We have a lot of things that we don't use anymore. Therefore we would like to sell our stuff to make some space. The listing of the things for sale is available on http://vndsale.wordpress.com/. The listing is updated every now and then. Make sure to check it once in a while.

Thanks!

^v^

Today at exactly 15.25 I will take off from Duesseldorf airport heading home :) I'll arrive in Jakarta tomorrow at 15.55 local time. I'm so excited. I've packed my stuff. Well, my mom's stuff. My check-in luggage is 31kg. 1 kg overweight -.- But I think it's OK. My friends are going to pick me up and help me with the luggage. I got in total 4 bags. 1 big trolley bag, 2 small trolley bags, and a handbag.

For those of you in Germany, we'll see each other again in July. For those in Indonesia, we'll see each other soon :D

Btw, my bf is already out of the hospital. Thank God. But he still needs to check his platelet counts everyday, eat healthy, and have lots and lots and lots of rest. I hope he gets well soon so when I come to my hometown which is still on Sunday, he will be able to accompany me everywhere.

^v^

Today I did a presentation for my master thesis at Fraunhofer FIT, where I normally work. Both profs and my colleagues were there. And I think it went well.


Since I finished my thesis already, it was my last day there. It feels weird to leave a place where I normally go to work for almost 1.5 years. I like to work there. At least, my colleagues are crazy :) and fun. I'll try to apply for a job there and I hope they will accept me :D

I should do my presentation slides. Yet, I'm thinking about my bf the whole time :( He's still at the hospital. This morning and evening I called him, he sounded like normal person. But he still needs a total bed rest. So, he won't be able to come to Jakarta to pick me up. And it means we can only meet on 9 May. One day before his birthday.

It's like so not fair but I guess God has a different plan. For 2.5 years living here, he never got sick. He went back to Indonesia and 3 weeks later, he's hospitalised. He's never fond of medicine. Yet now he has to take a lot of them. Oooo poor you, dear...

I hope he'll get well soon.

Two days from now I need to do my thesis final presentation. Then on Wednesday I'm flying to Indonesia. I'll stay in Jakarta for a couple of days before going to our hometown.

I really can't wait to meet him and see he's OK....

^v^

First of all, I would like to say my thanks to God. Without His blessings I would
not achieve anything in life.

I would like to thank Prof. Wolfgang Prinz PhD and Prof. Dr. Reinhard Oppermann
for sparing their time and being my grading professors.

Thanks to René Reiners, my advisor, proof reader, and arguing companion, for the
cues, ideas, and guidance throughout this thesis project.

Many thanks to Dr. Andreas Zimmermann who has recommended me to work at
Fraunhofer and helped me finding my thesis topic.

I would like to express my gratitude to Ferry Pramudianto for helping me going
through some technical crisis, to Marco Jahn and Niels Henze for providing me with
technical components that built up this thesis project, and also to Marc Jentsch for
his ideas, advice, and help.

Of course, I would not even study here in Germany without my father, Santoso
Wibowo, and my mother, Marisa Wibowo, who encouraged and financed me to
study abroad. Special thanks to both my sisters, Eveline Aprilisa Wibowo and
Silvia Aurelia Wibowo who were constantly asking me when I will finish my thesis
and go home. Somehow I took it as an encouragement to finish this thesis as soon
as possible.

I owe my deepest gratitude to my other half, Eddi Siswoyo, who has always been
there through thick and thin. He was always cheering me up when I had difficulties
with my thesis.

I also like to say my gratitude to all my colleagues and friends for the ideas and
mental support given during the development of this project.

Last but not least, I owe big thanks to the individuals who have participated in any
of the user studies needed to complete this master thesis. Without their time, ideas,
and comments, this thesis project would not be complete.

So today I went to Aachen to submit my thesis. Finally!!! After 214 pages of writing. I know it's a lot. My friends said that it's not master thesis anymore but phd dissertation. Haha... But to my defense, i think there are 120 pages of contents and the others are just the "decoration".

Then, on Monday I'll have a presentation at 9.30. It's really really early. I hope I could do well. I haven't really prepared the slides yet. But will do.

The next Wednesday I'm flying to Jakarta :D

I'm happy that I finally graduated from my master study and am able to get home. Yet, I got a bad news from Indonesia. My bf is sick. He got dengue fever and has to stay in the hospital. Actually, he planned to pick me up in Jakarta next Thursday but I don't think it will be good for him. So, we can only meet on the 9th :( I kinda regret that I let him go to Indonesia first :s

Anyway, I hope he'll get well soon...

^v^

I bet you have heard about the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The name is somehow ridiculously long and difficult to pronounce. Anyway, its second eruption which started on 14 April has been quite problematic. Until today, it's continuously spewing ashes up in the air. This ashes formed ash clouds which if enter an airplane engine, it might be the end of the airplane. That's what the experts said. This leads to the closure of almost all airports in Northern and Western Europe, including Germany.

Confusingly, I don't see anything in the sky. No clouds nothing. The sky is as clear as can be. So where is actually the so-called ash clouds. Are they even there?

Ten thousands of flights have been canceled because of this. It makes me worried though. I'm planning to go back to Indonesia on the 5 May. It's like 16 days from now. And the last time this volcano erupted, it took 2 years to make it stop. I hope this time it won't be that long. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm gonna do. Now I'll just pray to God so that He can make it stop.

So...my bf went back to Indonesia this afternoon. You can imagine that for someone that has been there 24/7 suddenly is not there...it's not easy. I cried a bit...like 10 pieces of tissues ;p But I think it's for the best. He gets the holiday that he deserves after doing nothing than accompanying me for 4 months. For me, I can get focused on my thesis and go after him to Indonesia. I hope I can get back by the end of this month.

lonely me...

^v^
 

You know. I think I need to improve my writing skill. Not about the English or the grammar or anything. It's just I wanna improve the "entertainment" part of my writing. I find it a bit difficult to find words that are informative yet entertaining at the same time. Maybe it's just me, since I thought my thesis writing was boring but my supervisor kept saying that my writing is superb.

O well...

^v^

Yet again a long time since I updated this blog. I've been so busy lately. Hmmm... where should I start...

After signing our apartment contract, we started to pack our things, which are a lot XD We hunted for boxes at an electronic store near our previous home. It was a tiring job...

Moving day was (shall I say) fun. At least I didn't do much. Thanks to my bf and 4 other friends who moved our stuff to the rented car, which by the way was so HUGE..., and the moved them up to the 4th floor (without elevator).

Internet, electricity subscription, furniture business came afterward. Internet was...well on the first appointment the technician who was supposed to come didn't come. But luckily he came one week later -.-! Electricity was OK regardless that until now we haven't received any confirmation that our subscription is successful. The thing is compared to in Indonesia or maybe other countries, the electricity provider never cuts the electricity line so our apartment still has electricity. I just hope that we don't use it illegally ;)

Furniture was...aaarrrgggghhhh. We went to Ikea three weeks in a row... just to find the "perfect" furniture. We just chose the cheapest but decent ones. That's week one. Week two we wanted to buy all furniture that we need and let them delivered. After struggling to get 6 pieces of stuff, the seventh was not there. In order to save the delivery fee, we returned everything back to their shelves. Well, luckily, the guy who worked there helped us returning the stuff :D Week three, which was today, was successful. We finally bought every big furniture that we need and let them delivered. They will arrive on Friday. The transporters will deliver them upstairs, on the 4th floor XD Finally, we can live without seeing moving boxes every where...

My work and thesis project have been keeping me busy. On 4-6 March I went to CeBIT 2010 in Hannover as one of the presenter for Hydra project of Fraunhofer FIT. It was my first experience in CeBIT and also my first to be a presenter in an expo.

My thesis project is going OK. After successfully convincing my bf to book a flight to Indonesia without me, I am a little bit relieved and not in a hurry anymore :D

I think that's all for now. Need to get back to my thesis before my bf kills me for wasting time...hahaha...

^v^

After all those sweat, tears, and rejections, we finally got an apartment. Yesterday we signed the contract with the landlord who happens to be a very nice guy. He did not ask about any income proofs/paychecks. We are so sensitive about this issue because we had bad experiences regarding these income proofs. Most landlords asking for these. We are still students who obviously do not have fixed income. Our parents are in Indonesia, have their own business and do not have any income proofs :s Therefore, we are so grateful for this. Thanks to God, the landlord, and also a friend of ours, who we think is our "lucky-charm" :D

The apartment is located on the right side of the river in Köln. A colleague of mine said "If it is possible do not get the apartment on the right side of the river. It's "the poor" area and if you don't like the area where you live right now, you probably not gonna like it." Well, before I followed this advice. However, since it's so hard to get an apartment especially when 20 people came during the open house, you just want to get anything tolerable as soon as possible. Right? We also considered that here where we live now, we need to share the kitchen. Later on, we will have our own kitchen so there would be no problem. And actually the surroundings of our apartment is nice. It's just 2 minutes walk from the Rhine river. And it's on the fourth floor. I hope that we can be much healthier later :D

But the most important part is the inside. It is big enough for both of us (+-46 m2). It's got 2 big-equal-sized rooms with laminate flooring, a bathroom with tub, a separate kitchen, a balcony, and a storeroom.

Maybe the problem is that it does not have any furniture. But it's normal in Germany. Therefore, we need to save some money to buy some furniture in the future. So, if you have any used furniture in good condition and you want to sell or give them away, just let me know.

^v^

I know it's been a long time since I wrote in this blog. So, I guess Merry X'mas and Happy New Year?

I have been super busy!!! It makes me crazy.

From the previous post you should know that I want to move from my current place. The apartment/flat searching is really tiring. Until now we have seen two dozens of apt and we got nothing. Either the tenant preferred someone with bigger salary or we didn't like the place. There is still one place that we like. The request is currently being process so we keep our fingers crossed. In the mean time we still try to find other options which are super difficult.

As for my thesis, I don't know. It's just so hard to find the mood to really do it. Huh...

^v^

Today I went to my office's X'mas party. I know it's too early. But yeah..people are going away when it's closer to X'mas.

First we went to an exhibition of human body. Real human body. Sliced. Chopped. Weird. I was not allowed to take pictures but just google "koerperwelten"  and u'll see...

Then, we went to Weihnachtsmarkt - X'mas market. It's a typical German culture. They have a market selling X'mas stuff and food starting at the end of November till 23rd December. My colleagues drank Glühwein - a warm herb wine - and I, of course, drank hot choco as I found Glühwein is too....herby...hahaha...

The last thing is the best one :) FOOD.... We went to a restaurant and there was a buffet where we could take whatever we want. I ate Gänsekeule - goose leg and Krüstenbraten - crispy pork. The goose was a bit dry but the pork was delicious. Of course I also ate some other stuff but I don't remember them anymore ;p

After eating we kept talking and talking and talking... I guess with the alcohol running through their vein, they became more talkative :) Me? I don't drink alcohol when my bf is not around. Let say while it's not safe and I want to go home? I'm not even sure whether I can be easy drunk. So I always keep my bf with me when I drink alcohol.

It was fun and next week there will be another X'mas party. Yay... This time with my colleagues from the group that I'm working for. So, our office is divided into groups and they have a separate X'mas party. It will be more fun I guess.

^v^

As you may read in the previous entry, I talked about my pimples. Huh... Yep. Lately (since 6 months ago), I have pimples all over my face. Just last week I decided to stop using make up for at least a week. The week is over as of today and it's true. My face is getting better. Now I don't have any pimples yet I still have some blemishes because of the pimples. I'm planing to continue with no-make-up thing for at least another week. And then since I suspect that one of my foundations is the culprit, I plan to use the same foundation for at least a week and see the result.

Since last year, I'm starting to get addicted to make up. I am buying a lot of make up, hunting the limited editions, and such. However, I'm not the kind of person who buys high-end brands. I just buy drugstore brands which are enough for me. Even I think their quality is comparable with high-end brands.

Some people cannot go outside without make up because they're not confidence with their own face. I'm not that kind of person. I'm happy with my face. Even when I don't wear make up I can pretend that I'm still teenager and buy tickets for teenager. Hahaha... Maybe you should try too ;p

But I miss my make up.... :( For me, it's a hobby and not a means to cover my face from any imperfections. Can't wait till next week!!!

^v^

Yep. That's right. I'm 25, still a student, nearly unemployed (My student job contract ends at the end of this year; not sure whether they can extend it.), unmarried (It's like all of my friends are married now. I have my bf though.), and childless (Some of my married friends either is pregnant, has baby, or even two kids.

I'm turning 25 last week already. I'm so busy (read: lazy) to write something on this blog. Even though I already planned to write just on my birthday day. The thing is I don't feel any difference. I still feel that I'm still a child. Even I think I'm in my puberty again with all these pimples.....:s I think I'm still the same as 2-3 years ago. Well, my bf will complain here. OK. Maybe I'm changed into a makeup addict. Hahaha... But that's about it. Oh... and maybe I get mad easier. Well, it's not my fault; it's yours :p

Being 25 makes you think about what you're going to do next. I'm somehow in my quarter life crisis. Here I am finishing my thesis and my bf's mom asks me (through my bf) when we can go back to Indonesia for holiday. I don't know. You know, the more he asks this the more I feel depressed. OK. So the plan is to finish on February. Going back to Indonesia. And coming back here. What's next? Finding job? What, where, and how? With this economy crisis (which I didn't know when it started or whether it ends already), I'm not sure whether I can get a job easily. ARGGGHHHH..... -.-!

Anyway.... enough about complaining. I want to tell you what I cooked (well, my bf did all the cooking) and baked for my birthday dinner. I think cooking and baking are the only ways I can forget everything :D

Today we went to Solingen. The city is famous for its metal work. Lots of metal (knives, scissors, etc.) factory are there. At the factory they sell their products lots cheaper. They also sell B-products, which are normally defect due to appearance not function, very very cheap.

Normally we go to Wüsthof, Krups (not metal factory but kitchen appliances), and Zwilling (knives). And that's what we did today.

First stop is Wüsthof, the outlet store is very very small but the products there (A or B products) are really cheap. I bought two scissors for my mom. Well, actually this trip is all for my mom :D

Second stop is Krups. I bought three Tefal La Moulinette for € 24.90 each. It costs € 45.98 on amazon.de. Believe me they are all for my mom.


Then I bought the Rowenta Multistyler (8-in-1 curling iron, hair straightener, etc.) for € 26.07; it costs € 42.49 on amazon.de.



And since I spent € 100.00, I got a free fabric steamer; a steamer used as a replacement for clothes iron. And it costs €48.98 on amazon.de. Happy :D The seller also said that on 28.11 and 19.12, there will be sort of an open day. So, you can go inside the warehouse and got extra discount. We're so going there :D



And then we went to Zwilling. Nothing special here. We don't really like it since the price is almost the same with the price at normal store. Ebay is even cheaper. My bf got some eating utensils for his photography kit.

So, you guys, if you (or your mom) like(s) kitchen stuff definitely go to Solingen. It's highly recommended.

^v^

All images are from www.amazon.de.

Last night (until this morning) I dreamed about something weird. Even though from 8 am till 9.30 am I woke up every 10 minutes because my alarm's snoozes, the dream continued.

I don't remember the whole part, but only some details.

There was a tsunami warning for Java Sea. I was not at my home in Solo, Central Java but in Surabaya, East Java for whatever reason. The tsunami was about to hit West and Central Java. I was worried about my famz but there was no way I could go back. Then I stayed in Surabaya, and went to church which was already full with people praying the rosary. I joined them. Meanwhile, outside was rainy and stormy. Once we finished, I went back to my place. On the way back I heard a familiar voice. It was my dad. I was so happy. He told me that my mom and sisters were also there.

(I don't remember this part)

We were at a friend's house in Surabaya. We discovered that there was a way to prevent the tsunami. We needed to find a temple somewhere with a help of an ancient map. (I read to many Dan Brown's.) According to the map, the temple was high above. (This is really Dan Brown's Lost Symbol :s)

(Then my alarm went off again and I woke up. This time fully woke up.)

It's like the strangest dream I ever dreamed and remembered of. I thought I should share it with you guys.

^v^

Lately I've been so so so lazy. Blame it on the weather :D. It's so cold. Too cold for October I should say. Compared to last month, which they say as the warmest September since years, the day temp is around 10 and night is below 5.

Just like today when I planned to go to office. After finding out the temp, I then decided to work at home. That's the beauty of student assistant. We can work everywhere :D.

^v^

Nama saya Vina. Saya berasal dari Solo, Indonesia. Saya terdaftar sebagai mahasiswa S2 di program Media Informatics. Saat ini saya sedang mengerjakan proyek thesis saya di Fraunhofer FIT.

Saya memilih Media Informatics yang diselenggarakan oleh BIT karena selain kualitas yang ditawarkan oleh 2 universitas, yakni RWTH Aachen dan Universitas Bonn, juga ikatan yang kuat dengan dunia riset dan industri.

Hampir semua mahasiswa Media Informatics selama masa perkuliahan di sini melakukan magang ataupun kerja paruh waktu di institusi2 riset terkemuka (seperti Fraunhhofer Institutes), maupun perusahaan2 multinasional. (seperti Microsoft, Philips, dan Ericsson.)

Singkat cerita, program Media Informatics menjembatani mahasiswa dengan dunia riset dan industri.

Dalam rangka ulang tahun BIT yang ke-5 ini, saya ingin mengucapkan selamat ulang tahun kepada BIT. Semoga karya baik selama ini dapat dipertahankan, sambil terus mengembangkan karya2 berikutnya untuk masa depan BIT dan mahasiswa2nya.


English Translation
My name is Vina. I come from Solo, Indonesia. I am registered as a Master student in Media Informatics. Currently I am doing my thesis project at Fraunhofer FIT.

I chose Media Informatics held by BIT because not only the quality offered by two universities, RWTH Aachen and University of Bonn, but also its strong affiliation with research and industry world.

Almost every Media Informatics student, during his/her study here, has been doing internship or part-time job at well-known research institutes (such as Fraunhofer Institutes) and also at multinational companies (such as Microsoft, Phillips, and Ericsson).

In short, Media Informatics programme bridges the students with research and industry world.

This year with its fifth birthday celebration, I would like to say happy birthday to BIT. May all the good work achieved so far can be maintained along with improving them for the future of BIT and its students.


I know I know it sounds cheesy and bulls***. But that's what I said when my school asked us to record our speech for an institution competition or something. The school asked us to present ourselves along with the reasons why I chose the school etc etc etc in our native language. For me, it feels weird you know. Never being able to talk pure right Indonesian and having talked only Jakartanese-Indonesian, Javanese-Indonesian, and English for the past 6 years.
That's why I asked my friend who said he's very good at bullsh***ing in Indonesian. Haha... no offense Daffe. Thanks anyway :D

^v^

I'm so totally agree with my friend. Our tradition to propose a hand of marriage where the guy's family goes to the girl's family bringing some stuff is useless. I mean, come on, to propose and be proposed is a private thing. It should be done alone and with appropriate romantic atmosphere.

I like the western tradition much better. Only the pair presents at the proposal. Well, they're the ones who will get married anyway. The guy will bring the girl to a nice dinner, go together on a trip, put the ring inside fortune cookie or do any sweet things. Well, at least that what I saw in the movies. Not sure about the real life though. But when I watched these scenes I always smiled and imagine that I will experience the same thing.

I know I have been with my bf for more than 8 years now and marriage should come almost naturally. Well, maybe "should" sounds too harsh but that what our families expect. Like once I have been asked by his mother when we're getting married :s I shyly told her I don't know and quickly changed the subject :D I'm really not good at this. But I still want the proposal. For me, it's just as important as the wedding day which happens once in a lifetime. I want it to be sweet, romantic and makes me cry. So, if you read this, yank, you have a tough job to prepare ;) Maybe you can begin by watching those girly movies with me :D

^v^