Out with you, you and you (BIG Family Trip)

Finally, the whole big family managed to go for fun! Aduh.. sumpah! pelajaran yang sangat berharga bagi kami untuk bawa grup yang cukup gede liburan! Kompilasi manula dan balita. Well, akhirnya kami bisa juga liburan sama, impian yang udah lama terpatri dalam otak dan hati kami, akhirnya.. Walau capek, nahan emosi :), tapi.. asooy geboy.. !!

Perjalanan mungkin meletihkan, tapi senang rasanya mereka bisa melihat sedikit perbedaan (nnggg.. mungkin banyak perbedaan) antara dataran Sumatra dengan dataran melayu di negara tetangga. Papa akhirnya ngomong.. "Lah, kenapa dengan kita? Kok buat jalan aja gak bisa ya? Parah..." sambil geleng-geleng kepala.. aku dan Ummi tersenyum simpul.. akhirnya tau juga kenapa kami selalu marah dengan negri ini. Sebenarnya bukan niat mo marah, cuma kecewa dengan apa yang seHARUSnya bisa kita raih, tapi kita lalaikan begitu saja...

Penang membuka begitu banyak kenangan bagi Ummi. Aku dan Putra kadang terdiam dalam langkah kami. Mikir.. seandainya semua bisa ikut.. seperti yang dulu direncanakan.. tapi ya rejeki tiap orang beda-beda.. sepanjang kita mau ambil hikmahnya..

Bagiku.. kehadiran semua yang ada saat itu cukup membawa nikmat!

Weekend at Karo Higland

Weekend is too good to be spoiled to think about work place at all time or annoying issues you face in your daily life. Thus we decided this weekend to go to Brastagi and simply just chillin' out(yeah, yeah.. while Abach is also having his meetings there). We almost forgot how nice the weather is up there among the flowers, fogs, mountains, and the organic farms at the foot of Sibayak.... and how much of valuable time we miss everyday with the girls.

Padang, I need that Old District to be Restored!

Another annoying view for my sights seeing the potential in Padang city. I finally traced the historic area in Padang, at least the small bit of it. Definitely untouched and just left neglected. That afternoon I had a chance to walk along the road and area of Batang Arau river, sad to see the old shop houses were simply filled by cement, cement, and cement! If only we can see and ralize more of these rich potentials. It's all right there! The hills, the kampung, the river, fishermen boats, old shop houses! A potential that a country like Singapore, even Malaysia (gosh, imagine other advance countires) would just dig and develop.

And here I am.. sitting on a stone by the sidewalk, calming myslef from getting angry to whom I dont know to blame. Government? yes. Communities? yes. Architects? yes. But again, what to do?

Well, by posting all the pictures, hopefully one will actually do something, I hope.

Padang, a place behind isolated by Barisan Hills. If those policy makers can only see...

... and ACT!

Concert in Palembang!

Ozomatli and Slank in Palembang!

Yep, who would actually knew that I will take part in organizing our mega concert in Palembang. Collaborating a Californian Band and The number one rock band from Indonesia, Slank! The night I saw 50.000+ audience gathered in Benteng Kuto Besak, where we held that free concert, made all my preliminary frustration just evaporated! :) Now I know whatit takes to organize big events.... (and sshhh......how much money one can make when become an EO!)

"Cinta itu putih, itu suci... " Maaan... never I thought organizing artists will be major challange! From simply providing simple drinks, to doing presentation in front of the sponsor to get support! Frustration, excitement, anger, blast in happiness, back to frustration, sick! well, that were sort of my feelings organizing this event. I learned a lot! of why people want to support, why people want to be supported by a band, how many of those just want the names - and refuse the work! (eh, that standard right?I face that everyday with a lot of people!) but, yeah.. it's a lesson and experience I will not trade for anything. Not only the fact that I enjoy the band, but also another dictionary to my hobby in learning people's behaviour!

For sure I know though, if no cool band available, then you have to have prestige name behind you. Then, support will flow!

The humble members of Ozomatli just dear to the heart! Silly, friendly, and definitely funk!

We did in Kampung Kapitan for the fishermen communities, then for the orphans and the 'big Mama' at BKB!

Can't wait to do it again. But no more of the song "Ku Tak Bisa Jauh" please..!!!! heard waaay too much of it. :0)

More bands? Okay! We'll take'em!

Kampung Kapitan, Palembang

Okay, so the name is Kampung Kapitan. I broke my heel on the boat! My favorite orange shoe! - I can say it is worthed to again have a chance to see it. Rather than hanging out with associates. I thanked 1000 times to be with people who admire the beauty of this Kampung!

Kids running around, old buildings, Colonial mixed with transformed Malay houses, and the atmosphere of dwellers along Musi River.

Perfect time! Perfect get away! Wish can take more photos though!