonesian Heritage out there which need our attention span. No architecture is too heroic - but the persons are supposed to, who should be able to respect their history, culture, values and the ancestors' sacrifices.

And today, there's a gathering for peaceful and cultured Jogjakarta people's solidarity and togetherness: "Thoughtfullness action toward Cultural Heritage Annihilation"; Silence and Lighting up Candles Action, will start at 6.30 PM til 8PM, mass-walk from Tugu Jogja - Sudirman street - Terban T-intersection (McD) - going north to Mardi Wuto project site in C. Simanjuntak street (Terban)

This is not a grievance, but a gathering as our starting point to save our heritage and identity. for Indonesia!

poster tag: *a thoughtfulness towards Heritage management

photo courtesy of Niken Pamikatsih (mylittlelolipop.wordpress.com) and Joe Marbun on facebook

Perspective

"Appreciating the little things.
Making the most of what we've got.
Helping others to have a positive outlook too.
That's what it's all about.
Perspective."
-Jinxi Boo

Despite of any bad experiences we had, I don't think anyone should take it seriously into any negative responds. Well, I know, easier to say than to REALLY go through it. I was reacting negatively. Now I can admit that I was acting badly - not to other people - but to myself: I stopped talking to anyone. I stopped trusting people. I didn't even realize that Iv stopped smiling.

Then it was the first time I talked to my Mom again, about how I really feel actually. I don't get hysterical reaction just like my bestmates gave - which made me feel worse - my Mom simply says: it was your choice. you choose and don't look back. it's all in your hands.

And that is SO TRUE. My weakness and my strength, my happiness and my sorrow, it's all mine, not others. All I have to do is to focus and establish my objectives. Positive mind and objectives are perfect allies to get into creative power. And world doesn't need any sorrow. throw it away ASAP.

Well I am not perfect. I really HATE to hate. for better term, I'll say I dislike some people. OK I know, I can hear some of my friends (or maybe you) saying shitty ppl doesn't even deserve the attention. I minimize my attention for them. If my mind is a home, I'll put those ppl in garbage bin. on the bottom of it. This might not lasts forever, someday I might think to get em out there and 'recycling' :)

just focus on what you love most. For me it could be my family, Bebe, my bestmates, tattoo, music, or anything/anyone inspiring.

onstage with Venomstrikes, photo taken by Adam BunuhDua

Before focusing, remember to set a positive mind. Your mindset is what you get.
Think positive. Live. Love. Create.

waiting doodle

it was another long day. two classes for me n then riding across town to search for spare parts. My Dad is in Jogjakarta currently, doing some surveys for his work. We supposed to meet the day before but (again) he had a meeting so our meeting was canceled (as usual).

Me and GC is now sharing motorcycle, so sometimes I have to wait him to pick me up at campus/rehearsal/anywhere. at the time I have to wait GC and Dad (which then decided to meet me at my campus). My favorite waiting point is the new koi pond near the gate. Those kois r just beeeautiful!


so there goes the doodle. hahaha. I think I'm in love with Japanese designs for tattooing (Horimono). It's a pure challenge when you have to fit the design with both body muscles/movement and the people's characteristic. And yeah, good knowledge about history/stories behind each design is another challenge. It's simply fascinating. I hope I can do the same with Javanese traditional designs, which are true Indonesian.

one of the busy days

HA!!
I used to have one presentation for my Structure and Construction class at 9AM today, while GC also has to bring his springs to a friend's garage. so we're off at 8 n he dropped me at campus. it's 9AM SHARP but my lecturer havn't show up yet n even my partners r still on their way. damn. n guess what, Mrs. Medy simply FORGOT that we had presentations today. blahh..



we supposed to have a presentation about Sendai Mediatheque, a building by Toyo Ito, a center for activities in the fields of art and film, serving as a public facility located in Sendai, Japan.

It turned to be a 'sleeping-class' in 10 minutes after Mrs Medy announced that she'll show us some of her architectural movies. the sound system was shitty as - or was it even no sound system? - so it was like reading a book full of photographs without any clue about what they are. I got a 10minutes nap n awaken from a 'noonmare' (?) :P turned my back to pass the presentation CD to my partner, Dhani - the only diligent student left in our year, I think - n found out that he was also sleeping. damn.

oh well, so GC picked me up at 11 n we stopped at the supermarket to buy some goodies for the shop, also bought some cool beverages coz we think they would save us from this hot-sunny weather a moment before we clean up the studio. Carpe Diem Tattoo Studio has been also a bicycle/motorcycle garage + painting studio last whole weeks, all guests were related to these stuff so they didn't mind n even comeback just to see some progress. The thing is, everything gets messier than before. GC even forgot he pinstriped the display window 'accidentally'


and I also let Bebe to paint at the studio hall. She insisted to also paint on the wall.


when we get at the studio, a client was already waiting. it's only 12PM and we're open at 1. a cover-up! Ooookay maan!! GC is now doing that piece, n now im still trying to breathe n drawing another design for this afternoon appointment. I'm dehidrating.

2010!

BOO!!!!
it's been AWHILE...hahaha.
well at last i managed to 'manage' my blog again, n now i prefer to do this in English - or maybe in Indonesian too sometimes :)

my Belladonna is three years old now, sooo pretty, clever, adorable, etc (ok, no Mom will say her daughter is stupid/crazy/ugly unless she's insane). well, Bebe is able to catch up in conversation with adults, n she likes to tell her stories. n when she want people to read a book for her, in few minutes she will read the book to them instead. She got me and GC's music taste; rocknroll n some heavy metal thingy from me, and blues n hiphop from GC. Sometimes she goes out with me on my rehearsals, and rushing the vocal lines with her screams. Her favorite line is "M-Zed-A!!!" from Loudness' Crazy Nights.


I quit my job as a fulltime translator n now mostly spend time at home/Carpe Diem Tattoo Studio. GC already runs it for almost two years now n it still goin strong, I decided to manage the appointments and tattoo supplies coming in/out. and yeah, I started tattooing too ;)

AND my thesis, im still workin it out. I'm making a tattoo studio and gallery in Jogjakarta. It's hypothetical, unfortunately. but since this might be the dream of any tattooers/artists, I hope it will be come true someday :) I have two months to finish the journal and another four months to finish the building design.

absolutely I'm also hoping to keep writing n put updates here :) cheers :)