just out your window

you look out your window and the rain falls,
the weather chills
and your weekend frills...

then you look a bit closer,
and there are those that hold on tight
stand by near...
appreciate the fact that warmth is dear

then you realize not all downpours are evil
and not all bad things either

so you tune down your blanket,
grab the morning paper
and notice the world in a different light....


-moenlite-
[on her way to carouge..]

not a planet away...

Interesting how life seems to put you on a rollercoaster every once and a while; and Idul Fitri has always been one of its most remarkable turning points, at least for me.
Two years straight, I have spent Ramadhan away from home—even though I was living just a few thousand miles away (1.5hour flight to be exact);
And now that I live so much further away (almost half way across the globe), I felt really blessed to be able to spend 3 whole weeks of Ramadhan (plus 1 more week beforehand) at home. No, I didn’t get to spend Idul Fitri in Jakarta (which makes that 3years in a row), as one must be able to see one’s blessing, esp.when most of things in your life happens without you having much control over them (the past two years was because of exams, and this year I just started a new job), etc...etc.
So enough said, I simply assumed that this Idul Fitri would be my typical ‘distant-Ied celebration’, and perhaps even worse since there are not that many relatives (or those I could ‘claim’ as relatives :P, like I did in Spore hehehe) here in G town.
But little did I know, that this year would have such a spiritual meaning.

So I took the morning off from work, and came by M’C+M’H’s house as they invited me to join them for breakfast before going to the Indonesian Mission for prayers. I then realized that it’s been a while since I had this ‘Ied-breakfast’, I definitely didn’t get to do this in Spore, as I’d just rush off to the Embassy, and have breakfast alone. And since this was a real family, it was definitely nice to experience such an occasion with them, and really made me miss my own family and home in Jakarta.

We then went to the Indonesian Embassy for prayers, and as we got there and followed the whole Takbir process and Ied prayer...I was nearly in tears (literally) the whole time.
I’m not sure if it’s because I felt rather ‘alone’ there (most of the people here were families), but I think it was mostly because the crowd was so small (Spore definitely had more Indonesians praying in its Embassy), and made the whole ‘we’re all so far away from our own family—that we are all family here’ feeling so intense. It was a really magical experience for me.
After the prayers and khutbah, everyone went around the big room and exchanged greetings, asking forgiveness for all wrongdoings in the past. Since I knew some of the people there from 4 years ago, it was nice to meet them again, and renew 'silaturahmi' ties. It was really touching.

Then everyone went back to their homes to change (while I went to M’C+M’H’s house of course :P), then people headed for the Ambassador’s open house...which was just great. Funny how people were draped in their beautiful Kebaya and Tunics (I believe I was among the very few who came in Tunic—since I had to go to the office straight afterwards—come to think of it, I might have been the only one in Tunic, as everybody dressed pretty formal :P, well, there’s always next year—well...hopefully not really :P) and came in covered with coats and thick mantels, more of a chill-look of Idul Fitri :) Kind of got me reminisce a bit about small parties held in Pittsburgh when we were young (don’t think I owned a Tunic back then, though ;P).
So after such an elaborate lunch with delicious Indonesian delicacies, off we went back to the office (well, me in particular. M’C and M’H took the day off, lucky them :). And then all of a sudden I was transformed back into a pretty ‘normal’ afternoon where Idul Fitri cakes did not exist :)
Well, mind you...life is filled with secret blessings that others might not realize why you look so full and content ;)

Happy Hari Raya everyone...
Minal Aidin wal Fadizin!

-moenlite-

*picture:
Mosque

as the day goes by

somehow, today doesn't appear to be as promising as it seemed the day before.
life, always manages to sneak up behind you when you least expect it....

-moenlite-
[full of it...]

coming home?

Sometimes you can be really really blessed, even when things don’t really seem to be turning your way.
After two years spending Ramadhan and Iedul Fitri far away from home—even though I was only separated by a 1.5 hour flight. Living even further now, I was almost certain that this would lead to more Ramadhans away from home.
But, good thing I was wronged.

Having to attend a huge meeting *at least in the eye of the host* in my previous domain, thus seeing the opportunity to schedule meetings in my own home town-yes, its actually for work, and yes, certainly paid and planned for, no complains here :)- I later on realized that the timing was just perfect...(at least for me :).
I get to spend around 2 weeks of Ramadhan at home.

Yes, in terms of work, it might be a bit tricky to arrange meetings and all; but since I refuse to accept that fasting reduces productivity (though I only have control over myself, of course) I hope there’s a way to make things happen in timely manner.
Not that I don’t appreciate the fact that I can enjoy even more time back home, but...one, I must look after the main interest of my work (no I’m not a workaholic, I’m just trying to be responsible and work for my earning’s worth), and two...somehow I’m starting to realize that now, this city is where vacations or missions take place, and that this city is where I actually reside.
Interesting, since this is something pretty new to me, but I guess its part of growing up.
Yes, life can really amaze you sometimes :)

-moenlite-
*picture, by Richard Ross

kicking in

It’s been two weeks now in this ‘new’ city;
I’ve had my share of ups and downs...near-breakdown moments as well...I must admit it’s not the easiest part of life—moving in and setting up; I’m just really hoping its worth it this time. Yes...it’s not really my first episode, needless to say I’m kind of hoping its my last...at least for a rather long time.
The team I’m working in is really great…the organization is also really swell. People seem friendly here...yet again, they all assume you know certain things, which most likely...you don’t.
One big soothing element in my life here are friends. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by really awesome-true hearted friends...a bit unlikely to have actually for someone new in the city. But, yes...I already have some groups of friends that I really enjoy and cherish. Not to mention a really cool young family who've really been very generous in leeting me crash in their place (I wasn't really planning to stay so long there, but under some circumstances, it was really inevitable).
Interesting enough, it was even a bit difficult for me to arrange my birthday dinner arrangement.

My birthday...yes, that happened last weekend in fact. Interesting enough...I spent it in a most unlikely manner. Mind you, this is the 4th time (3rd in a row) that I’ve had to spend my birthday far away from home. On my birthday this year, I went shopping for furniture (like in...a whole apartment worth of furniture, since the apartment was totally empty) and had to assemble the furniture and plan the whole thing while arranging for meetings and not-to-mention other crazy things people at work do. Frantic? Sort of...but remember, I have friends :) They made it all possible.
So as the story goes, on the 9th of September, I started off in the morning getting a lift from an office friend, who had no idea (neither did I) that his morning would be spent helping me lift heavy furniture knocked-down boxes. Having a planned list of things (including measurement, model, price, etc) really helped…esp. with IKEA’s cool online information.
Then I hired a truck with two handymen—rented by the hour, nearly put a hole in my wallet, but really worth it—(thanks to my friend’s information) to help carry the things to the apartment. Then a group of friends were ready to help assemble the furniture...we finished everything by 9pm then headed to a cool Italian restaurant where we had dinner and then the surprise birthday cake showed up ;) that was really nice :))
There were other plans with some people in the office...but I guess that needs to be re-arranged since the coming weeks seem to be pretty filled up.

Life has been quite interesting so far.
What more can a girl ask for? ;)

A tout à l'heure!
-moenlite-

*Picture

leaving on a jet plane....

Funny how things seem to finally come in to place...
and how reluctant you feel to actually leave...

yet...'tis a journey one must go through,
one can only pray that things go well.

-moenlite-
[confirmed documents in hand...]

when the world smiles at you...

Accompanied a friend to a wedding tonight (both and groom and bride were from the same HS), and was surprisingly happy to see several friendly faces there (my old friends, who also happen to know the couple/their family)...there were 3 of my HS friends, a friend’s friend, and my neighbor and his wife...really enjoyed spending time talking to them more than one would usually do when its their own crowd…especially that I haven’t seen them in years...

Then, came home to find a reply email from my former boss (it was her birthday today), and she told me that she too was moving to Geneva...really great news...haven’t seen her in years, we both moved out of the organization almost at the same time, around 3 years ago...she left the country and I followed suit (to a different place) sometime afterwards... But we kept in touch through email (at least during birthdays, and when I need her recommendation letters *grin*...). I really enjoyed working with/for her...I hope we get to spend some time now that we’ll be in one city again...that’ll be splendid :)

Yes, good friends are definitely one of life’s precious treasures...I wouldn’t trade them for the world...

-moenlite-
[big smiles...]

*picture, by Wilson Low

when your shoes decide to flee to Africa....

......is when you definitely need a total mind shift of your whole perspective.

yes, the past few weeks was not easy for me.
too much excitement, too much new-ness in the air....and though not a single thing seemed out of place, the whole thing felt so bizarre. so surreal.
yes of course i'm grateful....its like a dream come true...the ones that you'd never think would actually occur in the present tense, atleast not this soon.

what am i talking about? i'm moving, again.
i've landed this dream job, the kind of dream job you would only well...dream about.
moving thousands of miles away again, into this super team that has an intention to help fix the world, well...atleast try to :)

so off i went to to attend a meeting for this so called new job to present some pre-work that was done before hand (yes, i was that into this new job that i was willing to do some extra work before hand even though my contract wasn't out yet).
but it paid off.....the results were good and the feedback was even better :)

then i stayed on for a couple more days in this foreign land (well not all that foreign, since it was 'only' 4 years ago that i once lived here for some time) to prepare my big move in a couple of weeks, i was faced with several random incidences that put my sanity and patience to the test. yet in the end i'm grateful that these occurences helped show me how nice random kindness offered by true friends really do manage to light up your day.

So, what was it about the pair of shoes that went astray? lets just say i'll let the forces of the universe balance out the so-called random injustice I've had to incur, from this particular someone who has seem to loose her sense of reasoning and empathy.

To life and its randomness :)
-moenlite-

*picture

in the search of silver linings

Sometimes you wonder what is most dear, is it when the world laughs with you or is it when its against you yet there are still those that are near.....

I won't last a day without you
The Carpenters

Day after day I must face a world of strangers
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to
Who will always care, you're always there

When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you

So many times when the city seems to be without a friendly face
A lonely place
It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you
And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile

When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you

Touch me and I end up singing
Troubles seem to up and disappear
You touch me with the love you're bringing
I can't really lose when you're near

If all my friends have forgotten half their promises
They're not unkind, just hard to find
One look at you and I know that I could learn to live
Without the rest, I found the best

When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you

When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you

-moenlite-
[to the 'you-s' in my life....]