Outodbox Quiz #3

Can you find me? You can only answer one time. I will send you this journal I made. Sent to you where ever you are. Free of charge. Size h18cm x w11.5cm. Cover and page divider made from a recycled box of my first running shoes. Side stitch binding. 190 pages filled with hand written running quotes. Guaranteed to motivate you to run! You are exempted from the quiz if you are 1. My daughter, 2. Participated in INAMaster's open water swimming in pulau Putri in April 2015. ;-)

Photo courtesy of INAMaster

Sound Advice

I'm not much of a talker. When I go to a print shop I would usually just give a print guy my file and give instructions of how I want things to be done. But today I took a friend's advice about preserving 'budaya ramah' as a proud Indonesian. I started to make small talk with the print guy. I chit chat about this and that, made inquiries here and there. In return the guy made my print first priority and I didn't have to wait for a long time. He even handed me the print himself instead of putting it on a pick up counter. Yay! 

Ironic

One lovely Saturday afternoon. I let a guy used my prepaid card for Trans Jakarta so he didn't have to buy a new card. He paid me back with coins. He then struck up a conversation and when I told him I was going to IES Church for an evening service he shook my hand and asked, "Can I join you?" to which of course I said yes without thinking. On the one hand I felt good bringing someone to a church, on the other hand I felt really awkward sitting right next to him in a church.

Wonder Woman

One windy Friday morning. Going merry-go-round with Bumblebee at GBK. A fast-walking lady about 100 meter in front of me. Oh my! Look at those legs! Look at her arms! What a curvaceous behind! She strapped weights on her ankles. I was admiring her muscular strong toned body and how strong and fierce she looked until I passed her and saw what she carried on her right arm. A tiny itsy bitsy bag! 

Mood Buster

One ordinary Wednesday morning going down in an elevator. On my way to run some errands. Feeling rather blah. In came a gentleman in a suit and tie. Then he started singing a wordless cheerful tune. Quite loud. Most people would probably not hum in front of a stranger. His joyful attitude was instantly infectious. I couldn't help smiling. As a token of gratitude, on my way out the elevator, I turned to look at him, gave him a big smile and said, "You have a good day!" Without missing a beat he put words into his tune, "Right back at you. Bye!" When was the last time I put a smile on a stranger's face?

Gracious

Most people in a panic situation would probably have no time to think about other people. Not this Japanese lady. I merely calmed her down when she was hyperventilating after running on a treadmill in a gym. Before she was taken to an emergency room of a hospital she kept saying, "I'm so sorry I ruined your Sunday."  Two days later she sent me a box of chocolates and a thank you note. 

Practice Makes Perfect

Three years ago today my dad passed away. Where did the time to go? Guess what dad! I'm getting better with being patience. The other day I was stuck in a traffic for two hours and I only swear one time. And it didn't even bother me at all when other motorists cut my way. I just let them pass. Not bad right? To this day I have no clue how you were the most even-temper dad. You never raise your voice. How you stay composed in any situation is mind boggling. You are a life time reminder of Proverbs 25:15 Patience & gentle talk can convince a ruler and overcome any problem. Anyone going in a congested, gridlocked, jam-packed traffic need a ride? Let's go! ;-)

Catch Of The Day #37

Ouch!

Just like Life, running is full of unpredictable events. I've been chased by a small dog. I've been unsuccessfully mugged by a guy on a motorcycle. I've been harassed by people in the street. I've been denied access to a gated house complex because I wear running tank. I've been hit on by a guy. Now my list is getting longer. This morning I was running on a busy sidewalk in front of Ratu Plaza when a car slowly made its way out from a parking toll booth. Three quarter part of the car was still blocking the sidewalk but I was too impatient to wait. I mean who wants to slow down once you are in your running zone? So I continued running behind the car. Then boom! Something hit me on my left shoulder. It was an automatic boom barrier of the parking toll booth! I was glad I only had a bruised shoulder instead of an injured head. A life time reminder that patience is a virtue. 

Trashy

One blazing Sunday morning. Just finished a long run in Sudirman on a Car Free Day when my sister and I encountered a street sweeper. He was busy sweeping a sidewalk of a street full of runners, cyclists, joggers and the likes. When we passed him he was cursing, "Dasar orang Indonesia bisanya cuma nyampah melulu!" Hey! I'm Indonesian and I don't do that. I wanted to tell him that but my sister had a better idea. She bought him a cold drink to appreciate his hard work. Next time you see a street sweeper say hi, give high five or a standing ovation or something. And think hard before you throw thrash on a street. Apa susahnya sih buang sampah di tempat sampah?

Family Feud

One hectic Friday night in a crowded mall. One little girl versus 4 adults. A six years old against a mom, two nannies and a driver. Girl screamed her lungs out and shed crocodile tears. Mom tried to bribe her with promises. Nanny 1 with hands full with shopping bags tried to hug her. Nanny 2 tried to distract her by pointing this and that. Driver repeatedly asked "What do you want then?" in a sweet voice. She wouldn't budge until she got what she wanted. All this drama for a cup of ice cream. Final score girl 1, four adults 0. 

A Royal Pain

Last time I got a root canal was long time ago when dinosaur roamed the earth. All I remembered was how painful it was. I mean really. Excruciating pain, pain with capital P. So when I found out my daughter fell asleep during a root canal I was dumbfounded. I'm sure dental tech is much better these days but who in the world fall asleep during a root canal? I think you have a low pain threshold, Dena. Let's go for a marathon! ;-)

Little Preman

One warm afternoon at a traffic light in a street somewhere in Jakarta Selatan. A boy in a passenger side of a car with a window completely rolled down. I think he was on his knee because both his hands were on the window. A black t-shirt with some five stars and some kind of a badge. A huge ring with some green stone on his left index finger. A look on his face that read Don't mess with me! No wonder he was allowed to ride in a car like that. 

Panic Attack

The idea of being alone in the sea always terrifies me. So at the at the start of my first open water swimming trial I stayed close with a fellow swimmer and followed his feet. Then half way to a green buoy I realized I was completely alone in the open sea. But I kept swimming. I was completely taken by surprise that I wasn't scared at all and I was quite enjoying the experience. Until I saw something black on my left arm. My right hand frantically brushed it. My mind frantically thought I'M GOING TO DIE! I'M GOING TO DIE! I'M GOING TO DIE! My common sense frantically rescued me and pointed it out that the black thing was a smeared number written on my arm with a marker for the open water trial. I almost choked on salty water because I laughed so hard. 

Mind Game

Just because I think it, it's not necessarily true. Often time my mind has a mind of its own. And often time I believe what my mind feeds me. The sea is a pretty big place. It's scary & hard to swim in open water. It's too overwhelming to swim with current and wave. Yes, the sea is big. But it wasn't as scary as I thought. As a matter of fact it was quite exhilarating to feel the energy from the sea. Yes, there were panic episodes here and there. But I learned not to let my fear roll over me. It always seems impossible until it is done.