BIT: been there, done that, got the t-shirt!

So many things that can be done in this paradise island. A new event that (hopefully) will be an annual event is Bali Int'l Triathlon. The event is located at Jimbaran bay, consisted of 15 km swimming, 40 km bicycling and 10 km running.

Since our company also sponsored the program we could send a team to compete. After having no luck trying to enroll people to join we decided not to join the Triathlon. We didn’t have a swimmer. We only found 2 people who would join a side event, 5 K fun run. One of them was me.

Fun run. You were supposed to have fun while running right? I’m never sure what fun that might be.. hmmm.. let’s see.. perhaps running while you have your ipod playing your favorite music. Perhaps there were stops where you could catch your breath while sipping fresh juice. Or perhaps run together with that cute looking guy. Hmmmm…

None of that happened tho. Everybody was (literally) in a competition mood. They sure blasted as soon the whistle blew. Whooooosshhh! I kept my pace, enjoying the run and didn’t have much effort to race other participants. I think in total I only ran 2 k, the rest was walking fast or moseying.

Some points I could make to the improvement of the race for next year (and yes, I did share with the committee):
- volunteers should be responsible for having ALL the info that people need, and inform them upon registration. As silly as it was, when I reached the beach I wasn’t sure where to go. So I went looking for my friend. As we chatted I asked what I should do with the black chip (it’s a black thingee you should strap around your ankle. Not sure what it does though, as I didn’t see any gadget that could catch it, if it does have electronic signals inside it). My friend pointed out that I should’ve walked to the beach and pass the finish line. Well helloooo.. nobody told me that and nowhere I could find a sign about it!!

- volunteers should be utilized to help clean up the area. As we locals think it’s “normal” to pass dumps and don’t feel bothered with the smell, I found it very unhealthy when you’re running, passing dumpster and you just had to inhale that smell. It’s not just smell, because I’ve no idea the amount of germs got inhaled when your lungs are trying to get as much as possible.

We hang out there for a while, curious to know who the Triathlon winners were. It was just amazing watching those athletes. All over their face you could only see 1 thing: firm determination.

In general, I enjoyed it. After the 5 K run they provided drink and snack. There was also live music playing good smooth music (reggae beach like).. “Welcome to my paradise.. where the sky is blue, where the sunshine’s so bright…”

BBQ noon

Menu: burger, Spanish sausage, chicken (all grilled), salad, French fries & cheese, crackers & relish.

Nothing better than mix of good food and good friends. Our theme this time was BBQ and family. Although 85% of the invitees were unmarried, the highlight were the little kids. They ran around, messed things up, scattered food all over the table and floor, screamed, and did all the things little rascals do.

It was basically fun relaxing time. You get to eat, and you get to know your friends (and family) better. And of course, always with good laugh...

Thanks, guys!
Thanks, B aka Asun.. :D

Family vs. high paying job??

Just realized that it’s been three years I keep this blog. Three dragging years.

Many things happened, more things were left unwritten though. Well as you know some things better left unsaid. Whatever written here, I’m just glad I recorded them. Even if not many people read them (don’t necessarily need an audience), it sure brought back memories when I read what I wrote.

Recently my patience has been tested. Tested to the real end. I always remember how it’s tougher to take your words back (the nails on the wall), it’s even tougher to bite your tongue and let your feelings ripped apart. In one occasion I just couldn’t hold it any longer I just had to scream in the car while driving. Nope, nothing came out of it, but it did made me feel a little bit better.

It’s strange how unpleasant things happen and we start to question ourselves (and God), but another thing happened and we sort of discard the first less important unpleasant thing and decided to dedicate our energy and time more to the other matter.

In short, something bad happened at work, our team screwed up on a work (the forgotten little detail), and lucky enough I had to collect everything required to get this one detail done. After the bad news, came another bad news that my dad got sick. He just got back from Papua and got malaria. Doesn’t sound serious (or he made it sound like that), but even at that point and even though I’m away I know what’s more important. If he had been so ill and had to be rushed to the hospital I’d get the next flight and let the other staff finish what was lacking.

Family is still most important. I haven’t been in a position of having to choose, but I would like to say that even if my job is at stake, but if the consequence my family has to pay, I’d choose my family. All’s well ends well… Dad’s getting better, and the little detail was done. Can’t thank God enough..

Bali update..

Haven’t got much time and free time to write the past few weeks. As if work is not enough now I have another job desc., that is to maintain boss’ blog. Not so many words, I dare not put words on the stuff he’s working on and things that are hot in his reading menu. It’s his work so he’s the one who has to talk about it. And those books are his favorite, not mine, although he insisted I read some of them, well sorry, I don’t have extra time to digest irrelevant issues. Just a waste of time.

Well, that’s where I am now. Sorry cannot give the link here. Firstly, he didn’t ask me to be the PR of his blog; secondly, he’s my boss you know…

Other than that, Bali has been windy the past few days. A bit chilly in the morning. Hmm.. have to put on more warm clothes, start to feel like flu is trying to weaken me.

learning being a friend in need

This happened a week ago, during the long weekend. As usual many people took holiday, including a friend of mine who came from Jakarta with her 3 friends.

I had dinner with them on sat night, the following day I got a call from my friend that one of her friends got really sick and was taken to the hospital. I saw how she took really good care of her friend, prepared what she needed, talked to the doctor, slept in an uncomfortable extra bed and willing to stay another 2 days until the husband could fly to Bali.

It was a bummer for them, what was planned as a holiday had to be spent in Hotel Sanglah. But on the other hand during that few days I saw how lucky they were to have a friendship like such, where it’s true that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

(long table, Bali)

National Pride Day aka Hari Kartini

This is the hippest initiative in the company. Once a month everybody should come to work wearing national dress. I would call this Kartinian, as this reminded me of my childhood. When I was in elementary school every April 21 all the school children would have to come to school wearing attire from any part of Indonesia. There were so many choices, it was an excitement for some parents, and of course a burden for others.

I never really see the point of it other than being fun dressing up and get to wear my mom’s make up. In some schools the kids would then line up and parading around the school area. Those good ol’ days.

Anyway, back to the office it was kinda burden considering I don’t have kebaya in Bali, and the one I got in Jakarta is way too sexy to be worn to the office. Good thing I have a couple of batik so I would just wear as a sarong and wear a matching shirt. Fashionable. Like I said, fun to play dress up once in a while ;).

Chance?

Ran into this blog by accident (?), really interesting and apparently not just me as it generates a lot repsonse in a very short time. N-joi..

Crazy short dog

Weekend plan: to the beach!
Venue: 66 beach
Time: 9.30 (breakfast first)

So some friends decided that after several years living in Bali it was time for them to start learning how to surf.

I was tempted to join, yet when I stood there by the beach I could feel the unpleasant feelings of the salt water. Just don’t felt quite safe to swim in the ocean.

Well my friend who took her dog along didn’t mind, in fact pleased with my decision and immediately handed me the orange leash (hmm.. does it really have to be “on brand”?)

Ivy, the dog was practically a hyper active one. I would suspect this is because on week days nobody tend to her, so by the weekend she would like to have all the attention she could get, not just from her master, but everybody possible.

All the time I have to walk her all around the beach, she likes the water in particular and chasing other dogs. Here you could see another dog that looked very similar to her, and I strongly believe they were actually siblings. The other dog is named Sola. Ivy was nice enough to let me sit on the bench for less than 10 minutes, and pretty soon she’d whine and howl asked to be taken to the water again.

Tired and tanned, if not burned, but it was OK, I guess. Good time by the sea, enough exercise running around with crazy short dog, and my friend was definitely happy to finally had the surfing lesson she’s been dreaming of.