Journey to the Past

Me: Hi, I'd like to buy IDR 100,000 worth of gas, please. Attendant: Sure. Would you like it fast or slow? Me: Hah? What's the difference? Attendant: Well, we have this technology that makes it faster to fill up gas. But some people complained that they don't get their money's worth, because it takes less time. So we can slow it down if you like. Me: But the volume is the same? Attendant: Yup. No difference whatsoever. Just fast or slow. Me: Fast, please. I cannot believe this is an issue.

This came across my mind today: Places across the ocean are perfect, as long as you are at least an ocean away. I realized that when I was in Canada, I thought Indonesia was perfect. And now that I am in Indonesia, Canada seems better in every aspect. Weird.

A co-op student started her term in a big company. It was her first work experience, and she didn't quite like how she felt in the first few days. After a lifetime surrounded with friends, she felt the need to go out of her way to be friendly with all her new seniors. First of all, she learnt all their names. Then she started to communicate face-to-face, rather than via emails. Then, feeling decidedly more comfortable, she started giving nicknames to her colleagues and call/email them by that nicknames. She felt they could be on a friendlier term when she did this. Her colleagues, not knowing why she suddenly called them by shortened/different names, felt that she was being rude. It didn't help that one of the nickname she gave was actually the name the colleague was bullied with as a child (in another culture). So it seemed as if she was mocking them. It is sufficient to say that her relationship with her colleagues did not improve, and they only talked on a need-to ba...

Does people realize that: 1. misspelling a word makes them look uneducated, and 2. using shorthand in emails makes them look 5 ?? Emails are NOT telegrams! You cannot save money by typing less characters in your emails, people! (I can understand if it's in SMS). Ugh! (Just have to vent...) >_<

Monday, 4.30 PM Me : (shutting down computer) My boss's boss : (walk past my cube, look at my bag, look at his watch) Me : (but.. but.. ) My boss's boss : (keep walking..) Me : (.. I came in early this morning...) My boss's boss : (not even in my sight anymore) Me : (...) My inner self : Uhm.. can I leave now?

After not exercising for quite some time (uhm.. years..), I decided to join the Core Crew meetings in the office. It's only twice a week, 30 minutes each. Really, it's not that long. How hard could it be? 5 minutes into the class: Me :  I.. ugh.. can't... ugh.. do.. ugh.. this.. ugh... Instructor : Of course you can, you are doing great! Me : I.. ugh.. feel.. ugh.. like.. ugh.. dying.. ugh.. My "neighbour" : Yeah, I think I'd rather be fat. My feelings exactly!

This last weekend, I made a trip to open an account in a credit union close to my place. Technically, credit union is not a bank, I guess. But since I will only use their chequing/saving/money transfer services, the two places are very closely related in my mind. Btw, the money transfer service charged the least, hence the reason I wanted to do business here. Anyway, the experience started well enough. The weather was sunny and I was wearing my sunglasses. Upon entering the premise, there was a sign to take off hats & sunglasses for safety precaution. Fair enough. I took off my sunglasses, and tried to put on my regular prescription glasses. While I was in the state of half-blind with my hands full, a woman came to me and asked me what I wanted to do there. I explained and she asked me for my documents right away. I asked her for a moment to put on my glasses and store my car key etc in my bag first. "Of course," she said with a smile, and then kept shuffling her feet as ...

I know intellectually that worry solves nothing. But I am worried. About the things that are out of my hands. And I am sad, because it involves people, and I can't do anything about it. I am starting to believe that helplessness is the root of all worries. Hhhh...

The forecast for upcoming weekend is looking wonderful... 2-4 cm of snow with a low of -7C and a high of -3C, plus 10 kph wind. It will be breezy for sure.. just in time for the Indonesian Society Christmas. Oh what fun!

Yu huu, my old iGoogle is back (on Firefox)! For those who do not know it, Google launched a new iGoogle and decided to put my account among the first adapters. I hated it .

Earlier today, Southern California experienced a 5.4 magnitude earthquake. Apparently, it lasted for about 7-8 minutes, with several aftershocks up to 3.8 magnitude to follow afterwards. Since I first arrived, I have been told that Canada (and Vancouver specifically) is long overdue for another big earthquake that is supposed to happen once every 100 years. The 100th years was several decades ago, so we would have one very soon. That was 9 years ago, and here we are, still no major earthquake to speak of. I started to believe that it would never happen after all. Although statistics have proven otherwise, it's hard to imagine something that life-changing will happen in my lifetime, or ever. The California earthquake reminds me that, yes, it can happen, and it can happen anytime, even during my so-far-uneventful life. Just because I don't see it, or don't think about it, or don't prepare for it, doesn't mean that it will wait until I'm ready. Just because I forg...

I love Google. I have used it since it was still in its toddler years, and I love the simplicity of the solution it presents. Nowadays, it is much more than just a search engine. I remember the first time I heard of gmail. I was asking around for an invitation. I believe I even did free advertisement for them (most of my friends now have an @gmail.com account). Of course, as we all know, Google offers more products nowadays. One product I use everyday is iGoogle. I love how it enables me to put multiple websites (ie, gadget) on one page, giving me a glimpse of what I will be seeing if I were to visit those individual pages. I love the fact that I can check for news and email and facebook notification and new blog entries all at the same time from the same page (before iGoogle, I have tons of bookmarks). Google has just introduced a new iGoogle, which is applied to randomly-selected accounts. At first glance, it looks good. We have the option of "maximizing" a specific gadget ...

On my way home today, I stopped beside a car with booming bass on one intersection. I can understand people loving music and turn their radio up, but my windows were closed and I could feel the bass blasting through my eardrum. The red light lasted for about 30 seconds or so, but it sure felt like a loooong time for me. I don't know how that driver can preserve his hearings, but oh well, to each his own. I was glad to speed away when the light turned green.

In Indonesia, people wear wedding rings on their right ring finger. In Canada, they put it on their left ring finger. Being an Indonesian couple in Canada, we decided to wear ours on our right hand. Chris is very adamant about "being different than everybody else". (Heck, our wedding theme was blue -- nobody in Makassar uses blue as wedding theme). A couple I know make different arrangements every day. They might put theirs on right hand one day, and switch to left hand the next day. They make plans, though, so both of them put the rings uniformly on certain finger every day. Personally, it doesn't make a difference for me. BUT, I did get hit by some random stranger when I wore mine on my right hand. I had to flash my ring several times before he got the clue. ^_^ So my policy now is, when I am alone, I wear it on my left hand. When both of us are going out together, it's back on my right hand. I don't know why people put the ring on left or right hand, though. Do...

People says that in life, there are only two things that are certain: death and tax. Well, I think "the need to clean the house" is also another certain thing in life. It feels like we are cleaning up the house nonstop. Just a few more days, and another batch of cleaning must be carried out again. Of course, I like a clean house. I don't like the process of cleaning, though. Hhhh... Yesterday we spent the whole day cleaning level 1 and level 3. Chris also automated some lighting so that our house is smarter. Too bad he cannot automate the floor to be self-cleaning.

I hate waiting. I don't hate the time spent waiting. For example, if I am baking a cake that will take 1 hour, I am fine with sitting around waiting for it. Or if I have a project that needs requirement from some busy people, then I spend quite some time waiting for their answer. But the thing is, in the meantime I can do something else, whether it's productive or totally self-centered. I don't mind the fact that my creation will be delayed as a result of waiting. Except in some extreme cases, usually the time frame is still acceptable. I am also not bothered by the fact that I will receive a gadget later than I thought. Instant gratification was not part of my bringing, so ordering product online works for me best (no line-ups, cheaper price, no commuting time... what more can I ask for?) ^_^ But I hate the uncertainties that waiting entails. Sitting beside the phone waiting for news about a sick family member, or the result of a product launch, or a job offer... those ki...

If you drive at all, you would have noticed that the price of gas climbs up steadily over the past few weeks. It has hit $146.xx everywhere, and some gas station has stopped the 3.5c discount. Yaiks! If this continues, I will have to really find a work-from-home job type... The gas price has really hit me hard. My only consolation is that I have a hybrid, and I even got a rebate from the eco-rebate program (which has since been dropped -- see the news here ). Hhhh... at least I can justify the purchase even more now. My area is a newly developed one, where buses run infrequently, and you need 2-3 transfers to get anywhere. Even if I want to take public transit, I have to drive and park somewhere first. There is no way I am taking only buses to work!

Finally, after spending a month in my birth country, I am back in Vancouver. My sister mentioned how different life is between the two countries. Indonesia is bustling with activities and noise. People are selling stuff everywhere. Cars honk every 5 seconds or more. Trucks pass by all kinds of road with little regulation. And our lifestyle there is very different -- no self-laundry, self-cooking, or self-cleaning up, thanks to the maids we hire (people power is cheap over there). Whatever we want can be fulfilled easily. We basically live like a princess. Canada, on the other hand, has clean air and good road. It's cooler in temperature. And we do everything ourself. If you don't pick up your clothes, nobody is going to do it for you. If you don't cook, then you don't eat. Canada is also quiet. Cars don't honk. People do not shout. When I was back there, life in Canada felt surreal. I saw how the women spend their days filled with things they like to do. They arrang...

Ha! I am finally done with my tax return. Next on the list: preparing my sisters' tax return vacuuming my room arranging a mountain full of sheet music

Ha! Finally.. after postponing putting away the laundry for several weeks, yesterday night I hardened my resolve and spent 3 hours taking care of the laundry. Who knew I had so much clothes? Who knew I had so much too-small jeans? Must... lose... weight... (but love food too much to stop eating.. ). Hhh... Next up, filing tax returns. I am starting to dread the process and wondering if it worths paying $80 for a consultant service. Hmm....