What you listen to...

Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, the sound of the thunder, waves, people thanking others, people praising each-other, She&Him, Ben Taylor, my siblings laughter, a good advice, that voice from the very inside of my heart, positivity (both Incognito's album and real stuff in life), Ben Harper, appreciation, Lisa Hannigan, Damien Rice, The Weepies, Glen Hansard, birds chirping. Love.

Piccsy

Moments

*Collecting ;)

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Heroes in Your Life

Well hello November 10. Day for all heroes. A day when the people of Indonesia celebrate National Heroes Day to commemorate a chain of events collectively known as the Battle of Surabaya — a confrontation and battle between pro-independence Indonesian soldiers, or Nederlandsch Indie Civil Administratie , and British and Dutch (VOC) troops during the fight for independence. Bung Tomo (Sutomo), is one of the key icons celebrated on National Heroes Day.

I played 'Bung Tomo' once in elementary school and rewarded as the 'Best Performer' :) ( yes, I played a man's character). 

As I reluctantly leave my childhood behind, I realize that National Heroes Day is not merely about people who have died in a battle field. Your hero, can be anyone in you life. With all my high respects to the veterans, whenever this day comes, I always treasure other heroes I luckily happened to cross paths with, and heroes I still have in my life.

They are:

Teachers. This mostly because I grew up with one, my dear late Grandfather/ Ompung Andersen Simanjuntak. His noble life enables me to see teachers as a bridge to my dreams. They teach you, they make sure you understand, they test you so that you will be prepared and armed by the time they have to let you go. And they just stand there. Being proud and all, before soon to be forgotten. It saddens me to admit the bitter truth that here in this country, my one and only Indonesia, teachers welfare is somewhat there below the horizons. 'Heroes Without Medals' indeed. If you still have a chance to bring an apple to your teacher's desk, do so. Thank them. It will shower their heart with even more happiness to teach their students.

Mothers. My Mom is nothing like Claire Huxtable or any other ideal Mom you can ever think of. My Mom is the most unique,  unpredictable, free-spirited and bluntly speaking, a handful! But trough her history, I learned to appreciate life even more. Witnessing what she has been through and the fact that she keeps going; somehow elevates me. I know her well so I can say that she's been really brave. She did fight for me once after all. And, yes, every mother did. The battle they went through during labor risk nothing but their life. And it does not end there. Or maybe, it never will. So be grateful if you are a Mama. No matter what your teenagers say to your face today, they will soon look back and realize how much they love you.

How about you? Who your heroes are? Firefighters?, Doctors?, Missioners?.

ps: Selamat Hari Pahlawan, Indonesia.

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Victory Speech

Mazel Tov, Barack Hussein Obama!

Baron or Marilyn

I have been thinking about having a black Labrador as a pet, a lot. Thinking about it everyday! On my way to work, shop, anywhere, I whine and moan whenever I see someone walking their dogs around. I have Bosco (mix of daschund  and pointer) at home in Jakarta but bringing him to Bali is administratively painful, and not to mention that my sister already fall for him and takes care of Bosco as if it is her own.

Needless to say, it will be too selfish if I push myself to own a black lab now. So maybe, this can be my birthday gift next year...*wink.

Do I already have a name?

You bet I do.

Who do you think this black beauty is, is it Baron, or Marilyn? :)

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Worry Me

I have this big gulp of worry that is taking a giant place in my heart, mind and soul. Truth, I cannot even pray about it and of course me posting this is just one way of my mind taking a deep breath. I know I should not worry, I now I will find a way eventually to get out of this unexpected condition, and I can get the help, the support I need. 

What do you do when you worry? I chose to be alone for quite a while, try to untangle my mind, think of positive thoughts, watch cartoon. But being one realist, I only be able to do those only if I can manage to lay down a way or two possibilities to get my problem solved. 

I just got one. And gawd how I really wish it is going to work. 

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Rainbow after Sandy

When I read about this arching Rainbow over the city after the hurricane, I think of Noah's Ark story.

I am sending a dry and warm wishes to all the victims of hurricane Sandy. Also, I found a great list of ways to help, if you like.

Rainbow after Sandy

November (not yet) rain

Ah, here it comes; November. 

I always have mixed feelings about November. Mellow and blue because it reminds me of my dad (born in November 5th), intrigued because it means I only have 2 more months to make sure that I have achieved enough this year (yea...yea...the so called resolution), excited for my sister Maharani's birthday, My sister Detrianne's and Leonardus anniversary... and all giddy because it also means Christmas is lurking!

But, is it just me or the year 2012 seems to move in a speed of a bullet? Feels like it was only yesterday when I shower you guys with holiday posts and now we are getting ready to talk about the feast again?

Oh well, whatever the next 2 months will bring, I wish you a warm heart to welcome November and - hopefully- its rains (Bali has been too sizzling hot! dry season seems to stick around longer).

ps: A song to kick off this November :)