Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What does my name mean?

My name is Cheryl Gracia Trisnadi. Cheryl means "darling" or "beloved",and it is of French origin. Gracia means "grace", and it is of Spanish origin. Trisnadi is my dad's Indonesian surname. When people thought about the name "Cheryl", they usually expect a pale and quiet girl. I don't match any of those characterisitics, I am the exact opposite of it. Before I was born, my mom and dad did their best to find me a nice name.
When I was 7 years old I found a notebook in which my mother listed all the girl names she liked, and my name was in it. There were also other names, like Nicole, Melissa, Charlotte, etc. When I was little, I was very clumsy. I would drop and spill things, and I was a tomboy girl. Sometimes my mother would scold at me and remind me to be more graceful and less clumsy. When my mother said that, I used to think that I was not what my parents expect me to be. I thought that they would much prefer a calm and quiet girl rather than me. Since then I tried to be what I thought my parents would want me to be, but it seemed impossible.
As I grew older, I realized that names aren't made to shape our personalities, but we are the ones who create our personality.
If I had the chance to change my name, I wouldn't, because I knew that my parents worked very hard to find me a name, and because now I can prove to others that people named Cheryl aren't always quiet, pale, and calm.

Moving Out

I was almost ten years old when a life changing event happened. It was a cloudy afternoon, I just came home from school and I was watching Spongebob Squarepants. My mom came home from work about two hours later. "We can move in our new house next week. It's almost done," she said, a hint of excitement clearly audible in her voice. I groaned. I dreaded the idea of moving to my new house.
My old house was in a housing called "Taman Himalaya", and my new house is in a housing called Taman Beverly Golf. I loved my old house. All of my friends lived there, and every day we would play, rain or shine. I don't like the idea of moving to Beverly Golf because from what I had seen, there were no children playing outside the house, unlike how it was in Himalaya. I begged my parents to stay in Himalaya, but they wouldn't change their minds.
After a couple of months, my family moved to our new house. I did not like it, not because of how it looked like, but because the environment was not like Himalaya.I actually liked the interior of my new house. I was quite happy to finally have my own room, but I was still upset. I faked a smile in front of my parents so that they won't preach me about how lucky I was to have a good house and other things. My dad saw that I was upset, and he told me to take Beggy (my pet dog) for a walk around the neighbourhood, so I did. I walked around the neighbourhood, and I found it very nice. It made me feel a little better, and I thought "Well, if this is how it's going to be, then I'll make the most of it".
After holiday was over I went back to school. I started to get used to the new environment. I started to enjoy my new house. From this experience I learnt to adapt to new surroundings, and not to make first impressions about things.

Viva La Vida review

Viva La Vida was a song written by a british alternative rock band called Coldplay. The song was released on 13 June 2008, from the album "Viva La Vida" or "Death and All His Friends".
The lyrics to this song are a bit puzzling, so I'll try to interpret some of the lyrics.
Lyrics:
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
The writer was telling about a king with enormous power, and everybody would do as he say ("seas would rise when I gave the word"). Now he is a beggar or someone poor.

I used to roll the dice 
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king's dead, long live the king"
The king gambles with his leadership ("I used to roll the dice"). He took over other kingdoms, replacing the old kings in the other kingdoms ("now the old king's dead long live the king")

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discover that my castle stands
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
He once held power over many things and had the keys to many kingdoms, but time flew so quickly that he lost those riches. "Castle" here refers to his power, and it was said that it was upon pillars of salt, which I think refers to the Bible where Lot's wife turned to a pillar of salt when she looked back, and pillars of sand, like what the bible said "the stupid man built his house over sand". Pillars of salt and sand means that the foundation to his power are very weak.

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
And for some reason I can't explain
Once you'd go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I rule the world
" I hear Jerusalem bells..etc" are all religious. "Be my mirror" means be my image, sword means power, shield means strength/protection. "Missionaries in a foreign field" means he was a religious person and went to other countries to preach. The king had become a tyrant, and he never told an honest word. "i know Saint Peter won't call my name" means that he had been a very bad person and  it was said that Saint Peter will call your name if you are qualified to enter heaven, so he knew that his name won't be called.

For me this song is very interesting because the lyrics are masked, and I like how the percussions and strings used in the song made it very enjoyable.
It also taught us that our comfort won't last forever, and we can lose it anytime. In the lyrics, the writer described a king who had become a corrupt person, and now he have nothing. It made people reflect on their lives, whether they have make most of their lives or not. I recommend this song to everyone of every ages, especially to those who are succesfull and thought that they are the king of the world.
The album


Coldplay





The Dilema (part I)



“Home, finally,” Sophie Newman said. She looked at her twin. Josh Newman returned Sophie’s gaze. He nodded. The twins were standing in front of their Aunt’s out dated victorian house. Sophie was about to ring the old fashioned bell attached to the big white door, but she hesitated. For the last couple days, the twins’ lives had been turned upside down. Ever since the magician Dr. John Dee destroyed Nick Flemming’s (who was really Nicholas Flamel, as the twins discovered Nick’s past ) bookshop, nothing seemed real. The twins discovered that the friendly man who owned the petite bookshop was an alchemist. Flamel invented the Elixir of Life with the help of the book of Abraham the Mage. The twins discovered that Nicholas was older (much older) than they thought he was. He looked like an average fifty year old man, with cheap shirts, worn out jeans, a cheap wristwatch on his left hand, and worn out shoes, yet he was actually 623 years old. The immortal man was wanted by his former apprentice, John Dee(a magician and an immortal human), who had been chasing (and hoping to kill) Flamel and his wife, Perenelle. Dr.John Dee had stole the book of Abraham the Mage from Flamel’s clutches, but unfortunately for him Josh still had a couple of pages from the book that Dee desperately needed. Dee managed to kidnap Perenelle ( an elegant and very powerful sorceress who was also Flamel’s wife), and held her captive in Alcatraz , and Dee soon discovered that he was no match for Perenelle, and that maybe Perenelle was more powerful than the legendary alchemist. Perenelle escaped with help from the Elder Aerop-Enap. Unfortunately, Scathatch ( Flamel’s friend who admitted that she was a vampire, and was also known as “The Warrior Maid” and was no younger than 2000 years old .), was still trapped with Joan of Arc (the wife of Nicholas’  friend, Saint Germain, and also the warrior from France) in a mythical world set up by Nicollo Machiavelli ( a powerful Italian magician who was Perenelle’s nemesis and had been working along with Dee to capture Flamel, his wife and the twins). They also discovered that before humani ruled the earth, the world was ruled by Elders until the fall of Danu Talis (better known as Atlantis), where the Elders lived and ruled, which the legendary twins (Sun and Moon) destroyed. Some Elders decided that it was time for human race to rule the world, but other Elders ( who were also called as the Dark Elders) longed for the world to be under their feet forever. They needed the book of Abraham the Mage (which they had, since Dee stole it from Flamel during the bookshop incident), but unfortunately for them they were a couple of pages short. The Twins of Legend as written in the book of Abraham the Mage was also a threat to them. The twins had also fought some mythical creatures, and they had met people(well, immortal people) that they thought were dead ages ago, like Joan of Arc and Shakespear the Bard.
   Most of all, the twins discovered that they were the Twins of Legend as written in the book of Abraham the Mage (“ the two that are one, the one that is all,”). Flamel knew that Sophie and Josh were the chosen ones since Josh worked in Flamel’s bookshop. Sophie had been awakened by the Witch of Endor( who was Scathatch’s grandmother), and Sophie was also given all the Elder’s memory and knowledge when she was awakened, while Josh was brought by Dee and Machivelli to the Dark Elder Mars Ultor to be awakened.and had been given a gift which Josh had not discover. Sophie was awakened before Josh, and now she had learnt the elemental magic of Air, Fire, and Water, while Josh who had been awakened after Sophie had only learnt the elemental magic of Water.
     A lot of unbelievable things had happened in such a short time, and the twins need some time to face the truth, which was that they have to save the world. Nicholas and Perenelle allowed the twins to go home for a couple of days to rest.
    Sophie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “What should we tell Aunt Agnes?” she asked.
“Hmm.. That Nick Flemming is an alchemist and we are the twins of legend that are destined to save the world from the grasps of the evil Elders? I don’t think so, Soph,” Josh said sarcastically.
Sophie inhaled and exhaled slowly. She hate to lie to her Aunt Agnes, but what else can she do? She reached out her hand and rang the doorbell. The twins heard the sound of footsteps from the other side of the door. There was a pause, and the twins knew that Aunt Agnes was looking through the peephole.
“Hey Aunt Agnes… It’s us,” Josh said. Josh and Sophie could hear the sound of the key turning and in split seconds they were led in the house.
 “Where have you been? Do you know that your parents are very worried? Why didn’t you call? Why didn’t tell me specifically where you were?” Aunt Agnes asked sharply. The twins’ parents are archeologists and they left the city for work.
“We were with Nick Fla-Flemming and Perry. We stayed in their house in the dessert for the last couple of days. We’re very sorry that we made mom and dad worried,” Sophie said. She had been memorizing that line on their way back from London incase circumstances like this happens.
“Explain to me why you didn’t call your parents?” Aunt Agnes asked.
“There was no signal there, and I lost my phone,” Josh said, which was technically true.
Aunt Agnes was about to open her mouth to ask another question, but she was interrupted by the sound of deep, slushy footsteps. Suddenly the house was filled with the sickening smell of a snake, which the twins knew well was the smell of the dreaded Italian magician’s aura, Nicollo Machiavelli.
“They found us,” the twins said in unison.
The doors were shattered to pieces by large mud-like creatures known better as the golems( creatures made from mud and dirt controlled by Machiavelli himself). There were about 25 golems that entered the house, and Sophie quickly pressed the tattoo on her wrist (given by Saint Germain) and a silver glove made from fire formed around her hands. The strong smell of vanilla ice cream filled the air(her signature aura), and Sophie punched one of the golems in the stomach. The golem fell to the floor and it turned to a puddle of mud and dirt. Aunt Agnes screamed with fear and fainted on the sofa. Josh carried Aunt Agnes from the sofa and locked her in the bathroom in full speed without traces of surprise. He knew that something like this would happen anytime. Sophie continued fighting the golems. Josh wished that he had Clarent (the legendary sword of fire) was with him. He can’t help watching his twin fighting with all her might while he stood there not doing anything to help. Josh picked up his dad’s golf club , and he formed a golden translucent glove appeared around his hands and the golf club. The sweet smell of oranges was in the air, blending with the smell of vanilla ice cream. With all of his might, Josh ran towards the group of golems and used the golf club like how he used Clarent. He knocked down four golems at once, but there was more golems coming towards them. Josh created a blade made from water and swiftly cut the golems in halves.
Sophie wiped her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand. She felt her energy drowning away from her fingertips. She had fought many golems, but there were still many more.
“Josh we have to run!” Sophie shouted. She felt her legs weakened from the fatigue.
“We can’t Soph! What are we going to do with Aunt Agnes?” Josh replied while he fought more golems.
“Bring her with us!”
“But where are we going?”
“Flamel’s bookshop. We have to run Josh, NOW!” Sophie shouted.
Josh nodded. He shattered the bathroom door and carried Aunt Agnes (who was still unconscious) out. Sophie formed a shield made from her aura to protect her brother and her aunt. Josh formed a golden glove around his hand, and he hit the solid wooden door that shattered to pieces. They ran out from the house. Josh saw a taxi cab parked in front of an apartment. Josh punched the window of the cab with his hand and switched the lock. “CLIMB IN!” Josh instructed. Sophie climbed in, while Josh sat on the driver’s seat and laid Aunt Agnes on the backseat. Josh used his aura to start the car. He stepped on the brakes “Hey!! My cab!” shouted the taxi driver who tried to catch up with the car.
“Sorry!” Sophie shouted from the window.
“Are you sure?To Flamel's?” Josh asked his twin incase she changes her mind.
“Yes.”


THE LIST OF MY LISTS part I

Places that make me happy:
  • The library in my old school. Every Thursday, my class had a library class. We would be given time to read, and I would sit with my friends and read "A Series of Unfortunate Events", while listening to the soft patter of the rain outside. It made me feel safe and cozy, and I wish I can stay there as long as I can.
  • The hill beside my old house. There was a hill beside my old house where tall coconuts tree grew. My friends and I would use a stick to get the coconuts. We would cut them open, put ice cubes in it, and drink them down. Everytime I spend time there I would feel happy, and suddenly all my problems dissapeared along with the coconuts that we ate.
Places I would like to go:
  • Greece. I would love to visit Greece someday with my friends when I am older. I would love to visit the ancient ruins like Parthenon and photograph them. In my opinion, Greece is a very interesting country, I have always been fascinated by the ancient culture there, since in my old school, the teachers taught me about Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, and from what I have learnt, I knew that this country is very interesting.
Things in people which I like:
  • Their laughter. People have different laughs, and most of the times their laughter would describe their personality. Some are loud, some don't even make a sound. When people laugh with joy, I would laugh with them.
Things that worry me:
  • Pop Quiz. I hate it when teachers gave a quiz without telling me before, especially if the lesson is my least favorite. I like surprises, but when it is involving academic grades, well, not so much.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Symbolic Recipe

Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon of self doubt
  • three cups of friendliness
  • four cups of activeness
  • 850 grams of humour
  • ten cups of getting bored easily
  • a pinch of rebellion
  • eight cups of creativity
  • five scoops of laziness
  • 15 tablespoons of imagination
  • 13 tablespoons of craziness
  • 15 tablespoons of mischief
  • a pinch of patience
  • a spoonfull of passion
Procedures:
  1. Mix 1 table spoon of self doubt with activeness to create a proper balance.
  2. Whisk 3 cups of friendliness, 850 grams of humour, and 13 tablespoons of craziness, and 15 tbs of  so that it will not be too boring. Put it in a bowl. 
  3. Mix 8 cups of creativity and 15 tbs of imagination. Leave it to sit in a cold room.
  4. Pour ten cups of getting bored easily and 15 teaspoons of mischief in a bowl. Stir the mixture.
  5. Bake all the mixtures seperately and stack them together.
  6. Spread the spoonful of passion on the baked mixtures, then sprinkle mischief and patience on it.
Voila! You made yourself a Cheryl Gracia Trisnadi.