Wonderment & Being Human

I tweeted this few days ago while packing for the flight home from New York City.

"Nearing the end of the trip. Head filled with thoughts, heart with excitement, and feet with stories. I'll share them soon." 

And here I am, 10.000 miles after, in Jakarta with 40 gigs of photos and videos. I don't know where to start with the stories. Overwhelmed.

Should I begin with the incident in JFK airport?
Should I begin with Thomas Keller's delicacy that left me in awe?
Or, should I begin with the 11 new friends I made along the way?

When you travel all your senses seem to be more receptive to stimulus. Your eyes see new, your tongue taste new, your heart speak new, your ears hear new, your hands and feet find new strength too. They all adds up to a series of wonderment. You can't wait to share, but you're exhausted, and you're also afraid of minimizing the experience into a few lousy paragraph.

I'm gonna have to take a few moment to digest all this in.

When I'm done with that, from this post forward, I wish I could capture the essentials. I wish I could project emotions in the stories. I wish I could take you to the place as it happened. I wish these stories could be as human as they suppose to be.

I wish you'll read it line by line and journey it with me.

With that in mind, let the curtain roll.

Fellexandro Ruby 
The Wanderlust

Bistronomy Jakarta : Good Food And A Meet-Cute

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

Dear Diary,

Today was splendid. Not in a winning-a-lottery surprise kind of way. Instead, today I was reminded, its the little things that adds color to my life. The little things that I often overlook being the ignorant prick I sometimes am. This heartwarming moment happened in the course of three hours in Bistronomy the newly opened foodplace in Ciranjang, Jakarta.

Was sitting in one corner, with a DSLR in hand and an Ahok-looking face, I suppose its almost impossible to not draw attention. I tried to reduce my presence as minimal as possible. I had my ordered secured. I believe I succeeded, until a cute looking face appeared on the other side of the window next to me. This girl stole my heart within seconds. I tried to make contact. The E.T - Elliott kind of connection, and I succeeded big time. She laughed at my silly face, a few minutes after I got her sitting across me, sharing the same table.

Meet Isabel ;)

And her playful side.

And her cheerful side.

As I fork in my Grilled Salmon Teriyaki with Wasabi, she had her nanny feeding her one spoonful at a time. Two decades apart but we had the time of our life for fifteen minutes or so. I reckon this must be how little Jenny in Big Fish feel upon crushing on young Edward Bloom. "When I'm 18, you'll be 28, and when I'm 28, you'll be 38, that's not much a difference." she said. Its a lot of difference though as it turns out. Same thing goes with my fish. Having wasabi boldly stated in the menu, I would only expect more of its influence in the dish. It ended up as a chunk of decor on the side of plate. While the teriyaki take on the fish really comfort the tongue, I still think they are taking the easy way out. Especially for the price that they printed on it.

Grilled Salmon Teriyaki w/ Wasabi (IDR 100k)

I asked her what's her name. "Isabel", she answered with lotsa giggles, right when my cold Edamame Vichyssoise arrived. I offered her to take a sip, but it appeared that what's on her plate was a lot more interesting. I myself find the Edamame equally interesting. A strong flavor of the japanese bean, marked with the green color, and the distinct smell of pureed bean, potato, cream and stock. My palate usually prefer warm dishes but I had to admit this one had win its approval, despite being a bit boring halfway through with its rather flat texture.

Edamame Vichyssoise (IDR 30k)

Shooting half eaten food, just because I can!

Right before my dessert came, the little queen made her exit as her parents called her out. Those little feet run in excitement towards the receiving hands of the father. Cliche but there's a tiny clinch in my heart. I smiled. Twice. One for that, and one for the huge Rare Mango Pudding that arrived right on time to sweeten the goodbye. It took less than three bites to get acquainted with this delightful dish. Hints of mango all over the place, even without the extra addition of mango sauce. I decided to go all the way though. It might went a bit overly sweet for normal people but hey, no such thing for this sweet toothed gentleman. Added with the crisp biscotti style topping, it was right from flavor, texture, to price.   An eight-out-of-ten closure to my lunch.

Rare Mango Pudding (IDR 55k)

Shooting finished mango pudding, just because I can!

There's only one thing left to do after all the eat-xercises: cleanse the palate. This cup of Twinings' very own Pure Camomile did exactly that and achieved what it is destined to do, it soothed and calmed me down.

Today is a good day. I'm writing it down to help me remember. Remind me dear self when I forgot what it feels like to take a pause and enjoy the tiny things in life. Remind me to realize that its not the light at the end of the tunnel, but also the light in the tunnel.

To infinity and beyond.

Fellexandro Ruby 
Food Photographer & Storyteller

More daily food thoughts and whatnots on Twitter at @wanderbites

I imagine more afternoon like this, with you.

---

Bistronomy 
Jalan Ciniru 1 No. 2
(Jalan Cikajang, the street next to Helen's Cake) 
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan
Ph: 021-739-6655
T: @bistronomy_jkt

Yours Truly, featured in Cleo Magazine & Farrago

HOT & COLD
I had quite a hot and cold moment when both media approached me for an interview. Since the beginning I wanted Wanderbites to be less of me, more on food, travel, and whatever stories in between. But I also wanted it to be personal. That's why my food reviews are as if I were speaking to you in eye-to-eye.

In that spirit, I finally decided that it wouldn't hurt to come out of the shell once in a while, or more appropriately : come out of the green bowl that's been shadowing my profile picture for the past two years in the 'about me' page.

ME & YOU
I wanted you, Biters, to know that this guy right here is alive and human. The guy behind every drooling pictures and mouth-watering paragraph. Yes, when you're reading the stories, you are experiencing what I went through. And no, when you put comments you're not speaking to the giant W! logo, despite of its consistent appearance.

Speaking of comments, it is one of the things that kept me doing what I'm doing. For me it is your form of appreciation. I read every single line with a smile. I would be lying to say that I'm not happy when I got the copy of CLEO's January edition and  when I read the feature on FARRAGO. Thank you for the appreciation. It speaks to everyone in this profession.

FAQ
The question that's been asked frequently by Cleo & Farrago was:

Why food? 

I guess the only answer to that is passion. The same thing if you ask MJ: why basketball? or Awie from Axioo: why photographing wedding? It's built in. There's this inexplicable sense of being toward a certain subject or activity. That when I do it, I feel alive. Sure I get tired, but also energized emotionally.

That's what food photography do to me. I hope you discover your passion too.

GRATZIE
Although I've been writing since 2009, its not until the end of 2010 that I started posting food reviews religiously. And its not until mid 2011 that I had my first (paid) commercial photoshoot.

From a simple hobby to making a living out of it. Its a long journey and not one free from struggles of course. I had my ups and downs. This is one of the ups. While we're at that, I'd like to thank you Biters, everyone who's reading, fellow bloggers, foodies, photographers, and friends who have supported me in one way or another. =D

Here's a readable link to both article:
CLEO
FARRAGO

Cheers,

Fellexandro Ruby
Food / Travel Photographer & Storyteller

Snack on my Twitter at @wanderbites ;)

Let's Fish (Again)

There's this thought about winning.

Picture one thing that you've been wanting and been fighting for quite a while. Slowly but sure your hard work started to show result and suddenly the universe conspire to favor you. You have it now. For the very first time your dream visualize into reality. Right in the graps of your hand. The sense of accomplishment wraps you. You smile.

And things started to change. Now that you have it, you're purposeless. You were once in a continuous pursuit. But no longer now. Sadly, life's becoming less interesting.

And so to make your world running again. You begin to want more. Bigger. Better. Shinier. Sounds wrong. But you're back alive now that you have something to fight for again.

For in the end, its not the having, its the making-it-happen that makes you tick.

----

I don't know about you, but in my opinion wanting more is human. Having bigger vision, bigger dream is natural as your capacity grow. Quoting John Mayer, its like catching a fish, and then purposefully throw the fish back again. That's what he wants to do with his music, continually finding himself again and again with something new.

I guess that's what I want to do with my life as well. To challenge myself, develop, and challenge myself again.

Some of you might came across this blog from my food post. However, you'll be finding this kind of post every once in a while. You can find them on my old twentyten post as well. I like to share playlist too. Here's what currently on repeat.

Freelance Whales - Generator ^1st Floor
S.Carey - In The Stream
Snow Patrol - Run (Live)
Kaki King - 2 O'Clock
Freelance Whales - Kilojoules

I'm a little on the acoustic side tonight. I hope you too. Also, you might want to just download Freelance Whales complete album "Weathervanes". Almost all of the tracks are awesome.

Smile on, Shine on
Fellexandro Ruby

Singapore - Every Visit is Different

Greeted by the sun I walked off the aircraft, flight TR2275, safe and sound. With an expectant heart I knew this trip would be short but worthwhile. And indeed it was. Staying at the Marina Bay Sands simply refine this getaway into a whole different perspective.

From the moment I queued in line to check in I've already astounded by the magnificence of this establishment. A glassful of complimentary champagne welcomed me plus a pack of hot towel to wipe off my tired face from waking up early catching the first flight. The height of the ceiling was almost endless creating a majestic look. Having done feasting my eyes with the first-timer excitement, I ran myself to the 16th floor where I was staying. Here, meet the super comfy room. =)

Having traveled to several countries for the past few years, going through sleeping in Eurotrain and airport waiting lounge, plus having spent the past one year sleeping on plywood to heal my backpain, I must say this bunk is a celebration. Clean white sheets, soft pillows, and foamy bed where I can sink all my body weight along with my burdens. Yummy! (I'm sorry I can't escape the foodblogger in me when describing things =p) And so after tasting the bed for a quick while I took off right away to the top, the most wanted place in the hotel complex ... yes, none other than the epicly-awesome 150 meter infinity pool. =D

Went down the elevator. Lower and lower and lower to the basement connecting the mall shops. Yes! Its shopping time!  I didn't plan on buying anything actually. My eyes were rather fixated on one foodplace to another. Browsed through Bean-stro, a developed bistro concept from the original Coffee Bean, then moved to High Society with its plentiful of colorful macaroons and dessert on parade, and finally ... stopped at the one that I can't resist. Eureka! I shouted loudly inside of my head and put a full smile on. =D Here's a little teaser for my upcoming dedicated review of the emerging foodplace, TWG.

Well, I guess one photo is more than enough. =p You just have to wait.

Even when I finished with all that, the night was young. With all the extra dose of excitement left in me and the one hour difference between Jakarta and Singapore, I was more alive than sleepy at 1 a.m past midnight. With nothing to do and nothing to eat, boys night out it will be. And so I went to the famous Marina Bay Sands casino.

It was funny how the securities stopped me at the entrance and asked "Where are you studying in Singapore?". I take that as a compliment, Sir! =P Shocked at first with the amount of cash traded from one table to the other, I held my chips tightly and slowly observed the types of the games. Roulette? Hmm, the stakes are too high. Bacarat? I don't have a single idea what it is. Slots? That would be too boring. Poker? Nah, not in the mood to go gaga. I finally landed my first $25 on a Blackjack table. Learned the easy way that two poke on the table means 'hit me' and a wipe means 'enough'.

First bet. My heart pound. And I won it.
Second. My heart beat faster. And I won it.
Third. I sat on the hot seat.
And as I just began to drown in the game, it was all the way downhill from there.
But anyway, good game. Experience is priceless. Taught me a pretty good lesson. You'd never win in the long run, so cash in as soon as you win enough and leave. =P Greed is the mother of failure here.

Closing on the trip I took a long stroll around the city. Had a nice Chinese dinner by Clarke Quay. Caught some nightlight snapshots. Enjoy the warm breeze. I also realized that with every visit I made to this city, it has always been different. There's always something new to catch.  A new place to go to. An incomparable adventure than before. I guess that's what Singapore is, the constantly developing city. Anywhere you go you'll most like find construction work on progress. This is an ever growing nation and city of its own. One of its kind.

This is Singapore, one thousand and one different ways to enjoy. I love this city already. Don't you? =)

Smile on, Shine On
Fellexandro Ruby

---
Extra Tips: 
1. Book from Jakarta or any of your local travel agent for a considerably lower hotel booking
2. The room for two is actually big enough to fit four to five.
3. Don't miss the light show started at 6 pm and 11 pm daily
4. Try the Creme Brulee and Roasted Lamb with mint & peppercorn sauce if you have buffet at Rise
5. Free drinks in the casino! =D

I Ran Out of Superlatives to Express Your Lovingkindness

 remember tweeting this in September and amazingly unknowingly He gave me a surprise. I expected next year but He present it early. I am beyond thankful.

Last November, on an unplanned-before business trip I got the chance to visit one of the world's emerging cities, Shanghai and it was wintery! *widegrin* I've missed being wrapped in layers of clothes and jackets, having no sweat all day, travelling around city with subway metro, and freezing my ears walking against the wind. That's exactly what I got. It was only four days three nights, but it was really a blessing. On top of that I get to taste local cuisine (will review them soon) in between of work-related stuffs and took some citylights photos that I've been wanting. Here's a glimpse of what I captured. Not to boast, but to let myself and everyone of us be reminded that there's a Higher Being up there who listens and take a good care of us right to the littlest details. And He love to give us surprises.

I've simply ran out of superlatives to express Your lovingkindness. You are good and Your Grace overflows. =)

With a grateful heart,
Fellexandro Ruby

Marvelous Seven (@JCF_2010 Food Blogger's Dinner)

It was around this hour yesterday, me and 32 other bloggers had the privilege to delight in 7-course dinner from amazing line up of topnotch chefs. Gracias Goorme.com and Ismaya for the invites and for arranging such a wonderful event. Not just solid food, we were feed with interesting insights on foodphotography and food reviewing, both from the experts in their field as well. However, on this post, I just want to relive that night once again with you beautiful readers, as I go through the photos and the menu.

In order of appearance:
1# Cold Appetizer // Balinese Chicken Salad with Coconut Vegetables and Sambal Matah
By Fahmi Widarte (Corporate Chef of Rotaryana Prima)
As the starter salad, the spicy taste kicks in real quick to my taste buds, and kinda jump start me to taste the next one. As spicy food lover, the hot-ness is simply yum!

2# Hot Appetizer // Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek in Sweet Miso
By Hugo Adrian (Executive Chef of Blowfish Kitchen & Bar)
Not a big fan of radish, however, I gotta say the miso complements the radish. It gives a good mix of sweet and salty, while the wagyu does what a wagyu beef does. It splendor my tongue.

3# Soup // Authentic Sultan's Tomato Cream Soup
By Agus Ishermawan (Head Chef of Ismaya Catering)
And now, we're talking. Very creamy soup (in coffee term this might close to an espresso), tasty tomato, and the surprise foie-gras! It wasn't on the description, that made us guessing, and @glister_blister got it right.

4# Pasta // Red Shell Pasta With Duck Ragout, Pine Nut and Rocket Salad
By Gianfranco Beltrame (Italian Chef de Cuisine at Casa D'Oro Hotel Indonesia Kempinski)
A plateful of pasta after a bowl of tomato cream soup is simply not the best sequence to taste them. A quarter way to this, my belly started to repulse. Sad that I had to left it halfway. However, the braised duck was a feast when munch together with the pine nut. I like the mix of soft and crunchy texture.

5# Fish // Chilean Sea Bass With Lee Kum Kee Ginger Oyster Sauce
By Sofyan Joshua (Technical Culinary Chef of Sukanda Djaya)
It was one of my favorite simply because of its lightness, kinda refresh the palate after all the creams. And again, intriguing blend of soft swirly fresh fish and crunchy pine nuts. Oh, yum!

6# Meat // Short Rib, Truffle Demi Glaze, Charcoal Oil, Glazed Carrots, Potato Hot Foam and Nuts Fake Cous Cous
By Ignacio Virgen Jimenez (Chef de Cuisine of Potato Head)
Now, this is a tricky menu for me. On the plate was five different flavor. I tried the ribs alone, was grilled with exact tenderness that I like. Then tried mixing it with the charcoal oil and the carrots. I gotta say, the carrot was truly something. Unlike any other I've ever tasted, the partly glazed skin with slight bitterness and the partly stewed carrot-meat with its full sweet taste was gooooood. However, I didn't quite get the chopped 'something', was it the nuts fake cous cous? Gotta be it, it smells weird for me. I left that part and finished the rest though. =)

7# Dessert // Green Tea Cake Ala Tropicale
By Rinrin Marinka (Artistic Chef)
Finally! The part that I've been waiting for, the la finale, the cherry on top of the cake! Yeehee! Anw, photo-wise its a very tricky food to shoot, however, I kinda nailed it, didn't I? Back to the taste, as I expected, it was a great closure for my tastebud, the sweet that I've been waiting for. You know this Asian tongue likes it that way. Dipping the sliced green tea cake with the yellow sourly passionfruit sauce was delightful. The best part for me was the crunchy biscuit covered in chocolate and the baked crispy apple slices. It was outstanding =)

---
Sad that it has to end, but with a happy belly and a stream of good foodphotos I'm twice happier a man. =))  Marvelous seven course dinner, awesome night, cheers to the beautiful people that accompanied me that night Ivan, Dessey, Michelle, Astrid, Natalixia, Imel, Selby, Daniel, and Adhi Putra. It was an honor sharing the table with you. Until our next toast together (oh sigh, we forgot to toast together, o well, save it for the next time =)

Smile on, Shine on,

Fellexandro Ruby 
Snack on my tweets @captainruby
Email me at fellexandro.ruby@gmail.com

[Photo Memoir] My Year With You, Taggers.

TAG = Totally Awesome Generation

I still remember clearly on day one when I was introduced to you guys, knees, feet weak, palms, hands all sweaty. Why? Cause there in front of my eyes were the future leaders of tomorrow. There's artists among you, designers, chief technology officer, detective, entrepreneurs, drummers, DJs, guitarists, writers, dancers, photographers, all with their awesomeness.

And I remember you asked me what is it that I do? My first answer was "Photographer and Entrepreneur", your reply was "Come on, be honest". I did not reply much, cause time will tell, and action is better an answer than words. Back then I've started in business but I just started to grab my passion around photography and I didn't have any pro camera yet, but I keep my vision strong. And now, a year after, I'm learning photography as much as I could with my hard-earned R2-D2, yes that's how I name my Canon EOS 7D. He's got some cool friends along the way, 17-40mm L-Lens and 70-200mm L-Lens. So here I am at this day, making a point to my answer a year ago. The lesson is: nothing is impossible if you have a clear picture of your vision along with God in it.

And nothing better to show the photographer in me who has developed in time than showing these pictures of beautiful Taggers. Took the shots in between session, its pretty hard then to get decent picture in such a short time, but well, I hope you like it.

Its been a blessing being with you guys. I learned a lot as I'm serving in this ministry. I hope I can go forward to inspire you guys.

Smile on, Shine on.
Your Mentor,
Rubs



Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Forever Once, Once and For All

we built us home
from stacks and stones
our skin and bones
forever once, once and for all
you shall paint it bright, yellowish sunshine
i shall color it right, white it is white
we put a door only us can pass
we smiled on the greens looking through the window wides
once and for all, forever shall pass
we built us a home
from stacks and stones
our skin and bones
you bring your melodies and meet my harmony
we make lullabies and stories

beautiful beautiful stories

Surabaya Adventure : Shihlin Snacking to Meeting Jiewa at My Kopi O!

Two days, one night in Surabaya was not enough definitely, especially when every day was filled with endless delicacies like the ones I'm sharing with you today. There's a funny story when I tried Shihlin Taiwan Snacks. I saw it first on my Surabayan Friend's Blog and it looked good. So on the first day I arrived at Surabaya last weekend, I said I got to try Shihlin! They look like a perfect pre-pre-lunch snack. And so I went to Sutos ordered the oh-so-famous Crispy Chicken and Seafood Tempura only to be disappointed by the brochure. Why? Cause it says they have opened their stores in Taman Anggrek Mal, Central Park, all in Jakarta. And worst of all, they have one store in Emporium Pluit, that's like 15 minutes from my house. -__- " Way to go Ruby way to go!

Anyway, back to them. See the shots below? Indeed they are as crispy and as tasty as the name offers. However, I personally think it doesn't get any more special than that. I mean I can easily fry my own Fiesta Instant Chicken and pour some chilli powder and voila! (You get what I'm implicitly saying here right? ;P YES! Go and ask your maid to fry them for ya!)

And the day goes, and as spontaneous as I most of the time try to be, I tweeted Jiewa to see if I can see him while I'm in town. For those of you, who don't know who he is, click on his name, it will link you to his awesome food blog, INIJIE.com. Or follow his scrumptious tweet @inijie. Personally I see him as someone I looked up to. He's the man. Who dared to stand on his idealistic passion and still making money out of it. I've just started foodphotoing for the past few months, and he's already like the 'shifu' in food blogging. I didn't expect much aside from being spontaneously fun, and he responded. So we got to meet at My Kopi O! Its almost like a fan meeting a role model. Partly astounded by his humbleness, and partly too excited to learn from him. What ever we shared in the precious hours is for us to keep. (Why does this line sound gay? No no, please, he's as straight as Pocky Wafer Stick, oh girls, he's single and available). See, the excitement is still here.

 

Anyway, we ordered Ice Lychee which I think was awesome. I mean, look at the way they deliver it, I've never drink from a jar before and I have to admit the drink taste delicious and refreshing. While Jie decided to order Kopi Tarik and Beef Satay. Both menu was good, especially the satay, the spices and ingredients was totally soaked in the super tender meat. YUM! I would definitely come back to these two places. With a companion like my personal stylist, Andrea Sharon and a fellow food lover / photographer / cool geek like Jiewa, a simple day could be adventurous and fruitful at the same time. It doesn't get better than that.

Smile on, Shine on. 
Fellexandro Ruby
Munch on my tweets @captainruby

God Forever (Original Song)

http://www.youtube.com/v/MiZS1aoJVN8&hl=en&fs=1

There you go, I dared myself to post it after keeping it for myself for a while. Anyway, when I said "I caught it" it means I don't know where this tune came from, my ears just caught it while I was randomly playing. 

I don't think I'm quite a songwriter at this point. I'm letting out my creativity to work. Empty to be filled again (hopefully with new originals). So yeah, I'm doing to the extent of what I can, if anyone can develop it, slip an interlude, revise the lyrics, feel free to let me know and see if we can make it awesome. =) 

Smile on, Shine on

Rubs

Jakartans! We'll Have Our Own MRT!

And so I read the news on Kompas today (click on the picture at the end of the post for complete article) and Jakarta will start building MRT in 2012! What a joy to hear in such a gloomy and dark-weathered Friday. Good news goood newss.

So let me shorten it out for you. Actually the Ministry of Public Work & PT MRT Jakarta has planned out the blueprint (underground tunnels, stations & stops) since 2008. Currently they are finalizing the design expecting to finish end of this year. Will start opening tender for the construction in 2011 and hopefully start building in 2012. The very first line will be from Lebak Bulus all the way to Bundaran HI. The rest of the line is expected to finish by 2016. Yeaaayyy!

Anyway, I don't know if its a coincidence, but earlier this morning on the way to office, I was listening to Ps. Jose's message about Imagining the Un-imaginable (Membayangkan Yang Tidak Terbayangkan) about their vision seeing Indonesia becoming a great nation that not only depending on others help but can also influence other nations. That was their vision years ago, now back to the news, I can see we're going in the right progress, let's put aside speed for a while, maybe its only Jakarta but this is enough to amuse me. Let's pray for the best (you know what this means, supaya tidak hanya berhenti di wacana, tapi berlanjut ke laksana). =)

Smile on, Shine on!
Rubs

Ketika Saya Kesal & Tuhan Menoyor Saya

Selamat Pagi! (atau selamat siang untuk sebagian orang yang sudah terbangun sejak jam 5 pagi)

Pagi tadi saat saya memundurkan mobil saya dari garasi rumah, tepat saat posisinya menyilang di tengah-tengah jalan kakak saya berteriak sebuah teriakan yang merenyuhkan hati. Katanya: "Rub, ban belakangnya tuh bocor!." (renyuh pertama). Seakan-akan belum cukup hati saya diombang-ambing di pagi yang seharusnya ceria dia melanjutkan: "Bocornya PARAH BANGET tuh!". Seakan-akan kata 'parah' belum cukup negatif sampai harus ditambahkan kata 'banget'. (renyuh kedua).

Dengan wajah bercaci-caci, mulut menggampar pintu, tangan menyumpah serapah. Anda pasti bertanya "Ya ampun Rubyy, lebay banget cuma ganti ban aja pake erosi". TUNGGU! Sebelum anda judge coba berhenti dulu. This is my defense, semua dimulai di hari Minggu kemarin yang diakhiri dengan kanvas rem yang aus dan pastinya harus saya ganti. TIDAAAAAAAAKK (suara raungan dompet yang sudah tipis dan terpaksa harus memakai credit card). Akhirnya yah sebagai model lelaki yang dewasa, saya bertanggung-jawab atas semua konsekuensi tindakan saya.

Senin pagi, saya yang seharusnya datang tepat waktu ke kantor (8.30 -red) harus terlambat karena mengantar sang mobil ke bengkel terdekat dan ternyata mobil harus ditinggal sampai sore. Dan saya pun harus memanggil taksi. Dan saya harus menunggu 20 menit untuk taksi itu. Dan setelah di taksi ternyata tol harus macet karena ada kecelakan di kilometer sekian-sekian. Dan dan dan dan (saya tahu saya tidak seharusnya menggunakan dan untuk awal kalimat, tapi yah, WTF) dan dan dan harus membayar ekstra untuk taksi. Dan baru tahu naik taksi dari Pluit ke Kemayoran itu 80 ribu, yaiks isi bensin bisa tahan tiga harii keliling kota. Dan ketika pulang sorenya dan menjemput si mobil terlihatlah tagihan yang bisa mendapatkan saya sebuah HP Samsung Corby (yang bergambar duo Dian Sastro dan Soe Hok Gie itu loh) plus sebuah HP Esia mini (yang garansi setahun tapi biasanya 6 bulan sudah error tapi gengsi dan malas ganti).

Selasa, terjadi kembali hal yang kurang-lebih-kurang sama. Keluar dari rumah sungguh tepat pada waktu namun kembali sampai di kantor terlambat. YES! Karena apa? Another traffic jam karena truk mogok.

Dan Rabu which is today, that thing above happened. Oh iya saya belum bilang kalau saya harus ganti ban dll, dengan keadaan yang sedang sakit pinggang a.k.a HNP. ><

So, dalam perjalanan ke kantor saya bertanya pada Tuhan: "Kenapa sih gue ga bisa ye ngantor on-time. Kenapa berapa hari ini selalu ada aja yang reseh. Maunya Lo apa sih?" (Yes, g and Tuhan g emang sohib, that's how close we are, so don't judge this conversation)

Jawab Dia dengan simple: "The very fact that you're cranky over these small things is the very reason and the very thing that I want you to grow."

Saya: *jlebbbbbb!* *stokedshockedstabbedcramped*

Dan disanapun saya diingatkan (lagi), Tuhan gak tertarik mengubah keadaan, Dia lebih pengen mengubah gua. Hal-hal seperti ban bocor, macet, atau contoh-contoh lain seperti mobil mogok, hujan besar, macet karena tabrakan, dan sejuta hal kecil yang mengganggu lainnya pasti bakal datang dan akan datang di waktu yang tidak terduga. Tujuannya satu: untuk membuat kita tersenyum. Kenapa tersenyum? Yes, tersenyum karena tahu masih ada Dia yang mengijinkan hal itu terjadi untuk menumbuhkan kita. Dan tersenyum karena hal hal seperti itu sudah tidak punya kendali lagi terhadap mood kita. Semoga anda tersenyum setelah membaca tulisan singkat ini. (SINGKAT!??? Muke gileee lo singkat <--- my alter ego speaking) Atau paling tidak tersenyum ketika suatu hari hal-hal yg rese mendatangi anda dan anda pun teringat tulisan ini.

If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size? ~Sydney J. Harris

Smile on, Shine on!
Rubs
(follow me on twitter @captainruby, I promise I won't be cranky =p)

[Photo] Show Me Your Friends & I'll Show You Your Future

My pastors have always been reminding the statement above. For me it has grown more than just a statement, I've been living it for quite some time now. I've seen how much I've grown with my new circle of friends. Here's some of them. People who are passionate about what they do that their work has become an outgrow of who they are. People who are fighter. People who are dependable. They have influenced me so much in many positive ways. Let me introduce them in order of appearance.

Henry Gerson -- He was already an editor-in-chief of Nu:B Magazine when he was still pursuing his study in university. Been working with him on developing creative concept for videos. An amazing writer, he once pulled on four episodes of script in a night. Have a look at his thoughts and musings here http://henrygerson.blogspot.com or http://henrygerson.tumblr.com

Cathrine -- A great business woman and a rising entrepreneur at a very young age. Now in charge of her own logistic company collaborating with one of the biggest logistic service company in the world. A tirelessly fun, brave, and warm person. You might bump into her 20 feet under the water among the fishes with her underwater camera and oxygen tube. Find her creativeworks here http://sunwithcameras.tumblr.com

Andrea Sharon -- An interior designer by major. A passionately creative person overall. Her products developed for one design show has granted her sold out stocks and a trip to Paris to observe the city of art and to represent Indonesia with her creative product. Her attention to details (or OCD as i might recall) superbly support her as contributor to Living Etc. magazine. I wish I have her eye, the way she see things is just extraordinary. Proof? Here: http://wonderealand.tumblr.com

Silfi Aprilia -- Einstein said "I'm not a genius, im just passionately curious". Ha! This girl is just passionately curious about styling and make-ups. A very expressive, friendly, and fun person, you would enjoy every second of having yourself styled and pampered by her make-up skills. She's on her way to the top.

Claudia Veiling -- While others enjoying a nice weekend, she stayed at home finishing the work her boss' assigned to her. Simple truth about dedication, commitment, and passion. With her fun and joyful upbringing she's always at the end of our chain-of-fun-teasing-and-mockery. Haha. We love her though. A collector of papers, you might want to share stuff with her one day.

Monic Christian -- Elegant. She'll probably be the closest mother figure among us at this moment. In fact, o wait. I shouldn't be too frank. A warm person, I didn't remember our first meeting, I just remember we become friends right away. A generous person and such a supportive friends. You would want her to be around all the time.

Everyone -- There's a drummer, there's a top banker, there's everyone above.

To friends that are not featured here (yet) you know you're as precious as them to me. You just happen to miss the photo session. HAHA. Otherwise you'll be here. And from me, photography is one of the things I'm passionate about. Here's my way of contributing. I know I'm circled with the right crowd who could inspire and support me. How about you? Show me your friends and I'll show you your future.

Smile on. Shine on!
Rubs

See the full gallery on posterous