See any change?

The past months I’m interested in Crocs – the hamburger shoes – cousin Aga likes to call because of its shape. When the first line came out, Cayman and Beach (those hamburgers), I thought the shape is just strange for city life even for holiday? Simply not sexy smart. I just didn’t like it.

My interest arose after I saw Prima last year. It’s ballet-inspired shoes so slim-fitting, no more hamburgers although it’s Crocs. Great! I own three Prima now. I found it neat and very comfortable for all terrains in Bali. I could visit office then go to raw land wearing the same shoes. It has hidden elevated heels to make long walk less tiring. Since I like to wash anything, Crocs is perfect, I could wash whenever I spot dirt or feel like to refresh it.

I tried to want the classics hamburger since I saw many tourists wear in Bali. It looks relaxed and cool. Free spirit shoes I’d like to call! Its colors and shape. Non-conformist. Anyway, I’d tried many Cayman and Beach lines but still.. not me! It's not proportionate with my size of body but I found the middle style in Manila last week, the style between Cayman and girlie Mary-Jane style called Alice. I mean the one for kids!

Yes, I could not fit Alice for adult for I don’t know the same size (the smallest 5) feels slightly too loose on me. The kid’s size fits just perfectly but it has hamburger effect because it’s kid’s shoe. So I got both styles now, the sweet hamburger of Mary-Jane style. I’m happy!

I’m happy to have found Crocs since I’m tired of wearing thong sandal. My city girl spirit has been back, I like wearing shoes more but of course nice leather shoes won’t fit Bali. It’s hot and wet then becomes not comfortable.

I checked out the website for the first time last night. I think this Crocs business is amazing. Also the Jibbitz brand for the accessories. I watch it growing into the world’s favorite free-spirit shoes. Resin material but comfortable and at reasonable price? I also liked to find out that they recycle the used Crocs for the needy. It is so nice!

Wow… I have promoted Crocs to the world. I was just impressed with myself – a conservative girl who enjoys wearing Crocs now.

I spent the whole day shopping in a hardware store and a hypermarket with cousin Aga. I had a long shopping list for kitchen, house, and Neru. It was not an easy shopping since many items were not available in Denpasar. So I just dragged myself from one shelf to another looking for… I don’t know. Jakarta feels far away now. I could not fine nice tumbler and water jug made of glass! So simple yet so difficult.

I told Aga I felt old since I felt tired having roamed two huge shops. I lost the energy of shopping. I got overwhelmed easily by the vastness of the space and the variety of the goods. I couldn’t think in details!

I drove back home in the dark. It’s good to be back in my nest…

Picture of that little Crocs I have for stuffs.

What did I learn today?

I learned some points today.

First, others treat us according to our attitude in general. I got the point when I saw my neighbor Betty yesterday. She came to my house in anger twice. I don’t not-like her, I understand, but I also found out myself keeps distance. I often heard her in argument with whomever in her house. I don’t want to be the one she argues with so I just smiled and said Hi then left. I didn’t feel right.

And later, a friend said something that reminded me of my feeling about a place. That’s when I realized that I might have been way too expressive in showing my real feeling about something. It’s natural and I’m fine. I just observe how people take our attitude to heart. I have to be watchful. That’s all.

Another thing is… nesting is important before everything else. I took a day nesting at home by giving a new look to my kitchen. Pak Agung came early to install shelves I bought yesterday. I thought it’d take an hour so I could go on with my day after that. It ended up it took us three hours to install one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.

I cleaned and rearranged my kitchen after Pak Agung left. Oh so nice! I also discovered the joy of having the sun in the kitchen in the morning. I’m kind of forgetting since I installed bamboo blinds on the windows. Now I know that I need to roll it up at full in the morning to give bright light to the kitchen. Actually I enjoy the green garden from the kitchen windows. It's a reminder that I am lucky!

I inaugurated the ‘new’ kitchen by preparing lunch with potato and cauliflower. It was super good!

Tomorrow is the last day of the month. It’s time to start a new way to do things in business. I keep repeating my spirit without significant progress made. Shall I start working now?

Picture of me and salad.

What’s new today?

Ayo ke kampungku di Klungkung hari Jumat! Mbo Yan asked me yesterday. Another fun trip to Klungkung on Friday. Hm. My itchy b*** said Yes! This morning I realized that I still have a stack of homework to do. Of course, I’d been away three weeks! I apologized.

I’m lucky to have many Balinese friends who are so kind to me. My new friend in Manila asked me if I ever encountered problem with the Balinese since I live in Ubud. Hm so well known issue about being 'outsider' in Bali. I told her that I’m simply lucky because I don’t feel so at all. My Balinese friends and acquaintances like to invite me to join in their festivities and ceremonies. This morning my landlord asked me to come to his kampong since the banjar is holding a once in sixty years ceremony called… long name. I might come one night to meet his father who’s not well since I was in Manila.

Anyway, I had to change my plan because of my landlord. I needed to do banking and had no time to meet my controller Metri. We could only talk on the phone about my homework. I asked her to be my boss but she was too shy to accept the appointment. I told her seriously that I need her to control me, to keep asking about the progress of homework she gives me. She doesn’t believe yet that I’m boss who needs a whip.

I also appointed my good friend to be my boss. Right after the appointment he already asked me to share something new about two of my projects tonight. What are my projects? Neru? Kitchen renovation? Frangipani closing? Aaargh!

I made a tiny progress in Neru and bigger one in the kitchen. I bought a nice washed-white shabby chic long table and matched hung shelf to give me more space to work on the table by the sink. Pak Agung will help installing the shelf tomorrow. A similar shelf would also be installed in the bathroom as my bath items have expanded to 377 unknown items according to a joke about women and men I got last night. I’m happy to be a woman with all the unknown items.

It’s a nice sunny day. The gamelan from the celebrating banjar has started playing. The music would stay till midnight that I don’t need to turn on CD player these days. I start to work in a moment.

Picture of a spot near a café in Intramuros, Manila.

Do I feel motivated yet?

This week I’m celebrating the first anniversary of my first week in the Ubud house. The date falls on last Sunday. I still recall the feeling of spending the days and nights in the house without proper and sufficient equipments to live in a house. Of course I had started to shop for the house in that first week but it took me months to be able to say this is the place for me to live not just to stay. I like to take time in shopping for house. I don’t rush since I need to get the feeling of living in the place before starting to shop more.

It was pouring since last night. I got up fresh a bit late this morning. My life in Ubud resumes. Loaded laundry in the machine, mopped the porch and kitchen, ironed the last batch before I left for Manila, and prepared fruit juice in a new way. Mama liked to tell me that having guest at home and visiting other house is a way to enrich our life. It’s true. I have adopted some of my guests’ habit after they stayed with me (shower outside?) also learned from others I stayed with (wash dishes without soap?).

I noticed that I seem not to have motivation to prepare food. I thought I didn’t have appetite but it seems that’s not the real issue. I was just unwilling to prepare since I felt I wasn’t that hungry. I’m one who could sleep with empty tummy. That’s bad and I was wrong! Actually I could eat when see ready-to-eat food. Anyway, I start diet today. Diet to eat! My #24 jeans had fallen half way the other day, or always?

I plan to 'renovate' my kitchen. I have started with stocking up more varieties of fruits and vegetables. I bought a book about the science of raw juice to know what goes inside my tummy without actually consuming unsuitable ones. What a life after 40! Like an ad in the Philippines television, I would like to say I want to stay ‘bad’ long by consuming only healthy food from now on. Pun sepuh, cousin Aga reminded me the other day.

I also bought more airtight jars to place non-fridge things. In one year I have accumulated three types of tea, two types of coffee, many types of milk, and more. I separated them in different jars today. I need to be tidy to make the kitchen homy. To motivate me to prepare food!

Well, actually I also need other kind of motivation. I asked my online chat friend to share me three things to motivate me to work! She said that I don’t need such motivation because I’m already good in pacing myself. Said I know when to work and when to stop so she thought if I don’t feel motivated now it would come eventually later. Hm. She knows me too well. I’m the one who could not be pushed to do things because I believe in my own time, my pace. Hardly one believes that I’m a procrastinator in disguise.

Picture of a street art in Nicanor Garcia Street in Makati City, Manila.

What did I see in me?

My life in Ubud has been back to b.a.u. (business as usual). Upon arrival in Bali, I went straight to do banking in Denpasar than had a chat with cousin Aga about my car’s recent visit to garage. It was still afternoon when I drove up to Ubud to run other errands. I spent some time with my new baby Neru too before home. Ubud looked quiet everywhere. It seems summer hasn’t started yet.

My trip back was smooth. I’m glad. I don’t expect to be too tired as life resumes back home. Frangipani’s pack-up has come to the end phase. The emotion regarding the activities has influenced Frangipani’s key persons. I care about my staffs but I also have to be able to push my feeling aside to be able to function well in executing one of my big decisions in life. Anyway, I need to regroup after spending time away from Ubud three weeks.

I learned about dualism this trip. I observed people and also used them as mirror to see the both sides of me. My friend pointed out the fact that Filipinos have issue in using English’s masculine and feminine pronoun like he / she or Sir / Mam. They often use the wrong way. It’s not new for me as Asian. But I also found out the other day that it’s not just about using the pronoun in a sentence but also mentioning a pair of words (I forgot the term in linguistics) like chair and table. I heard a waiter said that he’s going to get me another table. I frowned. Later I found out he meant a chair actually.

Anyway, I felt in-between in this trip. I see myself neat and picky but also careless and mindless. Civilized and un—. Behaved and too relaxed. Considerate and looked ignorant. Tidy and messy. Go expensive and go cheap. It’s nice to take stock of the characters so that I become more aware of which part of myself I should help.

Well, I’m sleepy at the moment. I think I have lost the grip of my writing. I look forward to starting the day a la Ubud again tomorrow.

Picture of a bookshop sign and those pillows again in Manila.

Have I found something unique?

In the week I stay in Manila, I’ve seen many kinds of crafts created by Filipinos. Some products are labeled with a brief description about the origin that I found useful although I’m not familiar with the geography and the tribe map of the Philippines.

Anyway, the most popular craft is capiz that is mother-of-pearl shells that have the same name with the province where it is produced. Capiz craft is in the form of home decoration: lampshades, trays, window and doors (too!) Actually, I also notice the same creation in Bali. And this is not the only craft that has similarity with (whatever we believe) Balinese craft. Other craft that is so popular here is ketak (Bali/Lombok name) in the form of products for home (tray, placemat, box). Tenganan people in Bali are proud to claim the craft as theirs although the ‘fake version’ is produced in Lombok. It’s the material that makes the products have different look although it's made of similar natural fibers.

So it’s true that I’m confused to identify which craft is originally from where. I bought many Acacia products like flat plate and bowl. It’s a bit silly because actually I could also find similar products in Indonesia that made in Jepara and Bali. It’s simply different wood but the shapes are all the same. I also noticed rain-stick is also available here which in Bali it is decorated with Aboriginal dots. Said that Australian ordered musical instruments with Aboriginal dots decoration to sell in Australia as souvenir from Australia. A friend doesn’t believe that. Well, for me it’s obvious that many crafts in Bali are not originally designed by the Indonesian. What about sarong and bed cover with tropical motifs sold in pasar? Said it started since they got order from Hawaii and other beach destinations in the world.

When I saw the wooden gecko the other day I felt lost too. I had associated gecko with Bali but I might be wrong. It might also be found in some places here. So when I bought I only had the idea of giving my Bali gecko a company. Again, it’s the material that makes them look coming from different places. What about Kalimantan and Timor style statues that could also be found here along with the African style stools in the same black finish?

In such reality that actually we live in one world one craft, I don’t know what I should buy in a place I visit. The Philippines are known for its piqa material (translucent pineapple fiber) for barong tagalog (traditional wear) or embroidered products for home (tissue holder, tablecloth, runner…) I appreciate the work but simply doesn’t suit my other stuffs. So?

Hm it’s nice to observe a place and its culture. This is what I like when visiting a new place.

Picture of ‘united colors’ in a jeepney in Manila.

How far can you go?

The world is small indeed. My friend introduced me to two friend couples the past days. It’s like a déjà vu for me when saw the Indonesian wife of the first couple. Hm. I was very sure she belongs to my past but in which connection I didn’t have idea. So I dug out her life before Manila. Jakarta and Kemang! Yes, I’m the owner of Frangipani. Widening eyes, she said that she also felt familiar when first saw me. The couple once lived in Jalan Bungur the street close to the shop that whoever lives in the street has to pass the shop to go out to the main road. It must have been more than seven years since we met. The couple moved to the area in the same year Frangipani opened. They both liked to negotiate ‘she likes, he likes’ when passing the shop windows.

So it was good to know someone in the city! Someone who feels the same about the city. We giggled as we understand why others feel strange seeing us like Indonesia so much. She's sweet that she planned activities with me but I reminded her that I would leave soon. We do next time soon!

It’s weekend again. Time flies. I visited a Saturday Market in the morning. I like wet market but this market is dry selling all kinds of fruits, vegetables, fresh and ready-to-eat fish, breads, food, local baskets and wooden utensils… Like a real bazaar!

I spent the afternoon in Intramuros, the old Manila, an hour away from Makati City. It’s a nice old historical place. Like a small city behind ruined walls, the city has everything from bank to church and school. Some are rebuilt in the 16th, some are kept in the same state after the World War bombings.

It’s interesting that people use the numerous gardens in the city for wedding so that people call it wedding garden. Yes, the gardens looked romantic and well kept. It’s also interesting that I saw almost all gardens were busy with wedding reception, so in the oldest church San Agustin. It’s a good time of the day and of the season to be married, I guess.

I spent lots of time in a three-story shop selling crafts, artifacts, paintings, and books. The building is old so the feeling inside. As I have an art business, this time I learned to be a tourist by looking things from the eye of a tourist. It’s very true that as a tourist I see local stuffs with different way to appreciate. I don’t mind paying a large wooden gecko at $12 whilst in Bali it might cost $4. It’s different wood, different mood, different place.

Anyway, I decided a big buy! I bought a contemporary metal sculpture by a Papua New Guinean once resident-artist in Manila, Gikmai Kundun. His work reminds me of Redy Rahadian’s work that worth thousands dollars back home. Kundun has style. I’m lucky to have spotted his work a bit abandoned in a low table. The four men embracing the air called Come to Me.

What a nice afternoon! And a great evening with friends made the day perfect. It’s so nice to meet another couple that once lived in Jakarta. It’s always nice to share place, art, and people we know. And also the same interest!

Picture of the building with the art shop in Intramuros, Manila.

Have I stretched myself right?

The other day in Jakarta, an American friend sighed about her moving to India. She cares about the cleanliness of the country. I reminded her about Jakarta with its traffic, dust, and pollution. I realized this morning that it’s easy for me to calm friends who feel sad about leaving Indonesia because I live in the country.

My friend got me thinking with his comment on my blog posts since my first day visiting Manila. Said it shows how I love my country so much that I keep comparing. Oops! Now I become one who feels sad about being away from Indonesia. No one helps me open my eyes that I actually live in a ‘difficult to deal’ country.

I justify my reason to feel so about other countries. The past seven years I mingle with many foreigner friends that has started me appreciating my country more. I’ve seen many ladies feeling sad about leaving Indonesia (that I also saw the opposite) since they thought they might lose the luxury of having activities in organizations or in creating artworks. I hardly feel emphatic because I couldn’t put myself in their shoes. Later I just enjoy seeing them at least once a year when they come to recharge their like for Indonesia. I also enjoy reading their story about living the new lifestyle away from Indonesia. I have taken my country for granted.

Back to me, yes I should keep my positive shoes while am away from Indonesia. The way I had helped my friends to see that Jakarta is not that great after all: that we embrace the city through glass windows, that the traffic could stop us from being more productive, that the gate to enter Jakarta from airport is often flooded…

I spent noon time walking in the street of Makati. Nice mild sun, a bit cloudy. A friend showed a nice plaza home of arts and artifacts, and modern furniture. Nice place that often quiet like Jakarta Design Center in Jakarta and Tanglin Mall in Singapore. Again, it’s an arty place that caters a significantly small number of populations. I keep thinking how to mix business and idealism like how to sell the funky art I like since yesterday. By the way, I haven’t pursued the purchase of the art. I still have Andreas in my mind but it hasn’t kicked me harder. I will wait. I tell myself that only destiny would unite Andreas (or Andong) with me.

Strive for detachment,
concentrate in silence,
conform to
the nature of things,
be without ego.
Then mankind
will be at peace.

– Chuang-tzuToday I feel stretched to many directions. I stretched my body in the morning. I stretched my orientation of the city. I also stretched my feelings: a good friend has to fly to London today for she found out her medical examination shows no good result two days ago; two persons I know who had ‘ignored’ me in the past have reached out to me this week because they need me. It’s so painful because I like to response well to others but it seems it doesn’t work the same with others. A friend once mentioned about ‘respecting self’ by setting limitation. It’s not me but I'm doing it now. It seems that’s the only way for me to respect myself. I still need to learn how to do, to stop giving without taking.

I feel well stretched now.

Picture of a shop sign in the plaza I went today. Nice statement about the connection.

Can I figure it out?

I’ll start diet tomorrow. Sounds familiar? Yes. I feel like saying that everyday now. For one, I need to pay attention to my cholesterol level. Then, my flexibility and shape. I realize that it’s not easy to maintain both issues when traveling, same with when have guest at home. Biorhythm and life pattern in general change subtly but very sure.

I observe my weight that tend to show less the past days but my hips… what is that curvy shape? I lose many physical activities like driving, being in-out of car, being baked in Bali heat, mopping and washing… One good thing I notice is the progress of my insect bite mark that gradually disappears now. The pigment is back. I’m excited but still continue wearing long sleeved top that becomes my new favorite now.

I explored another huge mall today. Of course it’s huge, it’s MegaMall. I was interested in checking out the art galleries there. While I tried not to shop, I liked to explore shops that have nice window displays. I found some shops have put a lot of efforts to make the shops look unique and warm. Some looked funky too. I really enjoyed.

Filipino art is classic. It seems that contemporary arts haven’t got a place here yet. Many paintings are realism – Amorsolo style. It’s nice but it reminds me of the past. There’s one nice gallery called Old Manila that shows stuffs from the old time, not a hundred years old, but old enough to feel the past decade. It’s interesting.

It boosts my spirit to see people’s determination in introducing a new art to people with common taste. In Bali, my eyes are entertained by strange arts created by people from around the world. Nothing new. But here where the contemporary arts are rare, the work of a Filipino woman artist I saw in one gallery in the mall is WOW. I could see myself creating such art. It’s junk art! I love the way she marries wood and rusty metal (nails, hinges, rulers, door knobs…). I’m envious for I haven’t come to the realization of my long time idea. It took me two years to realize my dream to create a necklace line a year ago (or two?). So how long would take me to create such artwork?

I was so engrossed by the artwork. I checked the price. I like the idea of treating myself. It’s not big but has substantial weight because the two legs of this funky sculpture are made of… old hammers. My chance of owning it is slim because I have to find one who likes to keep it for me until next time I'm able to take home. I will figure it out. See what I decide in the morning.

Picture of a pillow in a mall’s park that I don’t have idea of the purpose since I saw scattered some.

Have I made myself clear?

Good afternoon pok! Shop attendants like to greet everyone passes their shops. I have no time to not smile as I need to return their smiles every meter. Pok is a polite tag in the end of… anything. Thank you pok! Come again pok! Like other tags in Asia: laa for Singaporean, sih for Jakartan, ta for orang Malang…

I also learned that not everybody in Manila could speak English well. Security guards and taxi drivers have to try harder to get understood. Today I also questioned myself if I have spoken the right English. I canceled two taxis because they didn’t know where I want to go. I try numerous pronunciation of Bonifacio but they couldn't understand still. The third taxi driver was not sure where but could show me the right direction so I took him.

I thought taxi drivers easily know where a new big place in a part of the city. I was wrong. They kept saying Oh Market!Market!? When I asked if that’s the local name for the mall, they looked puzzled again. Mall?! So they didn’t realize that B1 to B6 are actually a mall with open public space concept. By the way, later I found out that Market!Market! is also a big mall nearby. Aaarghh..

So miscommunication here, miscommunication there. On my way back I had to negotiate the route with the taxi driver. It reminds me of Srimulat. If it were in Ubud it might sound like this: I want to go to Pengosekan. I dunno Maam. You know Lodtunduh? I dunno Maam. Okay, I’m going to ARMA. Oh yes, I know. In this case, ARMA is in Pengosekan. So I smiled in the car. How many buttons I should push to get what I want. It’s so fun.

I think one of the main reasons why it’s difficult to understand me is because they considered me as Filipino. They believed they could continue talking in Tagalog although actually my expression had gone empty. It’s fun, it’s really fun.

I spent the afternoon trying traditional Thai massage – Ton Ton – for the first time. My back felt stiff after traveling four places in one week so that I couldn’t continue doing yoga in the morning. Ton Ton has a different way to do massage: the therapist helped the client stretching a la yoga poses. I feel really good. I giggled when read the brochure later, the massage is also called ‘Lazy Man’s Yoga’. It’s very true. It must be nice to always have an instructor to support during yoga stretching. Hm.

Picture of the place in question.

How should I behave in a new place?

On my first day in Manila my friend reminded me not to get into taxi without handle to wind down windows and lock shows on the door. It’s the fact that I need to know because no such branded taxi like Blue Bird in Indonesia that ensures quality and safety.

I observed taxis on the street when we’re out and realized that hardly any taxi looked new. Most look shabby with handwritten sign (not print) on the door. I like shabby look of a thing but of taxi? I also have to forget about spotting Mercedes Benz fleet on the street. Living in bourgeois Jakarta has set my standard high.

I stopped taxi for the first time yesterday. It looked okay and I didn’t care to check the inside condition before entered. The next minute I realized what my friend had told me. The taxi had no handle for window. I exercised Plan B in mind while listening to the loosening bolts that ready to slide off anytime. Glad I have sense of direction and the driver maintained the normal route.

The experience didn’t give me lesson. I got even worse taxi on the way back. The seat had sank down close to the frame. I didn’t mind as I know I would travel short but… no handle for window either. I start to question myself if this is the normal condition of taxi in Manila. My friend repeated the warning after I told about my experience with the two taxis. As visitor, like many visitors in Jakarta, I don’t realize the potential danger. In Jakarta, I better go by bajaj than 'brand-less' taxi.

So I found myself in between careless and mindful. I didn’t give sufficient attention to avoid harm in taxi but I minded the way I dressed. I carried a textile bag to cover my handbag. Silly funny combination.

Today I felt a bit scared suspecting the taxi driver took me through a longer and scary route. I was thinking about another route that actually the one he took is the actual route. I didn’t have issue about the window handle anymore but we passed small road with nightlife business on the right and left sides. I activated my Plan B again. Wow… what a trip in other developing country.

I visited an up market mall today. Again it’s a mixed-market style. It has some designers’ shop but also boutique with Mangga Dua clothing. Nice to observe how malls in big city define their market. Jakarta is not a comparison definitely.

Look at me now. Away from Ubud, I become a transportation and mall observer.

Picture of a mobile-warung in the streets of Manila.

Can you help me choosing?

In Bali I’m Japanese. In Singapore I’m Indonesian. In the Philippines I’m Filipino. I often had to stop then try to understand what people said to me. They spoke Tagalog to me. Today one girl asked me where I’m from. She was quick to know but still she thinks I’m fit as Filipino. Fine.

I went back to the malls I visited yesterday. I had some ideas of what to buy but ended up buying Zara clothes. It’s been long I didn’t splurge on nice clothing. Here I could see myself as tourist. I don’t know where to get what while in Jakarta or Bali it’s so easy to get things. Familiarity. I gave up. I could not fine nice textile for decoration and cushion covers that looked good. People here like synthetic material whereas I’m big fan of natural material like cotton or many kinds of fiber.

Lunch time. I stretched myself by trying Filipino dish. The name of the restaurant had attracted me. Mangan (Javanese ‘eating’). Hm. The pictures of the dish looked good. I still remember I liked halo-halo (like Malay’s es kacang). The menu says Pinoy cuisine and I had no idea of how the dish would like. No simple explanation under each dish. Uh I wish I knew what the nasi goreng of Pinoy cuisine. Safe bet.

I told the girl that I had no idea and needed guidance. She gave me the secret of the company – their cookbook! There’s a picture in each recipe. If I were Amalia, I would have written down the recipe. She kept promoting their yummy sisig that I’m not interested because it’s babi (pork). I ended up having tinapa rice (garlic rice and salted fish floss) that I thought it’s already a dish like our nasi goreng. She’s perplexed, me the same. Later I realized that tinapa rice is considered only rice.

Discussing further, I found out that Filipino don’t each much vegetables. I agreed on grilled hito (catfish) that turned out to be super with tinapa rice. I’m glad. The calamansi (sour little orange) juice was also super. It’s not easy to find iced tea without sugar here. My friend told me that Filipino like anything sweet. Oh.

So after mangan, I learned that some words sound the same with Malay or Indonesian even Javanese. They also say babi for pork, buntot for oxtail, and burong for bird. There’s monggo (literal meaning in Javanese 'please') soup that I don’t have idea of the ingredients. Nice observation.

I thought I wouldn’t spend long in the malls but four hours just passed. I was waiting for taxi when thinking that I could be 'someone else' in other place. I had enjoyed malls! I look forward to continuing my adventure tomorrow.

Picture of Mangan restaurant.

Have you walked in all the malls?

The part of city where I stay reminds me of Kowloon in Hong Kong. Chunky buildings with feeling of the past. The traffic was less but yes it’s 'cold'. Maybe it’s because of Sunday when a city doesn’t show its real dynamic. Except in the malls!

My friend took me to a mall that has connection to some other five malls. I was surprised to see an up-market mall with top designers’ shops but has the same old look from outside. I had ‘expected’ to see a modern building with glass and steel so couldn’t spot Bvlgari window right away. Even the new buildings look more or less the same – chunky block of cement walls.

Like in other big cities where mall is the one of the few entertainments in the weekend, the malls here are also super busy on Sunday. The about six connected malls cater high-end to low-end markets so we could find a mix of people. But there's something interesting about the people, they dressed the same style: jeans and regular tee or top. I realized after my friend commented on my ‘artistic’ dress, my regular. Oh. Ya, people wear similar style and no brand handbags that have made me paying attention to what I wear if I don't want a not-nice thing to happen. When in Rome do as Romans do.

It was quite a long walk to walk in the six malls through roofed connecting corridors. It reminds me of Sydney in a way. But yes, nothing like Jakarta malls that have stand-alone building, unique character, and the wow feeling when entering. And hardly any mixed markets in one complex.

I also found it unique that in one mall complex there's a church with a low dome-like roof and without door so people could follow the service by sitting in the nice bamboo garden surrounds the church. What a nice way to combine two Sunday activities if I could say so. The Ayala Museum is also in the complex. It was a really nice museum like many Singapore museums. I envy. Indonesia has vast collection and spacious museum but the displays stay in the 1970s style with blurry glass windows and not well lit room. Can I complain more? No, but I learn to realize the hard work behind any nice presentation. As always, after financial issue.

I thanked my friend for introducing the malls. We treated ourselves with nice thick hot chocolate from Australian chain Max Brenner to mark the end of the long walk. For me, I also celebrated the first sale at Neru today. The egg has broken, that’s what they say. I’m happy to know that I still have Midas touch. Yes, I moved the stuffs before I left. I left the good vibe as well. It seems.

Picture of the view as part of living in a big city.

Isn’t it nice to be back?

I don’t remember the last time I took night flight going somewhere. Went to Beijing in 2001? Ya probably. I remember I just got flu that gave me hard time. I could not sleep that I needed a few hours before noon upon arrival to catch sleep before started the day.

I sat on the floor by a travelator near my gate in Jakarta airport last night. All seats near the gate were occupied and the gate still closed. It was close to midnight and all the nice lounges have closed. Even one that says 24 hours open. It seems my flight and one other are the only two left for the day so understandable that other businesses don’t operate at small hours.

Waiting is fine but not knowing when the plane leaves is something. I talked to a Filipino who often flies that hour says the chance to get the flight on time is 30:70. Fine. It’s just the hour is odd. I found myself couldn’t function well. I was not yet sleepy but preferred not to read. I could only stay online for half an hour and the rest of the waiting spent sitting idly listening to iPod.

The last hour before the departure at 2 (two hours late) I could not sit without fallen asleep. Orang kampung used to sleep before 11. So I stood most of the time. Lucky people who travels with friends: either they had a good time together or they could just let themselves sleeping because friends could watch over.

It’s good though. Once I was on my seat, I didn’t know when the plane finally left. I guess it took some times. I fell asleep right away. It’s nice that my two neighbors didn’t go to restroom the whole trip. Yes, I sat in the aisle as usual. I slept about two hours only but had really good sleep. I felt like gone… Spending the rest two hours half awake was easy. I’m glad.

So this is my second visit to Manila. I went here first time fifteen years ago. Not many I could remember about places but I feel it looks pretty much the same. It’s just nice to see other city that makes Jakarta looks better. I don’t have many to complain about the city. I talked with my girlfriend the other day that after living in Indonesia hardly any place in the world has nice warm art-mosphere. Having traveled the world, she agrees.

My friend gave me city tour in the afternoon. It’s just nice to be back.

Photo of Makati Sports Center’s roof.

Am I ready for new challenges?

Day went slow, days gone fast. I checked calendar again, mid May? My celebration friend has planned our trip again. I asked him to put it in the first week of June. It’s so rare he plans a few days out of Ubud. Hm… I laid out the plan while tidying house. I’d been busied by doing laundry the past two days. I tried to finish as much as I could before my next trip. Today.

I took time preparing gifts for my old and new friends. I also prepared things to do while I’m away from Ubud. I have many things to do. Holiday is always nice but I also like the idea of ‘change place’ meaning having holiday but life operates as usual. Yes, I carry lots of homework to do. I would take advantage of the change of scenery to be more productive. I love Ubud but I also enjoy combi holiday.

Ngurah had a hard time with me at Neru. His inferiority has created problem, his problem. It’s not easy to convince him that he better feel relaxed when communicating with me. I’m open and like to communicate through text messages. A luxury staffs could enjoy! Well, I feel sorry for him. I hope he could learn to be more confident in other aspects of life too.

I started my approximately 16 hours trip at 2 in the afternoon. Ubud was really hot when I had lunch then chatted with Ayu at Neru. I like that she joins in the end. Apparently she brings ‘shine’ to the shop. She reported that some people have dropped by to have a look. So nice to hear that.

My trip to Jakarta was smooth. I feel relaxed and ready for new challenges. Now I’m sitting in airport hotel waiting for my midnight flight.

Picture of typhoon approaching my destination.

Is it too late?

Celebrate bad staff? My neighbor friend started our celebration ritual again. He fired one staff today. And I’m stuck in one. He is lucky to have the heart to change staff once he doesn’t feel fit anymore. I have 'high standard' in recruiting staffs but Ngurah is special. He was in when I hadn’t choice because I hadn’t lived in Ubud three years ago. It’s 'too late' now.

Yes, the new activities in the new shop have brought out the real Ngurah. He couldn’t keep up. He came out with ideas today. Close the shop during lunch and close the shop two hours before the time. What a day you are facing! My friend giggled.

I was not slow though. I hired filler today. Ayu. She agrees to work part time for Neru that is four hours per day plus a full day on her day-off in the shop where she works now. I reminded her that she also needs a day-off. I need money and stop shopping, Bu. Fair enough. I’m glad that a part of the issue has solved. I still need to find another full-time staff. I will do later soon.

I also had a chance to have discussion with my 'controller' Metri. She is so good. She helped me talking with Ngurah about business principles – thing I could not do myself. If I don’t have hope, I feel I don’t need to talk further. Not a good leader. I was good but not lately after I release myself from issues that stuck on my way. I choose clearer path now. But yes, escape is not the answer. I will do better next time.

Today I become one who studies food label in supermarket. I have fetched my medical examination result in Jakarta and my cholesterol level gets the highest attention. It increases since the last check-up two years ago that already showed above standard level. Hm. My BMI (Body Mass Index) shows I’m underweight but I have to start diet soon.

Now I understand what it means being over 40. Metabolism changes. I might not have problem with weight and body shape but inside is something else. My new diet in Ubud has contributed to my health. I don’t eat much but I have veggie with mayo. I eat cheese more. Also supermarket snack for fun as I noticed my weight went down. And chocolate! I could finish a bar in a day. I’m angop (greedy) for chocolate!

My plan is to start paying attention to my meal time, intake, and exercise! I need to discipline my meal time. I have started to select the food I could have with the help of articles and online information. And I will join my 'celebration' friend to exercise in what-he-called exclusive gym in Ubud. I look forward to having skinnier but muscly body.

Picture of starter I had in a small resto owned by Japanese.

Have you got another breath?

My baby Neru is one week old today. It feels so far away now. Many things have happened in seven days, I’ve seen places. And I long for my bed in Ubud. Not just the bed that I long, but I long to be ‘on my own’. My girlfriend said she never heard one who really likes to be by self all the time without feeling lonely. Get a dog! At least there’s another breath!! She suggested desperately. I smiled.

I spent another day with good friends yesterday. I was invited to join my friend’s Indonesian literature group meeting that I’d been once. I don’t have to feel nervous because no discussion about a book in this meeting, the group treated themselves with talk by a well-known founder of a foundation that works on translating Indonesian literature – classics and contemporary. He is American and has been living in Indonesia thirty years. Interesting personality!

My friends think he’s not a super speaker but for me it’s just his style to present the material in relaxed way – conversation style – which is perfect style of presentation for a small group of ladies. We could just ask whenever we have question. No formal sequence of presentation then Q-A. I liked that he laughed a lot, so relaxed…

He talked about the challenge of translating ‘culture’ without losing its essence from the original language. I admire his expertise that he started when he’d only been ten years in Indonesia. How much Indonesian and the culture he had comprehended at the time compares to now? He once grinned at translated Indonesian poetry he published twenty years ago. I could imagine, the comprehension must have changed over time and experiences.

He also shared the challenge of working with other translators – native speakers or Indonesians. He likes to translate more than to edit that he loses the joy of translating and the work is tougher. Ya, I know the feeling. In the end he concluded that we are born and raised in a culture so whatever other language we are fluent cannot make us express exactly the same way the native speaker does. I agree with him. He gave a simple example of the expression of ‘bad traffic’ and ‘macet’ in Indonesian that doesn't show exactly the same feeling. Macet tells all the feelings and aspects of a bad traffic. Not just a bad traffic. True.

So I’m really happy to have attended the talk. And meeting old friends? Ah super! They hugged and interviewed me about my new venture. So nice to see their excitement to visit me in Ubud soon. I feel blessed that some of nice friends I know have a house in Bali. I don’t feel remote although I never feel so with my new friends in Bali. Nice feeling, that’s all!

Now I’m looking forward to starting my journey back to my home in Ubud. Chiko doesn’t move an inch from my side since I came. If only I could take him with me for my other breath.

Picture of a wisdom I got every day in a hotel. I have published this picture last year but it feels right to do it again today.

Have you got the good news?

I just got up. I feel tired. In Jakarta, I don’t have enough time to exercise and my sleep is light and disturbed. I know that I should stay longer so I have time for myself and everyone. The past few visits I managed to sneak out from people’s sight so had all the time for myself. Not this visit. It’s high time to start sharing my new life in Ubud with loved ones I have abandoned long time. Or better say, with loved ones I have left without adequate information.

I started the day early. I got haircut. One of the most important elements in my spirit. Yes, haircut does a lot to my spirit. I feel fresh and full of ideas when I change my hairstyle. Pieter gave me a style I wanted from a magazine. A young boyish model wears the style and it happens she has the same characters of hair. It looks really nice. I love the way Pieter gave texture to my hair. I got girl-look on the left side, and the boy-look on the right. He cut my fringe pretty short that I gasped. But as usual, I hardly ever felt disappointed with the end result only in the opposite. I love the haircut! It is so nice to cut my age another ten years.

It’s my fan club day yesterday. A friend called my circle my fan club. He could be right. I’m lucky to have surrounded by nice people who are eager to see me when I’m in town. It’s so different than the time I lived in Jakarta, it wasn’t easy to see all my cousins. Today, I sat with almost all of them. Amazing. I spent all afternoon with seven cousins who arrived from many directions. I feel honored that they made time to meet me. They said they liked to see me to learn how I went through all these. It was fun sharing. They don’t know that I also learn about myself at the same time. I learn from the way they perceived my experience. Nice!

Hardly had enough time with cousins as always, I had to run to meet my good girlfriends in other building. I’m touched that they organized the dinner to meet me. It is so nice of them. Five girls from different parts of the world knew each other in Jakarta. It’s always nice to start with life updates then compare notes about food and other cross cultural experience.

I got home with severe headache. I got it since got up and got worse by the time. But I feel happier, another homework is ticked off.

Picture of Chiko. He likes to be close to me by sitting on my bedroom window frame.

Have you chopped the issues into pieces?

I was inhaling and exhaling fresh air in Mama’s garden when I got the thought. It’s time for me to regroup my life issues. If computers need defragmentation after some time, I need fragmentation. Breaking the issues into small pieces. My friend reminded me the other night.

If I care about someone, it’s so easy for me to ‘adopt’ my loved one’s life issues. Which is very unnecessary. It would come later to me that I feel overwhelmed by… my own thought and feeling about the adopted issues. I could have wasted my good energy.

Back to now. Ya, I need to be reminded about it often. I have survived in solving many unexpected issues – small and big. So anticipating something to be an issue later is definitely not necessary. Me and my worry.

So yesterday morning I told myself to just stop thinking about potential issues. Nothing like that. It would just drag me to negative thought. I should let the Universe helps me to solve the whatever issue I need to face in the future. I just watch the steps then believe that everything would be okay. Then it would be okay.

Dhana looked sad to see me go in the morning. I understand. I didn’t push him to take me to airport. My visit is too short. In this limited time, I need to spread my time (and my feeling) wisely. For myself and many loved ones. Yes, I have to put myself as first priority.

Jakarta traffic was nice on Sunday noon. I got the haircolor studio in time. I spent the rest of the afternoon meeting friend and stocking up cosmetics in the same mall. In the evening I came to see an auntie who’s always been my ‘second mother’ to explain the reasons why I live in Ubud now. I’m happy to have spoken to the last person on the list. I could announce it’s all done now. My new life in Ubud has become more official.

Picture of palm trees I enjoyed from Mama’s carport while doing yoga.

Are we getting old?

I awoke several times. Malang was cool. Different from Ubud. Different time zone has affected me as well. Grin. Having tried to stretch my sleep, I fully awoke at 3:30 (4:30 Ubud time). I gave up. I turned on computer and read stuffs online.

By 8:30 I was out with Mama. She had Saturday Morning Club meeting that I had attended several times. Nice English speaking club of people around 55-79 years old. They mixed their English with Dutch and Javanese. I smiled a lot. Nice people they are. They let themselves laughing a lot. It’s fun to follow the meeting. Some of them also belong to other social organizations to keep them busy.

I enjoyed following Mama’s activity and interacting with her. We talked about some issues that later I found us hard to understand each other. It reminds me of my girl friend in Bandung who also faces the same issue with her mother. Are we getting old? Or, have we changed?

In a time like this, I long for a quiet time by myself. I’m not used to think in chaos.

Picture of Mama’s garden.

Isn't it nice to share nice thing?

I left my house as is for the first time. I just unplugged the cables from the outlet, took the garbage out, and left the rest in place. I couldn’t take the feeling of ‘leaving the house’ so I didn’t make it like one. I kept telling myself that it would be fun to be away from Ubud some time.

It’s funny to feel culture shock when landed in Surabaya. The new airport is huge and people threw waste on the floor. Smoke? Everywhere. The tobacco smell hit me right away, no place to be away while waiting for the minibus to leave the airport. Yes, I took minibus-taxi instead of 'individual' taxi that cost a lot since the mud disaster. I understand the opportunity cost of the trip because the travel time is uncertain.

I had smooth first trip from Surabaya to Malang since the mud disaster. The taxi driver took us through villages in Porong area. I enjoyed the view. I saw many old kampong houses with four thick pillars in front. Really nice.

I had really nice afternoon with Mama. She cleaned up her storage a few days ago and found many old pictures of the family. I enjoyed seeing Mama and Papa’s pictures when they were young. They’re good looking! Mama also told me that she found a box of my love-letters. Of course it wasn’t the ones I wrote. Hm… I’m excited. I plan to have a look tomorrow. It’s always nice to read old journals and letters again. It shows the way we think and feel at the time.

While Mama was busy showing me old pictures, I also had a picture to show her. I also shared many from the computer that actually she prefers to see the print. She liked to see me happy, I could feel that. That’s more important to me. We have to go through stages to understand any life change. I feel that we’ve been through that well so far.

So I’m happy! But I just realized that I only stay for one day. Mama has already prepared a day-agenda for us tomorrow. Time flies. Life is short. Make the best.

Picture of hazy palms in my garden the other day.

Can’t you just live here permanently?

I shortened my next trip two days. It is hard to leave Ubud. So hard. Very hard. My good friend told me to stop trying to fly out. Can’t you just live here permanently? Ayu in salon has also said the same thing the other day when I told her that I would fly out for a week. I realized that actually I don’t have one good reason why I have to go – to Jakarta especially.

I thought I would spend the day with my new baby today but I found myself kesedot pintu or 'sucked by the door’, an expression my cousins and I use to describe one who cannot resist self not to come along with someone who walks out the door to go somewhere. In my case here, my good friend often made me 'sucked by the door'. He liked to hint that he’s going somewhere. When I’m interested, he would be happy if I come to accompany. Or, often, he just asked me to come along.

Today we went shopping in Kuta and Legian areas. We had planned the trip since one month ago. When I changed my travel date, I hadn’t known his plan. So it’s nice that I could join in the end. Me too need to see the world outside Ubud, within Bali. We started early so had time for coffee on the way. Then visited my friend’s not-well mother in his sister’s house. Then started the numerous on-off car to check out stuffs. It was fun. We giggled a lot. My friend liked to use me as the reason of the visit so didn’t feel bad if didn’t buy. Ini Ibu dari Jakarta mau lihat-lihat! Uh.

I bought three nice Bali artworks for the house! It’s still hard for me to tune in again on the business. It hasn’t come back yet. But yes, it’s just nice to check out what’s available in the market and what’s hot these days. My friend bought quite a lot for his shop. He’s amazed that I don’t have passion to select merchandise this trip. I told him that I still have a huge stock in Jakarta that need to be sold first.

We closed the day with ice cream before home. We feel satisfied that we have worked eight hours today. It felt so good when we passed Silakarang. So nice to be home again soon!

Picture of menjangan seluwang – symbol of the Javanese move to Bali.

How could I forget that?

Neru means bringing out the best potential in each person. Through accumulated practice and training, we let go of the ego that covers our true personality. Neru reminds us of washing raw silk to softness, and of tempering hot iron to strength. With our good character revealed, art becomes a celebration of life.Your big day, a good friend reminded. Ya! How could I forget that? I awoke around 2. Was I nervous? It’s my fourth baby, Ketut Neru, so I shouldn’t have felt nervous. My first, Wayan Frangipani, has graduated and left home. Made Pallava is still with me. Komang Una is adopted by my cousins. So two kids are with me in Ubud.

It was cloudy when I started preparing myself. I started early as I need to do things myself. Mbo Made Jepun shouted when saw me passing wearing the special costume for the Balinese. I stopped and reported. I really like her and her mother. They have little kiosk in near my alley. Mbo De paints a la Penestanan, the tiny figures in paddy field. The Ibu shouted louder when I left Kamu jegeg!

All my Balinese friends came later, I appreciate. I could cry for their unlimited time and attention they shared with me. My first shopkeeper in Pallava, Ketut, is businessman in the area, Sanggingan. Within three years since he graduated from my shop, he owns two big shops now. He sent me a huge bouquet yesterday. And today he arranged the melaspas together with his brother-in-law. I had taken half of his business day.

My also ex shopkeeper now friend Ayu came with two boxes of kue and a nice cute bouquet. My controller Metri came with a huge box of tape cake she made herself! Wow! And more, my two closest girlfriends in Jakarta sent a nice bouquet all the way from Denpasar. Ah! When they said they had spent time after an art meeting to thinking of my new baby Neru, I almost cried. Another busy good friend had spared time to sit in the garden sharing the good time with me in Ubud. Am I deserved to get all the attention?

The ceremony lasted almost one and a half hour. I loved the idea of ringing bells in the space. I could feel the space cleared up. It's a nice way to start the new life of the space. I've attended various Balinese ceremonies, I feel that Balinese way to start a new anything is proper. Discard and recharge. Cocok. It's all based on positive energy.

After the ceremony, I had a nice chat over lunch with the two Sanggingan businessmen: Pallava neighbor and Ketut. Also later with Mas Imam the artist and his wife before went home. They were shocked to learn that I have moved to Ubud full time now. Shocked and happy at the same time. I’m also happy to know that Mas Imam is well-known Javanese balian in Payangan now. He’s going to heal my insect bite wound that still leave mark.

I must say I am rich with good friends who truly share their life with me. I’m optimistic.

Picture of me and the two Sanggingan businessmen today.

Have you appreciated your time?

I realized now that actually I don’t have long morning everyday. Like this morning, as I had meeting at 8:30, I didn’t have time to: load a laundry, do yoga, make fruit smoothie, prepare a light breakfast… My extra was just ironing two loads of clean laundry from the day before and my baju adat for tomorrow. Then I ran to meet Metri who had waited for me with a bag of kue. She is super…

I had nice learn-and-teach session with Metri. I’m really happy to find Linda in Ubud. She taught me a lot how to do business. Grin. She’s been in the high-art business almost ten years. Working with tough businesswoman before has sharpened her skill and good eyes. Lucky his boss now and… me!

She loves neru. So love. I could see her eyes sparkling with excitement. She commented that I have a really nice selection. Sure. I know the two shops where she worked and works. I could say I have different selection. Theirs are also nice but it’s just different from mine. I liked it when she said Ibu memang aneh! Ha ha.. I am aneh. I’m proud to be different. Aneh could also mean odd. That also I’m proud…

I practiced discipline. I worked since Metri left at 9. I didn’t let myself to be idle even for a minute. It’s amazing that I ended up working for eight hours, the normal hours. Ngurah and Pak Agung were so nice to stay and help me out with lightings and fix up this-and-that. I feel blessed to be surrounded by nice people. My treasure.

I pampered myself before home. It’s been weeks since my routine weekly pampering: getting facial and pedicure. Now I know more that I’d been idle for quite long until the past two days. This is one way to appreciate having lots of time.

My life starts now. Earn and spend.

Picture of neru when I left this early evening. It’s a very rare occasion when the space-owner didn’t park his car in front of neru.

Are you sure?

There are three expressions that sound so familiar to me the past few weeks: ah you’re so lucky, congratulations, and are you sure?

When I told about my shop, many said I’m lucky. When I shared about my experience in Pura Samuan Tiga that I got all wet of rain, they said I’m lucky since day zero. When Ketut visited my new shop, he said I’m lucky because there are many cicak on the wall even before ngulapin. So I kept that in mind, I am lucky.

Congratulations! For? For the new shop or my new life in Ubud or both. I have started to share about my new life in Ubud even with not-so-close friends. I spoke about it with ease now. It’s the fact that I have put in the open the past week. And that entails to…

Are you sure? Many of my cousins are still denying my decision. They still believe what they see I’m doing now is just temporary. That I’m in Ubud for the time being to prepare a new shop. That I will be back in Jakarta life again very soon. That I wouldn’t dare to live by myself facing all the complication of being all alone. Hm.

Just now my good friend told me that I’m the lucky few in the world. What I’m through requires great maturity, openness, awareness, and experience. Ah ah… I know but I don’t know. That I’m among few. Is it hard to be one?

My friend has declared today is the first day of practicing “the now habit”. He described it as a major life change. I felt small already because I always thought that he’s good in managing life chaos. I saw he had no room for procrastinating. I was wrong! There is procrastinator in every person it seems and for one who is aware of that, the feeling of not doing things “now” is enough to make one feels the need to proclaim a new spirit.

Anyway, yes, he has inspired me to do the same. Or more precisely, to remember to practice the same. I drove back and forth to moving stuffs from Pallava to the new shop. I pushed pushed pushed myself to not ‘waiting’ but to do it now. My time is very limited and I try hard to avoid working overtime on the last day before the opening on Wednesday.

I made it. The shop has looked more or less done when I left before dark. I will see my controller tomorrow morning to review the prices. Different location, different era, different prices. I look forward to seeing the shop grows…

Picture of the shop sticker on my Jeep. Yes, it’s neru.

Why does it take long to prepare?

Today is tilem. It’s the opposite of purnama when the moon is full, tilem literally means 'sleeping'. It’s zero moon and considered hari baik as well. Good day to start anything. Therefore I marked the starting of my new shop by moving some tables from Pallava. Ngurah was nice to do it early in the morning before he went home for palebon of relatives.

It seems that I haven’t ended the one-month renovation. I asked Pak Mangku to come again today and worked some more of my ideas. He works fast but my orders are also a lot. Install this and that, fix this and that, paint this and that… As a pemangku (priest) he appears patient. He is patient, it’s me who demand everything to be ready now. I couldn’t wait to place the artworks in the shop and enjoy the look.

Aga did a good job on the shop sign. It’s strange me that I don’t make the shop sign shout out loud. I chose to use sandblast sticker that has subtle effect on the window glass. I must say, it looks modern and elegant. Even the Ibu who owns the warung next to the shop, lifted her thumb Bagus! I bowed to thank her. She’s so excited. She often stood by the door observing the inside. I like her since first saw. I know her warung would become my 'kitchen' later. She serves hot drinks and many kinds of fruit.

Uh I’m satisfied. I have also interviewed Metri, Ayu’s senior workmate to be my financial controller. She would be my Linda in Ubud. She will help me with inventory, pricing, and financial reports. She once worked with a well-known Bali antique shop for eight years. She got the experience but more… I like her brain and enthusiasm. I need that more in a staff. I told a good friend I could sleep well with her working with me. Now I could…

I only have two days to prepare the shop before the melaspas, the opening ceremony by Pak Mangku. I’m a bit nervous because the physical shop hasn’t been ready yet. Time flies. I have ordered cakes to be distributed among close friends and business colleagues. What else do I need?

Picture of the shop this afternoon.