Travel (not) Light

I always travel light to Pontianak, to where my parents’ house is. But I never called it home, considering I didn’t grow up in the equatorial city. But then where is home? I always carry a small bag along with huge hope. I can always wear Pi’s clothes or Mom’s oversized t-shirts.

But last September, I came back there carrying a small bag. I was heavy hearted.

It was the fifth time in the year that I came back there. This time to say “until we meet again” to Mi. That Sunday morning, she went to a place she called home. Indeed, she ever said, I want to have a house on earth and in heavens. She came home to her heavenly home.

How could she? I said. On Wednesday, I still talked to her. I woke up at 04.40 then made coffee and took a bath. I talked to her for a while and she prayed for me the way she always did. After that, she kissed my left and right cheek. “Now, kiss me, Son,” she inquired. I was amazed, didn’t we just kiss? So I kissed her cheeks and said bye.

Five days earlier, I witnessed her quick recovery. I was amazed (and am still). She told us plans. She said she still want to “testify the love of Jesus to many more people”. How amazing. She fought pain back with strong determination. She chose life. She ate more—much more than I ever witnessed and heard. Until today I still wonder, is it miracle?

But I’d never thought she ‘came home’ so soon. Oh, I’ve never missed her like this! Didn’t she want to meet her old acquaintances? Didn’t she eat more and was recovered? Didn’t she want to go on vacation with her children? Weren’t Bali, Miri, Singapore, and Jakarta on her list? Didn’t she herself said, she wanted to share Jesus’ love to others?

I was told, on the second morning on my fourth visit, she prayed before she slept. She said, “Lord, If I don’t wake up tomorrow, please open up the gates of heaven for me.” Apparently, her prayer was answered a week later. Perhaps, her children needed to be shown that their mother was recovering. That she ‘came home’ in good health and in joy. I guess, God loves Mi—much more than we love her. God only takes the best. 

Dance Dance Dance

These ladies in Ujung Kulon know how to celebrate any events: make some noise and dance carefree. The music is produced by banging rhythmically the rice hull remover (lesung). I still wonder, however, why only few do the dance. Moi, I'm amazed

A Curious Thing

Wanted to observe this creature closer but the drift carried me away....
Nusa Lembongan, Bali.

Ke Danau dan ke Air Terjun Itu

Weekending with siblings and jim

Big Time DJ-ing

Think I should give DJ-ing a try. Last weekend with Let’s Freedive (LFD) fellows, I went camping at Pulau Perak at Kepulauan Seribu. At the first night, I discovered my talent of DJ-ing thanks to portable Creative speakers Rian brought. So here’s the list:

1. Everybody Loves Me – One Republic (and I know they do! Ha!)
2. Secrets – One Republic (as a homage to LFD’s ‘underwater concert’ in Youtube)
3. Good Life – One Republic (Life’s good at the beach of P Perak, anyway)
4. Crazy – Alanis Morrissette (“We never ever survive unless we got a little bit crazy”)
5. Mysterious Ways – U2 (Indeed he moves in mysterious ways!)
6. My Friends – Red Hot Chili Peppers (“She got 7 years for being sad”)
7. Just Like Heaven – The Watson Twins (Never underestimate the power of cover version)
8. Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2 (and who…)
9. Stuck in A Moment – U2 (“This time will pass”)
10. Windows in the Skies – U2 (“Oh oh oh oh...”)
11. Breath Your Name – Sixpence None The Richer (“I can only breath your name”)
12. Stranger in a Strange Land - Leon Russell (and moi as a stranger)
13. Perfect Day – Lou Reed (“I’m glad I spend it with you”. I am)
14. Mirando – Ratatat (Pra-da!)

How True!

It's another way to say, being nice won't hurt. Aint it? (photos taken from blackeiffel.blogspot.com)

I Am Free (Diving)!

Ever since I saw Hola, Rian, Ricka, Phie, Sena, Romulo (?) “ducking”, I thought, I wanted to do that. Even more, how Chok retrieved my sunken snorkel in the pool was a surprising sight. I wanted to duck dive. It turned out to be not easy as it might look. Found it difficult, especially the equalizing part.

As often, the excitement was soon forgotten. But when buddies started free diving, I lazily said, I’ll give it a try.

Two months or six sessions in pool later, here I was: free diving at sea! I joined the ever famous Jason Hakim aka JJ, Azam, Andrian, Pak Bayu, and Agus to free dive at the waters of Pulau Air, Pulau Bandeng, and the pier of Pulau Pramuka. 

There at Pulau Air, I, unfortunately, had to bid farewell to my goggle. I accidentally dropped it into the black water. Sad. It had accompanied me for two years of diving, snorkeling, and free diving. Well well now I am not that sad. I am looking forward to wearing new goggle. I thanked Pak Bayu for bringing extra goggle, I could free dived last weekend! 

It is true that one may never freedive alone. I was exhausted at the water of P. Air. Buddies were ever helpful and supportive. they waved to call the boatman to pick us up.

Photo by the famous Agus Hong

I had a big time free diving eventhough equalization was difficult to do. It was fun to watch buddies descending to the black and whence ascending, like dolphins.