Warm

Words are powerful. Sometimes they are indeed a manifestation of life's abstraction. Pictures are powerful. Most of the times we take pictures to freeze moments or feelings. We want to treasure them and we would like to be able to re-visit those moments and feelings in the future.

As it's getting colder (and windier) here in the Netherlands, the word WARM has become one of my favorites! Here are my (recent) three manifestations of WARM:

One. I've always loved a WARM shower. It really helps me to feel more relax and stimulates creative ideas and perspectives of life.

Two. This weekend I heard a beautiful statement from a senior man*: "We, men, are actually simple; we are looking for WARM women to share our life." It was an eye-opening statement for me; reminded me of my father's tireless persuasion to make me learn cooking. I infer somehow there's a correlation between the frequencies of being exposed to the heat of a burning stove/oven with a person's WARMth level.

Three. It's cold that afternoon, but as I looked up and saw this lovely red-ish color of sunset in the sky ... suddenly I felt WARM. It's an abstract WARMth, but it manifested in me and I would like to freeze that WARM feeling in this picture.



*Thanks to Yunita, Om Ben, and Tante Ely for their WARM welcome and inspiration this weekend in Amsterdam!!

The ‘S-es’ of Silver Steisi

It was November 8, one of the most beautiful Sunny days in Wageningen.

Morning










There was a Sweet Surprise on my door from Lieneke. A colorful writing of happy birthday with colorful balloons hanging on its side. It was another Serene Sunday mass at Aula Dei. It was a Spontaneous decision to cycle to de Bongerd and Sit facing the Sun reading Jared Diamond’s Science-novel.


Afternoon












It was another Spontaneous decision to take some pictures of the Stunning colors of autumn around Forum building. It was quite an effort to Stop those tiny drops of water from my eyes after hearing my father’s voice from the other side of the globe. It was a fun trip to the Supermarket to do food Shopping with Fenni. It was a Surprising encounter with Mariana and Miguel at the Supermarket which Somehow re-Structure their Surprise plan.


Evening












The Simple and Small dinner celebration was really Special; with Spaghetti, home-made Stampot, Slagroom, and my best friend: Fenni. Then came my other Special friends—Mariana and Miguel; with a Speculaas birthday cake and an S-shaped chocolate.


It was November 8, one of the most beautiful Sunny days in Wageningen; and it was Superb!

Ulang Tahun

In Bahasa Indonesia, Happy Birthday is "Selamat Ulang Tahun." If literally translated, Selamat Ulang Tahun is more or less "Happy Repeating the Year".

Reaching quarter century, I was wondering why "Ulang Tahun?" why "Repeating the Year?" I haven't done substantial research on it, so here's my own interpretation and a support from here.

I would say "Selamat Ulang Tahun" is not about repeating the previous year. It is a shorter way of saying "Selamat Ulang Tahun Lahir." In English, "Lahir" is "Birth". What is interesting is that, in Bahasa Indonesia, we are explicitly using the word "Ulang." In my opinion this is asking us to psychologically repeat the year of our birth. Repeat in our mind that years ago, there was a woman struggling emotionally and physically to give us to the world and the world to us. That years ago, there was or was not a man and some relatives struggling emotionally upon the moment of our existence or non-existence in this planet.

So this year, I again psychologically repeat the moment of my birth. This time, being (a bit) far away from them, I would like to repeat it and write it down.

Quarter century ago was a tough struggle for my mother, father, and some relatives. Of course I won't be able to thank them enough for such struggle. Such struggle that allows me to taste the world and countless things that life has to offer. But, I can and do LOVE them. And it is an irreversible LOVE!

Picture is taken from here.

Sedikit

(English version below)

Sama seperti sedikit garam dan gula diperlukan saat memasak,

Sedikit galau
Sedikit rindu
Sedikit pedih
Sedikit air mata

diperlukan dalam hidup.


Berapa banyak?
Secukupnya.

Bagaimana tahu kalau sudah cukup?
Cicipi.

Cicipilah hidup, apa sudah terasa galau, rindu, pedih, dan air mata? Jika sudah, hidup tidak hambar. Hidup siap disantap.


*mengenang masak perdana di Wageningen, 26 Oktober 2009
**gambar dari sini

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Just like you need a little bit of salt and sugar when cooking,

A little bit of anxiety
A little bit of longing
A little bit of grieve
A little bit of tears

Is needed in life.

How much?
As needed.

How do I know that it’s enough?
Taste it.

Taste the anxiety, longing, grieve, and tears. If you feel it, life is not tasteless. Then, enjoy your meal! (eet smakelijk!)