tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88213061293690629632024-03-06T07:03:02.291+07:00Randoms of IraI write, take pictures, and procrastinateIra S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-58066951633784713852015-08-08T09:32:00.000+07:002015-08-08T09:32:12.409+07:00Battles of Palaces: Bahia vs Badi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd_PqFU4JX_AE9XGCWgPTnMnkyb1JxMQPmBvJRmdZO-yaUn5NldiP8Qe8gMy1pF-5fpNs4qVnYImGl9cfoJmsDwIKeU8UD15AlcTV8kk2iT0h04ZxjtLW0a3K8zl140DQYeHc-GferCS7/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd_PqFU4JX_AE9XGCWgPTnMnkyb1JxMQPmBvJRmdZO-yaUn5NldiP8Qe8gMy1pF-5fpNs4qVnYImGl9cfoJmsDwIKeU8UD15AlcTV8kk2iT0h04ZxjtLW0a3K8zl140DQYeHc-GferCS7/s640/DSC_0318.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The history behind Marrakesh is actually really
fascinating – and that’s saying something considering I usually I lack the
capabilities to understand and remember any stories of the past. Here’s a
random fact for you: did you know that Marrakesh was actually the whole of
Morocco at one point?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can go on and on about some of the most
historical buildings in Marrakesh – the grand gates all around the city, Jamaa
el Fna, the mosques – but what amazes me most here are the palaces, the Bahia
and the Badi to be exact. Located just a few minutes away from each other, each
palace has a unique story to tell, from their history all the way to the facade of ruins that’s left behind.</span></div>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2015/08/palaces.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-41971469291546279042015-08-05T04:41:00.000+07:002015-08-05T05:28:57.674+07:00A Few Things I Learned From My Sahara Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDeLsp_HH9FCPkXHZNS6Zk_1ygQEHxw4YcTaJ-NnpURS9WkL2aZPUI-Q2u86TBp0TsbsAqv0xQdBrN-wgsIp4-_iiTIrwfvX4S17wJzOJy8gqRX_Ofe87OBVM4reoQVmQjREpr1wm6lgr/s1600/DSC_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDeLsp_HH9FCPkXHZNS6Zk_1ygQEHxw4YcTaJ-NnpURS9WkL2aZPUI-Q2u86TBp0TsbsAqv0xQdBrN-wgsIp4-_iiTIrwfvX4S17wJzOJy8gqRX_Ofe87OBVM4reoQVmQjREpr1wm6lgr/s640/DSC_0947.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently, one can learn a few new things
after taking a Sahara trip, whether it be random good-to-knows or some new
perspectives in life. I personally lean more towards the latter – more along
the lines of “I’ve never been more thankful that I live in such a modern age
where I don’t need to count on animals for transportation and where we have a
functional plumbing system!” </span></div>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2015/08/sahara.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-47847943209794223512015-07-25T04:09:00.001+07:002015-07-25T04:41:20.736+07:00Essaou-ira<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ct4HeP3RyoJJjp13laqcfFtjw4lgkk2hvlndtyBWsRxtEcp-Ht5B0j6ApUDCTJvAg-n5tXJfJiIfygMbHtiARu7Y4fcQYsZOafzAlOuHDImsBtsIunyaMnQcvHILUsDHK0saRco4ddvB/s1600/%2521DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ct4HeP3RyoJJjp13laqcfFtjw4lgkk2hvlndtyBWsRxtEcp-Ht5B0j6ApUDCTJvAg-n5tXJfJiIfygMbHtiARu7Y4fcQYsZOafzAlOuHDImsBtsIunyaMnQcvHILUsDHK0saRco4ddvB/s640/%2521DSC_0343.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well known fact: you cannot spell Essaouira,
the beautiful harbor city only two hours away from Marrakesh, without the
word “Ira” – and that is why I am concluding that this city, dubbed as “The
Wind City of Africa” is where I should spend the rest of my life in. Beautiful
views of beaches and fortresses, pleasant hippie atmosphere, cheap souvenirs*,
and the perfect breezy weather during summer is just a few things that I will
put in my powerpoint presentation that I’m making to convince my parents that
at the very least Essaouira should be the destination for our next family holiday. </span></div>
<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2015/07/essaou-ira.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-9176336077494947912015-07-23T19:38:00.000+07:002020-02-19T08:04:35.242+07:00Food and Feasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ll say this upfront: living in Marrakesh,
whether during Ramadan</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*</sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> or not, can be difficult. Whilst I cannot
vouch for its conditions during winter (which I hear can be extremely cold), I
can definitely say that if you are not used to the ridiculous high temperatures
that it has during summer, you might want to cancel your plans of touring the
city during the day to simply stay home or seek shelter at an air-conditioned cafe</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to beat the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, the food and hospitality of the local
people makes up for the ungodly heat. Seriously though, whether it be the
panini and pizzas of your neighborhood cafe, or the tajine and mint tea from
your Moroccan friends during Eid dinner, I have yet to be disappointed by the
taste of the food that has colored my palette. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2015/07/food-and-feasts.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-3335198734883187592015-07-13T15:35:00.002+07:002020-02-19T08:04:58.301+07:00Keeping Up With the Moroccans<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Let me be blunt – living the Moroccan lifestyle, at least during Ramadan,
can be quiet a challenge for someone who treasures their sleep (read: me). It has been five days since I first arrived in
Marrakesh but I have yet to conquer my sleepiness and keep up with the Moroccan
night life. Yes, at times like these I do realize that I sound like an old lady
who won’t stop complaining about the ‘kids these days!’ – but what can I say? I’m
a 20-year-old with the energy of an 8-year-old in the morning and the </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">grouchiness</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of an 80-year-old grumpy grandpa at night. To put in simpler terms: I
am </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">undeniably</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> a morning person. So
even though I have to do mandatory hangouts with the other 50-ish people in the
same AIESEC project as I am at 2 PM at the local mall, followed by another
hangout at a pool club at 4, and then a big feast for </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">iftor</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> at 8, finished off by a walk around the souk until 1 AM (not
to mention the long time it took to get back to the apartment), I would still
be wide awake before 6 AM – with a headache and hunger pains as I still have to
fast for </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Ramadan but failed to stay awake to consume breakfast (or </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">sahur</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">) before </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Subh</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4mQMlgeygUQujphY-y-MROSWJm85_6pii5N7kSa8mJDi_5etIPjVdsQzwcxSdEndyw9_nTy1Jn8j561T90zNXPv0VpFiCg3EbGKRx-6QeCMXz9yFkn7K8zLCN2A8sSMZ16XXpUMhdOn4/s1600/IMG_20150713_081301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4mQMlgeygUQujphY-y-MROSWJm85_6pii5N7kSa8mJDi_5etIPjVdsQzwcxSdEndyw9_nTy1Jn8j561T90zNXPv0VpFiCg3EbGKRx-6QeCMXz9yFkn7K8zLCN2A8sSMZ16XXpUMhdOn4/s640/IMG_20150713_081301.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That being said, I am still amazed at the amount of energy the Moroccan
nightlife has to offer. The burst of life after 9 PM makes up for the lack
thereof during the day – where hardly any shops in the streets are open and the
amount of people you see outside can be counted by a single hand. As most of
the people in the organizing committee says, ‘<i>Morocco
during the day is boring, but at night time it is a life of a party.<sup>*</sup>’
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2015/07/keeping-up.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-30199575269041268402015-07-08T11:03:00.000+07:002015-07-08T11:03:16.717+07:00Not Comfortable With Being Comfortable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimowsc1P0tTxlwk60zQ74ZKILxWlY6dn5lRsD5vN4xrflZg0ZgmnW9aGKtomxBfCghohavFqHG_7ml9Wc7rnW6swCES32i5P-EYo3lLmMgNnOJZ9120M11X28dzKI0EsVvtvKPpi62N8vr/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimowsc1P0tTxlwk60zQ74ZKILxWlY6dn5lRsD5vN4xrflZg0ZgmnW9aGKtomxBfCghohavFqHG_7ml9Wc7rnW6swCES32i5P-EYo3lLmMgNnOJZ9120M11X28dzKI0EsVvtvKPpi62N8vr/s640/DSC_0046.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is embarrassing to admit, but I've considered myself to be quiet a <i>wuss - </i>at least recently<i>. </i>Why, you ask? Because in my 20 years of existence, the most "daring" thing I've ever done (and still quite proud of, for some reason) was confronting a guy in my class about him telling lies about me. I've <i>always </i>been afraid of face-to-face confrontation for as long as I can remember, so what I did back then took a lot of courage.</span></div>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2015/07/not-comfortable-with-being-comfortable.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-82059551270691114422013-07-21T07:08:00.000+07:002013-07-21T07:08:36.138+07:00And So I Put My Reading Glasses On<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What happens when you leave me in a bookstore for over two hours? I go crazy buying books, that's what. And what happens when I receive a $10 voucher from my online magazine shop - <i><a href="http://zinio.com/">Zinio</a></i>? I go crazy hauling some mags, obviously. And if both of these situations happen in same the time? I end up extremely happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's basically the highlight of my week - hauling on several reads and reading until the sun shows up the next day. Since a couple of months ago I stopped reading novels and magazines completely in order to focus on my university entrance exams. But now that that's over and done with I thought <i>what better way to spend your free time than to get new books to read? </i>Nothing, really - considering it's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan">ramadan</a> (which for me means the activities I can do are limited by my inability to eat nor drink during daytime) and all my friends are busy with either uni things or getting into uni...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So yeah, I hauled.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WhLI9nbv0b-iKhFX4RjZfRe-Y4_ItRMeidNL8EzyYPDqEacR7ZVMNNWrmvGlGHOW7-tUKr1scpEnZDJ2zUUdAGYRC-pebjskKqqnAm1Ip_AbL2S07L4rZMMDmXhraNI0UDum4l_attcQ/s1600/bookhaul02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WhLI9nbv0b-iKhFX4RjZfRe-Y4_ItRMeidNL8EzyYPDqEacR7ZVMNNWrmvGlGHOW7-tUKr1scpEnZDJ2zUUdAGYRC-pebjskKqqnAm1Ip_AbL2S07L4rZMMDmXhraNI0UDum4l_attcQ/s640/bookhaul02.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2013/07/and-so-i-put-my-reading-glasses-on.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-63598895077763052592013-07-12T03:06:00.000+07:002013-07-12T03:06:32.610+07:00Prints and Updates<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I apologize. Since my last post I've been attacked with <i>several</i> university entrance exams spread out for three weeks, hence the lack of posts. Some people are just multitasking geniuses who can manage to study and stress out while continually blogging - I am <i>not </i>one of those people. Fortunately the exams are over because I got my first result back - I got accepted to study Nutrition at <a href="https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ui.ac.id%2Fen&ei=iQnfUaGcGc_NrQff0IDACQ&usg=AFQjCNG6mlNY1x4lqRU1rpx6TRQpaInQfw&sig2=e4-IXt_52Sm7Kjb695nd6Q&bvm=bv.48705608,d.bmk">University of Indonesia</a> (you can choose to take more exams if you failed to get in the first few unis you applied to)!! This is <i>literally </i>a dream come true for me - I have a whole list of goals I want to achieve and one of them is to study nutrition at said uni, so yay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While there's still a couple of results I need to wait up on, it really doesn't matter what it'll say because I already got what I aimed for. And thus ends my stressing days - for now.</span></div>
<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2013/07/prints-and-updates.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-22766737028310227422013-06-15T10:22:00.000+07:002013-06-15T11:34:52.249+07:00Indulge a Little<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After filling the last five months with practically nothing but tutorials and practice exams (excluding that two week holidays I took to go back to Adelaide in which I took my </span><a href="http://web.stagram.com/p/433117828340485788_299597018" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">first solo flight</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">), I finally attended the last tutorial in my program yesterday. Between now and Monday, I'm left with trying to contain my stress levels and counting the minutes until the University entrance exams </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, THE exams that will quite literally change my life - which also happens to coincides with my 18th birthday. Big whoop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This anticipation is killing me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On one hand I really wish time would speed up and the exams should just happen right now so I can stop stressing. However on the other hand, I wish the exams would be months and months away so I can prepare better for it. Oh the dilemmas of being a student - it never goes away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then yesterday morning the postman rang my doorbell and handed me my orders from ASOS, and I took it as a sign. I'm seeing it as a reminder from the Lord Almighty saying something like, <i>'Ira, don't stress too much. Here's a little something to lift your mood. See it as an early birthday present from yourself. Or a "congratulations on making it this far" gift - whatever, you're the one who paid for it.' </i>(I doubt God would say 'whatever' but - whatevs.)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlG9748gQPHduXRRV22iqtzUvBsS7OZJtvDygmJKUgede0kEhAbaw6BRYiTLVNRQhmU_cJ_of9mbXtryVlWc6-AYKtryhZpK1Eh8-R7rUWmezUEkxq2qR1OSTThjXDTbW5POulRxZdsk8/s1600/!earlyprez03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlG9748gQPHduXRRV22iqtzUvBsS7OZJtvDygmJKUgede0kEhAbaw6BRYiTLVNRQhmU_cJ_of9mbXtryVlWc6-AYKtryhZpK1Eh8-R7rUWmezUEkxq2qR1OSTThjXDTbW5POulRxZdsk8/s640/!earlyprez03.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">new ASOS sweaters!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I spent the rest of the day forgetting about the exams by hanging out with a friend, in which we got crazy at a bookstore, took half an hour to decide where to eat (and another half an hour to decide <i>what </i>to eat from the menu), went grocery shopping and basically talked and talked about random what-so-evers. It was fun. Like, really fun.</span></div>
<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2013/06/indulge-little.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-36966122222186700862013-06-13T16:13:00.000+07:002013-06-13T16:13:00.055+07:00Flatly Cute<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been looking for a new pair of black ballet flats for quite some time now because let's face it - if any girl could own </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">only </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">one pair of going out shoes (because sneakers are totally another thing) - it should be a pair of black flats. My current go to flats are a pair of </span><a href="http://www.crocs.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-crocs_au-Site/en_AU/Product-Show?pid=10335&cid=001&cgid=women-footwear-flats" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">these babies</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from crocs, and whilst they are amazingly comfy to wear, between the hate I got from my old work friends back in Oz (because according to them, all shoes labelled 'crocs' are horrendous) and the abundant amount of cheap crocs knock-off in Indonesia, not to mention how slippery they get on the wet roads of Bandung, I think it's time for a new pair of staple shoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And simply because I'm in a rather cute mood, I'm currently lusting over these cuties...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADyrpuS5cD_rHJURfS4sVFOMikNiaqi2S-tDYbqQXhhxKEQLNEb8Rz0lniT9f67VymD4zfJken4c1XCqmX1YBxNljxsQiCH_d9boOp3jyqg9jUMpKHVpvWAY8gtCFq9ATUAXTPtQ0URQf/s1600/flats-cuteeee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADyrpuS5cD_rHJURfS4sVFOMikNiaqi2S-tDYbqQXhhxKEQLNEb8Rz0lniT9f67VymD4zfJken4c1XCqmX1YBxNljxsQiCH_d9boOp3jyqg9jUMpKHVpvWAY8gtCFq9ATUAXTPtQ0URQf/s640/flats-cuteeee2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/364303" target="_blank"><i>Charlotte Olympia</i> Kitty Slippers</a> - $501.12 (USD) || 2. <a href="http://www.asos.com/au/ASOS/ASOS-LITTLE-MISS-Ballet-Flats/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2378933&WT.ac=rec_viewed&xr=1&mk=VOID&r=3" target="_blank"><i>ASOS</i> Little Miss Ballet Flats</a> - $30.66 (AUD) || 3. <a href="http://www.asos.com/au/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2878059" target="_blank"><i>ASOS</i> Lucas Ballet Flats</a> - $43.80 (AUD) || </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://iwearbanana.tumblr.com/post/43545039244/wondershoe-for-ba-na-na-flatshoes-buatan-brand" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i>Wondershoe for Ba-na-na </i>Kitty Flats</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rp.150000 (IDR)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Charlotte Olympia flats are obviously my number one choice, because it's just. so. cute. And surely that price tag promises quality, yes? However, even if I did somehow manage to come up with over half a grand USD, I probably would not use it to buy those shoes. Buying it is one thing, but trying to justify the purchase is another. With all the damage I could do to it through my daily activities (think running through rocky, muddy footpaths and heavy rain almost all year round), these shoes mind just end up in a display case in my room instead of on my feet. So much for staple shoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully there are several other cute flats out there that doesn't cost nearly as much (and that doesn't look like knock-offs). If I weren't looking for a black pair of flats - I'd totally buy <i><a href="http://iwearbanana.tumblr.com/post/43543066735/wondershoe-for-ba-na-na-flatshoes-buatan-brand" target="_blank">these</a> </i>babes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So excuse me while I continue to contemplate my future shoe purchases..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xo and smiles,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ira.</b></span></div>
Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-46057491103933983662013-06-11T03:57:00.001+07:002013-06-15T01:05:25.615+07:00First World Pains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ICK0v5A_m81CfNm93CemaZBf_BXxNuqpF59kSUwinSKAONQDZZoClcEJmL2QZEdPghtfH1WDUdW8lhgWZG_HRHeULc5PYviYyVtRzKmVMutMP_RsC2qh_8PIyBpVswqQQH-Mva_8r6V5/s1600/!quote02+bw+L.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ICK0v5A_m81CfNm93CemaZBf_BXxNuqpF59kSUwinSKAONQDZZoClcEJmL2QZEdPghtfH1WDUdW8lhgWZG_HRHeULc5PYviYyVtRzKmVMutMP_RsC2qh_8PIyBpVswqQQH-Mva_8r6V5/s640/!quote02+bw+L.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is me, right now.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2013/06/first-world-pains.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-15630031041850758612013-06-03T23:30:00.000+07:002013-06-04T00:31:43.578+07:00Twigger<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Being quite the uncreative person that I am, "Twigger" would probably be the name I would've given </span><a href="http://instagram.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">my current favorite photo-sharing site</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> if I were either Kevin Systrom or Mike Krieger - creators of Instagram, seeing how it's a mix of twitter and blogger (at least that's how I see it).</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWhrcvt-F-k0eDP-6_xGBoYzqVE434CAd7xPMOZ0n5pAf7QuGLiiR6Jky24inpmLbAZ063TEgPes-X1Y98kAWh1eycomRr2dBtK79LswdANF0Wb_iE9yl_lvwjt61t9qLAUj8p5yldQq_/s1600/IMG_20130602_214732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWhrcvt-F-k0eDP-6_xGBoYzqVE434CAd7xPMOZ0n5pAf7QuGLiiR6Jky24inpmLbAZ063TEgPes-X1Y98kAWh1eycomRr2dBtK79LswdANF0Wb_iE9yl_lvwjt61t9qLAUj8p5yldQq_/s640/IMG_20130602_214732.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the middle of my blogging absence I finally "joined the cool kids" and made my own <a href="http://web.stagram.com/n/iradicalism" target="_blank">instagram account</a> - and I love it. Instagram has allowed me to share my daily insights and products of my hobby (a.k.a taking pictures) without having to stare at my computer screen for hours, trying to come up with the right words to type in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9E2xTCA8yZ8_t-H1vQZJidu5JSOUJib-NOuYaJUmvZS9obRjWK1tTwi0piHKlkCln-sFWMMMYNpZsmbxuCcKKw0ex-HcN6VgBFv96hfLncOfz1EqSfIx0fu78vCjPwsTGddoqFI64fhU/s1600/IMG_20130602_214839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9E2xTCA8yZ8_t-H1vQZJidu5JSOUJib-NOuYaJUmvZS9obRjWK1tTwi0piHKlkCln-sFWMMMYNpZsmbxuCcKKw0ex-HcN6VgBFv96hfLncOfz1EqSfIx0fu78vCjPwsTGddoqFI64fhU/s640/IMG_20130602_214839.jpg" width="640"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I see Instagram as my three-step program towards blogging. At first you create a <a href="http://twitter.com/iradicalism" target="_blank">twitter</a> account, where you share your thoughts in 140 characters or less. Then you create an Instagram account, where you share pictures that describe your daily insights for you - because as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words (and if that's not enough you can always add a paragraph or two as a caption). Finally when you think you want a more in-depth way to voice your opinions, you create a blog and write away. Finish off by congratulating yourself on how far you've come in the online networking world.</span><br>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2013/06/twigger.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8821306129369062963.post-76279132933317052762013-06-01T18:00:00.000+07:002013-06-01T18:00:05.515+07:00Take Me Back? <div dir="ltr">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dearest Blog,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It's been way to long</i><br>
<i>since we last met</i><br>
<i>You probably feel abandoned</i><br>
<i>real angry too, I bet</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Please accept my apology</i><br>
<i>in this sorry excuse of a poem</i><br>
<i>I truly suck at rhyming</i><br>
<i>but for you, I'll totally write 'em!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>A million excuses I can make</i><br>
<i>for my real long disappearance:</i><br>
<i>No motivation, or inspiration,</i><br>
<i>and other forms of interference</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>But I honestly don't quite know</i><br>
<i>why I fully stopped writing</i><br>
<i>However, one thing's certain</i><br>
<i>I'm back to this world of blogging</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It'll take some time and patience</i><br>
<i>for me to sort things out</i><br>
<i>But real soon you'll be, as they say:</i><br>
<i>"up and running about"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>For I can never truly forget you</i><br>
<i>and the good times spent together</i><br>
<i>Oh, the guilt I feel for leaving</i><br>
<i>will stick with me forever</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Thus ends my first ever poem</i><br>
<i>and probably my last</i><br>
<i>I hope you'll forgive me</i><br>
<i>and we'll be friends again, real fast</i><br>
♥</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq98nPXLgA-t-nrXDRpZjRk9i7Y1Va6_SIvy6fUlFhC6djDo8LvC1Js5zEMQjt3BEo07C0wswf86b6NFBjK3On6KXHttlqlau9_xbI4y19fzMqXhfl_yNX-O6GDcbwIqDHrcnL2IE_G99f/s1600/meandcam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq98nPXLgA-t-nrXDRpZjRk9i7Y1Va6_SIvy6fUlFhC6djDo8LvC1Js5zEMQjt3BEo07C0wswf86b6NFBjK3On6KXHttlqlau9_xbI4y19fzMqXhfl_yNX-O6GDcbwIqDHrcnL2IE_G99f/s400/meandcam1.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://randomsofira.blogspot.com/2013/06/take-me-back.html#more">Read more »</a>Ira S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06832562549740861256noreply@blogger.com4