The weather in Bandung hasn't been very friendly this past week. For the last few days thunder storms have resulted in flood and street damages everywhere in the city. Some of our students couldn't even come to the lesson because a huge tree had fallen across one of the main streets on Wednesday. Luckily, it hasn't rained cats and dogs in two days. But even as I'm writing now, the temperature has gone down to the point where I need to wear socks and a thick sweater even after all the windows have been shut.
It doesn't really matter how the weather is, though, because despite the downpour, it has been a good and exciting week. First, my big sister got married yesterday! It was also the first time I became a bridesmaid, and my, being in charge of the wedding dress was much more tiresome than I had thought! The party went well, the food served tasted better than it had been at the food testing two weeks earlier, and I was excited to meet my big family, my mom's old friends and, unexpectedly, an ex-student I haven't seen in years, who turned out to be one of the dancers. It was so good to see them again. I only wish that I had had more time to catch up with them. I did manage to find time to take some shots with my dad and my other sister before the party, though.
I also hung out with one of my best friends, Nat, last Sunday. We had a great lunch at my favorite cafe, and afterwards, a nice afternoon walk and chat in the nearby mall. And we bought books! I bought two, out of a few I was tempted to buy. The first one is the first book of Supernova by a great Indonesian author, Dee. I read the novel for the first time when I was still a teenager and borrowed it from a local book rental, but never finished it. Now that I have bought the book, I will enjoy the whole story, and maybe buy the sequels. The second book I bought was the latest work by my favorite author Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra, which I have wanted to buy since last year. I couldn't resist but to read it as soon as I got home and finish it overnight. The book, as it is with any of Coelho's work, is an inspiration and wisdom wrapped in delight. A highly-recommended book for anyone. Here I insert an excerpt of the book as was introduced in the author's blog:
Does a leaf, when it falls from the tree in winter, feel defeated by the cold?
The tree says to the leaf: ‘That’s the cycle of life. You may think you’re going to die, but you live on in me. It’s thanks to you that I’m alive, because I can breathe. It’s also thanks to you that I have felt loved, because I was able to give shade to the weary traveller. Your sap is in my sap, we are one thing.’
Does a man who spent years preparing to climb the highest mountain in the world feel defeated on reaching that mountain and discovering that nature has cloaked the summit in storm clouds? The man says to the mountain: ‘You don’t want me this time, but the weather will change and, one day, I will make it to the top. Meanwhile, you’ll still be here waiting for me.’
Does a young man, rejected by his first love, declare that love does not exist? The young man says to himself: ‘I’ll find someone better able to understand what I feel. And then I will be happy for the rest of my days.’
Losing a battle or losing everything we thought we possessed will bring us moments of sadness, but when those moments pass, we will discover the hidden strength that exists in each of us, a strength that will surprise us and increase our self-respect.
Wait patiently for the right moment to act. Do not let the next opportunity slip.
Take pride in your scars. Scars are medals branded on the flesh, and your enemies will be frightened by them because they are proof of your long experience of battle. Often this will lead them to seek dialogue and avoid conflict.
Scars speak more loudly than the sword that caused them.
Another of my best friends, Silvia, is coming back home for holiday during her master study in China. I haven't seen her in over two years, and this time, we have promised to hang out, also with Nat, just like the old college days! It's been such a long time since the three of us got together, and I'm so excited!
I also got a chance for another movie with a friend on Thursday. It was Jackie Chan's latest action movie, Police Story 2013, which is entertaining despite a few scenes of long conversations and its absence of comedy.
I am now going to enjoy the rest of the night reading over a cup of hot chocolate, and maybe also staying up late, as tomorrow is Maulud, which is a national holiday. Just before I end this post, let me share with you another interesting thing - or two. This time, it deals with photography. Thanks to Instagram, I got amazing pics to kill the time with while waiting for a make-over before the wedding party yesterday. These two are my favorite:
Wishing you an exciting week as well,
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