TIME

A: ... This is why I only do commercial work for a few months in the year
C: Why?
A: It sucks you up and make you dumb. It leaves no room for anything else
C: Yeah, how I wish there are more than 24 hours in the day
A: Yes, then we'll have more time..
C: To watch movies, to read, to listen to music...
A: When we don't do that, we stopped learning and that becomes very dangerous..
C: You lose yourself in what you do. Forgetting why you do things in the first place...

That is probably why I chose to stay up for another 3-4 hours after finishing that bit of conversation around 11 pm. I read a bit, talked with my house mate a bit more. Struggling to hang on to what is left of the day and stealing the new hours of tomorrow.

Friends 1

DSC02678
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

Remember how I told you that I was happy for so many things? Friendship is also the greatest thing to celebrate. It runs past age, colours, nationalities, religions. True friendship offers unconditional love, accepting each other as they are and simply being there for each other.

4 nights ago some people in this photo left Jakarta to go back to their country. None of us know when we're going to see each other again.

No tears are shed. There was no need for it. true friends live forever in your heart.

Friends 2

Late last year, a dear old friend who resides in Sydney got into a domestic accident which caused 78% of her body a 3rd degree burn wound. The moment was tense as nobody knew of her survival chance. On May 25, Donna returned to Jakarta victorious. She still has to wear a pressure suit for the next two years, but her smile remains and her spirit unbroken. We gathered in her house one sunday afternoon and geez, not much has changed.

We go through many things growing up. Some went through period of drug abuse, relationship abuse, some were lucky to find the partner of their dreams and sailed through today. When a bunch of us sat together and talked about the old times, it was the same old conversation. The only difference was we were without uniforms.

2 nights ago, we met up again for drinks. That was one of the best night out I had ever...
My friends are so cool...

10 THINGS I'M HAPPY ABOUT TODAY

There are many things that I'm very grateful for in life but I hardly talk about them. More often than not, I complain loudly about the things that I don't like. I thought I should share what I love in life, especially the ones that happened in the last couple of days. So here goes...

1. I am happy that I can feel grateful about many things in life
2. I am happy for a good conversation I had 2 nights ago with a friend
3. I am happy that I could watch "The Motorcycle Diaries" and that got me excited about traveling through South America
4. I am happy that an old friend is coming to work in Jakarta
5. I am happy that work is giving me more opportunities to take another step up
6. I am happy that work is appreciating my hard work in a very 'tangible' form.. Hmm! Yay!
7. I am happy that a skirt that I bought a month ago is feeling a bit loose :P
8. I am happy that I have started a work out regime - that I'm hoping to keep
9. I am happy for good music I get to see every now and then
10. I am happy that I am going to see a friend who survived 3rd degree burn accident on Sunday

11. I am happy that today is a public holiday!!! No Work!!

How about you??

My Oma

My Oma
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

Last Sunday my grandmother turned 90. Yes, she pulled herself through Indonesia's war of independence (where we heard stories of her carrying my baby father across the river for a safe refuge in a nearby town), the communist laden times of 1960's where food was scarce and paranoia was everywhere, lost a husband to scumbag back stabbing relative, lost 2 sons to the war, but still manages to raised 4 kids to create a God fearing family. She lives through to see 3 generations of her family blossomed; her children give her grand children, and her grand children give her great grand children. Well, one cousin did.

Last Sunday, her family, friends and distant relatives gathered to celebrate 9 decades of her life. One of her nephew said that he'd always remembered my grandma as being fierce, super disciplined and strict. She would not hesitate to whack you when you didn't do what you're told.

She told me that there was only one thing that crossed her mind that day. Gratitude. 90 years is not a short period of time and even if she is not famous, nor rich in material wealth, she is abundant in love.

It is about making the choices in one's life and continue to live life as if there's no tomorrow. Life is full of ups and downs and that is why it is so great. We are given numerous chances to shape and mould our characters to whatever we wanted to be. Not knowing if we would get second chances on things. Life is a gamble for happiness. It is your choice if you want to live in happiness or strife for something else...

In living the 90 years of her life, I think my Oma has made hers. Her life is for her family, and her God. She tries to live her life to her Creator's wish and continue to surrender.

Wow!! Happy Birthday Oma...

All bath tub should be like this

Losari_03
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

Losari_02

Losari_02
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

Getting Away

The cool mountain breeze welcomed me to the high plateau of central java. The air smelt different, the sounds were of a smaller town if not a village. Prayers that were uttered five days a week from a nearby mosque echoed throughout the place. This place has no hustle and bustle of a big city. It’s quiet, serene – a perfect getaway for lovebirds and those in need of a break. 8 mountains surrounded this place. The sights are to die for.

I can’t remember the last time I went away on a holiday and this morning in the airport, I felt really excited. I was actually going to go somewhere and do nothing. NOTHING. How cool is that?? My mum laughed at me all the way. I was acting like a 5 year old. Going gaga over the smallest thing.

The reception area of Losari is an original Colonial train station, complete with little ticket booths on the side. Amazing. The whole site is build according to the land contour of Central Java highlands that resulted in hilly villas surrounded by 18 hectares of coffee plants. The surrounding is lush green. Little walk paths are guarded by old style Javanese lantern waist high. As you walk through the greens of Losari, you can feel that you’re in for a special treat.

It is indeed.

The afternoon was spent eating organic lunch from Losari’s own garden and hangin’ out on the Club House – a fantastic old style Colonial building that used to house the plantation’s Dutch Meneer. The building has a few different rooms with comfy sofas, a grand piano, a library, rocking chairs and great view from the terrace. We were hoping to catch the sunset but the weather was in the way. I found myself fall asleep on those great Javanese day bed while my mother busy flipping pages of an architecture book.

The day grows slower in this place. The clocks run at 100 fps and you are forced to take a step back and breathe, and appreciate God’s great gift to mankind. Nature. And lose your breath again on the wonders of human creation through attentive details on the building’s architecture and resort’s landscape.

It’s 7 pm and I just had a bath on a bath tub that is big enough for 2 or 3 people. Sigh. If only I had a different company. (*Naughty thoughts*). Tomorrow we’re going to take the coffee plantation tour and afterwards we’re being invited to the owner’s birthday party. That should be fun.

More stories to follow.

BREAK

One more day and I will be leaving Jakarta for some serious R & R. We're going to Losari , a village in Central Java which used to be an Colonial coffee plantation. It seems like an amazing place. Someone told me it's very beautiful and nice. Photos will follow on my next post.

I can't wait...

Love and Music

ZoukKL
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

On my last trip to KL I was reminded of my first love all over again. Music. I spent one whole night ripping CDs and chilling and listening to them. I extended my stay just to see and hear one of the world's favourite DJs playing at Zouk. (Photos of me and me mates: L-R Marcel, Cheryl, me and Terry).

Music is one of the many beautiful things in life. I listen to almost every genre; even if my first preference would be jazz - I listen to everything from jazz, rock, pop, r&b, soul, blues, to dance music.

When it comes to first love and love in general, most of us would reminisce on the good memories, stupid stuff that we did in the name of love. We'd learn to play guitar to impress a guy. We'd try to come up with poetry to woo a girl. When my 30-odd something friend decided to pick up DJ-ing because she loved dancing and music so much, no one took her seriously. But her love for them was her sole driving force - Many months later on her first debut as a DJ, she impressed not only her friends but also a general audience.

When you do things with love, it breathes the stuff that you do, conveys the passion that you put in and makes it all worthwhile. It may not be the best, but when you spread love, be sure that you will get love in return.

Body and Soul

I tossed and turned the whole night. My whole body and soul refused to rest and forget about the miserable daytime. My night would not start. I stared at the blank ceiling wishing that it would swept me away into nothingness. It was a longing for the warmth of another body next to mine, of a regular breathing calming the mind, a company in the midsts of darkness nights in, nights out. It was as if my body screams loudly against the will of my soul. It yelled out the yearning of you.

The mind is strong and holding its fort like a rock on an ocean bed. Some say the mind is the most powerful tool in our lives. Only now I understand the feeling of the body when it defies the mind. It digs deep for the rock to go afloat. Like a sonstant current slowly runs you down until you become nothing.

Deep down they speak in coherence. They sang in unison of the purest wish of the heart, body and soul.

I am missing you.