Happy Birthday!!

Today is the 70th birthday of the King of Rock and Roll (8th of January 1935)!!

I am not a fanatic fan of him, but still.. He is just too great to be missed!!!

PS: Do you know that he sings Gospel also?

Looking Back – August 2005 – The Revamp of Santa Ursula

On 9 August 2005, when Singapore was celebrating its anniversary of independence, I was attending a Sanurian Mass at no other than my high school, Santa Ursula, a green old colonial building in central of Jakarta. They were having a “school warming”, a blessing rite for the newly built level 3 and 4.

The style of the mass was similar to what we used to have before, i.e. decoration, opening, songs, drama, offering, etc. Only those who have attended this mass would understand what I am trying to describe here. It refers to Sanurians and alumni, and also students from Canisius, Pangudi Luhur, Tarakanita 1, Santa Ursula BSD and Santa Theresia who were invited when our batch made a public one on one Sunday in September 1998.

Well, I met lots of my old teachers, most of them have forgotten me (of course, I graduated in like, 6 years ago?) but some still recall though. One mathematics teacher even remembered a (rather embarrassing) punishment she had given me when my graduation was nearing (only few weeks before my final exam).

And of course, we tried to find out what the revamps are:
1. They now have air conditioners in classroom
2. They have radio broadcast room with the speaker (intercom?) in every classroom
3. The main function hall has now a touch of pink colour instead of all-green that we used to have before.
4. They have the additional level three and four which have different interiors than their precedence. The olden colonial interior is no longer prevailing. They use this simple, chic and modern touch on the interior. The ghost stories that we had will only stop at level two and they can’t go up further, simply because the backdrop and setting are just not right for the stories (in other words, it’s no longer spooky up there).
5. The have dance room which looks professional to me; with the floor-to-ceiling, edge-to-edge mirrors.
6. They have new gamelan room
7. They have new OSIS room
8. They have new male toilet (something which was very rare before, I mean the “seen” ones).
9. And many many more

About the toilet, I used to pity my male teachers should they have an “emergency” situation or the uncompromising nature calls as the male toilets were at one corner of the building which is not so near to the teacher assembly room at all.

I used this chance to walk down the memory corridor (sounds so romantic, eh?) and of course, visit my old classroom: 3 IPA 2!!! Oh by the way, they now use 10, 11, 12 instead of 1, 2, 3 (continued from primary school, junior high, and then high school).

PS: The picture above is at the older part of the building, level two (main function hall)

Looking Back - August 2005 #2

On Saturday, the two of us joined a city tour whose itinerary was as follow: Zoo, Dolphin Watching at Nelson Bay (which we didn’t see any and the cold and too windy boat journey was not very pleasant), sand boarding (which I like it very very much and would really like to have a replay of it!! Hmm, though few times I tasted the sands as they sometimes come in me in a literally mouthful), and visiting Port Stephen’s winery.

Before entering and wine tasting, firstly I visited the restroom to clean as many sands as I could from my body. The long bus journey afterwards was rather traumatizing as everyone was sleeping except me and the driver (of course!), it was too dark to read a book and definitely I couldn’t talk to myself, my M&Ms finished in few minutes only… So I just enjoyed the view and relished every moment, reminding myself that “Oh my God it’s a holidaaaaayyy!!!” (And I badly miss that thought now)

Sunday started later than any other days. Only around noon did we leave to East Ocean to have our Dim Sum lunch. I had an appointment to meet with my ex-classmate in 2nd year of high school so it was.. hmmm 7 years ago? Well, we didn’t change at all so we could easily spot each other. Went for shopping in QVB, took a peep in Market City and Paddy’s Market. We attended a sunset mass at Cathedral of Saint Mary, which was really huge and still has the olden touch in the architecture (not like Cathedral of Good Shepherd) but too bad the sound system wasn’t fantastic. But still, I think there is something about Cathedral which differentiates it from others. It’s the “ambience” which is beyond words (maksudnya, gua ga bisa ceritain di sini gitu – bilang aja males hehe).

Another city tour on Monday, our destinations were: Blue Mountain (where we walked in a Rain Forest – enjoyed it!!) and… *drum rolls* Jenolan Cave. It was breathtaking, it was magnificent, it made you wonder about the great things that nature can do. I have never seen as many crystals as what I saw inside the cave all my life. And each one of them embodied thousand years of history. Some crystals create a lace-like structure until you doubt that it’s crystal, convincing yourself that it is really a lace curtain.

Upon reaching Sydney (yup after another few hours of bengong-ing in the bus while reminding myself “Oh My God it’s a holidaaaaaayyy!!”), we joined the rest of the group in a dinner at Pancake on the Rock. We decided to go during weekdays to avoid the long queue.

Our next day was started quite late. We only left the apartment when it was almost noon and took a train to Bondi for shopping. In case I forgot to mentioned, I like shopping in Australia as it’s more to my size. While in Singapore I used to grab size M or L, in Australia size XS and S are made for me. Bondi is where I got my desk easel (thank you, Yen!!) and a series of nine mosaic canvases (to which I haven’t done anything ‘til now). They had this big sale for canvases which made them really, really, really cheap. Too bad, I would fly back alone, it’s just too troublesome. In late afternoon, my “companion” (watch out, this word may have many connotations!) drove to her place in Wollongong. It is to Sydney is like Tangerang to Jakarta. That’s what I need to consolidate my holiday; quietude.

The breakfast that I had on the next day was probably my best so far! It was simply idyllic, fantastic, elysian, you name it. The ambience was perfect, the food was marvelous, the macchiato was what I need for, this Diggies at North Wollongong Beach is a valid reason for you to drive back to Wollongong whenever you visit Sydney. It was the “real” breakfast by the beach that I’ve found so far. Don’t compare it to Coffee Bean-ing or McDonalds-ing in east coast, you’ll find it so hard to blow up your imagination. Lucky us to go during weekdays, we didn't need to queue. According to my “companion” it may take a full 45 minutes (or more) during weekend to get a seat. Even so, the waiting time is very much worth it. Having been full of salmon, potatoes, eggs and some sausages (which was concocted very nicely, of course) we strolled along and play around the North Wollongong Beach. After going back and washing up, off we went to the shopping area. Continued by visiting one (and perhaps the only one) tourism spot in Wollongong: Nan Tien Temple. It was located in a vast green land with lots of greeneries. As I am from a Buddhist family (though I am not one anymore), the temple and everything inside were not so foreign for me. The day was ended by a sumptuous dinner at Collegiate, I had some dory fish with avocado and mango sauce, if my memory still functions as it should.

And finally, the day to bid goodbye came, it was a sunny Thursday. The morning was spent by playing with Boxy for the last time (buuuuut…. *drum rolls* Boxy is coming to Singapore in two weeks time!! And yes, he will stay here afterwards). At around noon, we left Wollongong and headed to Hurstville. After having lunch there, off we went to Kingsfordsmith Airport and not long after, I was already in Qantas Airline and 8 hours later, the prevailing humidity of this country again embraced me…

Good bye Sydney, you’ve made my August an august August!! (not a repetition here, watch out the upper and lower case: adjective and noun)

So Long, Farewell… Á Bientôt!!

See you soon, Boxy!

Looking Back - August 2005 #1

On 9th of August, Singapore celebrated its independence day (40th?). Some artists sang somewhere, with Taufik Batisah and Rui En singing this year’s theme song. I don’t really know as I was in Jakarta at that time.

On 17th of August, it was my country Indonesia’s turn to celebrate its 60th anniversary of independence. This time, I was in Singapore. And if you see groups of people wearing red and white in Singapore, your guess of where they are coming from is most probably correct. Hmm, 10 years have passed since I sang in the Istana Merdeka (is it a presidential office?) for Indonesia’s Golden Year Celebration (in 1995, i.e. the 50th anniversary). I sang twice but this one I remember best as we were wearing uniforms (for thousands of choir members) and we had to sing more songs. Well, I was singing in choirs few times nonetheless as I mentioned before, I’ve forgotten how to sing now.

On 19th of August, I celebrated my own independence. After two years, two months and ten days I officially left the company. It wasn’t a tearful day, wasn't my happiest moment notwithstanding. I quite liked working there and could get along well with colleagues and also got some benefits of working there. If only I don’t have other goal (for which I am determined to aim) perhaps now I am still playing with printers day by day. They joked that they have now lost a female creature which is very rare in the department and that they haven’t got a chance to see me in skirts.

On 22nd of August, I took a flight to Sydney. On the next day, I took another flight to Gold Coast. Our first day was spent in Sea World and Shopping Arcades at Surfer Paradise area.

Movie World became our destination on the next day.

Dream World came next in our agenda (Giant Drop and Tower of Terror - see picture below). The entries of my trip to Australia stopped here (check out the links).

The next “interesting” thing was tarot reading session with a Peruvian lady. Not that I believe 100% in her, but hmm, it’s just for fun! A fun at a price though, but it was quite an experience. Of course I remember what she told me but, no no no I don’t think I would reveal it here *grin*. That day, we were not in the mood of taking many rides. We went back to the apartment early and then just walked around the shopping arcade after having a nice dinner at a pizza place. Surfers Paradise has this Wednesday night market along the beach. As the price was too astronomical for a market shopping, we went home empty handed. We ate another Baskin Robbins ice cream and went back to do some packing.

Next morning, a glorious one, we spent at the beach. I like it, beach-ing during winter. It was just different from what my previous sundry experiences. As beach is not favourite holiday destination during winter, the beach was almost completely ours. Ha ha! We then flew back to Sydney, took another train to Hurstville again. We had a sushi dinner at Makoto, then filling the cold night at Darling Harbour area with our boisterous voice and laughter. Went back for shower and then cruising down again to Double Bay, and waited for a full chilly 30 minutes outside Max Brenner before getting our seats. At 11.30 pm we started browsing the menu which is different from Singapore’s in Esplanade, and I like the Sydney’s one!! The hot chocolate menu is not as vast and in Singapore they don’t have croissants.

To be continued!!

Looking Back - July 2005

On the first day of this month, we had this small Sanurian Reunian at NYDC, Suntec City. The ages vary in like... 15 years of range? The noise... I better not explaining it.

We had it few times, which is always combined with food. It's very difficult in getting all of them however, hence the rarity. This one was arranged when I was in Bali so I didn't really know how did they manage to contact this number of people.

The record in terms of number (and event and everything actually) was in November 2002 (see below) when our "common mother", i.e. a strong brave wonderful woman who was our headmistress and has forged us from girls to women, came in a brief visit to Singapore, on her way to somewhere else.

Within this month, I also decided to leave "that" squeezing company after few weeks of tug-of-war. Not that I was being capricious, as I had my decision firm that my job in "that" company was not something I would like to continue in pursuing my career and not aligned with my final goal (which I don't feel like disclosing it now). The circuitous discussion was started and continued until they are tired of arguing. Only when I told them that for this point of time, all I got from this company is more than what I am going to get from the new place. So you can't try to compensate anything as you are simply on a better position, it's solely due to the incongruence between the job and my goal that made me resign. Then they kept quiet.

Talking in the present dimension, I have never regretted that decision. Enough said for now =).

Do you know the song "Find Me" by David Gates? That's what I am listening for now and always like it so much.

Looking Back - June 2005 #2

The next day we woke up, again happy, healthy and kicking as the previous day was ended by sitting around meja ajaib and the morning was started by another session around meja ajaib.

With the same group of friends, I went to Dreamland Beach which has literally made our jaws drop in awe and we had to regain their usual position manually. I mean, Oh My God it was simply not like, not even close, what we had seen before!! Dreamland Beach is not well-known for fellow Indonesians when compared to Kuta or Sanur. However, many people abroad especially surfers love this place so much which now we can fully understand why. It is not too commercialized yet, they don’t even have a proper hotel, only some village rooms that are rented out with very bare and simple necessities inside.

Our next visit was Garuda Wisnu Kencana (well, it is a God in Hindu whose complete history I am not very familiar with). It is a statue which, upon completion, will be one of the tallest in the world and being on top of it will enable you to see the whole island and perhaps beyond. What have been done until today is just the upper torso and the head. It will later have the whole body and also the garuda with some pura-like structure below. My apology beforehand if this information is not exact.

After a brief visit to Four Seasons and checking out, I parted with them and joined another two friends in Hard Rock Hotel, where I would enjoy my second half part of holiday. As we stayed in Kuta, so my activity on the first night was just to stroll along the shopping arcade and ate at Warung Made alone as they went to a place which I wasn’t really interested to go (Kudeta and some other places). Hard Rock Hotel is too modern in design and not for those who intend to spend a quiet holiday. The band kept playing until midnight and the sound went all the way to every room. Not for me with “sensitive ears” hehehehe =D.

The next day we went for shopping in Sukowati Market, which went longer than I had expected. As I am not a big fan of shopping nor haggling, it didn’t leave much impression to me. Then we ate in this famous Babi Guling (something like roast pork, a Balinese special dish - suckling pig - is it how they call it?) Bu Oka in Ubud. Visited Tanah Lot, where I took a picture with a snake, a big one! It was circling around my neck, rather heavy, big diameter and was quite long. When I did this, my two female friends took a distance. I wonder why?

Wednesday was water sport day. Parachuting, jet skiing and banana boat-ing. Quite fun as it was my first experience in memory. My earlier attempts with my dad when I was too young is not counted as I can hardly recall. Ate in Ulam, another place famous for its Indonesian Food.

The rest of the days were just spent by strolling around Kuta and did some shopping. On Thursday a friend and I bid goodbye to beautiful Bali and we flew back to Singapore, leaving another lady behind to enjoy her longer holiday…

And I am flying back hooommmee.....

Looking Back - June 2005 #1

In the sixth month of 2005, I found the true meaning of blue. In Bali!!

As an Indonesian, it is such a shame that I have only visited Bali twice. Not that all Indonesian has to visit this Island of Goddess (Pulau Dewata), but it is a fact that many foreigners have visited the beautiful island more than what we have done.

So after ten years from my first visit, I again flew to Bali, from Singapore this time. The main agenda was clear, i.e. to attend a friend’s wedding (see picture above). But it seems like (and it was quite obvious, actually) that the peripheral agenda was more happening and waited for and obviously taking more space in the picture folder. *Bali gitu lho…. Baliiiii….. coba bandingkan Bali dan Singapore…*

I guess this posting will have more pictures than other entries. Despite the 2002 bombing, we still decided to go (no worry and fear at all honestly) and I am forever grateful that God still loves me enough to spare me from any misfortune and hence here I am, sharing some beauty and blue from Bali.

My flight was on Friday afternoon and I had an interview in the morning. I was fetched by my long-lost cousin whom I haven’t met for 2005 – 1997 = 8 years. Went out to his eatery to eat (he is one with the legacy of cooking my ancestor’s – from mother side – well known cuisine) and reached the hotel at around 11 pm.

The next day started with rafting in a river whose name I’ve forgotten. Then we (a group of four) went to a massage at Cozy (claimed to be one of the affordable best in Bali). As I have never been a fan for massage, spa and any other kind of relaxation hence for this time I was just thankful as it was in Bali hence without an escalating price. Next, Tirtha Uluwatu with the unforgettable monkey attacks.

Had nice dinner at Jimbaran Seafood (Ramayana) by the dark beach. Continued to Kudeta, a very well known place to eat, drink, relax even to people abroad. Owned by one local and three foreigners, this place can really attend to tastes of many cultures. It has an indoor table and chair dining place suitable for families, some bar areas, some outdoor comfortable couches, and some benches by the beach. It is vast, the service is good, the drink is nice but the ambience is what’s really, totally awesome. We left the place at around midnight, as on the next day we had a wedding to attend (and where I had to deliver a wedding speech). Alas, the next thing we knew was that we couldn’t just leave Kudeta as one of our car tyre sank in the sand. An abortive attempt from us and one of its officer continued until 1 am when I started calling my cousin, just to ask where and how can we seek help from police. He then came with his friends and also tried many ways but failed. Then he called a friend who has a four-wheel drive kind of vehicle and our car was literally pulled in many directions until it was back on track, hmm on a civilized track more like. It was 2 am, we were exhausted and yet glad and relieved that we could now go back to hotel. Yet, we still chatted until 4 am.

Our agenda for the next day was only to attend the wedding. The preparation was rather rushing as we still spent the morning chit-chatting around our “meja ajaib”. Why do we call it meja ajaib (magic table)? When you are not feeling well, unhealthy or tired just sit there, have a chit chat and some nibbles with us and the next thing you knew is that you are healthy, happy and kicking one more time!

So off we went to the wedding, join the solemnization in the very beautiful triangular chapel. The scenery was simply breathtaking I must say. The blue was really blue. It is difficult to explain, can’t really capture in a picture either, you have to be there to experience the “blue” (the colour, not the mood). The wedding was beautiful and the buffet dinner was sumptuous. It was an outdoor wedding, and the cliff and the sea became our background.

You can definitely only find it in Bali…

Looking Back - May 2005

As part of the whole Geminians population, I fall on the category who celebrates birthday in May. Our other half-population's birthdays are in June. Hmm pardon me, not half... two-third, more like.

Had only a small celebration this year (well, doesn't mean that previous years had more happening celebration either).

We started our long distance relationship (LDR - red.) one day before my birthday. Many fussed about it, except the two of us hahaha =D.

I had a simple dinner with four of my close friend - 4 girls and 1 guy are we. Another solid friendship which was first built up during our years in NTU. I thank God for that. What gift did I receive? They call it a "pleasure pack" *rada maksa emang... Vel are you reading this? haha*
comprising a pack of French Vanilla ground coffee beans from Coffee Beans and Il Divo CD which according to the giver it gives pleasure to our ears (as their music is marvellous) and to our eyes (as their handsomeness is clearly depicted on the album cover).

Comparing pictures taken on my birthday in 2004 and 05... man, am I ageing or what? *of course lah ya, namanya juga nambah setaon umurnya... lha piye tho?*

PS: My CD player is Kevin Kern-ing, gonna switch it to Il Divo though... =P
Fave from Il Divo: anu.. si gondrong, eh lagu-nya ya? Nella Fantasia.

Looking Back - April 2005

This month, I didn't really remember much about any extraordinary things happening. Was it the period where I was commuting between Singapore and Johor Bahru almost everyday for few weeks? I guess it was, calculating the time from that deadly deadline (see my previous post) until the parts coming in for production line.

Well, it was when I still worked for "that" squeezing company. Hahaha I really feel like it belongs to some kind of past tense and makes me start wondering, was I really there?

By the way, despite the fact that I am coming to my seventh year living in Singapore, I haven't even once "traveled" to JB. As for work purpose, it was a car-office-car thingy. The journey could be so boring and once I brought my laptop and typed an entry, check it out here.

Therefore, JB's "cheap shopping" (I don't like shopping anyway) and "good food" (Asian food - except Japanese - is not my favourite either) are still foreign to me.

This was also the month in which I watched a matinée show for "The Sound of Music" the musical. A bit of this, I watched it for the first time when I was still in a kiddo in primary 1. TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia - Te Ve Er I menjalin persatuan dan kesaaaatuuuuuuuaaaaaannn.....) aired it, still without any commercials - a good thing about a public (not private) TV station. Then during my primary 4's school end's holiday, my dad borrowed the laser disc (not the era of VCD and let alone DVD yet), whose borrowing period I asked to renew, and renew, and renew 'til school holiday ended. I owned the VCD now but had no much time to watch it either.

My friend and I (both are geminians - ini info tak penting sama sekali) liked it so much to the point where we can follow the dialogues, almost during the whole movie. Plus intonation. Plus accent. Alas, our voices are still nowhere near their singing.

So the last time I watched the show was in Esplanade, 17th of April 2005.

Want my honest opinion? I will opt for the movie though I didn't regret at all watching the musical.

Looking back - March 2005

Take a look at the above picture carefully. Any familiar face?

Then take a look at this one. Can you guess which face is whose? I don't think we've changed much...

Should the first picture be slightly bigger, I would be the easiest to spot as many claim I haven't changed since my primary school era. What with my glasses (thick ones) and ponytail always intact daily.

In March, all I can remember was I had this one killer deadline to meet at work, benumbed me from any living excitement except to eat. I mean, no mood to do anything interesting. All energy was drained in that squeezing company (it is "that" not "this" so you know whether I have tendered or not). Then I realized that there was one week perfect for going back to Kalideres, it's the area where my small house (my parents' I mean, not mine) resides in Jakarta. Indeed it's oh-so-ulu (remote from any form of civilization). It was just right after my deadly deadline and it was when I had my first-term break (only 1 week, i.e. 1 session) of painting class. So off I went to Muhibbah and already had a ticket on my way back from Bugis.

Some of my ex-classmates welcomed me back to town by having a teeny weeny reunion in Plaza Indonesia. I ate nasi liwet plus soto betawi and es campur. Cihuy bajay deh!! At the same time had my spoon ready to have a nibble or more from others' plates.

Continued to Gelaré, ate another share of ice cream and waffle. Uhuhuhu enak sekaliii... Despite our ageing process *ehm ehm* we still laughed like before, a kind of laugh that my friend claims to be traumatizing to any guys around. May be devastating for their psychological side, some say. But we were grown up with that kind of laughter, so what to do?

The only guy around (i.e. my dear brother) was cool. I mean, really cool, flipping a cool magazine. Simply because he is well-trained regarding anything related to "Sanur". What with two sisters around, a special someone *uhuuuyyy... good choice, bro!! -> narcissism sejati* and many friends...

The "pondering thought" from this so-called reunion, though teeny-weeny can be seen here.

CD: still Let's Folk (CD #2), American Pie (Don McLean)

Looking Back - February 2005

Hmm, so February was when we were fresh from all the musical feud. It was where we started having our Saturdays and Sundays off again. And also no more Wednesday night practices (when practices used to go on quite late) .

So it was a month of abstinence from anything "important" or rather, anything with tight and demanding schedule. You may call it a dormancy period also. The sun looked brighter during this month hahaha =D. Well, hmm actually it wasn't that "paradise" as we still had to take care of financial report, reimbursement, and some lose ends that we need to tidy up. Oh well, those things...

It was also the month of 2005's Chinese New Year (Rooster Year -> my horoscope. So you know how old am I now).

Chinese New Year's eve: had a meeting with musical's production team to settle money matters and reimbursement in Ikea (while eating the well-known Swedish meatballs, poached salmon, chicken wings etc). Reunion dinner at night which was my first MTP session. Continued by watching the midnight show of "Constantine" in Lido.

Chinese New Year Day #1: went to visit some relatives, walked around Chinatown area and had an italian style hi-tea session in Changi Village Hotel (see picture). I don't quite remember the exact name of the hotel, but am really sure it is in Changi Village. It has a nice Italian eateries upstair, overlooking the sea. Nice weather (including the breeze) and good food AND better coffee (it's Italian, remember?) plus chit chat which had long been forgotten, what with the crazy schedule, made it a perfect afternoon. You can also hear the water splashing sound from the swimming pool just below.

The afternoon was simply... idyllic.

We ended with a dinner in Holland Village (Swensen). The food was Okay, but the holiday mood still lingered. It was what's important!!

Chinese New Year Day #2: spent almost the whole day in Borders and Coffee Bean behind Borders. I spent a three-digit number (Singapore Dollars) for books!! Not only for me though, one was for my dear brother. But I felt like I had all the free time in the world, and self-validate it as reasons to buy heaps and heaps of books!!! *pelampiasan* Hmm and some movies if I remember correctly. *Ckckckckck benar-benar pelampiasan*.

Was also involved in video editing for our musical. See the show from front for the first time as I was behind the curtain, checking scene by scene during the two-hours-or-so show. I took an urgent half-day leave for this hahaha =D. Left for an "Ash Friday" mass (as Ash Wednesday fell on Chinese New Year) in St. Bernadette, followed by a choir practice for next mass (that was my last involvement in choir until now), ate prata in Spize (River Valley Rd) and the next thing we did was cruising (OK OK not cruising, taking a ride in a red Hyundai Matrix -> definitely not mine) back to Woodlands to continue the editing until like... 2.30 am?

Hmm what else? Nothing much, I guess. Just remember my last choir session (for KKIS' 20th birthday mass celebration) and now, I've forgotten how to sing.

Didn't know that this un-happening month can be explained this long.

CD: Let's Folk, a compilation by Gold90 FM.
Fave for this moment: Scarborough Fair (Simon & Garfunkel) and Dust in the Wind (Kansas)

Tomorrow morning I'll trample along Arab Street. Anyone wants to come along? Haha how late to ask *niat ga seh?*

Microsoft Words - that's it

OK OK, at least I can type it in Microsoft Words first before pasting it on my blog.

I still can't type it directly on this blog window...

Music: buzzing aircon in this office
Mood: happy as I just found out how to type those aposthropes and yet still suffer from my stomachache (not too bad, luckily - haha very Jawa... selalu bersyukur as it can always be worse)

Testing

Just wanna test

É è ç

Interrupt! - Nice Desserts...

Added on 29 Dec 2005: EDITED - the aposthropes are present here. For the benefit of those who haven't seen my unedited version before: I didn't know how to put some French's characters and hence... (you read the PS below)

I know I am actually supposed to continue my flashback kinda "report" for this year and I was only up to January.

Just can't help to interrupt (the unmaskable one) and put this posting instead.

I had dinner with my two friends in French Stall. Yup, it's my first time there and I think it's also my first time in Serangoon area *ahak!* (not counting one day few years ago when we got lost on our almost-abortive attempt to locate Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary - due to some misleading instruction from a misleading chap - on one hot and too-bright a day - reached there when homily started - after alighting at the wrong bus stop and walked to the church since the time when the mass should start 'til, as mentioned above, homily - oh why should we relive such a painful memory - ended the day by enjoying the night and singing KLa's Songs by Singapore River - it was not any close to a date by the way, as there were four of us).

Back to the French Stall story. Nice place, a simple corner turn chic yet not too modern. Red - of course!! - in hue. Warm service, one smiley French guy even offered to take a picture of us, and when we left the place - only to find out that our photographer was featured in magazines and food review as he is the owner and main chef.

Very frenchy. A kind of place which can end up as a hawker center or Geylang-like food stall, but with a bit here and a dab there, wine and beer bottles did not look out of place at all.

Have eyed the giant dessert when we entered the stall. It was like a compulsory item on every table. Like when you miss it you will have some allergic reaction... *iya.. iya.. hiperbola emang* Qu-est'ce que c'est?

My first victim was Smoked Salmon.





It was nice, a bit salty but nothing spectacular nor kicking. My friends ordered pork paté which, according to her, was not really nice and rather fatty/oily. Didn't look so appetizing to me and I commented that it looks just like luncheon meat. They - as predicted - disagreed, saying that it tasted worse (not that bad I believe, but the fact that you have to pay so much make you miss your Maling at home more). Liked the baguette. With the garlicky mussels. Love garlic and onion and anything with "unique" smell!! *in case you are wondering, yes I like pete/petai - different from paté - watch out the spelling*



Voila! Here's the most awaited dessert. Giant Profiterole with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce.

I must say that we liked it so much!! On other table, this poor profiterole was shared but in ours, we had one each!!

The best for me is the chocolate sauce. It beats Max Brenner and Haagen Dazs. It's not as thick as the aforementioned names famous for chocolates, it has a slight bitter taste but not so. My friend and I concluded that it is a perfect combination of dark chocolate and milk chocolate. C'est bon. The profiterole was, well, like a slightly hardened kue soes. There was nothing extraordinaire about the ice cream either. Mais le specialité, the chocolate sauce, will lure you back to that corner in Serangoon Rd.

Bon appetit!!

PS: Pardon me for the missing aposthropes in those les mots Français... It may sound silly but I have to admit I don't know how to do that here. Ouw I guess we need to change the language setting, don't we? Will do it later.

Song: Anyone at All by Carole King (Love at the Movies CD Track #7)

The Next Big Thing in January 2005

30 January 2005 was the big day for the whole "Perhaps Love" Musical Drama Team. From the casts, singers, dancers, production teams, sound system engineers, blackmen, guest star, lighting engineers... basically everybody whose sweat and spirit accompanied this show to its finale.

I must say it was not a big masterpiece. We were all amateurs. And I am compelled to say that there are also some "drama" behind the production. Luck and God's blessing were also the main factors that decided our ending =).

The producer asked me to join this troop as an artistic director which regretfully I declined. Knowing the "size" of the stage alone (which I was supposed to enliven) had managed to shrivel my confidence like dried leaves. And only for God knows reason that I ended up as the scriptwriter. I answered to it too fast perhaps, as I spent the first few weeks to ponder and whine on why on earth that I accede to take this huge responsibility. The thought that I need to propose my storyline to people who are potentially better than me in writing were just beyond imagination.

Oh well, the show must go on and one night, Bharata, Chia Ling and Randall were born. Some were skeptical about the story (including me) but time was running fast so off we started the practices.

Well, I must say that indeed my script may look and sound very humdrum. However, slowly but surely the music came in, the arrangement chip in, the dancers jingled in and... well, we got what we had on the D-Day.

I regard this musical drama as "a real something" in my life. How much I learned from that both technically and socially. How I appreciate music much better now. In my youth, it's one of my milestones that I will forever remember. And it has reminded me of one cliche line: You will not know you can do it before you try.

Many had happened during our few months of preparation, and all were summarized on 30th January 2005.

All the usual stuffs, sound checks, lighting checks (which involved three hours of laptop dysfunction and forced us to reschedule everything on the spot - believe it or not our rehearsal ended only minutes before the theatre was opened for audiences with some make-up, hair and costumes undone). It was a nerve-racking experience for a complete neophyte like me. Only my adrenalines that kept me standing and running and.. alive!

In this picture, I pretended to understand about sound system and microphones as everybody (who really understood) was occupied with something else. This one wasn't working and I completely forgot what I did but I was sure his voice was loud and clear at 5pm onwards =). My sister just peeped in and said this is "porno" kinda picture. Huh!!

Red (which happened to be my favourite colour) opened the show.

When the story started unfolding, the rich (see the two tai-tais above?)...

And the poor were on the same stage. Expensive dresses and simple uniforms.

The youthful flash and glitters...

The romance and love also prevailed

A parade of life: the tradition to bring parental wishes. Followed by rejection, true love and fight for achieving dreams. Confused?

And.. well, what else? The GRAND FINALE. Claps, laughters, dances, songs, musics to conclude our few months of hands and hearts joined together.

Looking back - January

The year 2005 is nearing its end very soon. In fact it's just few days away from now. Started thinking of growing older (as we everyday do actually) and pondered of what have happened, what have been done and what should have been done in the past 365 days.

Hmm, looking back, perhaps it is not my most productive year. It may not be the one with my most achievements nor any other things which worth mentioning.

However, I still regard this year as one of the most meaningful to me. Not with the amount of activities nor accolades that I have gathered. Frankly speaking, it was partly due to my decision to step back from the brouhaha that I could really find "my life". It is difficult to explain but it is.

The world is seemingly a constant pandemonium. If you let yourself be dragged in it, so there your life will be; in a commotion and sometimes it's hard to pull ourself out from its epicenter.

In church context, it is adviced that we become like Mary as much as like Martha. Sometimes we were too busy doing something (even some good things or even religious conducts) but we concentrate more on the "movements" and not into the real essence of it.

My decision to step back was not without a cost. The label of "anti-social" is associated with me sometimes. Perhaps I am too self-centric but I don't really care. As long as I am not diverting myself from the righteous, from my God and morale norms I don't think I should bother with what other think about me.

By retracting myself (sufficiently, not completely) I learn more about me, myself and God. More about the purpose of my life, its direction and how to attain them.

This does not mean my activities are any less at all. It was just about change in focus, and I feel much much much more comfortable in it.

The one who helps me in setting the direction (without the person even realizing it sometimes) and bringing me back some hopes came on the fateful date of 15 January 2005. That's the line that separates history from the present, more like.

How amazing that God's blessing started pouring down on me (heavily) as early as that in a year!

Cold blooded?

Current song: Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You from Gold90 FM

This song reminds me of my high school days. No no no there were nothing romantic about it as only very few (aged!!) guys were around in the school premise.

It just happened that the cassette was within reach so I could put it in the tape deck and listen to the tune, which is nice I think. I was so lazy to change the cassette so there it was, the song with some other oldies songs accompanied my morning, afternoon and late night studying.

Still like it.

Rather cold in office today. My office used to be very cold, JN my friend even brought a winter jacket to office!! Well, my jacket is not that wintry but I always selected the thicker ones.

Brought my red Down Under jacket back home and forgot to bring another jacket today. So here I am, jacketless in this cold office room.

But actually, if you just let your body to get used to the cold temperature for a while, it should be OK as what happened to our dear fish and other amphibious friends (cold-blooded). Oops, as mammal we should be hot-blooded right?

Well, something anomalous does take place sometimes.

During my short holiday in Australia, my friends and I happened to be in the open almost midnight one day. We waited for a seat in Max Brenner (Sydney) and the weather was so cold that night. Colder than usual. With the concommitant wind (which I don't really like).



I was one freshest from tropical country as they have all got used to the wintry weather. My jacket was the minimum that time. Therefore, minimum resistance I had among others.

Anyway, I just need to stand against the wind for few minutes, letting my "system" adjusting itself to the weather and then tadaaaaa... I am OK and no more complaining whereas other Sydneyers still did.

Cold blooded?

Boxing Day

I got no box and gave none either.

Perhaps it's indeed not that prevailing in Asian countries (at least in Singapore). Well, Christmas gift exchange has not usually been part of my agenda either. *pelitkah aku?*

Today was started by waking up *of course*, sneezed as a sign of flu starts peeping in hence I took Panadol Cold (the one with lemon taste in it, it's drank not eaten). Read a bit of Maya Angelou, showered etc, and off I went to Bugis for my brunch cum meeting. Ate hotcakes which always make my fingers sticky (pliket is how Javanese put it). Perhaps it needs some specific skills to avoid the pliketness?

Left Bugis area at around 1, reached home around 2.20 pm after doing some grocery shopping. Continued by scrapbooking.

Background music: Bee Gees (2CDs)

I had finally selected a picture for my first painting in next term (which will start on 8 January - there go my Sunday mornings). It look simple but I think it will be tough as it involves water. Painting water is... well, I just can never get it really right be it by pastel, watercolour or oil. So I primed my canvas using its base colour. That's a problem with oil painting. It may take a week to completely dry. Hence I must start from now as I also plan to draft it first before going to my class.

Then prepared my dinner (still spaghetti) and ate it *ya jelas lah masa dipelototin doank*. Music has changed to Les Miserables (the Audio CD of concert at the Royal Albert Hall, 1995). This CD is highly recommended though relatively more expensive than any other music CDs =(. Or perhaps it is only in HMV? But as I couldn't find it anywhere else so I bought from HMV which costed me... well, forget it *mahal sih, sakit hati ingetnya*.

Anyone has heard this CD? Highly recommended. Really really GREAT. Genius composition of music and structure of lyrics. Powerful voice. Few names: Colm Wilkinson, Ruthie Henshall, Judy Kuhn, Michael Ball and Lea Salonga. Favourite songs: Stars, Rue Plummet - In My Life, A Heart Full of Love, One Day More!, On My Own and Drink with Me.

Now, some movie soundtracts.

Also did some write-ups, have done it quite often recently that I got a bit bored of it and have reached an "inspiration saturation" kinda level.

OK, now is time for my vitamin booster: oranges. Afterwards: sleep as tomorrow I'll need to wake up at 5.45 am again. But hey, I really enjoy walking out from home when the sun is still shyly hiding. Good way to start a new day, before the hustle and bustle starts.

I've read once that your mood of the day is largely affected by how you start your day. For me, a quiet one is always better than the hectic one. Try it!

Christmas Night

Christmas Day almost end for this year.

After my last posting, I did some scrapbooking. Only few pages though =P but managed to mess up my room with glitters and sands. And I got backache now, sitting on the floor and bending down too long I guess. I told myself, if one day I can afford a house, I will make sure it will have a table big and spacious enough for all my works. "Works" here can mean many things. From office work, painting, scrapbooking, drawing, laptop-ing, writing and other printil-printil. It is just a bit troublesome to arrange the whole thing whenever I want to do something different from the previous.

Then I cooked spaghetti for dinner. It's a "spaghetti ngutang" since some of the ingredients were "borrowed". Referring to my previous post, actually I needed to buy few things from supermarket and was just too lazy to go. But then I checked kitchen cabinets and found out that I could borrow few things from my sister to splash out my spaghetti. Unfortunately, due to my laziness to go to Shop & Save, I had to use canned corned beef instead of minced meat. But still, no instant sauce =)

After that, ate it, washed the dishes and back to scrapbooking again. Then shower, then a bit of scrapbooking and then opened my laptop and here I am.

Feel a bit sad, holiday is over. What was supposed to be a completely lazying day turned out to be a not-so-lazy day. Well, at least I cook spaghetti instead of the planned instant noodle. I did scrapbooking instead of just sitting down watching movies. Though it also means that there are some movies that I haven't watched until now since the time I bought it which means... months ago?

Oh my Goodness I just remember that actually I planned to watch my Harry Potter #1 and #2 DVDs!! Damn!! How can I completely forget it? They are still neatly cling-wrapped from.. hmm... August? Kept postponing on watching them. Well I have watched them in cinema though, but just kinda missing it.

Tomorrow morning I would have a brunch cum meeting with my friend cum partner. It's about one of "extracurricular". Well, come to think about it actually I can't really say it's a holiday, what with heaps of things to do.... I really do still have heaps of them. *suddenly sad and tired*

Well, going to sleep now, wanna have my eight hours sleep, most probably would be the last one in 2005.

Christmas... See you again next year!

Holiday... See you again.... I think it will also be next year!!


Songs post-Titi DJ: Roxette, Anne Murray, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Songs, Evergreen Christmas Collection, Instrumental Christmas Collection.

A bit of update

So what have I been doing? For some changes, I switched my Gold90 FM Radio to CD Player, selecting one collection that I haven't listen to much recently, whose cover is attached above.

Nice voice definitely, very strong powerful and melodious. Good songs with good music. And the most "gak nyambung" part is that we share the same birth date hehehehe =D

Anyway, swept my room also. Want to see my scrapbooking materials and wanted to start doing it. Started gathering all the trinkets and also the "objects" -> photos and pictures. Have long been postponed.

As most probably I'll be doing by sitting on the floor.. hence my sweeping operation.

OK will continue staring at my scrapbooking paraphernalias...


Song: Dunia boleh tertawa... Karna kita bahagia...

Le Papillon

This is one of my favourite movies (I have not so many of them anyway). I am not sure how many of you are familiar with this movie, the French language may make this movie more foreign to you (well, it is indeed literally foreign). I always think of it as a very heartwarming movie though with no mushy scenes or even lots of tears. It just contains a very natural expression of love.

The lead cast is this girl, whose name in the movie is Elsa. The scenery depicted in the movie is simply beautiful. Breathtaking, comme un calendrier was how Elsa put it. It's like a scene borrowed from the all-time children favourite story book: Heidi.

You can't expect a lot of drama from this movie. Very simple indeed. But the prevailing simplicity is what's really appealing from this movie.

The story was just about an aged man (Julien) who was obsessed with butterflies (les papillons) and planned to find this rare-bred butterfly called Isabella (after the Queen of Spain) or Isabelle in French - sur le montagne (the mountain). Elsa, tired of waiting for and being neglected by her mom, sneaked in his car and joined his journey. Her candid innocence has brought new perspective of life to Julien as well as to the audiences (that's me).

One scene, they saw a couple who were going to do parachutting. The girl was scared, nevertheless her beau kept on insisting her to fly with him. "If you love me, fly with me". So off she flew, with tears in her eyes.

So, dear readers, if you sometimes say "if you love me then do this, bring me that, say this, give me that..." to your belle or beau, read what Julien told Elsa carefully:

"When Love demands proof, there's no trust. And when there's no trust, there's no love."

I have personally never understood why people like to say the aforementioned "If-Then" statements. It shows certain degree of insecurities I guess which is, well, unnecessary. Pardon me if I'm too cynical. Well, it's my blog anyway hence I can project whatever my perception is.

The time that Elsa's mother spent waiting frantically for her daughter to return home from her runaway, she realized the importance of the "trois petits mots" -> Je t'aime. All this while she was sure that her daughter knows how much she loves her. Those three words are enough to make Elsa stays.

Well, hmm what else to do after this? Wanted to watch another movie but frankly speaking I am bored just sitting down the whole day. After the movie, my other friend called and we talked about life, work, career, plans and future. The usual twenty-something stuffs.

Wanted to cook my special spaghetti but am too lazy to walk out to supermarket and buy some stuffs. Without any canned or bottled spaghetti sauce, thank you very much. Without even tomato sauce. Yummy. All natural ingredients. Cihuy. Hmm may be tomorrow.

Want to move and do something. OK, will let you know again later what I am end up with.

About MSN and PhD

Me being online in MSN has been an antiquity among my friends. Yesterday night I was online again without putting "busy" or "away" sign. In fact I dropped by in almost all available pages to greet Merry Christmas. Some replied earnestly hence we started the conversation. One even said that the last time I was online and available was in June. I am completely lagging in emoticon-craze and started copying some of them.

Oh, wait... I think one thing should I do to make this moment more holidayish... a nice cup of coffee.

I'm back!! With a red cuppa. Steaming hot. Asoy...

Yesterday night, I chatted with a friend in Japan. He spent only one semester in NTU then got a more prestigious scholarship in Tokyo University. Talking about my self-labeled "hot topic" recently: PhD and research. I am unsure why but just realized that that is my favourite topic with people around me recently. With my project partner, my colleagues, my supervisor at work, my ex lecturers in NTU with whom I still keep close contacts, my ex-FYP supervisor who is now in Oman (see my previous post about fish eagle robot), my parents, siblings, friends... basically everybody who want to discuss it with me.

Well, we start comparing plans and wishes. About PhD and research in Singapore, Japan and US. What are their respective pluses and minuses. About how research has now been diverted more into commercialism. How sometimes research has been abused to "satisfy" industrial demand and not hitting right to the core of research. Well, in my opinion it may create procrastination of the actual research nascency as the actual parturition process of next generation's science and technology is hindered by many glitches from industrial demand.

Competition has become "a big thing" in Japan with the implication that many research institutes just follow one direction. One pattern and one mould as they only focus the the leading research center and taking it as their "role models" without realizing that it curbed their own creativity which should be essential to the research activity itself. Do they realize that they have brought research to a saturation? What with all the potential that Japan has in its country, it is just such a pity.

Or is it true that research is no longer important and commercialism top it over?

But think about the past, research has indeed never become a rosy path for all scientists. They are condemed as "freak" until their brainchild are widely used (and praised).

Or is it because everything has been invented by our ancestors that now we are left with nothing much to do research about?

Christmas Morning

Hmm, well, it's not so morning anymore. Nearing 11 am it is. The road outside is quiet, the day is basking under the brightly-lit sunlight though not so scorchingly hot, and my favourite Gold90 FM DJ Brian Richmond is airing the best christmas classic through the sound waves, making me postponing my DVD watching as I still want to listen to them before waiting for anotheryear or so.

This morning (well, what with blogging and chatting last night) I didn't wake up as early as I usually do. It's OK though, that's why we call it a holiday, right?

I thought my SMS-ing craze has been over but this morning I received another 11 more SMS when I woke up, eventhough I felt that last night (or perhaps last subuh) I have received and sent so many, perhaps more than what I usually get in one week.

So, this morning I spent by reading and replying SMS. What with my habit to send a personal message rather than only "Merry Christmas blablabla" or just forwarding the Christmas Tree with ASCII codes, I spent quite a long time to attend to them all. Then I ate ice cream (flavour: Hazelnut from Bud's), chocolate (from Sorini - Candy Empire, Millenia Walk that my colleague gave me on Friday), read almost the whole Weekend TODAY, receive and reply some more SMS-es, showered, listened to radio, switched on my laptop and now.. writing eh typing.

Hmm.. so far so good.

Merry Christmas!!

When I start writing this, it is 8 minutes before Christmas - Singapore time or rather my laptop's time.

I have been wanting to write since I finished my shower, but - what can I do - I was busy replying and sending SMS to greet my friends in many countries a Merry Chirstmas. M1 must be very happy with all the SMS traffic during this festive season. And also Singtel and Starhub. Christmas here has become gold mines for many business sectors in Singapore (and I guess also in many parts of the world). Just look at how many malls having their midnight shopping and how crowded the human traffic has been recently in Orchard and City area.

Today, what was planned to be a lonely Christmas for me had turned out to be slightly different. I still went to a 9 pm mass in Church of Risen Christ, Toa Payoh. But I wasn't alone.

In fact, 12 of us had our simple Christmas dinner together at Swensen's!! Not a very fancy dinner I would say, but the togetherness surpassed the restaurant condition =)

For all the effort, we must thank my pretty friend who called me yesterday asking to go to a mass together. Being very frank, I told her that I was reluctant to go any further than Risen Christ and any later than 9 pm. Come to think about it, I was so selfish. When someone wanted to spend the joyous moment with me, all I did was to give her "conditions". Sorry, Cantik!!

I can't help but I am really tired recently and "panas-dingin" alias "kremeng-kremeng" for the past few weeks.

Then her answer was: "Okeh! Than I will go to Risen Christ also!"

Wow, she is not only very pretty but also has a very kind heart!! So any singles (male only!!) out there, list your name please hehehehehe =D =D =D

So we called one other friend (another pretty from Bukit Timah) and we had fixed our Christmas dinner at Crystal Jade before attending the mass.

This morning, another surprise came. The pretty #1 SMS-ed me, telling me that she wanted to ask other CHOICE retreaters to come along. Well, I just acceded to that. Never knew that the number had grown to twelve!! Like Jesus' disciples *ga nyambung*. And due to more "voices" to vote, we changed the venue to Swensen's instead.

By the way, I only knew that there were 12 of us while waiting for pretty #1 in Toa Payoh MRT. There, I just gathered all the familiar faces and assumed that they were pretty #1's invitees as she herself was slightly late. *untung bener*

Some other have waited in the restaurant so there we were, eleven of us.... then pretty #2 came after eating Ayam Balado for her dinner. She somehow always has this craving for Ayam Balado everytime she hears "Toa Payoh".

After dinner, we walked to the church. Some opted to join the midnite mass and one person joined his friends in OLPS (Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour) so we parted. The mass was very peaceful and meaningful despite the fact that the choir was not as good as I had expected, some crying children, some overly excited children and one small girl who snored!! And it was sooo loud!!

Well, perhaps that's the wonder of Christmas... despite all those disturbances and unwanted additional noises, the message is Swarovski clear in our hearts though may be not really in our ears...

On This Christmas

Well, for me, I have no plans at all.

Quite pathetic I think, what with my usual excitement and merriment that come with Christmas. As an afficionado for Christmas, having nothing Christmasy for this Christmas is just not right.

In the past three years that I spend Christmas in Singapore, I always attend a midnight mass in St. Bernadette Church without fail. In addition to that, in the last two years I even sang in the choir.

This time, a quiet mass (not midnite) in a nearby church is what I'll have. Well, it doesn't matter as the prevalence of Christmas spirit is ubiquitous, I will still get all the blessing and peace whether I am in a big church near Orchard or in Church of Risen Christ in Toa Payoh. Whether my ears are satisfied with the melodious carols from the well-known Cathedral Choir by Sir Peter Low or a not-so-known yet as nice choirs of Church of Risen Christ. Whether I attend the midnite mass (which people regard to have more "drama") or I attend the 9 pm mass.

Isn't it so?

I have many things to do recently, an endless to-do list I've always had. And will continue to have 'til at least next month. One thing comes after another, which just deprived me from having a good night sleep and deep slumber. Well, it's all my choice anyway which I can't complain.

I always have this mindset that when we are still young and healthy, we should do whatever we can and grab as many opportunities as possible.

Indubitably, it comes in the package with all the concommitant tiredness and busyness. Well, life is short. Live life while we can.

Hmmm this 25 of December, I just want to spend the whole day eating, sleeping and watching DVDs. Perhaps blogging or painting (nah, to lazy to put up and down all the paraphernalias) or sketching or drawing or listening to music...

At this point of time, they are much much much more appealing to me than parties, gathering, dining, etc.

Christmas and Chocolates

Today is last working day before Christmas.

The holiday mood is prevailing, I don't see many who are seriously working today. Me, for example, for the first time ever blogging during office hour and also sneak on getting my MSN online. I am chatting with only one person nevertheless, in case you are asking.

This morning, few colleagues wandered around and distributed chocolates. Now I have four small chocolates (bite-size), one chocolate bar and one chocolate box. Tantalizing. Whereas I didn't bring anything, in fact it didn't even cross my mind at all =P. *medit*

A friend just told me that in her office in Boston, they are having a dessert party!! Can you imagine that? They have a three-page long list of dessert menu!! *ngeces*. Uhukuhuk Jeeenn... bring me there, please! My office in a way helps funding their party. Why? Simply because we use MATLAB extensively.

Christmas is often associated with chocolates and candies and all other sweet goodies that come along with that. It makes you wish that everyday is a Christmas. Hehehe though I believe many of you are also complaining about getting bankrupt in gift-shopping.

Chocolate is to Christmas as Ketupat and Opor Ayam are to Lebaran.
All are nice!! *drooling*

So Sad...

It's nearing Christmas but I am just a bit sad of hearing things...

The flood in Northern Malaysia, know it from my colleague cum friend JN who always got the latest first-hand news from her mother. She keeps measuring how many cm more that the water will flood in the house.

Some earthquake victims.. let them have a warm Christmas

And to my brothers and sisters in Indonesia... God bless them! How can people celebrate Christmas (which is supposed to be peaceful and joyful) if the bombing threats are just... everywhere?

How?

The nearest threat is next Monday. Pray hard and be careful, folks!!

I considered myself very lucky as I have never experienced celebrating Christmas Mass with troops of soldiers standing outside the church with guns and other weapons.

Can they let us have this solemn moment in... solemnity?

I remember my final year in Santa Ursula.. What was supposed to be a "prom night" or at least graduation celebration was turned into a "prom rushing morning".

We celebrate our finish line of high school education by gathering in school hall, have some prayers and songs and speeches. Continued with deliveried McDonalds breakfast. Afterwards, all teachers (fully alert) were standing everywhere to make sure that all students left the school before 9 am.

The security was not in its pink at that time. Even during our gathering and breakfast, Sonora FM was kept loud and clear from the principal's office. Just in case there is a situation whereby we have to be evacuated from the school at the very moment.

I also remember being in the car after attending a Sunday mass on a bright morning, only to hear the news from the radio that the very church that we just left was attacked by irresponsible mass of people... When we reached home, it dawned on us that Cathedral is now heavily guarded by soldiers, and the unhappy people attacked our school instead which was just next to the old beautiful church.

So sad.. Is peace really hard to get? How expensive it is?

Let us have a peaceful Christmas please, and on all the days that follow... everywhere. Including all corners of the world.