Happy Holidays

Dear family and friends

Wishing you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Let there be God's peace on earth.

Love

Nadia, Dita & Novel

Paris, 25-Dec-2006

Dear Jesus... This is My Christmas List

Dear Jesus

Time flies. It feels like yesterday we celebrated Your last 'birthday'. Now, Christmas day is just around the corner. To me, it is still and will always be the most joyful time of the year: the glistening trees, sleigh bells, the Santa, cards, gifts, songs, ....

Here I am down on my knees talking to You in whisper and giving You my Christmas list. No, no... I am not asking for a present. I am grown-up now, although a new car would do. Ahahaha.... (*kidding*)

I am sure You are busy sorting out people's wishes these days. Frankly, I don't expect you to prioritize mine either, because I am not worthy. I humbly understand very well I had made You disappointed in me in many occassions this year. I had not been Your good disciple like You always wanted me to be. I had often been a lost sheep who often made his shepherd cry. I had had far too many hollows and emptiness in my soul.

Oh Jesus, would You forgive me for all the wrongdoings I have done? I am certain You remember everyone of them. If not, I am willing to spend hours and hours listing them down.

Allow me to pray for my loved ones: my family. I beg for our 'true happiness', because a true happiness can only come from You. Touch us on every little step we make. Let us grant Your peace to every person we meet today. Fulfil us with Your soul food. More importantly, I thank You for having chosen me to be part of their lives. I am privileged!

I pray for those whom I consider as friends or for those who consider me as their friend. New, old, good or best friends. Everyone. I thank You for allowing me to share parts of my life with them. Please continue working on me through them.

I pray for the people I never met, yet they are not as lucky as we are (who know who they are). People in wars. People in hungers. People in rages. People in illness. People in refuges.... Only You who would understand their despairs, oh Jesus. Leave them not alone. Let them know that I will keep them in my prayer every single day, especially on this special day.

Another year, another adventure. If it was not for You, Jesus, I would not have gone this far. Thank You again for allowing me to celebrate Your birthday again with my loved ones.

I love You, Jesus.

Novel
Your disciple

Morning Therapy

I was checking the Schlumberger Hub today and extremely happy to find out that one of my photos had been selected as one of the 3 best shots of the week beating 124 other submitted photos! Cihuy.... Finally!

Although, this is an internal 'competition' without any prize given away, but still the feeling is quite overwhelming. This is the first time my amateur photoshot is recognized publicly.

I named the photo "Morning Therapy" simply because the atmosphere was so calm that I felt it could 'heal' people who suffered from the restless world around them. Some kind of natural therapy.

The photo was taken during our weekend stay in Chedi, Muscat (Oman) back in Oct 2004. Dita and I intentionally woke up quite early and easily became the first two guests who arrived at the swimming pool and the calm beach. Whilst we were enjoying the tranquility, I took the opportunity to take the shot with our 5MP Sony DSC-T1 digital camera. Nothing is really fancy about our little camera. The photo was a beauty by its nature. No touch-ups or alikes. Simply a reflection of the original colors. But I have to admit that the morning lights are always the best friend for amateur photographers like me.

In fact, when I submitted that photo, I did not put my expectation too high. I personally thought that this week's competition is tougher than the last week's, i.e. there are a lot more amazing photos submitted by SLB employees this week. I had submitted several photos in the previous weeks with no success. Hence, this time I chose the title and described the photo with very little thinking.

I guess this time the unexpected has become a reality. I am just hoping this is not the last one to have been selected.

A Life in a Night for a Proper Being (By: Ayesha Mutiara (10 y.o.))*

Sluuuuuuurp. Sluuuuuuuurp. Who doesn’t love milk? Especially if it is for a midnight snack. I was staring at my bowl with gleaming eyes, looking at the milk as if the bowl of milk was the best piece of art any one can ever do. I kept on licking at the bowl, little bit by little bit, trying to not to waste the milk, because those humans would never ever give me the right amount I deserve. I am a Siamese cat. I am proper. They should be thankful they have me.

Tap! Tap! Tap! I was on my daily walk around the house, as I usually do when it is night. I was waiting for one of those twin owners of mine to come and feel and admire my very soft and shiny fur. Hey! It’s not my fault I’m pretty and precious. Since Tyler (my owner) was doing his homework, I went to Erin (my other owner) to give her a chance to feel my fur before I would go prowling around the alleyways of New York City.

New York City has the perfect mood, which matches me like a puzzle piece. It’s fast, it’s bright and it’s busy. The only problem is that it rains a lot here and when the cars pass by really fast then they splash water on me and get me soaked and the water is absolute filth. How embarrassing it would be if I were the only Siamese cat that looked uncivilized in New York.

Any way Erin was watching “Lady and the Tramp” and it was the scene where the baby’s babysitter brought out her two Siamese cats, which were every mean to Lady. They were singing a song about themselves, which actually has a pretty catchy tune. Although they are my species, they selfish. Unlike me, don’t you agree? You don’t see me taking every thing for myself, unless the object is milk of course. Well, Erin’s mother told her to go to sleep, so I guess I would just go on my stroll now.

“AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! That’s my tail, thank you very much!”

Humm, people these days don’t appreciate real beauty. It’s unfair! For a short creature like me, a busy sidewalk is like a Dodge ball game. With all the shoes stepping right in front of you on the last minute. I would soon be as flexible as a gymnast dodging all these feet.

When I turned to the last corner, I happened to meet Gruel, which rhymes with drool, which he happens to do a lot. If he lived in my apartment, since he was a pup and no one cleaned his drool, my house would have a 1-inch thick layer of drool. And sometimes he drools while his head is swinging like a pendulum. So, There would be slime all over the wall. If his drool was brown, then the marks of drool would look like tree trunks with a lot of branches.

“ Oh, whom do we have here?” he mumbled.

“George Bush is who it is. Dum-dumb it’s me Lola the Siamese!” I shouted sarcastically. As if it was the simplest question in the world.

He gave me a look that was like a warning that he was going to make me his next dinner on his menu! So I ran, and ran and ran until I tripped over a rock and got a cut on my paw and blood was dribbling down my claws until they’re little drops of red. So I turned to the left and shook off Gruel of my trail. Then I ran into the back of he leg of an officer. He looked at me, stroked under my ear and carried me into his car.

In the car he checked my neck to see my collar and drove me back to my apartment. And when he rang the doorbell, my mother owner immediately opened the door and thanked the officer for bringing me back. But when she was about to pick me up, she saw my cut leg. And went to get a band-aid. She caressed me like I was a newborn baby.

Finally, I get the perfect treatment that I, the perfect and civilized Lola the Siamese cat deserves. And since I’m getting pampered and everything, I guess that it wouldn’t be a bad time to ask for milk!

_______________
This short story appears courtesy of Ayesha Mutiara a.k.a. Kakak (10 y.o.) Thanks, Kakak!
* Ayesha is a bright student of ASD (American School of Dubai), a daughter of my two best friends - Wingky & Oya, the big sister of Zirdy, a talented sketcher, a meticulous storyteller (and a fast talker :-)) and more importantly, a talented swimmer. She has won many regional swimming championships in Dubai/UAE. At her age, she has already impressed many people with her many achievements academically and non-academically. With this article, she proves not only can she do the verbal storytelling, but also she can nicely compose a short story like above. I hope to see more of this in the near future and am glad to publish it for the first time in my own blog as a work of my special guest author. Keep writing, ya Kak!

Aliens Invade Paris

Come and live in Paris in the month of August, you'll soon find out that this is the exodus period of the Parisiens. Yes, most Parisiens traditionaly choose the whole month of August for their annual getaway (besides Noel). So, if you are moving in to Paris around August, the property market is almost dead. Very few propietaires would bother selling or renting their properties during this period. Hence, you are left out with very few options, unless you want to wait until the school holiday ends in the first week of September where the Parisien activities are sluggishly back to normal.

Basically, you must not expect to receive a service as fast as its normal speed (Please note here that I am NOT indicating that the service in France is particularly fast). The number of manpowers is reduced dramatically during this period. Many boulangeries (bakery), fromageries (cheese shops) and other shops dans le quartier are literally closed. The neighbourhood looks like Sundays in the other months of the year. Not particularly quiet, but definitely less people.

But if you visit Paris for leisure in August, ho-ho... it's contradictory! It's obviously a tourist month! Be prepared to stay in a long queue to get to the top of Tour Eiffel or to enter Le Musee du Louvre. Les quartiers touristiques like Latin Quartier, St Germain des Pres or Le Marais are packed with tourists.

Literally, in August, Paris is invaded by aliens a.k.a tourists.

Selling Madonna (30.08.06)

The good thing about living in a world's city like Paris is that it's lively throughout the year, particularly in summer. During the season, there are hundreds of shows, attractions, exhibitions, concerts, etc - both gratuit or not. At times, you feel overwhelmed with the "what's on" information and the advertising of all the entertainment in town. You feel you want to do it all, but at the same time you simply don't have enough time. At the end, you would need to choose.

Last summer, when we found out that Madonna would throw live concerts in Paris, Dita and I were jumping up and down. We thought this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Queen of Pop live. So, I bought the two tickets ahead of time. Unsurprisingly, her 4-day concerts were quickly sold out. Luckily, I managed to get two seats for the evening of Aug 30, although, to be very frank, the ticket price was not cheap at all, even for the Parisien standard! What the heck! I thought Dita and I deserved such a treat to see a living legend like Madonna in a live action (Not that I am a big fan of hers, but there is no one else like her in the entertainment business. To me, she is a pop genius.) The good news is in France we are allowed to reimburse 50% of any loisir tickets through the Committe Entreprise. (Each year each company in France must contribute 1% of their revenue for their employee's entertainment. Employees could benefit many things from this CE program. Pretty cool, huh?)

So, from the moment we bought the tickets, the days seemed to be long. We were counting the days, eagerly expecting the D-Day to come. We had even arranged a baby sitter to look after Nadia. Then... the unexpected came. Nadia was not feeling well just a couple of days before the concert night. We prayed she would get better in time. But this time our prayer was not answered. C'est pas grave (that's not a problem.)

We could not go to see the show, that's for sure, but the show must go on. So, what about our tickets? Well, we had no options but to sell them at the last minute. From the morning of the D-Day, I tried to sell them through the French eBay, another French-based auction website and SLB bulletin boards. But none of them worked. It was just impossible to sell them online at the last minute.

Our last resort was to sell them at the gate alias 'jadi calo'!!!1) Here we go.... After work I went to Bercy stadium, where the show took place. I don't know how to describe my feelings and thoughts back then. I was not too convinced I could do this selling thing. I was not convinced someone would look for a ticket, let alone two, at the last minute. But who knows? I would try my luck. I had never had any experience being a 'calo' before in my life (not in a negative way, of course, because I was willing to sell them at the original price, if not with a little bit of discount. What the heck! The tickets must go!). Moreover, I had a very limited knowledge of French. My worries were paramounting.

When I arrived at Bercy 1.5 hours before the show was scheduled to start , I saw packs of people hustling and bustling, waiting for the gates to be opened. Among them, I noticed I was not the only 'calo' around. Indeed, there were quite a number of them. I smelled some competitions in the air. Some of them were professional. A few of them even asked me if I was willing to sell my tickets for half price. (Over my dead body, my friend!) I thought even if I failed to find a buyer, I would rather use the tickets myself than sell them to those people for way too cheap.

I approached several people, hoping they would fall for my charm (as if I had one, ahahaha....) Zero. Nothing. Nil. My charm did not work. The clock was ticking. I saw a family with 4 kids were doing the same as I was. I guess they were a bit lucky. Using their kids' charms, I noticed they managed to sell some tickets. People would tend to buy the tickets from them thinking they were not a pro. But a color man like me is selling tickets? What were they thinking? They might think I was doing it for life. A pro. A pro who would double the price.

Then I remembered one thing that boosted my confidence a little. As I came straight from work, I was dressing up quite smartly! So, I did not think my appearance would mimic the pros. At least I did not look like one of them. We'll see....

One hour had passed without any close prospects in sight, until a young Frenchman approached me and 'quietly' demanded for the price of the tickets I had tightly held in my hands. (I said 'quietly' because he then told me he was worried a police would raid 'calo'. He said he once had a bad experience when he had to sell his tickets at the gate of a show before.) He asked me to walk off from the crowd to make sure we were not being watched. He looked slick in his appearance. Perhaps around the same age as me. Knowing this could be it, I gave him a 10 euros discount for the two tickets. He agreed right away. He said he and his friend were desperately looking for two tickets. Done deal! Apparently, his friend had not arrived yet and this Frenchman had not enough cash with him. So, whilst waiting for his friend, we chatted away. A french working for Cap Gemini in Treasury. Speaks a not bad English with a very thick French accent. We then exchanged business cards.

In no time his friend appeared out of nowhere. Tickets and money were exchanged. I wished bon concert to the frenchman and his friend. He thanked me and said he would email me about the concert. Yeah, whatever.... I was just too happy as my tickets were finally sold and I could claim myself as a successful amateur 'calo' that night! Yoo-hooo...! From the bus, as I exhaled, I could see the other 'calos' were still out there trying hard to sell their tickets. Bonne chance!

Au revoir, Madonna! I don't know when or if we would ever have an opportunity to see you live before your age eats you up (it's my polite way to say, "you're getting old, Madame Madonna!")

______________
1) 'Calo' is an Indonesian word for someone whose profession is to sell tickets in a black market, usually with a ricidulously high price.

Les Brocantes, Les Vide-Greniers et Les Marches

Recently, I found it extremely soothing exploring the city of Paris. Not as a tourist, but as a stranger who lives in it.

When we were temporarily staying in the hotel in rue Didot during our first month in Paris, we loved to take a stroll along the antique market in Porte de Vanves on Sundays. It's not that I love the antiques, but to certain extent la brocante marche had changed the way I think of antiques or second-hand goods. En France, those goods seem to receive a high degree of appreciation from their people, even when they look rusty to me. In this market, you can find many sorts of goods, e.g. paintings, furnitures, households, ancient books and CD's and so forth.

In the past, I hardly gave my attention to antiques. I was nearly skeptical about them. Perhaps it's because there are not many places like this in Jakarta. Well, we've got Jalan Surabaya or Pasar Rumput or Pasar Senen for books. But they are somehow different.

It seems the place has never been quiet. There are always collectors who love to buy and keep them. Some of them are professional. I think les vendeurs in Porte de Vanves are mostly in this category. You can tell from the way they present their goods. They have their own vans and stand. I suspect they move around selling their antiques in town. In Paris, Porte de Vanves is obviously not the only place you could enjoy the antiques. There are some other places. But don't be surprised. As they are professional, at times the prices are ridiculously expensive. Of course, this is their lives. For most, this is their only source of income.

If you are looking for something less expensive and if you are patient enough, you will find there are garage sales (vide-grenier) in the neighbourhood (le quartier) which are organized by le mairie 3 or 4 times a year. Everyone in the area can participate. Last October, there were 2 of them in our area. We visited the last one. It turned out to be pretty good. Our neighbours seemed to have plenty to offer with cheap euros, of course, because their intention was purely to empty (vider) their attics (grenier). This is where the name vide-grenier came from.

Next time, we are thinking of participating. We still have some stuffs kept in our dark and small cellar to get rid of. I thought It would be an interesting experience, particularly with our limited knowledge of French! Ahahaha... Well, we don't need that much of skill. All we need is "C'est un euro, Madame... Deux euros cinquante... Dix euros, Monsieur...." Simple! Oh yeah, we will definitely do it next time around. It simply reminds us our garage sale in our house shortly before we left Karratha. It was "nothing to lose" kinda thing, but we profited two grants from the junks we had wanted to get rid of! Pas mal, huh? (not bad).

Another le vide-grenier we visited in a September weekend was one in a small town on our way from Chateau Cheverny to Amboise. I forgot the name of it. We found it by accident. We drove along when I saw the signboard. Papa Klaas and Mama Eny were visiting us back then. As usual, as a globe miniature collecture, Papa Klaas managed to find a beautiful one, cheap.

Another thing I find quite interesting is Sunday markets. You can only find them on Sundays. But in certain quartiers, they open on other days of the week too. Last weekend I found an interesting one at the end of rue de Commerce, about 20 minute walk from our place, under the metro railway (apparently the metro in this area is overground). Here, you can find mostly fresh food, like fruits, veggies, cheese, jambons, seafood and of course wine. You may say "What's so special about it? It's only a market!" You are right and wrong at same time. I think the atmosphere that makes it different. I enjoy watching the crowds and the stuffs they are selling, at the same time learning new words in French. As interesting as it may seem, the different kinds of fromage (cheese) or jambons or wine on the display always draw my attention. Now I don't know anything about them, but it's a learning process. Someday, I hope I will know something about them.

L'ete etait Terminee - The Summer is over (07.11.06)

It's been three months since my last post. The excuse sounds cliche: busy. I feel this is the time again to share loads of our tales in France. Like the old saying: no news means good news. The good news is we have settled in quite nicely in Paris. Each one of us seems to find our own routine and rhytm.

Obviously, I had always wanted to start writing again a while ago until the terrible French flu got me for a complete two weeks. It was the worst flu I had ever had in my whole life! No kidding. Muscle ache, running nose (it was really really running like water! Uurrrgghh...), headache and coughing... they were all in me. Glad it was over. I have even had the flu shot recently. At least now I should not worry too much when the people are sneezing or coughing in the bus or the metro. I should be immune!

Indeed, there are loads of stories I'd like to share with you, particularly our summer adventure during the summer. I thought I would write them in parts, because if I put everything in one single long article, I guarantee you that no one would ever read it.

When I wrote this, the summer is over. It's been frantically freezing here in Paris for the last one week. A day will pass between 1 and 10 centigrade. We now have every reason for pulling our thick jackets and gloves out of the closets. The room heaters have assumed their roles after months being idle.

Je crois l'ete etait vraiment terminee. Bienvenue a l'automne. Ou faut-il que on dise deja bienvenue a l'hiver?

Nadia & La Halte Garderie (11.08.06)

Another milestone in Nadia's life.

Aug 2, 2006, for the very first time Nadia entered La Halte-Garderie (nursery) Petit-a-Petit, 30-min walk from our place. Dita and I decided to do so at the early age mainly for two reasons. Firstly, we want her to have some playmates. Secondly, Dita needs to take her French lesson, 3 times a week.

I am not going to go into details of the schedule, activities, etc. I leave these to your imagination. But it will not take you a while to figure out... you know, kids stuffs: play, eat, sleep :-)

What I wanted to share with you (I am sure many of you have gone through this before) is the fact that in the beginning it was not easy for Dita to leave Nadia in the HG by herself (no, indeed she is not really by herself. She's got many friends in there). But for a mother like Dita, it's a question of being separated from Nadia, having shared 24 hours a day together for the last 13 months! Now you are going to let someone you hardly know look after your loved one for a few hours. Na, na... it's not easy. Not for Dita. Not for Nadia.

Nadia somehow tried to understand what was going on. (Believe it or not, to me babies are the fastest learners). Why is she left there without her Mama or Papa? Why does everyone speak strange languages? Pourquoi ca, pourquoi ci? Poor Nadia has to go through another change again. With this new activity, Nadia would have to find her new rhytme.

Mais, c'est pas grave. There is always good news. Coming towards the second week, we all see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone seems to be happy now. Dita seems to get used to the HG things. Nadia seems to cope extremely well with her new rhytme, new activities and new friends!

Catatan kaki:
In France, an Halte Garderie is different from a creche. The earlier is for kids (15-36 months old) from the non-working mothers. The latter is for working mothers. In HG, you can book a place for your baby on a semester basis, usually, for a maximum of 3 times a week, be it morning, midday, afternoon or a combination of them, depending on the available space. Meanwhile, a creche can accommodate your baby during the weekdays.

When a kid reaches 3-yo, s/he will enter ecole maternelle (kindergarten) with one condition (according to Dita's source): the kid has to be able to poo-poo in the toilet by himself!

Finally... Moving in: The Parisien Way (01.08.06)

Yeah, I said finally on the title because Dita, Nadia and I had been waiting for this day for 1.5 months since we discovered this apartment during our hunting. 116 rue de la Convention, 75015 Paris (note that the last 2 digits of the postal code indicates the arrondissement or district of Paris. The city is divided into 20 arrondissements which start from the center and go outwards like a spiral. No wonder some people call Paris a city of spiral).

Back to the day when the relocation agent, Anne, showed us a number of places. Out of 6, we were torn between this Convention apartment and the one at the Montparnasse area, which is a modern kinda place, 2 bedrooms, double salon (living room) and the view is... breathtaking... La Scare Coeur, Les Invalides et La Tour Eiffel. 3 in 1!

The Reasons

But why did we eventually choose this Convention apartment? A number of reasons (Dita and I even made a S.W.O.T analysis!).

Numero un, since we are in Paris, we prefer to live the Parisien way and feel its neighbourhood, one which is missing from the Montparnasse's modern high rise. Convention is a long street where one can find some lively activities, e.g. Monoprix supermarche, post office, ATM's, Metro Baucicaut (one minute walk), l'arret bus no 62 (just in front of the cafe), pharmacy, the modern architecture of Parc Andre Citroen and a cafe restaurant (next door... We even introduced ourselves to the owner of the cafe, wishing we'll get some discount one day! Ahahaha... And the nice waitress likes Nadia. Their superbly smokey beef steak is highly recommended).

Numero deux, it is an ancient building (I still need to figure out which year it was built. I often see residence buildings were built in the 19th century). Very French. A cellar in the basement (like a dungeon) for storage. Petit escalateur (very tiny indeed.) It only accommodates max 2 squeezed adults!!! Anyway, we won't need this as much, because our apartment is on le premier etage).

Numero trois, it had just finished being renovated prior to our moving in. A total interior refurbishment. From 2 bedrooms to 3 bedrooms. Brand new parquet, paintings, bathroom, shower, toilet and kitchen cabinet. Outside, you feel the Parisien way and when you step inside you still feel the comfort. Talking about toilet, we figured one illogical trend in most of ancient apartments in Paris (or perhaps France). In many of them, toilet seems to be far away from the bathroom or bedroom, Donc que, imagine if you feel like having petit pipi in the middle of the night, you're gonna have to walk all the way across the double living room with your eyes closed before (hopefully) reaching your destination... and your destination usually lays next to your front door! For a sleepwalker, it may not be a problem. But we found it very uncomfortable. Not to mention, being Indonesians, we often need some water to clean yourself after pipi or poopoo. Am I right? (I can see smiling faces). With a toilet being in a distance, uurrgghhh... it is just unimaginable! Enough said, luckily our toilet sits next to the bathroom. Another convenience.

Numero quatre, I have already mentioned it. It has 3 bedrooms. One for us. One for Nadia. One for a spare (guest, computer, study, etc), equipped with our brand new sofa bed.

No Parking, No Car

Nevertheless, like any other ancient apartments in Paris, do not expect to have your own parking space in the basement. Non, non, non! The apartment in Montparnasse does have this luxury, but ours does not. If we have a car, there will be two options of parking. The first option... we can park by the streets around the neightbourhood (definitely, this option is highly competitive, considering the available space is limited). As a resident, we can get a special card from La Mairie (town hall) to enjoy a very significant fee discount. Mais, of course, you take your own risks. When you are in Paris, the scene of people parking their cars bumper to bumper is extremely common. Very often, you will see cars with scratches and dents. That is why mini cars are very popular here. The second option... try to find a public parking (usually underground) in the area. This may cost you around 150 Euros per month.

C'est la vie... we found a pretty cool apartment as per our budget, yet it comes without a parking space. Nothing is perrfect, right? Anyway, having a thorough thought, we have decided not to own a car in Paris (at least until we feel necessary). What's the point? 1st, parking is difficult. 2nd, public transportations are convenient and near. 3rd, walking could be an option and healthy. You may argue... in the winter, it'll be extremely freezing! Yes, you are absolutely right. But we're not there yet, So, we are now still enjoying summer.

We opt for hiring a car for our weekend getaways (Hertz depot is only 15-minute walk and we can use the corporate rate). At the end, when you make a calculation, hiring car (mainly for the weekend) for say, 100 weekends in 2 years, is still cheaper than buying one, taking into account the maintenance cost, insurance, parking fees and fuel. Bear in mind, fuel is outrageously expensive here (around 1.40-1.50 Euros per litre for l'essence). Oh la la... there are times when we may not need a car and this is it! We are extremely happy with this cost saving decision.

Although, there is one thing I have to share with you here... Metro stations in Paris are not particularly handicaps or baby-friendly. By far, I discovered only a couple of stations in which les escalateurs exist. As for the rest, you have to use the stairs.! Imagine a mother with a small baby, a bag and une pousset (baby stroller)! Life can be terrible sometimes. (Luckily, Nadia has a light stroller (5 kgs) which can be useful in this situation). But is enough to make Dita happily prefer to take bus to metro.

Thanks to The Dungeon

Our aparment is only 87 m2. For us, it's just the right size. The problem raised when we failed to realize that we indeed have too many stuffs from our previous assignment until the Crown relocation delivered our 100+ boxes of shipment! For such an apartment, yes, 100 boxes are a lot! Our place in Karratha was perhaps 3 or 4 times as big. Needless to say, accommodating our stuffs was not such a headache. Now, we have to stretch our head, but no drama... we'll manage. (I have to say, thanks to the cellar! At the end, there are a number of stuffs and furniture we have to keep inside the dungeon).

IKEA... How Many Times?

Until I wrote this blog, I don't know how many times had we visited IKEA. Not because we love to (frankly, I almost threw up every time we knew we had to go there). Amazingly, we seemed to find reasons to return there. Surveying, purchasing, returning articles or simply canceling an order. Yes, we have done them all! Now you figured out why we had visited IKEA many times. Bear in mind, around Paris' banlieue (suburb), there are probably 7 or 8 IKEA workshops. All are huge. But our favorite one is IKEA Plaisir. Only 35 kms from our place. Also, in the area lays a number of other big shops, such as Darty, Toys 'r Us, etc. Guess what, we have planned to go there again this weekend! We need to cancel one more order. Hopefully, for the very last time! Ahahaha.... Well, this happens. When you decorate your house, you soon realize, ah... we don't need that, oh.... we need this, well... we have to cancel that, bla bla bla....

DYI

This is what I like (or sometimes I hate) about first-world countries: DYI (Do It Yourself). In countries, like Indonesia, labours are cheap. You can pay 10 Euros to get your stuffs done. This is not a complaint, but Dita and I have to do almost all ourselves. I guess we are so used to it, thanks to our previous assignments.

It took us a while to set up les rideaux (curtains) et les tringles (curtain reels) in different rooms. Oh, the lamps we bought from IKEA needed to be assembled to the wall. Hang on... we need to nail the paintings to the wall. Voila! Here comes the internet modem for the internet, telephone and TV channels. Mon Dieu... The manuals are written in French!!!

I'd better off hitting my dictionary now. A bientot a tous!

A Heartfelt Letter for Karim & Donna in Beirut (29.07.06)

My dear friends

Just so you know, you have been all over my thoughts since the very first drop of the bomb by the Israelis. I do not mean to talk politics here. Nor do I have the rights to do so. I just pretend not to care about who, why, what, how, bla bla bla.... All I care about for now is you two and your families.

I had attempted several phone calls with no luck (aaarrgghh, that alone has made my heart broken and I mean it!). I only wanted to hear your voices and to know you are all alright.

On the third day of the mess, was I glad to receive your email reply! Knowing that you were hanging tough out there made me feel relief. But *sigh* I could tell from the tone of your email that things were not looking good at all. I could only tell your hearts were broken too for the innocent deads.

And I could only tell these whole things have take me to a memory drift. A memory of the moments we all share together when Dita and I paid you a visit about 1.5 years back. I don't know how many times I have mentioned this to anyone that Beirut had impressed me in an unspoken way. Never did I imagine your country was more beautiful than one could have imagined. For now, I could only hope the rages would not destroy the historical sites.

My dear friends, for now I have lost contact with you two. But deep in my heart, I am convinced this is only temporary. And I want you to know that my prayers are always with you. Stay strong!

La 1ere Anniversaire de Nadia (09.07.06)

Perhatian: Ini Nadia yang ngetik....

Halo semua. Terima kasih atas ucapan selamat ultahnya. Maaf kalau baru sekarang aku bisa membalas ucapan2 selamat ultahnya. Abis, aku sibuk abis! Aku kan bayi sibuk (baca: ribet).
Terutama pas tgl 9 Juli lalu, karena hari itu sangat bersejarah. That was my very first birthday, although I don't know yet what birthday means. At this point, je m'en fou! (I don't care, kalo kata orang2 Prancis).

Tgl 9 Juli lalu, walaupun tidak ada pesta besar2an, tapi orang2 di jalan sibuk membawa bendera biru, putih dan merah dan membunyikan klakson mobil. Aku pikir mereka semua bergembira merayakan ultahku. Oh, ternyata aku salah, karena kata Papa hari itu para gibol (baca: gila bola) sedang bersiap2 nonton final Prancis lawan Italy. Aku bingung mau support siapa. Au' ah, 'elap! Yang penting aku happy.

Pagi2 sudah disambut dengan lagu happy birthday oleh Papa dan Mamaku. Papa juga sibuk membuat videoku, walaupun rambutku masih berantakan, baru bangun tidur (eh lupa, rambutku kan nggak banyak. Hehehe...). Kemudian kita keliling2 flea market dekat hotel. Walau gerimis sedikit, tapi tetep seru. Banyak barang2 antik. Mama sempet beli teko2 antik. Untuk di dapur, katanya.

Lalu kita siap2 pergi merayakan my 1st birthday with a lunch party di Altitude 95 Restaurant, on the first level of Tour Eiffel. Sampai di Eiffel, aku kaget meliat ular antrian para turis. Puuuuaaaaannnjjaaaaaanggg sekali. Aku baru sadar kalo pas summer Paris selalu dipenuhi oleh wisman. Sementara kata Mama, orang2 Parisnya sendiri pada ngabur alias liburan. Tapi untungnya Papa udah made a reservation. Jadi para tamu restaurant bisa lewat jalur khusus. Nggak perlu ngantri panjang.

Mama terus pesan kue ultah kecil dan lilin untukku. Lalu aku nyanyi dan tiup lilin (as if I could! Ahahaha...). Le petit gateau est tres tres bon. Juga menurut Papa, les cuisines francaises sont excellents. Seperti biasa, aku 'menebar pesona' ke tamu2 yang lain. Senyum sana, senyum sini. Nyengir sana, nyengir sana (hey, I'm the birthday girl, you know. I can do whatever I want!).
Setelah lunch, lalu kita foto2 sambil menikmati kota Paris dari Tour Eiffel. Usual stuffs, mais c'est manifique! Maybe 20 years from now, I'll look back and realize how I lucky I was to have had such a moment.

Terus, kita go home, siap2 untuk nonton final bola. Sampai di rumah, tiba2 Mama nyiapin 3 piring yang isinya masing2 uang Euro, pensil & ballpoint dan makananku. Awalnya aku bingung. Tapi lalu aku ingat, ternyata ini tradisi di keluarga Villanueva untuk para cucu. Menurut Nainai, uang itu simbol harta, alat tulis simbol kepandaian dan makanan simbol... apa ya... perut kenyang kali??? Sekarang aku disuruh memilih. Wah, pilihan sulit, karena aku suka semuanya!!! At the first attempt, aku tertarik sama Euro (ih, mata duitan ya). Tapi nggak jadi, karena sebelum aku ambil duit itu dari piring, sorakan Papa dan Mama mengagetkanku. At the second attempt, aku ngiler dengan makanan (shoop, shoop...), tapi nggak jadi lagi. Akhirnya aku pilih pensil. Aku nggak ngerti sih, cuma pasti Papa dan Mama berharap aku jadi anak pinter. Amin.

Permainan pilih-memilih ini membuat aku capek sekali (padahal kan nggak usah mikir ya? Hehehe...). Sayang, my birthday harus berakhir. Aku jadi nggak nemenin Papa dan Mama nonton Materazzi ditanduk Zizou. Tapi asal kalian tahu, Zizou itu idolaku (kalo kata Miss Indonesia 2006, Miss Nadine: "my admirer is Zizou - of course, it was an error), karena kita sama2 botak!

Bonne nuit a tous. Moga2 ultah kedua, aku masih di Paris (walaupun nggak harus ngerayain di Tour Eiffel lagi). Terima kasih Tuhan Yesus for everything.

Cafe Ceramique - Town Center Dubai (18.06.05)

Dita and I just found a new way to spend our weekend or to chill out or to relieve our stress - whatever you want to call it. Ceramic painting... We tried it once. Frankly speaking, it was one of the soothing ways away from the crowd.Firstly, you choose the raw shape (Dita chose mugs for us, which I argued, as their rounded shapes are just too daunting to paint on.). Secondly, you have to select 5 filling and 2 lining colors. Thirdly, you order your cappucino (if you like one). Forthly, you think about the design (this is probably the most difficult part for me). Fifthly, you sip you cappucino, then off you go with the experiment.

For the filling colors, you must paint them at least 3 times or else they will hardly appear on the final product. The lining colors are very daunting. You push and push until it comes out. I hurt my arms because of this. Once you are done, they will put your ceramic into the fire. You can then collect them within a few days.

The whole process is never easy if you are not an artist. This also applies to me who had never translated my artistic imagination into a canvas for such a long time. Nevertheless, the whole experience was new for both of us. We'd love to return for a better result!

Golden Triangle: The Colors of India (23.08.04)

** The first draft as submitted for the Schlumberger MEA News Winter 2004 Edition**
By: Devita Berlina and Novel Tjahjadi

Since centuries, the cities of Golden Triangle have beckoned the travelers all around the world to India. The combination of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur presents the potpourri of India. The sights, sounds, smell and savor besides the souvenirs from each holiday destination of the Golden Triangle is enchanting. Arguably, this represents the highlight of our trip to India since we only could only spare one week in the country.

It is probably the most captivating holiday that can be spent at Northern India. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of India. This tour presents the true color of India with Delhi, a rich tapestry of contrasts that is characteristic of this complex land, Agra, the zenith of art & an enshrined romance and Jaipur - exuberant with color for enjoying North India's fascinating cultural heritage.

A trip to India could be an all-out assault on the senses. India, with all its variety, feels it is impossible not to be astonished by India. You'll be traveling through dusty heat, sharing roads with a parade of bicycles, auto-rickshaws, sputtering motorcycles, tinsel-draped trucks, camel carts and the occasional cow (you may need nerves of steel and excellent karma to consider driving yourself in the Indian roads), but forget about that here you can find some of the globe's most majestic and historical sights.

Delhi

Our journey started with Delhi, the capital of India, in which history lives. The city consists of two distinguishable parts: Old Delhi, with its typically oriental city quarters, narrow alleys and bazaars, its temples, mosques and other historical monuments, and New Delhi, the imperial city created as the capital of India by the British.

The dignified buildings of the Parliament House along with the grand Rashtrapati Bhavan emphasize the role of Delhi at the capital city of the India. Close by, you may pay homage to the martyrs at their memorial India Gate. An impressive example of colonial architecture, India Gate is the symbol of modern Delhi. The 42-m-high stone arch was built by the British in honor of Indian soldiers killed in World War I. A popular tourist attraction, the gate is also a gathering place for Delhi residents, who love to stroll the area at night, eating ice cream and buying strands of flowers. Try to visit and take a picture of India Gate at night, illuminated and you’ll be surprised with the result. It’s very beautiful at night and don’t be surprised if your friends thought that the picture was taken in Champ-d’Elysees, Paris.

Another must-see monument is Qutab Minar. This soaring stone tower, 72-meter high was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1193. The Tower has five distinct stories, each with a projecting balcony. The base of Minar (tower) is 15m in diameter and the top just 2.5m in diameter, an amazing piece of work. At its base is the Quwwat-ul Islam Mosque, the first mosque ever built in India. The ruins of this place have been sensitively restored and reconstructed.

The magnificent red tomb of Humayun with the dashing double-dome and the char bagh style is a grand affair.

If you ever think that India is only about Hindu, then you’d better think again. The Jama Masjid is the real-life proof of the country’s diversity. Built in the Moslem quarter of the city, this 17th century mosque is the largest in India. Also known as the Friday Mosque, this mosque has three onion-domed from black and white marble (it is said that the dome is reportedly the second-largest in the world). If you are planning to visit this place, don’t forget that this place closed to all non-Muslims visitor during prayer time.

Delhi is also a house for great forts. You may start your fort adventure by visiting theRed Fort. Emperor Shah Jahan built this magnificent 17th-century fortress. With its massive red sandstone walls and gates, Lal Qila, as it also is known, dominates the east side of Old Delhi and is considered the city's No. 1 attraction. Inside the walls are an impressive assortment of smaller buildings, including the Diwan-I-am (Hall of the People, where the emperor heard disputes from his subjects) and Diwan-I-khas (Hall of Special Audiences, where the emperor met with dignitaries). The Rang Mahal was the apartment of royal ladies, while the Pearl Mosque was the emperors' private place of prayer. Chatta Chowk (Covered Bazaar), where the royals once shopped for silks and jewelry, is now packed with tourist shops. An impressive sound-and-light show that recounts the city's history is performed nightly (in English and Hindi).

Another fort which is worth visiting is Purana Qilam meaning “old fort”. The small lake in front is popular for boating. Nearby, we could salute the Father of the Nation at the Gandhi Memorial and the Raj Ghat.

Apart from being the Capital city, Delhi is also well known for souvenirs, which you would love to take home with you. In Big Souvenir Shop in Delhi such as The Governments Emporiums and The Central Cottage Industries, you can find collection of the finest art and craft from all over India at fixed prices, no bargaining, but in general prices of all articles are high. If you have enough time better save your money for the places like Delhi Haat The Art and Market.

Agra

Agra is near enough to Delhi - 220km - popular worldwide as it houses the greatest tribute to love by any mortal to his love, the legendary Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal, described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. This poignant Mughal mausoleum was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1631 left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned grey overnight.

Construction of the Taj began in the same year by no less than 20,000 workers and was not completed until 1653. Besides this romantic story about Taj Mahal, there is cruel tales behind it. One of the legends of the Taj is that the emperor cut off the hands of the master masons who built it, so that they could never build anything lovelier. If you're planning to check out this marvel, don't forget that it's closed on Friday to all non-Muslims.

The city's other major attraction is the massive red sandstone 16th century Agra Fort – the treasure house of the Mughal architecture - also on the bank of the Yamuna River. The fort’s walls rise over 20m in height and measure 2.5km in circumference. It contains a maze of superb halls, mosques, chambers and gardens, which form a small city within a city. Unfortunately not all buildings are open to visitors, including the white marble Pearl Mosque, regarded by some as the most beautiful mosque in India.

Any trip to Agra is incomplete without the visit to the Swamibag Temple. While it is less famous compared to the two previous monuments, the visit of this magnificent temple will definitely sweep you off your feet.

Jaipur

The final angle of the golden triangle tour is the capital city of Rajasthan - Jaipur, which can be reached by road in about 4 hours (400 kms) from Agra.

Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The only planned city of its time, this “Pink City” – so-called because a great deal of the older part is built of pink-colored stone - is encircled by a formidable wall.

The Amber Fort is a spectacular fortress-palace protecting a complex of palaces, temples, exquisite marble and mirror-inlaid halls and apartments. The highlight of the tour is an elephant ride up the hill at the Fort like a Maharaja! We had a great fun riding on Laxmi, a pregnant elephant, which might be the slowest of all.

Located at the main street of the old city, you will find Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace), a high and intricately carved wall behind which women of the court were sequestered while watching processions.

Strolling along, you will find yourself in the middle of the main flea markets which sell handicrafts and hand-decorated textiles, a regional specialty. Here you usually can have reasonable prices but of course, bargaining is mandatory. Start offering 50% of what you are willing to pay and do not look very enthusiastic. That’s the trick!

Nearby, the City Palace houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of Rajput weapons. The charming palace reveals a combination of the Rajasthan and Mughal styles of architecture.

Neemrana Fort – Palace

The highlight of our trip was definitely the short stay in Neemrana Fort, one of the best heritage hotels in the world and only a hundred kilometers away from Delhi airport. Built since 1464 AD, the ruins of this Fort-Palace have been sensitively restored and reconstructed in 1986, so here we can connect the past from the future.

The rooms are very unique, furnished with an eclectic mix of traditional Indian and colonial furniture antiques and objects d'art. Most rooms have private balconies or terraces overlooking the hill with magnificent views! Room rate available from USD 25 to USD 270!

Do not forget to relax and enjoy the free yoga and meditation exercises and revitalize yourself with the authentic Ayuervedic rejuvenation treatment. An excellent way to round up the inspiring journey to the Golden Triangle. Such an incomparable travel experience!

Esfahan: The Pearl of Persia (08.03.04)

**The first draft as submitted for the Schlumberger MEA News Summer 2004 Edition**

It is true that Islamic Republic of Iran has been well known for its magnificent choices of Persian carpets. However, there are a lot more to see in this country.

Nowadays, the country is relatively easy to explore, with a cheap and extensive network of domestic transportations (buses, trains and planes). You could also find a reasonable range of accommodation. In general, the people are friendly and becoming more and more open towards the foreigners. In some occasions, you may find someone greeting you and trying to practice English with you.

If you want a brand new holiday experience, Iran is worth ‘discovering’. The best time to visit is anytime other than summer. Ladies, don’t forget to wear a headscarf and overcoat.

Among many cultural heritages in Iran, Esfahan (or Isfahan) is a city where you could find a catalogue of fascinations. In this writing, I’d like to share what I witnessed during my two-day visit in Esfahan.

Day One

Esfahan is located in the center of Iran, south of Tehran. With magnificent monuments all over the city, the outstanding architecture and ornamentations of the mosques which belong to different era, the fascinating bazaar, wonderful old bridges and a great variety of exotique handicrafts, Esfahan is undoubtedly Iran’s masterpiece.

The flight from Tehran takes about 40 minutes (and only cost me $35!). I began my two-day adventure with a walk to Jameh Mosque. The mosque is an extraordinary complex of mosques displaying styles from the 11th to the 18th century. It is also the biggest mosque in Iran. The moment I stepped into the complex, I was stunned with the exquisite blue mosaic style and the dazzling minarets. Obviously, it was a good scene to start my journey with. I just could not imagine that this mosque was once hit by an Iraqi bomb during the war, but suffered only minor damages.

My next destination would be the huge Emam Khomeini Square. But to reach there, I decided to walk through Bazar-e Bozorg (Great Bazaar) whereby you find people selling just about anything. Don’t be surprised if you get lost between the passages. The place really looks like a maze which links the Jame Mosque with the Emam Khomeini Square (Therefore, you need to learn some basic Farsi, such as “…koja st?” – where is the… as the people speak very little English.)

Once I managed to find the exit gateway of the ‘labyrinth’ , I was completely amazed with the scene ahead of me, the glorious Emam Khomeni Square. It is a huge rectangular square with a pool in the center. I could easily spotted three main Islamic buildings which soon became the highlight of my visit in Esfahan. On the east end stands the pale-dome Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque which, in my personal opinion, has the most gorgeous works on art reflected in its blue and turquoise mosaic that adorns the wall and ceiling. The motifs and calligraphy around the wall are superb and full of complexity (I wondered how long it took them to finish it!).

The Emam Mosque is another elegant mosque. At first, I was wondering why they built it with an angle against the Square. Soon I learned that it was purposely angled to point in the direction of the holy city of Mecca. The mosque itself comprises four iwans (halls) in one of which you could find the main sanctuary where you can contemplate the beauty of its golden rose pattern on the ceiling.

Having seen three beautiful mosques, Ali Qapu Palace (Gate of Ali - still in the Square) gave me a different perspective about the Islamic architecture. You can climb the to the terrace from where you will get the best view of the Square and the Emam Mosque. It is said that from the terrace the Safavid kings and the royal members used to oversee races and some entertainments performed in the square. You can sit there under the shade to relax a little bit.

The Emam Khomeni Square is undoubtedly Esfahan’s masterpiece. It is also a paradise for the souvenir shopping. A bazaar with hundreds of handicraft shops encircles the square. All you need is to bring Iranian Rials (credit cards would not be of a use in Iran) and your bargaining skill!

Another extraordinary work of art, Chehel Sotun Palace (Forty Columns), is also a walking distance and stands in an awesome Persian garden. In the beginning, I was confused with the name as I could only count 20 columns on its terrace. But then they told me that I had to see the reflections of the columns in the garden’s rectangular pool. Aha! Now I figured out the where the name of Forty Columns came from! Inside the Palace hall, you can enjoy a catalogue of historical frescoes in a grand scale, miniatures and ceramics.

Before sunset, I rushed to the luxurious Abassi Hotel that amazed me with its Persian-style decoration. It is definitely a perfect place to ling over an afternoon Iranian chay (tea) in its teahouse and rest my exhausted feet while enjoying the magnificence of the courtyard.

Heading back to my hotel, I walked past the Emam Khomeini Square when the day got dark. This time I was stunned with the number of local people flooding in and enjoying their dinner by the pool. With the fountains on, the lights and the illuminated splendid architecture, the night scene is way more lively than it is in the morning or early afternoon. It is a scene you would not find anywhere else.

Day Two

Day two is a bridge tour. But before driving (yes, this time I suggest you rent a taxi as the places are quite a distance from one to another) through the bridges, I had a chance to witness the uniqueness of the Shaking Minarets (Manar Jomban). Climb up to one of the minarets and push it hard. You will notice it will start to sway back and forth followed by its twin which stands about 10 meters apart. Amazing! It will leave you with a question mark in mind: how could that happen?

While speculating the answer, the taxi took me to the disused fire temple, Ateshkadeh-ye Esfahan, which lies on the top of a small rocky hill which is quite steep to climb. These ancient mud-brick ruins gave me a stunning view of the city and the Zayandeh River. After all, it is worth climbing (I suggest you take a bottle of water with you as this could be quite an excessive exercise for some people).

The bridges are my next destination. They said there are 11 of them across the river. The 5 old bridges are definitely more of the tourist interests.

Si-o-She Bridge is probably one of the longest. The 160m-long bridge is worth wandering, though I personally prefer Khaju Bridge which was built in 1650. This finest bridge has two levels of terraces overlooking the river and mountains. Breathtaking view! Strolling along its 132-m length, I could hear some local people chanting traditional Persian songs. You could also enjoy the view and inhale the fresh air while sipping a cup of chay or Iranian ice cream by the river.

Chubi Bridge is another landmark of Esfahan though it could easily be ignored. Shahrestan Bridges is one of its kind. The oldest of all. The bridge has a unique 11-arched stone and brick structure which was believed to be built back in the 12 century.

While killing my time, waiting for my flight back to Tehran, I paid a visit to Jolfa, the Armenian quarter of Esfahan. It was an overwhelming feeling having learned that there are some Christian inhabitants in this country living in one community. My initial purpose was to visit Vank Cathedral, Church of Betlehem and Maryam Church. But I guess I arrived at the wrong time as none of them was open that afternoon. I could only enjoy their architectures from outside.

However, it did not disappoint me at all. After all, I have witnessed the triumphs of one of the ancient cities in the world with its incomparably unique and diverse architectures. The trip was fascinating and rewarding!

Set a Drift down Memory Lane in Qatar (08.06.05)

It's been 6.5 years since I left Doha. It seems ages ago. Yet, the place is still close to my heart. The old times and the old friends. I am so happy to see the people that I used to work with. It's amazing that they still remember me, though I am no longer wearing the coverall! Vrinda, our secretary; Ismail, my crew chief, who has recently called me a number of times; Sunil, my ex-crew, MM Thomas, Thomas George, Joseph, Abdi, Ali, Ivan, Prakash, so forth.... Where's Danny (my ex-crew)? Oh, he is on vacation.

The new base in the Industrial Area is obviously much larger than the old one. But it's just a bit too far from the city center (30-min drive and in the middle of nowhere). Well, Doha is literally small anyway, even much smaller than Dubai. I reckon it's probably one fourth as big as Dubai.

Off I went to explore the city on the very first night. Not many changes on the Ras Abou Aboud side (I stay in Marriot, next to our old base who used to be inside QGPC Complex, not it's called QP). But you'll notice some ongoing constructions on the other side of the Corniche where Sheraton was the only high rise building. Now, lay the City Center shopping mall, Ritz Carlton and some other middle-high skyscrapers. A little farther, they will start reclaiming for the man-made The Pearl Island, similar to the Palms or The World in Dubai.

No wonder, they seem to be in a competition with Dubai. It's obvious from the way they are aggresively promoting Qatar Airways. I've recently seen QA ads on the tv more often than Emirates.

But can they really compete with Dubai? Well, it's true Qatar is probably richer than Dubai as they are the largest gas producer in the world. But what would they sell to the investors? I think this is going to be a challenge. And I think it is going to be years before they can be considered on par with Dubai in terms of infrastucture. Can they compete with Jebel Ali as an attractive tax-free zone, for example? Can they attract more tourists with the limitation of the natural resources?

Talking about tourism, I was just flipping through a tour brochure which belongs to one of the managers. Believe me, it reminds me of the Kish Island's (South Iran) tourism brochure in which they really try hard to advertise (or perhaps the exact word would be 'exaggerate') the small scales of tourist attractions. If I were a tourist, I would probably think twice to visit Qatar at least for now(no offense, please.) I don't know about 5 years for now. Things may change.

After all, I was quite impressed with the new airport. Spacious, robust and surprisingly efficient. I still remember exactly how small the old airport was. The duty free counters (not even shops) were probably about 10-m long. That was about it! It also came to my surprise that they are indeed in the process of constructing a new international airport in an island! (I assume it's going to be another man-made island.) So much for the money!I passed by our old compound next to The Centre. It's gone completely, demolished and replaced by some facilities. Then my mind started drifting down memory lane with my crazy friends: Karim, Kashif, Masa, Hamid, Artid, Amer Hanif, Tom, etc....

India: A Paradise for the Bookworms. Why Can't We Do The Same? (30.05.05)

Books are relatively cheap in India. And believe me, I've become addicted to them. Crosswords in the Kemp Corner Mumbai, is my favorite bookstore, though it's quite a distant from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. But they have a wide range of book collections. Well, of course, it's not as complete as, say, WH Smith or Waterstone in UK, let alone Amazon.com, but the prices are amazingly cheaper than any other places in the world. Another thing is that you can find any paperbacks in this subcontinent way before they publish them somewhere else. It's a good feeling when you are reading John Grisham paperback at Dubai airport while a person sitting opposite to you envies you and wonders where on earth I bought that paperback!

As soon as I drop my stuffs in the hotel room, I instantly hit the road and headed to the Crosswords (Well, Tekson in Delhi is also a good option.) Now, it has become my habit.

Yesterday, I did book shopping like there's no tomorrow. Not entirely for myself, of course. Dita, Anton and Wingky asked me to buy Jamie Oliver's and some other cooking books which are, darn, thick and heavy! I bought 3 copies of Jack Welch's Winning as the gifts. And some other books. In the end, I ended up buying 19 books altogether! Though the store manager could not give me some discounts, yet I managed to persuade him to hand me a 500 Rupees voucher. Enough to exchange with 1 or 2 books.

They also recommended a couple of good books which I may buy later (hopefully I'll be back again.) This indicates that even their staff read. Well, at least, they were quite fluent when I 'examined' their knowledge about the contents of the books.

I often think if Indians can run such a good book business, why can't Indonesians? Our population is also huge. Yet, I've never seen a good store with imported books and reasonable prices. I've been to Aksara in Kemang. Good concept. Bookstore and cafe. Still, the prices of textbooks are just too much for young people or students. Not sure if they have a good collection though. But I mean, if we can make some sorts of agreements with the foreign distributors like the Indians do, we could definitely get cheaper prices.

Yet, of course, things are getting more complicated when it comes to the piracy issue. *Sigh* This issue is inevitably the biggest turn-off for the foreigners to do any IP business with Indonesia. I am not trying to emerge such a classic discussion here, because I can assure you at the end we'll end up pointing our fingers to the system and our Government.

The situation can be incondusive. But it cannot be wrong to keep such a dream. A dream that I have been dreaming for years. In that dream I will run a (chain of) cozy bookstore(s) with coffee shops and reasonable prices for the students and young. Let books remain one of the best teachers for everyone.

Last Day in Iran (18.05.05 PM)

Been waiting for this moment to come. Sitting in the new classy Tehran Int'l Airport and enjoying every minute of my last trip to Persia (well, at least, for my current assignment). It took us 1.5 hrs to get through the busy Tehran traffic before we eventually arrived at this airport which was literally built in the middle of nowhere. To my surprise, the building is of something that Iranians should be proud of, though lacking the Persian touch, in my opinion.
Could not believe that I'd been to Iran back and forth for the last 2 years. It seems a long time.

Building Snowmen (09.02.05 PM)

Today, Kho inspired me (thanks, buddy!) to take those candidates out in the snow to build a snowman. Creativity is one of the words associated with the recruiters. Yeah, you need to be creative and come up with some fresh ideas. After all, everybody including myself had fun. Never in my life had I seen such thick snow nor had I built a snowman before. In spite of the freezing weather, they successfully built two snowmen in time (well, one skinny snowman and one chubby, yet cute, snowwoman, to be very exact).

A Short Note from the Tehran Airport Lounge (09.02.05 PM)

Another waiting in another airport lounge. The same routine for a frequent flyer like me. Not that I’m complaining, but I think I’ve lost the interest in sitting in this privileged place. The food and the beverages are the same, as if they were never really thinking about the people like me who keep coming back and being served with the same things over and over again. Can they not be creative? Or probably they wouldn’t bother to make a change. Or perhaps, nobody has complained before, so they are assuming everybody is satisfied. Anyway, at least, the couch feels more comfortable than the bench outside.
(Gee… that Chinese guy sitting in front of smokes like a locomotive. Hasn’t stopped since I got in. He must have a spare lung).

Today Was Such a Crazy Day: Snow in Tehran (08.02.05 PM)

Today was such a crazy day.
The snow was getting thicker this morning (yet it’s still snowing.) Woke up early this morning hoping to catch the shuttle bus. Went to the guest house lobby at 7.15 and found out it had just left. Darn! Tried to arrange a taxi. As predicted, they refused to come as the snow was as high as an adult’s hip. Sedans would definitely not make it. Made calls here and there trying to arrange our company’s car. No luck. Finally, at 8.30 the same bus returned from the office and picked us up. My first interview was scheduled at 8. I was way too late for that. By the time I reached the office, it was 9.45. 5 people were impatiently waiting for me. Sorry, guys….

Today was such a crazy day.
Thousands of emails (well, of course, I’m exaggerating here) came to my mailbox which I somehow managed to reply in between the interviews. (Arrghhh.... stop sending me emails, guys!)

Today was such a crazy day. I asked the receptionist to order some fried chickens for my lunch (Didn’t bother to go out in such a weather.) Guess what I got? Chicken burger!!! There go my fried chickens….

Today was such a crazy day.
There was this candidate who came for an interview and showed off his Spanish language in front of us. Who did he think he was? We are not even a Spanish company. No one in the room even speaks Spanish. We didn’t even ask him a question in Spanish. Then, he started rambling when asked to present himself. Some people just don’t know what they are talking about. Needless to say, this guy was rejected. In the evening, he called me (I shouldn’t have answered it) and complained about the result (of course, if he had been accepted, he wouldn’t have complained, right?) I guess I was being nice him on the phone, but I made it as straight as possible to the point. No second chance.

Today was such a crazy day.
I keep praying the snow will stop hours before my return flight to Dubai on Wed evening. Getting stuck in Tehran over the weekend is really not an option. And guess what, tomorrow is indeed a public holiday in Dubai (Islamic New Year) and I didn’t even know it until today! If I’d known it before, I wouldn’t have traveled to Iran.

Today was such a crazy day.
Tri, Kho and I went to have dinner in a Thai restaurant in Enghelab Hotel. We were expecting the worst, but hey, the food quality was pretty authentic (thanks, Tri, for the treat.)

A good treat to end such a crazy day with.