New Old Friend

Friendship is one of the most valuable things in life. It comes to you most unexpectedly, from the least of places in the most untimely ocassion. It is a nice surprise when an encounter evolves into a warm exchange of interests that hopefully blooms into long lasting friendship. In a time of my life where acquaintances are many and friends are few, one can not help but cherish life's great gift. A friend.

Leaving on a Jetplane

All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go..

Finally, a big leap is taken. A decision has been made and known. I will be going out into the real wild world again, without the safety net of job security and consistent income. In the next few months, I'll be joining ranks with Bum Troops International. It will be on the lowest position available since I have no experience in this department, but I'm VERY VERY EXCITED.

Some call me crazy -- to leave the stability of life and financial security that I have. Hell, I only live once!! If I want to go crazy and want doors to open, I have to start knocking. I can't wait for the doors to come and have people looking for me!!

In the next few months, no more busy Cynth. My new nick name will be bum Cynth.

Outside Jakarta 3

BNI6
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

This sign is next to a line of washing. Nothing like preemptive warning!

Outside Jakarta 2

BNI2
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

Outside Jakarta 1

BNI
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

Just one hour outside Jakarta, the lives of people can be so different than what we know. As we searched through tiny streets of Bogor for scenic locations, we came across little things that put a smile to my face.

I hope you can find the beauty in them just like I do.

Home Early

I had the luxury of being hom under 9 pm last night. It was bloody marvellous. My mate was already waiting for me at the house and we went to pick up another friend. It wasn't a big night. We hung out at a neighbourhood coffee shop, chatting, laughing and talking nonsense. At 10.30 pm, I was back home again. After a long hot shower, the rest of the night was spent by watching 2 episodes of Desperate Housewives and 2 chapters of Shantaram.

It was one of the best nights I have had in the last couple of weeks.

House Hunting

I'm having a series of bad luck when it comes to living out of home. One year ago, upon returning from 2 months trip around Europe I found that we were moving into a new house within a week. The years of my life were simplified into 5-6 boxes. And oh, the content of my backpack. My current housemate saved me and got me a room in her huge family mansion at a reasonable low cost.

Again, one year later... sometime like now... the house that I'm living in is going to be rebuilt.
Again, I have to move.
Sigh.

I found a pavillion but there is too much work to be done. I want an apartment but it is not financially sound for me to start renting, unless I'm thinking of buying. Too much trouble. Too much money.

Oh well, I should just quit my job and move to another country. Oopss, I forgot! That means moving. AGAIN!!!!

Save The Energy

The impact of the fuel price increase world wide is felt immensely in this city. In this country. Outside Java we hear stories of people queing to fill up their gas tank; fuel being rationed carefully and stuff like that. I remember one night last week when the weight of the problem was brought up to my attention, I freaked out and drove to the gas station to fill up my tank... Only to find that people in Jakarta does not have the slightest concern!! There was no queue in my regular gas station. It seemed that this problem exists everywhere else but Jakarta.

However, the Indonesian President is announcing a nation wide effort to conserve energy. Not all street lights in Jakarta's main roads are being turned on. The Hotel Indonesia fountain is being switched off at 6 pm instead of 10 pm. Jakarta is no longer bathed in light 24 hours. TV stations have to limit their air time (unless they're showing live football matches from Europe in which you can still go to air). Government offices increase their air con temperature to 25 degrees. All in the name of energy conservation.

Honestly, I don't believe this whole energy conservation thing is going very far.. I'm an apathyst when it comes to government and this country. However, I found myself turning off lights when I don't use them. I only turn on my air conditioning at home when I'm about to sleep. Whenever I leave my room in the office for more than an hour, I'd turn the air-con off. So maybe, there is still hope for this country. Hopefully, energy conservation becomes second nature to ordinary Indonesians. And we can hope for a better environment for years and years to come.

Street food

Street food
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

There are many nooks and crooks about a city that drives it to infamous stardom. Almost every city in the world would have some kind of night stle bazaar of food and otehr market place. Jakarta is no different. Street food here thrives on the people's habit of getting midnight snack or supper. The darkness of the evening gives birth to the tents and benches, over drains and outside office buildings. The smell of fragrant food often merges with the stench of underlying sewer, but people still come. It's all part of the experience.

Last night I had chicken porridge with corned beef and chicken satay. My two friends had padang satay; made of beef parts with a special curry-like sauce. After a day of hard work, these little things felt heavenly. All of these food with the cost of
A$10 for 3 people.

That's the beauty of food in a third world country. If your stomach has the strength for it...

RIP

Cilincing
Originally uploaded by Spunkycynth.

At 62 years of age, Eka Darmaputera had to give in to his failing kidney and liver and moved on to a better place. Death approached slowly; creeping in like a silent thief but embraced with whole heartedness and total surrender. He was on his death bed, feeling every pain but his mouth muttered a low ,"I love you" when I said goodbye.

That is faith. That is courage.

Eka lived to work become a blessing for others, in every way possible . What touched me the most was the numerous evidence of the lives he touched whilst living. He made it all worth while.

I sit here and think to myself. Have I become a blessing? What kind of meaning do I have in my life?