Wake up, time to greet the Sun

The sun is up, and it's time to go rollin'...

April, two thousand thirteen, twenty eight, Gili Lontar, Sekotong, Lombok Barat.
Waking up on a deserted island can be quite a thrill for some, and a scare for other. I prefer the prior, and the sense of adventure is growing within me. I am not a big enthusiast on outdoor survival, but we do have some times where we just have to gather all the available resources, and keep on going.

The pointy ball of spikes on the picture is Spinnifex grass, or some call it "rumput lari-lari", a tropical version of western movie Tumbleweed. It goes running when blown by the wind. Quite interesting to play with on the sand, with just a handful of people around.

The island itself is captivating, the white sands, clear blue water, crashing waves going on and on, the coral reef, and the fresh almost unpolluted air, and the cawing of seabirds. We spent a night there camping, making bonfire and all, grilling fishes, octopus, potatoes and shellfishes. IT's nice to get so close to the nature, that the beauty and silence almost choking you, in a good way. Because you have been exposed to way too many pollution and urban life. A getaway, you may call it. I prefer hugging the ripple,  caressing the sea urchins, schooling with the little green fishes and floating over the giant table coral.

I will post some more with more pictures and the whole story, meanwhile just enjoy the sun, wherever you are, because it is a privilege you can enjoy, only as much.

Niki, Denpasar 04 May 2013

Something for the road

We humans, are the most wandering creatures, on the earth, that is. Compared to other living creatures on the face of this planet, humankind has developed so much external adaptation in order to occupy a piece of land, worldwide. From the tropical beaches to the top of mountains, from the scorching desert to the freezing tundra, we have made extreme places fit to live in.

Our adaptation are slightly different from our relatives in the animal kingdom, yet we are forever learning from them. We made tools mimicking what animal have as parts of their bodies,some are better from the original. We use available resources to provide our needs, manipulate it to make our lives easier.

For some reasons, although humans has adapted the culture to dwells on particular places, setting roots and settled, we are still wandering adventurers. At least some of us. In our constantly changing mind, we are always looking for something new, albeit it's genuinely new or something that we just happen to stumble upon. Discoveries are made from the early age of knowledge, and keeps adding up. New replacing old, or enriching it, altered and expanding.

"Something for the road" is a custom tradition for fellow travelers. Travelers bring goods from faraway lands, and also stories. Each time they visit a certain place, another story are made. When the visit ends, and another journey begins, they have made new acquaintances and friends. In exchange of the goods and stories they share, people gave provisions suitable for the journey, sometimes a token to remember them by.
I am always interested in something new, and also something I can relate to. I'm sure most of the people are too. I also like the fact that I constantly moving to find something new. Though lately, I've been yearning for a place I can call home. At least at the end of each journey, I can sit on chair and start writing. Or tell it in a way that it will be useful to someone else, each for their own needs.

Now, to keep it organized, first I must start taking more notes.

Niki, Denpasar 13 February 2013, 00:29.

Stop Being Afraid, Keep Moving

I have just read about this post in Thoughtcatalog.com. on things we should stop doing in our 20s.
It's kinda late for that, but well, I can still relate to it.

Tonight, I will try to expand my writing while still focusing on the things I am constantly writing from the beginning of this month. Nothing too big, one step at a time, just to make my mind keep on moving.



Two Thousand Twelve, June, Twenty Fourth, Nusa Lembongan, After Midnight.
It's Sunday, the day only had just turned, cold air biting my skins. It was a wonderful day. Started really early in the Saturday morning; with shorts and jacket, I raced my motorbike to a place in Sanur. I felt that Denpasar is freezing that morning, or is it just me that never woke up that early?

So back to the night, and thinking about the day that has just passed, quite a journey we've been through. A boat trip from Sanur To Nusa Penida, a round trip around the island visiting two temples, new experience on the religious and cultural side of Balinese Hinduism. I joined the ritual, barely. Just mimicking the steps and movements of the people around and try to meditate and concentrate as much as I can.

Another boat trip to the adjacent island of Lembongan, or Nusa Lembongan. It's a smaller private chartered boat, compared to the speedboat we took from Sanur. The view was wonderful, the water between the islands are calm, mirror-like. This just soothes my eyes and head. besides the fact that I am having a vacation with her and her friends. the ride lasted for maybe fifteen minutes, and we arrived at the bridge that connect Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. We walked from there, not knowing that the cottage we were about to spend the night in was on the other side of the island, quite a long walk. being all cheerful and adventurous, we just kept on walking until finally arrived to the place. freshen up a bit, and tried to catch the sunset.

After dinner, we all went to the beach. Talking, watching the stars, me and her stayed behind. It was awkward, all our body languages are giving positive signs, we just didn't make any subtle move. we talked and talked and looked at each others, and at the stars, counting meteorites (or shooting stars, if you want to called it that) while lying on the sands. Finally succumbing to the cold night wind, we went back to the cottages. After getting in to the room, we went out again and talk some more in the porch. I felt that nice warm feeling in your stomach and chest, and the feeling that you just want to keep talking and being with each other and stop the time altogether. And then we turn in.

Two Thousand Twelve, October, Twenty Fourth, After midnight. My place.
I'm just finishing drawing Acup earlier, halloween episode. I have been neglecting him for some time now. Today was a good day, I did some work, went to dinner with my family before they get back to the hometown in Jakarta, and getting high on monosodium glutamate, I got a fifteen minutes nap. after that, I bought coffee and make a cup for myself. I got reminded about doing things that I should not have to be reminded about, but yeah I need to get myself up and do less procrastinating for the near future. Referring again to the post on thoughtcatalog.com, starting from myself is always the best thing I can do, before even doing anything with other people, not to mention her. Not to get anymore further on the topic, I am getting all pumped up on the idea that I can show my  potentials to other people and get more self-motivated and self esteem.

Just some random thoughts,
I think I have gone a full circle on alphabetical terms.
Back to A means, when I met you, it's time for me to start anew :)

Daily Log date: 31.01.2012 - Seems like a good time to write

Its 7 PM Bali time, the rain is falling, the thunder rumbling, wind howling, and i just got off from my first day of orientation on my new job. quite a good day, had my coffee, got some nibbles, and now, while waiting the rain to ease up a bit, lemme tell you about my day. but I just did, didn't I?

So, carrying on, the atmosphere is good, the pressure is there, the excitement also, the knowledge I will have to muster in a while, and all in all, good start. what else is there? so now I'm still in my working clothes, I think I dressed up a notch too formal for the office, wearing a too short pants that shows my striped socks, a checker shirt, and because of the rain, i took out my yellow raincoat, which is flashing.

Enough with the attire, so my friend borrowed a bike for me to ride on, and then, I still don't know how the process for my bike going, hopefully it will be done soon, or I will have to find something else instead. It's fun knowing that soon I'm going to have my own motored vehicle (not minding the extra work for maintenance and payments). Meanwhile, time seems to be on my side, and I already felt a little better than how it was on new year's day. A new hope and opportunities.

The rain seems to be getting ready to a stop, or at least not that hard anymore, lemme just finish this up, and write some more later on.

Niki, Gloria Food Court - Kuta, Rainy season.

Bali Log Date: 11.08.2011 - The Rainy Season

The grey clouds are hanging out a lot these days.
Rain is literally pouring in.
Last couple of months, I said that none of my shoes is free of sands,
Now, none of them are dry, all had a slight of dampness from the rain.
But don't get me wrong, I like rain.
As long as none of my electronics got wet and short-circuited, that is.

You guys must want to read some updates of what's going on around here, don't you?
Or you just don't care. whichever suits you, I don't mind, really...

Oh did I told you already that I got a new bicycle?
Well, I did. this is my bicycle (oh its on facebook btw)
And lately, since i travel with it almost every day, she got a taste of rain too...
I really am not a good at taking care of stuffs, e.g. my bicycle.
She got in the rain and all I did was wiped it dry, and she is now showing sign of rust.

So, rainy season, duck season, Asean Fair at Nusa Dua, heard some good music and seen some good handicrafts there. And also, tomorrow I'm going to this Jason Mraz concert, got my free ticket.
Quite a funny story, that is. It was an afternoon, I was checking my timeline on twitter, and some Free Magazine offers free tickets, so I said. I want it. And they simply gave it to me. What a life.

How about things on the other side? What other side?
Right now, the other side is pouring, while I'm sitting in a Cafe with roof on top of it, so I'm not wet.
Do I feel sorry for anyone else who is in the rain? not really...
I'm just being this selfish ignorant bastard, So sue me...

Life is getting exciting and dull.
I just didn't get easily excited anymore (except on mornings).
And this is bad, because IF I'm bored, things just might get a little too much.
Both socially and economically.

Ah, another blabber...
Let's skip this and get to the point.

Rainy season had effect on people, positive and negative ones.
I see 3 Kind of people:
1. People who likes the rain
2. People who hates the rain
3. People who just don't care

So, there will be some constant nagging going around, some smiles and gloomy faces, the rushing before the rain kind of people, the stay at home people, the dancing in the rain people (rarely spotted), and the unlucky 'caught in the rain' people.

All is well on my side, for me, rainy season is just a chance for a fashion change, not to mention this is the tropical island where people wear sundresses all the time. Well, its time to get your coats and shawls and scarves and hoods and raincoats and boots out of the closet. Let us face the rain with style. And don't forget your umbrellas while you're at it.

Whatever the weather has in store for you, we, human beings, has created so many things to adapt to it.
So just live another day, dance in the rain, wear your boots and coats, open up your umbrella, and have fun.

Bali Log date: 10.29.2011 - On appointments and promises

Let's see, how do I start this?

Appointments and Promises...

when you don't really know what to say, start with yourself 
(someone said that to me, or that is just what I think how i should write)

So, me as a person, make appointments only when I know I can attend it, and always tried to be on time.
But as we all know, some people are just not that punctual, or doesn't really bother to look at the time.
Waiting has been part of my life, not really bothered by it, but sometimes it could be a drag.
And not to mention the last minute cancellation (or as my friend Prima said "Last second cancellation").

So yeah, I tried my best to be punctual, and give people heads up when I'm running late (as it was how it's supposed to be when you make an appointment with another person or party). So, when the other person or party suddenly went out of reach and didn't give any notice, I tend to get frustrated or sometimes my imagination wandered aimlessly. Maybe I can even write a book about that alone already, a sort of thriller-fantasy on why people are running late. Haha...

Next on the topic, promises.
In my younger years, I made a lot of empty promises, to people, friends, lovers, family, and even to myself.
Now, I still do, but much more less frequent (Really nic, much more less? your words are contradicting each others). So, yeah... I learn to get all the variables (thanks to my full of calculation friends) and get more and more thoughful, before decided to say something that might alter other people life (or at least how they think about me).

This has its positive and negative side. The positive side is, I make less empty promises. I don't say things that I don't know I could fulfill or not. The negative side, well... people might think that I am too indecisive, that I don't know where I stand (which I really don't at the moment). So two sides of a coin. That's Life. I am still trying to get it balanced. The old easygoing-self against the new thoughtful-self is on a battle for life.

So, what do you think?

Do you value people's time when you make an appointment?

Do you have that much variables (thoughts) before making any promises?

Let's think about it while we still have time for ourselves...

But, not too serious, because life is just something for you to live through,
and "time you enjoy wasting is not wasted" - John Lennon














Cheers...
Niki

Train of Thoughts – 2011, August 31 – Cycling Day

(I was cycling when this occurs)

I’m not feeling poetic today.

So let’s just empty my mind.

Friends: 

You can never get enough of them, but as my good friend said, “There are 3 kinds of people, those who come to your life for a reason, those who come for a season, and those who come for a life time.”

I always thought that you’ll never know when you will need someone, therefore i tried keeping as many contacts with all my friends, even my so-called friends.

Although, I think there are 2 kinds of people:

- People who can cope with me.

- The rest.

But that is just simply my ego talking.

In real life, I always tried my best to cope with everybody lest it’s really unbearable. So that’s that.

Family:

a friend of mine says, “Bahaya adalah gak kenal sodara sendiri.” which translated as, “Danger is when you don’t know your own relatives.”

Somehow, it fits my situation right now. An uncle is coming to town, asking me to find a hotel. Well, I really don’t mind, but I do have other responsibility.

And also, being a relative, his request is kind of absurd. I reminded him about this and that, saying that I might not help much, but he seems very easygoing and lack of planning. Oh well, let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Thoughts Of The Day: Year 2011, Month September, Day 2

I got tangled over my daily log, so now it’s free writing time…

What have I been thinking lately? What is happening with me, around me, beyond me?

And why the hell did I have that dream last night, and what I thought about after.

Supernatural things never have been my cup of tea, yet I dreamed about some freaky kid that my friend has and suddenly my mind was wandering to the supernatural world, that is just how our mind works, I presume. And on top of all that, I wet my bed a little. And now, my mind is thinking over things that I shouldn’t be worrying about. How inconvenient, and my day was awful, I don’t have any desire to work, I chat all day, and now… even a cup of Joe didn’t do the trick.

But let us wait until I finished my coffee, and also finish this writing, maybe things will get better. Meanwhile, around me, my family is (still) a mess, I’m having trouble relating to people here, and my work sucks. Hahaha seems like a lot of problems… well, it’s not really that bad, come to think of it, now I’m still drinking a 10K cup of coffee and eating some friend sesame bread with shrimp (whatever that is). There are people with bigger problems, and most of them still survived the day just fine, without being depressed (I do really hope so).

The fried bread is actually good stuff *nom nom nom…*.  And after these things combined (writing, coffee, and food) I actually feel better. Hmmm, oh yeah, I am also listening to some music (not the music playing in this place, but my own music), Fix You by Coldplay is playing now, and I’m running out of lines. Oh, how I do smoke a lot today. I wonder how I will get a balanced life this way… Well, I guess somehow I’ll manage. Let’s see now, bad feelings gone, (Love Song by 311 is playing) a mild migraine is still here, I’m promising myself to do better at work tomorrow, I will not limit myself but will know my own strength, talk to my family more, get a lot more of new friends, and on top of all, being good.

Now, maybe I should talk about broader topics. Since about 3 years ago, I have been joining this photography community, Lomonesia, stand for Lomography Society Indonesia. I think some of you might already know what that is, while the rest of you don’t have a clue. So let me enlighten you in ways that I think is best. If you know any other photography communities, what we do is simply taking pictures. But, the catch is, in this digital world now, we in Lomonesia are Analogue Lovers (I’ll get back to you about analogue). We shoot photos using film cameras, and not only that, the cameras we used are unique in every way (appearance, how to use, results). Analogue is the opposite of digital, so the cameras we use are all mechanical (most of them plastic), using film rolls, plastic lenses that create lo-fi images, and often the pictures are unpredictable. Sounds like a scam, huh? Heheh…

Well, I really should show some pictures I made with those plastic analogue cameras I got. And then maybe it will show how it is unique. Anyway… enough with the introduction, so after moving to Bali, the first friends I got is actually from this community, since it’s a worldwide community and in Indonesia alone, there are representative in most of the major cities. So, being a new guy in town, I got friends already, what a wonderful thing, not being too alienated and all. Next step is making a movement, even now; we are brewing a plan for some event for the community here in Bali, Godspeed…

something out of the ordinary

The thing is about moving out of town, you don't really know what to do with your spare time.. hahaha...

Well, it's not that I don't have any friends here or anything. But it just that I figure people have other things to do.
And beside, i'm capable and got used to on being alone. I think...

What I really need is, some new friends. Had some already, but I want more variety of people...
And the song just turn to U2 - Sometimes you can't make it on your own. The gods are playing with me hahaha...

So what else is there to tell... Oh right, I'm broke! Not that it's a problem, I had made an arrangement with my relative here, and I'm suppose to get some money from other sources also. I just don't know how soon.
Have to remind myself to talk to my relative soon.

But really, I can't complain. I'm currently living in the most visited tourist spot in Indonesia, both local and international tourist. I can go to the beach whenever I want (when I'm not working, that is), I can eat a variety of pork dish (woops, no offense my moslem friends), I get the best weather for photography (most of the time), the traffic is so-so, the air is cleaner, sands always gets in my shoes, and the coffee is great.

So, boredom only comes when i don't move and go about, the rest is (hopefully still) paradise...
I got some ideas coming on, regardless that I now work Mon-Sat, but its just a start, I will improve and cope with everything around, so that my time management and my earning (and spending) can be efficienty distributed well.

Godspeed....

time capsule

Did you know that you dont have to get into some sophisticated machine to replenish your long lost memory?

Well, I didn't mean you could remember every crisp detail of everything in the past, but just parts that matters maybe?

Writing is enough to engulf you in some sort of emotional and sentimental phase. The words seems to jump out and became visions of every little things, fragments of life that has passed thru you.

Reading greeting cards and papers with someone's handwriting saying things that matters the most at the time, even some 10 years ago of schedules.
It sure does the trick for me.

 Maybe I'm just that too sentimental person, or is it unavoidable for us human being, to be drawn to some state after seeing things that has been keep for a long time ago. suddenly bringing out all the good and bad memories that we somehow forget, thru the flow of time.

Its not like we're living in the past, but then again, the past are what made us ourself today. So, I would like to remember some details of it, in every move I make, in order not to fall or leap into the same spot again.