Do you ever get that warm fuzzy feeling when a random stranger smiles at you? Sometimes it’s enough to make one’s morning. I am back in the freezing cold again, after weeks of some intense tropical heat, and I find that the little things really do brighten up my day.  Will hot mugs of hot chocolate and white mochas from Starbucks make up for the iced cold glasses of bissap from Tante Marie that I left behind in Accra? *Sigh* …

Kua’s girls give me little time to ponder over this, however.  The girls from the new spring collection are feeling quite disoriented too, and I do not blame them one bit. You see, they have come a long way from different corners of the big GH, and they are having to travel right past the crimson haze of Amsterdam’s red light district, over a highway bypassing Atlanta’s rather silent Atlantic Station, to their temporary storage hideaway underneath the shadow of the Big Apple, only to be shipped out God knows where to a doting new, but nonetheless unknown, girlfriend. Yup, I would be anxious too. This is why I’m helping the girls out; they have requested that I tell you a little bit about where they’re coming from, just so you can relate a little better when one of them becomes your new girlfriend.

The Bolga line: This is Kua’s new pride, the first of its kind among all the girls. Bolga girls originate from the very North of Ghana, and are made of the finest goat leather.  Do not be fooled by Bolga’s chic and rather posh appearance and attitude. She gets that from the French influence of her neighbors in Burkina Faso.

Instead, focus on her wild side: she has been caught many a day riding wantonly on crocodiles’ backs in nearby Paga. See Bolga for yourself: chic, posh, wild and sexy rolled into a Kua clutch.

The Axim line:  If you find Axim rather edgy, it has everything to do with the metropolis she comes from: close to Cape Three Points, the southern-most point of her country. She looks directly over the little village of Nkroful, where the Founding Father of her nation was born, so excuse her cool confidence and her stubborn nobility.

Axim clothes herself in plain pattern-less fabric, only allowing herself a singular adornment of a colorful bow, rosette or other embellishment. How does she manage to remain so pure in spite of the recent discovery of a crude oil reservoir within her belly? That’s just our Axim: an edgy yet understated treasure.

The Nkran line: It doesn’t get any more cosmopolitan than within the capital city.  Nkran is the girl you want for a night on the town, for the cocktail at that fancy restaurant, or as you simply relax underneath some shade on the sand along the lovely Bojo Beach.

What’s more, the savannah vegetation just outside the city limits provides Nkran with enough straw and elephant grass for the beautiful woven look that her girlfriends absolutely love. If urban, fun and cosmopolitan is what does it for you, Nkran is the way to go.

The Kumasi line: Classic royalty. These ‘dadaba’ ones were raised mainly in the Manhyia palace on cocoa and the finest game (yes, aka akonfem in the Akan dialect, but who needs to know that?). If you are thinking richness and affluence to the point of indulgence, you are looking at the right set of girls.

They look up to their great grandmother Yaa Asantewaa, so watch out, for these girls are fierce and feisty. Made of Kua’s favorite African prints, Kumasi is an embodiment of the essence of its Asante people: fierce pride tempered by cultured royalty.

These new girls cannot wait to meet you, so when you see them on display in the next couple of weeks on Kua’s website, remember to smile and wave, just to make sure their feelings remain intact. They know I’ve told you this much about them, and if random strangers take time to smile at them, they will be expecting you to get to bonding with them just like old buddies!

Keep an eye out for Kua’s spring clutch collection!

Watch a video of this post: Meet the Kua Girls

Join us: Kua Designs fan page

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. R ü b y ♦

Some time in November 2009, I was contacted by Canoe magazine about featuring me, Kua Designs and Stringz Attached in their upcoming December issue. Yay!  You see, Canoe is one of the very few Africa-based culture and lifestyle magazines (of substance).  After providing all the information they needed, I waited patiently (not) for the issue to hit the stands!

The Canoe ‘Rare’ edition is currently available in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. As one of three entrepreneurs featured in this issue, you will find a four page spread of my story, pictures of my work and what I have planned for the future. Enjoy!

R ü b y ♦

In order to get a KUA rebate you must call the Energy Auditor at KUA and set up a appointment for a Free energy Audit. Once the auditor has come out he will make recommendations. You may then call us and set up an appointment to have the work done. Then you mail in our invoice to KUA and they will issue a credit off your electric bill.

Gid man kunne dø stram, ikke i en hud, der hænger om en som en ventekjole. Hun må kunne vende og dreje flere omgange inden for huden, uden at den følger med.

Sidder bag baren i Kaffebaren på KUA med (skønne, skønne) Amalie og snakker om litteratur og læser den, ikke mindst, og faldt over dette (skønne) citat i en dansk roman fra 1993, som jeg vil anbefale – OG, for nu bliver det spændende, en galopkringle m/ tilhørende dram udloves til den eller de der kan gætte, hvilken roman der er tale om!

Cek Kiblat Al-Muttaqun

Ahad, 15 Nopember 2009 sekitar jam 09:00 WIB saya tiba di Masjid Raya Al-Muttaqun Prambanan. Masjid yang sangat megah, dan terletak di pinggir jalan raya Yogya – Solo. Masjid ini menjadi sentral kegiatan keagamaan masyarakat Prambanan dan juga wisatawan yang mengunjungi Candi Prambanan untuk sekedar singgah dan sholat. Agenda utama pagi itu adalah melihat ulang akurasi arah kiblat masjid senilai hampir 12 milyar ini. Hasilnya…

Masjid Al-Muttaqun yang lama, alias sebelum direhab, arah kiblatnya masih kurang ke utara sekitar 11 derajat. Bagaimana setelah direhab dan menelan dana cukup besar…? Inilah yang menjadi agenda utama saya diundang oleh pihak Takmir. Panitia juga menghadirkan tokoh falak dari PP Muhammadiyah yang juga anggota BHR Pusat Depag RI, Drs. H. Oman Fatchurrohman, M.Ag.

Masjid yang telah direhab dan dibangun dengan dana Rp 12 miliar ini diresmikan oleh Menteri Dalam Negeri Mardiyanto didampingi Ketua MPR RI Dr. H. Hidayat Nurwahid, MA., pada Jumat (13/3) lalu.

Masjid megah ini dibangun dengan bantuan dari negara Qatar sebesar Rp 9,5 miliar, Rp 1 miliar dari kepresidenan RI, dan sisanya swadaya masyarakat sekitar masjid. Bangunannya unik, yaitu perpaduan arsitektur Masjidil Haram, Masjid Nabawi, Masjid di Cordova, Masjid Keraton Yogyakarta, dan Surakarta.

Bangunan dua lantai tersebut berdiri di atas tanah seluas 1.700 m2 dan dilengkapi sarana Islamic Center “Asy-Syaikh Jazim bin Muhammad Aly Tsani”. Nama tersebut diambil dari nama pendiri negara Qatar.

Dr. Hidayat Nur Wahid, menyebut masjid tersebut dengan masjid Bandung Bondowoso yang dalam legenda adalah pembuat Candi Prambanan. Sebenarnya, Bandung adalah kota asal arsitek masjid dan Bondowoso adalah kontraktor yang membangun masjid tersebut.

SOSIALISASI SERTIKASI ARAH KIBLAT:

Acara pada Ahad, 15 Nop 2009 pagi hingga siang adalah Sosialisasi Sertikasi Arah kiblat dan Pelatihan Roshdul Qiblah, kerjasama KUA Prambanan dan Takmir Masjid Raya Al-Muttaqun Prambanan, yang diikuti sekitar 150 peserta dari seluruh takmir Masjid dan Musholla se – kecamatan Prambanan dan kecamatan – Bayat, kabupaten Klaten.

Dalam sambutannya, ketua Takmir Masjid Al-Muttaqun, Drs. H. Ahyadi menyatakan:
1. Dengan adanya acara ini,  kita ingin mengetahui ilmu menentukan arah kiblat yang  selama ini kita kurang peduli.
2. Ide acara ini adalah instruksi kakandepag kab. Klaten,  dan merupakan Program Sertifikasi Arah Kiblat. Dan kita mengawalinya dari masjid ini.
3. Keputusan dan Amanah Takmir setelah rapat kerja seluruh pengurus Takmir di  Kaliurang, dimana saat itu muncul dua pendapat; arah kiblat masjid ini sudah pas, dan ada yang berpendapat belum pas.
4. Acara ini merupakan kerjasama antara Takmir Masjid Al-Muttaqun dan KUA kec. Prambanan.

Acara diikuti sekitar 96 peserta mewakili takmir yg diundang, Penyuluh Agama dan Team Sertifikasi Arah Kiblat kec. Prambanan dan kec. Bayat kab. Klaten.

Hadir dan memberikan sambutan, dari wakil Camat Prambanan dan kepala KUA kec. Prambanan. Dalam sambutannya, kepala KUA menyatakan bersyukur dapat bersilaturrahmi dan mendapat ilmu tentang kiblat dan arah kiblat, dimana kajian serupa juga pernah digelar di rumah ustadz Hidayat, (kebetulan juga, saya pematerinya).

Pihak KUA juga menjelaskan bahwa Team Sertifikasi Arah Kiblat kecamatan Prambanan sudah dibentuk. Fungsi dari Team ini adalah agar Takmir Masjid yg saat ini ikut Sosilisasi dan Pelatihan, supaya Masjid masing2 dan lapangan yg dipakai sholat bila belum tepat arah kiblatnya, bisa berhubungan dengan Team Sertifikasi.

KIBLAT AL-MUTTAQUN:

Dari acara ini, setelah menyimak dengan seksama penjelasan tentang Kiblat dan Arah Kiblat oleh Drs. H. Oman Fatchurrohman, M.Ag., dan saya lengkapi paparan visual; akhirnya dilakukanlah pengecekan ulang arah kiblat Masjid Raya Al-Muttaqun.

Saya jelaskan, bahwa untuk memastikan arah kiblat; maka ada banyak cara yang bisa kita lakukan, dan saya menyarankan minimal ada tiga cara:

1. Satelit (data dari peta Google Earth, kondisi masjid lama), hasilnya Kiblat kurang ke utara sekitar 11 derajat. (Hampir serupa dengan kondisi Masjid UNS.)
2. Theodolit (ini tidak dilakukan karena alat belum disiapkan)
3. Bayangan matahari pada Jam Kiblat (karena mendung, akan dilakukan hari berikutnya)
4. Kompas (saya lakukan dengan Kompas RHI dan Kompas Muterpas-Pak Sriyatin), hasilnya Kiblat kurang sekitar 10 derajat.

Dari beberapa cara ini, nantinya pihak Takmir akan bermusyawarah dan akan segera mengambil keputusan yang terbaik berdasarkan syar’i. Dan semoga beda pendapat yang sempat muncul seputar arah Kiblat masjid Raya Al-Muttaqun segera menemukan titik temu dan jamaah menjadi mantap dan yakin dalam menjalankan sholat di salah satu masjid Raya kebanggan Ummat Islam ini.

DOWNLOAD MATERI PELATIHAN:

Materi Presentasi Selengkapnya

Jadwal Sholat dan Tabel Jam Kiblat

DOKUMENTASI:

Galery yg bisa saya abadikan: (Selengkapnya di Panitia dalam bentuk foto dan video)

sebagian Video acara Sosialisasi dan Pelatihan sampai Pengukuran:

When you put together a Kua clutch, a model called Kemi and Karina the photographer, you end up with an amazing photoshoot with lots of laughter and great company!

Keep up with Karina at www.djijostudios.com

Click here for more images and a taste of our new collection.

R ü b y ♦

Failing to plan is planning to fail — Alan Lakein. Kegagalan merencanakan sama dengan merencanakan kegagalan. KUA dan PPAS adalah dokumen perencanaan yang akan disepakati oleh Pemerintah Daerah dan DPRD yang akan menentukan kualitas substansi RKA SKPD dan tentunya juga RAPBD.

Pasal 87 Permendagri 13 tentang Pengelolaan Keuangan Daerah sebagaimana telah diubah pada Permendagri 59 Tahun 2007 menyebutkan bahwa: Rancangan KUA dan Rancangan PPAS disampaikan oleh kepala daerah kepada DPRD paling lambat pertengahan bulan Juni tahun anggaran berjalan untuk dibahas dalam pembicaraan pendahuluan RAPBD tahun anggaran berikutnya. Pembahasan tersebut dilakukan oleh TAPD bersama panitia anggaran DPRD. Rancangan KUA dan rancangan PPAS yang telah dibahas tersebut selanjutnya disepakati menjadi KUA dan PPAS paling lambat akhir bulan Juli tahun anggaran berjalan.

Apa sajakah yang harus dicermati dan dibahas oleh Panitia Anggaran (Badan Anggaran) agar kualitas KUA dan PPAS semakin baik? Berikut kami sajikan DRAFT Daftar Periksa sederhana untuk penilaian KUA dan PPAS.  Draft ini kami sajikan sebagai salah satu alternatif, yang harus diolah lebih lanjut  sebagai instrumen penilaian  dan pembahasan KUA dan PPAS.

Download dari link berikut: Draft Daftar Periksa Penilaian Rancangan KUA dan Rancangan PPAS

I love being a Chinese bride!

So many aspects of my culture appeal to me; and the best occasion to celebrate all these wonderful traditional nuances would be at a full-on Chinese wedding. And nothing shouts “Chinese wedding!” more than an elaborate Chinese wedding kwa.

Well, in light of that, I have the most exciting news! Many of you have heard me rant about my sad kwa incident; I really wanted to wear a traditional Chinese wedding kwa for the tea ceremony but the gorgeous ones I tried on when I went a-visiting with Babyduck made me look horrendously wide, square and pudgy! Like a big red oblong packet! So for a while I gave up on wearing a kwa for the tea ceremony. And then JM says “Don’t give up. You might find one that flatters you!” And then by surfing the local bridal forum, I got to hear about this place called House of Etiquette at Paramount Shopping Centre. It was just across the road from where my tailor is, so last Saturday I decided to pay them a little visit.

And then it happened! I tried on something they had in my size, and it actually looked quite nice on me! I think it had something to do with the fact that the hem of the top was scalloped and that kind of “broke” the straight square lines of the kwa, which made if more flattering for me. The skirt was of course, too short, but Angela the sales assistant assured me that they would add another 2 layers of beaded red cloth to the hem making it the perfect length for me. The only catch? I had to rent instead of buying my own, because they’d require at least 4 months to make one, and we just didn’t have the time. I was quite happy to rent because the garment was fairly new and the rental quite cheap too. More pictures after my next visit there! OH I’m SO excited! And happy!

I’m just wondering whether I should use the Chinese headdress as well, or whether that would be an overkill. It’s quite heavy but very interesting to look at! The groom would have to part the pearl strands covering the bride’s face when he enters her boudoir to pick her up, and then hook the strands up to the side before leading her outside to the main hall for the tea ceremony. The problem with this is that it makes me look so much taller than Mr. Panda! If I take the headdress, I won’t be telling Mr. Panda. He’d be so shocked, haha!

The headdress looks something like this:

Or maybe I should just go for pink peonies in my hair. What do you reckon?

Well given that I now will be wearing a kwa after all, I had to look for some matching shoes. No footwear I own would look right with the costume somehow. So at lunch time today, I trotted off to Yue Hwa the Chinese Emporium in (where else) Chinatown. 

The place turned out to be an absolute treasure trove of all things Chinese! And I got lucky too! Found my shoes on the second floor. I took the largest size they had and thank God, the shoes fit. The choice was mind-boggling. I LOVE my red shoes! They were extremely well-made, the satin was thick and sturdy and the embroidery very neat. The shoes had proper little wooden heels on them instead of the cheap rubber soles you’d find in the markets of Bali. There are pink flowers and little beads embroidered onto the shoe. Pictures do not do it justice! They make my giant feet look dainty (ok, maybe that’s stretching it a bit) and I felt so pretty in them. Even if I weren’t getting married I’d probably get a few pairs for daily wear with jeans and pedal-pushers. 

Here are my oriental ruby slippers!

I also got loads of “Double Happiness” stickers to decorate everything from doors to trays and random teapots around the house!

I also got a roll of Double Happiness ribbon. Very useful to tie around vases and jewellery boxes.

More Double Happiness! (At this rate I don’t think we have any chance of being NOT happy). This time on the two cushion covers for the cushions we’ll be kneeling on during the tea-ceremony. (There’s no cushion in it now, so the surface is a bit uneven, hence the patchy bits where the light didn’t hit.)

And then of course, I managed to snag a red velvet jewelry box with the Double Happiness emblem as well. Mom had been searching all over for something like this!

This one I got from House of Etiquette, where I’ll be renting my kwa. Even the inside of the box has a golden “Double Happiness” emblem emblazoned on it!

Here’s a group shot of my red goodies!

Next stop…the “Guo da li” (Betrothal) pack, the Dowry set and the Hair-combing set!

Stay tuned!