Another Victoria's Secrets

the photo setting

During the #UWRF15 festival, I skipped the fourth day and be around Denpasar instead. I spent the day showing Seminyak to Mariska (my publisher representative) and ended up dressing up in formal dress (but since I didn't bring party shoes, I wore my rubber T-bar sandals instead). We (me, Mariska and Mas Yunas, the Kompas Book Publisher's new supervisor) arrived at Aston Hotel Jl. Gatot Subroto at around 6.15 p.m., welcomed and ushered to the ballroom by many people in uniforms.

me, attending the great book launch

There were photo backdrop set where people took pictures at, and many receptionist desks for there were around 600 invited guests, if we didn't count it wrong. We got table No. 18 with the book writer, A. Bobby Pr, and his wife. The setting was more like a gala dinner than book launching, and I felt so wrong to be there at first because I didn't wore fancy shoes... but then again it's Bali so I chilled down eventually.

the stages and tables setting

They let us have our dinner until 7.30 p.m. and the event began. Gading Marten was the MC, together with Ayu, one of Ajik Cok's employees. There was Krisna Bali signature dance, a local stand up comedian and some opening speeches from people who have known Ajik Cok for a long time. These stuff really helped us guests to know more about the person discussed in the book.

the writer and wife, Mas Yunas and Mariska

There was also Syahrini, an Indonesian singer, who entertained us (really), and Andy F. Noya as the moderator for the book launch. They all introduced us to the figure of Ajik Cok, who started literally from nothing when he was in junior high school, moving from a small village to big city by himself with no money but strong determination to survive in life.

Gading Marten, Ajik Cok, Syahrini, Andy F. Noya and Ayu Saraswati

Throughout the event we got so many testimonials about how humble, modest, honest, but a hard-worker Ajik Cok is. And this story is indeed inspiring, for that simple village boy had shown and proven his willpower to all people he met that would lead him to build his empire of Krisna Bali (that started as convection, to souvenir stores, to other growing business) in the age of 44 years old. He is truly blessed to have a lovely family, loyal friends and famous for having luxurious cars despite his humble character.

what we got inside the goodie bag: 2 biography books and a shirt

I felt really lucky to be able to attend this book launch, which was another 'first time' for me, and to know such an inspiring story behind the successful local Balinese business and got so many great lessons from it. The event ended at 10 p.m. after the book launch and birthday celebration of Ajik Cok's youngest son. We all got a goodie bag to bring home with, along with great knowledge we just experienced. You should never say no to new things indeed, for you'll never know how blessed you could be!

me, on the festival #UWRF15

me, Frischa Aswarini as speaker, and Vanesa Martida as MC

So it's November already and I'm back in Bali. I came first for the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2015 which was held from Oct 28-Nov 1 this year (read my experience here and here--and more pictures of it here). It was a great and unique experience for this was my first time to be at the festival and my book was launched here. I got so many new experience, broaden my knowledge, and met new people. It was so refreshing!

met Kenzo here, a beautiful macau bird at the warung in the neighborhood

But I didn't fly back to Jakarta after the festival. I stayed at my friend's place in Sanur instead and been spending my time writing here, trying to find answer to yet another life journey of mine. I am opening myself to a whole new adventure, breaking the habit from my comfort zone in Jakarta for the past (almost) two years now. Another chapter has begun for me, and I'm living it in Bali! Wish me luck please (;