flashback of 2010

Honestly, I haven't written anything here. I've been quite busy with work and the other blog. HEHEHE. However, since we're coming to the end of 2010, I would like to say a few words. One of the highlights in the news must be the disaster that have continuously occurred in our country, from natural disasters like volcano eruption, flood, quakes to how the weakness of Indonesia law was exposed (Remember Gayus?).

Anyway, personally I was truly blessed this year. My workload was insane throughout the year, but I must admit at some points, I enjoyed the travels required that came with the responsibilities. I visited Yogyakarta in May, Solo in September and South of Kalimantan in December. I made a lot of new acquaintances. 

I passed my French examination in November with a fair score, I must say. I'm pretty content how much I have learned and truly, I know a few of them by heart. Contrary to many believes, I'm just not that dumb. HAHAHA. 

But when it comes to blogging, I hardly have time to blog here, but my other blog, which is about culinary, I impressively submitted around 45 posts, which means I almost dined out every week. No wonder I'm always broke. KIDDING! HEHEHE.

Although it has been an awesome year, I also need to confess that I haven't read many books this year. Let's just say I didn't read much this year, which is very unfortunate because one of my resolutions is to read at least 2 books a month. That one just didn't go well. 

I'm not planning to drown myself in sorrow. I failed to succeed, true? Hopefully next year is my year to read. Talking about drowning myself, I have found many cases where I viewed things in a very harmful manner. I'm not proud of myself. I settled many of my own battles a few weeks ago. 

Last, but not least, I'm super-glad, super-happy that I have a very strong support system. My family (who is not only there to help me, but to bother me as well. HAHAHA. Kidding again!), my friends and my love (you know who you are, I'm so sorry you're down with fever and cold. Be well, soon!).

In short, 2010 is a very colorful year and I appreciate all the good things (and bad) that happened. Blessings to all of you. 

the dance within 2: beyond the dream

It's not easy to make a sequel. Even in the most superstitious town of Hollywood, sequels often failed to follow its predecessor's glory. Remember Speed 2: Cruise Control, anyone? However, the rule doesn't apply for the Dance Within. When the Dance Within 2: Beyond the Dream was announced, one (without faith) must've thought what else they could've done, other than krumping and shimmering?

On that rainy Saturday, 27 November 2010, the dancers of the Dance Within completely burned down the house. Somehow it's no longer a dance recital, it's more of an art installation. It broadened its dance genres and knitted them all together in one neat almost-perfectly-told story line. Although there's a possibility if that you're not reading the playbill, you might not get the story line, which is a shame. Still, you can enjoy the colorful exquisite well-choreographed movements.

This year, the Dancewave went far beyond the limit with the wide range of dance types. The beautiful traditional dances of Java, the martial art - wushu (the dancer reminds me of the graceful miss Michelle Yeoh), the extravagant Bollywood-theme dance and the capoeira (I have no words for this amazing art/sport/something form) are a few of the highlights.

Although I must admit I can never tell what makes a dance a good dance, but surely I can tell you that I have one heck of a good time! 

Unfortunately this sold-out show annually perform one night only. (The only downside of this spectacle is) many artsies (not sure it's a word) were left outside the restoration-needed historical Gedung Kesenian Jakarta learning the hard way of the advantage of pre-sale.

Check their website: www.dancewavecenter.com

Note: Copyright photo courtesy of Yuska Lutfi Tuanakotta. 

yogyakarta, 2006

4 tahun yang lalu ketika saya menemukan diri saya jenuh dengan segala rutinitas yang saya kerjakan di Jakarta, saya memutuskan untuk pergi selama 1 minggu di bulan Desember. Seorang teman menganjurkan saya untuk pergi ke Yogyakarta. Saya mengingat dengan jelas bagaimana kota Yogyakarta adalah salah satu kota teraman, teramah dan tidak membutuhkan biaya hidup yang tinggi.

Saya tidak berniat menuliskan kembali salah satu pengalaman yang paling menyenangkan dalam hidup saya. Merayakan Natal di gereja di kota ini juga menandakan sebuah perubahan dalam hidup saya. Dalam kesempatan mengenang kembali masa-masa indah itu, saya berharap suatu saat untuk dapat kembali ke kota yang indah ini.

Sementara waktu, dalam doa saya, ayo Yogyakarta bangkit dan bangun kembali kotamu. Saya tak sabar untuk berlibur dan kembali mengunjungimu lagi. 

keponakan yang baru

Dilahirkan tanggal 17 September 2010, anak pertama dari kakak laki-laki saya dan istrinya. Sampai saat ini belum diputuskan nama yang pas, semoga dalam waktu beberapa hari ini, saya sudah bisa memanggil dia dengan namanya dan bukan dengan si bocah.

Yah, ponakanku, semoga kamu bertumbuh menjadi anak yang berbakti kepada Tuhan, bangsa dan negara, orang tua, keluarga dan punya cita-cita setinggi bintang di langit. Selamat datang di bumi. Peluk sayang dari om. :D