in Bali from 7th till 15th.

Good morning! Leaving for the airport now! Will be back next weekend so see you then! xx

Cirebon, the place that changed my life

The experience from my trip to Cirebon, Indonesia cannot be bounded by words. Many times, i try to write an account of it and as many times, i fail. It disappoints me. I hadn’t traveled all the way to Cirebon to shoot the breeze about life there, i truly wanted to share what i've brought home. Something special and life-changing.

It was as if we were on a mission and like all secret agents, i knew perfectly what we had planned like it was the back of my hand. Secretly also, i knew Indonesia more than i cared to admit and figured i was in her favour. In my image of her, i saw vast fields stretched out in the absence of cars and many villagers hard at work. The air charged with labour but smelt like a cool September day. Little did i know or expect, i was in actual fact just an unsuspecting victim.

The flight to Jakarta was arduous. We were stuck with more baggage than we were allowed and was short of a few people who were meant to come. Sally's mom demonstrated all the warmth and personality of a typical loving mother and for that the journey soon relaxed. Upon arrival, we met with the hospitality of Cik Neng's family. It was merry and i liked watching everyone exchange hugs and kisses and schmooze from where they left off the last time. The bus ride was something else. We had a coach bus to ourselves and it was cosy and full of food for us but the ride was close to 7 hours and it was too fast and too bumpy to have much sleep. It was a cool experience though.

Cik Neng's family live in a little shop house, 3rd round the bend from a stretch of shop houses alike. It was a family business, they sold and supplied mostly home-made crackers. In it was 4 tonnes of rice in huge sacks, ready to be repacked and distributed by us. A narrow path next to it led us to the family's new and near empty bungalow, where we stayed for the rest of our trip. Historically, Cirebon flourished under the graceful influence of an indonesian muslim missionary, his shrine rests on the peaceful peak of Gunung Jati, which was pleasantly just across the road from our house.

You see, Cirebon as i have least expected, is a busy suburb. Motorcycles came from everywhere, dirt roads are extensive and many, push carts selling food and toys lined them. But deeper into where we stayed, perched many houses that seemed like only shelters which were severely rusting and falling apart, some had no floors, many had thin, leaking roofs and some had not something i'd consider a door. Hardship is uncommon but the people were strong and unflinching, they continue to live honestly and help each other within the village like they were a team more than mere neighbours. These sights proved to be very damaging for self-reflection.

On Eid Al-adha, Sally's family chose their goats and went ahead with the slaughter which i intentionally avoided. Within minutes, neighbours have gathered to help pack the fresh meat for distribution. Those who came to get a bag of rice, some rupiahs, clothes and meat from us were dominantly frail elder folks, who had walked the whole way there. Many were ill, widows, or lived alone. Their voices praying for us, thanking us, the look of content on their faces were not meant to forget. I'll never forget.

I spent a number of days with the charming boys who played outside the house, i was fooled by their wayward games because they were much sweeter than they appeared. With them, i was a denizen of Cirebon. They had no toys and nothing much, so they climbed and sang and created games from scraps they found. I discovered i'm quite a marksman with the air rifle we toyed with. We loaded metal pellets and shot at cups, containers and such. Didn't know i was a chip off the old block.

One time, i was walking up to the house from the shop, and saw the boys squatting in a tiny circle. One held a piece of cardboard over their heads and i couldn't make out what the rest were doing. I soon found out they were watching a little fire they've created between two bricks and was barbecuing satay with the fresh meat from the slaughter. They of course offered me some and i gladly took a stick, it was good and I was so blown away by them.

I had wished on my journey back to Jakarta, a 5 hour bus ride, that I want cirebon to live with me forever, vivid and reminding. Though i hate to admit it, i was a little homesick by the time we left. But landing safely and being greeted by our world class airport was as disappointing as waving goodbye to Paman. A sigh marks my welcome home to the fast and bitter city life.

movies and a vacation

I've just watched this! It's charming and very moving. Adam has Asperger's syndrome and from the trailer you can actually tell that he's brilliant but as with every person suffering from asperger's, he is very socially awkward. In this movie he falls in love with his neighbour, a beautiful writer of childrens' stories, who teaches him how to blend into society and live like a normal person. I won't go any further, you have to watch it and see how that worked out.

I say it makes a sweet movie for a date. My boyfriend has made me promise that we'll stay in one of these days and watch Adam while eating caesar salad (which is his flavour of the moment), and i gladly did so.

Also, i managed to watch The Fourth Kind at 4am new year's day with my two favourite boys. Very disturbing, intense, and interesting. If you love sci-fi or have a strange fascination with alien life form then this one's for you. I loved it!

In other news, i'm vacationing this Thursday! Yay! I'm paying Bali another visit and will be there for a week. I've been such an atrocious blogger, i've not even updated about Cirebon and now i'm already leaving for elsewhere.

So tomorrow's short term goal is- upload pictures and blog about Cirebon. Got it.

2010- purposeful

Day 1 2010

My bestfriend baked her first cake yesterday and it was a yummy success. Check out her 'peace' cake, isn't it so cute? It's a great statement to begin the new year with and she did a fabulous job.

I'm assuming everyone is staying in today? To recover from yesterday's celebration and take complete advantage to chill out while it rains beautifully outside? I had a great time last night with the people i love and oh, what better way to usher in the new year if not with your favourites?

On another note, i'm not doing very well today. First day of the new year and i am down with the flu. I'm about to go have a nap again. Hope you guys are enjoying the holiday!

a new year full of purpose

You guys, we're finally back here at the starting point. The ride wasn't very smooth but that leaves us with more drive and will to take on the next one and make it better than ever. Here's wishing you a happy and blessed new year, let's begin on the right foot and pledge not to stray from our resolutions.

So what are your new year's eve plans? I'm going to a mexican restaurant and bar called El Toro, i heard they have great tacos and churros. I can no longer contain my excitement!

I've been thinking about this for some time and thought i'll have you be my guest and witness this. I'm going to post up a few questions for myself to answer in the NEXT new year's eve, which is that of 2011. I didn't want to let myself down with all these plans i've made for the year, so what better way than to share them with you and risk embarrassing myself if i don't live up to them? So here they are,

Questions to self:
Are you happy?
Did you fulfill all your resolutions?
Have you quitted your bad habits?
Did you work hard and try to live a balanced life?

I'm glad to have you sweethearts on my journey into a new and better year. Have an excellent one everyone!

errands day again!

Another day of errands. Busy, busy, busy! Check back in tomorrow and we'll have a little chat about our new year's eve. Are you excited? I have something up my sleeve and will get my hands on it tonight. See if i can work some magic and wake up to an exciting new year's eve morning. What are you guys up to? I'm not certain about my plans but i do have a few things i'd like to do tomorrow. Anywhere you'd like to suggest to me? Here's one of the few things i'd like to do after the countdown,

What do you think? It's open tomorrow and i don't think i wanna miss it. See you on tomorrow my beautiful readers!

a rocking black & white house

My loves, ever wondered who lives in these black & white colonial houses you often see around? Or what it looks like on the inside? Last week, my bestfriend shared this spectacular house tour of Mark Seeger's home, an American expat who chose this alternative opposing the 'traditional expat lifestyle of a condo and 42 inch LCD TV on the wall'. It's fascinating that in the beginning, this beauty had neither floor nor roof and had been vacant for close to a decade. Just in case you're not in awe yet, here's the catch- he rebuilt this baby.. himself. Feast your eyes..

That outdoor shower and dining table is insane. Hope your Tuesday is to!

(more from where that came from: desire to inspire)

joyful news!

I wanted to share a little tidbit from last week but couldn't allow myself to do that without first addressing someone i hold dear to me. I'm not one to follow tv shows, you name it, i have never watched an entire season of anything. In fact, i hardly watch much television unless i feel like it. But moments ago, everyone on Facebook and Twitter rejoiced over Sezairi Sezali's win in Singapore Idol. I am so very touched by this news, so happy for him words cannot explain. It's so incredible, our once so adorable Airie who too often gets backaches and continuously expresses his love for my mom's noodles is now Sezairi Sezali, a Singapore Idol. Stripping off the friendship, i'm sure we all know he's a fine musician and singer and that he very much deserves this.
(a young us from 06)

I pray escalating success for you in the years to come, my dear. Sky's the limit and you'll get there. I'll miss you around but you'll always be in my prayers. With all my love, congratulations.

Hope you beautiful people are enjoying the idol fever. Have a blissful Monday! xx

Happy Christmas & Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I don't celebrate Christmas but i do take the opportunity to join in the fun and cook dinner for my family. In this house, we love chatting over good home-cooked dinners.

On a separate note, it's my second x'mas with you folks and i'd like to thank you for reading my humble blog. I'm also very grateful for the friendships we've made through here. You have no idea what it feels like when readers add me (regardless FB or Twitter or anywhere else) and tell me how much they enjoy my blog. Thank you so so very much.. I am forever grateful.

With all my love, have a cosy holiday my sweets.

Have a Muji X'mas!

Not too long ago, my boyfriend and I went strolling in town when we decided that we should explore and conquer the whole of Ion because we never did, not all of it. It's a chaotic maze, full of interesting stores. So like i had thought, it was an epic failure. We also happen to be looking for a few Christmas gifts and walked right into Muji. Ahhh.. Muji, the bringer of eye candies. Here's sharing with you my Muji indulgence from their incredible x'mas catalogue.

Paris in a Bag.

Christmas 'Tree'

New York Map Handkerchief.

And to wrap them all up.

Unique boxes!

And a gorgeous sack.

Gorgeous hey? Have a Muji X'mas!