He was approached by pregnant lady. She looked weak as if she’s spent all day walking, limping her way like she has no energy left to walk and support her round belly. She’s got pretty beat up the whole day.

Hesitantly she approached a becak (three-wheel pedaled vehicle) driver and sheepishly asked his help to take her to a clinic. The distance wasn’t really far, but she was too tired to continue walking. She explained that she didn’t have money to pay for his service so it will be a huge favor if he would take her for free.

The driver, perhaps felt pity of her situation, didn't ask any question and agreed to take her. So off they went. She felt so relieved to finally able to sit down and was on her way to the clinic.

Pedaling pedaling…

Pretty soon they arrived at the clinic’s gate and the lady got off from the becak. She couldn’t thank him enough for his kind and gracious ride.

They parted.

Later on the driver was asked, “Why did you decide to take the lady?”

The answer came in a sincere compassionate tone, “When she came to me and asked for my help, I instantly remembered my deceased wife. I remember taking her in my becak when she was pregnant. I love my wife and I won't remarry. She’s died now, but I know she’s smiling down at me from heaven”.

The viewer wept.

“screw you guys, I’m going home” ++

I bet that’s what going on in most of the pembantaians' (pembantu – eng: maid, servant, housekeeper) heads nearing the Lebaran holiday. It’s that time of the year when most - if not all - of them leave their around-the-clock jobs and have a week or two vacation in their kampungs.

Incentives can’t stop them. 13th (or 14th, 15th) month salary (THR or bonus) is paid to keep them during the busy holiday. If it doesn’t work, promise them other incentives to assure their return. It comes in various forms too: extra bonus, salary raise, driving them back home and agree to have them picked up to come back to work, anything. Majikans (employers, home owners) are THAT desperate.

This majikan – pembantu relationship is unique. All they have is verbal agreement. “You do whatever (read: everything), and your salary is Rp. x. “ It usually works fine yet often times it creates conundrum between the two paries. Talk among majikans, most of them they can’t follow their pembantus way of thinking. I bet you have had one of those talks too. The young ones can’t wait to be called back home and be married, the older ones act as if they’re highly qualified and could find new work anytime they want (which might be true).

This must be reciprocal. Pembantus do talk about their majikans too among them. Well, if I remember correctly, I only had the privilege of attending such talk when I was little (a small gal can’t be a spy and report what she heard, yes?). Usually they talk about their families back home or about their boyfriends. Majikans will always be a topic though. They would compares notes, find out who got the most house chores, whose majikan is the most stingy, so on and so forth.

Well I never employ one for myself, but being a member of the majikan kin, I sometimes do find their way of thinking unreasonable, even absurd. How they could leave a good nice safe family to go to work in a foreign land such as Malaysia, or just to be married as 3rd wife to an older rich man. Well, that’s better than just leaving the house without notice. AWOL. Worse, took off with all their majikan’s belongings. Perhaps it’ll be better and safer if there’s a written contract? Hmm.. that sure will raise a different set of problems. That’s something one must consider seriously. I could write on and on about this topic. Hilarious stuff, pathetic stories, etc. Maybe will write more later, now I’m just amazed with them for being able to flee whenever they want. Lucky..

++ Dedicated to Mrs. Smug-married, who just lost her not-so-dedicated pembantu, and who recently got a craze over the South Park cartoon. So please excuse the coarse language, coz I adopted Cartman's tag line for her. (^_^)

Commitment free?

Just because I’m single it means I’m leading a commitment free life?
NOT!

I’m a social person (tho at times terribly anti social).

I still have my family. Though very soon we live miles away it doesn’t mean I’m suddenly free from any commitment. Ok, I’m free from doing house chores, but only there. Pretty soon I have my own house chores (not so big house please, as long as I got electricity and running waters ;)).

I still have my close relatives. Hmm.. I’m not sure what commitment there is, but for example, I sure will fly out (on my expense) if one of my cousins gets married.

I still have my close friends. Less sure what the commitment is, I mean to old friends in Jakarta. There will be some new friends in new location, so there will be something.

I still have colleagues and supervisors. Well, that’s arranged in the contract so I know what the expectations are.

I still have God.
-snip-
sorry, this part’s a bit personal ;)

I’m not sure someone could have a completely commitment free life. Mainly he has to cast out himself from any social relations and obligations, live far in the woods, provide his own needs. It’s possible, but that must be a helluva wretched life. Perhaps the person is wretched as well....

duh!

Someone will always be prettier.
Someone will always be smarter.
Someone's house will be bigger.
They will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
Their husband will fix more things around the house.
So????LET IT GO!!!!!!

Love you and your circumstances.
Think about it.
The prettiest woman in the world can have turmoil in her heart.
The most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
The richest woman you know may have the car, the house, the clothes...................but she might be lonely.

Love you.
Love who you are.

Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say
"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"

"Winners make things happen. Losers let things happen."

a.d.i.e.u

So, guess you get a pretty good idea how my routine goes day in day out. Pretty soon it’ll change. Well, maybe not much other than my morning activity will start an hour earlier (ugh!!).

The unexpected came from my boss. He gave me a farewell gift. Quite surprising, really.. I bet the other staff would agree (and envious at the same time). I guess each one of them have their own way in showing that they appreciate the others.

I’m just glad I made a good exit. Thank God.

Remaining days: ONE

All in last day’s work..

0515 – r!se and sh!ne
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials (James 1:2)
0600 – feed li’l puppy
0640 – freshen up
0715 – catch da bus!
0730 – fire up the computer
0750 – tea time
0800 – morning greeting (both IRL & virtually)
0820 – start looking busy
0845 – morning chat with boss
Cross checked and updated our/his agenda for the day and the rest of the week.
0900 – work away..
0930 – second meeting with boss
Manage pending stuff to be taken care by temporary replacement.
1230 – munchies
Picture this. You ordered food, and arrange until all is set. Finally all staff is there. Boss gave a short speech, which I think was nice, rather skip the unnecessary blah blah blah.. Everybody eats. Finish. You cleaned up again. Hhmm.. Had my one minute fame (can’t believe he made me said a speech!). So that went well.
1500 – another meeting with boss
Short discussion on preliminary recruitment. Phew it seems it’s gonna be a big thingy.. Good luck!
1530 – missed a meeting with supervisor.
Darn, that means I’ve to come back some time next week
1700 – when enough is enough
I just hope I didn’t miss anything. Hate it when it happens. Tired.

Remaining days: TWO

All in another day's work..

0515 – r!se and sh!ne
Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
0600 – feed li'l puppy
0640 – freshen up
0715 – catch da bus!
0730 – fire up the computer
0750 – tea time
0800 – morning greeting (both IRL & virtually)
0820 – start looking busy
0900 – no morning chat with boss as he's ill
The rat's gone and the mice dance? I wish. Just got too many things to finish up before I leave the company for good.
0910 – work away....
You've got mail. Quote: as A has given a new meaning to multi tasking. Period. Hmm... should I take that as a compliment? Knowing how my boss is, a simple statement could be ambiguous.
1230 – Farewell lunch with other 2 staff
Went to Bogor Cafe at the Borobudur Hotel. Had the famous "sop buntut". Yuummmm!!
1345 – Work away....
1600 – Gossip time
Seems people will never be satisfied with anything. I understand the saying you can't make everybody happy at the same time, but it's tough when you have to defend your boss' decision all the time. At times I feel like retorting "none of your stupid business!!", but then again it's just too careless. I don't care if in some people's eyes I'm not appreciated and don't get the farewell party I deserve, I just wanna get over this phase of my life and continue to the next. I tried my best, I know I fail in some areas, and I learned from it. Sooo... please just let me move on! Thank you very much...

Remaining days: THREE

All in a day’s work..

0515 – r!se and sh!ne
This also comes from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance (Isaiah 28:29)
0600 – feed li'l puppy
0640 – freshen up
0715 – catch da bus!
0730 – fire up the computer
0750 – tea time
0800 – morning greeting (both IRL & virtually)
0820 – start looking busy
0900 – morning chat with boss
Cross check and update our/his agenda for the day and the rest of the week
0910 – work away....
1230 – munchies
Thank God for fastfood. No warung open yet, so it had to be fastfood.
Today’s menu: Wendy's baked potato with broccoli and cheese.
1400 – meet with boss
Interesting how he could turn something routine into a big deal. I lost count of how many times he emphasized "Friday will be her last day" as reminder to other staff.
1500 – meet with boss (endless)
Took over his travel arrangement from another staff. See, if he had let me arrange it in the first place it'll be much thorough. Well, last minutes service I guess.
1615 – I’m outta here!

Additional. Got a phone call from a friend whom I asked about the 'reborn' concept. I'm afraid I can't rewrite the explanation here, lest I misunderstood the explanation and cause more confusion. Conclusion: it basically doesn't exist, what can you expect from HRFM???

Sauna City

The weather’s wonderful in Jakarta.

NOT, I was being sarcastic. The temprature doesn’t change much (isn’t predictability great?), but it ranges from 38-43 degrees (that would be in celcius). Ok I’m exaggerating, but it does feel like it. You prespire all the time. A walking waterbag. The aircondition in my room doesn’t help much. Yes it cools the heat a bit but that’s it. Pretty sticky (yuck!), so understandable if I miss the office ;)

In this kinda heat you could only think of three things:
- drink lotsa water (preferably cold cooling and refreshing. Hmm.. ice cream..)
- bathe every other hour or take a swim
- just die of heat stroke.

There, I’m exaggerating again :))
Do excuse me, I can’t really function in this heat.

The city needs RAIN.. Badly!!!! Maybe I could learn how to do the rain dance (not dancing in the rain, but the dancing ritual to call for rain.. or is it to ask the gods of rain for rain..?). Just like the Indians.. not Asia Indian, but native American. Well, not only I don’t believe there’s god(s) of rain, I bet it’ll look stupid.. and what if it requires the dancer to do it naked?? HORROR!!

So I ended up drinking lots & lots of water. It cools temprorarily, but bad in the long run. Here comes the bad news. It seems I had too many ice cream and cold water now my tonsilitis is back :( with a bonus: flu, runny nose and sneezes. The sneezing should be taken care of, especially when I’m going to fly in another two weeks. It’ll cause a hell of a pain when flying. Phew, better make an appointment with my ENT doctor.

In the mean time, self healing time. This hot tea should help a bit, then I cooked instant maccaroni soup that tastes funny. I wonder why.. It says here that the expiry date is Sep 2004. Oops!

hhaaaaaaaaattschhiiiii…!!!
+++gesundheit+++

Long weekend.. don’t you just love it!!

Lebaran again. Last year I celebrated it in Bali.. Well, I didn’t really “celebrate” it, it just happen that I was taking my vacation there and missed the yearly Moslem festivities. Missed the noisy takbiran, annoying petasan, ketupat, reandang, opor, also cake & cookies. Missed the all of a sudden empty streets, free from traffic (nice). More important, missed silahturami to my friends’ homes. It’s always a good time to meet, talk, and - if lucky - got the chance of meeting my friend’s relative and learn more about my friends and their families.

Just curious, heard a jingle in the radio (Hardrock FM), they said something about ‘we are born again’. This is related to Lebaran. The lyric went like: Peace aja biar tentram jadinya no worry / Anyway kitapun tidak hidup sendiri / Mari berpeluk-pelukan / Mari bersalam-salaman / Mari bermaaf-maafan / Kita terlahir kembali. Hmm.. does it make any sense to you? Are they just being poetic, or in Islam there’s actually a reborn concept? Anybody can confirm and explain this more?

Anyway, to my Moslem friends:
“Met Lebaran 1425 H”
- minal aidin walfaizin -

Why did the chicken cross the road?

The Bible: And God came down from the heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing..

Freud: The fact that you thought that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.

Immanuel Kant: The chicken, being an autonomous being, chose to cross the road of his own free will.

Grandpa: In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Someone told us that the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.

Bill Clinton: I did bot cross the road with THAT chicken.

Fox Mulder: It was a government conspiracy.

Marcel Marceau:

Bart Simpson: I will not use a chicken as a frisbee. I will not use a chicken as a frisbee. I will not use a chicken as a frisbee. I will not use..

John Lennon: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together – in peace.

Colonel Sanders: I missed one?

emerald_s: to try its “luck” for the thousands of times.*++
(hundreds of classic answers and new ones. Try to enter the phrase, you get more than 700,000 websites...! Fun chuckling read).


++ No exaggeration, but crossing-the-road business in Jakarta could be a deadly one. Everyday, I have to get across the big street (6 lanes!) at least three (!) times. And I tell you, after all these years instead of "mastering" the skill I find myself slowly turn into a terrified chicken each day. There were the megalomaniac big busses, god-knows-where-to-turn bajajs, and crazy motorbikes that rush their ways, it seems they’d happily crush anything that gets in their way. Sometimes I feel like I wanna smack one (if not all) of the bikers heads when they take the pleasure of stopping right there on the zebra cross while everybody knows it's for crossing the bloody road!! Then there are also idiotic motorbikes that ride on the sidewalks or would go against the current (you know, the ones that is too lazy to take a detour they would just ride on a one-way street challenging other vehicles in front of them. No safe path for pedestrians. The government is working on that or so I heard. Right....

Gossip Town

Have you ever heard of Gossip Town
On the shores of falsehood Bay,
Where old Dame Rumor with rustling gown
Is going the livelong day?

It isn't far to Gossip Town,
For people who want to go.
The Idleness Train will take you down
In just an hour or so.

The Thoughtless Road is a popular route,
And most folks start that way,
But it's steep down grade;
If you don't watch out,

You'll land in Falsehood Bay.
You glide through the valley of Vicious Town
And into the tunnel of Hate;
Then crossing the Add-To Bridge, you walk
Right into the city gate.

The principal street is called, "They Say,"
"I've Heard" is the public well,
and the breezes that blow from Falsehood Bay
are laden with, "Don't You Tell.

"In the midst of the town is Tell Tale Park.
You're never quite safe while there,
For its owner is Madame Suspicious Remark,
Who lives on the street, Don't Care.

Just back of the park is Slanders Row.
'Twas there that Good Name died
pierced by a dart from Jealousy's bow,
in the hands of Envious Pride.

From Gossip Town, peace long since fled,
But envy, and strife and woe
And sorrow and care, you find instead,
If ever you chance to go.

- Anon.

SIRKUS

Drat! I missed the circus. Wish I made some time to check it out and make a report to you. There's this Oriental Circus in the city. Not sure when they started it, but I think it's been more than 2 months. They held it in Mampang area for a while, and moved to Kramat Raya which is close to home. And I let the big chance passed. Now they're in Taman Mini, or so I heard. Too bad.

It's not the first time I missed a good chance to see circus. Mind you, I'm not that crazy about the circus, it's just seem fun and more interesting than sitting idly in a theather. I missed Cirque du Soleil when they performed in Singapore few years back (kept arguing with my friend that the 1 mill fiscal isn't worth it). Then there were at least 2 Oriental Circus, and now this.

Too bad I'm too ordinary, nothing weird nor extraordinary about me where I could be included in the 'freak show'. I can imagine joining the circus and working with them would be interesting..

(^_^)

(The word 'Freak' is a relatively negative word, but I've no intention of degrading the people 'exhibitted', besides I don't think such show still existed. Is it?)

Femme Festival

Hmm.. what could this be.. Well, it's a festival of women, where some of them wear either tiny bikinis walking back and forth, the rest in their shirts waiting for the wet shirt competition. NOT!! :))

The theme is "Female on the Move" (whereever they're moving). "Pameran untuk Wanita Dinamis". Well that gives more idea, but was not exactly what I had in mind.

It turned out to be gathering some of clothing vendors from numerous (small) boutiques, several bakeries, make up manufacturers and women magazine. Same old - same old.

The only new thing I noticed (do excuse me if I as being ignorant and there are actually more "new" stuff was Any Bra. It's a strapless and backless bra with no adhesive and sticker gel. It's basically cups, similar to the ones you got when you buy a swimsuit but with slightly different design. Quite practical, I can say. Interested? Call (62-21) 429 000 60 (PT Uri Indonesia).

Anyway, back to the exhibition, sorry to say it was a waste. Both time and money. With 10.000 rups (for admittance fee), you're better off using the money for taxi money and go to Mangga Dua. when I required why the expensive fee, the ticketing gal could only say "there's lucky draw". Syeaaahh, who wants to stik around til 20.30?? Hope they can do better next time.

ps. no, I didn't buy the "any bra", if you really must know :p

“How will it be if you get sick in Bali?”

Silly question. If I’m sick, I’m sick. (God forbid).

Still the question troubled me a bit. Worse scenario is I'll be on my own, ailing and suffering through all the pain and agony.. Nobody cares, no nearby doctor, or nurse, not even a drugstore.. Did I say all by my own?? Praying hard for the pain to go away but as time passed and everything remains bleak, the praying changed to just ask God to take me. Whoaa.. my smug-married friend would chuckle and would suggest my family to inscribe “return unopened” in my tombstone. :))

Anyway, that's just too depressing. With God's willing, such won't happen. Well, I've had had worse illness, so if it ain't my time, it just ain't my time.

*big hug to fate*

germs, anyone??

# of germs: quite a lot (killed most of them off with antibiotics..!! ..I hope)
# of days spent unproductively: 2.5
# of hours spent watching silly videos: approx. 7 (not bad, eh?)
# of publications read: 1 magazine, several chapters of 2 books
# of people hate me for not being in the office: at least 2 (my boss and the immediate replacement)
# of weight loss: 3 (hurrah!!)

yep, I’ve been captivated in my own house for the past two and a half days. Been really sick. It wasn’t a big of a disease, but when something like this hit me, it just hit me good. I got tonsillitis*. That means my throat hurt and I can’t swallow without giving a full effort.

The first day was worse. I rather lie in my bed ailing than eating or taking a sip of anything. Being a fully-dedicated employee (blaah..) I made an effort just to hand over some stuff. That 40 minute trip turned out to be not a very good idea. Came back home all exhausted and spinning.

Head over body. Managed to swallow 5 spoonfuls of fried rice and a cup of hot tea plus antibiotic. Crashed again.

I think people ought to be more caring of the sick and prepare special nice hot meals to counter their lack of apetite. But it doesn’t work that way at my home. Being sick, it’s good enough I could still think of eating. But the ailing doubles when what’s there not exactly appealing. Good thing my sis was quite considerate and got me buryam (chicken porridge). Nice & warm, a bit salty tho (or was my taste bud got distored by the germs too??)

The second day was more relief (thank God for antibiotics!). I was getting ready to work, but the morning excitement just exhaust me! Later on I found myself back on my bed catching my breath and tried to hold myself from vomiting. Oh gosh.. morning sick?? Hah!! You wish!! Nope, definitely not morning sick.. Sorry to disappoint you, buddy :p. while antibiotics crush those germs, there’s also a downside (side effect), which to my body cause nausea and bitter taste in my mouth. Yuck.

The bottom line is, as I’m back in front of the computer writing mindless drivel in my blog that means I’m back to normal. But seriously, if there are people I would thank, that would be God, who always hear my prayer, & my dad, who bought me the antibiotics, & my sis for the buryam, & my replacement for keep calling me with update on office drama. Amen.

*inflammation of the tonsils.

try out your luck!

Didn't know my blog entries could actually influence people. A friend of mine (yeah, ok.. my best-sweet-smug-married-friend Depi. Pooh!!) got turned off after reading my hellish working life the past two years (I offered if she wants to apply replacing me). Yikes, no intention to give negative image.

To balance out the previous entry, now allow me to point the goodies:
- flexible working hours
- 13 days annual leave
- 20 stat holiday annually (beat that!!)
- nice fringe benefit package
- free super-high speed internet broadband around the clock
- clear job description
- married colleagues, not likely you'll be engaged in a pointless office affair (unless you’re that desperate).

So basically, if you see it in a balanced perspective, it's a good secure job. Why the heck did I decide to move?? Well, it relates to a whole host of things. But seriously, if I were married and settled (or at least asked to), the thought of moving will never ever cross my mind. Cest la vie… it's one of those twist in life again.

There you go, happy? Can I take off my rosy glasses now?? ;)

*bling bling*

n o v e m b e r

New day
New week
New month...

When you set your mind like that, it seems everything will be great, things will go smoooooothh :)

It's just great to be positive...!!