Scar

My scar looks terrible today. It gets rough surface and looks redder. I didn’t wait, I registered to a hospital near house after checked if any dermatologist available. There were two doctors, I asked the staff who’s the favorite. He said both are favorites but one is 80 years old. We burst out laughing at the same time. I thought for a second, he must be really good for he has practiced for so long. But no, I need someone fresher.

So the dermatologist confirmed that my ugly scar is insect bite. It looks ugly because it’s a bit too late to get treatment. I don’t know. I notice that many serious health problems happen during weekend. Am I right? Anyway, he told me lightly that the ugly look would be gone in two days. But the dark spot might stay longer. Now I appreciate the days when I could wear sleeveless top. Ugh. I couldn’t wear one for some times now. For sure.

I shopped for groceries and went to PS mall. I had no date. I didn’t make one. I really didn’t feel like meeting anyone. I ran errands and sat in a Japanese restaurant having early lunch while waiting for my derma cream to be prepared. I always enjoy malls before it gets busy in the noon up. I watched shopkeepers busy preparing the shop and the restaurants looked fresh and clean.

I was not productive in the afternoon. I’m good in planning my day but executing is another issue. I talked with Mama over the phone for an hour. I realized that we have so many things to talk about. I hadn't spent time long enough to listen to her. It starts now that I begin to understand her need to talk to someone. I shouldn’t hesitate to start the conversation because once I engaged into one actually I could enjoy and keep going on.

Now I don’t know if I’m willing to do more to spend the evening. To be frank, I have homework to do here but I didn’t feel like doing. I miss to be laid back. Can I say that?

Photo of a sign in a material shop in Malang: The street singers are allowed to sing only on Monday.

Face-to-face

Now I understand why businessmen travel across the world only for a meeting. I once know someone who flew to New York for a meeting and flew back to Jakarta on the same day. Meeting face-to-face simply has different effect. Tele-conference? That’s now but to have a traditional way to communicate is the most effective. I feel.

I dropped the plan to go out to run errands as I realized that I have finished shopping for essentials yesterday. My left arm is not well since got up. I bandaged the arm with cotton scarf all night so I wouldn’t tempt to scratch. It’s not swollen big but it feels a bit stiff and itchy. I couldn’t wait to see Ibu Retno tomorrow. This dermatologist is special. Apart from her sharp diagnosis, I like her because we’re of the same style. Funky!

So I was a good girl that stayed home all day. I tidied my online financial management. I want to have a comprehensive picture of my income and spending this year so I keyed in my transactions the past three months. I couldn’t keep track many transactions in January but that’s fine, I could still get representative picture out of the existing data.

I also had business meeting in casual manner with my business partner while I was keying in the transaction online. Frangipani sales has bothered me the past few weeks. I still have the feeling that closing down the shop is the most reasonable thing to do. I have closed the possibility after the space owner gave me lenient term of payment for the next terms that I took it as a goodwill gesture. I should not take that for granted. But that’s the social side, what about the business side? It comes later.

Having considered some important aspects of the business, I feel the need to talk with Linda – Frangipani long time shopkeeper – about the possibility to close down the shop before the contract ends in June. I already have idea for Linda’s next position. I know where I’m going to send the merchandise, of course. And keeping the workshop is possible so the boys won’t lose job. It’s a major change but someone has to decide so all can move forward.

I’m happy with the newly decided decision that could only be done through a real meeting. Emailing and text messaging are not enough. Both parties wouldn’t spare time to have a thorough consideration to come to a decision. So it’s good. I could process the idea with my staffs tomorrow. I know all will take place in no time.

And more about meeting ‘off line’, my uncle and his wife came to meet me just now to talk about family matters. As much as I tried not to talk about it, I appreciate that we talked eventually. It’s just nice to meet and talk rather than discussing through phone which I did with him in the afternoon. Now I believe more about the effectiveness of face-to-face meeting.

Photo of anak-anak Jalan Kajeng waiting for ogoh-ogoh parade to start.

Choice

What are you going to do in Jakarta? Ah. Ehm. Before too long the travel agent sent me a text message announcing my ticket reschedule is done. This trip is going to be a seeing-doctors trip. Nothing serious, just checking. It seems I need glasses for my far sight. I’m not sure but I need to check. I felt it when I drove in the evening.

Then I have to see a dermatologist on Monday. The two dots I’ve been having since two days on my arms have developed to be ugly later today. I think I got stung in the beach the other night. It has two green dots with large red area surround. I started feeling itchy this afternoon. It has swollen a bit. A pharmacist in a drug store gave me cream and little pills to suppress the allergy to ease during the weekend. This is unplanned.

And, visiting dentist. I’m a bit paranoia seeing stains on my teeth although I still have some five months before the next visit. I avoid getting hurt later if the stains got harder (is it?) to remove. I’m going to see a friend after dentist so that won’t make difference. I have to go anyway.

So I’m in Jakarta now. I have my hair colored and got haircut already. I have used my time efficiently. From airport, I stopped by the mall before home. I was by myself when having my favorite bubur ayam in the mall food court, I sent text message to my cousin Aga in Denpasar. He told me this morning when I handed over my Jeep that he felt bad when I sent him text message telling about "me being jomblo (without boyfriend) on Saturday night”. I’d sent similar message to tease him. Ya kasian, he replied.

Actually I don’t think much about my aloneness. It's people like Aga who reminds me that I'm having no company. That’s when I realize it must be precious to have a good company because not so many are lucky to have one(s). Be it a partner, kids, or friends. I smiled. Again. It’s my choice. Actually I was thinking to ask a friend to meet in the mall but I canceled because I want to move in my own pace. So Aga, being a jomblo is a choice.

Photo of a chair for two in Ubud.

Uneasy

I got up very early. It’s so nice. I used my time packing up stuffs. I realized I have many little things that (I thought) have to go with me. I want to travel light to just carry what I want to leave in Jakarta so I could bring more stuffs to Ubud. I don’t know. Like I once said, I feel like snails that carry the house everywhere.

Today I realized more about how my mind controls my feeling. I could not open the washing machine door again. I tried many tricks but still. I felt helpless and silly. I even talked to the machine hoping that could help. I was lucky, I could open after pushed the door a little bit before click the handle. Oh.

Then I felt worried all morning because I had the feeling that a friend was not well. I felt better after I knew the story in the end. It's the same with handling my Jeep in the morning. When I’m with friend or talking on phone while starting the engine, it takes longer to get the engine on compares to the occasion when I’m not multi-tasking. It’s all in mind that I feel nervous and couldn’t function properly.

It was still early when I made a trip to Gianyar area to find a big material shop. I was not happy with the paint color selection for the new shop's wall but I had no energy to keep searching. It was already hot although it's still 10 o’clock. I made several errands before giving in Ayu’s hands. I had facial before noon. It's still early but getting up before 5 had made me feel like I had finished my day.

And it’s all in mind when I felt that I’d waited too long for the masker to be removed. I signaled Ayu for help. Ayu laughed, she was sure it’s only fifteen minutes. I felt like I’d waited twice the time. Acknowledging my today’s mood, I prefer to spend the rest of the day at home. It seems the feeling struck again. I feel uneasy about traveling to Jakarta. I’d rather go somewhere else.

Photo of a river in Kul Kul Campus in Mambal, Badung.

Return

Family news: Seli has delivered Dari, Kila, and Legi. My neighbor friend sent the news about his newly born kittens close to 8am. I replied. I have acquired the house! Ah we have things that are worth celebrating, he replied. We have. We set the time and the place without further discussion. We upgraded our choice of warung for the celebration.

I picked him up at 11. Why didn't you tell me that you are wearing blue? Now I have to conform to a dress code when we meet. Fine. With him on board, I have to drive slowly and carefully. The Queen of Klungkung has trauma. Like two lovers, we planned to spend the afternoon enjoying the ready-to-be-harvested rice field by the restaurant (ya, we canceled our warung plan). We had grilled fish and duck with creamed potato for lunch and coffee to follow. Ah life is good.

Again, he mentioned about the life we choose. Seperti kita ini Mba… Odd for many but we are happy to have chosen to be single without kid, have enough for good living (and not too much to lose the joy like some of our friends), and have freedom to manage the time. We feel blessed… Again and again.

After lunch, for the third time of this month, we walked from shop to shop in the main road of Ubud. We entered a 'legendary' art shop that had sent me to meet this dear friend six years ago. Time flies. He is my jodoh like many other things in Ubud. We are meant to meet.

The shop has inspired me. It brings me back to my passion for an art shop that had gradually disappeared the past five years. When I just realized the reality that I’m going to run another art shop, I felt small in the business. A novice. I had lost the grip. I felt. Only friends who could remind me that I have good eye for art like last night when my friend told the other couples how she found Frangipani different. Hm.

We closed our trip with visiting a high-end jewelry shop owned by a French designer, another long time Ubudian. Another spark flared… Now I have homework. I would spend the coming weeks igniting the spark into a great flame…

Photo of a path leads to a bungalow near my house.

Official

Mm what a nice morning in my home… Ya, this house is no longer an Ubud House for me, but it’s my home now. I have inaugurated my ‘ownership’ yesterday. The owner offered me to lease for fifteen years with an option to extend the lease after the period ends. So in practice, the house is mine now. If I were to live a hundred years then I need to extend the lease at least three times. No problem. I have a place to live in Ubud now. I could say I’m officially warga Bali now.

I experienced the busiest day in my life in Ubud yesterday. I drove passed the main road of Ubud six times within six hours. I had chat with my neighbor friend while I charged my laptop and cell phone in the morning. Then I drove down to my new shop to meet Ketut and Agung who’re going to help me out with the revamping. It’s perfect to have both. We have known each other four years now. They know my taste, my standard of quality, and simply… they know me. So I enjoyed my time with the troop discussing the simple and low-priced revamping in the not-so-good look space.

I spent the afternoon with the other Ketut, the owner of the Ubud House then, to finish up the legal document and payment of the house. I was a bit nervous in the bank. Not because of the balance in my account but of the heavy cloud. Although I better felt relaxed about it but… my laundry! I don’t want to spend extra time to re-wash. That’s when I giggled about my multiple roles: homemaker and businessman.

So I drove back home to look after my laundry before drove down to meet a potential staff for the new shop. It’s someone’s relatives. I was speechless when meeting her. Nice Ibu with sad expression. I didn’t say anything but I have plan for her. It’s good to know that she could sew and used to make Balinese mass garment. I could give her order to do my creation later. So I still have homework to find the right staff for my happy shop.

I was depleted when entered house in the afternoon realizing that I had moved for six hours non-stop. My friend and driver I met when I passed the main road laughed from afar every time I signaled them. Later they told me, it’s nice to see me relaxed by the sidewalk the other day. I was surprised to know that I really looked relaxed that afternoon. It’s good! I promised them to do again very soon.

My day hadn’t ended yet. I was already in the car again but with Ana at 6. I got a dinner invitation in Yeh Gangga beach in Tabanan – an hour-and-so drive from Ubud. I asked Ana to fix the headrest but he also made the seat reclined for me to relax. I thought I could sleep in the car. I was wrong. I was excited enjoying twilight in different area of Bali. I’m used to drive in Gianyar area that, now I know, is rich with Bali ornaments. Badung area has less Bali touch, it’s more like any other city in Java with a bit pura here and there. I enjoyed the vast rice field so much and when we entered the villages lead to the beach… it’s a totally different world. I couldn’t tell we’re in Bali.

I couldn’t believe my French girlfriend lives in such a remote area. It has a full view of the beach although with no private beach. The sound from the sea is so powerful that she has to wear earplug in some nights. The house is big and massive for two. There were another two couples from Canada and Australia. They are all living in Indonesia, Jakarta and Bali respectively. We had nice exchange about the culture and art, as often. We also had tour of the house. It was a nice evening.

I got home around 1. Depleted and happy.

Photo of Timor horse statue on my coffee table. Journey into the light.

VO

I started reading the sequel book of Archer’s experience as prisoner A Prison Diary: Purgatory. Having read the first volume A Prison Diary: Hell, I thought I wouldn’t continue reading the sequel (it’s trilogy) but I just bought the book when I spotted in a bookshop some time ago. Actually, I enjoyed the personal diary of Archer although no suspense I could expect from a day-to-day experience in prison. It is boring but I found it interesting at the same time.

As often, I was influenced by the book I’m reading. Last evening I put down the book after reading since late afternoon realizing the quiet life I lead now. Suddenly I felt like… Archer! I've developed regime of doing things since getting up in the morning till back in bed in the night with less and less contact with other persons. I have imprisoned myself from the outer world.

I thought about VO (visiting order) in Archer’s story. I think I’ve developed such system now. I issued virtual VO in a way for closed ones to have connection with me. For instance, I have an obsolete cell phone dedicated to a chip from an operator that offers very low rate between users of the operator. I was in euphoria for a while a few weeks ago that I hooked up with my cousins almost every day. Imagine 15 cent per hour! But the sensation disappeared by time. I stopped making and getting phone calls in no time.

That’s when I realized that to get a connection I need to issue VO or CO (communicating order). If I don’t show up, make connection, I end up imprisoning myself in my own world. Actually I don’t have reason to feel that way because I could always tap the world any time I want! Then, here I am! Out of my own prison.

So I let myself walking out my prison today. I had big agenda since yesterday: to make the agreement with Maria done today. I drove down to Denpasar in the morning to avoid the heat but still after ran errands for four hours, I felt like I didn’t have energy left. It’s the heat. I stayed in the house all afternoon thinking about the unsigned agreement because Maria’s husband was out when I came to sign.

I had to end. Show up! I drove back to Maria’s place in the rain. Glad things could be done in less than an hour. So I am now the proud owner of a small shop in Jalan Hanuman, Ubud. I’m so happy. I’m happy for having pushed myself a bit more to make this happen. And more after I checked what auspicious day is today in Ubud community news, today is a good day to… make a kitchen! Yes! This shop would be my kitchen for ideas and making money!

I feel relieved. I have another shop in Ubud finally! I shared the news with Ketut, my ex staff. After Maria hands the shop over next week, I asked him to be my revamping manager while I’m away. I talked with him two hours about business to life in general. He is a good Balinese man, clever too.

After the shop open next month, I would definitely issue more VOs!

Photo of the object under debate.

Lifestyle

I had great morning. Started early with solid plans for the day but then I changed. I spent too much time tidying closet. When finished, it’s already late to go to Denpasar for errands. I continued my morning with the usual but a load of laundry in the machine. In Ubud, doing laundry has to be prompt, or it’ll be hard to dry perfectly. Rain often starts in the afternoon for a couple of hours. The sun shines shortly.

I picked up air ticket in a travel agent for the first time in Ubud, even in Bali. I used to have return ticket, of course. I also arranged my next travel with a travel agent in Jakarta through text messages while following my neighbor friend 'inspecting' some art shops near Campuhan Bridge. He used me as ‘reason’ to have inspection: accompanying Ibu from Jakarta. He giggled looking at the way I dress the past few days. Yes, I’m wearing my Jakarta outfit back as I have a washing machine now! So strange that a lifestyle could change just because of a machine.

So my other lifestyle.

Almost every morning I couldn’t help noticing my neighbor spending his morning while I'm lifting dumbbells near bed in the sun. An aged foreigner man lives in the third story of a villa near the Ubud House. He does stretching also does laundry! I often saw him hanging clothes and sheets (surprisingly a lot) on the laundry line in the balcony. I wonder how he manages to do a chore in his age. Obviously he is not young anymore although he looks fit.

Anyway, he reminds me of my chat with two girlfriends who visited me over weekend. It started when we talked about the idea of the Balinese leasing their lands to tamu (non Balinese or foreigner) for home or business is brilliant. It is part of the culture that they couldn’t easily sell family assets so a lot of lands in Bali are ‘idle’. That is good in a way because then Balinese won’t lose their motherland to tamu who could afford to pay off the Balinese's need for cash. So the practice of leasing land in a unit of 15-20 years to tamu is common all over Bali. Even the agreement mentions about the option to extend the lease at the same unit.

My two girlfriends and I are all single without offspring, and not young anymore, that starts the topic. How we plan our old age: where to live and who will look after us later. I have met two foreigners who have an inspiring idea: they ‘adopt’ Balinese family to look after them when they are old and later die. The foreigner bought or long leased the land for them to live together as family. So the tamu appointed themselves as the eyang of the family who would then leave their assets to the family when they pass away. It’s a win-win agreement for both.

What made us giggling during the discussion was what if we live long like over a hundred years. If we are in the 40s now, it means we have to extend the lease at least three times. It might not be a dream though. We lead a healthy life so far. Living in a non pollution place, eat healthy food (less fat, lots of fruits and vegetables, no preservatives, no junk food, a bit of dark chocolate, a bit of wine), no smoking and liquor, have enough sleep, sleep and get up early, do regular exercise, have healthy mind and spirit… We have to be ready to live longer than 100 years! Having had the discussion, we reminded each other to be off beat some times to make sure we would not live that long. To live long healthy and happy is everyone’s dream. But we never know…

So I started a new lifestyle, beside the washing machine, in preparing my meal at home. A good friend who just started living by self after twenty years has inspired me to start working in the kitchen. As I don’t eat much and have less appetite, I haven’t started to study stir-fry cooking. Forget about investing a carbon-steel wok until I don’t have to cook for one. Now I shop for vegetables (after fruits), various dressings for salad, and oils for bread. I found out Bali Buddha selling homemade dressings that looked really good. Meal time becomes time for experiment although my style is still very simple.

It's a good start but please don’t tell me that I could live a hundred years...

Photo of an ogoh-ogoh being blessed by a Pemangku couple.

Combination

My holiday ends. My two girlfriends have just left for Denpasar. We spent the day a la girlfriends again. We started a bit late. One girl left some of her beautiful ethnic textiles from Sumba for me to sell in my new shop. I must say all are beautiful but she has considered these textiles clutter in her small house. Well, it might be clutter for her but not for others. I’ve set my eyes on some pieces. I had reminded her that she had nice pieces that she might regret later for putting them for sale now. Like gold, handmade textiles are treasure. She tried hard not to listen but I know she did.

I took them to Pallava and meet my neighbor to learn more about Balinese artifacts. When we went down, I took them to Antonio Blanco Museum where we learned about the maestro. When we had lunch at Bali Buddha we learned about tea. Then about selling secondhand books at Ganesha. Then about why Balinese are good with their hands but not at business while we enjoyed Tegallalang area.

On top of all lessons, we’ve also learned about each other. I found our combination is interesting. Both of my friends are good at sharing experience and listening as well. The latter is more challenging but they did well. I found myself participating in the conversation quite actively. I felt comfortable. So this time I enjoyed nice flowing discussion with my girlfriends. It’s not often.

Being busied by them these two days, I feel something about facing the start of the week tomorrow. Working time again! I thought I could always feel Sunday every day but no… My mind starts whirling again to process what I should do for the week before I leave for Jakarta in the end of the week.

I feel very alive to have this combination: friend and work.

Photo of a sign in Tegallalang rice terrace.

Chatter

It’s still early now. My two girlfriends are still sleeping. Yes, I give them sleepover. One said that she could sleep till 9, the other said that she’s a short sleeper like me but it seems she too is still in deep sleep. I will be quiet for a while then.

Yesterday we met in the afternoon in the famous warung nasi Kadewatan not far from house. It’s a must-try for orang Jakarta but my friend who lives in Denpasar hadn’t tried either. It’s always fun to meet long time friend and girls… we hardly stopped talking and more after I moved to their rented car and went places. Tentu!

I took them to Pasar Ubud. A destination in my tourist guide list. I’m lucky to have met the Ibu in the market for she has the right price. I don’t like spending time haggling the price and I believe my guests feel the same. So far, like me, my guests end up exercising impulsive buy because of the right price. Like my previous visits, I walked out with two tube-dresses, a sarong, and another sarong-pants. I jokingly blamed it on my friends. I had to make sure they shopped more because I have big eye already.

It was raining hard when we waited for the car. The next visit is another dangerous zone. My friend wanted to visit her friend’s silver shop in Jalan Hanuman. It’s funny, I passed the shop often because I run errands a lot in the area but this shop hardly caught my attention. The shopkeeper said that the shop’s been there two years. Then I learned that the presentation of a shop in the outside is important. While I always like quiet and elegant look, I must drop the concept to be applied in such a busy area passed by hundreds of walkers. Now I know that color selection is important. Hm.

I felt safe in the shop. The shop is really nice but not exactly my type. I have stopped wearing big rings. I don’t wear earrings. The necklaces are too intricate for a simple me though very nice and it’s…. symmetrical! So I’m happy with my low price glass beads strung in handmade copper wire with rustic Buddha as pendant. It fit very well for my batik pants and simplified kebaya I wore. Perfect! What? I shopped! Uh.

So we walked in the drizzle to my favorite Tutmak for coffee. Glad we only stopped once at my favorite soap shop on the way that I managed to keep my wallet in the bag. And more visit to shops I like after coffee. I like that one girl shopped a lot. She helps me to feel normal. She bought a big silver ring and I… ordered a silver bracelet to accompany the one I’m wearing everyday now. Ah. By then my friends have adopted a concept I introduced Wear before you die to make stuffs we bought well worn. The quiet girl has better concept for us the shoppers Buy before you die. Ah.

A nice Balinese tapas of twelve to end the Ubud experience is always nice for newcomers. I took them to Nomad restaurant, another must-try restaurant. Shopping ends, girls chatting never.

Photo of the Buddha necklace I bought.

Appreciation

I felt relaxed in the morning. I enjoyed doing household chores including cleaning Skubidu poo in my porch. I love morning. It’s so energizing. I love the sunlight that I like to use it at max. I started doing new way of yoga the past two days. I thought it was my idea but then a Kundalini yoga website confirms that such style exists. It’s a good yoga to connect with self. Nude yoga! I’m lucky to have access to morning sunlight in the private of my bedroom. I close one side of curtain and allow the sunlight shines through the other side. It’s sunbathing with movement. Living by myself makes me appreciate my body and mind more.

I sent text messages to Ayu, my ex staff in Pallava, at noon time. I needed to talk with her about the possibility of her to work for me part timer. She took me to her favorite bakso place in Peliatan. It was nice sunny day. Ubud was busy because of purnama – the full moon. It feels warm to see many Ibu carrying elaborate colorful banten in colorful kebaya on the street. Ehm Ubud. Endless surprise!

The afternoon was really nice. I sat by the sidewalk just outside the shop where Ayu works with Ayu and her colleague, and Ana my driver. We awaited an Ibu from Bangli who sells Bali traditional snack in modernized baskets rrr I mean plastic baskets. When she came, I had a good time asking about what’s in each packet. She is so creative. Her snack is the size of my lunch, even more. Many are made from sweet potato, sticky rice, and spicy vegetables! She prepared it since noon. The girls said that the basket would be empty within an hour. And she sells every day in the area!

Ubud was a bit quiet from tourists so not many passing the street but still we had a good time talking about people. Now I know what Balinese talk about when they’re sitting by the sidewalk waiting for business. It was so relaxing that it's hard for me to get up and go. Even after I managed to get up from the stairs outside the shop, I spent some more time chatting with the girls inside the shop. They kept complaining about the quiet business so I told them that it would help them to appreciate the better days. They’re processing my idea.

It was close to twilight when I got home and found the Internet down. It was unusual. A big company. I called the Help Desk and the girl apologized. I slowly chewed my idea. This would help me to appreciate the better days with the Internet. Uh. I also realized that the Internet has taken up most of my time when I started reading off line and got bored. I packed up and went.

I chose to watch Balawan half session to kill my night.

Photo of the snack Ibu from Bangli sells.

Intention

I once had an experience of clinging to a thing for a long time for I thought I’d been protected by a law that nothing could part me with the thing. Only after a decade I realized that actually no thing would stay for ever without something. Legal paper or commitment is just it. Lately I think a lot about the something – the good intention – that could make a thing stay longer. While I could control my good intention, I also take the advice from amiracleaday.com that I found interesting.

The benefits of assuming the good intentions of others:

1. More Friends

When you assume the good intentions of others, they notice it, even if it's mostly subconscious. This results in them being more open towards you, as well, which can easily lead to more friends.

And, of course, being suspicious of the motives of other people can cause them to react negatively and push you away... resulting in the loss of opportunities for friendship.

2. Better "Networking"

Many of the same reasons for having more friends apply to this, as well, as does the actual fact of having more friends. It also helps to make you the type of person that someone else would want to help, as well as the type that they would introduce to others and recommend to others.

3. Better Relationships

Trust is one of the most important (if not THE most important) factors in the strength of a relationship. Assuming the good intentions of your significant other go a long way toward establishing and strengthening that trust.

It also reduces the chances of being hurt (emotionally) accidentally, because you assume that they didn't intend to hurt you... which reduces the sting considerably.

4. Less Stress

When you assume the good intentions of the people that you come into contact with, you avoid a lot of stress... you don't worry about how to protect yourself from being hurt, you don't worry as much about why they did this or that, and what it means about what they think about you, etc. Basically you have less stress because you reduce your worry load considerably.

5. More Help When You Need It

Assuming good intentions also tends to make you treat people better, since you don't consider them potential sources of hurt. Since you don't consider them in that light, it makes you far more open to helping them, more open to giving of yourself.

The people you are around will notice that you're that type of person, and will tend to respond in kind, sometimes even including asking their friends and associates to help you. That adds up to a lot larger available pool of help.

6. More Happiness

This is pretty simple, and derives from many of the previous points: less stress, more friends, and better relationships all tend to bring more happiness into your life individually, let alone all taken together. These three things also each strengthen the other, and being happier strengthens all three as well.

It's the opposite of a vicious cycle, a self-reinforcing positive loop.

7. People Tend To Live Up To Your Expectations

One other thing to remember, one that focuses more on the other person, is that people tend to live up to your expectations. If you expect people to be bad, and to do things for bad reason, you'll find that there actually is more of that in your life, especially from the people you're around the most, like family.

On the other hand, if you expect people to be good, and to do things for good reasons, you're likely to find that there is more of that.

Well, it’s not a really good writing but I could see the truth in these points.

I recalled this piece of advice when I decided to resign to the feeling that the shop might not be for me. Exactly a week ago. I didn’t call Maria after I’d decided. I might not be correct but it really hurt that I needed time before making the contact. Or better say, I didn’t know what to say.

Maria called me two days later asking where I was. A few days later she called again asking to meet. Then she called again telling that she’s busy with upacara at her father’s new shop. I just followed her whatever-you-call. But one thing I kept in mind: I assume her good intention.

So she called again this noon asking to meet. It was raining hard and I hadn’t taken shower. I prepared myself and went to her place with big smile. I have learned from cousin Aga about how Balinese do space-rent business when they know the renter would hand the space over to other, they ask for an extension before the handover. Also, I have tried to pursue other space but to no avail the other day. With these two facts, I have better understanding about Maria’s position. Why she extends the period without gave me prior notice. Why she offers me a slim premium in the rental that in the end it’s still considered low for the area. So time has given me the knowledge to understand why she changed.

I hugged her congratulating for the baby boy she has forty days ago. The husband was not well but was nice to talk with me in their living room behind their huge workshop-cum-showroom in premium area of Tegallalang. Maria showed me the baby. I talked with the eldest girl. It was really nice meeting the young family. Yes, Maria is 27.

Life has given me good lesson. While checking out legal paper is always important, I took time to connect with the family. I asked about how they run the family business and how business in Bali in general. In the end, I also asked about many aspects of the agreement as part of a due diligence. Of both topics, actually my sole purpose was to sniff the something. Maria passed! I trust her.

I got the shop starting the first of April to three and a half year later.

Photo of Kenneth Cole’s ad I saw in Warung Mendez today.

Reason

I stay home all day. I didn’t feel like going out in the sun. Ubud has gotten its rhythm. The blazing sun shines from 7 to noon then raining hard till 3 then we get the best of Ubud. No sun, no rain, the sound of water fall in afar, birds chirp again, the dogs out… It reminds me that the past few days I have developed better connection with Skubidu the dog in the house complex. She liked to spend afternoon in my porch. With all windows open, she could see and feel me. So I liked to sit with her, she’s outside, I was in the living room. She also started using my bale to nap. So cute.

Finally, I plan my trip to Jakarta. Two long-time friends have asked to meet. One just found my blog that she seems to follow regularly now. Thank you, Ida. The other invited me to have birthday lunch next time I’m in Jakarta. There’s another very long-time good girlfriend who has also started to read my blog since a month ago. She let me know the other day that she knew my blog from our good girlfriend. I know both since about 35 years ago. She recalled our days bicycling around our house complex. She said You’re already in adult bike when I was still in the small one. I remembered vaguely. So I told her I must have been brave since long time. She agreed. It touched me when she said that’s what she likes in me. Uh uh. Thank you, Ria. It’s just nice to reconnect with long-time friends.

I spent all morning and noon time planning my coming trip. I made several appointments including visiting dentist for regular cleaning. I also need to look after my hair. At least three friends have booked my time during my three working days in Jakarta. I found out it’s not easy to plan a trip to Jakarta without a real plan of what to do. Now I know that I have enough reasons to go. So I would go!

I continue my waiting mode today. Tomorrow and the day after would be national holiday so Ubud would have different rhythm. I couldn’t speed up any plan. Ubud might be busier during the long weekend. That’s a good time to start walking downtown again. It's been long I didn’t do.

I read a lot the past two days. A friend reminded me that I’m lucky to have such luxury. Thank you for reminding me, dear friend. I like to be reminded that I have many things to be grateful for. Friends, creativity, time, good life (my way),… So I told my good friend over online chat this afternoon that I feel ashamed if I say that I’m feeling lonely and depressed here. In Ubud, I don’t have reason to feel one.

Photo of my Marrakech lamp.

Mode

This morning I realized my rhythm. I start my day at full speed at 5 o’clock. When I got up before the time, I’d like to just spend time in the Internet. Now I load laundry and iron before the light around 6. By 7, I have finished tidying house and replied to emails. By 8, I have nothing to do after yoga and fruit breakfast. That’s when I realized that I’m in waiting mode again. And I feel inconvenient about it.

When I walked in the main road under the smoldering sun, I felt really bad. Some taxi drivers called my keywords: Penestanan or Cherokee. Then I thought about what they’re thinking about what I’m doing in Ubud. Uh. I understand that they’re sitting by the sidewalk because they’re also in the waiting mode. But do they know that I’m also in the same mode? Not that I don't have any purpose in life?

Why should I care? But I’m really curious. So after shopping a long list in a bigger supermarket just off Ubud and went to post-office again, I decided to have quality lunch at reasonable price in Warung Mendez. This warung is special. My Balinese friends didn’t find the warung has good taste, but my foreigner friends loved it. The one that went once kept mentioning the place for some time, I believe she would come again the next visit. The other came twice for the same salad. So it must be good! For me, I like to taste different food in the menu and didn’t feel disappointed so far.

Anyway, I sat on the bench flipping an interesting coffee-table book about crafts of the Indonesian when pondering where’s Mendez at the time of the day. I rarely met him around. A quiet smiley orang Yogya. I enjoyed watching him cooking in his small kitchen in front of the warung. He worked fast but quiet and prompt.

Again, I wonder how guests (Balinese calls any foreigner – tourist or become local – tamu or guest) in Bali spend their time. Like myself, Mendez too is tamu in this village. He runs the warung with six staffs in a shift. Not a small team for such a little restaurant. The ambiance of his warung is nice, Bali fusion, with nice range of fusion food (East and West) in the menu, and good selection of readings from fashion magazines to various coffee-table books on cooking and crafts. Interesting personality must be!

I jumped a little when realized Mendez himself cleared up my table. I could only offer my best warm smile, I couldn’t ask what he’s doing when he’s not in the kitchen. He packed up my leftovers for take home. The Vietnamese chicken salad was really good but the portion was huge. The vegetables were fresh and the dressing? Aah..

So Mendez, are you in the waiting mode also?

Photo of my laundry line in the garden with two wipes for mopping.

Pray

It’s one of those days when I had many ideas in mind since got up. I took my time and started to make phone calls after finished with morning chores. Since yesterday I eyed for a space in downtown Ubud owned by someone I know through a good friend. The place is in the market since quite some time. I hadn’t done due diligence, just asked briefly about the rental a few weeks ago. I only did yesterday and found it interesting to try this morning. I didn’t share to anybody about my plan. When I passed the shop this morning I just smiled If it’s mine, it’s mine. My hope was slim.

I spent the day with a friend’s friend, Marie, from Paris. I had dinner with her last Saturday night. I took her to Tegallalang today. I happened to have errands to run and I knew she would like to follow me. I took her to the usual track plus bonus: a trip to a village and watching rice terrace up Tegallalang that I just remembered its existence recently.

On the way down we made two stops for sight seeing. Like always, I ended up to be the one who shopped. I bought a nice cotton crochet bag for the seller had been nice to take pictures of us. It’s another day for her but it’s just nice for me to share with her. And I also bought a Marrakech lamp made in Tegallalang. Marie could not hide her smile. By then, she already found out some items she saw in Paris shops actually come from this village. So the Marrakech lamp. I just knew, she must have paid a lot for the lamp and others.

I have said many times that a friend often gave me a new experience in my own town. I followed Marie to check out a bungalow near my place! I saw the sign often but never went inside. So we went this afternoon. It was a long walk inside a kampong, in narrow path, along two neighbors’ wall. I asked her how she knew the place. The Internet! Ah.. The place she meant has four villas only. The villas use bamboo thin wall. I was thinking about the cold night of Ubud. The owner said that her villas are often full so it’s suggested to reserve one month ahead. Hm. My idea is in flame again. I told Marie that I’ve changed my perception about running villas in the middle of nowhere. With the Internet, people can reach all places. Thanks to Google Earth too!

I felt depleted after dropping Marie off in her hotel. The heat. I could not continue finishing my plan: shopping in supermarket. I have a long shopping list that I would like to enjoy the shopping but no energy left! I stayed in and silently prayed for the space.

I didn’t get the space.

Photo of the rice terrace Marie and I saw this afternoon.

Tracking

I like my new ritual in the morning with laundry: loading and ironing. It’s just nice to have less time idling in the morning. I also mopped the entire house. I’m good at it now. I could manage the time and energy well. I am so happy with my tidy house.

Cousin Aga came around 9. He brought with him electricity kit for my car. He took his time making himself at home. Toasting bread, preparing drinks, while I was busy in the computer. I read many online articles today. It was a bright day but pleasant weather. It’s just nice to stay in.

In the afternoon I got an idea to keep track of all my financial activities through a website so I can access the data from anywhere at anytime. I’ve tried many ways to have the discipline to monitor my finance for a period of time, at least, so I would have idea of my trend. I change life style almost totally so I also expect a significant impact on the financial trend.

I used Google search to find the best website that handles the financial management. I signed up to one but later I found a better one. Half month has passed. With the help of my online calendar and blog, I managed to recall what I did and spent! It’s incredible. It’s simple and easy, only the website page updated too slow. I think it’s because of the design. I really hope I could rely on this site.

Anyway, it’s a challenging activity to track down past expenses. How could I remember all? I remembered almost all big buys but needed to visualize each part of the house to recall what have added in the part. Like in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, bookshelf, and table, even fridge! It’s so easy to forget what I bought once the thing has been consumed or kept in a place. It took long to recall when the balance was still half. I could not track down half of my expenses? It couldn’t be… I squeezed my memory hard to come to a more likely balance. I managed eventually!

I’m surprised to know how much I have spent so far. I expect the expense of my life in Ubud is one-third of mine in Jakarta. It’s not! It’s close to only half. And I only reviewed my cash expenses. I also did payment through bank and credit card. Oh. I hope this is because I spent a lot for investment like buying cell phone and washing machine. I also had to buy more birthday presents this month. The first month review has shown scary figure. I shall review the expense of next month and the months after before evaluating my new life style.

Now I’m close to the answer why my friend who is single and lives in Ubud spends a lot. He also doesn’t know where the money gone when I wondered out loud how he could spend that much. The value of our money goes down slowly. He expressed the other day that having been in the ups and downs of business almost a decade, he now values $5 higher while he used to spend $50 without thinking twice. I told him that I feel the same. Not that we don’t have the money but we value it more. We would only spend for something worth the value. No more impulsive buying. In my case, the value is right, but I could still impulsively buy more than I need. Another habit to fix.

It’s not a bad Sunday. I could consider myself productive.

Photo of paths in Como Shambala.

Wellness

I watched the time. Auch. I don’t have much time. I shortened my morning ritual to be ready by 7:30 when my good uni friend comes to my place. He had a meeting in Denpasar yesterday and planned to spend the day with me in Ubud before his flight at 4:20 this afternoon. Fine with me.

We have an idea to develop a business together in Ubud. He has started a recreational facility in Batu, near Malang, and would like to see the possibility to develop the same in Ubud. So we talked about it over breakfast.

His initial project has run well so he wanted to do survey of spa in Ubud to get ideas about style he likes. He plans to build one as an extension project to the previous one. When he asked through text message yesterday, suddenly I realized that I knew little about spa. I’ve passed many spas in Bali (and in Ubud) but I don’t have idea what it takes a good spa. Uh uh.

So I didn’t come up with a name of place. As I knew he aimed for big names for the up market so I could only mention the top boutique resort in Ubud. He agreed for us to visit a place, the tip of the tops. It happened someone has showed him the same destination. So off we went.

It’s a nice trip to the inside of small villages. My second trip to the location. It’s heaven in a remote Ubud by the famous Ayung River. I always feel astonished being in ‘different world’ in Bali. The resort has simple modern lines without appearing ‘off’ the Balinese surrounding. It’s a good design. Sleek.

I giggled when we had to fill in the form and sign a disclaimer before getting a treatment. The feeling is like signing a statement for HIV test. From the questions, I could see that I’m healthy. Do I have good appetite? Do I gain weight easily? Do I sleep well? Do I suffer an injury? Do I exercise regularly? Do I have problem in digestion? Do I suffer regular running nose and headache? I told my friend, the therapist (that’s how they call the masseuse) might refuse to treat me as I have no apparent problem. It was fun. Sure they have to do a very well due diligence before giving such high-rate treatment.

After treatment and lunch that make me feel like having done moral crime, I spent the evening having a blind date. My friend sent her French girlfriend to meet me. Actually, it’s my choice to meet or not to meet but I agreed to meet to keep my sanity on Saturday night. She is tall at 180. We talked non-stop almost three hours. It’s always fun to meet new person.

What a day! I feel very well now.

Photo of garden at Como Shambala today.

Transformation

Not having a shop space to dream, I feel half of my activities in Ubud gone. I’m a loose kite in the sky. The good thing about the idea of Mama might have time to visit me yesterday is I have a neat house since two days ago. It helps me this morning. Clutter free space always energizes me. It makes me wanting to declutter more. I did and I focused on some minor things that still stuck on my way.

The past few weeks I’ve been actively surfing life development websites. I have collected ten websites on how to increase productivity. It seems that creative people have problems with productivity. The issues cover handling time management, reaching goals, beating distractions, boosting productivity, simplifying life, and many similar issues that rooted to one issue: procrastination.

This is what lifeclever.com says about procrastination and its tip to beat:

"According to Neil Fiore and 30 years of research, procrastination isn’t the result of laziness. Rather, procrastination is a symptom, a way of coping with deep psychological self-criticism and fear. It’s because we’re taught to believe that working is good and playing is bad. To reverse this unhealthy model, Neil proposes a tool: the Unschedule."

Though only made a mental note, I practiced to unschedule work activities. I scheduled things I want to do, instead of things I have to do. Then I inserted things I need to do. It seems working because I see the reward first. It’s strange but like the writer, I don’t feel I’m a bad person by doing so. However, many creative persons suffer the same!

I had the most important business I handle at the moment done in half an hour (only). It took me thorough reading of some documents and making note. That’s it! Then I wrapped stuffs for my cousins and birthday auntie in Jakarta. Glad! I also have found rhythm doing my laundry: when to load in the washing machine and when to iron. It’s a nice combination to my morning yoga. I felt fresh with lots of physical activities in the morning.

I made a trip downtown to run errands – to clear up my table. I wore long sleeved linen shirt for the first time. When I’m driving and wearing no sleeved top, I’m wearing sarong to cover my shoulders. Now I act like gadis Bali who don’t want to get tanned skin. I'm happy with my tanned skin but I got enough. Mine is already nice and I don’t want more.

Welcoming my one year life in Ubud, I feel my life is going through a transformation. Of values and habit.

Photo of the two seats where I had lunch with Ira the other day.

Confirmation

Maria, the owner of the shop I planned to rent, called me when I was in the bus yesterday. She mentioned about her husband’s friend is also interested in renting the space. She checked me out first with.. but. But the rental is higher and the period is three times longer than she told me. Hm. I didn’t feel right but didn’t want to react so I told her to talk again the next day. Today.

I sought an advice from a friend over online chat last night. I had a strategy to face Maria today when he suggested me otherwise. His advice was to drop the space. I thought the idea to forget about the business was emotional that I avoided. So I told him that I would sink it in before sleep and when wake up in the morning. He agreed with me to just listen to my inner voice.

I passed the space I had dreamed for months when I ran to buy Mama delicacy she likes. I had a chance to see Mama for a few minutes in the bus that stopped near Pasar Ubud early this morning. When I walked away from Mama’s bus in the morning sun, I had nice time to really sink in the issue. I smiled. I realized I had lost my appetite altogether. My inner voice had told me.

I sat in Bali Buddha café having a blueberry lassi. I called a friend in Jakarta who happens to also know Maria. He is Maria’s customer too. Ya, Maria is tribal art supplier. His first reaction was the same reaction my friend told me last night. Before I told him that actually I also had come to the same decision, I told him my plan as a businessman. I thought I need to face Maria to do due diligence before announcing a pullout. I felt that’s the right procedure. My friend understood my point but then reminded me that I would never come to a win-win negotiation with Maria because she’s not a good sport. I knew that actually but had tended to deny. Then I know. When I thought the decision to pull out in the first place was emotional, actually my decision to do due diligence is more emotional.

I felt relieved with my decision. To let Maria keeps the shop for whatever she wants. I thanked my friends for their opinions that have helped me to confirm my decision. I sent numerous text messages to close friends who had happened to know about my plan. To a friend in Ubud, I said I lost the space. Celebrate life! He wondered why I wanted to celebrate a disappointment. I reminded him that life is about celebration. Happiness and disappointment. He’s so nice to send me Let’s celebrate at 11.

So I spent the rest of the afternoon with him. Having lunch then going from art shop to art shop in Monkey Forest area. He liked to take me in his mission so the mission to do price survey wouldn’t be detected by the shopkeeper. He thought I looked like a nyonyah besar.

We talked a lot about the art business since we sat in the warung where we had long lunch. We continued our discussion after each shop then onto another. I learned a lot from my art friend but more of confirmation too. Again, I was confirmed by the fact that people hardly give any kind of nice treatment in running a business. I asked my friend if my attitude has shown that I’m not a good businessman. He agrees.

I learn more about the business world today. Firstly, I could not expect others to have the same value like mine. Finally, now I know why women like to keep the news about their pregnancy until months later.

What about me now? I’m a happy girl who just lost an opportunity.

Photo of a gate as part of the man-made limestone escarpment at Garuda Wisnu Kencana park.

Tourist

Mama is in town since yesterday. I didn’t plan to meet her because of her tight tour program. But then after I got a text message about where she stays and what next in the program? Hm.. So I met her in Denpasar. She went to Bali with a group of 20 and stays in their friend daughter’s house. It’s a really nice big house with five bedrooms. Mama got a room for herself as she’s the oldest. Nice merry people, the same friends from Mama’s birthday party. They were surprised to see me again in different town.

I joined in the tour after lunch. They are nice to reserve a seat for me in the bus. They ride a bus of 30 but the remaining seats are already full with stuffs including snack and drinks. So I told an Ibu to imagine what the bus looks like on the way back home. She laughed.

We went to Kuta to enjoy the sand. It’s always good to be a tourist in your own town. That’s when I found out about the transportation system in Kuta. A friend dreams of the same to be implemented in Ubud. The bus parks in a vast car park (that I just knew yesterday why the park which is part of a shopping center I often come for hardware is vast). The open car that took us to Kuta area, 10 minutes ride, is similar to the Philippine Jeepney minus the bright colors though close. It was fun. I sat near the opening and interacted with a little boy on a motorbike during the trip.

I took Mama walking along the Kuta beach. Honestly, it’s also my first time to walk along the strip watching the life by the beach. Dark surfer boys tending surfboards, tourist sunbathing on the white sand, busy local cafés selling rujak and bakso, stalls selling high piles of beach sarong, women offering massage, men offering temporary tattoo, girls sitting on the side chitchatting…

Mama could not walk with ease anymore. And it’s not easy to walk on the sand, so after quite a long walk, I took her to an Italian restaurant in the opposite of the street while waiting for the time to meet again with the group. I had nice chat with Mama over nice juices and a tiramisu. I could see she enjoyed her time with me. We rarely had time to chat in different setting so the beach view is really special for us.

The next destination was Ungasan, after passing Nusa Dua area, to see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana. It’s a giga project that only one-third done. The giga Wisnu sculpture has only head and half torso installed. That was my second time visiting the place. I liked to see the man-made limestone escarpment. It’s giga chunky blocks surround the recreational facilities. There are some amphitheaters showing different Balinese performances. We were in time to watch Kecak and fire dance in the twilight. It’s a nice open-air theater.

In the end of the trip, I felt tired. It’s a long hot day. But the other Ibu seemed to having a huge stock of energy, they wanted to shop! The guide took us to a well-known shop that has low price so no need to bargain. I didn't remember if I ever heard about the shop. It seems the tourists know more than the local, like many things else. I shopped a bit for Mama and myself then take a taxi to get my car. It’s a nice driving back home at 9pm. The narrow streets had been deserted but I found out… both my city lamps burnt out!

Photo of Mama in Kuta beach yesterday.

Fuzzy

It’s so nice to get up with anticipation. Simple thing. I was eager to try out my new washing machine, like having a new toy. I had sorted out the first load – whites. I had to run the machine empty to clean the drum before washing for the first time. It took 18 minutes to complete. My machine in Jakarta doesn’t show elapsed time so it’s nice to have the fuzzy logic technology. It’s always nice to know the time.

The manual is thin. 13 pages. So when I couldn’t open the door after waiting 3 minutes, I felt like stupid flipping the only manual. My friend suggested me to tap my male side. Oh. I am Miss Manual. Even my techie cousin Aga relies on me when it comes to use a new program. I was in between laughing and being desperate. I told my friend that the manual only says thing like How to fit three elephants into a fridge. Open the door and push them in.

After minutes of vigil in front of the machine, I turned the water tap off. For no logic reason. But the doors opened. I could not help laughing out loud. So loud. I could not see the relation but whatever… I had my first load on with McGyver-ing the short drain hose. I had to put a low bucket promptly or the water spilled everywhere. Fuzzy logic.

Although I was a bit late to catch the morning sun because of the long vigil, I managed to hang my first laundry at home in the porch. I’m running households! When Aga returned my call, we shared about running new household after 40s. It’s fun because we are back as newbie but we could laugh at our stupidity.

I took time in the morning enjoying my first load of laundry to dry. I’m glad that household chores are more of passion than burden to me. I enjoy cleaning chore. And I have passion to treat clothes well. Now I’m thinking what might be my next appliance.

I went out in the noon to get proper meal after a day at home yesterday. I didn’t plan what and where to eat so I ran errands first. I went to post office again and saw the Bali Buddha, café and bakery, that I'd never been to the café part. It would be nice to have lunch in a new place! So I went up. The place was quite full so I chose a table for two in the corner. I read my book while waiting for the food (that took a few chapters before finally came out).

I was about to having my gado-gado when I heard a girl looking for a table but didn’t want to occupy bigger table. I offered her to share my tiny table. She looked happy when accepted. And before too long we were engaged in ‘deep’ chatting about many things. She’s such a happy girl, so fun to be with. A German girl who once lived in Gianyar for two years and now lives in KL. In Ubud, she works for her architect mother as project manager for construction of one-hectare private villa. Their villa.

I didn’t detect her German accent so we talked a lot about English as second language and how easy people adapt to an accent. Her Indonesian has heavy Balinese accent. We also talked about the sad situation of Balinese women that led us to talk about books. She also read a lot. If we had the whole day, I believe we could sit there till dawn. We tried each other's drink and shared a cake for dessert! We giggled a lot like old friends. After three hours passed (!), obviously, we both had no agenda for the rest of the day except she would have dinner with friends.

I dropped her off at her hotel on my way to supermarket. It’s really nice encounter. Just in time when we both needed someone to make us feel civilized. No fuzziness. Nice meeting you, Ira.

Photo of the washing machine box.

Waiting

I ended up staying home. I had nice energized morning. Happy wake up plus tidy place ensure good energy. I wrote in longhand some blank cards for relatives in Jakarta. Then got ready early to await my washing machine to be delivered. I was panic since I hadn’t decided where to place the machine. I had to make up mind before the 80 kgs machine arrives. I tried to consult but Aga seemed busy. He didn’t reply to my text so I didn’t bother to call either. Hm. After measuring several places, I gave up. I let time decides.

I was in waiting mode all morning. Another business opportunity opens. I talked with the other party about what should do. Another due diligence has to be made in short time. I don’t want this good opportunity to wait. I would start tomorrow.

Today I found myself in between waiting and being assertive. Some times I found myself respecting other people’s space too much. Which is good in many cases but if I also asked for permission to call my personal account manager? Of course I had to wait all day. She would hardly call. I felt silly that I’m not supposed to ask for her time. She works for me! I called and she arranged what I need right away. My.

There’s still one on my list that I need to push. My future shop space. The present renter hadn’t updated me since she delivered baby almost one month ago. I could not wait any longer. I need to know my status up to date. It seems that the situation is still 50 – 50 because of her mother hasn’t agreed to the idea she moves out in April. But I could feel her spirit to keep her word for me. I trust her and time will solve.

The new washing machine came in the late afternoon that saves my fuel because I didn’t have time to go out. It’s good since Bali is in a shortage of fuel the past few days. I’m not too worried about it. I also need to return to my walking ritual.

I also noticed this morning that I have a new company in the kitchen now. A pale gecko. He shared me foul-smelling irritant liquid near the door for the first time. It was terrible that I kept the window open all day. Now being in the kitchen gives me different feeling. Not that I don’t trust him but to be frank I feel like he’s waiting on the wall high above the door to attack me with his liquid. Yew!

Photo of a modified Vespa in Ubud.

Entertainment

I spent my early evening rearranging my bedroom yesterday. I bought a simple shabby chic bookshelf to accommodate my scattered books. Like children shoes, I know this bookshelf won’t last more than a month or two. My collection grows rapidly even in Ubud with its limited bookshops. I’ve been selective but still nice books are in every corner waiting for me to buy. While searching for a nice one, I’m happy with the one I just bought.

I felt unmotivated after the rearranging. I had planned to go out to enjoy live music. I have called the café where Balawan plays. My safe choice. I was waiting for the time to go when spotted Anello Capuano show advertisement in a community booklet. I didn’t think twice.

I had intended to watch his show since last New Year. He doesn’t have regular performance in a café so I need to check event calendar to catch him. He’s Italian plays lutes, mandolin, flutes, and African percussions. His music inspired by traditional music from India, Middle East, Africa, and Indonesia where he lives since 2005. Since his show is one-man-show, he performs with the help of an ethno-electro music background. Technology makes possible for a musician to play anywhere in the world without bringing along the whole orchestra. I’ve seen some soloists did the same.

The performance was held at Adi’s Gallery, a newly open gallery owned by a German. He is an artist himself but open the gallery for other artists to exhibit and sell too. It’s a nice little house with funky art on display at the moment. The performer sat in the porch and some fifty in the audience sat in collapsible chairs in the front yard. I felt like attending a traditional wedding reception. There were only about three Indonesians among the audience. I didn’t feel like I was in Indonesia. I felt like I was on holiday somewhere although in fact it’s the contrary.

Listening to good live music hardly fails me. I felt good driving home passing small road I used to spend most of my time in the past. I felt funny to feel no connection with this particular part of Ubud anymore. My past is like TV shows without rerun. Enjoyed and gone. I realized that it needs creativity to entertain self since I live by myself.

I entertained myself again today in Denpasar. I went on a shopping spree with cousin Aga. I decided to buy a washing machine. I also went to check out the biggest hypermarket in Bali which turned out to be a fun place to visit (especially the bread section aah..). And to complete the trip, we also went to the well-known mall in Kuta. We giggled, we felt like coming back to civilization watching the branded shops. Aga wondered if I ever missed such life style. I don’t (but I shopped a bit).

We ended the day watching the sun went down in the back of the mall. It’s overlooking nice sandy beach. We talked about how life has brought us living in Bali – the thing that wasn't in our imagination twenty years ago. We discovered one thing about this new life. We lost one of the most fun holiday destinations — the place where we live now.

Photo of the sun in Kuta today.