This time

I went through this xmas with less happiness. It is because of my body condition, no personal reason, I got flu on the xmas eve thus I could not go to church like I do every year, I mean on xmas eve. I went on morning mass. It was OK. Hard rain is happened everyday and my body ressistant is weak after typus sickness some months ago make me easy to get sick.

Even I missed the joy and cheer of xmas songs, xmas sparkling light but I thought it was not really important. Jesus Christ bornt in the simple place, at animal stall. I thought we should celebrate in simple and pure moment. Since born is great moment, thus I do not mind when everybody wants to mostly celebrate in glamour way, in happiness, love and joy in physical things like new dress, party, eat delicous (expensive?) food as long as they do not forget the meaning of Jesus born itself.

Due my body condition, I tried to take a lot of rest by staying at home, sleeping, but it is a bit bored to do nothing. After going home from church, I bought original brownies for my family home. It was quite sweet for me but I like it because there were rum on it. Then, I asked my daddy to go walking to shopping mall for a while. It was seldom to go walking with him to shopping mall as we often has no enough money to buy something there and it was really hurt for him to go there seeing anything but we cannot buy it. So sensitive daddy. I like to go to shopping mall even though I cannot buy it. I am still enjoyed that sight seeing. Ladies style! So, it is no problem for me to go there without buying anything.

This year I felt it different from last year even though I did the same thing every year on xmas. Maybe because I do not feel hommy at my new room, thus I did not decorate my room with xmas things and sing xmas songs so often. I keep my decoration warm in their boxes. I just bought some gifts for my family. I was glad they like it.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Am I wrong?

Something is bothering me yesterday and keep bugging me today. It was last Saturday conversation between me and my workmate and continued yesterday. She asked something that coming to my privacy. I understood that the question will come up from everybody who doesn't know my family story and I always say something that makes them do not ask again. Person characteristic is different each other. Some can accept our explanation which is entering personal matter, but some will dig and dig untill everything is clear. I am a person who does not want to tell my personal life easily to everybody eventhough they are my best friends. Please asks my friend, I have a lot of close friend but only 1 or 2 or 3 persons knows my personal life.

My friend who asked me last time is a kind of God Servant in her church. She has obligation to help burden people, and she thinks I need to be helped. She try to open my story by telling her story first. But when she tried it, I refused it, deeply refused. I did not want to tell my story to her right now, or maybe forever. maybe because I think she is not capable for me or I think I dont trust her to know my story right now. Or maybe I dont feel this time is not the right time to say about that. At office, I tend to focus on working, not on my personal life as I am afraid it will influence my work. Maybe I will cry or feel angry or frustated or else.

She tried to push me as she said it is for your good sake but again I refuse it. She tried so much to say and I said NO, please do not push me. Lucky she understood and stop it and told another story that made me laughing. Thank you. But what she has done, it is already made me feel uncomfortable to go with her.

Dear God, is it wrong for me to keep my problem in my heart. Is it wrong to only share with You? not to this lady? is it wrong to let my problem in Your Hand. She felt that I am not doing anything, only keep quite, not doing some hard effort. She felt sorry for what I am doing since she felt I can do more and reserve to get more than my condition now, but why I dont do that. Hmm....it is really bugging me, it is the 2nd times. If she tried again for the 3rd times, she will get glass reward, hahaha...

When I told this problem to my best friend, they only said to ignore that question, as if you remember it all the time, you will be sick and feel hurt. I agreed with their point. It is my life, I have right to decide what should I do, who cares what people said, as long as I do not bother them. I do not do something wrong or embarassed against them, why they have to bother me? I dont fully understand but I understand something that it is Indonesia, people like to see other people fault or unusual action and try to jump into it

Anyway, God please help me to guide me through this. Believe you always help me until today. Is it wrong when I choose my own life like this? Is it your plan to send someone to ask me deeply to solve my problem? Please forgive me God as I cannot share with her. Not all problem I can share with friend. Maybe friend A for A topics, friend B for B topics, friend C for C topics and so on. I need to have some trust and confident first....

God Bless Me!

A short journey with short knowledge

Started at 9 o'clock, we went to Madura, to Tanjung Bumi exactly, plan to see and buy Maduranese Batik. Along the way from Suramadu bridge to city we can see some stores who sold batiks with some local handycraft. But we did not stop there as we had another opinion to go on to those area.

Tanjung Bumi is located in north of Bangkalan, is about 45 minutes from city. In our thought, we would see Batik traditional market or at least some stores closed to each other but when we arrived there, we didnt see anything. Only 1-2 stores opens. Others closed. We also did not see some activity making batik in house of inhabitant. We were a bit dissappointed.
asked police station for exact location, it did many times due unclear location

Finally we stopped by at open store, and I think it is the only one store who had activity, and see some batiks. My friends bought some batiks for about 70,000 rupiahs, I was not. Lately I felt rather regret I did not buy there since at the next store at city I could not find any good fabric. here is the banner of one of the store. MJ = michael jackson?

this is what we finally bought. Pamekasan, Tanjung Bumi and maybe Sumenep style too.

choose, think, ask friends opinion. It happened when facing much lovely fabric

great moment and great action. narcis was important, everywhere has to be do narcis!

see and confuse! what should I choose? this one or that one or all of those?

how did we look like? pretty? sure! we were between the batiks

Well, after had some rest including praying at mosque, and had one problem, my friend car stolled on the parking area of mosque and needed to be pushed and fixed, we went to go to Nusa Indah handycraft. No good fabric for me, I didnt like the style. Then I found some dress, but it was also not fix for me, too small, and the other one was a bit dirty and could not be washed by water, I think, since my friend said if it was a "malam" (candle) it could be wiped out by finger. At last, I just bought one t-shirt that had various style, choosen by friends as I had no idea to choose it. My imagination was closed already. Others bought fabric and some snacks.

Finally, eating, eating and eating! same menu different victims - chicken and duck

We ended our short journey by having lunch, great n delicious. It was worth it. I ate much. Then continuing by pushing the car again as it was hard to be started. I was not, as I took a picture of that, My friends did, with a park guy. Such a tough lady! Thumbs for them, hahaha....

Our conclusion after visiting the batiks place that the place has not been exposed as one of famous tourisment place in Madura. I could not easily find in google - our journey dictionary. There is no bilboard to show direction to Tanjung Bumi. From Bangkalan we had to ask to police officer, then along the way also there was no bilboard at all. We could find it when it was about 10 minutes before arriving Tanjung Bumi, and it did not mention about batik centre. So we made any own conclusion like, maybe the maker sells their product to big store outside Madura like to Surabaya or other area. Or their product is not famous like Solo, Yogya, Pekalongan, Cirebon so they do not make in a big party. No idea...
We also had one request, what is the difference between batiks from Tanjung Bumi and batiks from Pamekasan as one of batiks that bought by my friend came from Pamekasan even though she bought at Tanjung Bumi store. Oops I also saw Pekalongan batiks was sold there, hahaha. Maybe it is for their reference to make it different!

Should I come for the 3rd times?

This is a second time for me to go Pangandaran, west Java, and 4th times for Ria, waow! There are some place that I havent visited yet last time, so I do expect I can see all of them.

Three of us, me, Ria n her old friend, please do not say three musketer!, went to Pangandaran, started from Bandung at 2 pm, it was hard rain on freeway but finally stopped out of town. Traffic jam at Nagreg and after that, competed with motorcycle of local people who would go to their relatives. It was Lebaran 1st day. We also stopped at store of Tahu sumedang to buy some as a snack while on the way of travelling. Arrived Tasikmalaya at 7, we stopped by for having dinner at sea food restorant. Big portions of food for 3 of us made we were very full. Travelling would take a lot of energy, thus we needed to have full tank energy to avoid sickness.

Thunder looked bling-bling when we started to continue our way to Pangandaran, signed for rain drop we guessed thus we decided not to go on. The streets was dark, no lamp, remote area, afraid of burglar or nasty people too. We stayed at gas station, closed eyes and rest for about 3 hours. Planned to sleep actually, but we couldnt sleep well. I think, because our body was ready to go, but the condition was not safe for us.

Finally we run, at stil way, we could see some cars also went there. Yupiii...we had friends. Arrived there at 4 am, so early. We looked for hotels but couldnt find it. All was full or in very expensive cost for simple room. Rp 800 thoudsand to 1 mill for actual Rp 250 thousand price. At that moment suddenly I was very tired and sleepy. Wanted to sleep actually, even though only at car, never mind. But R thought different. Thats why she accepted room even though it was not suitable with her style. She tought I was very tired. Oops I was sorry. It was missunderstanding then. Rp 300 thousand for one fan, one big bed, simple bathroom, no shower and hot water, no breakfast, bad smell on bathroom. On normal day, it might be only Rp 50-75 thousand I guessed. The best point for that room was that it on 2nd floor. We could see scenery outside, Pangandaran beach in front of us and the air was better, not feeling hot even at hot beach.


After put some bags inside room, we walked out of Pondok Indah II hotels, at 5am. We planned to see sunrise actually but sun rised from another side. East side, while we were in west side. Couldnt catch it. R rode a bike for a while, me n other drank tea for warming our body. Then me n R went by becak to another part of this beach area. Other was sleeping as she felt not well. Last time I heard she couldnt sleep well as smell of the bathroom was a bit bad. Hiks, sorry for my choosing. We went to east part. Saw sunrise, took a picture at beach, saw some hotels as reference, saw people on tradisional market buying n selling fishes then finally had breakfast at another hotels. Not free, we had to pay Rp 25 thousand for buffee. Not bad, as we could eat everything. Then we were back to hotel to clean body, some rest, some massage. Paid Rp 50 thousand for the becak which already been patient taking us everywhere many kilometers for about 3 hours.

Noon, we went to cagar alam. Too bad, so many people there, sitting, playing, swimming, snorkling, taking picture. Water in beach became dirty. We couldnt see reef, coral in deep, even though the boat guy informed us. I laughed for a while. "what can I see here sir?" We went by boat to cross over to cagar alam. So many people did snorkling between boats. I was just afraid they will bump boats when they were not be careful.It could be an accidents then. Boats guy yelled and made sound of flute as a warning to snorkling people. Cagar alam (reservation place) had white sand beach and some monkey. But when I was there I didnt see the monkey. Maybe they were scared with many people came around.

Enough for taking picture and playing water, we were back to land by boat again, then we had lunch. We could not eat favorite food, had to be on queue and the seller was not expert in serving many people. So, I could not eat nasi timbel. Had to release it. Changed with chicken teriyaki in another resto, which the taste was not really delicious. But we had to!

After that we went by ATV to go to another part of west pangandaran. Not much people there, thanks God, so the beach was clean and good to be taken picture. It was also closed to airplane port of Susi air. It was an airplane service to take sea food goods to everywhere outside Pangandaran and also to drive people to Jakarta and some destination around. Helipad was also available there.

Then, we went by bicycle to east part, rent, to find a food. Oughh...it was traffic jam for this saturday night. Felt upset n missunderstanding. Couldnt enjoy the dinner well. It was raining also. We ended our body at hotel by sleeping. Tired, upset n unhappy mixed on one bowl!. Hiks!

Morning on 2nd day, Ria woke up early and riding a bike by herself everywhere. Me and Luki woke up late then having simple tea at warung close to our hotels, then walking to the beach. Morning at 9, sun was still fresh and healthy for our body. Beach already been full of local village people who came by trucks and motocycle. Oops I just remember, we could not sleep at night to early morning since so much motocycle ran with noise and louder machine. OMG! I also bought a fresh young coconut water at local store which the owner and the waiter were deaf and dumb. thumbs for them who could have own bussiness. One drink was Rp 8 thousand. Not bad. I got real young coconut. Taste sweet and yummie for drinking at beach even the beach itself not support me coz the situation was crowded.

Checking out at 12 from Pondok Indah hotel, to Batukaras about 1 hour for lunch and visiting some places and beaches. Planned to eat at Riverside resto which was at side of green canyon river. They provide us good scenery and good meal. Unfortunately, we trapped on traffic jam. Many people wanted to go and out from Batukaras. It was about 1 hour to reach the resto and again, we had to be dissapointed as the meal was out of stock and the taste was not delicious anymore. Did not know why!

Then, we went to fisherman beach close to Batukaras. It was still beach. We liked it. Scenery was good. Ah...cloudy! we couldnt see sunset, but at least we enjoyed the place. After that we went to Batukaras beach, hmmm it was not recomended. It was very crowded. We felt better to go out quickly. It seems crowded and crowded at the famous beach. Lucky, we were smart,hohoho! We always had idea to find remote beach.

Finally we could have good dinner at sea food resto close to green canyon area. It was also to cheer our feeling coz almost half day we could not get satisfactory on trip.

Green canyon river was dark, not green but on chocolate color. It mean not good. Dinner was fine, at last ,we were really full, but 2nd problem was occured. Traffic jam in Pangandaran. We were stuck for one hour already. Our driver got info that there were another way, alternate via Cikatomas and he wanted to get through that way. But our hotel source, resto source people did not recomend us. Finally we decided to go to alternate way but with praying as it was new street, dark, remote area. Finally we were lost to unknown way thus we decided to use normal way. It didnt matter if we trapped in traffic jam but we were safe. It was weird that the street department didnt provide enough sign n bilboard for this alternate way on this Lebaran. Did it mean they didnt want to help traveller to get smooth journey, right? Finally, we could reach Bandung 6 hours later after back and forth in Pangandaran streets for almost 6 hours.

Well, still, I can not come to all places. Time is not enough? I dont think so as we have enough time. The problem is we have already been upset for the crowded of people, dirty beaches and traffic jam thus it influenced our feelin' and we chose to go home quickly. Also, nature condition like rain made a river became dirty and made us cancelled our visiting to green canyon river so I could not swim to their cleaning water pond. Hopefully someday I can snorkling at "cagar alam", visit east nature "cagar alam", swim at "green canyon river", and visit "karang nini". Ciao..........

Vacation is starting soon...

Finally now is September. Idul Fitri will come soon, close to mid of this month. It means holiday is starting. I got an official week holiday from my office. Usually a month before I already arranged the holiday, where to go and what to do, since the transportations and hotels will be full and expensive on this long holiday, but this time I am not as busy as last time. Do you know why? Financial problem and recovery are the answer.

I just got bad sickness on June and July and starting to recovery on August but doctor said I have to have a lot of rest still, that's why I am afraid to do a lot of activity as I will be easy to get sick again. This bad sickness took my working time and a lot of my money as I needed to be hospitalized for a week, and resting for 2 weeks. You know how much money I have to spend?maybe not much for you, but 6 million is.

So, I didnt arrange holiday. Just waiting news from friend, where they want to go, is my money enough or does it not really make me tired? But, finally I was teased to go for vacation. Dont know why. Maybe I need some refreshing of the air and situation instead of sleeping at my bedroom. Even though I realised my money is not enough since a lot of needed must be fulfilled including going to doctor for the last for having vaccine.

First time, I arranged with T to go Bandung to visit R but she could not as she wanted to go with her friends. Then I changed plan with T to go Bali.I arranged the hotels and transportations, but it doesn't work out as T thought it was expensive. she prefered going on tour while I prefered on contrary. I didn't like being tied up on schedule. I want to take enough rest and choose own place to go and how to go, maybe on foot or by motorcycle. Besides, I often go to Bali (remember ! last time, 3 times on Idul fitri holiday) so I will get bored to go to same destination. T also had many times by touring by she is still enjoying tour trip.

This time I realised that finally I have a bit different way with T on spending way to take holiday. This is the 3rd times for us to go together. I dont mind to go tired to reach some place as long as it is enjoyable for me, or have to arrange transportation many times. But we do not have difficulty to choose hotels. Cheap hotel as long as it is clean, it is fine for us. With R, she likes travelling, likes to reach remote area, but she prefers by car. She doesn't mind to stay at cheap hotel but she has allergic on dust and some smell so she really choose the room with some details consideration. But, at last, thanks to R as we can reach Lombang beach Madura, Sempu island Malang, Pangandaran beach west java, north way Bandung-Semarang-Salatiga. It was great experience.

Finally I choose to go to Jakarta to visit my relatives first then go to R when she finished going with her friends. I heard she plan to go Pangandaran and Garut beach. If my time is suitable for her, I will go with her too. I am still lucky I can get ticket 2 way with acceptable price. Flight to Jakarta then go home by train from Bandung. yihaa...vacation is starting soon!!!

Wonderful reunion year to year..

Reunion becomes a hot word lately. Social gathering is arranged for sake of old school mates of elementary, junior high, senior or college and even previous work mates. Thanks to facebook who is able to make it happened. I never think that finally I could find my old friends. Even not much friends I can get but it is already been wonderful to know them. But, the funniest things for me is friends who doesnt know me and I dont know them well suddenly I have to know them and add them as my friend in facebook. Actually facebook is exclusive thing for me. It is a place to share with good friends, close friend and relatives only. So, if I do not know them well, I will not add them. In this case, I must add them otherwise they will think I am arrogant, only choose special friends. Gee....

Reunion of workmates is often being held. It is enjoyable to see each other even though we do not meet at short time. Most are friends who are not working at same office again.
. One time in Noodle House, Surabaya, met one of old friend who works in US now.

Reunion of college is also ever done before. Some months ago. But it is actually not whole college but more to our class only, and mostly was our best friend who stayed in same city. Oops, we ever went to visit a friend out of town.
Gathering in one of our friends home this March.
It was really great too. Some happened on the past was being talked again and again. We laughed on funny things, weird, hate and all situation.

I also have done reunion of Senior High School. I got great memories while attending that program. It was for our year only, not combine with our senior or junior classmates.
Reunion at Agis restaurant Surabaya on January this year.

To be honest, I did not have great memories while I was at senior high, thus meeting for a while was wonderful but after that it was back to plain and ordinary. Maybe, because of not much my close friends came thus I felt a bit empty. I could not pull my old memories for a minute, hiks! But, for sure, I like to correspondent personally with some high school friends. Found some great friends at our ages now even though we seldom talked at the past.

How about childhood? Well, it is a long story. Due my childhood often moved to another city to follow my father's work, I often changed school too. Now, I can feel the effect as I had a lot of friends, but unfortunately I almost forget how they are as I dont have complete details of friends. Let see the history of my elementary and junior high school. I studied at 4 differents school at 3 different cities. 1st to early 3rd grade I studied at Surabaya, my home town. Then I moved to Semarang. Mid to end of 3rd grade I studied at an expensive school because of reason no place at school close to my house. Then 4th grade to early 6th grade, I moved to school which was closed to my house. Mid to end of 6th grade I moved to Jember. Then I continued my 1st and half 2nd grade of my junior high school at Jember. Then I moved back to my hometown till 3rd grade and met my old friends who used to study at elementary school. So, they became my elementary and junior mates. It is quite complicated, isnt it. So, I have a lot of friends actually, but I cannot remember all of them now, only some of close friends who often playing, studying, being neighbour, together. Well, it was some decades ago.

Last time I met my old mates of Surabaya elementary school. It was lovely to know them again, some I already forgot, especially from different class which was divided by A,B,C,D words. I was on D class previously. Some I could remember as we ever met when we were on high school, college and work.
Here is my elementary school friends. We had gathering in Library Cafe Surabaya on April this year.

Unfortunately, I haven't attended reunion program of another school in Semarang and Jember yet. Perhaps, they do not know me well since I studied in short time and I was not a populair person. But, seeing, knowing and some know me well in Facebook have already been great for me, again. And expecting to see them one by one, maybe easier than gathering them at some place and date. Should I take a picture once I meet them personally? *smile*

For easter or for me on easter holiday?

Enjoyable, tired, happy, laugh, hate, bored, sleepy...All is mixed to be a bunch of story! Salatiga Fresh water and fresh air for our health
bilboard of pecel belut resto
somewhere out there beneath the blue sky of Ambarawa
coffee plant and rawa pening
coffee centre at Banaran
yummiee tahu bakso for breakfast

See...I had an unforgettable journey with my friend Ria. My friends said what I had done was crazy journey as it was really tired but I was fine and I enjoyed doing that. Is it for Easter celebration on different style? I dont think so even though it was on easter holiday, peace for myself!

I took one day leave, flew to Bandung in the morning, at 8 o'clock then arrived at about 9, picked up by R then having bruch siomay bandung, stoped over Ria's home for about 2 hours, bought some things for our travelling like food to accompany us, then we left Bandung at 3pm by car. We went to Semarang via south way first to Cirebon then continue via north way, but unlucky as we were trapped on traffic jam after hard raining. So many fallen trees, landslides and electricity cables had to be repaired. But the scenery was quite good as I never been through this way. I loved it. That's the reason R passed this way. Wanted to show me the richness of west java scenery. If we passed north way only, it would be boring as we only saw long and straight way like Gresik-Lamongan streets. And you know, some streets were repaired along the north way, we were also had to fight to big trucks, buses and containers.

Anyway, Ria drove the car and I became a navigator. She could drive about 12 hours with twice rest only. At Cirebon, while having Lunner -lunch and dinner -combine to be one, :) and at Batang, after Pekalongan, as R suddenly felt not well after consuming antangin and CDR because of her allergic to crab. Her skin became red and itchy. Then we decided to sleep for a while on gas station. And she only slept an hour, short time than me..waow..tough lady! Truck driver and racer are enough to be named to her.

First plan was staying at Pekalongan to see batiks, per my request, but Ria didnt like the hotels style, it was expensive for plain room. So we decided to stay in Semarang, and went to Pkl by travel. Arrived Semarang at 6 morning, first impression of Semarang was not bad. My memories was starting back to past but I could not find something wonderful. Forgive me. Passed Imanuel church at old city, which was well known as Blenduk church, then having chicken porridge at Simpang Lima. I forgot that I could not eat chicken as I had fasting for Good Friday. So, we were not really enjoyed it. The taste was not really great either. Oops.. I forgot to take a picture at Blenduk as my archieve, even though we passed through those place many times.

Arrived hotel, had crazy breakfast. Couldnt stand to eat all food who spreaded out on the tables. We ended on full capacity. It was hotels service, including free breakfast, then took a rest then went out for lunch. Actually we wanted to go to Pekalongan by travel but time was limited as we had to go to church at evening. Besides lunch, we tried to find car wash but it ended unsuccesfully. Pesta kebun resto as our lunch.It was not really special for us. Setting of the place was old Semarang, but I didnt feel like that. The food taste was so so, traditional menu's mix with European menu. Then moved around Tawang train station as I had to buy ticket for home and some taken picture on water castle at old city. It should be nice if the surround was clean, but it was not. Smell and dark color of the water didnt impress me.

After having mass, I walked to jalan Pandanaran to eat ice cream while waiting for Ria picked me up by car. Unfortunately the street was jammed, so she pick me up by becak and returned hotel and changed to car. It was quite far away from her church. We attended different church. Then we went to Kampung Laut near the sea, too bad, we were late, The sea food resto was about to close in half hours. Gee, what should we eat then....All was almost closed, as it near to midnight. Imagined that we did supper. Lucky we could find a small resto. Not bad!

Woke up at 7 then we were out to Salatiga. Had breakfast fried bakso tahu at Ungaran, Tahu woning resto. It was really enough to fill our stomach. The day was wonderful. Sun Shined brightly. We often find 'Solo-Yogya" traffic sign along the way out of town. Lately my friend, who is Semarang residence, explained me that most new comer always get lost there so the goverment build it to help the traveller. We stopped by at coffee plantation Banaran, close to Salatiga. Had a little journey, went around the plant by small lorry, then bought some coffee as gift to friends then we continued to have lunch.

Our lunch was famous warung of eel pecel. I didnt like it, either Ria. We just wanted to see how well known it was as it was recommended on internet. The way was through Ambarawa, passed train museum, rawapening swamp and ended in front of Muncul swimming pool. I had ever gone to this area before while I was on the way to Gedongsongo temple and Bandungan 5 years ago. The way was still same like the last time. Finally we ordered pecel mujair. Not bad. I was just remember, I didnt want to eat mujair fish as menu in my office. Arrogant, was I? hahaha...but at last I had to meet mujair and could not refuse it as no other choice. The warung offered eel, snail, lele and some wierd fish.

After eating, we went to Salatiga. The scenery was beautiful along the way. Hill, mountain, and rice field decorated our travelling. Arrived Salatiga with full confusion, where should we go, no interesting place like we goggled on internet. Then we went on to the hill, to Kopeng. Along the way, we found many churches.Ambarawa and Salatiga had a biggest Christian embraced in central Java due 1st missionaris arrived around this area including Magelang. I felt like I was in Manado, North Sulawesi which has a lot of church than mosque. But, we were dissapointed watching Kopeng. Very plain area. What we find there. Only small swimming pool with small fruit, vegetables traditional market. I had there 30 years ago, hahhaha, my imagination was different. Maybe it is lovely at past time, but not now. On the way back Salatiga, we stopped by at retreat place. We were happy and impressed for the scenery.

From there, we were back to city and got lost for a while. Funny things, we looked for Satya Wacana University and asked some young handsome guys where was the place and they were smiling as the place is only 5 steps ahead hahahahha...Did not know what and where, finally we did some massage, hahaha, for rest, as Ria felt pain on her back, then had a small snack at small resto then we were back to Semarang. It was very crowded at Saturday night when our car came to city. Taman Tabanas resto was full, and we could see sparkling lamps from the higher street. City was below. Trapped on jammed of Simpang Lima. So many visitor and seller around that park. Anyway, we could not remember the streets of Semarang, so we often got lost hahaha...even though we did passed that street many times. Found difficulty to reach Gama sea food at Mataram street. At last, we met it ...but again, I was full, i couldnt finish my dinner. Too late or too full with snacks??

Sunday morning we were going to Ambarawa, to Virgin Mary cave, was called Gua Maria Kerep. I ever went there about 7 years ago and the condition was still same. Nothing change. Just praying there for Easter mood, took a holy water, and I think it was helped for Ria praying there to prepare her new home as tomorrow was the opening and praying. Congratz my friend. This time, Ria brought her office driver by reason she needed to have good performance in her new home party so she didnt want to be tired. I went home by train, Ria took me in hurry as it closed to train time. Thus, we couldnt have lunch at mbah jingkrak resto as we planned before. Hiks...Again, funny thing, we couldnt find that resto as Ria was wrong in spelling mbah jangkrik instead of mbah jingkrak. Thats why nobody knew this place.

Running in hurry to train to go home. Unlucky there were accident on another train to Jakarta this morning and made all schedule was move back to 3 to 5 hours late. Gee...my schedule was at 3.30pm then changed to 6.30pm. OMG! Lucky I brought enough magazines and new camera that made me busy on tinker it. Finally the train came and I was relief. It was fast train so it took only 3 hours from Semarang to Surabaya. I was lucky. It was not useless to spend more money. Imagined if I chose travel. Departed at 7pm then arrived at 4 am morning if no traffic jammed. It was too long. Cheaper but I was afraid I would be late to come to work. By train was Rp 160,000 while by travel is Rp 110,000. For sure if I used travel, I would be taken to home safely. Train? Just stopped at station then I had to take another public transportation to arrive home. When I was in hurry, train was a right choice.
Hmmm...I wanted to tell about this train. It called Argo Anggrek. I was impressed. Fast and clean. Fast as it didnt stop at every station and waited for so long. They also had electricity plug. Great. I could charge my mobile. It was really helpfull as I needed to make some sms with my friend to kill time. I like to use this train again when I am going to Jakarta someday**

I just hope to have a nice journey again next time....

Lately, new year eve will be a moment that I am waiting for. So far,mostly, I always spend it with my friends or my lover *when I still have him*. What I have done like, seeing fire cracker, change gift to each other, barbeque, blow horn and counting down

End 2009, I spent NYE with some friends with same formation like last 2008. Considering last year was ended successfully so we did it again, but I added one friend, friend of mine, so total was 5 person.

First plan was Banyuwangi n Bali. I took a day on leave without permission to my office as they didn't give additional holiday except red date considering we have already had enough holiday.

Our plan was a bit mess at the beginning as some uncertain person which was attending this journey. But finally we could go at six pm by my friend car. Stopped by for dinner at 9 at ayam goreng p.Kasan. Then, continued and stopped by again at Paiton for took a pee and little supper. We had to be careful as the location was quite bad for ladies as many unseen hooker there, to satisfy truck driver. We didn't want to open opinion we were too. Last rest was stopping by at Situbondo gas station. Then run again passing the dark of Baluran National Park. it was exciting moment. Dark at midnight, cars was seldom seen, we thought of spooky air and afraid of being robbed. Finally we could get through on it, arrived Banyuwangi at early morning.

Fortunately we already booked a hotel so we could come directly. It was the best hotel as Indonesian celebrities often stay there but for us it was really the best. Since one of my friend had allergic to dust so she became sensitive on choosing hotel. Lucky she could accept with hard decision, only for half day. Then we all slept thight like a baby as we were so tired!

At noon, we had lunch local food like nasi pecel and bakso, not bad, then we went to Grajagan Beach at Grajagan, closed to Muncar, Banyuwangi and we were dissapointed as the beach was not good as the brochure said. Hiks! Black sand beach, unclear waves n color waves. So, we were only stay for 5 minutes. That's all. Lucky, the way to there, which was through small forest was so beautiful, we took some pictures there accompanied by some spooky moment while taking picture. Imperfect pictures result! Bothering by devil? who knows...

Next destination was village of my friend. Our arrival coincided with rambutan fruit season, so we got much fruits freely fresh from trees. But we had to beware of some black ant which likes stay there.

Our new year eve run unsmoothly as we did not find good place. After moved to another good hotel, we started to go out for dinner. It was about 8 o'clock and streets already been full of car and motorcycle. Small city! We were trapped on traffic jam. After having dinner at resto, enjoying "ayam goreng kampung" we went to Watudodol beach and waiting for some fire cracker. It was so dark, could not see the beach look like and it seemed the beach was full of local people, young couple, teenager. But I bet the beach has clear water as I could see inside at glance. The worst was the fire cracker was not much, like it was only formality to show instead of not show it. Hiks... We were back to hotel without any memories stated in our deep heart. SAD mode on!

At morning, after having breakfast, we were leaving Banyuwangi to Jember. We didnt go to Bali as our 1st plan as one of our friend, who was driver too, was not feeling well so we took a way home to Surabaya via Jember. I was rather upset but I had to accept this decision as I was not a driver. But I liked to go to Jember as I could remember and back to past for a while, reminded me of my childhood there. I planned to go Jember since some times ago. Thanks guys, you made my dream comes true. After some way through forest of gunung kumitir way, rice field, plantation, we arrived city. I was still remember some street so I could help friend by giving them direction. We went to Rembangan, small amusement park at hill, some kilometers up from city. We found durian plants, buah naga plantations which is no fruit yet, milk factory, flowers park, also some beautiful scenery around there that would be nice to be seen and taken picture. We also went to Tanjung Papuma beach twice. Twice? yup! 2 days. As we did not satisfy to enjoy the white sand, clear water, small waves, good scenery on this beach but we had to leave it due bad weather, wind blew hard, rain,storm, at evening. This beach was so beautiful, could compete with some beaches at Thailand. My friend could guarantee.

So far, it was a lovely journey. I am seeing from destination side only, why? As two of my friend was unhealthy so they could not enjoy it easily and influenced us in deciding next plan, having conversation, and talking each other. Some joking words were changed into serious problem and hurt another friend feeling. Nothing is perfect, but we have to accept. I just hope to have a nice journey again next time....

Pasir Putih...past and now

When I had a willing, and I think much about that, sometimes it will be happened. Simple thought. I am planning to go to Pasir Putih someday. I miss that beach, Last time I went there when I was a child. White sand, clean and clear water with small waves as it located on north Java. Gee...you know it is long long long time ago. Finally I went there some days ago.

No need to know how to get there, for sure I went by bus by myself and people think something weird about me. How come I went alone. Actually I was not alone, as I came along with my friend. She stopped by at Probolinggo for some working then I went by myself continuing to Pasir Putih. It was about one hour from Probolinggo by bus, through Paiton, Kraksaan and Besuki. From Surabaya, it is 174 km for about 4 hours by bus or car. It is located on main road on north way between Surabaya to Banyuwangi.Details about Pasir Putih can be checked on web http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/situbondo/pasir-putih.html

I felt dissappointing while arrive there, as the beach was not clean anymore. White sand beach as special feature was not appeared anymore. Just an plain beach, not like long time ago. I did not find something unique anymore.I think it was not suitable for sitting and playing at beach, it was worth it for swimming, canoeing, diving, some water sports only.The food restaurants did not offer something special either.Sea foods were not so special. I tried es kelapa muda (young coconut ice) fresh from the coconut, but it was not young, hiks. The merchandise store offered some things made from sea shells. So simple. People said, you should take a traditional boat to the middle of the ocean and you could find colorful fishes and reef. oh really? I should try it but I had no time, besides I was by myself, I had no guts to go alone. At least I already seen the beach look like. Some friends were not recomended this beach and they were right. I believed them now, but I was still curious for riding a boat and seeing the ocean park. I just remember Sendang biru beach at South Malang. It was dirty and full of garbages. We could not see scenery underwater as the water was black, and dirty. Will try it someday.

But I read some travelling books which said that we couldnt see the destination itself because it would hurt you when you found it was not like you expected. Just feeling your journey, what you do, what you see, what you experience on it. So, I tried to feel, think, observe on that. Thus, I felt I was quite enjoying. What are they?
1. I enjoyed eating bakso at warung bakso Eddy at Probolinggo. The taste was quite OK. but the popular things are some celebrities often come there. we could see pictures hanging on wall, pictures of famous person in Indonesia, like actor, actress, boys band, even Adjie-Reza Artamevia (some time ago when they were still a married couple) came there and had signature on a table number 13. Oops??
2. Had lunch at warung Warkat, Pasuruan. Menu is home meal. Quite good for whom miss home meal. Sayur lodeh, soup, salty egg, brengkes tongkol, sate telur puyuh, bali telur and else. The taste was fine, depend on people taste off course.
3. need to be careful while you were walking alone especially for ladies. Pasir Putih closed to small warungs around from Paiton to Pasir Putih which was place for resting of truck drivers. They didnt only eat, drink, rest but also had sex, thus many ladies were available for that. It called unseen prostitution. So, beware girls, ladies...
4. I could see spread out of rice fields. So green. I could spoil my eyes, after seeing a lot of high building, skycraker buidling, cars, traffic jams at city.
5. I enjoyed the air of riding public transportation, I called it economic bus. No AC, full of smoking, full of seller, beggar and singer, hahaha....

At least I could fulfill my curiousity by seeing at glance on that beach. Next time I will come to see the richness of deep ocean. Please keep it clean and nature forever.

I dont wanna to talk about it...*RodStewart mode on*

I dont want to talk about people's bad attitude, but sometimes I cannot afford it. Human being? Hmm it is just a word to excuse myself. But I try to reduce talking about that.

This time I can't stand to talk about that. Forgive me my Lord, but I can not keep it by myself.

I have a friend who likes to criticize other person. He is always seeing the bad side of that person. I can not see the good word about that person comes up from her mouth. I am tired hearing it. Just let us being ourselves as long as it doesn't affect or bother too much to someone else. It makes me disagree with her opinion. Every person has own unique style and personality. You can not see from your frame only. Circumstances, vision, age are some influenced things too. I can disagree as I can not enjoy something that different, but I have to see that person point of view side. They can disagree either with your style,your act, your opinion.

Second person, same like the first one, but more worse. He always gets mad n yell to his A work assistant without checking or analyze the correct matter first. He likes to send his work to his assistant and receive the correct one which it should his job desk. I think he has subjective view already to his assistant, so whatever he does to his superior, small mistakes could become big issue. But he treats different way to another B assistant. I do not understand either, how come? Both works good and bad, but different treatment he does to them. Like and dislike view already been his way of thinking. But he can hate someone then love it very much when he needs that person. OMG! It is so hypocrite.
I also should be careful to him as he likes to criticize person in front of his Big boss, reports everything he already did even though it was not his work.

The third person, like to yell and laugh suddenly. He can get mad so heavy then turn off, cool down so fast while the other is still being hurt of his word or act. But he is fair, do not have grudge. When it is done, so it is done, over, finished. But he was a kind of panic man when something is not run smoothly. Yell again, angry again!

Well, I believe everybody has own negative way that I dont like it. But I cant avoid it, I will meet that types wherever I go, stay and being friend. Three musketeers above are just some of my friends who I know and work with "some years ago". There are still some friends who have 'kinkie" type and I will tell you someday. I don't like to talk about people's bad habit, again. This story pop up on my mind this morning while seeing something annoying me.