This is a student dormitory located in Ørestad, a new district close to the center of Copenhagen, Denmark. The dormitory is named for Danish financier C. F. Tietgen (1829-1891). The building has a conspicuous circular shape, inspired by traditional southern Chinese Hakka architecture, and is designed by Danish architects Lundgaard & Tranberg in 2006. The design has won it a RIBA European Award. Who wouldn't study hard now after all of the facilities?
Got this invitation to my email but I can't attend for sure so I'm offering you guys if you wanna join the celebration in Kemang, Jakarta. Maybe you guys can enjoy it more than I will..
Nov 1st
I took two days off last week and booked a flight to Jakarta by Sriwijaya Air on Thursday, Nov 1st. I woke up at around 10 a.m. and panicked out when I realized I still have some stuff to do before the flight. I finished my room chores at midday and drove my bike to Denpasar area but then I realized that Pie Susu shop is way too far away so I made a turn and headed to Krisna at Sunset Road instead.
I took two days off last week and booked a flight to Jakarta by Sriwijaya Air on Thursday, Nov 1st. I woke up at around 10 a.m. and panicked out when I realized I still have some stuff to do before the flight. I finished my room chores at midday and drove my bike to Denpasar area but then I realized that Pie Susu shop is way too far away so I made a turn and headed to Krisna at Sunset Road instead.
I shopped for stuff to give for my grandma, aunts and cousins, then at 1.30 went to Bintang supermarket. I met Lyssandre, a guy I met just the other night at Halloween party at Hu'u, and we went to Mykonos for lunch. We talked about so many great things until it was 3 p.m. and it was time for me to run my way to the airport.
I had my flight delayed for almost one hour so it was around 6.15 p.m. (GMT +8) that we took off and arrived in Jakarta at around 7 p.m. (GMT +7). I got a friend ready to pick me up so I walked straight to his car and he drove me to Appetite, a cozy small cafe in Jl. Senopati, in which my mother, brother and sister had already waited for me.
So we had dinner and my family was listening to the stories about my life in Bali. It was such an overwhelming feeling to be surrounded by my little family again, with my siblings' eyes very eager to see me and they were excited to hear any stories I told them. They saw some positive changes in me and glad about it. We were there until 11 p.m. that we finally went to aunt's home at Joglo area, and I met my grandma and aunt also, had another chat till around 1-2 a.m.
Nov 2nd
We woke up before 8 a.m. the next day and I went to Pondok Indah area with Mom, meeting my aunts at Aunt Agnes' house. I always feel my aunts as big sisters to me, that I can talk about anything to them and often give advice more than I receive from them. We all went to Lai Ching restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel, also with Raphael, to meet Mr. Andreas.
Apparently Mr. Andreas Surjaputra was a family friend, but they all lost contact with him 27 years ago. Now the chance to meet was here and lots of stories were exchanged. It was a beautiful reunion and we found out that Mr. Andreas' daughter is the owner of Bon Chon Chicken franchise in Indonesia. She is amongst the top 40 Indonesian young entrepreneurs at the age of 23. Such an achievement!
We left the hotel and some of us went to Grand Indonesia. I met Lita, my 8-months pregnant best friend there and we had some coffee at De' Excelso until her husband, Oscar, arrived and took her for dinner. I waited for Adhe, friend of Ryan, to come see me and he did at around 8 p.m., took me to dinner at Y&Y until Ryan and his girlfriend came.
My aunt said there was some cases going on with taxis in Jakarta, so we need to be extra careful. I forgot that the metropolitan city isn't as safe as in Bali and I wore quite an open outfit so Adhe offered to accompany me home. We took Transcab taxi after waiting for 20 minutes for proper ones. I reached my other aunt's home at Cipete area at 11 p.m., surprised again at how busy Jakarta traffic was, even at night.
Nov 3rd
The next day started much earlier. Mom and I was ready at 7.30 a.m. and we headed to Rawamangun area for Anna's holy matrimony. I was supposed to bring the offerings but I came so late we ended up at Tanjung Priok area and when we went back we were stuck at Pulo Gadung because of the road construction. We made it by the time of communion and met some of Dad's family there.
We moved to Golden Leaf restaurant in Kelapa Gading. We met Mom's sisters and also Oma and Angelika there, and had the round table lunch, about 10 menus to finish off, including the black pepper venison. It was a really nice small wedding, tho I don't know most of the guests, but to see my dearest sweet cousin get married to a decent man she loves is one thing that makes our hearts happy to see. Martin has really nice family and I am so glad he found Anna and made her his bride. I wish them my truest blessing for the marriage.
We then went back to Cipete, with Clemy took another wrong way--the second wrong way that day--to Cibubur. We reached home at 5 p.m. and all of us were so tired we couldn't go anywhere else that night. I spent time in front of TV, watching all the missing episodes of CSI, Desperate Housewives, some dance shows and the movie A Walk To Remember. Those things I don't have in Bali.
Nov 4th
It was Sunday and we woke up a little late but still early for my body hadn't had enough rest for the last few days. Aunt Dewi, Aunt Siska, Goldi and Bent came and made the house full then we said goodbye. I prepared my stuff and went to airport with Clemy and Mom at 1 p.m. We had quick lunch at A&W, worried there would be traffic on the way to airport.
We arrived 2 hours too early anyway and waited at the coffee shop, discussed many details we missed when we were in larger group. My flight was delayed for another 2 hours till it finally take off and I arrived in Bali so tired at around 9.15 p.m. (GMT +8). I didn't have anyone waiting for me but I felt so peaceful and happy to be back in Bali. I love Jakarta because all of my family and many of friends are there. But for myself, nothing compares to Bali right now. Thank God I am home!
I had my flight delayed for almost one hour so it was around 6.15 p.m. (GMT +8) that we took off and arrived in Jakarta at around 7 p.m. (GMT +7). I got a friend ready to pick me up so I walked straight to his car and he drove me to Appetite, a cozy small cafe in Jl. Senopati, in which my mother, brother and sister had already waited for me.
[my family reunited]
So we had dinner and my family was listening to the stories about my life in Bali. It was such an overwhelming feeling to be surrounded by my little family again, with my siblings' eyes very eager to see me and they were excited to hear any stories I told them. They saw some positive changes in me and glad about it. We were there until 11 p.m. that we finally went to aunt's home at Joglo area, and I met my grandma and aunt also, had another chat till around 1-2 a.m.
Nov 2nd
We woke up before 8 a.m. the next day and I went to Pondok Indah area with Mom, meeting my aunts at Aunt Agnes' house. I always feel my aunts as big sisters to me, that I can talk about anything to them and often give advice more than I receive from them. We all went to Lai Ching restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel, also with Raphael, to meet Mr. Andreas.
Apparently Mr. Andreas Surjaputra was a family friend, but they all lost contact with him 27 years ago. Now the chance to meet was here and lots of stories were exchanged. It was a beautiful reunion and we found out that Mr. Andreas' daughter is the owner of Bon Chon Chicken franchise in Indonesia. She is amongst the top 40 Indonesian young entrepreneurs at the age of 23. Such an achievement!
[me and Lita]
We left the hotel and some of us went to Grand Indonesia. I met Lita, my 8-months pregnant best friend there and we had some coffee at De' Excelso until her husband, Oscar, arrived and took her for dinner. I waited for Adhe, friend of Ryan, to come see me and he did at around 8 p.m., took me to dinner at Y&Y until Ryan and his girlfriend came.
My aunt said there was some cases going on with taxis in Jakarta, so we need to be extra careful. I forgot that the metropolitan city isn't as safe as in Bali and I wore quite an open outfit so Adhe offered to accompany me home. We took Transcab taxi after waiting for 20 minutes for proper ones. I reached my other aunt's home at Cipete area at 11 p.m., surprised again at how busy Jakarta traffic was, even at night.
Nov 3rd
The next day started much earlier. Mom and I was ready at 7.30 a.m. and we headed to Rawamangun area for Anna's holy matrimony. I was supposed to bring the offerings but I came so late we ended up at Tanjung Priok area and when we went back we were stuck at Pulo Gadung because of the road construction. We made it by the time of communion and met some of Dad's family there.
We moved to Golden Leaf restaurant in Kelapa Gading. We met Mom's sisters and also Oma and Angelika there, and had the round table lunch, about 10 menus to finish off, including the black pepper venison. It was a really nice small wedding, tho I don't know most of the guests, but to see my dearest sweet cousin get married to a decent man she loves is one thing that makes our hearts happy to see. Martin has really nice family and I am so glad he found Anna and made her his bride. I wish them my truest blessing for the marriage.
[me, Clemency and Angelika]
We then went back to Cipete, with Clemy took another wrong way--the second wrong way that day--to Cibubur. We reached home at 5 p.m. and all of us were so tired we couldn't go anywhere else that night. I spent time in front of TV, watching all the missing episodes of CSI, Desperate Housewives, some dance shows and the movie A Walk To Remember. Those things I don't have in Bali.
Nov 4th
It was Sunday and we woke up a little late but still early for my body hadn't had enough rest for the last few days. Aunt Dewi, Aunt Siska, Goldi and Bent came and made the house full then we said goodbye. I prepared my stuff and went to airport with Clemy and Mom at 1 p.m. We had quick lunch at A&W, worried there would be traffic on the way to airport.
We arrived 2 hours too early anyway and waited at the coffee shop, discussed many details we missed when we were in larger group. My flight was delayed for another 2 hours till it finally take off and I arrived in Bali so tired at around 9.15 p.m. (GMT +8). I didn't have anyone waiting for me but I felt so peaceful and happy to be back in Bali. I love Jakarta because all of my family and many of friends are there. But for myself, nothing compares to Bali right now. Thank God I am home!
via panicposters
Here in Bali, more than in anywhere else in world, karma comes fast. I experienced it myself, how I have to do stuff I said I won't, from place to stay at. When first came to Bali I told Mom's friend I don't like Kerobokan area, especially around the jail, and here I am, staying for more than 6 months in the area already.
Long time ago, I've declared to myself never to work in a property agency for I am so much against the nature destruction. I prefer the green stays green than to see any concrete poured upon it, adding up an already oversupply villas on the island. See now I am working at the very company I'd once detested. It wasn't a property agency when I first applied.
And now, I told people around me about the criteria I'd avoid for guys and here I am, being in the very situation I am against for. And everything I told myself not to do, is all that I can't help doing. It's just so hard to fight the temptation. Feels like everything is set for me to test the water, no matter how hard I resist to avoid.
I pull out a lesson here, that we must be EXTRA careful to say anything, to let any word slip out of our mouths. I also learn that being older means to experience more, including things we avoided or we against before. It's because our level of understanding or acceptance has reached the point so God allows it to happen to us.
Many things, including religion view and idealism I held so tight on to is getting loose on my hand now. I let go of some things and gain another. It's part of life, I guess. Part of getting old and growing up. Things are way far from the fairy tale we once dreamed about, and that's the way it is. After all it's how we learn to dance in the rain.
via facebook
As my interest on Javanese wayang tale is getting bigger and I became fonder about it, I found this movie made by Dian Sastro (who starred as the main character as well), directed by Riri Riza. The movie was released on 2008, four years already and I haven't heard of anything about it till now. Amazing how uninteresting history and classics for young people and the business these days, huh?
What annoys me is the fact that Arjuna was played by Nicolas Saputra, because I prefer him to play Yudhistira, the eldest brother of the Pandawas and also the righteous husband of Drupadi in Javanese version. I am kinda annoyed that just because Arjuna is more famous than Yudhistira that Nicolas didn't do the first brother role. But then again perhaps he suits Arjuna more than Yudhistira's character.
I haven't watch the full movie anyway, so I just keep my mouth shut about it. I dunno where to find this movie anyway, even in Indonesia, but I'd love to find one and watch it full. I love Drupadi's character so much already based on the Javanese wayang version, and I wanna know if I like the humanized, Dian Sastro's version of her. If you know where I can find the DVD or anything about this, please do let me know, thank you!
[my first Tulisan collection]
I was super excited last Friday. Not just because it was a holiday and I was going to Uluwatu, but also because this very special package I've ordered came just in time I was to depart. I have been their fan for quite some time now, tracked their journey of creating beautiful things since 2010 when I found out about them. The artworks are remarkable and so original, but they also comes with price.
[the bag's first destination: the south-est point of Bali]
So I stayed patient.. until I saw this newly launched collector's edition. Couldn't help myself not to purchase them. And when it arrived, I was so joyful to add these special stuff into my list of belongings. I really am willing to spend for such beautiful and qualified products, so this one really adds up to my happiness lately. Thank you Melissa Sunjaya for ever creating Tulisan!
Last Friday was Eid Mubarak holiday, so I planned to go to Uluwatu with Arnatt, a friend since 2001 I met at Antiokhia weekend. Arnatt picked me up at 2 p.m. and we went to Uluwatu area by bike. We stopped for late lunch at some chinese food warung on the way.
We headed to the Karma Kandara cliff, but not to the restaurant. We descended approximately 326 steps down to the beach and found rocks and stones around. So we went a little to the east and found the whole white sanded beach, and laid there for a while.
Arnatt took some pictures for his photography hunting while I was bathing in the sun. We enjoyed the last hours before sunset, only to realize that our way back to the stairs was blocked by the high tide. So we decided to ascend the other stairs, thank God it was there, that led us to Sinaran Surga's villa complex.
It was a long way up--the whole 300+ steps--and almost lost our breaths on the way. It was so tiring and by the time we were up we were all wet of sweat so we took a stop and enjoyed the sun till it was set behind the Karma cliff. We then took a 10 minutes walk back to where we parked the bike.
We had dinner at Warung Bale-Bali and I was studying the wayang from the book Tante Cece was lending me. She is so excited when I told her I am so much into wayang and tattoo. It's like she is excited about it much more than I do.
The next day I spent at home mostly and went to Biku to meet Dewi for lunch. We then had some chill at the office because the weather out was extremely hot. I then went to Seminyak Square to buy a dress for my cousin Anna's wedding. But I ended up at Periplus and bought six books from there. But finally I found the dress I was looking for at Indigo & Rose.
At 5.30 p.m. Arnatt asked to meet for sunset at 66 Beach. I went there and Dewi was coming after. I took Arnatt for some walk to La Plancha short after the sunset. Too bad the sand is grey and too soft, unlike the ones in southern beach, all white and bigger particles. I love the latter more. The three of us then had dinner at Mbok Limbok and by 9.15 p.m. we were already at home.
On Sunday, Arnatt showed up at my place at 1 p.m. then we had lunch at Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku. Right after we went to Labuhan Sait area, stopped at Bingin beach. It took us 10-15 minutes from the parking area to the beach walking. But the paradise we found was heavenly. It really worth the journey!
It was still 2 p.m. and the sun was shining so hot it was burning on my skin. Arnatt took his photography hunting while I was laying with my book, trying to get myself an even tan. I was sweating and dehydrated so badly. We finished the burning session at 4 p.m. and decided to have some cold drinks at Circle K.
We headed to Balangan beach after, just for sunset. It was heavily cloudy then, but I did have my reading time before the sun came up below the dark grey cloud, shining so brightly in orangey red. We stayed until the sun set on the west sky, then soon after we witnessed the moon to show up on the east sky.
We then headed back to Kuta area, had dinner at Bebek Tepi Sawah. Two hours after, we crossed the road to Krisna shop and I bought some stuff to bring to Jakarta for family and friends next Thursday. We finished the day at 10 p.m., all tired with burnt skin but happy. We had found small paradises in three days, enough to be mood lifter for some time. Thank God I am living in the island of paradise!
[me and Arnatt descending the steps]
We headed to the Karma Kandara cliff, but not to the restaurant. We descended approximately 326 steps down to the beach and found rocks and stones around. So we went a little to the east and found the whole white sanded beach, and laid there for a while.
Arnatt took some pictures for his photography hunting while I was bathing in the sun. We enjoyed the last hours before sunset, only to realize that our way back to the stairs was blocked by the high tide. So we decided to ascend the other stairs, thank God it was there, that led us to Sinaran Surga's villa complex.
It was a long way up--the whole 300+ steps--and almost lost our breaths on the way. It was so tiring and by the time we were up we were all wet of sweat so we took a stop and enjoyed the sun till it was set behind the Karma cliff. We then took a 10 minutes walk back to where we parked the bike.
We had dinner at Warung Bale-Bali and I was studying the wayang from the book Tante Cece was lending me. She is so excited when I told her I am so much into wayang and tattoo. It's like she is excited about it much more than I do.
The next day I spent at home mostly and went to Biku to meet Dewi for lunch. We then had some chill at the office because the weather out was extremely hot. I then went to Seminyak Square to buy a dress for my cousin Anna's wedding. But I ended up at Periplus and bought six books from there. But finally I found the dress I was looking for at Indigo & Rose.
At 5.30 p.m. Arnatt asked to meet for sunset at 66 Beach. I went there and Dewi was coming after. I took Arnatt for some walk to La Plancha short after the sunset. Too bad the sand is grey and too soft, unlike the ones in southern beach, all white and bigger particles. I love the latter more. The three of us then had dinner at Mbok Limbok and by 9.15 p.m. we were already at home.
On Sunday, Arnatt showed up at my place at 1 p.m. then we had lunch at Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku. Right after we went to Labuhan Sait area, stopped at Bingin beach. It took us 10-15 minutes from the parking area to the beach walking. But the paradise we found was heavenly. It really worth the journey!
It was still 2 p.m. and the sun was shining so hot it was burning on my skin. Arnatt took his photography hunting while I was laying with my book, trying to get myself an even tan. I was sweating and dehydrated so badly. We finished the burning session at 4 p.m. and decided to have some cold drinks at Circle K.
[Arnatt and I at Balangan beach]
We headed to Balangan beach after, just for sunset. It was heavily cloudy then, but I did have my reading time before the sun came up below the dark grey cloud, shining so brightly in orangey red. We stayed until the sun set on the west sky, then soon after we witnessed the moon to show up on the east sky.
We then headed back to Kuta area, had dinner at Bebek Tepi Sawah. Two hours after, we crossed the road to Krisna shop and I bought some stuff to bring to Jakarta for family and friends next Thursday. We finished the day at 10 p.m., all tired with burnt skin but happy. We had found small paradises in three days, enough to be mood lifter for some time. Thank God I am living in the island of paradise!
[Drupadi]
via blogspot
After books and words I've read and heard, I do believe now that we have more than one soul mate in one lifetime. One came from one incarnation and the other came from another incarnation. From what I've learned, I came into conclusion that in one incarnation we have one person to be our spouse or life partner. But soul mates, more than one of ours are spread around the world, waiting a chance to meet with each other.
I just read a book about wayang, Indonesian traditional tale which was adapted from Indian Hindu tale, and I found a lot of characters there; all the gods and goddesses and kings and queens and princes and princesses and knights and giants and jokers, etc. I was concentrating more to the stories of goddess, as I am very interested recently to Drupadi (In Indian version it is Dropadi).
From the reading I found out that at the time kings and queens usually had children with more than one person. One princess was deeply in love with the mighty Arjuna but he told her to marry his cousin instead, another was obsessed with someone who didn't become her husband, and so on. Broken hearts, sad love stories, affairs and untold secrets aren't just ours. It happened since thousands of years ago and even in the world of gods and goddesses.
Maybe at first you will say that the kings were playboys to sleep with any beautiful woman and the queens were too slutty to have kids from different fathers. But when we go deeper we can find a more difficult love stories in it, only God knows. Maybe it was because the souls that reincarnated tend to find their match, and suffer if they can't find them, but as human we sometimes aren't patient enough to wait for that perfect match to come.
As the world is getting so old now, and the fact that I do believe in reincarnations, I guess there are now too many soul mates we can meet in one lifetime. Those who become our parents, siblings, best friends, lovers and someone special who are never ours. These people come into our lives, touch our hearts so deep, either it takes a lifetime (parents and siblings), a part of it (best friends and lovers) or even just for one hour.
I met Fya last Monday night just before she was crossing the strait to Lombok island. She mentioned that Alex and I are soul mates. That explains why he has a very special place in my heart, out of all other friends I've had for the 28 years of my life. I've known Alex since I was about 8-9 years old, FYI. And this explains the strong feelings I have for him at few previous post ago. I think I am also soul mates with Joey. I am quite certain about that, because we can read each other's mind so well without having to waste too many words spoken.
Well now I think I recently have met another of my soul mate. He was a total stranger a week ago, but in just hours of talking he said I affected so much on him and for me, I simply cannot forget him so easily. Perhaps because he makes me feel comfortable, safe and the fact that he put so many attention and affection to me. Perhaps it's even much more than that, only I haven't realize or feel it. Or perhaps I am still holding myself back from the chance of a new love.
I would really like to say that I know everything I need to know in life, but I cannot. There are still so much more that are beyond my knowledge, beyond my imagination, and even beyond my ability to understand it all. And now, facing the fact that I might meet someone I've met before--too many years ago--is somehow excites me.
I am thrilled to know more about him, because after long hours of talking on the phone we've found too many similarities and connections between us, though we have only two mutual friends in facebook--which is a truly rare coincidence to have so many similarities with each other. It was like we've known each other for a long time already, because he feels familiar. Perhaps we did met. Perhaps we were lover. Maybe we weren't meant to be together in this incarnation. But maybe not... yet.
I am wondering how fun it would be if I could practice the ring of light like what Paulo Coelho did in Aleph just to find out what or who was (or were) I before. But sometimes, it's just better to leave the mystery unrevealed. Let God do His marvelous work on us and just see the final result later. Meanwhile, I am trying to enjoy the ride.
After a year absent from poetry, I wrote this one inspired by a guy who made me comfortable and feel loved, tho just for a glimpse, whom I just met not so long ago:
Sometimes a simple ride on the bike
Can bring us something we might like
The deep words we exchange
Opens gate of a new chance
To me you were a stranger
But in just hours we get closer
I once said no to love before
Now take back what I oathed for
Said sweet words to my ears
In silence I wish you'd never leave
Never thought I'd ever met you
Now I find it's hard to forget you
Be with you, it feels so fine
But I know that you are not mine
Soon you will have to go
Leaving my heart hurting so
Us won't be a trouble, you promised
But I can't be that selfish
It's much better to forget me
I will be okay without thee






















