My Xmas

December is a month when people celebrate miracles. 1 Dec is World Aids day. 5 Dec is Santa Claus coming. 22 Dec is Mother days for Indonesian people. 25 Dec is Christmas day, Jesus is coming!

My christmas from year to year are full of happiness, hopelessness, pessimism, encouragement, all combine in one memory of christmas. Sometimes I can remember it and keep in my heart as something that fulfill my entire life and to be my teacher to go through the new year.

Last Xmas, I was celebrated with my friend in Malang. Thanks Ria! We went to orphanage, brought some bread to those kids...3 years Xmas ago, personal sad story...5 years Xmas ago I sent some gift, shared with my friend, to an orphanagee in Flores....6 years Xmas ago I went to Sendangsono and Wonosobo with my lovely father before he got lever sickness (Thanks God he is fine till today!)..Some years Xmas ago, I was lost my job.It really hurt me...

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!joy to the world and peace on earth

Santa Claus is coming to town...

When I was a little cute girl, I had ever got gift from Santa Claus, eventhough I never seen he put something in my place. My father told me to prepare some shoes in order he could do his duty. "Do not forget to add grass in the shoes as a gift for his small antelopes" said my father. I just nodded my head without asking as I have no idea how come. Again, i was 6 years old, i didnt have too long thinking or analysis, ha,ha,ha... So I just did whatever my father said. I did it with my cousin, Libby. She was 3 years old.

Then we sat on the livingroom, watching TV with my father accompanied us. Maybe about one hour, my father asked us to check it whether we already got it. And we screamt happily, "I got it, I got it, me too, me too..." we jumped, danced, sang like what little girl did it. My father just smiled! We got a drinking bottle. We could use it to be school drinking water.

Do you have any idea who put it? Did real santa come?

Now, when some words pop up to my mobile as sms, I just laugh! Read what the sms says: I have already told Santa what I want for Xmas is a good friend that will stay forever. So if a fat man comes around and tries to wrap u up, please be cooperate!!

Flying with Michael Frank

Actually I am not familiar with this guy but I know he is jazz singer. His songs is mellow and easy listening. I just ever heard one or two of his song. I should call him grandpa as he is 64 old years now (born 18 September 1944 in La Jolla, California). Michael Franks is a smooth jazz singer and songwriter from the United States. He grew up in southern California with his father Gerald, his mother Betty and two younger sisters. His parents loved swing music and Nat King Cole is his early influence.

Some weeks ago, my friend asked me to accompany her visiting Michael Frank. I was surprised as he lived in US. We would fly there? Hahaha…no! He had world tour music this year around US and amazingly that he wanted to come to Indonesia. After Indonesia he will perform in Japan. Thumb for the Indonesian EO!!. Eventhough I did not know his songs better but I liked to come and “visit” him. His concert was in Shangrilla hotel 14 dec ago.

We went by taxi there as rain dropped very hard and little worry stuck in our mind, afraid of flood, due we would pass some street which has always been “a temporary small river”. Thanks God, nothing happened with those streets. All was fine.

Paid 250 thousand rupiah for silver class, for sure we had to sit on back line. Never mind! We could see his clearly. Two giants television in the right and left side, good sound system, colorful light system strengthened his appearance. Too bad, it was not much audience. Surabaya was not like Jakarta, I meant the jazz fans was not much as Jakarta and it was not really expressive. As Michael Frank was famous in 70-80ties era, I was sure the mostly audience was in old ages. Your mommy, your daddy, your aunty, uncle or even your grandparents! You could count the young audience was…including me and my friend!

We enjoyed him and his songs. He stood like statue, just sang without stage action. I didn’t know why. Maybe he was tired? Stage fever? Hmm, impossible as he had such experience many years how to perform in stage. ( THink… his albums issued at 1973 to 2006, it was about 19 albums) Or maybe his style was like that? As this was the 1st time for me, I had no reference. But, truly, honestly, I like his songs! When the cookie jar is empty, Tell me all about, Leading me back to you, The lady wants to know, Tiger in the rain, Rainy day in Tokyo were some of his greatest hits.

While on stage, Michael was accompanied by Charles Blenzig – Piano, Jay Anderson / Sean Conly – Bass, David Mann - Sax & Flute, Willard Dyson – Drums, Veronica Nunn – Vocals. He gave chance to all of his guy to perform their ability. Waow, so fantastic! Couldn’t say a word to describe how …

Thanks Michael!