Birdy ; My Favorite Solo Singer

Jasmine van den Bogaerde, better known by her stage name Birdy, is a 21th year old British singer and songwriter. At 12, she signed a record deal after winning talent contest Open Mic UK. Two years later, her haunting cover of Bon Iver’s Skinny Love went viral on YouTube.

Birdy was born on Mei 15, 1996 in Lymington, Hampshire . Her mother is a concert pianist and her father is a writer. She has two older half-brothers, a younger brother and a sister. All of her family are into music and art, so they understand her passion for it.

People probably don’t even know her face, but this New Forest- born singer’s music is everywhere. Some singers perhaps are overexposing their music and career, but this isn’t prevail to Birdy, as what she said, “I’ll occasionally get strange glances, but generally speaking I get left alone, “ “ I don’t think I would cope otherwise. I was a shy kid when I started and I never wanted to be out there doing lots of promotion or going on TV shows and things. I just wanted to let my music speaks for me.”

Birdy began writing songs at the age of 12. By 14 she’d had hits in the UK and Europe. At 19, she’s a Grammy nominated, six-time platinum, multimillion-seller whose fans include Jennifer Lawrence, George Clooney and Ellen DeGeneres. You probably hear her soundtracks of The Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars, Disney’s Brave, a track she wrote with Mumford & Sons and the RED Valentino campaign. Her song “Wings” was featured in the movie trailer for the recent film “Winter’s Tale”.

Birdy has produced three albums Birdy (2011), Fire Within (2013), and Beautiful Lies (2016). She has a beautiful voice and she’s really good in playing piano, almost all of her songs she plays piano. Her favorite song of her sophomore album “Fire within” is called “ All You Never Say” which she wrote with Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift) in Los Angeles. Her albums consist of various genres like indie folk, indie pop, also baroque pop. Her songs like Wild Horses, Keeping Your Head Up, Words, All You Never Say, and Terrible Love are the most i like.

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Pucok Krueng

that’s beautiful place, isn't it? It is still natural, no one destroy it either, it has a blue-green water, and you can feel the serenity near the water. But hang on. It’s not easy to get there as you can imagine. We went there in previous year , the road is still dangerous, but i don’t know the situation of the road now, cause i just went there once.

Several times ago, i made a plan with three of my friends, all of them are girls. We decided to go to Pucok Krueng, but i called it “Horrific Trip”. Firstly, i was so excited to go there, i saw some pictures in the Instagram about that place and I was interested by the place.

Obviously, when we went there it took a very long road. I rode with one of my friends by her motorcycle. When i rode her motorcycle, i was shocked. The situation was too quite, no one there. Then some bad things came to my mind suddenly and i told her some scary things, it drove her crazy. The road was terrible and we heard many monkeys surround us. We almost fall, we were so afraid if we would get lost.

Then i tried to disappear all the bad things. We tried to fight our fear and focus on the expactation. Then we changed to drive. We didn’t realize that we lost the two of our friends, their rode too fast. However, we kept riding by follow the road. I tried to call them but there was no signal there. At the half of the road, our friends were waiting for us and we continued our trip.

Time passed by around one hour, finally we arrived. And i had never stop to thank God. And guess what? The view is awesome. We took a rest for a while, we grabbed some snackes and talked with a villager there. At the end, we climbed  seven small caves over there and we took a lot of pictures. It was a worst but coolest journey with three of my friends. 

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My Activities During Ramadhan

Ramadhan is the amazing moment for every muslim in the world. We considered it as a blessing month.

Ramadhan is a meaningful month for me. Every year, me and my mother get busy by many activities especially in this Ramadhan. I almost had no time to take some rest, i had been running on my errance everyday.

Unbelievable, my mother was ordered up to 60 boxes of cookies, it’s killing us both ! but we can’t refuse it cause it is a prosperity from Allah. Then i convinced my mother that we can finish it no matter what, Insha Allah, Allah will give us strength to do it, beside i have many assignments from lecturer. I almost gave up at that time, but i tried to enjoy every moment in this Ramadhan.

Fortunately, i can divide my time for each of my houseworks, i wrote the list of my activities during ramadhan and i sticked it on my desk wall. After i had a predawn meal, i cleaned up my kitchen with the help of my mother. Then, i opened up my laptop and did my homework by degrees while waiting for Adzan. After i did shalat, i got to sleep around 2 hours. When i wake up, i spent my time to recite quran for a moment.

After i finished it, i’m going to help my mother to make some cookies. We can produced 8 jars of cakes for one recipe. In the other hand, i gotta do my homework during we take some rest from the kitchen activity. I felt so exhausted at that time, but i had to fight for it. I spent my time doing my homework about 3 hours in the afternoon. At 4 p.m. i helped my mother to cook.

At night, we continued to make some cookies again and we had some food around us to reveal some stress out. My mother and I really enjoy those stress moments, we made some jokes and told some odd stories. Before everyone get to sleep, we often cooked some meals and we ate a lot. Then i started continue to do my homework until 1 a.m.

Overall, i wasted my time to sleep only 5 hours everyday and i got the busiest day in this Ramadhan. However, i should have to Thank God because i have given good condition and i can finish my works.

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Copenhagen, the city that I'm dreaming of going !

When people asked me” what is the country that you’re dreaming of going?” Copenhagen, Denmark is the answer.

The first time I knew that country was on the old book that i found in the book store when i was around 11^th year old. At that time, i was interesting with the view, building, and other classical things which provided in the book. Ever since that time, Copenhagen is one of my favorite cities due to the classical things that i admire.

Well, there are some information about Copenhagen that i got from the internet and books ;

Copenhagen is the capital and most populated city of Denmark. The city is cultural, economic, and governmental centre of Denmark. Copenhagen is now a city rich in design, architecture and a high quality of living,  as it got the third rangking of the richest cities in the world in terms of gross earnings in 2012.

Copenhagen’s landmarks such as Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid Statue, the Amalienborg and Christiansborg palaces, Rosenborg castle, and many museums as the goal of every visitors. Restaurant is significant tourist attractions too, we can find typical Danish food can be the famous red and deliciously tasting such as smorrebrod (sandwich).

Copenhagen has more than 94.000 students enrolled in its largest universities and institutions, including the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark and Copenhagen Business School.

The city has become the centre of a larger metropolitan area spanning both nations. On the cultural front, it has the lavish Copenhagen Opera House. This city is in the oceanic climate zone. Its weather is subject to low-pressure systems from the Atlantic which result in unstable condition throughout the year. Apart from slightly higher rainfall from July to September. While there can be snow from late December to late April. June is the sunniest month of the year. July and August are warm too with daytime temperatures around 20 degree celcius (68 degree fahrenheit) although reinfall averages 69mm per month.

The architectural of buildings are so classic and colorful. This city was got the rankes sixth for the best quality of life in the world. Copenhagen provided succesful to conduct  a bicycle community. All of its citizent has minimal one bicycle. So, it is not unusual to see more bikes than cars in a city where health, freedom, and clean energy are prioritised.  This city has not less than 13 Michelin-starred restaurants. That puts them on the map as the food capital of Scandinavia- but even without Michelin-stars, people can find a great variety of other fine restaurants with remarkable and delicious food all over the city.

Copenhagen is a physically beautiful city, exactly in the atmosphere, lifestyle and attitudes of the people, don’t be surprised if Muslims as a minority accepted in this city. Religious tolerance takes precedence over it. 

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They Tell You To BeYourself, Then They Judge You

I first read this quote on Pinterest. At that time, the thing that comes to my mind is those two sentences are  form of people’s resistance of individual’s destiny.  Why do i say so?

Here, i’m not meant to judge anyone, everyone has the right to express an opinion, whether it is acceptance or rejection.  So, i just want to share my point of view about this quote.

Be yourself, I think few people disagree to this statement as the biggest part of motivation. This statement has a strong power that can urge people to reach their will or destiny, it could be positive meaning or even negative meaning.

Judging, I think none of human who doesn’t do that kind of thing in their life even children can’t avoid it. For me, judging on something is not wrong. That’s natural.

Thus, “they tell you to be yourself, then they judge you” is a combination between two forms that can yield a big decision in someone’s life. Realistically, someone changes just because of the demands of people. In fact, people are born as their own self. They were changed because of the influence of their parents, family, and society that change their own absolute characters as time goes by.

Let’s we take a look at real life problem, this kind of thing commonly happened to human physic and behaviour. First, ugly people will always being mocked, that’s real. In fact, almost everyone who has deficiency becomes a bully victim who ultimately end their lives by suicide. However, not few of them are trying to change their deficiency permanently such as plastic surgery, botox, and they are willing to cut or change the part of their faces that isn’t perfect in order to look perfect or more attractive. In contrast, this also applies to good looking people. Not few of them are being mocked. They were admired  publicly but cursed sarcastically from behind. There are some people who get jealous and finally try to bring them down.

Second, this is also happens to good people. Many of them are underestimated, treated arbitrarily just because they are too good or too patience. They were considered naive.  Hence, they were ask to be harder to avoid oppression. I often hear this such of people’s opinions like, “ you don’t have to be so good, sometimes it isn’t working in this hard life.” In the other side, this problem happens to bad-mannered people. Not few of them treatened unwell (injustice). They were required to be good in order to be accepted and appreciated by many people. Is it confusing? So what we are supposed to do? 

Obviously, our lives are demanded by many things and from that demands we depend our lives. For me, everything is depend on ourselves. Our belief in ourselve, and appreciate ourselves. Nothing can change our life except ourselves. It’s okay being ugly, it’s okay if you are not okay. The good or bad of a person is a self-reflection, nothing can possibly same in the world. Do what you think is right, don’t do what you think it’s going to harm people. Appreciate and go beautify yourself without change something that should be a gift from God to you. Change your behaviour if many others are disturbed, if you have a feeling so that you will understand which one is good and which one is bad. Be yourself without any compulsion. Everything is from you and will be back to you.

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7 Tracks Recommendation For Your Trip

7 Tracks Recommendation For Your Trip!

Don’t even pretend you haven’t been googling a song to stick on your trip. I have too, and that’s how i stumbled into something pleasure. Now, i would like to provide you 7 tracks recommendation in order to make your trip more fun. You can play it on your tape, ipod, mp3, or whatever you want to.

So, let's check out the tracks !

1. Bob Mould “ See  A Little Light”

"I see a little light, I know you will

 I can see it in your eyes, I know you still care

 But if you want me to go

 You should just say so"

See a little light is a song about opportunity, chance and the importance of making decisions and making things happen. If you are the one who loves Alternative rock music, this “see a little light” will beats your ear.

2. M83 “I Need You”

"Have you ever had a feeling

That we’re not alone?

Hold to call the feeling senile

They unearth for more

Going down the dusty roads

We are cold and see through, I need you.."

If you watched Divergent movie, you’ll directly know this track. This is one of backsounds from Divergent. If you are listening to this track, you’ll hear the serenity from that Electronic music band.

3. Filous ft. Mat Kearney “Goodbye”

"My heart is on the table, somebody’s gotta try

i’m willing and i’m able, don’t you know it?

I don’t wanna say goodbye"

Still about electronic music, this track won’t disappoint your trip cause the rythm is good to hear.

Eventhough  the lyrics are seemed so deep, but trust me this track won’t drive you crazy.

4. Lord Huron “The Night We Met”

"Take me back to the night we met

I don’t know what i’m supposed to do

Haunted by the ghost of you

Take me back to the night we met"

If you are the one who loves a melancholic song, this track is for you. Maybe most of you know this track from 13 reasons why. That’s true!, this track is so beautiful, but it’s even more poignant when you consider the lyrics.

5. Hollow Coves “The Woods”

"We’re all falling and we need a place to hide

A safe place in the woods, where we can start the fire"

Hollow Coves is one of my favorite Indie Folk bands. You’ll hear a simple acoustic melodies, vocal harmonies, and impactful themes. If you’re listening to this “The Wood” single, you’ll feel as if you were at the place filled with serenity.

6. JR JR “ Same Dark Places”

"I know everybody goes to the same dark places

Sometimes in the dead of night when you think you can’t make it

You might find i left a light beside the bed for you

Cause i’ve been there too"

Back to alternative song,” Same Dark Places” is one of my favorite alternative songs, because the lyrics are inspiring and the way they sing that song can make the listeners feel pleasant.

7. A Fine Frenzy “Blow Away”

"One of us is gonna be here, and 

One of us is gonna be running

Off alone into the great unknown"

If you’ve ever watched Monte Carlo movie, you’ll  certainly know this track. A Fine Frenzy is a solo singer who contributes her music into Pop genre. Most of her songs are simple and catchy. This track is the song which i like most. This track can make your trip more fun.

So, that’s all some tracks that i listed, hopefully it will help you seeking a good trip songs. Cheers!

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How Books Impact Your Life

How Books Impact Your Life

Everybody has their own problems, it could be sad, happy, or any else. Whether their choose to solve it or just let it flow. Talking about book, i think some people may agree with me when i say that book has strong power to man’s life. Believe it or not. Some people admit that books have changed their future. For instance, their bussiness life or something  that effected to their financial. But, i don’t want to tell you about the impact of books to your bussinesses,but i want to tell you about books for simple life, how books will impact your problems. That’s always been the best advice that i’ve received because, it’s true.

According to multiple scientific studies, there are plenty of reasons to always read a book. Reading can solve some of the most basic problems to some of the most difficult. If you’ve been facing some tricky life problems, and no matter how much great advice you’ve received from friends or family doesn’t seem to help, pick up a book. You can find any book that will help you feel better when you’re sick, cure you’re broken heart, or inspire you. Here are 4 life problems that can, and always will be helped by books :

First, books can help heal a broken heart. If you’ve ever suffered from a broken heart, then you know how painful and lonely it is. Reading stories also deal with breakups can be a big help. It shows you that the pain you’ve feeling is natural and relatable. It also shows you that you’re not alone to feel this way. Books tend to motivate, too. Because if you can see a character’s pain or even more painful than yours, it can encourage you to move on as well.

Second, books make you feel less stress. A study done by University of Sussex, found that reading a book even for a few minutes a day, can reduce stress levels up to 68%. That’s pretty insane. Whenever i’m feeling overwhelmed, reading helps me take a step back and feel less stress. Usually, i choose to read a book which offered me a lot of jokes.

Third, books offer valuable life advice. Some authors like J.K. Rowling, Tere Liye, and other authors have given us some of the best life advices, whether it’s through fictional characters or real life experiences.

The last, books teach you how to be grateful and wise person. There are a number of motivational books created by the authors, some of the books are based on the authors’ life experiences. I supposed that, those kind of books are appropriate to read especially for people who grow mature.

All in all, books play important role in our life and each of it has a moral value . If you can’t face your problem alone, you may try to read a book, because books can inspire you like I listed you several points.

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A Sweet Memory From Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy

I remember..

I still remember.

The day when she asked me to walk around in the centre park of the city. We were still a kid in that day.

She acted significantly different as if we would be apart. I had no idea at that time, cause i was a kid.

We went to the park, her parents brought us there, then left us to play anything we want, to give us a times to  play.

I do love cotton candy, but she did not. I remember when she said that, “i hate that kind of candy, its like i eat the mud full with sugar!”

Unbelievable, she hold my hand and carried me to buy two plastics of cotton candy with big size, she picked up the pink one and i the blue one. She told me that she tried to accustomed herself to like cotton candy in order that she didn’t want me to leave her just because she doesn’t like it.

Then i promised to her that i would never ever leave her, cause she is my bestfriend. We laughed together, i was waiting for her to finish her candy, we talked alot while we were sitting on the swing. We talked about our dreams, what would we do after we graduated from elementary school, and at that time we had a plan that we want to choose the same school. It was such a beautiful day, we stayed there till afternoon.

But now, those memories were left behind a long time ago.

The day after we met, she had gone for ever. She left me alone. I still cannot believe it was the last day we met.

A big disaster happened. She passed away.. i was in pain, really painful. She was the first bestfriend of mine. I keep still her promise that we always be bestfriend even she was not here anymore. Those cotton candies are the witnesses of our memories, those sweet cotton candies...  

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Did you ever feel stuck on something that you wish you would have done?

Did you ever feel  stuck on something that you wish you would have done?

Now it’s happened to me!

Lately, I was a kind of person who likes writing and drawing. When i was around 11th-15th year old (six years ago), i almost finished off six journal books and five thick diaries to write down all the things that impressed me at that time. My father often bought me some drawing books when i was a kid as well, then i started to draw as my routine. To be honest, i’m not kind of person who really loves study (peace). When i was faced with subjects such Math, Physics, Chemistry, or any subject that consisting of formula, i got dizzy immediately! That’s why i choosed social class because there is no art class in my school. Generally, i tend to do something that i love so far, even my mother called me as a joy seeker *mumble.

So,back to the topic. Since i am in college, i feel like my mood and passion of writing and drawing began to  disappear, some short stories that i made have never been posted or published anyway, its also due to the limitation of media that i used in several years ago. I don’t know why its occur. I know its not good! I should continue my hobby that has been lose, but again, my passion is began to disappear. Even my books which consisting of short stories had been packed long time ago and i forget where i put it.

Now when i go back to draw and write, i need a thousand times to get any inspiration and it makes me frustated. Then now i know, i give a limitation in those abilities. For you guys as my beloved readers, you may take some positive sides based on my story. I suggest you to pursue and go on all the things that you love to do, who knows one of those things  will be the greatest one and brings you a wonderful result (let’s hoping!). Because something that has stopped  will be hard to start again, but let’s try!

-Cheers     

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