ONE MORNING AT TEBING KERATON

TEBING KERATON - A breathtaking panoramic view in Bandung.

A cliff situated in north of Bandung that has recently become a popular destination for its magnificent view, especially on Instagram. The panoramic scenes are most beautiful captured when sunrise and sunset

Not many people know about Tebing Keraton until it was posted in Instagram and Youtube, and it was intrigued us as well as raises curiosity yet excitement to enjoy the view of newly found panoramic spot in Bandung which is not far away from our work place in Dago.

One fine Friday of September 12 2014, we were ready in front of lobby at 5am, blanketing ourselves in sweaters and jackets and left for Tebing Keraton. We went through steep and bumpy road, in a thick foggy Dago area headed to Taman Hutan Raya Juanda and to Ciburial, to 1700 meters above sea level, Tebing Keraton

Here is our morning at Tebing Keraton, taking pictures including selfie (of course), the trip was ended by a delicious Bubur Ayam breakfast at “Bubur Mang Boim”, and we’re back to office for Morning Briefing.

MY FIRST CAMERA - A LOOK BACK

My Mom got me my first camera when I was 10 years old, and it was Prima 35, analog camera used rolled film and had to go through manual printing process. I had been through funny experience using that camera, I had to learn to set rolled film to the camera and sometimes I went wrong by putting it backward, and of course after being in process then I could not see any pictures were recorded ha ha haaa ….

Besides learning to focus and getting good pictures, I had to keep on looking counting button which was showing of how many film that I had used, and if there are still many of interesting objects to capture, and the film reservation is limited then I have to make sure there were still film available to shoot that scene or moments. Not to mention that I had to set the flash/ blitz when shooting in night time or in low light, flash was not integrated with camera body, and the battery …. It used AA battery. Google helped me to find out that Prima 35 was made in Spain, and its pretty good camera, all manual so its all good for me to learn photography at the first stage

People says that life is like a camera, focus on what important, capture good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don't turn out, take a another shot.

MERCY ME - KEEP THE HEART OF WORSHIP

We sing this at our church. 

The reason so many young people turned off to Christianity is that they think it is for "old" people and there is no fun or joy in Christianity. No doubt there is a type of dancing that is shameful, but this is not. 

This is a video of God's people saying they are not ashamed that they have been changed. I didn't see anything sexual about this video. Loosen up and remember that God's people are allowed to have fun. When I listen to this song I can't help but dance. 

Some people can sing well, some people play instruments, some people dance. Who cares what it is, if you are good at it or not, if it is done with the heart of worship, then that is what it should be looked at. Praise The Lord!!

All the glory for The Lord. Keep the heart of worship. Happy Sunday, Good people!

KITCHEN SAUNA - GORDON RAMSAY

Its a funny video.Look at the Chef's expression! ROTFL

VIRTUAL VS REAL

Do you ever remember living in early 80’sor 90’s? I grew up in those years. We had no mobile phone, no internet, but we always managed to find each other, always managed to stick to appointments and enjoyed togetherness in real friendship, yes we have real friends, not just ‘virtual’ friends on facebook or follower on Twitter. Its because real friendship or relationship are something more than just followers on Twitter or friends in facebook

What about that? Yes, please do, talk to each other, there is still thing that can't be shared through Internet Connection :)) such as..... a hug!!

{pictures are taken from the internet}

IT HAPPENS FOR A REASON

We don’t meet people by accident. 

They are meant to cross our path for a reason. Sometimes people come into your life & you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or help you figure out who you are & or who you want to become You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at the very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way, and sometime things will happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, & unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming these obstacles that you would have never realized your true potential, strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by mean of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness & sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. God is at work. A coincidence is when God works anonymously.

Without this small test, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe & comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people that you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you will become, even the bad experiences are learned from. In fact, they are the most poignant ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love & how to open your heart & eyes to things.

Make everyday count. Appreciate every moment & take from those moments everything you could possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before & actually listen. 

Let yourself fall in love again, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right too.

Tell yourself that you are a great individual & believe in yourself. For if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make your life anything you wish.....Create your own life & then go out & live it with absolutely NO REGRETS. Most importantly, if you love someone tell him or her, for you NEVER know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day you live.

Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday.... Was it worth worrying?

HUTAN INDONESIA - ANTARA BISNIS & POLITIK

This is what happens when Harrison Ford meet Indonesian Minister of Forestry. 

Ini issue lama, meskipun keprihatinan tentang hutan di Indonesia masih sama. Nonton lagi rekaman ini di YouTube, sebagai warga Indonesia, saya malu melihat reaksi Menteri Kehutanan kita yang tampak inferior banget di depan seorang Harrison Ford. Kenapa harus Harrison Ford yang bring up issue tentang hutan kita, selama ini menteri nya ngapain aja? Terhimpit antara bisnis dan politik?

WELCOMING RAMADAN - FASTING MONTH

Today is only 2 days prior to Ramadan (Moslem fasting month) as for me, works getting so intense this week, Ramadan is coming soon, and this time would be best to finalize all report and time consuming tasks, beside all those scheduled interview session (still have some vacant positions to fill up), plus that food safety audit and other HR audit are underway, otherwise we have to finish them all after Idul Fitri Festival (Eid Mubarak, or in Bahasa Indonesia, we call it Hari Raya Idul Fitri / Lebaran). And, yes, this would be the best time to achieve your staffs best efforts, before fasting month.

Why so? Well, these might only happen in Indonesia …..

* In Ramadan, Moslem must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, marital relations or getting angry during the daylight hours. In addition, those fasting are supposed to refrain from bad habits - lying, getting angry, using bad language as well as to be more diligent in prayer and give to charities. It is believed that fasting heightens spirituality and develops self-control. AGREE! But then, the overall pace of life overall slows down. Things take longer to get accomplished both at home and at the office.

* Whenever Ramadan rolls around, things change. Government offices close earlier so employees can break the fast with their family. Some folks suddenly become pious, who would take to performing their daily prayers in a shiny new “mukena” (female prayer garb). It’s necessitating their absence from work for about 30-60 minutes. (but when Ramadan is over, much of this behavior and its symbols end up back on the shelf)

* An increased level of patience and tolerance is required when dealing with employees who are fasting.

* We may feel uncomfortable eating or drinking before your fasting staffs/friends. It would be considerate to refrain from eating or drinking in front of others that are fasting.

* Not to speak harshly with those fasting as if they get angry or have negative feelings towards others it invalidates their fasting for that day.

* The office driver will appreciate it if you can let him breaking fast in the car with a drink of water and a sweet snack, if he is driving you home at sunset.

* Traffic congestion from the afternoon rush hour start earlier as many office workers are allowed to leave earlier than usual to get home in time to breaking fast with family and friends. (unfortunately, that’s not happen for hoteliers (laughing out loud)

* We'll notice a big increase in beggars at traffic lights as the poor flock into the city from the villages at this traditional time of heightened charity giving.

* We’ll notice a growing excitement amongst Moslem friends, colleagues and staffs as Idul Fitri Festival / Lebaran approaches and they make plans for their special celebration.

Those are happening in my work life, what about at home?

* My live-in housemaid will wake up very early in the morning to prepare her pre-dawn meal and to complete her heavy chores early in the morning just after she has eaten. Sometimes, her pre-sunrise noise is bothering us, coz usually it is done while we still asleep.

* We may be awoken early in the morning by the enthusiastic young people parading through the neighborhood (DON'T tell them to be quiet! This would be extremely offensive, just quietly endure).

* Noise from the local mosques will increase in volume and frequency, much …. much louder than it usual, not only at the time when they broadcast the calls to prayers but almost all evening in Arabic chanting (I believe this is NOT possibly happened in USA, well, to speak)

* Food vendors and some restaurants close during the day and some restaurants stop serving alcohol. The government closes night entertainment centers during the beginning and end of Ramadan and shortens their hours throughout the month (except restaurants and entertainment in the hotels).

* You may find people sell snacks and drinks along the street for riders (breaking fast is normally the time they go home from works) and even some companies doing their charity (or, CSR-Corporate Social Responsibility) by distributing snacks and drinks for free (we call it “Takjil” or appetizer prior to breaking fast)

Well, that’s the story of Ramadan in Indonesia, with almost 300 million of its population and 85% of them are Moslem.

Enjoy your life during Ramadan, fasting is a good method to keep you healthy. Ensure you keep doing your diet, limit calories intake, and stay healthy, and remain yourself in control when breaking fast.

Happy Ramadan!!

NASI CIKUR - WARUNG INUL

The first time I heard of Nasi Cikur is from some friends travelling to Bandung from Jakarta, and Nasi Cikur at Warung Inul is definitely their “must go”  eating place - a mandatory destination agenda.

Been living in Bandung for couple months I think Nasi Cikur was not itemized in my culinary journey. You might have known that Bandung is very well known with its culinary tourism, and somehow I missed to know Nasi Cikur earlier. Till one fine day we (my GM, and colleagues) had lunch at that very known Nasi Cikur, at Warung Inul.

It is definitely not a luxury restaurant, it is just “Warung” / old spelling “Waroeng” (in Bahasa Indonesia means a type of small family-owned business — often a casual shop, a modest small restaurant or café. A warung is an essential part of daily life in Indonesia. Traditional warungs are made from wooden bamboo or thatched materials, and Warung Inul is beautifully located among big houses at exclusive luxury residential area of Dago Pakar.

Looking at its parking spaces, which its definitely surprising, you wouldn’t find motor cycles or low societies owned vehicles but most of them are classy built up cars, if you know what I mean what type of customers they have. You have to write down your orders, complete with your name on it, menu is just simply stuck on the glass showcase, and take your seat, waiting for your name to be called that your order is ready to serve. They are so packed during lunch hours.

Nasi cikur is made of rice and herbs, kaempferia galanga, commonly known as “kencur” in Bahasa Indonesia or “Cikur” in Bahasa Sunda, aromatic ginger, sand ginger, cut cherry or resurrection lily, and is a monocotyledonous plant in the ginger family, and one of four plants called galangal. It is found primarily in open areas in Indonesia, southern China, Taiwan, Cambodia and India, but is also widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia. That is served with traditional Sundanese food, such as : Ayam Goreng, Lalapan, Sambal, Pepes Ikan, Pepes Tahu and various of Sundanese home made cooking.

Talking about the taste, for Nasi Cikur itself, I expect to have not only seasoned but flavor rice but I think my expectation was just too high. Its just filthy rice and not even kencur/cikur aroma on it. The variety of side dishes were tempting though 

ROTI GEMPOL - Roti jaman dulu

Spending time visited me in Bandung, Kiki and I have planned to go exploring Bandung and surround. As what we used to do was searching and observing the destination via internet and make plan.

Today, We’re heading to Garut, one of the small cities in West Java which well known with its “Dodol” (sweet toffee-like confection made of sticky rice, added by various flavor), and leather products.

On our way heading to Garut, we stopped by for having breakfast at one of the legend bread factory & café in Bandung, Roti Gempol, some people called as “Roti Jadul” (old fashioned bread), which has been established since 1958. 

This place is not luxurious, even you can say it old, small space, exist in the midst of crowded “mid level” residential area of Jl.Gempol Wetan, limited parking space, and no distinct signage. Their main and best seller products are white bread and whole grain bread. Donuts and “Addict tea” with various flavors are side menus you can order. This bread shop was opened in 1958. Bread making process remain traditional and old fashioned but the bread consistency is perfect. 

So, here is our breakfast. What is yours?

PERJALANAN

Setelah sekian lama tidak posting tulisan apapun ke blog ini, alasan cliché adalah karena sibuk, padahal juga ngga sibuk sibuk banget, sampai ngga ada waktu buat ng-update blog, yang jelas adalah karena lagi males mikir, ketika ide tidak datang waktu sedang duduk berhadapan dengan computer. Unfortunately, ide memang sering muncul ketika ngopi atau bahkan di kamar mandi, sehingga utk memposisikan diri duduk sejenak atau memangku laptop untuk memastikan jadi sebuah tulisan adalah suatu keputusan besar. Well, ini pembelaan diri atas kemalasan saya, mohon dimaklumi. 

Let's straight to the point .....

Saya percaya tidak ada satu hal pun bisa terjadi jika tidak dalam rencana atau perkenan Tuhan. Berawal dari pemikiran itu, saya menerawang, mengingat ingat kembali seperti potret slide show yang menceritakan perjalanan hidup saya.  Menerawang masa kecil, transisi ke masa remaja, dewasa, sukses, gagal, sedih, senang, menapaki setiap bagian perjalanan, buat saya hidup itu adalah anugerah, sebuah perjalanan bersama Tuhan yang nanti akan berakhir ketika saya pulang ke rumah Bapa di surga. Setiap episode / milestone / turning point, atau apalah sebutannya, saya selalu belajar sesuatu. Saya percaya, itulah yang Tuhan kehendaki dalam hidup saya, BELAJAR.  Learning is substantial in life, and in this journey with God called life I learn ………… ini cerita tentang perjalanan itu, perjalanan saya, perjalanan Anda.

Perjalanan bersama Tuhan seringkali tidak mudah. Tuhan seringkali tidak memberitahu secara spesifik apa yang DIA sedang kerjakan dalam hidup kita, bahkan akan dibawa kemana kita. Bagi Abraham, Ishak, Yakub, Daud, dan Yusuf, perjalanan mereka pun tidak mudah. Mereka juga tidak sempurna, tidak kebal terhadap dosa dan persoalan. 

Daud berzinah dengan Batsyeba, istri Uria. Untuk menutupinya, dia membunuh Uria. Yusuf menyombongkan mimpinya kepada kakak-kakaknya. Abraham berbohong kepada Abimelekh dan Firaun. Semua tokoh-tokoh di Alkitab ini mempunyai kekurangan dalam karakter mereka. Tetapi Tuhan tidak pernah menyerah terhadap mereka, demikian juga Tuhan terhadap kita.

Setiap kesulitan dan kemalangan yang dialami oleh Daud menghasilkan seorang Raja Daud yang layak dimiliki Israel sebagai pemimpin mereka. Perjalanan yang sulit yang dilalui Yusuf menghasilkan seorang perdana menteri Yusuf yang bijaksana, berhikmat dan yang menyelamatkan Israel dari kelaparan. Semua proses yang mereka lalui menciptakan seorang manusia yang baru di dalam Tuhan. 

Sebagaimana tokoh – tokoh itu dibentuk oleh tangan Tuhan, kita pun demikian, ada saat saat dimana kita sedang di-ajar oleh Tuhan melalui suatu masa yg berat : kegagalan, rasa malu, penghinaan, kecewa, penderitaan, sakit, di-khianati, di-salah mengerti …. Kita merasa seolah-olah sedang berada di titik terendah dalam hidup kita, saat – saat  tergelap dalam hidup kita. 

Pada saat itu, (percayalah!) menyerah bukanlah suatu pilihan. Ketika gagal, cobalah lagi. Gagal itu hanya pertanda bahwa kita sudah mencoba. Ketika jatuh, bangun lah lagi, jatuh itu perlu, supaya kita berhati-hati. Keluar dari pertandingan Tuhan bukanlah suatu pilihan. Tidak ada pemenang bila seseorang memutuskan keluar dari pertandingan. Pemenang bertahan sampai akhir. Fakta bahwa kita masih berjuang dan bertekad untuk berusaha, membuktikan bahwa kita belum kalah.

Mari kita tenang sejenak dan melihat persoalan atau PELAJARAN ini dari sudut pandang yang berbeda :

• Masalah tidak berarti Tuhan sedang meninggalkan kita
• Masalah melatih kita menjadi lebih kuat, daya tahan kita pun diperkuat
• Masalah menyadarkan kita bahwa kita butuh Tuhan
• Masalah “memaksa” kita berseru pada Tuhan
• Masalah membuat kita belajar. Belajar, itu hal yg paling hakiki tentang seorang manusia

Setiap perjalanan kita dengan Tuhan memiliki tujuan, tidak peduli seberapa berat persoalan dan berapa kali kegagalan yang kita alami, yang terutama adalah karakter ilahi yang akan keluar dari kita sebagai hasil dari proses tersebut. 

I know anything happen for a reason, sometimes I wish I knew what the reason was, but the thing is I learn to trust in God, that HE works in anything that we oftentimes can’t see to bring out the best in me!

Romans 8:28 : We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS purpose