English? Ingles? Inglese?

English is my second language that I used more than my first language. However, my english is a loose form of communication with acquired accents from various places, and adapted terminologies whose origins I can not point out. Faetryn was once asked about my accent, and she said, "Yeah, she's got a funky one."

conversations with a bunch of north americans
C: This is really comfy. It's raining outside and I'm talking under my doona.
S: Huh?
VAC: Doona? *Big laughter* What the hell is a doona?
C: Doona. You know...
S: What's that?
C: Huh? *confused* Isn't that English? Doona, ehmm quilt cover,
VAC: Oh, you mean comforter! Right!
S: Where the hell do you get doona from?
C: I dunno, it's always been doona..

conversations with an aussie living in london in stockholm
B: I know I say tea, funny... I was speaking to my mum the other day. She laughed.
C: Yes, and did she ever get it confused with tea, as in tea the drink, and tea, for dinner?
B: Absolutely! Almost all the time. I get it with my colleagues with pants.
C: Pants?
B: Yes, the English don't use the word pants unless they mean underwear. They use trousers.
C: Ah, a pair of trousers *spoken with English accent*

conversation with an english girl who grew up in australia in geneva
F: Did you spend some time in Australia?
C: A little bit. Why? *I have only met this person for a little over 2 hours*
F: Well, you said no worries before and I thought, gosh! I haven't heard that for a really long time.
C: Haha.. It just comes out.
F: Yeah, I know what you mean. When I first came, I said "Hello, how are you?" all the time when I greet people and the Europeans looked at me funny. They were not sure how to respond.
C: They're not sure how to respond to that?
F: Yeah, they thought that it's weird that this person actually wants to know about their well being.
C: Oh! I know most times, I do want to know. But more often than not, it just comes out as a package...
F: I KNOW!!

conversation with an american in singapore
J: Why is it when you go to foreign language sites, the sign for English language is always the British flag?
C: Errr... because that's where English comes from? They're Eng-lish...
J: Yeah, but we speak English, too! So are the Canadians, why can't it be a different flag?
C: .... *Speechless. Puzzled. I just gave him a shrug.

On the Road

I said I will follow you into the dark, but for the next few weeks I'll be looking for a little light. You can find me here. There will be gorgeous lakes, plenty of wine and pasta in an Italian countryside, stories of the Viking and encounters with the happiest people on earth. Hang out with me every now and then.

More Crimson on My World

Those who are following this blog know my travel obsession. Therefore this updated world map of the places I've been would not be a new thing. It's just updated a little bit, giving me the extra push to keep on dreaming - that someday my whole world will be crimson coloured.



create your own visited country map

Last weddings of 2006

December 13, 2006

Another bride, another groom, another sunny honeymoon, another season, another reason to makin' whoppe...

Last weekend I had the pleasure of once again jetsetting to another country for another wedding. In KL, Malaysia -- a small contigent from Jakarta attended a wedding of ex-colleagues of mine. No rain nor traffic jam could deter us from going; after all that was the only reason for me to be there. We had a great after party and the look on the couple's faces that night made you want to go, "ooooooooow... so sweeet..."

The next day, still hung over from the wedding of the night before I left for Bali for my best friend's wedding. A small affair in comparison to the 600 guests of the night before, and yet intimate and classy. The groom was acting goofy and being his usual silly self; a little too much that we refered to him as the 12 years old groom. The wife must be used to all his antics because despite his stupid acts, she stood there all smiling still marrying the guy. I love him dearly, but sometimes I wonder how she can stand him. After a while, the acts wear off a little and you can see a little love between the two. I didn't go gaga over them but I couldn't help uttering a little sigh of relief. He might be the 12 years old groom, but he was still the groom.

There's something about weddings outside Jakarta that I adore. It's the intimacy of the affair, because they're generally smaller in number (... yes even compared to the 600 guests of the KL wedding). One can't help feeling like your presence matters in sharing the couple's happiness. Three cheers for you people who got me jetsetting from one wedding to another this year! Sindy-Colin in LA, Sarah-Joe in Philly, Fatin-Shah in KLi!! Congratulations!! Best Wishes!! And whatever else you say to newy weds...

In as much as I love going to international weddings, I'm also kinda glad last weekend was the last wedding weekend I have to attend for a while..

Getaway

Last week I traveled again. My encounter with airports and planes this year is not complete yet. There are a few more trips to do after last weekend and although I sometimes complain about the never ending journeys (... where I always got people rolling their eyes and shaking their heads in disbelief at how lucky I am), secretly I cherish every moment of it. Because until I'm done this year, my feet are still not on the ground. They're still fleeting between places and Jakarta stays as a concept of place rather than a place itself.

Being back in Jakarta can be quite bizarre, especially if it means a new job, a new vocation, a new lifestyle, a new opportunity -- many things new. That was why I took an offer from a friend to meet up in Bali gladly. Nothing like a chance to overdose on good company, great atmosphere and getting a tan whilst doing all of the above.

Last weekend was where nothing and everything happened. The sun, the water, the company and everything that was Bali soaked me wet and left me knackered. Tired. But satisfied. My soul was refreshed and as if it knew, work came in full blown today.

I guess I can take it...

While you were away

In the last 8 days, I've lost count on how many times I used the sentence, "... but I was only away for 4 weeks!"

Somebody got a new job after being unemployed for 6 months. Two friends are getting divorced. One girl broke up with her partner. Someone had a birthday. Another girl had a fall out with her boyfriend and decided to move to UK. An ex-client turned tour guide. A friend came out, his whole family knows that he's gay and loves him still. A company closed. A mate forgot this thing called a condom existed and knocked up her girlfriend, whom he doesn't love, pregnant. People resigned. A friend dated and ended his relationship with an-ex friend of mine. A colleague went back to her old job because she needed a stable income. The book sells. My friend slept with her boss and did not know what to do. Whilst refusing her girlfriend's hand in marriage, a mate left his dog at her place. An account nearly lost. A holiday got cancelled. My family went to Thailand. Somebody decided to get married for the second time. All in the time that I was away.

The list goes on and on. In the last 8 days, I've been sad, happy, amazed, shocked, grateful, proud, touched because all of the above. A little over 4 weeks and it feels like I need a lifetime to catch up with all of that.

Back... a year later

Exactly one year ago, a post was written in a Sydney suburbia announcing a long commercial break from blogworld. A few weeks after, another post was written about being back, and broke. It's a real pattern with my life. Hahaha...

Good to know that some things never change.

My First Time

My first time in Hong Kong. My first time in Hong Kong Disneyland. My first time in a few other things...

Linking Lucky Travels

I was with LAC 3 weeks out of the 4 weeks I was travelling around US and Canada. I missed out writing about the Philly wedding, so those who are interested can just read about the account on her blog, together with her other journeys. Lucky. I'm very lucky, too.

Here's us with the Philly bride...

And oh, here's LAC with the double hydrants.

Home Again

It was one week ago that I landed back in Jakarta. Tired. All consumed and wasted from the travel liquor. After 3 loads of laundry and screwed up biorhytm, I had to pack again and check out some business in another country. I'm in another foreign land (once again) for business.

America is a land of dreams; where anyone can come and try out their luck, and history has proven that hard work borne fruitful results. It is a country where everyone comes from somewhere sometime in their history. And despite economic hardships, social unrests, class struggle and global challenges, the dreams never die. They come in the form of a French immigrant wanting to experience constant sunshine in California, the Chinese parent who arrived in the midwest knowing very little English because he wants to give his children a better education, the Ecuadorian missionary wanting to raise fund for his cause, the Indonesian who chose his future over his family back home. These stories are everywhere. These people build the great American stories of perseverance and hard work.

4 weeks in North America changed my perception of the USA. I realised that even if USA's foreign policies and actions globally are questionable, they don't tell us anything about the American people. Political statements and media rhetorics can not be translated to what the nation is all about. It is not about defending USA in any point, but more of an awakening that sometimes we throw judgements without enough information. We formed an opinion based on hear say.

Once I was home, I was also faced with numerous enveleopes. Bills. Things that needed to paid. Sigh. It is time to face the demons of my travels; the good meals and the excellent wine, that little memento bought on the side of the street. It is time to stay put and work, once again so I can go away again.

Until next time. Until the next trip.

The joys of travel

Those who know me well are well aware of my extensive travel in the last 3 years. My first trip just unleashed an addiction that is uneasy to satisy. However, despite the tight budget, tiring journeys and the constant fight to find time, I found myself smile with a certain unexplainable pride when I get to see things like below. It's the same art piece, by the same artist. One is hanging in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain and the other above the Great Stair Hall in The Philadelphia Art Museum (yes.. the one with the Rocky steps).

Film Production Junkie

Will Smith was shooting his latest blockbuster inside the HUGO BOSS boutique on Fifth Avenue, NYC. The whole block was closed and production gears were all around. Huge HMIs on scissors lift and crane. Cool stuff. Huge trailers for production office, huge grip trucks, catering stuff. Cameras lying around. Exciting!! Sorry, I'm easily excited...

MORE

At the end of it all, travelling is about an experience. It is whatever you feel in that moment, in that particular place listening to a significant sound around you, smelling the air of that place, and be grateful that you are there. It is addictive. It makes you crave for more. You want your experience to become plural.

You simply want more.

Life Imitates Art

Sunday, October 15
Today is Broadway Day. New York is Broadway and as cheesy as they are, you can't help falling for musicals. I know I can't help myself. I love them. I wanted to be one of them. I think that being able to sing and dance and entertain people is one of life's greatest gift and I admire those who can. Broadway is THE place for it. There are tons of show to watch and at some point you have to make a choice; and I chose the classics. RENT. One thousand twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. For a play that originated in the early 90s, it is amazing how relevant it is still today. Mark Cohen, who used work as an excuse to hide himself from failure of living. Maureen and Joanne who has to work on the intricacies of a relationship; be it same sex or straight and all the power play that comes with it. Mimi and Roger with past baggage needing to move on to the present. Drugs. HIV. Death. At some point of my life, I was one of those characters -- working and trying to deal with all sorts of issues which ultimately becomes a quest of finding love. To search for love of oneself, for others, for your significant other. To seek love.

I can relate to that.

CHICAGO. It is a musical that relies heavily on the performers and they were the best of the best. There was no fancy set design, no crazy costumes just talented performers singing, dancing, acting to their best. Great choreography, and fantastic lighting design. These are the exact reasons why I love theatre. For a few hours, I was transported to a different world. I was reminded of why I love theatre.

I should get back to that.

Out in New York

Friday, October 13

If I left my heart in San Francisco, then I dream about New York. It took 3 hours of bad traffic getting into the city, but the moment I could see the Manhattan skyline there was a smile that was impossible to erase from my face. My friend who met me at the station would looked at me from time to time and said, "Man, I still can't believe little Cynthia is in New York!!" Lil' Cynthia?? Okay, he's allowed to say that because he knew me when I was 19 and I was working as an intern and I was his assistant. It was a looooong time ago, but there I was -- all the way into NYC for his birthday party.

I could say that I went out in New York. It was a real night out in New York, with lots of booze and copious amount of fun and numerous photos to prove it. We came back at 5am. I couldn't remember the last time we were out till that late, and we went out early, too! When it comes to having fun, nothing beats good company and that we had plenty of.

Conversations about Vancouver with the 3C's

It rains in Vancouver. It is the soft rain that creates discomfort, but not enough to take you off work. As part of Canada it has serious passion for ice hockey; Canuks tickets are hard to get and expensive. It has the ocean and the mountains; and great mountains to hike on, too!

So the conversation goes like this... Between Indo C and LA C whilst walking towards dog beach.
C: This is nice
C: Vancouver is nice.
C: Uh huh
C: I could sooo moved here
C: Me, too
C: Wanna move here?
C: We should move here.
C: Let's move here
C: We're going to move here
....... and the Vancouver C laughs at us.

Shots of San Francisco

San Francisco reminds me of how nice it is to belong somewhere, to be a part of something and learn to find contentment in the things that you have. It is about looking in the right places for love and never take things for granted.

I left my heart in San Francisco

I left my heart in San Francisco. Is that the title of a song? It wasn't my first visit to the city but after the last 4 days, you can say that I fell in love with it for the second time. I only vaguely remember my first visit when I was 13. I remember the cool breeze and the 'niceness' of the place and simply loving it. This time around, it because of something completely different; SF reminds me of one my homes.

It was not architecture. It was a little bit of weather, a little bit ouf tourists, but most of all it was the whole feeling of it. San Francisco breathes a different air of classy laid back creativity, where people enjoy life and live it. I ended up comparing streets and areas to Melbourne, and being in San Francisco made me wanted to go back to Melbourne. Technically I love it because for the moment it's a substitute for something else; almost like a rebound. But I would still say that I left my heart in San Francisco. Given the time, it could be one of my many homes and then it would stop being a rebound city.

Moments

Brief encounters are amazing. People are fascinating. It never cease to amaze me how human beings can connect to each other at a very basic level. Of course, there are certain physical elements to that. Initial attractions are always physical. In the beginning it almost reduces human qualities back to pre-historic times. Whatever comes naturally. Live in the moment. Savours what is now.

I see those lips moving; words come out from them. My mind is like a void with noises flying in and out creating a bizarre consciousness. I thought to myself, "You are very kissable..." and not realising that I spoke my thoughts. Those lips stop moving. A pair of blue eyes staring intently into mine. Suddenly he entered my world through silence. Almost telepathic; exchanging chemicals, neutrons, energy or something. Or something.

I watch silence grows amongst us. Not uncomfortable, just... peaceful. It is a momentarily contentment that you get out of living the moment. Living it now.

LA is for happily ever after

I have said enough about LA, about the weather and a little bit about the wedding. Let the pictures speak a thousand words. Instead of having numbers on the tables, Sindy and Colin had keywords in three languages to mark them. Guess what ours was... We were on the friendship table. That's what you get for knowing each other for so long, and of course booking your overseas friends' 12 months in advance or in Sarah's case, making sure that her wedding is close enough to Sindy's so I can go, too. Friendships do that to people.