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!

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*

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....

Holiday oh holiday...

As usual I always arrange vacation while holiday is coming. Refreshing is the main purpose, clear and clean the bad,hard, empty mind, eyes and body with something different, safe and sound. Usually I will go on Idul Fitri or Xmas or New Year holiday. It is a must and it is done for these some years. When I have more than enough money, I will go on vacation on some days off - Saturday to Sunday or on another holiday like religion Holy day, or another National Day. Location is variation, but mostly is around Java and Bali. Mate is variation, but I ever went by myself when I really want to be alone, even though i feel lonely for some minutes...

Anyway, at this moment I am really confused. My office, as always, gives uncertainty holiday notice. I am always headache how to make sure the time is. They will give confirmation close to days of holiday. Yes or No. Dont you know, they ever given notification some hours before we went home. Could you imagine? How if we didn't know? We were going to work useless.

Like Christmas holiday this year. Heard that our presiden suggests to have holiday together on 24 Dec, one day before Xmas. Believe his consideration is to give space for Christian community to prepare theirself to celebrate big day. Some of my workmates are planning to take one days off even though we are not in holiday. The consequency is their salary will be cut as amount as a day they are off. That's the best we can do to have time in this special moment with all consequency inside. Besides, my factory doesnt allow workers to take on leave on December. It seems there was a case last time, that so many person did on leave and made the office is "empty" suddenly and when someone was need urgently, that person was not available.

This time I have no objection for not having holiday on xmas as I don't go anywhere. Just celebrating at church then I'll be home for Xmas...like popular xmas song title, hehe...But I need holiday notification for my new year. This year I will celebrate it with my friends, unfortunately they have much holiday than me, at least they already had holiday notice so they can arrange it easily. Me? my planning is full of estimation. The worst things, if I dont have holiday except red date, is I will take one day leave with all impact on it, psst...my salary n bonus will be cut a day, no mercy my dear.....and for sure I will ruin my friends planning as I will miss one day with them, and they will feel empty without me for a day, oopsss..hyperbolic...

I ever took a day leave 2 years ago when I went to Ria's home, celebrating with her family at Kota Bunga Puncak. It was wonderful moment. Thanks to her anyway. I remember that 2 January we had to work again, means I had to be back to my hometown on 1 January and it was impossible. You know why? As Puncak were always crowded and jammed on 1 January as all visitors were be back from Puncak to their home. We were back on 1 January evening as heard that a way home - jakarta was not full anymore. Thanks God, it was already been free and smooth but it was hard raining. Then, on 2 January afternoon we went home successfully by flight. Off course we did not let our time pass useless, use the limited time to buy some and eat some at Jakarta mall.

Have yourself a very little Xmas...

....Have yourself a very little xmas...is heard vague, sang by Coldplay on my mobile

Xmas air is already been started since beginning of dec. If you are really willing to feel it, please come to shopping centre. Stores are playing xmas music, diplaying xmas tree and accesories and also selling it. Red, dark green, white ornaments, santa claus and deer toys, bells and dresses comes around it...Whoever has money will be ready to buy to celebrate xmas, but I dont know whether they also prepare their heart for xmas spirit.

Xmas spirit is not only preparing things physically but also preparing our heart on helping each other, forgiveness, live in simplicity, stay back or return to original purpose of xmas...pure, clean heart...celebrate a birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ...

This time, to be honest, I will celebrate in simple dress but hoping to have a rich heart. Hopefully... Actually I am quite sad as I can not give more happiness to my family. I miss to buy them good dress, cakes, candy or everything that makes them happy. Something happened in my life lately makes me in hard position but I believe God understand me. He will cheer me up based on His way and I do not know how...My deep pray on Him to gimme more next year...

But, I like singing slowly, mumbling, whispering songs of xmas. I miss those songs. All I want is Xmas, The Prayer, Silent Night, Joy to the World, First Noel, Jingle Bells...Sometimes my friends is turning on music from their mobile to be heard at office together..so sweet and calm. I am so touched and my tears drop. Remind me of my life, that it is not so damn lucky as I can not celebrate xmas every year completely with family. Well...still I have to be thank to God for His care till today for me in every way I am through it.

A week of hard feeling and happyness

It’s Friday already. Don’t understand why my body drops again. Got warm condition for this last two days. Actually I got cough last week, and I am also instable, I think. On first three days I was fine then dropped at the last two days facing weekend. I drink cough drug everyday, add vitamin but still….Maybe tired of body and mind made me cannot recover soon…

I faced a bad day on Monday as my workmate told a bad news that I would be scolded by my boss due I did not prepare material for meeting and else. I thought it was misunderstanding but off course, still, I was blamed. So, I felt extremely afraid. I shared my feeling to my friend on skype and he gave me support, said to bring all my problem to God, our Lord, He will finish it for me. It was a good advice. I felt a bit relief. Then I started to pray on every single minute, asked for strengthen and braveness to face complaint and critic from my superior. I was waiting till the end of that day, but nothing happened. I just got casual day. Thanks God for that Monday. .Hard day but I could get through on it. Gee… I still had another days that I had to aware of.

The next days run very quick. It was very busy like the day before. But I liked busy even though I became confused, which one I had to do first?? So many inquiry, price update need to be done. I had overtime also. The side effect was my mood was bad. Usually I always update and comment on facebook, but this time I was really not in the mood. A friend of mine felt sad of losing me on wall. Sorry honey, you were disappointed this time.

But, so far I was also glad that I have good friends who accompanied me. They were very funny. Their words, their story, their concern, made me happy and happy, laugh and laugh. Smile and smile. Thanks guys for cheering me up….

Someone from the Past ... (facebook effect!)

Broken heart was very painful, mostly when you loved that person very much and already been together for long time then you were being dumped due unaccepted reason that actually you could fix it if both of you had responsible to keep this relationship to be family by getting married and live happily ever after. Cinderella story, huh…Today?? I hope so…

Last time, on a lovely Saturday night, suddenly one of my best friend popped up on chatting while I was opening my FB. Then, without say hello she wrote a lot of words then finally made me understood the story. I felt sorry for her condition but I could not help her much than being a good listener for her deep sharing.

He was her first love. They met when they were on high school and had long distance relationship when they were on college due her boy friend was studying on overseas for some time. Unfortunately he went along with somebody else and felt comfortable with new lover and finished the relationship unfairly. My friend took it without excuse and tried to forgive and forget him. But she need million times to release her ex from her face, mind and soul. Oh my God. And I think she was succeed on it.
Now she is married and had two beautiful daughter. Suddenly her ex came up on facebook by suggestion another friend. She still loved and also hated him.

Gin says: where were you
Me says: I was here, what’s up? (wondering is it important to ask where was I while we were both on chatting…never mind! Polite way to start some conversation)
Gin says: I was feeling extremely sad again this morning
Gin says: I felt world was turning again
Ginsays:AAAAAAARRRGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH......
Gin says: I never had so stressful…
Gin says: Damn !!!!!!
Me says: what ? (confused, what the hell was it?)
Gin says: How could you!
Gin says: Why that name appreared again in my life?
Gin says: and touched my still life
Me says: hiiii....
Me says: who???? Calm down!
Gin says: (copied paste words from FB) ….Bro was just having friend with Eth and felt that you might know him…
Gin says: I cried....
Me says: hahhaha
Me says: finally....
Me says: your dream came true
Me says: remember last time
Me says: you wrote on FB
Me says: looking for someone....
Gin says: sometimes, glance in my mind, I wanted to know, at least, where was he, how was he, how was his family. When could I get that chance. Now that opportunity came, I was being given a time to do that. Doing what? Doing something that looked excellent on our thought, meanwhile we did not know that it looked like so stupid. Revenged? For what? If I could, if not? Shamed on me. Was it more stupid when you heard word…Thanks God I did not choose him”. Why it came back when life was running well on that size, when love spilled out on every breath I took. All was part of my history life. Let it closed together all the time and no need to be opened again (still on comma , not dot, as this doubt was still available)
Me says: Oops …
Gin says: This year was 12 years exactly. Hate and sadness had to be gone. But I was not super human. Ouch! Let it…let it…I thought no more room for moving my family love. Sorry, I was overly emotional, but only you could understand me.
Gin says: Thanks for listening me
Me says: yup (hello…Gin…hello…we were chatting, writing, reading, I could not hear you!)
Me say: It was ok…(Oops, I was so touchy and proudly. See my reddish cheek..)

Then the conversation was over. I thought she was being calm herself down for a while. I believed it was just a sudden feeling. Woke sleeping tiger up. I was sure she could control herself. Do not worry my friend. I am here for you, as shoulder to cry on (Tommy Page…old song).

So sweet!

....And I did it !

Pain! Got stomachache this morning. I got ‘catching a cold’. Maybe because of what I ate yesterday. Ouch!

I was busy yesterday morning. Lovely Sunday. Woke up at 7 then starting opened my computer and downloaded some program. Had a little breakfast: soup mie instant (mie kuah) Indomie brand. Mixed with egg and fried onion. Too bad I did not have vegetable to complete it. Usually I put sawi on it. Then, I continued my task, also tidy up my room for a while but I did not forget to watch TV. There were a lot of nice program, entertainment and education!

Wah…it was lunch time finally but I was still busy. No time to go out to buy a food. Fortunately I heard some burger seller passed my home. Yupii…run quickly to call him and ordered one piece only. I thought it was enough. Paid 6500 rupiah. Cash! Eager to eat it as I was hungry very much. But it seems it was not full me. I was still feelin’ hungry.

Continued with computer for a moment then waiting for my friend accompanied me to go swim. One minute, two minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, no calling from her. Did she forget her promise? ). I was quite upset. My feeling was full of uncertainty of going alone or stay still at home. I was keen to go there, to go exercise. Then I decided to go by myself even though I never go there. ( It was happened when I went swimming at my favorite swimming pool. Then I met her at home after dong exercise, she asked where you go to swim? And she told e that there was a big place in a hotel, in downtown. They had big pool. Why didn’t we go there. Only paid 50 thousand rupiahs. Hmm, actually it was expensive than ticket of my favorite swimming pool, 30 thousand rupiahs but it was nothing wrong to try it)

Stepping out the ladder, and went to 7th floor by lift. I arrived by myself using public transportation. My self confident was less 25% when arrived that hotel as it did not look like exclusive hotel, 5 star hotel even tough the news said it was 4 star hotel. Really?? I doubt it. What happened next? My self confident was dropped drastically to be 10% from 100%. I saw around it, checked and valued it. the swimming pool was not really big and not really looked luxury. I could peep at glance, there was some empty plastic glasses floating on the pool. And the important things was nobody swim! How could I swim by myself?? It seemed I would like stupid lady in sexy bikini! It was only one person, noticed as watchman or guard or pool officer would stare at me from the hidden corner. No! I would not do that. I cancelled my plan. Explained something untruth to him that I was still waiting for my friend then I disappeared as far as I could. Whahahaha…..

No planning what to do, I went to mall, just for sight seeing. Forgave me as my appearance was not good. I opened my little secret, I had not taken a bath since a morning , only washed my face and brushed my teeth. According to me, it was not proper to go to mall like that, hihihihi…(hard laughing)! Finally, I bought salad, consist of tomatoes, carrots, lettuces, sweet corn, mayonaise and ate it slowly also drank big cup of jasmine tea while watching and judging people from their dresses. It was interesting! It was excellent to spend spare time than do nothing. But after that, after 15 minutes running, I was still feeling hungry and rather not well. Wanted to puke! Oow…I was queasy! Maybe “catching cold” as no enough food and rice came to my stomach. Indonesian habits: It was not called eating when you have not eaten rice!

Forced one of my friend to accompany me on dinner. I was not in the mood to eat actually but I had to, otherwise I would get sick. Drove away to a café closed to my home, ordered some hot wonton soup mixed with vegetables in another place. It was not really delicious. I thought I should add some pepper or salt or tomato or chili sauce to make it more bitten. But I did not do it. Plain soup whatever it called.

At last, I went home, took a bath. Note: I thought my friend felt dizzy smelling my original body perfume J, please apologize me!! Took a rest, drank some multivitamins, also a little bottle of orange juice to drag me to tight sleep. Thank you God for yesterday experience! Lately I thought it was God plan that my friend forgot her promise because it saved me not to spend “50 boxes” for something unsatisfied and useless. I could use that money to pay food and bought something useful, and I did it!

Only a minute to feel empty at G Walk!

G Walk is “cool, cozy, excellent, good place for hangout, …” and some of rewards came to that place. All is came from my friends opinion. Really? I can’t stand to prove it.

Sunday afternoon, about 12am, time to lunch, I started to go by car to West Surabaya, to Citraland area. Singapore of Surabaya was the slogan of it. G Walk is inside it. Passed the freeway. It was not really crowded. Some apartments (like The Adiwangsa, Pakuwon Indah…) and stores, also Supermall decorated this area. I could see some statues, some abstracts look, church (St. Yakobus) and for sure big luxury homes around it.

G Walk was a place with a street in the middle of it. Street for traffic. Left and right sides were full of food stores, cafes and bazaars. It provided a lot of Traditional, western, Chinese food, etc. All were mixed up there. You could choose what you like. Maybe it set up for night activity thus when I arrived there, some stores and bazaars were mostly closed. It might be only one to twenty were opening. It was Ok! Actually I just wanted to see how G Walk look like, I meant the interior, the taste of food and price. It did not matter I came on afternoon as I could imagine how it was on night.

First impression of that place was “it was ordinary place”. That’s all. Like another place in other side of Surabaya. The foods was ordinary. The place for hang out was ordinary. Nothing special (regardless I arrived on afternoon). Maybe it was fine for gathering with friends, colleges, family, just buying the air of bustling, outdoor ordinary place in luxury housing. Ooops, flat opinion! Sorry!

I love batiks, I love Indonesia! (yuuuk...)

Some of people thinks batik is old fashioned dress and it is figure out like mommy and daddy's dress. I dont know it is thought of most of people or not. I am just assuming. Hope my opinion are wrong. Any reason why I am thinking like that? This morning some of my friends asked me to go shopping on Saturday on famous mall in my city but I refused as I had appointment with another friend to visit batik exihibition. Did you know what my friend comment? "Hey, you are so heroic!!So Indonesia. Love that kind of batik. You like my mommy! Or you plan to do trading? " OMG! oh my God! Why she said like that? She doesnt like batik? She doesnt like Indonesian culture? Wondering why? She is Indonesian, how come? Or maybe she likes staying in the city of Indonesia but no need to love Indonesian culture. I dont mean to be rasis. Oops! I don’t want to judge them. People have their own style and appetite. But at that moment when they say that I feel hurt so much and suddenly hate their word and hate them. Hyperbolic! Please forgive me to have such a feeling.

BAtik is our culture. Lets keep and take care. Don’t let our culture lost and grab by another country, like Malaysia, you know…Eventhough batik is come from Java but it is now become a national outfit for Indonesian people, not only in big events or party but also as uniform in school and stated owned company. And lately, it is used as outfit for informal session, hang out (hmm… Thanks God for the pride of Indonesians to wear batik till the present day has preserve this art of textile ) and the accessories like table cloth, bedsheet, pillow cover, coaster for glasses and plates, and so on.

Eventhough I seldom buy batik outfit due the price is quite expensive especially for hand made writing batik ( another way to make batik is print it out, more cheaper as batik maker make in big quantity of fabric) but I am proud of it. Likes batik doesn’t always mean we have a lot collection of that, at least we admit, know, and care of it. Right??

Brief story about batik (Javanese language means writing) is given to you, just to memorize you again, especially everybody who has not been familiar with batik, especially Javanese batik like Solo, Yogya and Pekalongan batiks.

Discover Indonesia on their web said that although the process of decorating cloth through the process of batik is found in several regions in Africa or India and even in some South East Asian countries, the batik of Indonesia is unique and unequaled. Indonesian Batik is made in several regions, but the center of the art is Central Java, in cities like Yogyakarta, Solo, Cirebon, Pekalongan and Indramayu, west Java.

The beauty of Batik is a tribute to the patience, creativity of the woman of Java, the main island of Indonesia. Credit should be also given to men who prepare the cloth and handle the dyeing and finishing process. Batik is generally thought of as the most quintessentially Indonesian textile. Motifs of flowers, twinning plants, leaves buds, flowers, birds, butterflies, fish, insects and geometric forms are rich in symbolic association and variety; there are about three thousand recorded batik patterns.

Yogyakarta is the capital city of the most powerful and respected Kingdom of Java, is also at the heart of the Batik art. All the old Traditions and customs are observed and still find many symbols that are related to Hindu-Javanese culture. The combination of motifs in Yogya batik is unique, and there is a tendency to combine a number of large geometric motifs and mostly in dark brown color.

Solo, as one of capital city of powerful and respected Kingdom of Java, besides Yogyakarta, also has design are related to the Hindu-Javanese culture: the Sawat symbol of the crown or highest power, the Meru (mountain) symbol of mountain or earth, the Naga (dragon) symbol of the water, the Burung (bird) symbol of the wind or upper world and the Lidah Api (Fire tongue) symbol of the fire. In Solo there were special rules about wearing of batik. 1) the social position of the wearer, 2) the occasion on which the batik was worn or used. This was in connection with the meaning and hope or wish symbolized by the motif. (http://discover-indo.tierranet.com/batikpag9.htm

Different with Pekalongan, a small city and regency on the northern coast of Central Java. It lies arround 100 kilometres west-ward from Semarang, Central Java's Capital, most of these batiks were sarongs, perhaps because Dutch settlers found them easier to to wear. In this group of batiks we find the buketan motifs, depicting flowers and fruits that grew in Holland, like chrysanthemums and grapes, and flowers arrangements in European style. Next influenced is by Moslem (like scattered flower on hexagonal background..) and Chinese (for hong bird, dragon motifs, red color..).

So, can it change your mind a bit?

I really like Friday

Entering the yard of Virgin Maria cave on my church, felt comfortable. Voice of litte water falling on the fish pond, some candles shined brightly, mistique smell of smoke of fire of candles were touched my nose deeply. I took one candle from drawer then lightened it on to accompany me in praying. Before Cross mass I needed time to be calm down for a while!

I took a day off on Friday as I wanted to go to church for participating in Pre Easter program. Eventhough church mass started at 5.30 pm, but if I came from office directly it was impossible. I would be late 30 minutes. I could ask permission for early go home but I thought it was not worth it. My salary would be cut for some hours. To be honest, I did still need money, even a single penny. Taking a day off was better as I could have a time to run slowly. No rush.

Actually I also had problem and I needed something to refresh and clear my mud mind. It was important as it was about my daily xxxx. I felt uncomfortable lately for (again) unclearness! The choice was only compromised or to be discussed again but be careful with the decision or leaving for fresh air?? Here I was, begging, hoping, praying to Our Father in Heaven via Virgin Mary...

I was not a really religious person. I did not go to church every Sunday or doing something with God intensively, I admitted it. But... I tried to follow the program of Easter as long as I can. Was I wrong?? So when some of my friends knowing my reason they felt so strange. For that you took a leave?? I did not understand their opinion but I did not care! Whatever....SO what...

Easter mass program are Ash Wednesday, Confession, Fasting or Prohibition, every Friday Cross mass, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday.

Too bad I missed the As Wednesday as I had overtime suddenly so I did not want to miss another program. That's why I took on leave for following Cross Mass in the 5th week a.k.a last week of Pre Easter. Luckyly it was a 1st Friday for April month. How lucky I was, could attend both.

Take a day off on working day is feeling different compared off on holiday, because when people are working I am not working. I can do everything I want, so enjoyable!
But the effect was I suddenly woke up early morning when moslem praying voice was heard loudly in the cold and serene early morning. It was funny! Usually I felt hard to wake up for working.

Thanks God for making this happened! I really like Friday!

Facebook fever (part two)

Well, I have new activity now. Pardon? Checking my facebook, at office, at home, everywhere. Facebook fever has made me become a busy woman. But, thanks God, I don’t forget to eat when I am hungry, to sleep when I am tired, to work when I am at office and bla bla bla. I am still having responsibility to do the important things eventhough the temptation to open face book and involved on it is very huge. New “toy” for me.

I am happy as I can find old friends and found by them too, especially friends of my elementary school. It is quite long time ago. And their comment are very funny.
Ad: Hi, I remember you. You have twin sister, right. Your name is Flo and your sister is Fla.
Me: (confused!) I don’t have twin sister. My nickname is Flo but my full name is Fla.
Ad: Oh, I am sorry

One of things that makes us like to see Facebook as we put our picture there and we can see other friends picture too. The best, funny, cute, simple, artistic picture are stayed to be seen clearly. It is quite narcissism I think. Here I am. Here is my son. Here is my daughter. Sometimes they just put unclear face because they are on scenery background. Like me! I am on Dreamland beach. Beach is seen clearly, and my face become unclear, the consequency!

Fr: Sure, I remember you, your home is near our teacher home. Where is your picture? Wanna see whether you are still look like a “bule” (white skin)?
Me: (smiling)

Ya: Hi Flo, your picture is very big, I can see it clearly, Thanks, I like it.
Me: (hard laughing)

We are also able to see friends collection of our friends, then what happened? We can find mutual friend there. It means, friend of A is friend of B. Friend of B is friend of C. friend of A is friend of C. So, when I check friends of my friend Te, she has another friend that I know well from another school.

Funny thing…I can find my workmate friend is my siblings because of married relation. My grandma was married to his grandpa. It is a small world!! We laughed when we knew this. Everyday we met each other in working matter for long year but never talked about fraternity.

Another friends, especially men, use this medium to find their ex girlfriend. Mostly are unsuccessfully. Why? I do not know. My assumptions are their ex are not anxious to open friendship with them as they are ever being hurt or broke up in bad way or they do not want to open old beautiful memory or their husbands are jealous persons or their ex doesn’t have time to make FB anymore because they are good wife, busy in their household, no time for FB or even browsing internet??!!??

Last night I sent message to some friends who haven’t had FB to open that account. Remind them to invite me. I am so happy to invite everyone I know well. One of friend called me…
Yv: I have no time to open FB
Me: why? Where are you?
Yv: At hospital
Me: (surprised!) Are you sick? Who is sick?
Yv: Nobody, I will have a birth tomorrow…
Me: (2nd surprised!) What??
Yv: (laughing) Yup, tomorrow, by Caesar, that’s why I can choose the best date.
Me: (thankful) Good luck

Facebook Fever

Met some friends yesterday in a famous shopping mall, just to share personal news, remembered past time when we were in college long time ago...Suddenly one friend asked our Facebook. Wah...suddenly we looked at each other. Nobody had facebook. But, we promised to open it.

What is Facebook? Mark Zuckerberg was a Harvard college when he created Facebook as one of social network platform for teenager in colleges. He was very young when it was happened. 19 years old. Now, Facebook is the 2nd biggest social networking website after MySpace. (See his picture. i took it from someone who send to my personal email. Sorry for use it)

Actually some of my friends asked me whether I already opened FB, friends from my school, my college, my old work, my current work, my best friends, my relatives. SO many! Hm...look like I am celebrity.

Well, people, I have already fulfilled your request. Dont be dissapointed anymore.

New Year

After experiencing lovely holiday, spent the last day in 2008... Take a deep breath, open my eyes slowly. Sun shines...Tet teret tet tet...welcome! I am facing new year 2009 now.

Just hoping the best moment will through my life. The best in sadness, happiness, couragement, hope...and all!

Some moments I could remember, 31 dec2008 Batu Karas-Pangandaran: thanks to Di,Si and Ri. 31dec2007 Kota Bunga wz Ri, 31dec2006 HUgoz Malang wz Ri, 31dec2005 Ambarawa-Yk, 31dec 2004 IbisYk, 31dec2003 Sub to Bali, 31dec 2002 Yk, 31Dec 2001 NusaDua Bali...The rest I forgot where I spent it. Sorry!