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!

Short Stop in America Land

Sarah and Sarah and

Sarah...and peace!

'Sarah Anna', again the name that immediately strike into my head as I got the info for the training in Washington DC. The training, splendid! would be valuable, the reunion! That is also not less important. Soon after arriving in DC, immediately my head was filled with thousands of little plans. Call Sarah, set meeting with Sarah, tell Sarah hotel info, call Hoa and Nga, plan a day with Hoa and Nga, or even more.

The day at FSI was as always, busy as students and just love seating there in their yard watching the geese walking here and there. Late summer breeze was blowing into my face and there I was, talking with FSN from Palestine and Netherland, from Afghanistan and Israel.... , Tokyo and Seoul.. it is amazing, here we are working for the same institution and we can keep the peace there. If only the world can be transfered with the peace in our little FSI community.

Then there she was, Sarah! We were just too happy and thrilled but the reunion was not all that dramatic since we had to follow another car to go to Hoa and Nga's. Anyway, DC is DC.. but what was fun was the walk like the old days. And also was fun to again enjoyed the cusine of House of Hoa (Hoa..I want more recipe!..nope.. fix that.. I want more spring rolls!) hee hee

Returning to Stonington was pretty calm. Simply went to Four Starr Frame Shop, attended a cocktail party at Howard, bake some ginger bread cooklies (Sarah did that really), stamping 200 postcard.

The trip was ended by solitair trip to San Fransisco. I love the city! Reminds me of what Dad always said: Go to Golden Gate! Awesome! and it was...

Our Brothers': Malaysia and Singapore :)

Another Exploration with You

Another Exploration was in 2006 and 2007 when Putra was just about to depart for USM. We thought, hmm.. this is about time we should just explore some part of the neighboring country, Malaysia and Singapore. It will be just like college again, more just like college since we will not bring Dasha and Aqila along. Thanks to Air Asia, we managed a pretty cheap trip across the Melacca Strait. Then another exploration was with the girls, making sure they can adapt to our travelling style.

Looking back to 2006, as we arrive at Kuala Lumpur, it was just totally 'go with the flow' we did not have any hotel reservation - simply took the shuttle from the LCCT to Pudu Raya Station. Cool! We arrive at nigth and starved with hot meal. Luckily food was no problemo in Kuala Lumpur, even with the strong spices we can handle (we thought) as we dived into the cuisine of Nasi Mamak. Ayam Chappati, briyani rice, teh tarek - we were all set. I was totally fit, even though the rain was soking my outfit, but I was fine - we were just like happy kids with the rain.

Scrolling the isles of Bukit Bintang area, we finally found what became out favorite guest house - Eight Hotel (Hotel Delapan) - the coziest guest house for us. Located on Tengkat Tong Shin Road, in front of it are lines of restaurants. The management often put out tea light candle on its porch at night, just easy atmosphere to chat.

Kuala Lumpur was great, we explored Genting Higland as well, to prepare to take the girls there, which we did later on by August 2007. Even though many have said Genting is tacky, but to me, I think it is fine! Hey, where else can Medanese take their kids to experience rides, correct? Certainly not to Jakarta I say, too far!

In 2006 we tried the bus to go to Singapore. In 2007 we took the train from KL Sentral - which is much more convinient. Teh train took 10 hours, which allowed us to sleep in. Arriving in the morning for immigration check then proceed to hotel.

Our option in 2006 was in Little India. 2007 was changed to Bugis Junction area, much closer to lots of food and hang out to see the city. Definitely a place to go to.

We tried below:

Penang:

If arrive by plane: taxi from airport to Sungai Penuh Station around RM 30

If arrive from KL: at Sungai Penuh Station, taxi to Cititel is RM 30

Where to eat: Sup Kambing nearby Cititel

Place to stay: Cititel (with voucher booked from Medan you can get better rate)

Where to go: too much! Rumah Nyonya, George town, Bukit Bendera, Komtar, Feringhi, Tj. Bunga

Kuala Lumpur:

If arrive by plane: taxi from airport to LCCT to Pudu Raya Station (there is a new shuttle that hit directly to Bukit Bintang) around RM 8-9, every hour

Where to eat: too much, just explore!

Place to stay: well, we have experience staying at Hotel Delapan (we love), Allston Genesis (so-so)

Commuter: Monorail is located nearby, just walking distance.

Where to go: China town, Shops at Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Batu Cave, Petronas Tower, and many more...hey, easy! just browse through the internet :)

Advise: don't worry if you arrive late in Bukit Bintang, it is packed almost all night long 24/7!

Singapore

If arrive by train: then take the closest MRT from the train station (will update you on the name later) and go to wherever your hotel is located

Where to stay: we are cheap, as long as hotel has nice bed and bedroom we are fine. Damn! Singapore can be so expensive. So we stayed at Fragrance in 2006 and Seven Storey in 2007

Where to eat: Now this you have to be careful. As Moslem, we chosed Halal restaurant. There are a lot though in Bugis Junction. They even have Ayam Penyet. In fact, my first time to try Ayam Penyet is in Singapore. Crazy heh?

Where to go: get some nice shower, take a walk on pedestrian, which you can not do in Medan - We went to the Marina, then to Merlion, then to China town, back to Little India. Not to forget Science Center (is definite for the kids), Sentosa Island, temples.. gosh! Just too much, we have not even get them all done. We will though - why not!

Commuter: MRTs are available -and cheap - strongly recommended

Advise: Get worry if you arrive late in Singapore, even though it is very safe to wonder the city at night, but hey, not too many place I know are open at night, except bars.