Sunday, April 15, 2012

Hello again!

Gosh...I really thought my blog would go rusty as I seemed to abandon it for quite sometime now. To be honest, though, other than being occupied with some works, I`ve been losing my appetites for cooking and experimenting with food. As a result, we`ve been eating outside awfully a lot these days. I know, it`s sad. Eating outside (very often) is sad. Not being able to share what I`ve created in my kitchen with you is even sadder, especially when I come to realize the reason I started this blog in the first place. However, when I talked about this to my husband, he just told me not to worry much and he`s sure I`ll be busy again with my stove, oven, and mixer very soon. I guess he`s right. Or I hope he is. He has to be. 

In the meantime, for a happy talk, I have a great news to share. Plus, I really have to show off my new lovely baby to you. 
I actually had been planning to get a motorcycle driving license since last year, so somewhere around last summer or fall, I bought two books for practicing the exam. After running out of excuses not to study, I was finally able to force myself to cram in all the stuff and kanjis in my head just last month. Armed with (my husband`s) electronic dictionary, my husband (he`s far more fluent in Japanese and experienced in riding/driving than me), and the books, I studied for several days during my spring vacation. You heard me right, my vacation was all about studying and taking the exam. I knew nothing about riding motorcycle or driving or traffic signs, except for red means stop and green means go. So, cramming in all new stuff within days for an exam with no less than 90% passing score was a big challenge for me. Not to mention the riding itself!


But those gazillion cups of coffee and hard work totally paid off since I passed the exam! Hoorraaay!!


To take the exam, I had to attend a lecture and riding lesson at the driving license center (which just sounds like "police office" to me). It started from 8:30 am, continued with the exam at 1 pm, and finally I`ve got my license almost at 5 pm. Phhewwww! It was a very exhausting day, but certainly one of the happiest moments in my life. And apparently his too, as he seemed even much happier than me!

When I got home that day, I quickly browsed for 50-cc scooters on the internet and it was a very exciting process! I`ve fallen for this Honda Crea Scoopy:

Picture from Goobike.jp

...then I thought the blue one was cute too...

Picture from Goobike.jp
...and then later came the Yamaha Vino, which looks much shinier and rounder, ...

Picture from here

...and that`s it! I wanted Vino. The beige one. Or the blue one. Or red?

After deciding, on a Saturday noon, we went to a motorcycle dealer and guess what I saw. For the first time ever. This Honda Giorno scooter. 
Picture from here

In a glance I thought I was looking at Vino, but I wasn`t. And just like that, I forgot the Vino already. Next thing I knew, I rode my baby ivory Giorno home. Wohoohooo!
Oh well, I need to come clean, though. Despite my big and sudden crush on the scooter, my first time riding it on the road was definitely a not-so-fun experience.  I got cold feet and felt so dreadful while driving it behind my husband who drove ahead as my guide that I had a meltdown once I got home (safely). But when the morning came, I fell in love again and I couldn`t wait to give it (and myself) another try. And I`m so glad I did! My next riding wasn`t so bad, although it still needs huge improvement, and I even started to enjoy the whole experience.


So, at the moment I am all about practing, practicing, and practicing while being careful and super slow on the road. You see, the book says 30 km/h max for 50-cc motorcycle and that`s exactly what I do.


With this addition, we are now a family of four and very exciting to welcome the sakura blossom!

Hope you had a great weekend too! Beep beep!

23 comments:

  1. aww! that is such a cute scooter! :) congrats for the new addition to the family LOL and for getting the license.

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    1. halo jeng! thanks!! according to people I knew, the license is apparently the easiest one to get among other licenses, though :p

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  2. Asyiik, omedetou mbak! Ikut senang, hihi

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  3. Hi, Arudhi! Happy to see you back! Congratulations for the licence and the beautiful scooter!

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    1. Hi, Sissi! Glad to be back and thanks! I`m excited to go food-shopping with my scooter :D

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  4. Arudhi、漢字も大変だし、外国語でテスト受けるなんてすごい!おめでとう!!かわいいバイクだね。

    ん?4人家族って事は子供が産まれるのかな?おめでとう~!

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    1. なみさん、ありがとうございます!
      テストを受けたとき周りが高校生ばかりで、とても恥ずかしかったです。いまさら原付免許を取るなんてやっぱり遅いな~ってすごく感じました。
      家族は私、旦那、旦那のバイク、それと今私のバイクで、family of fourになりました。こどもはまだまだです。 ^^;

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  5. Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting! Have a nice day :)

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  6. Hi Arudhi, congratulations on passing! You brought back some good memories. I remember taking a motorcycle course when I was 19 in Minnesota. That was a blast the first time on a bike.

    No worries about driving in Japan. If you can drive in Indonesia, you can drive anywhere:)

    Mark

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    1. Hi Mark, thanks! I still can`t believe it took me ages to finally take the exam :D Actually this is my first driving license ever (bicycle was the only vehicle I could handle, lol), so honestly, the idea of driving anything in Indonesia really freaks me out! :p

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  7. Congratulations on the two wins you had. The exam passing and the new scooter! Looks very cute! Happy rides!

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  8. Well done! Just follow your instincts...

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    1. Thanks! Will do that while checking out the signs :D

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  9. when you have time please post more pics of the scooter

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    1. Hi there, I`m actually planning to. Stay tuned!

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  10. i plan on getting one in june here in the usa as its replacing the honda metro

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    1. Wow, I`m excited for you! I hope I can post a simple review about my Giorno including some close-up pics within this month.

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  11. i would love to see a review on it

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