Lesson: A Nice Offer

 On one Sunday I went to the church near my apartment. The weather on Sunday was sunny. I prepared the money for taxi and trishaw when I left my apartment. I went by taxi and after the mass I decided to walk home cause I couldn't find any trishaw. It is a long walk of approximately 30-45 minutes.

It wasn't my first time to walk after church. My first was when I wear a skirt and fancy 3cm high slipper. That walk was easier than this week. I wore long pants and flat shoe this time. It turned out to be the wrong choice of shoes.

Half the way, I felt so tired. The sun was very hot, I didn't bring a hat or umbrella. I felt hurt on my ankle. In my heart I said, "Jesus, I'm tired." To my surprise, suddenly a man on a motor cycle stopped. He asked, "Can I give you a lift?". I was shocked, I tried to remember his face, probably someone I know but I didn't recognize him at all. I said to him, "No, thanks. It's close." Then he left.

I said to Jesus, "That's cute, Jesus. Thank You for helping." I laughed and continued.

After 200 meters, I saw that man again. He stopped and typed something on his cell phone. I continued my walk. Not far from there, he came closer again. He said,"It's ok. I can give you a lift. Is it still far?" I said, "No, it's very close now. Thank you." Then he speed up his motor cycle and gone. Gosh, I was so afraid.

I said to Jesus, "Are you the one who send him? Because I am afraid, Jesus. What if he is a bad guy who wants to kidnapped or rape me?" He (Jesus) reminds silent as always, I smile and continue. 

I should have wear the fancy slipper. My left feet was wounded now, it bleed and sore. My right feet got a bit swollen. Me and my stupid decision. I must call a cab next time. Noted!

Picture source:
eyecandydecals.com

Book Review: How Far Would You Go For A Commitment?

Recently I read a book called "Test Pack" by Ninit Yunita. A friend recommended it after she watched the movie "Test Pack: You Are My Baby". I already tried to find the DVD of it but couldn't find one yet. So, when I saw the book at the book store I decided to buy it. It is a good book. It gives a BIG question to everyone who read it (it challenges me): "How far would you go for a commitment?"

The story began with a marriage couple who had been married for 7 years and still unable to have a child. Tata, the wife, begins to worry and obsess to have a child while Rachmat, the husband, thinks that having a child is not a must. Tata tries many ways to get pregnant but afraid to go to the specialist to seek whether they are having a problem to have one. The couple finally commit to see a specialist. The gynecologist said Tata is normal, there wouldn't be any problem for her to have a child. Tata is happy to received the news and insisted her husband to do the test. He did the test and the result is bad. His sperms are too weak, he couldn't give a child to Tata. If Rachmat is willing to accept Tata whether she can gives a child or not, would Tata do the same for Rachmat?

So, how far would you go for a commitment when love no longer enough?
For me, to make a commitment needs a courage and to stay in it needs respect, trust, and bigger courage. When I decide to make one, I will do anything, sacrifice everything to stay in it...

Here are some quotes from the book that I like:

Don't love someone because of what/how/who they are. From now on, start loving someone because you want to. (Ninit Yunita - Test Pack)

To sustain a relationship you must have a commitment. (Dimas Seno - Test Pack)

A commitment, it has taken myself, embarked into a dangerous environment to work on, a gut that most people are reluctant to engage in... A strong passion that perhaps is unique that no one has ever committed to... In short, it takes one's dignity to risk should a person failed to hold one. (Luigi. Pralangga - Test Pack).

As far as the ocean of life would be, as deep as it would be. I'll swim through it. As cold as it would be, as hot as it would be. I'll adapt through it. As strong the wind would be, so as soft as it would be. I'll stand through it. Even if the ocean of water become the ocean of fire I'll go through it, anyway I can. Cause this is life, and life, is all about commitment. (Suari Widilaksono - Test Pack)

Journey: Jepara - Jogjakarta

This March we had a long holiday and some friends arranged a trip to Karimun Jawa. Karimun Jawa is an island above Central Java Island. A beautiful island that has beautiful beaches and small islands. A perfect place for a getaway, dive & snorkel.

Karimun Jawa Beach

We rented a bus to go to Jepara. When we reached Jepara, the weather was very bad, the wave was very high. The officer at the port said no ship will depart until the next 2 days. Oh, wtf! I really wanted to go.
After a discussion we reroute our trip to Jogjakarta. Jogjakarta is known as a educational city. It has many interesting places to be visit, such as Prambanan Temple, Borobudur Temple, Parangtritis Beach, the Palace of Jogjakarta, Malioboro Street, etc. I always love this city, especially the Javanese Culture here.

We arrived pretty late and stayed at Citihub Hotel - quiet far from the city center. It's a budget hotel, the room was small and nice. We went to Malioboro to have our dinner. Malioboro always crowded by visitor. A long the street of Malioboro, we can buy many souvenir such as batik dress and handy craft (batik bag, slipper, accessories).

Malioboro Street

The next day, some of my friends went for cave & river tubing while I accompanied a friend who got sick. We went out when she felt better. We went to buy a special snack from Jogjakarta called Bakpia. Then we went to Malioboro again. We had our lunch at Pempek Ny. Kamto. It's a fish cake with special sauce. I like this one very much, never missed to eat it when I am at Jogjakarta. After it we went for a walk.

Bakpia

In the afternoon we went to a mass at Kota Baru Church (St. Antonius Church). Always wanted to go to this church because I am curious about the liturgy at this Church. It has its own book of liturgy. A new experience of mass when most of the ordinarium songs are eliminated.

The altar of Kota Baru Church

We decided to have our dinner at Tojoyo after the mass. It serves fried chicken in Jogjakarta style. Very delicious, I will recommend everyone to try it. Went back to the hotel, my friends asked to join them for a night culinary  First stop was Gudeg Mercon. Gudeg is a special dishes of Jogjakarta made with a young jackfruit and many local ingredients. Sweet and yummy! But this one has a spicy taste. I didn't eat but my friends said it's a good one. Second stop, Malioboro again. Another street hawker food but this one was better than the first night. More tasty and very crowded.

That was the end of our nights in Jogjakarta. In the morning we checked out from hotel, we went for another gudeg for breakfast. This time we ate non spicy gudeg, hihi. Then we went to an Aerospace Museum  We saw many historical planes there.

Gudeg

We went home, it took 8 hours of drive to reach our city. A short and sweet getaway that fulfill my need for vacation and it's free, hihi. I always wanted to go back to Jogjakarta but never plan to go there this year.
Again, God surprises me. I decided to join the trip but when I found out about the cost, I cancelled it. A friend generously willing to pay for my trip, so thank you so much for allowing me to join this trip.When I forgot about my dream, God always grants it in a unique way. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, my contributor.

Picture source: various website