If one wants to be bad, one shall.

I notice this the past few days after coming back to Bali. It's just too easy to mantain 'bad habit', a bit difficult to break off and return to the 'good habit'. At this point it's still easier, while I haven't carried away yet. I use apostrophe only because what I consider as bad may not be for other people. So it's pure personal point of view. Just need some time off to figure this out methink.

Anyway, Bali slightly changed since I left. The weather is still hot and sunny during the day, but during the nights it cools down to 6-8 degrees below. It's the same temprature during rainy season. It's actually nice when you start waking in the morning, you could feel the morning breeze and you pull up mr. blankie and curl up. Just stay there until the alarm goes off. Time to get up and you drag your a-- to the bathroom. Brrrrr.....

Family Affair

=-=-=
Let's get it crunk, we gon' have fun
Up on in this, dance for me
We got ya open, now ya floatin'
So you gots to dance for me
Don't need no hateration, holleratin'
In this dance for me
Let's get it percolatin', while you're waiting
So just dance for me

Come on everybody get on up
Cause you know we gots to get it crunk
Mary J. is in the spot tonight
As I'mma make it feel alright (Make it feel alright)
Come on baby just party with me
Let loose and set your body free
Leave your situations at the door
So when you step inside jump on the floor

=-=-=

It's only gonna be about a matter of time
Before you get loose and start loose your mind
Cop you a drink, go head and rock your ice
Cause we celebrating No More Drama in our life
With a great track pumpin', everybody's jumpin'
Goin ahead and twist your back and get your body bumpin'
I told you leave your situations at the door
So grab somebody and get your ass on the dance floor

=-=-=

We don't need, don't need, no haters
Just try to love one another
We just want y'all have a good time
No more drama in your life
Work real hard to make a dime
If you got beef, your problem, not mine
Leave all that BS outside
We're gonna celebrate all night
Let's have fun, tonight, no fights
Turn the great track way
Making you dance all night and I
Got some real heat for ya this time
Doesn't matter if you're white or black
Let's get crunk cuz Mary's back

-- Mary J. Blige

familial drinks

What do you get after long drinks?
Different people have different effect, of course.

The liquors were tasty, yummy... I usually limit myself to 1-2 drinks only, but I guess it was family time. A series of them strangely gave me a bad tipsy effect. Mojito, plutonic (sp?), mix of midori and orange juice, carlsberg, kahlua cream. Not exactly tipsy coz when I’m tipsy I feel superficially good. I smile a lot, giggly (most of the time laughing at myself, coz I know I look silly). Those drinks took me to tipsy-drunk state. My head was heavy, felt like something inside it was blocking and just won’t go away. Of course banging my head didn’t help.

It was bad coz my consciousness was half-dead, my awareness were ripped from me and thereafter I allowed myself do stuff I wouldn’t do if I was sober, let alone doing it in public! Conclusion: alda and alcohol don't mix. Pooh, that was rather embarrassing. Luckily (or so I thought), I’m not a member of the night-life society, so I didn’t think anybody knew me in those club(s). Don't have any plan going back there either.

So that was a note to me before having series of drinks again.

family ties

The only way I could think of showing that I was attentive to my sister and the new family in the remaining time I got during my visit (and theirs as well) was to hang out with them. So I had to cancel all errands I planned to run and also meeting some friends. Figure I could always meet them on my next visit. Somebody should’ve told them to go on their honeymoon so the rest of the family could go back to their own lives.. kidding!

I’ve no idea why they wanted so much to go to the Safari Park in Cisarua, Bogor. I thought it was rather juvenile and I knew I could’ve finished more important stuff. But what the heck, I might as well try to make the most of it and enjoy myself. Won’t hurt to be with them, talk and learn more about the new family. The fact that I was stuck sitting on the back of the car with the guy I had been avoiding didn’t help much. You know how you got an instant impression when you first set eye on a person? With this guy, the message was “here comes trouble”. Ohwell, it’s for my sis’ sake, so we should all just be nice and polite, everybody shall come back in one piece.

It went better than I expected. I missed the cool atmosphere in Puncak, the animals were interesting and good display, the company was far from boring. I’m naturally a good listener, and this guy sure liked to hear himself talking (don’t they all hehehee..), so that was good teamwork on the effort of making the trip enjoyable. Had few drinks afterwards. Still part of the welcoming “rite”. Then off I go, back to my life in Bali. They had a great time, so did I.

tying the knots

This could be the only wedding where I felt so worried coz I was supposed to have a big part on it but I wasn’t sure what kind of wedding it will be, the process and all. My sis seemed calm so I felt more relaxed as I knew things were going to go well.

My sister’s wedding was prepared 3 months in advance, I wished I could’ve done more, but she excused me from any committee preparation due to distance. God is good, she got all the help she needed from close friends, especially a lady by the name Lana who I knew took major part of the ceremony and reception. I was briefed on what I should do and took care of, no big task so I knew I could do it. I wish I was more involved, but I guess no need to regret anything.

The Immanuel church was nicely decorated, with tiny flowers on each rows of the seats lined with white lace. The ceremony was nicely arranged (tho I think the priest should’ve spoken louder). The solo singer female sang difficult tunes beautifully. The only minus thing was it was too damn hot. Most of us sat endured the ceremony sweating in our suits or kebayas (couldn’t wait to take it off and slip on something more comfy and cool).

Felt slightly relieved after the ceremony. It was now official, and I welcomed all the attending relatives of my new brother in law to the family. They’re more of a huggy family so that was nice, avoid hugging one guy tho.

I always knew that a gathering such as this reception is the best place to meet people and re-affirm relations. While everybody was busy eating and talking, as soon as the speech and prayers were over I started to mingle with every familiar faces I know. Relatives from my mom side, relatives from my dad side, old friends from church, practically everybody. It was a perfect time to catch up on what people are up to, of course to update them on what’s going on in my life also. Perhaps some close cousins felt neglected, but they should understand I don’t have much opportunities like this. I didn’t eat until I think I’ve greeted everybody I knew. Of course by that time most of the foods were gone.

I felt happy for my sis. After all the troubles and effort, she finally made it. Yep, most of us were a bit skeptical, not in a negative manner where we would persuade her to forget about marrying the guy, but being positive and encouraging yet in a tentative way. Confusing eh? You can only find out if you’re going to be part of the family. Nah..!

I didn’t get anything for the bride and groom, and I’m not going to use the same excuses of being distance away and busy. I know I should’ve. Maybe they will accept a belated gift? Hmm.. something new, something old and something blue.. (do I get it right?).

too polished of a report

Dear JH,

It went smooth.

< snip -- for personal reason I decided to delete this part. -- snip>

Warm regards from Jakarta,

ps. I really wished I could write down every single session that happened in the Asia Work training, but I guess it would violate the agreement with the management. Besides, it will be too long and boring. No worry, I have them in my personal file. I’m not sure how my boss will take my report. My guess is excited. If he cares enough to look deeper, he’d figure out that I don’t write much about _what I got_ from the training itself. Have to be honest that I was so resistant most of the time, so the result, I don’t gain much. The way people talk about it, it sounds to be like a cult. Most of the alums think they’re always right, and have to say what’s presented there were heavy on being right itself. I just can’t stand self righteous smugs. Enough bashing. Next??

one time Guide

I’m not much of a guide, methink, in particular for new people and/or visitors from out of town. I know my way around, both in Jakarta and Bali, but I don’t care enough to make a mental list the ‘must see’ places or ‘must do’ activities in both locations.

A friend came to Bali a week ago for business meeting and had only 1 day before getting serious. Luckily she’s more interested in the hip Bali lifestyle, so that went ok. Wouldn’t have a clue where to go if she wanted to see barong dance, cuz I don’t watch them myself.

Then more recently I offered to show a friend from the office around Jakarta. I never really sure what to show, so always start with ‘what do you want to see?’ This time was easier as his time was limited, then he’s focused on artsy stuff. So I went with Mr. Director from the dinner on the previous day to show him around Jalan Surabaya.

Right on target. He was crazy about the stuff. At first I wasn’t sure what stuff he’d be interested in. Handicraft? Antique? Old plates? Definitely not the suitcases offered there. He went right on interesting objects that usually I wouldn’t notice. There was this high lighting object what the vendor claimed to be crystal, but him working in design doubt but didn’t bother to argue. “I just love this kind of sh*t”.

Then there were the old (really old) cameras. One from the 20s, but he was really interested in the one from Germany, back to 1910. The standing box type where you see things upside-down and cover your head when taking pictures. The quality of this antique camera was great, he was so tempted to get it but decided to rethink as the price was rather high. He settled for an 8mm movie recorder. The click-click effect during recording is just very classic. He knew exactly it will be a big project finding the film, but with the price bargained, it sure worth it.

It’s just interesting listening to someone explaining items that are completely foreign to me. I’m still clueless, yet still interesting.

a r t s y

Last day. I survived. Alleluia!!

Graduation. Wow, they sure make a big fuss out of it. Shall I say I’m an AW convert now? Syeaaah right!

Anyway, we didn’t want to let the eve past doing nothing, so we went out together just for the sake of getting together and have some booze. So all seven of us went to Batavia Café.

Just as expected the two western expats loved it. The other two who came from Malaysia and Hong Kong were more interested in food and drink. Booze came late (if there’s fastfood, somebody has to invent “fastbooze”!!), food were even later. The place was incredible, colonial-classic taste with artistic pictures scattered in most of the walls, so that was a hit topic of the night (aside from the training and finale discussion, as most of all felt worn, tired of “sharing” and just wanted to be left alone).

When most of us finished our dinner, 1 guy who is a designer came up with a very interesting idea of making a short movie of us being there. So he set the candle, small chalice for olive oil on top of the rolling table, and the digicam (it’s the round serving glass where the waiter put the dishes so everybody around the table can turn it around, I think it’s called “Miranda’s skirt”. Anybody can confirm this?). The purpose would be to roll the glass and record everybody around the table under a nice cozy lighting.

And it worked! The result was actually very artsy. Each of us turn it so no hands appear on the video. Don’t you just envy people with brilliant ideas? Authentic!

da training

Sleazy set up.

The schedule is almost impossible. I don’t know any other training where you have to listen to the yap yap until midnight. Literally. I was warned about the room temperature, so I wore a blouse made of warm fabric, but apparently not warm enough for the room Freezing cold. My colleagues from Bali (there were 8 of us) were worse, she wore her daily uniform, tanktop.

So they numb your head with the chill, and when your body stiff they figure it will be easier to thrust the lectures into the brain. Just keep in mind that it’s only a point of view. You can accept it wholly, discern it or completely refuse them.

raspberry day(s)

I love berries.

Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, hale berry (not!). They are of different colors, slightly different taste (sweet sour all mixed). So there’s this guy who had cute diligent daughter. She loved her dad, she helped her dad fixed his lunch box. She carefully prepared sandwich with her favorite jam, raspberry. What she didn’t know was, raspberry jam was the least his dad liked. He ate it tho, and only later he explained to his daughter that he doesn’t really keen of raspberry sandwich because there are a lot of seeds, so when he ate it, there was just too many happenings.

8.00
= Hi, do you CH wants to move the flight schedule a day later?
>whaa whaa whaaaaaat?!!!<

Basically arranging tix for bozz and fam is a big project itself. And now when all is set and confirmed they decided to move it?? Sure, they have their own reasons (after all, they ARE the bozz). But for their sake, I also have my own schedule, and it seems some work has to be delegated as they need to be postponed also, and I won’t be in the office by that time.

9.00
>JH, do you that CH wants to move the flight a day later?<
“She did? I don’t know that”
>It’s only because matters in the apartment, which doesn’t concern your schedule. Unless you want it changed also<
“Sure, I’m going with her. Ask her the changes”
.. s i g h ..

11.oo – computer
“Here, do me a favor… Agatha”
.. dam deedum deedum ..
“Oohh sorry, I must be out of my mind, I know your name but I seem to forget it the past few weeks”
.. horror! ..
>Pak???!!!! I’m crushed<

12.00 – disclosure. chat
% Have a nice lunch, ES
>you too, whoever your name is.. P<

So I got a name, got a friendster address. Voila. It’s “THE” PP. What am I talking about? One of the first friends I met on the early years of my chatting era (and still in touch). It’s been 5 years, on & off, and from past experience I decided to leave things be. That is if someone says s/he’s like this or that, so be it. If s/he doesn’t want to give her/his details, doesn’t matter. I also don’t care if the person lies. What can you expect from the virtual realm, right? My initial reaction was “is this real? Can these testimonies be true?? ARE YOU FOR REAL?!!!

13.00 – Guest 1 (3 pax)
* why aren’t you lunching? Are you sick?
>no, I’m fine. Just no appetite whatsoever<
* sure??? Gave me looooong look

“Where the heck is Rose?”
>I was about to call her. Will let you know<

Run around with guest around the compound (this happen at least 3 x a day, either taking guests or just looking for bozz)..

14.00
Round round around again.

“Ok, I’ll be there in 2 minutes”
“Thank you to X, Y, Z, for all your efforts and innovation.. blah.. blah.. blah”
Clap clap clap

16.00 – Guest (2 pax)
“Welcome, so nice to finally meet you”
+ Thank you
“So have you show her around?”
# Not yet, she just arrived
“Go, show her around. Show her the compost machine”
.. huh?!! Who on earth travel for 4 hrs just to see a compost machine??!! ..
# chuckles
“Then show her AL’s world, the new place, up up there”
.. lol. He’s just too funny. There’s absolutely nothing to see, just a workshop, and it’s quite a walk ..
# yes, yes. Still chuckling
“So you just arrived, right? You’re coming for lunch tomorrow?”
>JH, tomorrow’s holiday<
“No!! Tomorrow is not holiday, it’s already cancelled! So you’re coming in, young lady!”
>Pakkk?? You make me soobbbbbb<

It’s always like that, with various kinds of drama and/or bruahahaha that cause major headaches. At the end of the day, I just need some peace and quiet. Risking it by going to the gym, but I don’t care as I need to push away all these tense. Exhaust myself, then crash..

Nachti!