My office laptop broke down 2 hours before I was supposed to go to the airport for a much deserved vacation with dad in Jakarta. I was still hoping for the best by bringing it with me. It would be sad if I let my teammates down by not being available. True enough, it was already dead before it even boarded the plane.
Right now, I got sore eyes. And it feels unfair because the last thing I did was go swimming and I was swimming with mom, Pat and Anne... and they don't have sore eyes. It's itchy, it's irritating and I have alcohol everywhere with me to keep myself from spreading the love.
Still making the most of this vacation.. whatever happens!
Showing posts with label Jakarta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jakarta. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
There's always a reason
Dad was here last Wednesday night and told us that his assignment in Budapest was postponed. It was sad and disappointing but I guess that's what happens. SOME THINGS DON'T WORK OUT THE WAY YOU WANT IT TO HAPPEN. That's life. You just move on with your life. The world doesn't end if you don't get what you want.
Life is full of disappointments.. but I guess that's what makes achieving it all the more sweeter, diba? And of course, for the more spiritually inclined, God has His reasons for not giving us what we want.. maybe because we are destined for other (better and greater!) things. What we want may not be the best for us. And I guess it's best to move on with your life and think of other ways to get it if you really want it so bad. That's what I did!
I guess with dad's reassignment, we are just glad that he's not being laid off from work! Big boss Salim still wants him to be assigned in Europe until at least the internal issues are solved. In the meantime, dad will still be in Jakarta, helping out in operations and some implementation projects.
On the positive side, I'm relieved that I won't have to leave my workload to my partner in the office. He's already loaded with more than enough work and having my "fair" share to dump it on him would kill his social life (what's left of it, I reckon).
Oftentimes, we do not understand why the things that we want in life (sometimes almost within our reach) are not given to us. We cry out in anger and frustration, think about how much work we did to (almost) get what we want only to have it taken away from us. Now, I think it's because there is a much more deeper meaning. We fail to look beyond our own worlds that's why we can not comprehend. Once you're more in tune with your sensitivity, things will fall into place and the reason will be given to us. You'll realize that there's more in store for you. That what you'll really get is more than what you asked for... sometimes!
Life is full of disappointments.. but I guess that's what makes achieving it all the more sweeter, diba? And of course, for the more spiritually inclined, God has His reasons for not giving us what we want.. maybe because we are destined for other (better and greater!) things. What we want may not be the best for us. And I guess it's best to move on with your life and think of other ways to get it if you really want it so bad. That's what I did!
I guess with dad's reassignment, we are just glad that he's not being laid off from work! Big boss Salim still wants him to be assigned in Europe until at least the internal issues are solved. In the meantime, dad will still be in Jakarta, helping out in operations and some implementation projects.
On the positive side, I'm relieved that I won't have to leave my workload to my partner in the office. He's already loaded with more than enough work and having my "fair" share to dump it on him would kill his social life (what's left of it, I reckon).
Oftentimes, we do not understand why the things that we want in life (sometimes almost within our reach) are not given to us. We cry out in anger and frustration, think about how much work we did to (almost) get what we want only to have it taken away from us. Now, I think it's because there is a much more deeper meaning. We fail to look beyond our own worlds that's why we can not comprehend. Once you're more in tune with your sensitivity, things will fall into place and the reason will be given to us. You'll realize that there's more in store for you. That what you'll really get is more than what you asked for... sometimes!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Bye Bye Jakarta
For nearly 14 years, we have always been going to Jakarta for the summer holidays. With Dad's new assignment, there won't be any reason for us to go there anymore.
So the 1st week of September, we went there for the last time... here are some of the things I'll miss in Indonesia:
- Right-hand driven cars -- I had been very confused the first time I got there.
- The very posh malls -- the socio-economic gap in Indonesia is wider than the Philippines.
- The very cheap clothing -- we buy overruns at Fashion Warehouse. You'd never guess that the branded clothes I wear were bought 80% off the original price
- The very tasty snacks -- I fell in love with Chitato (light blue) and Cheetos (grilled chicken and corn) while we were still staying in Malang (it's a province near Indonesia's 2nd capital, Surabaya)
- The communication barrier -- like Filipinos, Indonesians don't know how to be discreet when they see something fascinating.. in this case me and my siblings talking in Tagalog.. they seem mesmerized.. hahahah
- The DIY sundaes at AM/PM -- similar to 7/11 here. When dad was first assigned to Jakarta, his office had a convenience store at the basement. You can then make your own sundae for around 30 pesos. All the toppings, caramel and chocolate syrup and soft ice cream you can cram in your plastic cup!
- The very cheap manga -- Indonesians translate Japanese manga to Bahasa and are sold for around 20 pesos per book. My sister and I would scramble to buy and translate them.. hence our slight skill at using Bahasa
- The Sunday morning cartoons in Bahasa -- whether it's RCTV/SCTV/Indosiar and what not, we loved watching Bahasa-dubbed anime (Dragon Ball, Sailormoon, etc). For some reason, it looks funny when they speak Bahasa
- Trips to Mangga Dua -- a more organized and airconditioned version of Divisoria, trips to Mangga Dua are stifling hot, full of traffic with motorcycles zooming past you. In the end, we go home with plastics full of DVDs, PS2 games and software. For mom, very nice imitations of designer bags. It's the pirate capital of Jakarta.
- "Aduh!" -- a famous Indonesian word.. literally meaning ouch, it may also mean a foiled plan, expression of embarrassment, impatience, wrong move... just like Homer's "d'oh!"
- Spicy food -- no delicacy in Indonesia is too spicy... which is just too painful for us. Water isn't enough!
- Those Indonesian names -- yes, we have friends named Kiki, Titi, Dodo, etc.
- One-way traffic -- it puts Makati to shame.
- Sunday masses -- it feels like home. Most of the active members in Church as Filipinos. Even the choir's Filipino.
- Pretending to be Indonesian -- I must be pronouncing something wrong... I know how to speak Bahasa but whenever I open my mouth, they'd always exclaim I'm a foreigner.. there goes my intent to haggle for a better price!
- Anonymity -- I can be anyone I want! Nobody knows me here!
Maybe Budapest won't be so bad. I'll try to make a similar list when I go there. ^_^
So the 1st week of September, we went there for the last time... here are some of the things I'll miss in Indonesia:
- Right-hand driven cars -- I had been very confused the first time I got there.
- The very posh malls -- the socio-economic gap in Indonesia is wider than the Philippines.
- The very cheap clothing -- we buy overruns at Fashion Warehouse. You'd never guess that the branded clothes I wear were bought 80% off the original price
- The very tasty snacks -- I fell in love with Chitato (light blue) and Cheetos (grilled chicken and corn) while we were still staying in Malang (it's a province near Indonesia's 2nd capital, Surabaya)
- The communication barrier -- like Filipinos, Indonesians don't know how to be discreet when they see something fascinating.. in this case me and my siblings talking in Tagalog.. they seem mesmerized.. hahahah
- The DIY sundaes at AM/PM -- similar to 7/11 here. When dad was first assigned to Jakarta, his office had a convenience store at the basement. You can then make your own sundae for around 30 pesos. All the toppings, caramel and chocolate syrup and soft ice cream you can cram in your plastic cup!
- The very cheap manga -- Indonesians translate Japanese manga to Bahasa and are sold for around 20 pesos per book. My sister and I would scramble to buy and translate them.. hence our slight skill at using Bahasa
- The Sunday morning cartoons in Bahasa -- whether it's RCTV/SCTV/Indosiar and what not, we loved watching Bahasa-dubbed anime (Dragon Ball, Sailormoon, etc). For some reason, it looks funny when they speak Bahasa
- Trips to Mangga Dua -- a more organized and airconditioned version of Divisoria, trips to Mangga Dua are stifling hot, full of traffic with motorcycles zooming past you. In the end, we go home with plastics full of DVDs, PS2 games and software. For mom, very nice imitations of designer bags. It's the pirate capital of Jakarta.
- "Aduh!" -- a famous Indonesian word.. literally meaning ouch, it may also mean a foiled plan, expression of embarrassment, impatience, wrong move... just like Homer's "d'oh!"
- Spicy food -- no delicacy in Indonesia is too spicy... which is just too painful for us. Water isn't enough!
- Those Indonesian names -- yes, we have friends named Kiki, Titi, Dodo, etc.
- One-way traffic -- it puts Makati to shame.
- Sunday masses -- it feels like home. Most of the active members in Church as Filipinos. Even the choir's Filipino.
- Pretending to be Indonesian -- I must be pronouncing something wrong... I know how to speak Bahasa but whenever I open my mouth, they'd always exclaim I'm a foreigner.. there goes my intent to haggle for a better price!
- Anonymity -- I can be anyone I want! Nobody knows me here!
Maybe Budapest won't be so bad. I'll try to make a similar list when I go there. ^_^
Saturday, August 04, 2007
A New Adventure
The last time Dad came here for the weekend, he had a big surprise for us all...
He would be assigned to Budapest, Hungary for 2 years!!
It all started a few months back... he sent an email only to me, Pat and Anne, telling us that he got an informal invitation that he would be assigned as CFO in one of his company's ventures in Kiev, Ukraine. But until he got a final approval, he would only tell his family.
The dream of finally having a gateway to Europe, aka Ukraine, was overwhelming. For someone who has frequently traveled to only one or two countries, it was a dream to finally get out of Asia! ^_^ We were very excited when Dad became one of the 6 representatives to visit Kiev for an inspection and face-to-face meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts. The fact that he was the only manager with a background in finance was very promising.
It was that time when I was in Japan for a business trip. I was at the edge of my seat every time dad would update us. When I got back home on July 21, Dad told us he was coming home the next weekend from Ho Chih Minh City. When he arrived, he told us that he would be reassigned to Budapest instead of Kiev. And that his boss wanted him to be there mid-August! What a surprising turn of events! I blinked and stared for a good 3 seconds before screaming and hugging dad, congratulating him on this promotion. I was happy that he got what he wanted, and more! And we were happy too that a new adventure is about to start for all of us.
He showed us some winter clothing he bought at Changi airport, knowing that his new assignment would be a country that would terribly be cold during winter. He bought this kick-ass Burberry trenchcoat and sweater and looked very comfy even during a snowstorm. The price was ridiculously high but I guess it would be a good investment for him since he doesn't do well in the cold.
Anyway, we were all planning to take a vacation in Jakarta, for the last time, before Dad ships his stuff back home and then move to Hungary. We're planning to go there at least twice and then do some city-hopping along the way. I just can't wait!
He would be assigned to Budapest, Hungary for 2 years!!
It all started a few months back... he sent an email only to me, Pat and Anne, telling us that he got an informal invitation that he would be assigned as CFO in one of his company's ventures in Kiev, Ukraine. But until he got a final approval, he would only tell his family.
The dream of finally having a gateway to Europe, aka Ukraine, was overwhelming. For someone who has frequently traveled to only one or two countries, it was a dream to finally get out of Asia! ^_^ We were very excited when Dad became one of the 6 representatives to visit Kiev for an inspection and face-to-face meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts. The fact that he was the only manager with a background in finance was very promising.
It was that time when I was in Japan for a business trip. I was at the edge of my seat every time dad would update us. When I got back home on July 21, Dad told us he was coming home the next weekend from Ho Chih Minh City. When he arrived, he told us that he would be reassigned to Budapest instead of Kiev. And that his boss wanted him to be there mid-August! What a surprising turn of events! I blinked and stared for a good 3 seconds before screaming and hugging dad, congratulating him on this promotion. I was happy that he got what he wanted, and more! And we were happy too that a new adventure is about to start for all of us.
He showed us some winter clothing he bought at Changi airport, knowing that his new assignment would be a country that would terribly be cold during winter. He bought this kick-ass Burberry trenchcoat and sweater and looked very comfy even during a snowstorm. The price was ridiculously high but I guess it would be a good investment for him since he doesn't do well in the cold.
Anyway, we were all planning to take a vacation in Jakarta, for the last time, before Dad ships his stuff back home and then move to Hungary. We're planning to go there at least twice and then do some city-hopping along the way. I just can't wait!
Labels:
adventures,
Budapest,
Burberry,
Europe,
expatriate,
family,
Jakarta
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