Travel to Bromo

[Bahasa Indonesia]
I have not been traveling for traveling sake for quite some time. Recently when I traveled, it was for business, a course, or family. So I did not know what made me say yes to last week’s travel to Mount Bromo, East Java.

There were four of us. Ex-colleagues of mine. Well, not really. I only worked with one of them while the other two came in after I left the company. But somehow I did not hesitate for a single second to say yes to the invitation. And I am so glad I did not.

The trip was great. The weather was not ideal but that did not stop us from having fun. We visited several places, ate more than enough meals and snacks, and practically laughed all the way. We chatted about nothing and about everything. We had a blast. I certainly had a blast.

I remember my teacher said that we should not travel to get away from our problems and seek peace. Because peace is within.

Have peace within you. So by the time you travel, you will not be running away anymore. You travel to appreciate the beauty of nature and to enjoy the company of the people you meet along the way. You are glorifying God.

Thank you. And You. For the glorious scenery, the beautiful friends.

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Refreshing

[Bahasa Indonesia]
I was sitting in a restaurant waiting for a friend. I have finished my first drink and have declined an offer from the waiter for the second one.

Then suddenly the waiter came to my table and gave me a complimentary glass of fresh water.

The water was refreshing. In more ways than one.

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Amorous evening - A concert

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The 5W1H of the day

Written on my last day in my then-project.

A good press release should be able to answer the 5W1H questions: Who, what, when, where, why, and how.

It also has some must-have elements, like the logo, time and date, quote from spokespersons, boilerplate, and contact info.

So below is my 5W1H for the day. Click the pic for larger image.

Take good care.

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To our dear child:

[Bahasa Indonesia]
A friend has uploaded the poem below, taken from a website titled parent's wish. Beautiful.

To our dear child:

On the day when you see us old, weak and weary,
Have patience and try to understand us.

If we get dirty when eating,
If we can not dress on our own,

Please bear with us and remember the times
We spent feeding you and dressing you up.

If, when we speak to you,
We repeat the same things over and over again,
Do not interrupt us. Listen to us.

When you were small,
We had to read to you the same story
A thousand and one times until you went to sleep.

When we do not want to have a shower,
Neither shame nor scold us.

Remember when we had to chase you
With your thousand excuses to get you to the shower?

When you see our ignorance of new technologies,
Help us navigate our way through those world wide webs.

We taught you how to do so many things,
To eat the right foods, to dress appropriately,
To fight for your rights.

When at some moment we lose the memory
Or the thread of our conversation,

Let us have the necessary time to remember.
And if we can not, do not become nervous,

As the most important thing is not our conversation,
But surely to be with you and to have you listening to us.

If ever we do not feel like eating, do not force us.
We know well when we need to and when not to eat.

When our tired legs give way
And do not allow us to walk without a cane,

Lend us your hand. The same way we did
When you tried your first faltering steps.

And when someday we say to you,
That we do not want to live any more, that we want to die,
Do not get angry. Some day you will understand.

Try to understand that our age is not just lived but survived.

Some day you will realize that, despite our mistakes,
We always wanted the best for you
And we tried to prepare the way for you.

You must not feel sad, angry nor ashamed
For having us near you.

Instead, try to understand us and help us
Like we did when you were young.

Help us to walk.
Help us to live the rest of our life with love and dignity.

We will pay you with a smile and by the immense love
We have always had for you in our hearts.

We love you, child.

Mom and Dad

I love you too, Mom and Dad. I am so sorry for my ignorance, disrespect, rudeness, selfishness, thoughtlessness, thanklessness, and impatience.

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In memoriam: Pak Lukman

[Bahasa Indonesia]
Yesterday a colleague and friend, Ahmad Lukman, passed away. He was just 32 years old, a father of one cute son. He had been unwell for quite some time and the condition had gotten worse during the last several months.

Yet he was full of spirit. He was a diligent worker, was a great person to chat with about everything, loved reading books, and was an activist in his community.

He had lived a full life. And he never complained about his life or about his illness. Of course he said things about how he felt, but I don't consider that as a real complain (or as another friend put it, the most unfortunate person in the world syndrome). He was a strong person, with an eternal smile on his face.

All I could think of as I was heading for his house last night was: he has done well in this life. Perhaps much better than many of us.

Salaam, buddy. You really did well. We'll help take care of your family for you. You need not worry about anything.

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