Pictures of November 2009

These are some of my pictures I like from November 2009.

Solo Jogja 2009

All in white, we busily walked toward the temple of Ratu Boko and praised the cultural beauty with it simplicity and symmetrical design. It was our annual trip celebrating our friendship. Our “personnel” grew bigger this year with Jefri, Indra, Drajat and our long time dear friend Diah came along with us. I have known these wonderful people for quite a while but only in the recent time that I got to know them in a deeper way.

The hot blaring sun didn’t stop us in taking zillions of pictures of both ourselves and the temple. Not long then we separated into different locations as if the nature led our instinct to do so. In that moment, I saw Sani cried on Diah’s shoulder while Drajat wandered around the temple’s west wing alone. I witnessed Navita held tight on Jamal’s hand as if it confirmed that he is her only love. On the other side, Mega didn’t stop pestering Jefri and Indra to take her more pictures. I was sweating but my mind couldn’t stop thinking when I saw each of these characters. Each has its own story and each has its own uniqueness.

It is amazing to see how those stories and uniqueness assembled together. It’s not always smooth but definitely good. This trip reminded me that friendship is more than just having fun. The not-so-good part, the shitty part about it, is playing even more important part. Because with it, we know of whom we really are.

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity - Prov. 17:17

Jepara 2009

As I entered the nice newly developed beach in an area called Bandengan in Jepara, the memory of my childhood started flooding my mind. The white sandy shore and the water that calmly hit my feet have helped recreate the fun times I had, playing sand with my cousins while the fishermen busily sold the ocean’s treasure to my mom and aunties. The sun shyly came out from the horizon and as I was standing, absorbed by the nature’s wonder and the sweet childhood memories, I realized that get away is the only thing I need.

Festival Mata Air 2009

Last weekend I went to the Festival Mata Air, a festival to promote the awareness of eco-friendly lifestyle. The event is organized about Komunitas TUK, an environmentally concerned community of artists and volunteers established in 2006 and based in Salatiga(www.grakkart.com/tuk). It's their 4th year organizing the festival and this was my 2nd year I came to see the event. I think they've done a great job in organizing this international festival that attracted artists and environmental communities around the world.

One of the programs of this festival is the performance from the local bands. I've known some good bands in Salatiga and it was cool to see them performed at the event. My ever talented friends Drajat and Susu showed at the festival and performed with their band, Crosstown Panic. They are cool!

The other things that I enjoyed from the festival is the art installations from various artists. I love arts and Salatiga is not known for its art galleries nor communities. So, it was a perfect chance for me to enjoy such installations (which were eco-friendly).
Salute to Rudi Ardiyanto and Vanessa Hyde for their efforts and brilliant ideas in making this wonderful event happened! Look forward to the Festival Mata Air in 2010.

Batam 2009

I got the chance to visit Batam last summer and it was a joy to see old friends again and meeting new people. Batam is a little different from the other areas in Indonesia that I’ve visited. Besides unfamiliar foreign stuff like the cars, the grocery products (which I love!), and the food, I also noticed the lifestyle of the people here is a little different. I believe the neighboring country is responsible for this foreign influence because of its location. Singapore is only 45 minutes away by ferry. Visiting friends and catching up with them about our newest latest stories was so much fun but I also had the opportunity to volunteer as an interpreter for some groups from the US who visited the sea tribes on the islands surrounding Batam. At the end of the trip, I went to Singapore and got my first stamp on my passport. Yay! My trip to this little country lasted for 5 hours only.

It was a long and rough trip but I learned a whole lot about myself and about God.

Here are some pics from the trip.

With Dina, Maria and Jekson

My travelling companion, Andrea Hirata's Maryamah Karpov.

Singapore's Skycrapers.

School kids with their pink uniforms. What a fashion statement!

Smile!

Light

I see the light, guided by a man I trust and love with all my heart, a man like my own brother. He didn't speak a lot but he spoke the truth.

What am I?

And I know that I have abandoned this blog of mine for so many months, again and again.

Life has been busy like a bee, working from one paperwork to another. Perhaps I could squeez in time to write but unfortunately have no energy left. At the end of the day, I am physically drained and bed seems to be a perfect getaway.

In the midst of all, I am searching for the truth. He said that the truth will set me free but I vaguely understand it. There are so many why's and what's, and the questions seems never end.
Yet, life is so precious.