Wok of Life of a Wannabe Wanderer?

One of the busiest religious festive days without no doubt is Eid Al-Fitr aka Lebaran. This holy day is celebrated by all Moslem over the world after a month of fasting..

Although I’m not a moslem, I always look forward to this day, more than Christmas. Don’t really understand what’s the reason behind. Maybe it’s due to neighbourhood environment when I was still a child. Lebaran would mean quite a long holiday during school time. Furthermore, I’d enjoy all sort of delicacies of Lebaran specialities such as Ketupat, Opor, and many more Malay traditional food, courtesy of some friends of mine as well as my father’s friend. Yummy.. Lebaran would also mean a gathering time with former classmates who celebrate the festive back in home town as well as those who are not celebrating but using the opportunity to have holidays.

Usually, I am at home during Lebaran. I remember only had 2 times of Lebaran outside Batam. This year, it’s just the same. I flew back to Batam four days prior to Lebaran. At first, I had no intention to go back considering that there’d be only 5 days off including weekend and pricey air-ticket. But since I’ve got important things to do and managed to get a reasonable fare, I took two days leave to make it a full one week trip.

It was a frustrated flight I had from Jakarta to Batam. Scheduled at 15.20, the plane actually took-off at 18.00, a 2,5 hours delay from the schedule. It was due to some technical problem in the braking system which force us to switch plane. Although a bit angry, think it over again I should feel relieve instead. If the problems weren’t detected earlier, imagine what would happen if the plane had already flown.. Woow.. I arrived safely in Batam airport merely 90 minutes later and only reached home sweet home at 21.30.

I spent 6 days at home and was able to enjoy myself. I went fishing (I managed to catch 4 fishes.. Not bad huh ?), playing playstation with my younger sisters, as well as becoming a chicken seller. He2.. What an interesting experience. I visited one of my best friends since junior high school in the first day of Lebaran. Too bad that I couldn’t stay longer. I flew back to Jakarta in the next day. If the holidays were longer, I would have chance to visit my old days teacher together with my friends. Nevertheless, glad to have spent days at home and could taste the delicacies.

Back in Jakarta, 26 October is working day for Bank. But many of the employees are taking leave up till Friday to have a full week off, including my boss =p.  As other non Bank companies are mostly having a full week of mass leave, Jakarta becomes a very quiet city. I’m enjoying it very well. No traffic jam, fresher air, and less noisy environment suddenly makes me feel a bit more comfortable. How I wish everyday would be like this.. Too bad, today and this weekend would be the last days. Starting from Monday, Jakarta would become as usual.. Poluted, traffic jam, hot, and crowded.

Happy Eid Al-Fitr for all who are celebrating it..

It’s been three months since my last blog update.. He2.. perhaps should not call this a blog, just simply "quarterly article"..

A lot of things happened in the last 3 months.. I’ve moved to a new "kost" just one street ahead of the old one.. Well, much better one but also a little bit pricey. It was not an easy decision as I had to think and consider for nearly two weeks before deciding to move. If there were no comments from my friends, I think I would still stuck in the creepy wood-floor room with ‘unique’ smell. Now, it’s been two weeks since I moved. I’ve settled well and can’t say how relief I am on this decision. I’m glad and content although need to make some adjustment in my monthly financial plan ^_^

Back in my work-life, there’s no hotter topic to discuss nowadays than "moving". Apparently, the turn-over rate is significantly increasing. Staff being poached or having intention to resign becomes chit-chat stuff during the lunch break. Looking back, I had received quite many of farewell emails.. Woof.. wondering when will be my turn to send one. Ha2.. I’m stepping into my 2 years with current employer. Starting to feel a little bit bored with my job. But fortunately, I involve in an project in which I can learn a lot. So right now, I’m sticking to it..

How fast an incident can occur, happen and stop is really unpredictable and sometimes it’s really beyond our control. I was informed to attend a training in Dubai, with very limited time to prepare. A little bit gutted as just after a rush preparation to book ticket, sending document, Tada.. an unexpected news arrived. Visa can’t be granted in time for my arrival. As such, there goes my trip.. Nothing I can do about it. He2.. To be honest, I was very excited to be assigned to the training. Who doesn’t want to go to Dubai anyway ? Furthermore, at no cost at all. Think it again, although a bit disappointed, the chance is surely always there.. So Dubai wait for me… =)

In midst of little disappointment, I visited Bandung with my colleague to understand more about the business program as well as to understand the problem faced by Sales Team there with regards to the credit policies set by Credit Dept under which I work. A lot of questions were being asked especially from my shop, "Credit Scoring" which they perceive like a mystery box. Thankfully, all went smooth. I spent 1 night there in my previous "kost" during my college years courtesy to my grandson, Robin. After a night of funny times with UNO games, I went back to Jakarta in the next day..

Now finally, we’ve come to The Departed.. I just watch this movie today having known that this movie is adopted from one of my favouritre movies : Infernal Affair from Hongkong. Frankly speaking, I was not impressed by this movie. A good movie, but still just a "so-so" one. I think the original Hongkong version one is still better. But afterall, a good acting skill from Jack Nicholson didn’t disappoint me and 25,000 buck spent seems worthy. Are all re-make / adopted movies worse than their predecessor ? I’m not sure.. but I’m starting to have this opinion!