Green Backyard

The green yard behind
Is where greets and smiles soft-land
On the plate and glass.

β€”

Jiwa Jawi’s my backyard – found that the owner is a good friend of my best friend’s. she briefed me about the environment and seems that i can only raise cats, not dogs 😁
torch ginger aka kecombrang one of the major herbs grown within Jiwa Jawi, the more than 15,000sqm-garden-home
iga sapi bumbu rujak, lunch today 😘
with neighbours to be after 6-hour chat filled with warmth laughter and experience sharing πŸ’ I humbly thank you!

A Home before A Home

Wondered about home.
Has wandered finding a home.
She’s learnt she’s a home.

β€”

Feel good is feel home wherever she is.

not bored (yet) with this place, d’Omah is my omah before my omah is fully ready for weekend getaway
messing around before unpacking
Mbah Petruk, you’re not supposed to be in my bathroom – ladies only πŸ˜†

Javanese Hungry Go Where in Yogyakarta

Just in case my kitchen is resting, here is a list of Javanese heaven on earth for my hungry stomach.

πŸ’

  1. Omah Kayu, Jl. Pemuda 234 Wonosari, Gunungkidul
  2. Jejamuran Resto, Sleman
  3. Gubug Makan Mang Engking,
  4. angkringan pmm kaliurang
  5. Sate Klatak Mas Bari Pleret Bantul,
  6. Soto Sulung Cak Alim Jl. Adisucipto
  7. Gudeg Bu Hj Amad,
  8. Gudeg Yu Djum
  9. Gudeg Permata Bu Pujo, buka jam 9 malam, Gudeg Pawon Jl. Kusumanegara, ming buka jam 23:00
  10. Bebek Goreng Cak Koting, kidul jemb layang Lempuyangan,
  11. Bakmi mBah Mo Bantul
  12. Bakmi Kadin,
  13. Bakmi Pele, Alun2 Lor
  14. Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro cabang Terban
  15. Bakmi Jawa Pak Rebo Kintelan,
  16. Mangut Lele Bu Is Jetis
  17. Sate Goreng Ringin Kronggahan,
  18. Bakmi Jawa mBah Hadi Terban,
  19. Sate Ayam Cak Ali – Telogorejo
  20. Kepik Sawah : Jl. Godean KM 9, Senuko, Sidoagung – garang asem n belut balado, limun Tjap Orang Kaya, dll
    21.Ayam Goreng Mbok Sabar Jagalan
    22.Ayam Goreng Bu. Tini wetan ex Bioskop Permata,
  21. Sate Jono Pakualaman
  22. Kopi Joss dan angkringan di lor Stasiun Tugu
  23. Wedang Uwuh, makam Imogiri,
    26.Sego pecel UGM,7
  24. Lotek n Gado2 Teteg, Lempuyangan
  25. Kupat Tahu Pak Budi perempatan SGM,..
  26. Baceman kepala kambing p Kirman di belakang pasar Colombo
  27. Lotek bu Ning di jln Surokarsan
  28. Soto miroso,
  29. Nasgor & magelangan: bakmi doreng, Suryowijayan.
  30. Pecel wader dekat Bandara Adi Sucipto,
  31. Sayur Brongkos “Handayani” (mbak Tri, Alun2 kidul)
  32. Jadah Tempe kaliurang bu carik
  33. Wader Goreng Suko Jl.. Wonosari
  34. Soto kadipiro – Jl. Wates
  35. Gudeg Djuminten Kranggan
  36. Soto Pak Marto, Patangpuluhan
  37. Soto Pak Soleh Tegalrejo
    41.Soto Gobyos Wetan Jembatan Gondolayu,
  38. Sate ayam Pak Kromo
  39. Gudeg mercon
  40. Gudeg Tugu
  41. Bakmi Godog P.Juki Blimbingsari
  42. Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro cabang Durenan
  43. Ayam goreng mbah Cemplung, Gunung Sempu, Bantul
  44. Gulai Kambing Pasar Lempuyngan & Jakal km18
  45. Sate Kambing Samsuri Adisucipto
  46. Sate kambing Klatak Pak Pong, Wonokromo Bantul
  47. Sop kaki kambing depan RS Bethesda dan RS Panti rapih.
  48. Sate Ngasem Madukismo
  49. SEA FOOD KATOMBO, Sinduadi Mlati
  50. Bakmi mbak yuni stasiun
  51. Bebek goreng simpatik kranggan
  52. Sate ayam Jl Monjali dpn hotel Tentrem
  53. Nasgor kambing dkt panti rapih
  54. Nasgor Kambing, depanSMA Padmanaba
  55. Wader presto mbak jurri kalibawang
  56. Ingkung Kampung Ndeso, Pajangan Bantul
  57. Tengkleng Gajah di Wedomartani
  58. Mbah Gejrot Wonosari
  59. Nasi merah, empal, sayuran, sambal, dan tempe Bukit Bintang
  60. Bebek Goreng Gejayan Utara
  61. Jejamuan, Ginggang Paku Alaman
  62. Gudeg Cukupan seberang Saphir Square (hanya malam, lesehan)
  63. Soto bu Cip Patangpuluhan
  64. Rantengan bu wiryo beringharjo
  65. Warung masakan Jawa ibu Siput, Gondomanan
  66. Sea food baruna monjali
  67. Nasi Uduk Palagan (utara Monjali)
  68. Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro jl Bantul
  69. Sate Kambing Samirono
  70. Brongkos Bu Padmo Tempel Sleman
  71. Sate ayam Podomoro, Jl. Suryotomo Yogyakarta
  72. Sop ayam kampung Pak Min
  73. Bakso cap Kepala Kambing
  74. Soto Gumyak Selatan PMI Tegalgendu Kotagede
  75. Tongseng Sor Talok Manding Bantul
  76. Telur Tuna Hercules deket fak Teknik UGM
  77. Ramesan Warung Idjo Teteg Lempuyangan
  78. Siomay Mang Mudi Ringroad Per4an Jakal
  79. Siomay Kang Cepot Jakal
  80. Rawon EnaK Ringroad deket RSA UGM
  81. Soto Wonosari Condongcatur
  82. Soto Sapi Mbok Sarbini Piyungan
  83. Soto Ayam tan proyek Wonosari
  84. Soto lenthok dan raja sambel di seturan
  85. Sate dan Tongseng pak Dakir depan pasar Klitikan
  86. Bakmi Tongseng Balungan Sibitsu jln Bantul
  87. Sate Karang Kotagede
  88. Bakso & es teler Pathuk
  89. Seafood & rekreasi anak Banyumili Godean
  90. Waroeng Pohon, Jalan Parangtritis km 6
  91. Gudeg Pawon Janturan
  92. Oseng2 mercon KHA Dahlan
  93. Soto gobyos jl Bayangkara
  94. Ayam Goreng Bacem Code
  95. Kepiting Cak Gundul Jl Palagan
  96. Gudeg Ceker Gejayan
  97. Mangut Lele mbah Marto Geneng Sewon Bantul
  98. Sop janda jogja mlati sleman
  99. DA’IM DONUTS Jl. Kaliurang km 10.
  100. Siomay Kang Ujang, jalan Panjatkan dan jalan Ngasem.
  101. Warung Tongseng Ayam Kampung, Selatan Pasar Bantul
  102. SATE MBAH SO, Kota gede.
  103. SATE PAK MINTO, Jalan Wates.
  104. Bakmi mbah Gito, Pilahan.
  105. Warung Sego abang , jinak Semau Wonosari GK

GUDEG

  • Gudeg Sagan (mbak Wati), Jalan Prof Johanes, Galeria Mall ke utara.
  • Gudeg Bu Djuminten: Jl Kranggan 69
  • Gudeg Bu Pujo (Permata): Jl Gajah Mada 11 (lesehan buka pukul 21.00)
  • Gudeg Ceker Bu Nining: Jl A Yani 16
  • Gudeg Ceker Bu Yanti: Jl Monjali
  • Gudeg Ceker Sedep Raos: Jl Seturan 15 (warung tenda)
  • Gudeg Cukupan Batas Kota: Jl Solo 28 (lesehan seberang Saphir Square)
  • Gudeg Geneng Mbah Marto: Dusun Nengahan, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul (belakang kampus ISI)
  • Gudeg Kentungan: Jl Kaliurang km 5
  • Gudeg Kuncen Bu Sri: Jl HOS Cokroaminoto (depan Apotik Kimia Farma)
  • Gudeg Manggar Bu Hendro: Jl Hayam Wuruk (seberang Pasar Lempuyangan)
  • Gudeg Manggar Pembayun: Mangir, Pajangan, Bantul
  • Gudeg Mbarek Bu Hj Amad: Utara Selokan Mataram UGM
  • Gudeg Mercon Ibu Tinah: Jl Asem Gede-Kranggan (buka pukul 20.00)
  • Gudeg Pawon Jl. Prof Soepomo 36, Janturan (buka pukul 23.00)
  • Gudeg yu Jum: Wijilan.
  • Gudeg Tugu Bu Wagiyem: Jl Diponegoro (lesehan)
  • Gudeg Wijilan Bu Lies: Jl Wijilan 5 (buka 24 jam)
  • Gudeg Wijilan Bu Nur: Jl Wijilan
  • Gudeg Wijilan Bu Slamet: Jl Wijilan 17
  • Gudeg Yu Djum: Utara Selokan Mataram UGM
  • Gudeg Yu Narni: Jl Kaliurang km 4,5 (lor Kehutanan UGM)
  • Gudeg Yu Yah: Jl Magelang km 5 (warung tenda kidul Terminal Jombor)
  • Rantengan Bu Warno: Jl A Yani (lantai 2 Pasar Beringharjo) & Jl Jagalan Beji PA I/43 Pakualaman

BAKMI

  • Bakmi Pak Furqoni, Jalan Modang Jogokaryan
  • Bakmi Doring: Jl Suryowijayan 348
  • Bakmi Jokteng: Perempatan Pojok Benteng Barat
  • Bakmi Jombor: Jl Magelang km 6,3 (Flyover Jombor)
  • Bakmi Kadin Mbah Hj Karto: Jl Bintaran Kulon 6
  • Bakmi Mbah Gito: Jl Nyi Ageng Nis, Rejowinangun
  • Bakmi Mbah Hadi: SPBU Terban
  • Bakmi Mbah Mo: Dusun Code, Kulon Perempatan Manding, Bantul
  • Bakmi mBah Tris Manding Kidul, Trirenggo Bantul.
  • Bakmi Mbah Wito: Dusun Kemoro Sari 1, Desa Piyaman, Wonosari
  • Bakmi Mbak Yuni: Jl Wongsodirjan (lor Stasiun Tugu)
  • Bakmi Pak Geno: Jl Parangtritis km 23 Patalan, Jetis, Bantul
  • Bakmi Pak Harjo Geno: Pasar Prawirotaman
  • Bakmi Pak Juki: Jl Yacaranda 1, Sekip (depan Apotik Gajah Mada)
  • Bakmi Pak Juki: Depan SPBU Sagan
  • Bakmi Pak Pele: Wetan Pagelaran Kraton, Alun-Alun Lor
  • Bakmi Pak Rebo: Jl Brigjen Katamso 167, Kintelan
  • Bakmi Shibishu: Jl Raya Bantul 106
  • Mie Ayam Mas Yudi: Jl Taman Siswa 158
  • Bakmi Jozz Krakitan, Ringinharjo, Bantul
  • Mie Lethek Mbah Mendes: Jl Ringroad Utara (200 meter kulon Lotte Mart)

SOTO

  • Saoto Bathok Mbah Katro: Jl Candi Sambisari, Purwomartani, Kalasan
  • Soto Ayam Tan Proyek: Jl Raya Wonosari
  • Soto Bangkong: Jl Magelang
  • Soto Betawi Bang Darto: Jl Petung 33, Papringan
  • Soto Betawi Bang Pitung: Jl Juminahan 12
  • Soto Bu Cip: Jl S Parman 58
  • Soto Djiancuk: Jl Tepi Rawa Kalibayam, Sonopakis, Ngestiharjo
  • Soto Gobyos: Jl Bayangkara
  • Soto Gumyak: Jl Imogiri Timur (kidul PMI Tegalgendu Kotagede)
  • Soto Kadipiro: Jl Raya Wates 33 (sebelah kanan jalan arah ke Wates)
  • Soto Kemasan: Jl Ringroad Selatan, Singosaren (dekat Terminal Giwangan)
  • Soto Kudus: Jl Monjali (samping SPBU Monjali)
  • Soto Kudus Gajah Mada: Jl Kaliurang km 8,7
  • Soto Lamongan Cak Parno: Jl Lembah UGM Karangmalang D28
  • Soto Lenthok 21: Jl Sugeng Jeroni
  • Soto Lenthok 42: Jl MT Haryono 42
  • Soto Lenthok Pak Karjo: Jl Prof Herman Johanes, Sagan
  • Soto Miroso: Jl Adisucipto 168A
  • Soto Moneter: Jl Ringroad Timur, Banguntapan (lor perempatan Kotagede)
  • Soto Pak Marto: Jl Janti, Gedong Kuning (depan JEC)
  • Soto Pak Marto: Jl S. Parman, Barat Plengkung Taman Sari (200 m kulon bangjo)
  • Soto Pak Pur: Jl Nitiprayan, Ngestiharjo, Kasihan, Bantul (500 meter kidul IKIP PGRI)
  • Soto Pak Sholeh Al-Barokah: Jl Wiratama 84, Tegalrejo
  • Soto Sampah (Uwuh): Jl Kranggan (depan SPBU)
  • Soto Sapi Mbok Sarbini: Jl Raya Wonosari, Srimulyo (dekat Pasar Piyungan Baru)
  • Soto Sapi Pak Musthofa: Jl Magelang km 7 (lor Terminal Jombor)
  • Soto Sapi Pak Sugeng: Jl HOS Cokroaminoto 185
  • Soto Seger Mbok Giyem: Jl Adisucipto (depan Sheraton Mustika) & Jl Magelang km 8
  • Soto Sulung Cak Alim: Jl. Adisucipto km 8,5 (depan Grand Quality)
  • Soto Sulung Pak Malik: Jl Pasar Kembang (Parkiran Selatan Stasiun Tugu)
  • Soto Sumuk: Jl Jend Sudirman (wetan Jembatan Gondolayu)
  • Soto Wonosari Mbah Urip: Jl Rajawali Raya 74, Condongcatur
  • Sop Ayam Kampung Pak Min

SATE

  • Sate Ayam Cak Ali: Jl Kaliurang km 7
  • Sate Ayam Cak Amat: Jl Hadidarsono, Kotabaru
  • Sate Ayam Monjali: Jl AM Sangaji (depan Hotel Tentrem)
  • Sate Ayam Pak Kromo: Jl Mayor Suryotomo 3
  • Sate Ayam Podomoro: Jl Mataram 11
  • Sate Djono: Jl Masjid Pakualaman 7
  • Sate Goreng Ringin: Kronggahan, Jombor, Mlati (Terminal Jombor ke barat lalu ke utara)
  • Sate Kambing Mbah Darmo: Jl Solo (wetan bandara)
  • Sate Kambing Monjali: Jl Monjali 106 (lor bangjo Jembatan UGM)
  • Sate Kambing Pak Dakir: Jl HOS Cokroaminoto 75 (depan Pasar Klitikan)
  • Sate Kambing Pak Syamsuri: Jl Anggrek, Sambilegi, Adisucipto
  • Sate Kambing Samirono: Jl Colombo 105
  • Sate Karang Pak Prapto: Jl Nyi Pembayun, Lapangan Karang, Kota Gede
  • Sate Klatak Pak Bari: Pasar Desa Wonokromo, Jl Kedaton, Pleret, Bantul
  • Sate Klatak Pak Mus: Jl Stadion Sultan Agung, Pleret, Bantul
  • Sate Klatak Pak Pong: Jl Stadion Sultan Agung, Pleret, Bantul
  • Sate Klatak Pak Yakut: Ruko Griya Alvita, Jl Wates km 3
  • Sate Kuda Gondolayu: Jl Jend Sudirman 25 (kulon jembatan)
  • Sate Kuda Pak Kuntjoro: Jl Kranggan 64A
  • Sate Ngaglik: Jl Kaliurang km 10 (depan kecamatan)
  • Sate Ngasem: Jl Keloran, Bugisan, Tirtonirmolo, Ringroad Selatan
  • Sate Padang Asli: Jl Kaliurang km 5,6 (dekat HokBen)
  • Sate Padang Mamak Sharil: Jl Sultan Agung, Pakualaman
  • Sate Padang Salero: Kawasan Stadion Mandala Krida

AYAM

  • Ayam Asap Kuah Santan: Jl Gito Gati 100 (lor Hotel Hyatt)
  • Ayam Bakar Bu Ning: Jl Taman Siswa (warung tenda)
  • Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro
  • Ayam Bakar MG 22: Jl Sisingamangaraja 22B (seberang Kantor Pos Mergangsan)
  • Ayam Goreng Bu Tini: Jl Sultan Agung 17, (wetan bekas Bioskop Permata)
  • Ayam Goreng Kampung Bugisan: Jl Bugisan Selatan 42 (depan SMKI)
  • Ayam Goreng Mbah Cemplung: Sembungan RT 05 Bangunjiwo, Kasihan, Bantul
  • Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek Kalasan: Jl Solo km 14,5 (samping Panti Rini Ziekenhuis)
  • Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek Pawirodikoro: Jl Pugeran Timur 24
  • Ayam Goreng Mbok Sabar: Jl Jagalan
  • Ayam Goreng Mentega Lie Djiong: Jl Brigjen Katamso
  • Ayam Goreng Ninit: Jl C Simanjuntak 20, Terban (depan Karita)
  • Ayam Goreng Ny Suharti: Perempatan Rejowinangun, Gedong Kuning
  • Ayam Goreng Pak Ndut: Jl C Simanjuntak 29, Terban
  • Ayam Goreng Putra Rantau: Jl Wirosaban (wetan rumah sakit)
  • Ayam Goreng Suharti: Jl Adisucipto (samping turunan Flyover Babarsari)
  • Ayam Goreng Tojoyo 3: Jl Urip Sumoharjo 133 (depan Empire XXI)
  • Ayam Kremes Mbak Ning: Jl Gajah Mada 1 (kulon bekas Bioskop Permata)
  • Ayam Panggang 3 Berku: Jl Kusumanegara 185
  • Ayam Panggang Bu Ning: Jl Godean km 5
  • Ingkung Kampung Ndeso Mbah Cempluk: Dusun Santan, Desa Guwosari, Pajangan, Bantul

BEBEK

  • Bebek Goreng Cak Koting/Bu Meti: Jl Dr Sutomo (kidul Flyover Lempuyangan)
  • Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut: Jl C Simanjuntak 29, Terban
  • Bebek Goreng Pak Saring: Dalam Pasar Lempuyangan
  • Bebek Goreng H Slamet: Jl Pangeran Mangkubumi
  • Bebek Goreng Pak Slamet: Jl Affandi (Gejayan Utara)
  • Bebek Goreng Simpatik: Jl Diponegoro (depan Pasar Kranggan)

GADO2/PECEL/LONTONG

  • Gado-Gado Bu Hadi: Jl A Yani (lantai 2 Pasar Beringharjo)
  • Kupat Tahu Pak Budi: Jl Kusumanegara (perempatan SGM)
  • Lontong Sayur Padang: Jl Ipda Tut Harsono, Timoho (dekat RM Barokah)
  • Lotek Bu Ning: Jl Surokarsan
  • Lotek MM UGM: Depan MM UGM
  • Lotek Sagan: Jl Sagan Kidul 23 & Jl Danau Tempe V/8
  • Lotek Teteg Lempuyangan Bu Is: Jl Argolubang 184 Gg Delima GK IV/196 Baciro (depan SPBU)
  • Pecel Baywatch Mbah Warno: Kasongan, Bantul
  • Pecel Lele: Jl Patangpuluhan 21
  • Pecel Senggol: Jl A Yani (pintu gerbang Pasar Beringharjo)
  • Pecel SGPC Bu Wiryo 1959: Utara Selokan Mataram UGM
  • Pecel Wader: Jalan Masuk Bandara Adisucipto

BAKSO/PEMPEK

  • Bakso Pak Teguh, depan pasar Prawirotaman Yogyakarta (buks sore jam 17.00)
  • Bethesda: Jl Yohanes Nurhadi (kulon rumah sakit)
  • Bakso Idolaku: Jl Taman Siswa 138
  • Bakso Jawi Bu Miyar: Jl Sultan Agung 9
  • Bakso Kuning Gading: Jl Abubakar Ali 2A, Kotabaru
  • Bakso Malang Berkah: Jl Nusa Indah, Condong Catur
  • Bakso Pak Jam: Ironayan, Banguntapan, Bantul (samping masjid)
    LODEH WADER – Warung HANYA Jl. Parangtritis km 6,5 (utara kampus ISI),
  • EMPEK-EMPEK Nonyan Kamto di Malioboro Mal
    l dan Selatan Ramai Mall…
    -Angkringan RUBY JOGLO
    Jalan Nanggulan

And many more….❀

Levelled

Terraced hilly fields
Build levels, reduce runoff.
Beautifully strongβ€”

β€”

vegetable levelled terraces ready for next planting
the white lines hanging are pipelines traditionally built to transport spring water from mountain to the vegetable plantation

Good Roots

Good roots are strong roots
Supporting those on the soil.
They won’t be betrayed.

β€”

This trip is incredibly beautiful. Meeting best friends is more than anything. We talk. We laugh. We eat. We visit places. We engage with people.

One of my best friends who will be my neighbour in my humble abode is one of best human beings I’ve ever known. She lives to humbly serve humanity. She dedicates her life to help the underprivileged. She is so patient about what others do to her and always in understanding mode. She is so passionate in doing what she is doing to help others.

Among all her non profit projects that are my favourite is opening library in a small village that is functioning as youth center at the same time and supporting buruh gendong (traditional female labours who are paid to carry things either by sellers or buyers in Yogyakarta traditional markets, most of them are senior) in some traditional markets in Yogyakarta. If time allows me to live as long as I wish, our agreement is I will teach free classes of English, Japanese, leadership and management system in her youth center, while occasionally going with her from one market to another to greet the buruh gendong. Yet as an artist she is also teaching (mostly) women on how to make artistic products for sale to support themselves financially.

In this trip we discuss a lot about what we should do to ourselves and others but we can’t because of immovable blockages. We also talk about how we can feel good no matter bad a situation is. We talk about what will happen if the youth are not aware of what lies in their future at the same time we concern about how children around us get mature faster than we did before. And all always last long although with only a glass of tea, a cup of Javanese coffee and some pieces of local snack.

Life is too precious to focus on what doesn’t serve us good anymore. Life is too short to lament of any loss that is truly never loss. Life is too grand to just be sad of how that that we love disrespects us. Life is just too beautiful to consider what is not real.

So thankful for how real my best friends are in helping others. So thankful to be part of their spirit. So thankful that we are ordinary people in this grand life. So thankful that we are a grain of sand in the vast shore. So thankful that we accept who we are. So thankful that we are strong roots for each other.

Thank you, dear friend. It is good to always have a question β€œso what is our plan and action?” πŸ’

Alfatihah.

two women and clay jars – RC Gorman’s work of art

Good Day

What will you do on one bright day? Anything but feel no good.

β€”

seating arranged by a rice field in Yogyakarta – a place where people become human being, transaction tones down to neighbourhood, ordinary feels extraordinary

Jakarta

Always love this city
Where work is in moving cars,
Finished in toll gates.

β€”

What is Jakarta about? Heavy traffic? Better in some way. Flood? Better in some way. People? Always happy, optimistic and witty no matter what!

Nothing beats feel home. πŸ’

a city isn’t about its minuses 😎 (Jl Sudirman, Jakarta)…. – traffic jam should be one tool to shape patience πŸ₯Ή
…. but also about how leaders manage it through wrong and right decisions and policies and also about the people who are willing to be led by different leaders from different backgrounds with different interest and partiality πŸ™πŸΌ (Bundaran HI, Jakarta) – traditional food finds its heaven in β€œcar free day” on Sundays in this spot πŸ’

A Dream

A dream is shadow
Who is loyal to the light,
Acting as the dark.

β€”

Weekend is always the second best after everything even when it is cloudy and full of rain everyday. πŸ’

a dream destination: a place where there are more cattle than people πŸ₯°

Andalusia

Lines of orange trees
Tell stories of a city
With its bright fruit juice.

β€”

Andalusia 🎼
orange trees in the yard of Mezquita de Cordoba πŸ’ (from Pinterest) – they taste bitter πŸ™ƒ

Library

Opening the door,
She finds books and thesaurus
Stacked high to the sky.

β€”

What else is this life mainly but library? Read your books! πŸ’•

β€œRead your books” is excepted from one Quran verse β€œRead your records (the word kitabaka can also mean your books or your scrolls). You alone are sufficient this day to take account of yourself” that implies self observation, self evaluation, self assessment, self correction.

Ouch! An internal audit it is β€” becoming the auditor and the auditee: acting different roles in the same place using different points of view. Doable and sustainable! 😍

May all beings be happy.

library in Seoul! my colleague said it is located in the same area with our office – I’m ready to go! 😁
sent by a colleague this afternoon; ok then, I’m ready to be assigned there 🀀 – Korea was never in my bucket list but this beautiful place has confirmed it now is! 😍

Silk Road

Silk road, Beloved,
A bumpy road to a heart
Laughing at a jokeβ€”

β€”

In a silk shop in Hanoi a conversation happened.

Me: (silently questioning whether the silk offered was truly silk from Dalat or β€œsilk” from somewhere in China)

Shopkeeper: How do you like it, Madam?

Me: I love it. But to help me make decision, would you mind answering my question? I hope this won’t offend you.

Shopkeeper: Certainly, Madam.

Me: Is this silk truly from Dalat?

Shopkeeper: Yes, Madam. It is from Dalat, my parents’ hometown. Why, Madam?

Me: Not from China?

Shopkeeper: (laughing) We received the same question from another customer before. I am not surprised. Trust me it is Vietnamese silk, not Chinese product…. (She made a joke about β€œsilk” then continued her long explanation of silk industry in Vietnam and her family business history and brought some samples of old silk that had been kept since her grand grand parents started production.)

She was able to convince me relatively well and my decision was buying one pretty white piece. White silk won’t go wrong to attend my nephew’s wedding in December! πŸ₯°

May all beings be happy.

written history is a frame, what’s inside can be anything the writer wants to put in – unfortunately some true thing is not in the frame 😎

A Guest

A guest, Beloved,
Makes host happy yet confused.
Smile sweet and thank, too.

β€”

I’ve met hosts with different types of personality or characteristics. When the host is a person, it’s just about that particular person. When the host is a company, it shows me the company culture or local culture.

I’ve got a few β€œcute” treatment from some hosts.

One company in Koka was informed that I’m a Muslim. My colleague told them β€œRike eats halal, please find the food source from now.” They didn’t clarify to me and just followed that pranking colleague blindly. And in my 3-day visit they fed me halal food they ordered online and had to be delivered long trip to that remote area.

β€œIs it good, Rike-san?” The host asked me on the last day.

β€œDo you expect honest or polite answer?” said I laughing.

β€œBe honest please ha ha…”

β€œI tried NN-san’s food from your canteen. I love your food much much better. This online food tasted good but didn’t taste fresh.” It was impolite like hell for most Japanese host I guess. πŸ˜‚

β€œOur canteen food is not halal. I’m sorry about the online food.” He must have wanted to commit suicide after that. 😁

Then I started preaching what halal meant to me. And they said they would not order the halal food for me anymore and give me their canteen food the following years. πŸ˜‚

delivered from Kanagawa πŸ™πŸΌ

β€”

The second was one company knowing I’m a Muslim as informed by the branch in Malaysia. So they knew I pray although they never knew I only pray when wanting to.

So they brought me to a small room to do afternoon prayer. I asked if they have Muslim employees so they had the room, they said it was prepared for me. They moved out table, chairs and other cultural ornaments. πŸ™‡πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

The first day I prayed, the other days they asked if I would pray. I said no. Then again I preached what type of Muslim I was and they nodded heads looking confusedβ€” they might think how would a human being can be this obedient yet disobedient to her God.

prayed in the prayer room specially prepared for me one day then chanting the same prayer in this shrine another day; God isn’t discriminating 😍

β€”

The third is also about being a Muslim. I came with 6 other people for 2 days and the company gave me fruit salad while giving nice beef/chicken/pork, egg, vegetable, rice lunch to others. They said they only had salad as halal food and no restaurant near the industrial area cooks halal and non halal food separately.

My colleagues explained that I could eat this and that but β€œnot pork only”. So the next day they provided my favourite Vietnam spring roll with β€œvegetable and pork” not β€œpork only”. I left the lunch box untouched and went back to the yummy salad. I’ll come back next year, please give me pho. 😁

special salad for me – thank yow!!! 😘😘😘

β€”

Some people are so naive not knowing what to do and deciding to do their bestest best to respect the guests. God bless them.

I enjoy being a (not so good) Muslim. Misunderstood but still well treated by those willing to respect others. God bless you! πŸ’

Salaam….

a cute torii in Minakuchichohinokigaoka (damn not easy to read and write)

Guessing

Guessing, Beloved,
The least inaccurate points
Of mangosteen seedsβ€”

β€”

lovely sweet manggis (mangosteen in English) – no child at my time disliked this fruit, to eat and to play guessing game – we children liked to go to Nasikah’s house to enjoy free mangosteens in harvest time 😍
how many seeds are inside? 5? 6? 6 of 1 big, 4 medium and 1 small!
inaccurate! it’s 5 of 1 big, 3 medium, 1 small! πŸ˜†

That’s what we call β€œtebak buah manggis”, guessing game to decide whether the number of sections at the bottom of the fruit accurately matches the number of seeds inside. Mostly matching, yet this time it is not! πŸ˜† Life is sometimes unpredictable even with good database; anomaly is a rule whose patterns are not yet formulatable oops formulated by human beings β€” please excuse my English, I’m not a native. πŸ™ƒ

Like someone we love. We thought they are 6, in fact they are 5.

Fair enough to say: seldom expect accuracy in estimation; better be sufficiently into the least inaccuracy so it won’t drop one down to abyss when finding inaccurate things. I’m trying to be wise as myself for myself about myself. πŸ₯°

Oh dear, mangosteens!

Playground

Playground, Beloved,
Where crickets find the shelters,
Light heart run aroundβ€”

β€”

Back to my playground β€” am I the crickets hiding from the stomping feet of the children playing? Or the the light-hearted children stomping their feet around?

Comfort comes in different ways to different people.

May all beings be happy.

Pulau Jerejak, a name in the bucket list forever and never getting approval for a visit from anyone meeting me in Malaysia β€” I’m sometimes a cricket in this playground πŸ€“

Prime Crime

Partners in crime, Love
Sail from torii to torii.
A ship of good friendsβ€”

β€”

Fushimi Inari Taisha, our favourite shrine has its duplicate in Singapore 😘 being with partner in crime is always prime time πŸ˜‚ thank you!

Little Bird

Little bird, dear love,
Telling her to soar then go home
To where her heart isβ€”

β€”

Home. Is it a what, a who, a whom, a whose, a which, a when, a where or a how? She knows hers and it doesn’t always the same as others’. πŸ’

shared rice with a little bird in Cointrin Airport before boarding for Amsterdam then home – a trip worth doing she should repeat πŸ₯° …

Greeting

Greeting, Beloved,
Cool breeze sweeping the valley
Moisturised by dewβ€”

β€”

good morning, sweeties! flower is forever mood booster 😘

Surprise

Daruma city
You’ve witnessed left eyes were drawn.
Wish me the right ones.

A group of people in Takasaki wished me a happy birthday in an online meeting. A real surprise that made my day! I almost cried of happiness! πŸ₯Ί

This evening one of them went back to Tokyo and she sent me messages with photos taken in Takasaki station. Another sweet surprise!

γ‚γ‚ŠγŒγ¨γ†γ”γ–γ„γΎγ™, AWγ•γ‚“γ€‚γΎγŸζ₯εΉ΄γŠδΌšγ„γ—γΎγ—γ‚‡γ†οΌ

Looking forward to a set of daruma dolls of different colours I ordered from Amazon (because of cancelled plan to buy them in its original city). Not a real surprise but hope the dolls give me a little shade of surprise! 🀩

Salaam.

daruma doll in Takasaki station sent with a message β€œHappy birthday, Rike. Come on draw my eyes!” πŸ˜‚
β€œEnjoy!” another message with another photo πŸ˜‚

Dream Home (lunch break)

Dream home, Beloved,
Sitting with all senses on,
Capturing momentsβ€”

β€”

Lunch break + very very heavy rain = early wish of birthday getaway to come true!

sitting here while writing a bunch of love letters to whomever I want – 2023
long chat in Ubud – 2024
tranquil nights in Angkor – 2025
ocean air breathing in Ninh Thuan – 2026
walking in the depth of souk – 2027

To be continued with more destinations in 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065…. As if I knew how long I will wander around here? I hope to live as long as time is mentally and physically enjoyable with family and friends without bothering them.

Long life, fresh and sane!

Then came the calculation part…. A lot of coins to spend to comfortably celebrate that way in those particular places. Easy! Just need a clover pendant to make it happen. 😝

4-leaf good luck charm immediately wanted!!! to make dreams come true πŸ€

Thanks for the rain and daydream. I know there is more than meets the eye! Life is so rich and I accept all the gifts.

Dream Home (ranting)

Dream home, Beloved,
A place where nature meets hearts;
Hearts warmly greet soulsβ€”

β€”

The conversation with a long lost friend came to a topic of β€œwhere we want to live if ending living alone?”

Living in Singapore was never part of my dream. A visit in 2010 gave me impression that I would die of hunger in a week with Indonesia salary. 😁

Now this city is a lovely second home; my impression has changed. I won’t die because of hunger but I will die because of loneliness if I stay single retiring here. I still can’t find enough friends like those in home country. There are three but all of them will retire in Bali and New Zealand sooner than me.

Residing in a landed property where gardening and backyard dining is affordable is a preference, yet I don’t have the luxury of living in such place here. And I don’t want to die alone in a locked condo found rotten after days or even weeks. Oh God, please protect me from such horrible thing. Amen….

F: I’ve always wanted to live in Ubud and it will happen very soon. I’ll open a spa with all traditional herbal from all over Indonesia. I’ll quit my job soon. I want to live my own life as me, no one can tell me to do this and that anymore! No bloody politics anymore! Visit me often! You’ll find my spa super special! I’ll give you discount! Be a regular customer! Hey! You once wanted to live in Thailand?

Me: Someone informed me about a good property in low price near my favourite hotel in Ayutthaya. Yet Thai have controversial life style I’m not comfortable with in a way. I’m too simple, sometimes too honest and can be against those status-oriented that I might not be able to adapt well. Not a true dream! Hey! Actually love to live in Kyoto!

F: You’ll die in three months after you complete second round of shrine, temple and ancient house hopping! πŸ˜‚

Me: Dying of walking! πŸ˜‚

What a refreshing conversation! And yes, I’ll visit her spa soon! 😍

Lesson learnt: Will only live with those I love and loving me where home is a real feel. No excuse.

Salaam…. πŸ’

gebyok – the Javanese teak wood door symbolizing the host’s living in welfare, peace and harmony with nature πŸ’
angkul-angkul – the Balinese gate symbolizing warmth welcome to guests and privacy of the host at the same time πŸ’

In Harmony

In harmony, love,
The art, the breath, the weather
With the city vibeβ€”

β€”

I prefer enjoying the artistic vibes of a city to enjoying the crowd of its party or clubbing. People’s effort to entertain others through art on the street while at the same time earning a living is more humane than people’s effort to escape from their allegedly humdrum life by forgetting who they really are (my humble opinion).

May all beings be happy. πŸ’

performer who stunned a boy (and the spectators behind him incl me) with her dance and smiles – I’ll definitely be back to country coded +31 😍
enjoying music in a city corner – should be back someday 😍 (country coded +32)
the literary man on the wall of a city – should I be back to country coded +44?

Dear Lover

Lover, Beloved,
With whom air and joy is shared,
By whom tears soon driedβ€”

β€”

Being excited about solo travel wished in near future has made me remember places visited alone years ago. One of them is Madrid. Exciting one! Also ridiculous one! This trip was where I had: Korean food for lunch (my hunger came earlier, while people in Madrid have lunch at around 2pm so the most recommended Madrid restaurant was not open yet), Chinese silk bought (order from my beautiful best friend who was craving for it), lapis lazuli earring studs purchased for €80 (found them only S$40 in Lucky Plaza, might be only IDR300,000 in Jakarta), walking around the same street 4 times to find one place that was shown very clearly in Google Map…. I was lost in mind because of too many handsome faces on the road πŸ˜‚

Madrid though won’t be a city I will go alone anymore. This place is too romantic to go without a lover.

One more thing, be careful of pickpockets! Too many, too many!

Salaam. πŸ’

I still believe I saw Cristiano Ronaldo in Starbucks there but none of my friends believe me πŸ˜†

Dove Peace

Dove peace, Beloved,
Not dove’s! It’s ours projecting
What we can’t achieveβ€”

β€”

hey, dove! do you spread peace through your songs, your breaths or your shits? πŸ˜‰

Sweet!

Peaceful, Beloved,
Sitting remembering you
In this sweet silenceβ€”

β€”

Sometimes just don’t get it why Japanese is like that but now accepting it as it is a culture with which a nation is built and shaped based on nature and history; like a Korean being a Korean, a Javanese being a Javanese, an English being an English, a Vietnamese being a Vietnamese, etc. As long as it doesn’t disturb loyalty and integrity, it’s ok. πŸ₯°

Komoro, Japan: it was my first time seeing things were for sale but no seller was present, buyers just put the money in an open box for what was taken; in my country some people would probably take more than what they pay πŸ€“
it looks not so pretty, but trust me these roses were super duper sweetly fragrant! missing Komoro but I know I will only go there next year – the most β€œulu-ulu” place I visited in Japan 😍

Ruined Through History

Forbidden city not.
Imaginary power
Ruined through historyβ€”

β€”

What’s built on weak foundation will collapse. Lies, betrayal, tyranny, iniquity adorn the strong marble slabs and zhennan wood logs, remembered through time.

Life is undeniably karmic: what is sown is what is reaped.

So satisfying to see time reveals the truth!

Salaam.

part of the Forbidden City – Beijing gave me an extraordinary time of legal short course, first snow flake of my life + of that winter and debris of horrible history πŸ‘πŸΌ

Self Discovery (ranting)

Point zero, my love
Here now, unshakeable ground
After the earthquakesβ€”

β€”

I’ve been a full time thinker for the past one week…. Thanks to the physical weakness brought by the virus! πŸ₯° And here is the ranting abridged πŸ™ƒ

Life has always suggested me to walk through places where paradoxical situations exist and has made me weigh what life path should be chosen. Luckily life has always sent me angels (fallen angels included πŸ˜„) who remind me that life isn’t only about exploiting what’s considered lucrative and physically pleasant; it’s also about exploring what’s wising-up and spiritually enriching.

When I was young; books, courses, lectures, workshops were kind of β€œsubscription” I had to shape a level of mental toughness. Yet there was exhaustion and anti-climax for intensity every now and then (good deed included πŸ˜„). Losing faith, difficulty to trust human beings and skepticism to almost everything triggered me to deconstruct my own mindset.

Another β€œpoint zero” came and brought a decision to take a course inspired by one friend named Eva (not one of my close friends but she is definitely one trusted human being). I promised to myself that this would be my LAST course to finally be unshakeable me.

I flew to Edinburgh and was driven from the airport to a place called Chisholme House by Mr Brix who became an excellent opening of my self re-discovery. He introduced me to the richness of self re-discovery even before the course started. That was when I felt so lucky to have read Ibn Arabi, Rumi and English literature although not extensively and to have learnt Javanese wisdom that is considered β€œlocal” by many of my friends (which I always disagree) as Mr Brix’ languages were using all those keywords in the repertoire from my literature reading and cultural wisdom. Indeed Mr Brix was a β€œgate” welcoming me to a true friendship or fellowship bonded by humanity.

The course was simply daily schedules for us to an experiencing life or β€œhuman beings who work” β€” physically, mentally, spiritually, socially in connection with their own self, other human beings and nature. Of course the classes was the superb! Collins, Hiroko and Aaron were excellent facilitators and to me they are role models of ordinary yet impressive human being! Collins was a loving husband and father cum the best administrator. Hiroko was a loving mother and wife cum an excellent painter! Aaron was an excellent chef cum wise philosopher! πŸ’

It was so normal a life that I felt so blessed. We woke up in the morning then took a bath or at least took ablution. We started the day with a group meditation β€” everyone: the course participants, kitchen staffs, office staffs, garden staffs, etc except those who overslept. Then we had breakfast β€” English breakfast! After that we started the class; the staffs started their duties. After that we had tea break then WORK! Work meant doing the assigned chores (garden, kitchen, house, laundry). After that class again then English lunch! Then lunch break for one hour. Class again. Mediation again. Work again. Afternoon tea. Personal time (we could go to the hill, forest, sleep, talk to staffs or participants, whatever). English dinner. Discussion time. Free time. Sleep…. Repeat.

Completing the β€œself re-discovery”, I found that life is like riding bicycle, balancing while moving. I lose, I win. I fall in love, I break heart. I get sick, I get cured. I trust, I distrust. I think, I feel. I work, I take a rest.

Balancing is about knowing the limit. I lose against someone/something but I gain wisdom. I fall in love at the same time I have to accept the unpredictable responses. I get sick then I will be cured. I trust with or without reasoning yet can also distrust because of the true or false reasoning. I think based on logic yet when logic doesn’t count, only feeling of acceptance will neutralise the situation. And, when I am tired, I should take time-out. Just like that!

And I actually graduated with flying colours from many β€œextra” lessons: doing laundry, washing dishes, house keeping, potato harvesting, making bread, cooking English lunch, preparing dining table, raking dry leaves, going up and down the hills in the rain, walking in the moorland, listening to silence, listening to others’ opinions, identifying and recognising true intelligent people, trusting the right people at the right time in the right place, respecting stupid idiot (myself included πŸ˜‚), taking a bath in the cold morning, and more and more!

And yes, that was the last course in my life. Ordinary yet impressive, like what I always want myself to be to and for those having in touch with me.

I want to be back there not as a participant but as a guest in the English breakfast or lunch bringing a best friend who deserves an ordinary yet impressive life.

…. πŸ’•

Thanks for today! 😴

Salaam…

β€”

farmhouse where participants and volunteers slept during the β€œSelf Discovery” in Chisholme Institute (there are male house, female house and couple wing) – missing the place and good friends there πŸ’
the main house where we meditate, contemplate, brainstorm, do household chores, enjoy meal and good company during the β€œSelf Discovery”
β€˜The Monument to Man”: this place is one of reminders for me to stay on this track: a track where life abundance isn’t always represented by or captured through social high class and luxury show off – β€˜ve lived among those with abundance yet humbly bowing to the underprivileged – thank you for this decent life πŸŽ€
hi, Edinburgh! I’m sure I’ll be back πŸ₯° next time with someone I love with heart and soul 😘

Be Patient

Shanghai, Beloved,
A pearl wrapped in gloomy smog,
A dream with no sleepβ€”

β€”

Dear World, you’ll get better. Or else, please hide your ugly faces from me for just a while.

Sending warm regards to MZ, RL and other Shanghainese ladies that I know in the modern Shanghai.

Happy weekend!

May all beings be happy.

πŸ’

Shanghai, used to walk in its cold lanes in Decembers, listen to Chinese senior citizens laughing while dancing in the public dancing floor, walk back to hotel with tummy full of food and heart full of joy and head full of next year’s plans – now Shanghai is a hello at the end of the line

Dirgahayu, Indonesiaku ke-77

Duhai, Indonesia. Serupa apapun engkau, kau adalah tempat lahirku. Walaupun saran dan nasehat bertaburan untuk menjadi pemegang status PR di rumah keduaku ini, aku tak goyah. Nggak papa…. PR atau bukan PR passport-ku tetap Indonesia. Hanya cinta dan hidup-mati saja yang boleh membuatku jadi PR atau pindah kewarganegaraan. Selain itu, no way!

Indonesiaku, terima-kasih telah menjadi tempat lahirku dan tempatku belajar hal-hal pokok untuk menjadi manusia utama. Kalau aku dilahirkan dan dibesarkan di negara lain, mungkin aku jadi orang yang bermewah-mewah dan tidak down to earth.

Indonesiaku, kemanapun aku pergi, kamulah darah yang mengalir di tubuh ini. Dimanapun aku tinggal, engkau tetap menjadi tujuan pertama pulang atau liburanku (ya setahun satu atau dua kali deh). Dengan siapapun aku bergaul, kamu tetap warna primerku.

Kecintaanku padamu bukan pada para pejabat buruk yang mengurusi ketatanegaraan. Kecintaanku tulus pada tanah, air, udara, rakyat dan makhluk di sekitarnnya.

Merdeka!

what a coincidence! this number is really escorting me this year
πŸ’
didn’t attend this year’s flag-raising ceremony in the embassy because of this cute virus πŸ’ next year I will, bismillah!

Journey

Journey, Beloved,
Counting every blessed milestone;
Deletion of doubtsβ€”

β€”

My personal definition of Australia: where beer is consumed more than water. It might be wrong to others but that was what I saw with these very eyes with no doubt. 😎

hello, Sydney. when will I see you again?

Tulips

Tulips, Beloved,
In joy they sway by the wind.
Daffodils do, too.

β€”

Hi, tulips. Hi, daffodils. Miss you, miss you…. 😘😘😘

bed of tulips blooming in Keukenhof – wanna be back soon 😍