Postcards From Friends Worldwide

There's nothing more relieving than coming home, having a good sleep and getting a massage after an extreme holiday. But of course, finding postcards sent by friends worldwide lying on your office desk is also a treat. The following three postcards are from Postcrossing friends, while the other two are from my friends Ayu in South Korea and Dian in France. Thanks guys, you made my day!

From Russia with love. The picture is of Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Moscow Kremlin complex sent by Gelenka (Elena). Spasiba, Elena!

This one from Sam100 in Taiwan. It's a painting of spring. Xie Xie, Sam100!

Anna from Belarus sent me this postcard that shows her country's culture and nature. Spasiba, Anna!

Ayu reminds me of happy moments in South Korea, especially Jeju island, with her postcard. Kamsanhamnida, Ayu!

Last but not least is postcard from Paris. Merci beaucoup Dian :)

P.S. Coming back to work a few days before pay day is also nice. Also, this week is a short week with Idul Adha tomorrow. It's triple happiness! Hope you have auspicious Idul Adha celebration! See you again on Monday!

Where I've Been

Mount Bromo

Whitewater rafting in Songa Pekalen

Sempu island

Hi everyone, I'm back!

More writings next week, today I just want to balm myself with Counterpain and wrap my legs with Koyo Salonpas.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

On Spending Time Outside The Office

As you read this post, I'm taking several days off the office and heading to a higher ground (or probably a savannah if it continues to spew volcanic material, safety first!), a water adventure (not diving, though) and an island. Hope everything goes as planned!

Anyway, here are some snippets between my boss and I to entertain you while I'm on vacation. Because I know that some of you like these kind of posts :).

#1. There's A World, But Is There A Life? 
BEE: Guys, what are you doing at the office at this hour? Go home. The world is out there.
Me: Yes, the world is out there. But is there a life out there? I don't think so.
BEE: Hmm, you're right about that.

#2. Weekend Activities
BEE: What do you usually do on weekend?
Me: Household chores, like washing, ironing, cleaning up my room and the most important thing: sleeping. How about you?
BEE: I'm working from home.
Me: -_-

#3. Everybody's Taking Leave
Fith: Boss, I want to take leave in late October.
BEE: Ok, just make sure that everything is in place.
Me: Um, I also plan to take leave in mid October.
BEE: Again?
Me: Yes, again. Everyone has been taking leave, Boss. You should do it too.  

#4. Movie Night
Fith: We're going to see Ted. Want to join us?
BEE: No, it will be weird. I'm your boss and much older.
Fith: Don't worry, Boss. SRB is coming with us too.(SRB is a guy from another division and a bit older than Fith and I.-Editor, aka myself)
BEE: *laughing* No, thanks. Have fun, you guys.

A Weekend For Photo, Quilt And Woody Allen

Self-portraits: MotoGP riders, from left, Italian Valentino Rossi, Spanish Dani Pedrosa and Briton Cal Crutchlow pose with their drawings after Japanese manga comic artist Ranka taught the MotoGP riders how to draw manga portraits at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, on Thursday. Source: Japan Today

Hi sweeties, what do you plan to do this weekend? Between all household chores, trip preparation and camera survey, I wish I can squeeze a moment to attend at least one of these events. 

  
-- Exhibition: Rijks Museum 2.0. Until Oct. 12. Erasmus Huis.

-- Bentara Budaya Jakarta is screening Woody Allen's movies. Oct. 12-13. Check schedule here
-- Exhibition: Quilt Exhibition. Until Oct. 14. Textile Museum.
-- Photo exhibition: Orangutan, Rhyme and Blues by Regina Safri. Until Oct. 21. Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara.

Have a great weekend!

Panji Semirang, A Balinese Dance

I learned Balinese dances back in my elementary years from a Balinese woman living in my neighborhood. The Panji Semirang dance was the second dance I learned after Pendet, but I have always liked this dance for I have read the story.

Panji Semirang follows the life of Candra Kirana, a princess who becomes a victim of slanders made up by her step sister. She runs away from her country, disguises herself as a man and builds her own kingdom in the midst of forest. She also wins back the love of her life. It is sort of women empowerment success story :).

Definitely the kind of dance I'd like to do when feeling down in the dumps. Have a lovely day, dearies!

Sad Stories On Sumatran Big Cats

A dead Sumatran tiger is secured at the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in Aceh, Banda Aceh, on Wednesday. The 7-year-old tiger, named Tengku Agam, was found dead on arrival after being transferred from Aceh to Medan and back again to Aceh by Garuda Indonesia on Oct. 2. (Antara/Irwansyah Putra) Found here

A Sumatran tiger whose right front leg was amputated after being ensnared in a trap whiles away the time at the Taman Safari Indonesia’s tiger breeding center in Bogor on Sunday. The center is striving to increase the tiger population by developing a sperm bank. (JP/Indra Harsaputra) Found here

On Being Indonesian And Having Indonesian Passport

I had the following conversation with my boss and it made me re-evaluating my own options. Would I keep my nationality if I could change it?

BEE: I'm thinking to change my nationality. I want to be an Indonesian.

Me: Why would you do that? What for?

BEE: Oh my God. The chief editor, Fith, you and even the immigration officer also said the same thing.

Me: It's difficult to travel abroad with an Indonesian passport. And you said that your parents are still living in the UK.

BEE: I don't travel much and I feel comfortable here. I've spent more than 20 years, almost half my age, in Indonesia.

A few weeks later, WW asked Fith and I on how to apply for Schengen visa. He plans to take a holiday to Paris next year.

BEE: Do you need visa to go to Europe?

Fith: Yes. We use Indonesian passports, which means we'll need visa to travel to most countries in the world. If we have the Schengen visa, we can enter 26 European countries.

Me: We don't need visa to travel to the South East Asian countries and countries that have the visa on arrival agreement, like Turkey.

BEE: I didn't know that. The bearers of British passport don't have to apply visa to most countries. Wow, thank God I haven't completed the application to change nationality.

Me: The problem is you don't travel.

BEE: -_- 

Going back to that question I wrote on the first paragraph, my answer is perhaps I would keep my Indonesian nationality. I could have worked abroad or married a man of foreign nationality and travels would be hard if I kept my Indonesian passport, but I would probably cling on to it. It is not about being nationalistic. I was born and grew up here, all memories and people I care about (read: parents, friends, families) live here.

This goes out of curiosity, but if you could change your nationality, would you do it? Which nationality would you like to have?

P.S. I'd consider applying for a PR (permanent residence) though.