Last Day

I can't believe it's the last day of the year! I woke up feeling restless, like life has just passed me by and I didn't even notice. Then I got really anxious because I felt like I have wasted so much time this year. Especially when lately I didn't feel like writing any new post for my blog. Not because I have blogger's block. I have tons of drafts but I just couldn't seem to bring myself to upload them. Perhaps I'm burned out with stuff. Perhaps I got the holiday blues. Perhaps I need to take a break. Perhaps....then I remembered that last year on the last day I wrote my future dreams on My Future Listography, a birthday present from Dena. I nervously looked for the book and checked. Eight things happened this year. Thank you 2013, you've been kind and awesome to me. 

Food Play

"Don't play with your food!" that's what I always told Dena. I thought it was a pretty decent rule until I stumble upon Eatzybitzy, Samantha Lee's blog. I bet this awesome mom always encourage her kids to play with their food. The thing moms do for their kids is unbelievable! Dena, forget my stupid rule, wanna play with food? :-)

Rookie Dad

One fine morning in GBK. One guy. Two little girls. Two bikes. The bigger girl went on to ride her bike and said "One more round!" The smaller girl got off her bike and leaned her bike on a car. "Don't lean your bike on our car!" the guy yelled. "Why?" asked the girl casually. "You might scratch it!" he continued speaking in a harsh tone. The little girl look straight at the guy and said "You mean to tell me that you care more about the car than you care about your own tired daughter?" She gave him the sweetest puppy dogs eye look. He was totally lost for words. 

Spread My Wings

Double Standard

I have my own set of standard of values & belief. The problem is most of the time I think that my standard is the right way. Does it give me the right to judge other people that does not fit my standard? The only standard I should impose on other people is: Put my self in other people's shoes and walk a mile or two in them. Perhaps then I'm lucky enough to meet empathy, compassion, tolerance & kindness somewhere along the path I walk on in someone's shoes. May I borrow your shoes?

Bah! Humbug!

Christmas feels like finding Waldo. Can you find baby Jesus in a midst of trees, stars, candles, stars, snowflakes, blinding lights, angels, candles, candies, chocolates, santa, reindeer, snowman, bears (?), cakes, penguins (?), gifts, gifts and gifts? Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the bling bling of Christmas things. 

DIY

One hot Saturday. A bride and a groom in a white sporty cabriolet car. The groom was driving and the bride was sitting comfortably with her arm on the door. Both were smiling and glowing in midst of heat and weekend traffic on Bideford Road. No entourage. Just the two of them and some tiny bouquets on the car. So simple and uncomplicated.

MRT

Most commuters were transported into a solitary digital world through their mobile gadgets. In the old days they would probably make eye contact, smile or nod, maybe say greeting to one another, and strike up a conversation. Time would fly really quickly because one find out that the person next to him or her is a firefighter who just saved a kitty cat from a tall tree just two days ago. But then again I wouldn't be able to take this picture and tell a story in my blog in an analog world.

OTW

Another grey afternoon. A man dressed fashionably casual in white bermuda short, light cotton shirt, cool sneakers and the best accessories a man can get: a baby in a stroller. I love man who is not afraid to show his maternity side. Incredibly manly and very sexy! 

OMG

One fine cloudy afternoon on Orchard Road. An elderly Chinese couple (I assume) selling ice cream on bread. "Do you have chocolate?" I asked. They started to argue about something. In rapid Chinese of course. Pretty quick it escalated into yelling at each other. "EXCUSE ME, BUT DO YOU HAVE CHOCOLATE?" I asked again, a bit louder, hoping they would stop. I was shocked when the woman threw a dirty rag cloth at him. More yelling. Then he threw it back at her! More screaming. They didn't even notice I walked away. Was it something I said? Maybe I should ask for vanilla instead. 

SIN

My luggage was already waving and smiling at me when I arrived at belt #23. Feeling oh so blessed for once my bag was waiting for me instead of the other way round. 

CKG

Terminal 3. Waiting area #6. Live sketching to kill time. An official from an airline repeatedly yelling name of an airline and its destination. Felt like in a bus station instead of an airport. Loud announcement over terminal sound system every three or four minutes. Transported by bus to Terminal 2, walked up the stairs, not of the plane but a tower so passengers go through a movable connector to the plane. Why didn't passengers just depart from Terminal 2 is beyond my limited common sense. 

Catch Of The Day #24

Chatter Box

I believe in you. Four simple words with such uplifting, encouraging impact. Thank you Dena. I can't recall if I ever said something similar to you. You make one heck of an awesome mom someday. Sometime far, far, very far away in the future that is. I wonder what would you say or do if I run the Vancouver Marathon next year? ;-)

Freedom

An awesome mom who let go her strong impulse to be in control and let her child be who she is, be true to who she is and let her do whatever she likes. Magical things happen when you give your child freedom. In art that is. I wish life is as easy as art. I'm still learning to let go my natural tendency to be in control. So many times I expect Dena to live by my standard of doing things. But my way is not the only way! Go ahead Dena find your own way. I'm always here for you. Just in case your way doesn't work ;-)

Mica Angela Hendricks' blog: The Busy Mockingbird

Book Play

Two of my many favorite words in the whole wide world. Love it! Thank you Cianti. You know me too well. Time to go to a craft store in Mayestik. Feeling blessed and delightful and giddy like a kid in a candy store. Yay! Wanna play?

Angry Bird

When someone point a finger and yell at you in public do you remember why that person is angry? Probably not. What you most likely to remember is the humiliation and the resentment. One fine Monday afternoon in a mall. Two little girls. One angry lady. Her face was only inches away from one of the little girl. She started yelling and pointing her finger at her. I wish I understand Korean to know what on earth made the lady so mad.  

Life Skills

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them. If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
{Children Learn What They Live, by Dorothy Nolte}

Two Wheelers Act

A long day. Got stuck in a bumper to bumper traffic. Could not even stand the sound of a radio. I was enjoying the silence when suddenly a young girl passed by my car using a razor scooter and went the opposite direction of the traffic. She was all smiling, half gloating and half mocking as if she was saying "Look at me! I'm moooooving!" to everyone who moved slower than she did. Driving in Jakarta. It's a circus out there.

Juggling Act

A guy in a motorcycle went so extremely slow in front of my car. Engine problem? Was he sick or something? Perhaps he needed some assistance. I passed him slowly to see what was going on. A cigarette on his mouth and a phone on his left hand. Oooh... I get it. He went so slow because he didn't want his cigarette to burn quickly and he needed to read whatever message in his phone because it wasn't clear where to meet his friends. That made sense. Driving in Jakarta. It's a circus out there. 

Downpour

Sitting in a balcony one rainy Wednesday afternoon working on my blog. Inhaling the misty air. Listening to the pitter-patter of the rain. Looking at a bumper to bumper traffic down below. Feeling oh so grateful I'm up here instead of down there. 

Cheese!

What is it about photo booth that make people do silly things? Is it the confinement of a claustrophobic space? Is it those clicks that separate only by seconds that bring out the goofy-ish poses? If you love photo booth like me go to Photocabine. Go ahead be silly and laugh yourself off. No one's looking.

Denasour

What is it with you and prehistoric creatures, Dena? Nineteen years old and the fixation continues. It's probably my fault too. All those books, halloween costume, movies, birthday party, drawings, stickers when you were small. Nooo...what have I done?

Wacky Wednesday

Driving slowly on a highway one cloudy but lovely afternoon. I was just thinking about how weird it is that ever since Dena moved away to Vancouver I find myself less worrying about her. As a matter of fact it has been awhile since I think about her. Then this song came on the radio. Remember when you sang your heart out when we were in our car last June, Dena? I should at least had teary eyes but instead I laughed out so loud because this song reminds me of your over the top Steven Tyler impression. I think the universe is giving back to me again Dena. I miss you babe.

PDA

Queueing for a cashier to ring up my shopping items in a women's department of a fashion outlet. A young lady in front of me. I was admiring her fashion sense. Dressed in black and white legging with geometric prints, loose white chiffon shirt, cropped thin leather jacket with tiny studs, slouchy boots. Her long hair was loosely tied. So chic. Then she picked her nose. She has fashion sense with no common sense. LOL!

It's Personal

A fashion outlet's women department. Women #1, late thirty, busy shopping. She didn't carry any bag. "How practical of her!" I thought. Then I noticed Women #2, about twenty something, busy carrying a bag on one hand and some clothing on the other hand. But the strange thing she didn't look through racks of clothing, she just followed Woman #1 around. First I thought they were friends but their body language tells a different story. Women #1 always walked ahead and occasionally gave stuff to women #2. They didn't exchange words at all. Apparently carrying your own bag and clothing items while you are shopping is too hard for some people. 

Cooking Muse

Ever since Dena impressed me with her cooking skill when she went home for the holiday, I've been watching tons of cooking shows, browsing recipes in the internet, reading foodies blog, and trying new things so next time I see her I can show off my cooking skill. Or eating skill. Nom nom nom.

I Plead Guilty

A guy on a motorcycle in front of my car. He hit his brake abruptly and made a stop on the side of a very narrow street. I was about to get mad when I saw the guy got off his motorcycle and helped an old man who were pushing an equally old bicycle with wooden logs tied to the back of his bicycle. I didn't even stop. Shame on me.

Catch Of The Day #23

Nature Or Nurture?

Is drawing like riding a bicycle? I mean once you know how to draw, will it stay with you for the rest of your life? I wonder what would happen if I stop drawing for five years. 

I'm Innocent

"I can't wait until this kid grows up, just so I can tell him how my mom, my aunt, and I are probably the ones to blame if he had any irrational fears or behaviors. Sorry Marvin. Not really. Hahaha." ~Dena

Memory Jump Start

Isn't it interesting how something can trigger you to remember other things? I was reading Reef Fishes Of The World when I remembered something. June 2013. Komodo national park. Nite dive. Dena and I were using our torch in a seabed to look for weird creatures when we saw this little fish swimming underneath us and then it bumped a rock! LOL! Did our torch cause that poor fish to do that? I have no idea that fish can loose its sense of direction. I have no idea why this memory is buried somewhere in my head for four months. I think that little fish put a curse on me. 

Little Man Ninja

Lost in the world of children's drawings and words. Simple, uncomplicated, unassuming, easy as pie, unpretentious, funny, honest to goodness modest, uncluttered, without frills, pure, candid and dog happy world. My kind of world. Can I have more drawing, Indi?

Drawing by Indi. Poem by Melzookie

E-Senior

Coffee shop is the best place to observe people in an unobtrusive way. One lovely afternoon. Two Japanese ladies. My guess they were in their early sixties. Both were so into talking with each other, laughing once in a while, making eye contact with one another. I was kind of picturing me when I'm their age having a chat with a good friend until one of them took out a tablet or maybe a smartphone and ignored the other one for quite a while. Totally ruined my day dreaming. 

Latte Art

A drawing that you can drink! A drink that you can draw! A drawing that smell good and delicious! What a yummy idea. Here's an idea Ferra, get a Polaroid, take pictures of your art and send it to your love ones. Voila! You have your home made card. Don't forget to send one to me! I wish I'm a coffee person instead of a tea person. 

Latte Art by Ferra Djatmiko

High Heels

A friend's birthday dinner. I thought it would be nice to dress up and wear high heels. My shoes hugged me for taking them out of my closet. My eyes had a blast, my cheeks were blushing because of two you-look-good-compliments but my ankle hated me, my knees gave me the silent treatment, my back swore all nite, and my thighs threatened me; wear heels one more time we refuse to run ever!

Old Habit Die Hard

Sit up straight. Keep your feet flat on the ground. No slouching. Stand up tall. Keep your shoulder back and relax. Stop hunching your back. Be nice to your spine! A good stance and posture reflect a  proper state of mind ~ Morihei Ueshiba

Newsworthy

Drawing on newspaper? Not just some random drawing of any object on newspaper. The artist, Larry Roibal, reads newspaper each morning and sketches people mention in stories that interest him. He sketches the person right on the story of that person in the paper. What a neat idea. I was shock to learn that he throws away all his newspaper sketches once he finishes it! I draw for the sake of drawing, to practice, or just to pass the time. But do you really have to throw them in a trash bin? I am still in shock. 

Sketches by Larry Roibal

Unlikely

I usually read a couple of paragraph of a first chapter of a book to get a feel of its writer. But once in a while I break my own rule. This time I bought a book because I judge a book by its cover. Quirky title and awesome illustration of a book always get my attention. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. I didn't even look inside the book. Not only it's a very delightful story but I'm spoiled to a beautiful and intricate drawing on every chapter. I have to trust my reading guts more often.  

Memory Game

1986. A birthday gift for a friend that took me almost six months to make. A journal with lots of writing and photos and magazine cutouts, and drawings, and other stuff. 2013. How come I have no recollection whatsoever about making this? Feeling rather blank. I didn't even recognize my own writing. Feeling rather grey-haired.  Thank you Anna for reminding me how I love writing and drawing since way back when. 

Skype Date

I told Dena how I was feeling rather gloomy about my volunteer work in KDM these past two weeks when strangest things happened: a request for a written interview from a tabloid and another request to speak in teens church of IES South. Both about volunteer work. And she answered, "The universe is giving back to you." A philosophical view from a nineteen year old. You are such an old soul, Dena. Totally cracked me up. 

Doodle by Nayra

Bliss

Driving in a heavy traffic. Feeling rather annoyed to put it mildly. I was about to curse just about at anything within my eyes' sight when I saw an old lady sleeping in a precarious position on the back of an open truck full of fresh produce. Congested traffic, blazing sun, loud motorcycles, pollution from rickety bus and metro mini couldn't disrupt her peaceful sleep. It completely stopped me from lashing out and throwing a tantrum. A reminder to start counting my blessings. 

E-Baby

A lazy afternoon in a crowded cafe. A baby, a year or so, hypnotised by a digital tablet in front of him. Three nannies. Yup! It's not a typho mistake. Three nannies. Two were busy feeding him (more like sneaking food into the baby's mouth while the baby was busy looking at the tablet). One was eating & smiling and looking rather amusingly at the other two nannies. Mom & Dad busy texting on another table. I wonder what kind of a person this baby would grow up into. 

What's Cooking?

You think you pretty much know your daughter inside out by the the time she is nineteen years old. Then she moved 8289 miles away from home. About a year later she told me over Skype that; she moved to a house with some friends from school and others which was cheaper than the previous house; she is getting tired of getting paid under the table for design jobs so her friend is helping her to get a working visa; she opened another bank account because the bank is student friendly; she is applying for a credit card on her own. I think you should permanently be Vancouverites, Dena.

Catch Of The Day #22

Photograph by Dena

Well Said

Lala Bohang. Jakarta Globe. September 13, 2013. "I always believe that 'becoming small' will make human more human. Nowadays, it's all about becoming bigger and bigger. It's like a trend, a must-do that has to be achieved by everyone. You have to become something, make something, be important. But life is not about that. Life should be about loving what you do, appreciate the people around you, and simply make it work for you in the best way you can. Otherwise these urges to become bigger and better will make the little soul inside us, the one thing that keeps us human, too tired."

Outodbox Run

Finally my running blog is up & running! Hello outodboxrun. It took me awhile to customize those ready-made-template. All night and half day to be exact. I should move all my running posts from this blog now. I wonder how long would that take. Feeling excited but a bit overwhelmed.

Monologue

Hey! I've been blogging about running for nine days in a row now. Maybe I should start a running blog. What would be a good title for a running blog. Life is short. Run for your life? Love it but it's too long. Run Tina Run? Too pretentious. Outodbox Run? Doesn't make any sense, but it sounds good. Or not? Maybe I should sleep on it.

Running Boost

Happiness is to see friends who came to a race just to cheer me on. Six hundreds meters to the finish line. I heard someone yelling my name. I thought I was delirious from exhaustion and started hearing things. Then I saw them seating on a sidewalk waving their hands and yelling my name like crazy. I felt so elated I think I flew all the way to the finish line. Thank you Anna. Thank you Rina. You guys are awesome. 

Mind Boggling

Rules are rules. It takes humility and honesty to respect rules and act accordingly. Going to a race after a cut off time is simply wrong (To call it merely late is an insult to everyone who made all effort to be on time). See rule #22. Asking for a medal after a cut off time is wrong. Posting a picture and tweet as if one following the rules is beyond wrong. Allowing someone to start a race after a cut off time is wrong. Giving a medal to someone who break the rules is beyond wrong. I wish the event organizer had more guts to stand up by their own rules. Next year they should put a little star next to rule #22 and print the following on the bottom. *Not applicable to everyone. We may give medals as we see fit. I think I'll pass.