The Cafe Connoisseur & Am I being “Punk-d?”…
I’m here sweating in Singapore! It’s been a messed up day, up until a few minutes ago (now that I am at my favorite Starbucks in Singapore).
Empathy at the Embassy:
I went to the Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia, to process my work visa. I was one of the first people there, yet it took forever to have my number called for service! There are 4 windows, but only 2 workers, with one of them constantly away filing paper work. Now, the two workers are working hard, I can tell, but why are there 2 empty windows, yet there are now well over 100 persons waiting? * ~Kyaaa ~*
The window hours for Visa application submissions are from 9AM to 12 noon…. After hours, my number is called at 12:07PM! But, they still take the application. All others (who came after me) have to return on Friday (OMG!, after they waited 2hrs already!).
The lady said they were back-logged, due to their 30-July holiday, and thus it will take 3 working days, instead of 2 to get the passport back. I had an early Monday flight at 10AM, but the passport wont be ready until 3PM-ish. Kyaaaaa I will call Garuda and change my flight.
The lady saw my sad face and said “Ok, you can get it as early as 9 on Monday. I will process it myself on Friday evening to be sure it ready” Wow, nice lady! Still, I’ll have to change my flight though…
The Cafe Connoisseur:
After hours at the embassy, I wanted to find a cafe with access to free wi-fi. Wireless@SG is fast and free, but not areas of Singapore has strong signal strength for it. Ex: at my hotel (Oxford hotel on Queen street) my laptop can ’see’ the wireless service, but it’s so weak the connection cant be made. This is ok, as it gives me an excuse to try a new cafe!
I was trying a new cafe (new for me) at Ngee Ann City called Coffee Club, within that huge Japanese bookstore. I’ve known of this chain of cafes, but yet to try any. Now was as good time as any!
I have to say it is the most laptop-unfriendly place I’ve seen! They have even taped the electric sockets, so people cant plug in their notebooks! Wow wow wow! This is really too bad, as Coffee Club has some of the best food I’ve had in a long time.
Their Roast Beef sandwich is the best RB sandwich I’ve ever had to date: refrigerator-cold, hand-carved beef, topped with hot, caramelized onions on a Parmesan Oregano Roll, with romaine lettuce and creamy mayo. Truly a sandwich of paradoxes! Cold vs Hot, and crunchy vs creamy!
Even by my spoiled, USA standards, that sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten ANYWHERE. I wanted to lick the plate of its juices! I would have, if not for the girl sitting next to me hahahaha. I followed that sandwich with the Muddy Mud Pie, which is almost 5 inches wide, 6 inches long (wedge-shaped) and tall as my glass of Iced Tea! 100% pure ice cream, choc crust shavings and drowned in rich milk chocolate! I did not even finish it.
Speaking of the title “The Cafe Connoisseur” you can expect a new website titled just that! (I’ve already registered the URL, but yet to create the actual website). More news about this site will be posted in the near future!
Am I being Punk-d?
Today I feel like a test tube baby, and I’m under everyone’s microscope for study. I feel like Jim Carrey in that movie, The Truman Show, where his entire life is fake, and it’s just a sitcom/drama for the world to see.
I’ve seen the same woman 7 times today. I have seen another guy 4 times yesterday, and 3 times today. They are not together, and I’ve not seen them always at the same time, at the moment, they are! If I was more paranoid, I’d swear they were like spies and I’m being followed!
Maybe I’m being punk-d, and they just trying to get into my head? Worse is how they stare at me. When I see them, they are just looking dead at me. They are not even together, but in the same places at same times as me; it’s like one is in one corner, the other is just a few tables away…staring. Even when they pick up their drink, they not blinking, just staring.
*~ Shudderrrrrr ~*
It’s not normal! Even once I saw one of them in a taxi at the stoplight next to mine, looking me dead in the eyes! Or, maybe they are thinking the same as me? Maybe the guy is thinking “I saw that woman, and fat guy before!” or the woman is thinking “I saw those two guys before, maybe they following me!” I’m waiting for Ashton to jump out and say “Dude, You’ve been Punk-d!”
Baby Boy Blue:
Now, there is a little boy, dressed head to toe in blue, making his way around the tables of people with laptops.
*~ Pls pls pls, God, don’t let anyone have porn sites open! ~*
He’s standing next to me now,leaning over so much I can barely see the screen as I type this very sentence!
One guy with an IBM Thinkpad asked the kids “Where’s your daddy? Go away from us, kid!” The kid gave him the finger! OMG!
Ok, take care!
Standing on The Shoulders of (Google) Giants…
I love this job very much. (REALLY, I DO!) But, I’m finding it hard to stay organized. I’m chairing several project teams, meeting various outside companies and vendors, as well as participating in a bunch of other company meetings, in addition to managerial duties.
Yes, I know all of this is to be expected, and I actually enjoy it, but staying organized properly can be a huge challenge at times! Plus, I’m traveling more and more. So, I not only need ways to stay organized, I need ways to stay properly connected sources of digital information, with access to key data while on the go.
I normally rely on my Smartphone for things like calendars, reminders and contact information, but my beloved Sony Ericsson P1i has one major limitation: it handles Microsoft office Tasks and To-Do lists horribly! Adding to this quagmire the fact that I am, by nature, a very messy person, I’m in a digital information purgatory! I’m slowly sinking in disorganization!
*~ BLURP Blurp blurp… into the disorganization quicksand I sink… ~*
Ok, I decided it is time to get more serious about organization. First, I decided to start using tools I normally did not: Microsoft Entourage (Mac’s version of MS Outlook+Steroids) has some wonderful functions that do not exist in PC’s Outlook: The Project Center.
Second, I’m syncing calendars and mail with services outside the organiztion, and staying connected remotely on the SonEr P1i (except for my needed To-Do and Tasks Lists!). This has to be done while we design and implement our VPN.
Both steps have helped me a great deal! But, still, I find that i’m not reaching the level of organization that I want to achieve. I am forced to take a third step: swallow my pride and ego (which I realize gets out of control at times). It’s time to “stand on the shoulders of giants!”
(“Standing On The Shoulders of Giants” means findind someone hyper-successful in something you wish to be successful in, and then learn from them how they did it, and learn from their mistakes to avoid them yourself).
I was searching for articles and online information about staying organized and business road-warrior tips. I found a great Men’s Health Magazine article about the world’s most organized man: Douglas Merrill, the hyper-hip CIO of Google.
Douglas is in charge of “Organization of The World’s Data.” Is this not a scary responsibility?
*~ Click Douglas’ photo to see the article ~*
I have to say some things did shock me about his 4 main rules, as they tend to be unconventional. But, the more I read, the more it made sense! I have to shift my paradigm of what organization is.
I’m also very curious about what devices the most successful and organized people use? It seems a lot love to use Nokia communicators.
X-tine has the new, sleek Nokia E51. The Evil Twin, who owns her own successful biz, relies on her Blackberry clone, made by Dopod (I call it “The Blueberry”)
I can say my SonEr P1i is nice, except fot that one, very debilitating flaw when syncing with Microsoft Office for Mac. I was looking at the the hyper-sexy iPhone 3G that is now available, but it also has issues syncing Tasks and To-Dos with MS Entourage!
*~ Kyaaa! This is Apple’s phone, and it has issues syncing with a Mac product? ~*
So, my question to you guys are:
- What smartphone (if any) do you use, and what are its good and bad qualities?
- (most important question) How do you stay organized in your busy days?
Cheers!
Yet More Travel + Up-coming News…
Hi Everyone,
This post is short, but sweet. Yesterday, July 25, was my Birthday! But, as usual, it’s rather uneventful (a sad side-effect of having no other family in the universe. Also, given the fact my mother’s death anniversary happens to be July 24, before my birthday, does not put me in great birthday spirits). But overall, I’m quite ok in life. hehehe Work was fun on my birthday, as everyone seemed to want to shake my hand, even individuals I did not know! Is it because I’m a Kadiv (division head) at the co? Hmmm
Speaking of work, I’m slowly beginning to love not having a work Visa! Why? Because it means each month my company is paying for me to take free flights and holidays in Singapore! On Wednesday, July 30, I will be in Singapore for 6 days: 2 days are for the work Visa processing, and the rest are just fun days. How did I get 4 fun days? Easy! My tourist Visas always expire on a Monday (thanks to some advanced planning, I enter Jakarta on dates that insure the tourist visa expires on a Monday the next month)I simply had the required 2 business days set to Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is a national holiday, and I fly back on Monday!.
BUT this all comes down to my HR getting the paperwork for my work visa! The woman working on it has been taking over a month to get the 1 page document from the immigration office.
The English school I used to work for only took 1 day to get that same 1 page document! I gave HR the contact at the school’s office, in order to get advice and instruction how to appropriately get the doc, but HR does not want to “lose face” and insists she knows what she is doing… *~ hmmm ~*
Anyway, if the document is not ready by July 30, I will have to return with yet another 30 day tourist Visa, meaning yet another free trip to Singapore! I’m actually praying for HR to fail hahaha.
I have some interesting news to announce, but I cannot, just yet. But please stand by: it will be HUGE (no fat jokes!) I would share it today, but Jackie is not answering her home phone, and I need a piece of infomation that is now in her voicemail! (Answer your phone, Jackieeeeeee!) I am dying to share the news!!!
Ok, take care, I am very busy working on a monster presentation. Will write more by Monday for sure!
Rodney
5 Things…
I’ve not gotten around to making video logs on YouTube. I had planned to discuss “5 things people dont know about me” which is a very popular topic on YouTube. I decided to just do it here.
Fact #1: I can only eat hot dogs from one direction…
Hot dog buns tend to be curved. I simply cannot eat a hot dog, or other curved sandwich buns, with the outward-curved side facing me. In other words, I always place my thumb against the side that curves in, and my other fingers are on the outward-curved side, facing away from me.
So, this hot dog in the picture is backwards for me! I’d have to flip it around then eat it!
*~ I won’t even mention the Asian horror known as Mayo on the hot dog ~*
I’ve no idea what metal block prevents me from eating the hot dog if it is turned the other way, but I simply cant. I’ve tried eating it in the other direction, and failed.
Additionally, if i hold the bun so the outward-curved side faces up, I must hold it where bun opening faces to my right, not to the left (regardless what hand holds it). Again, I’ve tried eating it in the other direction, and failed.
Fact #2: I learned “PH” is pronounced like “F” from a coloring book
When I was maybe 6 or 7, I learned that “PH” is pronounced “F” when I received “The Funky Phantom” coloring book for my birthday. I knew the character, and knew Funky and “Fantom” sounded the same at the beginning. So, when I saw “Phantom” I thought “ohhhhh, so PH is pronounced F, too!”
You must understand. I learned to read at a very early age (I wont say how young: you wont believe me). I would read street signs, newspapers, magazines, anything. When I read back then, I would read whole lines at a time, not per word or per syllable. So, basically I never really learned phonics! I learned that the word “chair” = a chair. I visualize everything, which really allowed me to excel in reading comprehension (reading whole books in a matter of hours instead of days or weeks). Of course today I know all of the phonics, but at age 6, I did not. There is a huge negative to reading as I did back then: speech difficulties: I spoke at a very rapid rate, to the point I often bit my tongue! Even today, I speak fast (but much slower than when I was little). :p
Fact #3: I was traumatized by a Hand Puppet!
My father worked at the Naval base as a driver, when I was 8 years old. At the base was a younger lady named Shari Lewis, who also happened to have a TV show, that became big over time. She had wonderful puppet characters, such as Hush Puppy and Lamb chop (pictured). This was the 1970s and Shari loved to do shows for the military. My dad brought me to the base to see and meet her! *~ Yaaaaaaaaaay ~* I watched her show every saturday morning over cereal!
My dad introduced me to her. I was so happy, and she shook my hand, and then…. She scared the Sh!t out of me!
- Dad: “Miss Shari, this is Rodney. He loves your show.”
- 8yo Rod: “Hi, Miss Shari!!!! Where’s Lamb Chop?”
- Shari: “She’s sleeping at the moment but I will say hi for you.”
- 8yo Rod: *~ Big Grin and Smile ~*
- Shari: “I think I have seen you before!”
- 8yo Rod: “You have? Maybe at the store! My mommy always take me to the store!”
- Shari: “Hmmm. No, I think… Yes! I remember when I looked into the camera, I saw a little you looking at me making the show!” *~ Smileeee ~*
Ok, now this is suppose to make me happy and laugh feel special, right? WRONG!
- 8yo Rod: thinking KYAAAA! I am always in my underwear when I watch the show and eating cereal. She must have seen me in my underwearrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
*~ Shudderrrrrr ~*
Did she see my “thing”? Underwear my mom bought was sometimes too large (so I ‘grow into them’ and she not have to buy more soon) and they were baggy. Did she see me dancing to the songs with the puppets? What about the time I farted. Did she hear it (hey, I could ‘hear’ her, so if she can see me, maybe she could “hear” me too! cryyy).
I started to cry! I never watched the show again.
Fact #4: Superman does NOT glow in the dark!
I was the type of 5 year old child who believed any and everything adults told me. One day I was watching “Superman” with George Reeves on TV. Superman was flying in the night sky, and I noticed there was a strange glow around his body:
6yo Rod: “Daddy, why is Superman glowing?”
Liar/Dad: “Because of his powers…”
6yo Rod: “Wowwwww……”NOW, fast forward 18 years: I was about 24, and happen to see that same episode of Superman on TV again. And I thought “HEYYYYYYYYYY, Superman is not glowing because of his awesome powers, that is just bad TV/film editing! My dad lied to me! Grrrr!”
Then, I remember the time I was 8, and ran upstairs to see Santa Claus, because my mom said Santa was talking with my dad on Christmas day. That must have been another lie, from my own Mother!
Fact #5: I Still believe I can fly (given the proper wind and # of kites!)
I’ve always been a very creative kid, with ideas of wonders to try. I also was highly scientific in thought. I tried to learn from legends of Greek Mythology. I loved the story of Icarus, who used feathers and wax to make wings to fly, but flew too close to the sun, and crashed (and burned hahaha). So, I felt “flying is cool! But that system just wont work….”
I loved a Anime show called “Battle of the Planets” (In Japan’s Anime: “The Science Ninja Team: Gatchaman”). Basically, as you see in the photo, they can fly like birds.
*~ That is so damn cool! ~*
I wanted to fly with my own wings! I got my graph paper out, and designed a set of wings that will allow me to fly with the agility and grace of a hawk. I decided I needed 4 kites, and an old, sturdy jacket.
I tied two kites to each side of the jacket. Then I climbed to the top of my 2 storey house. And waited for a strong wind (easy, as this was in March, the windiest month of the year, without hurricanes).
After some strong breezes, I ran! I jumped and flew! … for about 2m, then plummeted to the ground, in a unimpressive thud.
*~ My mom said she saw me fall past the kitchen window ~*
After laying there for 15 minutes, trying to get air back into me, I decided I was totally stupid: I should have known I would need at least 8 kites, not 4! What was I thinking with just 4?
So…
- I went back to the hobby shop, got 4 more kites
- Tied 4 kites to each side of the Jacket
- Climbed up to the top roof, again
- And Jumped…
My mom said she just shook her head after seeing me fall past the window a 2nd time….
I guess if God wanted man to fly, he’d have given us wings, or a red cape with a big-ass “S” on it. hahaha
BUT, deep down, I feel my theory is sound! I feel if I maybe had…..16 kites!… Hmm, Jakarta must have hobby/kite shops… Maybe I should…. hmm *~ Looking around ~*
Ok, enough about me. Take care!
Smack! Bam! Pow!!!
Today’s blog is Movie Themed hehehe:
Unbreakable:
No, “Smack! Bam! Pow!!!” is not the opening scene to the 1960’s TV show “Batman.” This was the sound I heard yesterday when going to work! My taxi was broad-sided by an Orang Gila (crazy person)!
I was in my taxi (Blue Bird) and we were about 10 minutes from my office. It was heavy traffic (macet) and we were inching along at a snail’s pace. to my left is the off-ramp of the highway (Interstate, for my fellow Americans). The guy, driving a black SUV came flying out of the exit toll, and ran directly into my car door!
The door was smashed in, I was covered in glass. But, I was ok: I’m UnBreakable! (See the Bruce Willis movie hahahahaha). The driver, and his wife, of the SUV, got out screaming at the the taxi driver, who was clearly innocent! *~ Kyaaa ~*
To make a long story longer (hahaha) I had to get out using the other side’s door, and flag down another taxi, in a place that has very few of them (they are always full of other people going to work). I’m just glad no one was hurt, but that taxi driver was cursing. Ok, I don’t know any Indonesian curse words, but whatever he said, it really really REALLY pissed the baka (Japanese for “idiot”) SUV driver off.
Batman
Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Batman! It is playing as of today in Jakarta! I’m so excited! I also get homesick, because Jackie, my BFF (best friend forever) and I used to go to celebrate my birthday. (did you know, every Batman movie is released 1 week before my birthday? how coolllllll is that?). I especially love this new series of Batman movies with Nolan as the director and Bale as the dark knight.
The Evil Us’s (X-tine, The Evil Twin, and I making up the voting members) were planning to see it this weekend, but we are worried about the exceptional crowds. The twin and I outvote X-tine 2 to 1 to want to see it tonight instead LOL BUT X-tine has more cell phone numbers than cell phones! I’m still trying to contact her. Maybe I’ll call her bf to relay the msg.
Anyway, I’ve seen trailer after trailer, spoiler after spoiler (which I do not mind). I just look forward to a great time, new bat-gadgets, and some artery-clogging movie popcorn with fake, butter-flavored oil!
The Matrix
Laptop Update: I should get it today, but only from sheer will power on my part! I was told “Sorry, will be 4 weeks for it.” I wanted to scream!
Rodney: “why 4 weeks? Every mall has an iBox or eStore, and all of them have that laptop in stock!”
Purchasing: “you wanted the 4GB installed, that is special order.”
Rodney: *~ kyaaaa ~* “just get the 2GB model, and buy the 2GB upgrade kit, lor! You can get it at XYZ Mall!” (xyz mall is very close to my office, and i wont say the mall, cos I dont want my stalker to know where I work–yes I have a stalker)
Purchasing: “can u call and see if it is in stock?”
WHAT? ME???????? OK! you’ll pay! I get the monster machine: 17in, 2.6Ghz!
so, I ordered the 17in instead of the 15.4in MacBook Pro, and the 2GB upgrade kit (giving me 4GB total) and i even getting a free wireless MightyMouse! I will get it in about 2 hours!
*~ Imitating South Park’s Cartman: SWEEEEEEEEET. Kick Ass! ~*
So in honor of the Dark Knight, I will use my new tech gadget to improve the lives of many through my photography (which will be processed on this yummy MacBook Pro), do my office work, and play SimCity 4 to create my own version of The Matrix (bet you were wondering “how does The Matrix fit in?” right? hahaha)
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Macet: traffic jam (you had this word before)
Orang: person/human
Gila: crazy
Take care!
SARA, Europe Travel Plans & MacDaddy Status…
Hi Hi,
It’s 4:15AM, Wednesday. I know I promised to publish on Tuesday, but I simply could not because I could not think how to begin to talk about SARA.
I said I would talk about SARA (ethnic/race, religion, and racism) but it seems to be extremely complex (too complex for my brain, anyway) and VERY sensitive. Better I leave that topic alone!
Letter to Rod:
Christi Wrote: ”Hi. I’m a photographer. I am traveling to Bali in August, and thought to go to Java and see Borobudur. Have you been there? Do you think it is worth the extra money to see the place?”
Rodney: I’ve been asked by a number of people this. Actually, I have been to Borobudur! If you have the money, I’d definitely go to visit it. I went with a friend and her family during Lebaran Holiday (Idul Fitri). I was very worried about how to properly photograph the place, as there are just so many wonderful photos already. I did manage to get two that I’ve not seen before. here’s one now, with the temples in silhouette and the setting sun directly behind the temples.
I loved the place, and extremely grateful for my friend’s brother taking the time to drive us there to see it! It is majestic, and fascinating. You will be glad you visited!
But, strangely, my biggest memory of Borobudur is not the temple, but the escape from there! When leaving, you must walk for over 20min through a maze of tiny shacks and shops trying to sell tourist trinkets! There is only one exit, and you are forced to walk through the maze which twisted and turned left or right every 10 or 20 meters. The entire time, you are pressure sold to by the vendors. Also it is extremely hot and sun is beating down on your head (this is intentional, and this the drinks are almost 3x the normal price!). It was a horrible end.
I climbed up, down, and back up Borobudur two times, and was not as tired as I was during that long walk through that tourist-trap maze of shops! After we finally got out, we had to get drinks (and shock, they were only 1/3 the price of the drinks in the maze-o-death! :p
Mac Daddy:
My office is giving me a MacBook Pro, Max’ed out (meaning, the highest available processor, max amount of RAM, etc). I only opted for the 15.4in instead of the 17in (which only has a larger screen, and 1 extra USB port, but also extra weight). Niceeee…. The Evil Twin will purchase my current MacBook, named Merlin.
*~ Hmm, What To Name The New MacBook Pro? ~*
Maybe I will keep the name Merlin for the new laptop, and make her give the old MacBook a new name of her own choosing. I can’t wait to get the new laptop! I will be sure to bring it to Singapore at the end of the month. (I’ve a presentation to prepare). A friend said “you’re becoming a MacHead, you’re a MacDaddy!”
I’m not sure if this is true or not, or good or not… hmmm
I’m bugging the purchasing dept to please get it by end of the week, and to get it at IBox or E-Store, so I get the free wireless mouse (the Apple MightyMouse). I already have a wireless MightMouse, but if I get the free one, The Evil Twin gets to have one. She also gets all my MacBook Accessories (the cases, etc) because they wont fit the new laptop (which is slightly wider and longer in size). Maybe her sis will steal some of them. :p
Travel:
Speaking of work, I am leading a team of 5 to Amsterdam and London in September! I can’t wait to see what Singapore Airline’s Business Class is like. I heard it is very very good! I can use the frequent flyer miles to hehehe.
Projects:
I’m stuck. I am thinking I need a translator to go with me for this project. Hoping The Evil Twin’s brother is still interested in working with me.
Also, I am stilllll writing that paper for the Health Dept. I need to give more priority to it so it gets done before my birthday this month!
Ok, that is all for now. Please take care!
Hodgepodge of Hindsight…
Hi!
As promised, I’m posting today (Saturday) on time! I’ve been accused in the past of easily making promises, and not keeping them, so I want to correct myself, and try to keep my word going forward.
There are a few emails I want to address. Like last time, I begin with the easy ones, and work my way to the more complex ones.
Letter #1
Michelle asks: “Hello. I like your blog’s humor. The photography is great! What was the hardest photo project you’ve worked on, and why?”
Rodney: The hardest by far was the photo essay and reportage titled “Exploring The Underground World of Sex Workers.” It was difficult because I was shooting in near total darkness, with no flash or tripod! Additionally, most of the men did not want to be there when seeing a guy with a huge lens, so I had to shoot wide angle, moving in the dark as fast as possible, and quietly as possible (very hard for a fat guy to walk silently on a squeaking floor of woven bamboo slithers!). It is extremely difficult to get sharp photos in this situation!
Letter #2
Jamal asks: “Do you find discrimination there based on religion, since most there are Muslim? I’m assuming you are not Muslim, since you come from the United States, where most are Christian.”
Rodney: I’ve never found discrimination here. If anything, I’ve had more issues with Christians here than the Muslims! I won’t go into details here, but you’d be shocked. I’m still washing “anointing oil” out of my dress shirt (which is hard to find here in my size) from a Christian trying to rid me of evil. In the future, I will write a blog about “SARA” (4 items that should never be discussed, in general public, here in Indonesia).
Letter #3
Amanda asks: “I would like to see more color photos of just different things and people. Photos not associated to each other.”
Rodney: OK! This is why this post is called “Hodgepodge!” I’m posting a hodgepodge of photos from different places and genre.
This photo was taken in Kota (old area of Jakarta). Kota is full of old, Dutch buildings, and still has a wonderful gothic feel to the place. It is also a very popular location for pre-wedding photos, such as this one. The photographer was sort of pissed at me that I was there, and got this shot of this soon-to-be-married couple. I love their pose, as if all is in ruins, and they are about to kill each other!
This photo reminds me of the title of a Bjork song: “Violently Happy” *~ LOL ~*
This next photo was taken at a Mental Rehabilitation Center. The patients here had a range of mental disabilities due to several reasons: from drug use, to physical head trauma.
Some individuals have interesting stories.
- One guy was an expert martial artist, who trained police officers in combat skills. He was giving a demonstration of how to defend yourself against a baseball bat wielding opponent. But, the assistant swung full strength before the man was ready, hitting him in the head and causing permanent brain damage.
- Another person there is a woman who simply had a hard time coping with the world. She spends her time walking the length of the central floor, counting the tiles, over and over all day. The resident assistants told me they’ve had to take her to the doctor on several occasions because of foot injuries.
- One other patient is very unique: he is an elder man, but I found he was once one of the original doctors who worked at the facility! Now he is a patient there!
This photo is of two friends.
This next photo was taken with the Bethel English Service church group who treated an orphanage to a fun day. This is the flying fox ride, where you are suspended over 80m off the ground, and traveling at a fast speed from the top of one cliff to the ground. She seems to be having fun!
This photo was shot in Yogyakarta, in the mountains of Semin (I need to check my notes on this part). I really like her smile and attitude. She seems very nice.
This last photo is also in Yogyakarta, in the rice fields. I love the colors, and represents the theme of Yogyakarta pretty well.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Macam-macam: Hodgepodge (a heterogeneous mix or jumble)
Melihat Kebelakang: Hindsight (recognition events or situations that occurred in the past)
Ok, Take Care!
Real Dayaks and YouTube…
Hi,
All is well at work, I’m a little tired as today was quite busy with project planning. Worse, I had an 8:30AM meeting! (I normally don’t even leave the house until 8:30!). I had to wake up at 6AM! So, I’ll just answer two emails today: one very fast, one very long!
Keiko Wrote:
“I like your blog. Besides great photography, I really love your humor and personality! You should make videos for YouTube! Will you?”
Hmm, I thought of doing that, but I am not sure. I hate to even be in photographs, so it’s hard to imagine being in video! But I am considering it. hahahahaha
By far, the most frequent question/request I receive is to see photos from projects rarely seen, and photos most cannot shoot (due to lack of access to the places).
Stephanie Wrote:
“Hi, I like your photos. You said before you went to Kalimantan. Are there naked people there, like in Papua? Do you have any tribal photos?“
Well, Stephanie, I have not seen any tribes that reside naked (beyond bathing). But I have visited The Dayak tribe, which is indigenous to Kalimantan, the 2nd largest island in the world.
Getting to the areas of Dayaks who live in very old and traditional ways is quite difficult. After hours driving into the mountains, I had to ride on the back of a motorcycle over rocks, hills and rickety old wooden bridges that were splintering apart, 10m above a rocky river of rushing water! At one point, when we were going up a steep hill, I had to jump off the bike because it was flipping backwards! Even with the craziness of getting to them, it was worth it!
*~ Dear Gravity: OK! I’m Fat, I Get That! ~*
On the way to the traditional Dayaks hidden deep in the forest, I saw other Dayaks who live more conventional lives. There were even Christian churches made of wood along the way, suggesting there is a cultural change taking place.
(This is not to say they are all turning Christian, but that there are Christian influences now: they may be forming a new hybrid religion of Christianity and old religion, as can be found on the island of Sumatra).
The deeper we drove to the hiddent Dayaks, the more primitive (Hmm, is this the best word?) their living became. On the mountain road (before needing the mountain bikes) houses were on one side of the road, and steep, green hills covered in foliage were on the other side of the road.
This photo shows 3 girls peeking out of their door at this strange guy walking around their home. This family actually is quite affluent, and as you can see, their door is quite modern. Their home is more modern than most in their area, which are mostly wooden shacks with no electricity.
The girl in blue on the left is so brave. She stayed at the window quite a lot and followed me around and stood for several photos.
There is a belief that if a foreigner visits Kalimantan, he has to be very careful to not associate with the local girls, or they may use magic to keep him there. One person I know told me of a cousin who went there, fell under such a spell, and never returned home. It was years since being home, yet he thought it was only a few weeks!
When driving to this area, we passed a very beautiful girl sitting alone on a rock in a green field, combing her long black hair with her fingers. Every guy in the vehicle was ripping neck muscles to turn their heads backwards Owl-style to look at that girl. Believe me, the girls do not need magic to capture men. *~ Hahaha ~*
While the girls’ home was somewhat modern, their next door neighbor, in contrast, lived in a wooden shack with no electricity. Also contrasting to the girls is the neighbor’s age. This lady is 110 years old! When we were walking around, she came walking out of the hills across the street carrying a basket of veggies she picked. She said she picks them herself on a regular basis, and adds them to rice that her son brings to her. She’s one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! We offered her some of our snacks, because it is obvious she as so little, but she asked “What about you? Will you have enough?” Wow. She was concerned for us more than herself. Even at 110, she’s a beautiful woman, and must have been super pretty when young. Oh, her life style and diet is so natural, that she said she’s NOT the oldest in the area!
After leaving this area, we drove more and more in the truck to where we got the mountain bikes. After a very fun (really, it was!) but scary ride, we arrived in a place I was shocked to see. it was really like going back in time, relative to their living conditions. But, their manner of dress was more modern with typical shorts and shirts.
We were told the children just recently began going to school (again, either hours walk in the mountains, or riding on back of mountain bikes), which is a great news to hear. The people were quite open to me, given I showed up unannounced for my 1 hour visit.
Looking around, I first noticed there was a regulation sized badminton court made entirely out of bamboo! The people were sitting out doors chatting.
But also scary because I could only imagine what it is like to grow up in this type of place, literally hours away from any hospitals or help in case of emergencies. Actually they did have electricity: a single tiny solar panel (maybe 1.5ft x 1.5ft in size) that was used to power a single radio, so they may listen to weather forecasts in case of severe weather conditions.
Homes were high off the ground on logs used as stilts. Under the houses lived live stock (If you look close in the community photo above, you will see a huge sow (female pig/hog) and her piglets feeding from her).
Housing was not the only difference between the traditional and partly-modern Dayaks, religion is too. I described the wooden churches of the first set of Dayaks. These traditional Dayaks have huge animal jaw bones mounted on wooden staffs, along with bloody blue jeans and jackets! The bone was as wide as my head, and it had deep cuts into it, as if it was hit by an axe! There were one staff in each corner of the compound. Magic is definitely used in this place. I’m still researching the exact use of this. I’m also curious what animal bone is it! I’ve never seen such a huge jaw bone!
The children were very open and curious. It was a mixture of curiosity, shyness and desire to be photographed. This one girl really wanted her photo taken, but very shy. I made funny faces at her so she feel more at ease and give a natural smile. After two photos, she really got into it, moving her hair, and twisting this way and that way for each photo.
Bravery vs. Shyness: Indonesia’s Next Top Model
The youngest ones also were so brave! She and her brothers liked to play hide and seek with the camera hahaha!
Dayak Girl: Queen of the Mountain
There was even a newborn girl, yet to be named! She was very bright eyed!
Ok, Next time I will answer more questions (I’m avoiding the “what are the Indonesian Girls like?” ones, as I do not want my friends, mostly girls, to try to kill me!).
Take Care!
Technical Difficulties…
Hiii,
I’ve not forgotten to post my Thursday blog. For the last 3 hours I’ve been trying to get photos to load on Flickr, but they won’t (grrr). Anyway, I’m going to bed, as I’ve an 8:30AM meeting
*~ I normally don’t even leave home until 8:30! CRYY ~*
Ok, please take care. I’ll post the real blog post on Friday after my morning meeting.
Rodney
Unseen Photos and Great News…
Hiii,
Ok, I know I’ve been away for a while (nothing new about this, yes? hahaha). There’s lots to tell and lots of great news:
- I got the job. I’m the Head Director of Information Technology for company XYZ (Did you really think I will say the company’s name? hahaha). They flew me to Singapore (Executive class, heck ya!) for the weekend. Unfortunately, I had to return with another tourist visa, because the HR did not have enough time to finish the formal paper work. This means I get another FREE trip to Singapore early August, flying executive class hehehe.
- Since my last post, I’ve received an amazing amount of email from total strangers showing concern for my almost-depression, as well as questions in general. I’ve decided to try to answer these in the next few days.
- For every person who comments here, there are maybe 12 or 13 more who email, yet not comment. AND, for every person who comment or email, there are about 8 who only read (based on the website statistics for # of unique visitors per post). This means I have a much larger number of people reading my posts, and thus I must be considerate to readers, and keep this blog updated. I promise to post at least every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (Mon-Wed-Fri is simply too cliche haha).
Ok, I’ll answer Fan Mails:
Letter #1:
Rita wrote “I love your blog posts, and really love your photography. You are very funny and sensitive guy. You posted some nice photos of Cambodian kids, but none of Angkor Wat! And I want Color!”
Here you go, Rita! Here are 3 unseen photos of Angkor Wat, and in color hahaha.
Angkor Wat Temple
Minor Temple outside of the main Angkor compound
(with my tour guide walking through my shot, grrr, but he gives the photo scale)
Angkor’s Outer Wall. People tend to associate the main iconic structures (in first photo) as the temple. Actually there are many buildings surrounded by a huge wall system surrounded by forest and jungle.
Letter #2:
Vanessa (a former 13yo student of mine) writes: “Rodneyyyy, Come back to EF because we miss you haha! Ok you will not, I know. I like the fotos of the kids in Cambodia. Can I see more foto please?”
Ok Vanessa, Here are some unseen kid “photos” (English! Practice Your English *smile*)
Cabin Boy on a Tourist Boat
Cambodian Girl
On the road to the Mekong Delta, there is rows of run dow, make-shift homes where people live. The majority of them work for the fishing boats or tourist boats. You cannot see it from this photo, but it was shot from a moving car, about 10m from above, thus she is in low-ground, and her home actually is on stilts. During their rainy season, 10m of water will fill the spot she is standing (thus the boat). Remember what I said about the two types of poverty? She is considered ‘well off’ compared to most of her neighbors.
Ok, more letters next time about Indonesian Women, and Religion *~ Shudder ~* Also more unseen (color) photos of “Real” Dayak Tribes of Kalimantan.
Take Care!