...with best wishes...

A dear friend of mine is getting married this weekend.
I had planned to go, but last minute the ‘assured plan’ didn’t work out in the end, so here I am a thousand miles from her wedding. Wishing her all my best...

-moenlite-
Ps: thanks to Dian, who inspired me with this beautiful poem. This was redesigned for my dear Carolina.

the driver's seat

Interesting how life shows you sides you thought you knew but in fact never saw its beauty. For life it self has many sides...

I’ve been working on public health issues for some time now, and felt that I’ve more or less grasped most of the issues quite fully...I guess the fact that I come from a developing country myself helps make me feel more or less grounded, especially to colleagues here who haven’t had the chance to experience work at country level. Surely I felt more of my future knowledge would be on overseeing things from the far end of reality, hoping to be able to translate that in people’s needs...those far away from here.

Little did I know, reality was not beyond me (thank goodness :)
I fell a bit ill this past week. Not sure of what cause, but basically came down with something pretty serious 2 weeks ago, thought I had recovered, then had this really bizarre dose of vertigo for 2 days. Went to the pharmacy, got some pills, as it didn’t go away, then I went to the doctor, took some blood test, and now just waiting for the result.
Surely nothing serious, its just one of those days.

But guess what I learned.

Its common knowledge (for those in this particular field) that increasing access to health facilities is a main objective. Us in Indonesia, have not yet managed to cover all that. Then there’s the issue of measuring treatment, and there are analyses of ‘the people’ trying to ‘treat themselves’ instead of seeking professional care. Now we’re talking about rural areas right?
Think again.
And this is what I learnt.

I live in a developed country, have a job that pays pretty decent, plus I’m fully covered by insurance (on some days I don’t feel as lucky though—that’s what being a human being is all about, isn’t it :P).
Now, for me to go to the doctor was rather painful. Having to take the bus (the wait, the walk, the everything) is not necessarily the easiest thing to do when your vision tends to take a 360 degree spin every now and then (the vertigo)—plus its worse if the public transportation is far from reliable, as it usually is in developing countries, unfortunately. But even here, where all is seemed peach and perfect, its not the most convenient way to transport when you’re ill.
I don’t have a car because I decided to put that off until later; and I seriously don’t think driving myself there is actually recommended :P. So, having someone to take me was the best solution. Yet, everybody has their own lives, their own different schedules, so then again, its not necessarily that easy.

Well, thank God I was well capable of going to the Medical Centre myself (though the dozen stairs going up to reach the MedCentre was a rather weird surprise), and didn’t need to leave work for it—and I’m sure I could rely on some people to be kind enough to help in case I didn’t manage to.
But the point here is that...I immediately was reminded of a discussion I had a year ago with a seasoned officer in the Ministry of Health, working on Maternal and Child health and the topic was about increasing access to health facilities in the village for Maternal care. He argued that yes, providing incentives (as in a small stipend) for the patient to seek treatment in a sub district level was all well intended for, yet...do you really think the lady could go out there on her own? She’d need a chaperone, and if you don’t provide the chaperone with the same facility, then tough luck, the lady stays sick in the village. Plus, if this is provided the chaperone has time (can leave his/her work/family etc), cause if not, then that also leads to a no go. Though what he said made sense, my immediate thought (of course internally) was that ‘boy, that’s just making a simple thing too complicated’. If a woman needs treatment, you give her money, she goes and seeks treatment, and voila...she get better *yes, given the quality of care is sufficient—but that’s an overall goal* (btw, this is all a simplistic response to such direct approaches. I in particular have my own views; for example that what ever support is provided for public services, it should as much as it could aim to strengthen existing channels. But that’s a different posting).
So, what the guy said made sense, but then again, it didn’t really sink in, until today.

Yeah, put yourself in the passenger’s seat once in a while :)

-moenlite-

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