Starry Night: saucepan hang on the sky

It’s been a while I absent from this blog. Officially I was busy with works, but honestly I was losing sense of writing for almost two months. The feeling blown away, unexpectedly gone and came back just at one night about four nights ago. It was encouraged by a touching moment when I was stunned in the middle of open meadow watching a marvelous starry night.

Prince of Pirate

Yes, he is “Black” Sam Bellamy, the real great pirate of the Caribbean during the Golden age of Piracy. The “Robin Hood's Man" of the sea whose Jolly Roger used for traditional Jolly Roger of piracy: the one with skull and crossbones.

Black Sam Bellamy's Jolly Roger

The beauty of “the pink”, no matter what

It’s been a while I don’t write anything here. I am fully occupied by my own regular activities and business; almost forget anything on how to express and to write it down. But, yesterday was a peak day for cherry blossom 2013 in DC and I did take benefit of the moment. Here it is.

If nothing goes right

Something doesn't go right!

I knew it, but what the hell is that?!

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?

You build up hope of failures all you've known

Remember all the sadness and frustration

And let it go

The pulse of the Universe

Watch the following video, and you will know what I’m talking about.

OMG, seems like a rage of the ancient god of thunder! He and his troops (if they do exist) ride thousands of horses, galloping to a battlefield! Amazing huh?!

Love of beauty is taste, the creation of beauty is art

That’s a quote of Ralph Waldo Emerson, an essayist and poet from US.

True, something can be beautiful but neglect able as it’s just simple things you don’t even pay attention. But hold on, revealing the beauty from its simplicity is an art, along as an expression of the deep feeling. So, reveal it. And this is what I'm doing.!!

See, I am not a 'photographer' who takes snaps for expressing the deep taste of art or giving passion of talent, but here are some pics I took of simplicity along my paths within the last three months.

at Kebagusan Jakarta Indonesia

I recall one of the beautiful day at the beginning of February when I was with my best friend in Jakarta. We were at her house and having breakfast at the pantry facing the backyard, enjoying the Javanese traditional salad 'pecel', spinach crackers and hot jasmine tea. She told me just found a bird nest with three eggs in the yard. I went to check what she said and was so amazed to see how wonderful the nest is.

Running out of words

Neither something to convey nor to explain
Only this song to listen and lyric to read
And something to believe,
Nothing else!

The Java-nese Avatar

Tell me what is in your mind when you read/heard the word “Java”? Yep, it’s coffee (though it’s actually not), or a software for fun, or a programming language!!

(Damn it) True, that is what I found about “Java” when google it (seriously?). But hold on, Java is actually the name of an island in Indonesia, the place where I was born, grew up (tsk tsk tsk), and on the first time: learn the values of life. Here are some elderly Javanese quotes that are strongly remaining in the communities to date.

Sugih tanpo bondo (wealthy without possessions)

Nglurug tanpo bolo (attack without forcing)

Menang tanpo ngasorake (won without toppling)

Digdoyo tanpo jopo (unbeatable without spells)

Interesting huh? Now, what do you know about the Javanese Avatar? Ahaaa …….

One Thousand and One Nights

السلام عليكم
As-salam alaykum (Peace be upon you)

I just back in Maryland and still so impressed with my transit in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) during my round-trip flight from DC-Jakarta-DC. And what I've seen in Dubai reminded me of my childhood Arabic/Persian folk tales entitled ‘One Thousand and One Nights’.

Recall the story of caliph (Khalifah) Harun al-Rashid and his famed poet Abu Nawas; or Ali Baba and the forty thieves, Sinbad the sailor and his great adventures, or Aladdin and the magic lamp? Cool huh?! and look at this wonderful magic lamp!

Aladdin's magic lamp

Color of life

True, life is colorful! You can be comfortable and satisfied but troubled in the same time, like me. I  comfortably sit next to the pond with colorful local fishes swimming around; satisfied and pleased, accompanied by afternoon breeze, so enjoyable (Yep, life is good), but in fact, I am sick!

Around the World in Fifty Three Days

I’m sick, knocked down by severe flu. Most likely my body just shocked and requires an adjustment to local climate. Yeah, I’m now sitting comfortably under my blanket in my lovely room in my house in Jakarta. Yes, I’m home, yippee!! Not just home, but hoooomeeeee (that is how we call our home country .. hahaha).

Tropical rain in my neighborhood

Well, it’s raining now and I just love it. I particularly went down few minutes ago and stand up on my front terrace, feel the smell of vegetation wetness and the breeze of tropical rainy Monsoon of the equator, wonderful!! I was amazed in how I missed this breeze so much for the last four years.

The city of pond: the capital of the lost Atlantis

Jakarta hit by heavy flood. I wasn't shock at the first time, as this is kind of annual story; there are some lower areas along the rivers get flooding every rainy season. But yes, I’m now shock when found the flooding pictures in internet. Look, this is the circle of Hotel Indonesia in 'downtown' Jakarta. I took the pic last November when I was at Mandarin Hotel for a meeting. Inset is the flooding in the same area. Next picture is the National Monument, the symbol of Jakarta.

The Circle of Hotel Indonesia

Grey Goose day

Alert: this has nothing to do with the Grey Goose some of you may think of (it’s actually suggested by my best friend in the other side of the running skype, and I'm sure she’s gonna laugh when read this!). 

I just wanna use the word Grey, as Maryland got cloudy and foggy for the last couple days, just like my feeling.

Mentor, a man behind every quest and battle

Below is my favorite quote, it is said by Gandalf to Frodo in the deep dark of Moria.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time”, said Frodo. “So do I”, said Gandalf, “and so do all who lives to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us” (J.R.R. Tolkien).

Awesome, it's such a very encouraging counsel, so honest, not promising, but supportive. I like it!

Shower of “Christmas” lights at the “National Mall”

I am very busy lately, so here is one of the delayed stories that I wanna share.

It was almost Christmas, and that was the first time for me to experience the moment in the capitol of US. I was excited of enjoying the tradition of Christmas celebration along the street in DC, and here the story is. The fun walk was started from the Capital South Metro station, south of Capitol Hill, the easternmost point of interest in the National Mall of DC. Hey, don't forget, this isn't a shopping mall!!

The tree with 5000 handmade ornaments

When guilt comes on a piece of happiness

Today is Friday, the first Friday night of 2013. I am now so tired after spending a long struggling day on my work. It’s a pretty productive day though, and I'm glad to feel this way. I am now so contented and restful, sitting under my blanket, next to a cup of hot tea, and listening to music. Ssstttt listen, just close your eyes and go along with me to enjoy this music, very beautiful, isn’t it?; especially when you are in the middle of the night, tired, but contented though far away from home, just like me.