Vote for earth..

Earth Hour... Another big words, big idea, I wonder if people actually respond to it.. and how many? Am not being sarcastic about it, just seems such effort is just futile. Big deal. I like what PLN did, a simple message of: turn off electricity if you don't use it!

Take me for instance, 1 person living in a house. What kind of saving do I actually make if I turn off my lamps for 1 hour on March 28? I've been frugal in spending sources, like not buying telly, as oppose to people who have it turned on during their waking hours, and even let themselves fall asleep in front of it.

Why not target the big fishes? Close the malls at 8pm, or even 7pm for 1 day? Assign all building management to send their employees home at 7pm so they can turn off unnecessary wasted energy (like the entire floor is lit just to accommodate one sad workaholic). Those skyscrapers sure suck up a lot of energy. I'm aware they're running a business, but seriously, how much selling do they make while the items they're selling only 10% (or less) of the population could afford?

Balinese should be proud that they don't need the program. They already have what's called Nyepi (seclusion day), 24 hours of quietness every year (this year falls on March 26). No light, no cars, no business should be open, even the airport is shut down.

This is my 2nd time spending it in Bali and didn't run away to a different island. It was actually nice. At night it was pitch black that you could see stars.. they’re a lot of them, scattered in wide sky.. beautiful. And early morning, as I woke up, cool breeze blowing from the paddy field across and the sound of quiet was just sublime.

Will I be here to enjoy this next year?

Is holiday about to end?

Everyday is Sunday in Bali, that's my motto ever since I moved to Bali. I don't conceal the fact that I work like crazy on weekdays (darn those surfers who only got surfing on their to do list!!), but when I'm free, it's just play.

Residing in a small island and living the "island people" lifestyle works perfectly well with me. Work can be crazy stressful but that's it, you leave it there. You don't have to face another stress, endure the headache of being stuck in a traffic jam for hours.. everyday!

During weekdays I'm surrounded with greenies, when you're bored and your eyes start to water from staring at the lappy all you need to do is turn your head outside the window, and there you are, staring into a different world where all you can see is paddy grasses sprouting food. It stays like that until your boss comes into view and rushing across the field.

And the weekends.. you're totally indulged with varieties.. different kind of beaches along the coast, you can never get enough of it. If you’re not a beach person there are several mountains you can climb. Shopping mall is a place at the bottom on your list of where you want to spend time at.

Just when I thought my holiday's over, an opportunity opens to extend it. God is kind. I got an offer helping some businessmen setting up a business here. I actually got an offer in the big city, but their taking their sweet little time so while I wait I decided to give the setting up business a chance. By doing this I at least got another three months of holiday. When the time runs out we'll see where my loyalty should be.

Life is good!! :)

Ever feel like jumping?

So I spent another long weekend in the big city. This time it was a bit different. I told myself that since things have changed, therefore before making any (hasty) decision I have to know what the consequences are (of course). If I were to move back to the big city I have to be ready for what I'm coming back for.

Luckily I came back when a lot of homo Jakartensis were away, either to Puncak, to Bandung (a friend who went there confirmed it was packed), to Bali, or even abroad. So the city was less crowded. It was good, but I didn't get to experience the "real" Jakarta, in this case the nerve wrecking traffic jams. I didn't experience any when I went places. So when I was on the road I tried to imagine how bad it would be.

The other thing I knew what I would come back to was the grandeur "shopping malls". Sadly, in 2 days I had to meet several of friends at four different malls. I wouldn't say it was terrible, because at least I get to see them. It was sort of accepting. It is what it is. Yet I still felt it's a shame that of all the places men built, it's the mall that's the most popular to get together. At least for us. I actually didn't mind visiting other places like a park, a museum, or even visit them at their homes. (Did I hear someone said the beach??). But they made the decision, so I tag along.

Going back to Bali, just when the plane took off in SH airport a vision caught me and it was just amazing. As we went into big clouds going up and up, suddenly the clouds were cleared and the sun was shining really bright. It was beautiful! And the clouds... they were like huge cotton that looked quite comfy to sit on. Now that would be an excellent cushions to sit on and talk, spend lazy times with friends while viewing what's going on down below... :)