Saturday, March 3, 2012

SCATTERED INDONESIAN WAROENG IN SOUTH PHILLY

So, one boring Saturday we decided to get some sun exposure at the park. We left the house around 12 PM, and the weather was a mix of sun and clouds.  It was a very cloudy day and we were scared it was gonna rain but we decided to drive down to Philadelphia anyway. The city of Philly Cheese Steak ... city of The Liberty Bell .....




Entering Philadelphia



We drove down to South Philly where approx 10,000 Chinese-Indonesian immigrants who escaped persecution were living. Some arrived as refugees seeking asylum after fleeing turmoil in Indonesia.  In fact, many of these immigrants left their successful businesses and careers back home.  Some of those who gain permanent residency thru asylum have established Indonesian restaurants, small stores (called warung), etc.



Entering South Philly



Located on Snyder, just off of Passyunk, we found a decent Indonesian Restaurant called Indonesia Restaurant. http://www.loveindonesiarestaurant.com/




Indonesia Restaurant


 The food they offered was typically East Javanese.  We ordered tahu berontak (fried stuffed tofu)  and martabak (a crepe-like dish with egg filing) as our starters, sate babi manis (sweet pork satay) and sop buntut (oxtail soup) as our main course, and two orders of es dawet (a cocktail of rice flour, jackfruit with coconut milk and palm sugar) as our desserts.  The food had an authentic and exotic taste.  Considering its generous portions, the prices were within a reasonable price too.



Our lunch special



After Indonesian Restaurant,  we walked a few blocks over where we found a small take out place called Fan's Cafe.  LOL .... don't get to exciting with the name Fan's Cafe.  There weren't any dining tables, chairs, or a wait staff. When you walk in, there is a bullet-proof window with a menu posted on it and you can place your order thru the window.  Unfortunately, when we got there, which was around 3ish, they were running low on food.  I was only able to order one nasi kuning lengkap (yellow rice), 2 orders of nasi padang (padang dishes), 2 orders of batagor (crispy tofu and wahoo fish dumpling in peanut sauce), mpek-mpek and nasi goreng ikan asin (salty fish fried rice). I have to say, despite the aesthetics, the food is a must try!



Fan's Cafe



Place your order here


I've dined out at several Indonesian restaurants in the New York area, but I'm not sure if their dishes can even justify the rich and savory flavor of these 2 places.


We promised ourselves that we will return as soon as possible, even if it does take 2 hours to get there.

Yum .... Yum ...... Gobble ... Gobble .....




Thank you for reading my blog.









Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Mia and Her Collection: Memory Lane @ Ogilvy & Mather

http://miaandhercollection.blogspot.com/2012/01/memory-lane-ogilvy-mather.html?spref=bl: It's been a while since my last blog, and I need a boost to start writing again. So many things have happened since my last blog and I ...

Monday, January 23, 2012

Memory Lane @ Ogilvy & Mather



It's been a while since my last entry, and I need a boost to start writing again.  So many things have happened since my last blog and I couldn't bring myself to sit and think of what I was going to write ... so a long pause was my best solution.

Soooo ... here is the story ..., last August we received big news that our parent company, The WPP Group Advertising Agency, decided to send their finance related departments to India, and my job at Ogilvy Advertising Agency will be effected as soon as March 31, 2012.  I had to act cool when my manager and human resource rep delivered the message.  Some employees couldn't hold their emotions and cried, while some experienced shock, panic, a sense of identity loss, and fear all at once.  But in the back of my mind I felt that my dreams ... my plans were being pulled away from me, not to mention thinking of my financial stability.  The positive part of the layoff is that the agency gave us 8 months notice, that way we could prepare and make necessary adjustments.
Oh .... hold on!!!! ......, the agency retained us long enough for us to train their cheap foreign replacements .... yeah ... its a take and give game...  That's fair though ..... not like I am being laidoff and need to gather my belongings into a big box right away, that makes it obvious to everyone.

With the Holiday season passed by, so as my time at Ogilvy.  At times I felt unmotivated, in fact, sometimes I would fall into such a slump that even thinking about making positive changes seemed to difficult.  But this is not the story I had intended to tell. I still have two and a half more months left to lighten my mood ... :)))

Things happened during holiday season at Ogilvy was Market Place ... Holiday Party ... and our Dept Party ...




market

As a result of last year's feedback, Ogilvy coordinated another holiday market event.  The date was December 1, from 12 Noon - 2PM.  The event was a bit bigger and better this year.  Some were put on a waiting list, but since I was a former participant, I was reached out first and I thought to myself ... "why not" ....

I really had no goal that day, since I had a bad experience with last year's market.  The display was simple without being cheesy.  Some good friends from my department came along and helped me set up and sell.  The selling was not bad at all, since I haven't really changed my inventory with the exception of my fashionable eyeglasses holders.


Me with some of my creations


Buy ... Buy ... Buy ...





Ogilvy holiday celebration was happened on site, Thursday, December 15, 2011.  Life jazz band was performed at the cafetaria ... the buffet dinner was served at the Theater ... and DJ and dance floor was at the 2nd floor Atrium.  For some people, the office holiday party was just to have lots and lots of food.  For me its time to enjoy my last year together and get a chance to spend time with co-workers and others outside of work.  Nothing wild, we just chat, we dance and we had so much fun while networking on the side.  After all, we've been working hard all year and it's time to bring the happy face.


The Inside Tent Dance floor


Live Jazz at the Cafetaria


Some office buddies


In the midst of our lousy news, our department still managed the end of year functions, but this time it was held at one of the office conference room.  The event usually to celebrate staff achievements and of course to share the joys of the season, but this time we celebrated our last holiday gathering.  The room was decorated by a well-meaning co-workers.  Our dinner was ordered from BB King Restaurant.  Nothing fancy .... no games .... not much laughter ..... and not much to say.  After dinner we all can't wait to go home ..... sad eeerrrggg .....








Well that's the story. 
In my next story I probably talk about how's life being a house wife ..... LOL .... maybe :))

Have fun in life and remember you only live once so make the most of it as long as you don’t harm others and enjoy your journey.icon smile About

God bless you all…….