so near, yet so far

You are 100% in my mind
You are 100% of my heart
You are 98% of my call
You are 50% of my breath
You are the last one in my mind before I sleep...

I just wonder and looking at the starry night...
I say to wind please tell her what I feel and miss
And I know it is you...

VERY SOON we'll meet again my soul mate...

till then you are always in my prayer, meine leiblich Verlobte

-Ricky-

A new Chapter

Today will be a new chapter for me and Ricky. We're going to be separated for one year. He's going to Hongkong to continue his study in Master of Finance Engineering in University of Hongkong. I'm proud of him !! He has the courage to take a leap of faith persuing his study again.

So this morning I sent him to Airport at 4 am. Guess what!! His luggage was 16 kgs overweight. So we have to take out some of the things. But we only managed to reduce 5 kgs. And we decided to paid for the overweight fees and we walked to the check in counter. We saw the man who's checked in before us didn't have any luggage. So we tried to talk to him if he wants to checked in together with us. And Thanks GOD he agreed to. At the end, we didn't pay a single dollar and Ricky can bring all his stuff there. I'm sure God make a way for us. He's God who always care about us even in a small matter like the luggage.

So the luggage thingy is done. But until that moment I still can't accept the fact that we're going to be separated for 1 year. Eventhough it's just temporary, but trust me it's not easy. Usually I always have his accompany everyday. We just have so much things to share, whether it's happy or sad moment. He always there whenever I need him. But now..... He's no longer by my side.... I only can asked God to strenghten me.... It's going to be hard and tough for both of us but I'm sure if God allows all this things happened, He surely have a GREAT PLAN and FUTURE for both of us.

I love you forever Ric.... You always be the man of my heart....

Yours,
Jojo

One Month

Suddenly I feel the urgency to write about what's inside my heart. And this is the second time I do it. I remember the first time was a card that I wrote to Ricky before he went to Germany 4 years ago.

Today is exactly one month after our engagement in Bali. Until this moment I still can picturised clearly every single moment on that day and I even can feel that 'feeling'. In this case I think photos are not essential anymore but the feeling that stirs inside my heart that counts. And my heart says you are the man that I want to spend my life with and I'm sure you are the man that God gives to me. You always make me feel being loved by you and you always make my life full of happiness, joy and laughter each day. What can I asked more from you?

I can't imagined my life without you. If it's going to happen I'm sure God has a perfect plan and He will gives us strength.

Lieblich Verlobte,
-JoJo-

It's Impossible!

It will be impossible without Him. He's the one who put the stir the heart of man, put the desire in it, and direct it in His own way.

It's been weeks since that Big Day and everytime I recall it, I'd just remember that it's possible and wonderful at the end of the day because He helps me along the way. What am I without Him?

Thank you Jesus. For I know it's Your hands that hold my world, indeed!

Also many thanks to my friends: Denny Rachmat, Albert Limantara, Ian Purnomo and Bonar Sihombing. Your unique and special inputs has helped me alot along the way ;)

JOJO's mind on that day

Yohoo!!! it’s my 2nd day in Bali, wake up at 9am then I went for breakfast which provided by the hotel. But me and Ricky only eat a little bit because we want to save our tummy for the famous “Bu Oka” Suckling Pig and Bebek Bengil in Ubud. So we drive to Ubud and we have Bebek Bengil for our lunch. It tastes good and yummy. And of course we took lots of pic there. After that we want to eat the suckling pig but guess what!!! It was close for 3 days due to the Galungan (one of the public holiday in Bali). So sadddddddd…. :(

So after Ubud we are heading to Blue Point in Uluwatu. And it’s such a beautiful place on the top of Uluwatu Cliff with the infinity pool. And again took a lot of pics too heheeh We went to the restaurant in the hotel and have some drinks and to catch our breath because of the long journey. Then Ricky change his Polo T-shirt to his new favorite collar shirt. And I’m just thinking what happened to Ricky? What makes him so excited until he needs to change his shirt and shoes? And he just simply said that it’s hot weather and he was perspiring so he needs to change his Polo T. Well I’m just kind of believe in him. After that I want to go to BVLGARI hotel but Ricky insisted that we should go to Ritz Carlton Hotel to see the sunset. Because he said Ritz Carlton has the best view of the sunset. Well ok, so I just follow his idea.

And finally we arrive in Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jimbaran. And here starts the conversation:

Security: Hi good afternoon Sir, may I have your name please? Do you have any appointment in the hotel?

Ricky: Yes, I’m Ricky. We are going to have dinner here.

Security: Oh yes, Mr. Ricky and Ms. Yohanna right?

Jojo: HHmmmm??? Ric how they even know my name ?

Ricky: Don’t worry (he smiles), it’s just an excuse so we could go in to the hotel and take picture there.

Jojo: Hmm… I see… ('I believe in him again’)

We arrived in the hotel Lobby and suddenly the friendly F&B manager welcome us and bring us around the hotel, give us some welcoming drink with the flowers and help us take pictures with the sunset. And I start look at Ricky and hinting him if we could just walk without her accompaniment because honestly what I have in my mind is just to take pictures then go to Jimbaran to eat Seafood. At one point, I see there’s a long bridge at the very left side of the hotel which face to the sea. I think it could be a very romantic place for dinner or some event. And I told Ricky can we take a look of that place? When we are near to that place, I saw the setting of one table at the end point of the jetty with two chairs at the end of the bridge with candles all around it. It also has 2 torches standing by the table to provide lighting in the evening. The fresh air and sound of the sea wave hits cliff rocks. I just LOVE the setting, I just imagine that it will be a fairy tale to be there, to have a dinner and accompanied by a musician in the midst of candle and torch lighting.

However, the manager still pretends she doesn’t know anything and told us that this jetty is a very romantic place and you need to booked this place a few months in advanced. Do you know what?? I still believe in what she said too. And there’s waiter who serves us champagne there. This time I started smell something fishy here . And Ricky just smiled on me and asked me to sit down. Well I still thought hmmm… it must be just a romantic dinner from Ricky but....suddenly the waiter serves me appetizer and when I opened the cover, it was a red roses with heart shape and on top of it is a beautiful shimmering splendid ring with a proposal letter that endose with his own song composition and “Will you marry me?" And tears just flowing from my eyes. I was just so surpised and speechless at that moment, I simply can't believe what I see and I feel. The thing that I never imagine, heard, nor enter to my heart; yet here it's in front of me. It's simply the best happiest moment in my life ever....

RICKY's mind on that day

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

6 AM I woke up early today. I can’t really sleep well because I keep thinking about my proposal plan and the details…details…and details.

I decided to take my blue New Balance running shoes that I just bought and hit the beach to jog along the shore. I was welcomed by the rising sun, as if it’s saying hello right beside me, at the same moment I felt the win blows softly touch my hairs. At the same time I’m amazed by His grace to me. It’s like the earth has given me a sign that today the new journey will start for me.

I run along the shore, it was tougher to run at the wet sand but it feels good. I just keep running and running to refresh my mind while I’m seeing other tourists walk along the beach, some fishermen trying to push their boat to the sea and the Japanese surfers warming up before playing around with the waves. I just realize that I love Bali.

It takes about an hour before I’m going back to my room, took my shower, and (again) thinking on the plan for today. I will need to be in Jimbaran by 5.30 pm to witness the sunset. When I met her I told her that we are going to Ubud for lunch, Uluwatu for visiting some villas and Jimbaran for sunset. She is nodding and said “That’s fine. I’ll just follow you”.

After a quick breakfast, I’m rushing to the car with my new Ben Sherman shirt, khakis pants and a bag on my hand. I’m telling her that I bring all of those to change while taking photos at different sites. And she just believed that… I was surprised cause she normally will sense if

something not really normal, but I think this one is normal enough for her. Thank goodness.

12 PM now we are in Ubud for lunch at Bebek Bengil. A nature oriented resto in the middle of rice field. Simply beautiful! The crispy duck is delicious and the air is very refreshing.

It is 3 PM and I still driving at Uluwatu. I realize that it’s not that near from Ubud to Uluwatu. But it is exactly what I need to waste the time and hypnotize her with the beauty of Bali that invites her to take more pictures. The road to Blue Point (BP) is going ups and down and it was a tiring drive, but I must go on and must not grow tired because something big is waiting at sunset. BP has a great view of sunset from the cliff. It has a cute white chapel facing the beach. I decided to sit and enjoy the juice from BP while enjoying the view from the cliff. The beach at this area has crystal clear water, unlike the other beaches. Again … ulur waktu ; )

5.10 PM I quickly change my attire from Polo T-shirt + Bermudas to Shirt + pants and she just wondering what’s wrong with me. I just told her that I would want to dress nicer for my sunset photos. And the luck is on my side that she didn’t follow up her curiosity. Once she checks my pocket, I’ll be dead haha…

5.30 PM Here I am in front of Ritz Carlton gate with lots of guards and a dog sniffing my car…. I’m just about to enter the “promise land”. God, help me cause my legs starts shaking.

-RICKY-

Perfect time, place and people in Bali

Ricky here and I just got back from Bali 2 days ago. I still can remember our experience in Bali. And yes baby.... IT WORKS !!! My surprise for her was working perfectly.

Ritz Carlton was very very awesome! I like the jetty, the sunset, the decoration, the beach, the wind, the candles and the people...and lots more. It was blended perfectly and created a trully unforgetable moment for our engagement.

I will post more of our memories about the proposal. But for now, I just want to share the Joy that I and my fiance feel. IT IS GREAT !

Thank you Ric ^_^

I'm surprised when Ricky told me that he create a Blog for both of us. He told me about this blog after he proposed me and I was excited want to read how's his preparation for this Big Day.

Well the proposal event took place in Ritz Carlton, Bali on 26 June 2007. It really surprised me because he has plan all of this when he was in Spore. He has booked the private jetty in Ritz Carlton. Can you imagined the jetty is placed at the end of the long bridge that face to the seas, Jimbaran Bay and you can view the excellent sunset spot from there. And there is only one table that surrounds with candles and flowers, exactly like what I want for my Big day ^_^, with personal waiter and live music that accompany us through our dinner time. I feel I'm the luckiest girl right now. It was just too beautiful to be described with words. So I decided to post some photos with more details soon :)

Last but not least, Thank God I found him and thanks Ric for all your efforts make this important day so memorable and too good to be forgotten by every one who read this blog.

Love you forever,
- JoJo -

I guess it will be BALI

I'm planning to give her surprise in Bali... I'm arranging a trip to Bali and I will propose her there.
something different... a place that we both adore.

I hope it works this time :)

Oh .... finding a good moment is not easy

I've been wondering what should I do to propose her and make it memorable for both of us. But, finding the right time and place is challenging (well, at least I don't need to find the right person anymore hehe).

Lots of idea running in my mind, but I gotta filter that up. here's the question:

1. Where will it be? Spore or outside Spore

2. When? This week, next week or next next week

3. How? dinner, lunch or non meal time

4. Who? just 2 of us or rame2

5. details and details and details..... so much of them

I will not know the answer until the day itself has come. Let's see ^_^

I just got the ring TODAY

Today, Thursday 7 June 2007 is a special day. I will start the blog with the story that my fiance doesn't realize till she read this blog... This is about the Engagement Ring that I bought for her.

She was having dinner with her friends when I colllect the long awaited ring that I ordered a month ago. This 1 Carat ring with its pair is very special, hence it takes sometimes to prepare it ... In the beginning I thot that I can choose the diamond and I'd be able to get it on the same day, but obviously I'm wrong. But I'm not complaining, because the ring worth waiting :)

I think she doesn't even know that it took me weeks just to browse the ring that I want, that also include lots of "hide & seek" to ensure she doesn't know what I do. I still remember I was caught by the parents of my fiance's student in the jewellry store while browsing the solitaire rings. Lucky me that I could find away to sneak away from that dangerous moment hehe...

ok back to the story... yeah, she was having a dinner and it was raining when I played hide & seek (again). The store attendant welcome me with a great smile when she looked at me "Hi Sir, it's ready and it's beautiful". And indeed, it's beautiful.

I just hope that you like it, Love...