Another Victoria's Secrets

Following my post up from two years ago about the 12 houses of astrology (click here), I made myself (and my baby niece's) astrology chart so I can remember and track them easier. This table really helps me to understand myself better, and also answers the questions of why I do the things I do.

Affirmation Card based on this

If you want one, contact me for your own personalized astrology chart. I make them in both English and Indonesian. And anytime you need to read the complete description, click here.
Just equip me with your place, date, and exact time of birth. And you can put your own image for background. Just make sure it is at least 2550 x 1870 pixel large.

Design A

Design B

Design C

Price:

• USD 10.00 for the chart and affirmation card as the images shown above (choose between Design A, B or C.)
• USD 15.00 for the chart, affirmation card, and a small book of description of each sign/house (45-55 pages).
• If you want a printed copy, ask me for details (only for Indonesians.)

All of these will be delivered to you in soft copy; you can print them out up to size A3.
Copy this form below and fill them in for me:

Nickname:
Full name:
Place of birth:
Date of birth:
Time of birth: (a.m. / p.m.)
Language: (English / Indonesian)
Background image: (Design A / B / C / custom)

I dunno what got into me but since July this year I was strongly attracted to tarot reading. Born a Piscean, I naturally have a tendency to like anything related with superstition, spiritual, and magic. I've always interested about dreams, tarot, and higher forces. But I never dared to plunge myself in. All I ever did was dipping my toe and that's it. A friend gave me a deck of Rider Waite tarot years ago but my mom disposed it and I never thought I'd ever have another deck ever.

Few weeks ago I found this beautiful deck 'Tarot Nusantara' by Hisyam A. Fachri and fell in love with it instantly. And after more than a decade being curious about it, I finally bought a deck myself. I was as surprised, but the force was too strong it was inevitable. And I was going with the flow, following my intuition more than ever. When the deck arrived, I felt super excited. I love the images so much it is a mix of Javanese wayang and the Rider Waite deck. Super super love it!

It is always funny how The Universe work. A day after I received the deck, I got to know the illustrator, Sweta Kartika, thru a friend's facebook. We chatted a bit, and I told him how I love his works. But the fact that I could get to know the illustrator is something too incidental to happen. I guess it's true what Paulo Coelho said: "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

Nothing in this world happens in coincidence. Just like my encounter with my new friend Clarissa last weekend. The fact that we share same perspective, idealism, and interest in spirituality and tarot really intrigued me and made me excited about life even more. Meeting people in the same frequency can really give us energy boost. And talking to Clarissa expanded my perspective about myself. Deep talks really help me in understanding the way this Universe works.

via deviantart

How Tarot Really Works

I used to think of tarot as a fad fortune-telling, divination stuff. I got some readings in 2015 and 2016 and both were not accurate and I took them as for fun. I didn't believe in that. But now as I am more attracted to it, I studied it through the Youtube and Pinterest, and found that this isn't fortune-telling at all. Tarot is all about confirmation, affirmation, and explanation. 

Because somehow you know what you want / need after all, but most of time your decision is clouded with logic, theory, or traumas. When you're in the middle of a situation you're not certain of what to do, tarot can help you in understanding the energy around you.

We believe that everything in this world has energy, be it living plants or inanimate objects. That's why Balinese has special days to pray for these, because of the energy contained. In quantum physics, it relates with the atom or subatomic particles. It reacts to our energy, and is part of what's called as law of attraction.

"What we seek is seeking us," said Rumi. This works not just with human beings, ideas, dreams, and goals, but also with the things around us, the things we wear and use, the things we touch. And when you are focusing your energy in seeking for answers, the answers revealed.

The 22 cards of Major Arcana speaks of the force from The Universe, while the 56 Minor Arcana cards describes what state you are currently in. The four suits of cups, wands, swords, and pentacles represent consecutively our primal energy, emotion, action and material things.

Understanding these cards can really help us know what's really happening and give us a solution of what to do to get thru it. It does not tell forecast at all--it shows us cause and effect, and valid for just 1-3 weeks until we take a new decision that would change everything all over again.

I've been blessed with an honour to work with JPS for their second photography book (their first was on their 10th anniversary.) JPS stands for Jakarta Photographer's Society and its members are mostly Jakarta's elites and professionals from various fields who love photography as their passionate hobby. One of the most famous members is Darwis Triadi, a senior photographer who owns and teaches at Darwis Triadi School of Photography.

Last Thursday, April 27, I was invited for the launching of this book, titled "Imagination: The Spirit of JPS". The book was published to commemorate both of their 28th anniversary and the 90th birthday of their president, Mr. Soedjai Kartasasmita. He is no doubt the healthiest and energetic 90-year-old person I've ever met, good for him!

This book contains of the members' best photography, and I think I'm very lucky to get a copy for myself. This is also one of the best photography books I've ever seen, and there's my name written in it. I guess I'm really that lucky (thanks to Pak Iwan Gunawan who recommended me this job and Pak Rikin Junaedi who trusted me.)


The launching event was held at Pondok Indah Golf Club at 5 p.m. and there were important people attending it, including the Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovania Mr. Muhamed Čengić, ex-minister of agriculture Dr. Ir. Anton Apriyantono, Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Specialist Prof. dr. Darto Satoto, Sp.An., and a talented woman who participated at the recent Air Force's photography contest, Sandriani Permani.

Although Darwis Triadi wasn't attending, I had a great moment asking for each attending members' autograph on my book and I guess I just had a valuable experience talking with and learning from these seniors, and above all that, expanded my network. I'm so looking forward working with them again for their next book!

I forgot to announce it here; my friends and I managed to settle a new web containing information about Bali and how to survive living there. The target is domestic (Indonesian) immigrants or backpackers, that's why it's written in Indonesian. But if you wanna ask anything about it in English, just send email to balihacks@gmail.com.

Basically it's all based on our experience being immigrants in Bali as well, so we'd like to share some info with the newbies. The web was launched on October 22, so it's just a week old now (;

Check it here.

I chose paisley to fit the shape of the propeller

A fan that I ordered came yesterday in spare parts and I needed to assemble it myself. I just bought a spray paint so I got a spontaneous idea of painting the silvers to black because it looked cheap and I didn't like it. Luckily I bought a matte black paint, so it matches with the other parts of the fan. I painted just the propeller and iron base because everything else was already black. Then, I added a paisley pattern on it with white, silver and gold markers that I bought few weeks ago.

this is the fan's original look

If you want to get the perfect result, use paints and brushes instead of markers for the drawing, or if you want to get colorful effect when the fan is on, try coloring in radial sections. I made this within 24 hours, with the longest duration is to wait for the paint to get dry and make sure it's even. It's so easy to do you can start without even having art basics (this was my first attempt also). Check out the steps on image below:


Some tips:

1. The fan I use is Indonesian made Sekai table fan HFN 1210.
2. Get matte look paint if you want to draw on it after. Glossy look may be good too if you use acrylic paint after. Apply soft, thin layers on spraying instead of a single thick one for better result. Wait for 10-15 minutes before applying another layer. Have used newspaper as the base of your working floor/desk. Be sure you do it outdoor to avoid inhaling too much of the gas odor.
3. I use Pylox Basic PB 102 A Matt Black spray paint, UNI Posca all-surface white marker 8mm, Artline 990XF permanent gold marker No. 1.2 and Snowman permanent silver marker No. SP. I don't recommend the 8mm Posca because it's too big with square tip (but I only had this). If you want to use markers like I did, use ones with smaller tip. If you have time and want perfection, use paint and brush.
4. Drawing on the propeller with pencil first can be great for a more precise result. I didn't. At least have it designed on a paper first what you want to do on the media.
5. Use the paper tape to secure the parts you don't want to get painted, if there is any. I didn't use it for this project, but it is useful for other projects.
6. There are some simple basic lines to make a mandala/paisley pattern. Take all the natural essence around you and use creativity to combine all together. Here's a diagram for easy basic mandala drawing, you can start here and improvise yourself:
   
7. You may add a clear spray paint once you finish, to lock the colours from decaying. I don't use it and it still looks good (I love the matte finish). Let's see how long it can last.

Happy DIY!

www.brilio.net

By the way I apologize if I haven't posted on my blog for a while. I've been writing articles for Brilio.Net (which is part of KapanLagi.com) since last week and have been working remotely from Bali (their offices are in Jakarta and Yogyakarta). I find this is really fun: doing the things I love (which is writing) in a place I love (Bali, definitely) at anytime that I can, and getting well paid for it!

I guess God has finally answered my prayer for a perfect job, and here it is--comes to me just as the new year started. I hope I can have this job for a long period because the demand is quite high, too!
So if you want to check my writings, tips and tricks, stuff about Bali--everything that comes up in my mind--just check here. Stay tuned there, guys!

www.victoriatunggono.com

I just finished creating my own official webpage and FB page. It's actually something I really like, but only do when I really am into it. And thanks to wix.com, it really make web-creating such an easy thing. I just added my own 'logo' and ta-daa.. a website is ready. Plus, I got Valentine's Day discount from wix.com for the Unlimited package. What a great deal!

Now please like my FB page here and enjoy visiting my website!

Tomorrow, my handcrafting brand Pélopé Shop will open a booth at De Latinos Fair, at BSD City. The event will be held from 9 am till midnight for two full days this weekend. If you're happen to be around the area, come by and experience some fun with us! I'll meet you all there!

Anyway, here's the latest video pitch for Tosan Aji The Movie.. If you are interested on joining us in producing or as a team in the production, let me know!

Click here for more details or send me email for the proposal.

So I tried making some illustration for Gapura novel and here they are. The first image shows Drupadi went out of the portal to catch a butterfly and in the second image Bima & Rani are about to enter the portal, looking for Drupadi to return her pendant. More of these will be inserted to the novel--and I need your prayers for the process of getting them to published nationally.. :)

For now you can visit nulisbuku for order and purchase. Thankies fellas! :)

I haven't really share anything about this project I've been involved in with you but here it is, the upcoming movie about Indonesia's heritage, tosan aji or heirloom in form of keris (kris). Right now this project is still in the pre-production phase but as soon as we get enough funding (that means we need investors to make it happen), we are all-ready to deliver the best of Indonesia's treasure packed in an adventure sci-fi movie to be released on 2016 and it's gonna be big. Are you with me?


PS. Notice my name as one of producers at the credit part there?

My book GAPURA is officially published now via nulisbuku.com. Indonesian readers can order and read the printed words while readers outside Asia & Pacific can purchase it at Amazon Kindle. After you have the book in your hand and read it, I'll inform the book signing and discussion later, which will take place around South Jakarta for now, perhaps on mid September. (update: the book is inactive in Kindle because it is not written in English. Will work on this in the following year through an official publisher when I get one).

Below is the review, in Bahasa Indonesia:

I am so excited because tomorrow, August 27, 2014--at my mother's birthday--my first (physical) book of Gapura is gonna be published online. I'll let you informed about where to buy it. Just don't forget to buy it! The e-book is already available to purchase here (except for Asia & Pacific). Thanks guys!

Tosan Aji team: Enoch Timothy and Nugie

If you're interested and want to know more, contact me or the team here.

Funny the way we meet people in our lives. I had just finished my first book of the trilogy I planned and meant to bind the printed manuscript at the near photo copy parlor in the complex yesterday. The middle-aged man who operates the machine asked me what the book is about and I told him the main idea, which led to a half hour conversation about our nation's history.

We both agree that Indonesia--that refers to Java--is a way bigger nation than what we know now, and we agreed on many subjects about Nuswantara. It's just funny how we could meet interesting people in the least predictable place. Like when I first met my soul mate two years ago. It was truly a random and unpredictable one. At the end of our conversation, he gave the binding fee free for me. It was nothing actually, but he just created a friendship here.

Anyway, I am extremely happy with this first draft I've been working on for almost 2 months now. It's close to perfect for me, tho I still don't know what's the editor/publisher gonna say about this. But at least I've finished a book now, which had been my dream since 2003. Geez it took me 11 years to get it really done, but I don't regret any of the process because this book is way beyond my imagination. I'm working on the second one already now.

Please pray for this baby of mine to be born and shown to the world! :) :)

If you ever feel like going on backpacking to Korea, check this website first. Backpacker Korea gives us details about best tourism sites, public bus and subway routes and practical stuff about backpacking in Korea we didn't know. I had never interested about Korea before, but looking from the pictures in this web, I think I'll consider going there one day.


Why I suddenly suggest this? Of course because I am the designer of this web, while my cousin, Andrew, programmed it. Snobby, maybe, but I'm really proud with my first web designing project here. Mostly because the client is happy about the cute korean-like design, that made my excitement doubled. More about the project here :)

I just created my first comic of Being 30 (and Single!) that I plan to do a series of it this year (while I'm 30) starting with this one. Less friends is one of the challenges we must face in the thirties. Old friends get busy with their new families, new friends are mostly much younger than we are. So being 30 is time to be more with yourself, to dig deeper inside and try new stuff you've been wanting to.

I tried making a painting few weeks ago, my first attempt for watercolor on canvas. Turned out to be a pretty cute painting and I put it on my working wall in my rented room. Who knew I could paint all along?

For the past week I've been working on this new community meant to be in Indonesia (Jakarta area for the beginning) and trying to get the first attention via social media. 'Tukar guling' means exchanging, swaps, a barter; a transaction of trading both items instead of money. The idea came from Kyle's experience that made me and my friend think of creating the community in Indonesia for this kind of swapping. Anything exclude the money. I hope this will grow and help lots of people on 'recycling' their unused stuff at home.


The reason we believe in this community so much is to enhance the sense of (especially) individualistic and over-consumptive urban people. With bartering, we appreciate value over price, which is no longer cared among people these days. Also, we meet the real people who will be the new owner of our stuff or the old owner of our new stuff. We meet real people and value real things here!