True story..
From Lotus Sametime
X: Okay, I’ve sent you the problem log..
TechSupport: Oh okay..
X: I need your help.. Thank you..
TechSupport: No problem..
X: [confused]
X: [calls friend]
From Phone
X: Dude, this is strange..
Friend: What is..?
X: So I sent the log a couple minutes ago, but support says immediately that there’s no problem..!
Friend: [confused]
Last week was quite a busy one.. A friend requested a help in designing a certain application for her office, and another one requesting a help in designing a visual presentation of a folder for her mother’s office.. But I didn’t get a chance to touch any of them.. Okay, well technically I did, but those spare times are left for my private matters and pleasures, so practically, I didn’t.. My fastest time of arrival at home is currently 3 PM, but I didn’t get anywhere near that last week..
I get to work last Saturday, which is my first official project role in this new place.. And I hope I can still work on the 2nd phase this Saturday also.. A preparation for the first implementation of a new machine in Indonesia is also underway.. So I have to study more of the subject and be prepared when the actual dates come.. I know it isn’t going to be easy, but I’m sure there are plenty of practical knowledge and experiences on this opportunity that I can’t possibly miss.. Four presentations to go..!
On the other hand though, I’ve been crazily downloading so many serials to accompany me at night.. Which is why my books have to wait for another time.. Hehe..
笑い合うそのとき
描きながら
弓のような まなざし
待ち焦がれてる
期待する この胸
嬉しすぎて
高まってしまってどうしようもない
Last week I had a wonderful holiday.. Planned for Tuesday night departure, I went off from a client to meet up with my friends at Sultan Hotel, and went together to the airport.. Despite the bad weather and a delayed flight, we arrived midnight at Ngurah Rai.. After some chats and coffee, we took off to Jl. Imam Bonjol for Nasi Pincuk Yuk Sri.. They basically serve rice dish poured with sweet peanut sambal and kerupuk, but you can also choose empal, kangkung, or any others as additions.. It can be quite spicy if you asked them for it.. Afterwards we took a long journey to Sindhubrata cottages at Candidasa.. And that was basically night one..
As the morning came, it suprised me to find out that Sindhubrata is a beautiful secluded cottage.. It’s about 20 meters off the main road, and is very peaceful.. It has a direct view to the sea, and they built a 20-meters-wide square wall towards the sea, which we can swim in safely..
We can see the ferries from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida or Lombok going vice versa every hour or so.. Sometimes we can also see the one-hour speed boat running to Lombok.. We had our morning coffee and miserable breakfast (haha) before going to Padang Bai for a meet up with the rafting company.. But since the plan wasn’t quite good, we were one-hour late for the last batch of boats, and therefore were forced to take a long journey back towards Sanur and had a lunch at Warung Mak Beng.. Their Ikan Sulir dish was great..
Afterwards we went to Tanjung Benoa, but since yet again we were late for any watersports (it was already 5 PM), we only sat down and enjoy the view.. The prices were actually pretty steep for any watersports there.. But later I found out that the pricelist (in USD) was intended for non-domestic tourists, and that domestic tourists have another unofficial – more reasonable – price.. Hehe..
Approaching 6 PM we went to Mastapa Garden to take a coffee and browsed for a cheap accomodation for the night.. We found many, but the best spot being in the back of Kuta square was Sagara Beach Inn.. It only costs 100k rupiahs/room for three person (doublebed), and 85k rupiahs/room for two.. Though they don’t serve breakfast, they gave us hot water for coffee/tea in the morning, and we can just buy some bread from Circle K at Kuta Square for breakfast instead..
At about 8 AM, the rafting company came as planned to pick us up, and we went to Telaga Waja for our main schedule at day two.. Since we weren’t able to take any photos during the journey, we only get to take some photos during a break at a small waterfall.. After a tiresome 16 km raft journey, we can take a shower at the stop point, and was served with mediocre lunch dishes.. But starvation is yet the best food ingredient there is, so it was delicious.. Haha.. This costed us 250k/person (incl. transportation + lunch)..
After that, we took off to enjoy the sunset at Dreamland and arrived precisely at 4:30 PM.. Me and three of my friends rented a small surfing board for the incredible waves, and the others enjoyed a massage or taking beautiful pictures of the sceneries.. As it becomes darker, we decided to take a shower and drove off to Cak Asmo at Jl. Komodo II for dinner.. The place serves seafood and a unique dish of Terong Goreng.. It doesn’t taste like Terong at all, but very delicious.. Unique.. :)
Day three we once again were picked up, but this time it was for the ATV ride at Penebel.. Upon arrival, we were served with a small drink and a cooling towel (probably just to make sure you’re not sleepy during the ride, hehe).. They taught us how to use the ATV – which was quite tricky – and warned us for important positions and ways to handle dangerous slopes.. And just to warn you guys, this ride is quite dangerous – not an exaggeration.. Being careless is simply a call for injury.. Despite the difficulties though, it was definitely fun.. :D After the ride, as usual, we took a cooling shower, and a very tasty lunch.. This costed us 450k/person (incl. transporation + lunch)..
After that we drove upwards to Jatiluwih to enjoy the view at Cafe Jatiluwih.. We played some card games, had a second lunch and coffee.. Many tourists came with a driver up the hill (just below our spot) to take some photographs or simply to enjoy the view.. So the place is indeed beautiful..
Towards sunset though, we drove back down to Kuta.. Some of my friends are already pass their physical prime ages (hehe) and were very tired from all the games and travels.. At night, after a quick dinner at KFC (tragic indeed), we went to Hard Rock Lounge.. The performing band was Jogadanz from Jakarta, which absolutely rocked my heart out.. They were amazing.. 
At day four, some of my friends are intending to shop their hearts out in numerous factory outlets in Denpasar.. So I tagged along to Joger, and some of the “discount” outlets of Billabong, Rip Curl, and also the general ones.. We also went to some of the souvenir shops at Kuta Square and along the Kuta main roads..
Approaching the end of the day, we delivered one of our rented cars back, and had our last dinner at a small warung at the end of the Sunset Boulevard.. They serve rice dish with mixed pork meats.. I think the place wasn’t famous, but compared to the pork dishes in Jakarta, they can be considered one of the best.. It’s different in Bali though.. Hehe..
The flight back home brought me back to Jakarta at Sunday, 1 AM.. Totally tired but totally refreshed.. Work, here I come..!
First one was a troubleshooting call to Bandung.. Except the stupid traffic at around 30-35th km, everything went smoothly (for my part at least).. Since four of my friends are actually Bandung culinary experts (that means I’m the only one that’s not), I get to follow them to some of the most famous local food spots..Mie Rica Kejaksaan, Gepuk Ny. Yong, Martabak Canada, Batagor Abuy, Cibadak street, and one Sate restaurant I can’t seem to remember the name.. I don’t have the stomach to taste them all though.. Since it’s already late night when we took off from our last client, we decided to have a stay for a night.. Well honestly, this is my first – let me put it in capitals – FIRST – business trip outside the city since my first job at 2007.. Hahahha..
The second one though, is a whole different trip.. It’s a “part 2″ for my farewell party from my last job.. The first one was a dinner at Pizza Hut.. Hehe.. So last weekend I went with my old office mates and their families (not all of them though – sadly some can’t manage) to Villa Marina Anyer.. And that was a real crazy one night holiday..
Having something to do at the office first, we scheduled to go after lunch-hour.. And the trip begins with a heavy rain pouring at the highway.. It was so dense I barely see the red brake lamps from a car at about 100 meters ahead.. Despite that and the heavily damaged road to Anyer, we managed to arrive safely before sunset.. We had a very happy barbecue and grill at night.. And we played games and cards until I realized it’s already 4 o’clock in the morning.. So I went to sleep for about 3 hours and then I went swimming..
After taking a bath, my friends suddenly grabbed me to my room and forced me to cross-dress with a traditional fabric and a shower cap.. No matter how hard I fought and negotiate, they succeeded.. Hehe.. I was forced to sing some dangdut song I never knew of, but in the end I sang a couple of mellow old-tunes instead.. Hahhaha.. It was crazy..
But I get a new laptop bag and a funny card.. Hahhaha.. Thanks a lot guys, for such a memorable event..
I can’t believe I’ve stood 2 hours on queue for a 50%-off Arnon suit and Vinezia belt.. At least now I know I need a TEAM to get a midnight sale smoothly.. Ehhehe..
Don’t worry, I’m straight..
Just like any music being composed, the first melody is probably the hardest one to figure out.. There are tremendous amount of new terms and technical specifications to learn.. So many magical things I can’t even begin to wonder how to ask their explanations for.. And the curriculum is just ridiculously impossible to achieve.. It takes eternity to learn all that stuff by yourself.. Even worse is to find out that every couple of years or more, it becomes obsolete..
Yet this is exactly what I signed for, hahhaha.. Rants can sometimes remind me that I’m in this crazy condition, and that I obviously has to overcome it.. Telling myself that I’m cool, well, and all, really doesn’t bring me up to speed.. So it’s all positive.. Hehe.. ;p
First couple of days though, I have to learn the three IBM values and all nine foundational competencies (which are all seriously good), before touching anything technical.. Hey, all soldiers need good propaganda dude.. Brainwash us to sleep..!
But on the third day, I finally managed to cut all the unnecessaries (by priority) and jumped into Redbooks.. Finally..! Technical stuff, harrrrrr, yummiiee..!
…
…………. Not..!
It began at the end of last year when he called me.. Funny is, he’s the same man who took me two years ago to my previous project.. Said he preferred to take someone he already know well, instead of finding and getting to know someone new.. For me, it’s a real helping hand, for someone who’s already starting to demotivate himself over his own progress – sad me.. So it’s exactly what I need.. Without it, I’d be forced to switch my chapter ungracefully.. Hehe..
During my past two years, I get to learn so many things.. Books, operators, and other senior sysprogs helped me tremendously in finding what I need.. But real problems and requests are the ones that made sure I do so.. I also get to meet various people, people who are eager to learn, people who are disciplined and strict, and yet also people who are selfish and uncooperative.. But the variations, gradations, contrasts, all are the factors that made a full colored picture beautiful.. Oh and wow, look how two years can make such a wonderful picture.. =)
It’s time to turn the page.. Give me a new palette.. ;)
Some things are never meant to be forgotten..
Happy anniversary Papa & Mama..
~with tears and hope~
“I shall think of you in a floating cloud..
So in the sunset think of me..”
-Li Po
(701-762 C.E.)
