....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!

Urban Jazz_crossover

An hectic week must be ended with some fun. It was good idea to say yes to my friend who asked me to go clubbing, spending late night on some small room with some Indonesian famous singer.

Arrived Empire Place on 9pm, it was quite late as Humania was singing for two songs already. The show started about 8pm actually but my friend was very busy so she late picked me up. Never mind! We were still have million minutes to enjoy the music party.

Entered the dark room, like big hall, but became small as so many young guys came, with friends, partner, associates, even with lovers. No dress code thus many style of dress could be seen there. It was time to express ourselves on outfit. Cigarette smoke was flying around the room, touched our dress, body, hair and eyes. It was quite short winded and smart in eyes. Again, never mind! Enjoy the party. Dji Sam Soe was the sponsor of this program. Urban Jazz Crossover 2009 was!

Lighting and sound system was very good. Good work! I was satisfied.
Even though we came late but we could move between the density of audience, from back to front, close to the stage, close to the speaker. Oops, loud music! Faster heartbeat too. Kept standing up between so many photographer. Thanks God for not use high heels but my friend did (quite pain? Stiff, Diiii..)

I loved Andy Rif,” andai ku jadi raja…” and Candil “ beat it…” Bravo Gleen Fredly! ( little deep share for your family problem, hiks..!) Thumb for Ari Lasso, Edwin-Coklat guitarist and new comer, Lala, beautiful singer. Lately I noticed she was half Indonesian-Philippine. Applause for Daniel, cute guy who sang classical as background song for some singers. It was called crossover so the jazz melody was combine with rock, reggae, rap and pop.

For sure, we did not forget to be “narcis” for a while by taking picture in front of cigarette billboard. We felt we were artist as well. But it had to be patient and on queue as many “narcisholic” too.

Went home on 12.30, not too late, really? Diii, were you sleepy or you were not ready in moving your car? Surprised for a little stretch on your car, you kissed your car on the park wall. Good job! Smile! (26May09)

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?

Short Jaunt to Malang Tempoe Doeloe...

1st day: 21 May
Used public trasportation, express bus (bis patas) from Surabaya, Bungurasih to Arjosari, Malang. Paid Rp 15.000/person. Bus run freely. No traffic jam. Good. Arrived 1.5 hour later, took small car (angkot) AMG line and stopped at Citanduwi street. Met old friends, little chit chatting, laughing, eating traditional tempe penyet while waiting for rain stopped. Malang was not cold at that time. Maybe it was because of rain dropped lately.

Mainly purpose was Festival of old Malang in Ijen street (Malang Tempo Doeloe). Ijen steet was famous street, big street, old street. Most old and big house were stayed here. Since we went on Opening day at afternoon around 3 pm, we could not enjoy it at all. So many people came and walked around that street. My thought about this event is not very fascinating. Just said not bad. Maybe it because a lot of session we could not see in short time.

Various stage, store, exhibition and workshop could be seen there. But some were not available everyday. There were schedule for that.

On food zone we could find some food seller with old tradisional food, like gulali (sweet candy on stick), tiwul (from cassava), dodol, the rest are traditional food like nasi pecel, fried chicken, etc.

For entertainment we could see stage for wayang (puppets), ludruk (east java traditional drama with dance and some poets), Malangan topeng (local dancer mask), song exhibitions like keroncong (Portuguese influenced) gambus, keroncong, qasidah, sholawat (Moslem influenced).

Stage of rice field, complete with cow and their wagon. Duplication of the village rice fields and gardens and traditional farming tools, traditional irrigation system of rice field, the traditional fishery tools,forests and sugar cane plantations, traditional red sugar factory is also available. It is good idea. Some visitor took a picture in front of it, pretending they were on old and village atmosphere.

On zone of the Malang’s industrial Villages in 1950 we could learn about making of Brown Sugar using Cow’s Power, making of traditional ‘semprit’ cake using ‘press’ machine in 1950’s, household from Clay, irons tools and weapon, Batik, mats from ‘mendong’, and tools from bamboo, manual timber lathing, the washing and cleaning of ancient instruments.

Another parts was seller of old books, old calculator, old long gun, old photos, old playing tool for children, workshop of drawing Javanese Islamic Calligraphy and traditional games (dakon, semprengan, layangan, umbulan, engklek, srigendem, tekongan, uyek-uyek rante, jumpritan, krupukan, otong-otong bolong, kaki klek-klek, jamuran) , carved wood , japin dance, also petan (finding small insect in hair of human) & rasan-rasan (gossip )tradition. Pyuuhh..do not know it was about what! Just seeing all in schedule.

Tired of walking, we went to bakso bakar (barbeque meat ball) to fill up our stomach and took some rest. Then went on buying some gulali and little cup of Oen (named of old store of ice cream, famous in Dutch era) ice cream. After that we walked again through a thousand people on that area. We felt uncomfortable anymore, so we decided to move out very quickly.

Our journey that night was ended by eating (again? Eating?yup! as some energy was used up on walking and walking) ronde (traditional hot drink mixed by ginger and some accessories like peanut, jelly, flour) and bought famous noodle called “mie gang jangkrik”. Halal! Permitted, no pig flavour. Delicious!

2nd Day: 22 May
Woke up lazily, breathed fresh air for a while, prepared ourselves to go home. No breakfast was available then chips crackers became our breakfast. Ha,ha,ha…Walked on foot for about 10 minutes to Sanan handycraft center. We wanted to buy some gift for our lovely family and friends. Not much but enough for making them happy. So sweet!! We bought kripik tempe (soybean chips crackers) and kripik buah-buahan (fruits chips crackers) at some store. After that, we went by small car, public transportation, to Alun-alun (big field) Malang for a while, had a lunch then continued again to Oen store, spent a time for an hour, drinking es campur (mixed fruits, syrup, ice) before went back to Surabaya. Yummy!

Migraine, hot topic lately!!

I hate when I got migraine. You know migraine, half headache! It is very painful. When I felt strongly uncomfortable, when I just eat less, when I sudden wake up, when I late lunch or dinner, when I drink a lot of cold water or ice, when I got hot sun shines then changing to cold air, when this, when that, when these, when those…

Nothing can cure it unless I avoid it. Just sleeping? It cannot fix my problem. I still have to drink medicine. Paramex is my drug. Eventhough I know the cause but sometimes I cannot avoid it. So, drink medicine is the last way. But I realize that it is not good to make paramex as the only solution. Lately I try the best not to always drink drug. So, being happy, eat much, regular exercise are some of solutions.

Some articles say about common headache and when I read it I think the cause is almost same with cause of my migraine, like these...
1. Feeling worry so much.
2. Relaxing the eyes as strong light of sun, lamp, TV monitor or computer can stress the eye muscles.
3. Pre menstruation syndrom can affect fluctuation of the estrogen hormon.
4. Some hard physical exercise can make muscles in head, neck and head skin nees more blood supply for better circulation. It cause fluffy blood circulation.
5. Do not have breakfast or fasting program without planning or preparation.
6. Lack of sleep.

Oyot Godhong? Vein of leave?

Dont be confused with my title....

While my friend was busy in buying some gifts, I let myself to have lunch in Mirota café named Oyot Godhong. Javanese name, means leaf vein. You could reach the 3rd floor of this store. The place was quite unique on its traditional touch. You could see wooden chair and table, gazebo, old vespa (motorcycle from India), some statues, fresh rose flower upon the table.

I chose nasi goreng as I need rice very much that morning. I was quite starving eventhough I had noodle for breakfast. This café offered some traditional menu too, like what the store sell, traditional items like batiks fabric, accessories, statues, etc. Well, you could find pecel, tempe bacem, tempe koro, gado-gado….and some simple menu’s like bread, fried rice, fried noodle, enough for accompanying in waiting friend, relatives, spending time while they were shopping or after shopping.

Mirota itself is centre of batiks fabric and handycraft. When you come into it, you can feel strong Javanese air like gamelan music (Javanese music), incense fragrance, pictures of King Hamengku Buwono, very old things……

Curious? Come and see then….
(yk, 12apr)