Vesak Day

On May 25th, we celebrate Vesak Day. It's one of the most major celebration and important day for the Buddhist. If I wrap it up in much simpler words, "It's like the Christmas for the Buddhist."

I can't say that I'm a good Buddhist. I don't go to the Vihara (place to worship for Buddhist) often. In fact, I only visit the Vihara on the Vesak Day. When I was much younger, I went to Vihara with my dad and sis, and we followed the ceremony procession.
(Even though I would complained that the procession took too long and I begged my dad to took us home because I was hungry. Well, I was a kid back then!)

But nowadays, I skip the whole ceremony, procession, prayers, the whole thing. I no it sound bad, but I get annoyed with large crowd. But hey, at least I still have my heart and time reserved to give my prayers.
I believe no matter where you are, as long as you have the heart and faith, you can always pray.
This is not my excuse!

On this year Vesak Day, as usual, the biggest celebration is held at Vihara Dharmakirti. Probably, the biggest Vihara here in Palembang.

The exterior of Vihara Dharmakirti

Once arrived, first I went to the small Buddha statue that been placed with altar in the front yard. People will burn 3 incenses and then use it to pray facing the Buddha statue, after that I sticked the incenses on the big bowl (not actually 'bowl' but I can't find the exact words) filled with sands.

The rather 'smaller' Buddha statue in the front yard

Then I went through the left side of the building, there is this small alley filled with people, literally! It was so crowded even the ceremony already ended. Plus, that's the only way to reach the main hall.

Along the alley, there is another small Buddha statue with a lot of small stupas on the altar. There is also lots of candles placed on the right and left side. If I'm not mistaken, this is the praying corner dedicated to the family members that already passed away. Usually, each of the candle represent the deceased family member.

The altar with Buddha statue, small stupas, and candles. Dedicated for the deceased family members

After fighting through the sea of people in the alley, I made it to the back side to reach the main hall. The main hall located a bit in the back side. The main hall is really spacious. It's indoor, and it's much cooler than the outside. It has 3 big Buddha statues in gold. I felt quite serene once I stepped in, even there were numbers of people there. 

Everybody who wants to go in, is forbid to burn and bring incenses here. We have to take out our shoes too. People usually pray, or do some chanting, or meditate, or just sit around.
I spent some time here, pray and have a moment there. Took some pictures because I think it's just so beautiful.

Entrance to the main hall

The interior of the main hall

The 3 Buddhas

From the main hall, looking out

The coordinator of the Vihara had provide free lunch for the visitors. They put the food in the way back of the field, and you have to somewhat go down the stairs. I didn't get the food there, because there were way too many people.

This way down to the free lunch

Visitors, enjoying lunch and catching up with friends and families

Oh hey, there's a pagoda too! But I'm just too lazy to climb up

And after that, I headed back home.

This event is a yearly thing that I always try to keep up. The celebration definitely is different from when I was younger. Back then it felt much "conservative", while I think nowadays is much more "lively" and attracts more younger crowds. 

If you are not locals, but happen to visit Palembang during the Vesak celebration (usually it's on the month of May), please join and blend in. You don't have to be a Buddhist. Just feel the experience to get a glance of different side of our people.

Until next year!

"I think Palembang is..."

I spoke to few foreigners who visited Palembang, some for working purpose, some for leisure.
Almost 90% of them said "I think Palembang is nice" when I asked how do they think about this city.

Well, I think they are just being nice to us as locals. The point is, they live in here temporarily and of course they don't want to offend anyone because of their subjective opinion.

I honestly don't like this city. Not hating it. I can't completely hating it since I was born and raised here. I have my beloved parents, my family, and lovely house.

I don't like it because, it lacks of entertainment, probably that's the most reason for me. If I try to dine out, I get less options on the places to go. I only watch movies from 1 cinema in the town. I only go to 1 to 2 malls in here. And we finally have Starbucks in 2013.

I experienced that the way local people joke to each other is somewhat rude. I hung out few times with several dudes that went to same high school with me. And all that I can say is, I'm not going to hang out with them anymore.
The way they talk and joke around, it almost feel like they have to offend someone. I personally think they are not grown up enough.
(Which this topic will lead to the mentality of local people think about getting married at the young age but still like to 'have fun' even they already have kids.)

Local people here, like to bump their body into yours! Seriously! Even the space next to them is still big enough for them to dodge, they just don't want to. They have to hit your shoulder, at least.
And this is the least thing I can tolerate, because I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE SCRUBBING ME WITH NO REASON ESPECIALLY STRANGERS!

You'll probably think that my reason is very naive and selfish. But if you have been living abroad, in those modern city, like San Francisco, New York, LA, Tokyo, Singapore, etc. you'll know that my reasons make a thousand senses.

So, for those foreigners (esp. who live to work here in Palembang), please please please, tell me your HONEST opinion about Palembang!
And if you are scared that your honest opinion is going to upset some people, feel free to spill it out at my e-mail, fjutamulia(at)gmail(dot)com.

It's my Birthday!

It's officially May 17 here in Indonesia (UTC+7). I'm officially 30 this year. Yes, it's my Birthday. Good times is just getting started! :-)

Many of young women whined that being 30 is such a big deal. First, most of them thinks "I'm old". Second, some of them thinks being 30 means your wrinkle starts to show up. Third, some of the singles are getting terrified by not married yet.

Well, I want to take a deep breath and enjoying my golden 30 moment.

First, I don't mind being 30 since nothing I can do about to undone it. Plus, most likely people cannot tell my real age. Most of them always thinks that I'm younger actually. (Not mean to brag, but seriously, it's true)

Second, I think I'm in a good hand of protecting my skin. My mom gives and teaches me to use really good products to prevent those wrinkles. So, thanks a bunch Mom!

Third, I'm still single. Yes, sometimes it feels suck, especially when all of your girl friends are either married or in a relationship. But I don't want the loneliness to become a desperate reason and action for me to find just any guys out there.
I believe one day I'll find it. But until then, let's enjoy what I have at the moment!

So, cheers to the great 30!

It's May!

Oh My God, it's May already?
I spent the first week of May at Jakarta. Same routine like every visits to Jakarta, but much shorter this time. Usually me & my parents spend a week there. But since my sister is sick, so we decided to cut the trip short. Which I don't really mind.

Got back home early, play with the pups, life is good!

Another thing about May, and it's extra special this year because:

1. MY BIRTHDAY, HELL YEAH! 
Yep. It's my 30th birthday this year. I'm not feeling old at all, except few sore in here and there, ha!
Well time sure does fly, isn't it? And suddenly I'm 30. Usually, my aunties will say something like, "What? You already 30? I feel like you were still 17 last year!".
Believe it or not, I'm 30!
(Although I really want to be back to 21...)

2. Star Trek: Into Darkness opens in theater during the week of my birthday.
F-yeah! What a great way to celebrate it with one of my most anticipated movie.

3. Heard that there's a Mexican Food Festival for the whole month in Novotel Palembang.
Mexican food? Really? In Palembang? Never heard in ages that someone is going to introduce Mexican food to our community. In fact, most of Palembang-ers only know tacos. And probably, they don't even know it's Mexican.
But I heard that they're not going to have burrito, which is pretty sad. Out of all of Mexican food, I'm craving for burrito the most.

Of course, I do hope the month of May will turn up even better than my list above.
^_^

Failed Attempt on Tasting The First High Tea.

I heard the so much hyped about this place called "Brava Parlour" at Arista Hotel, Palembang.
My friend was there last month, and told me the ambience is so cool, almost like Social House at Grand Indonesia, Jakarta.
So, I'm thinking, this place gotta be dope, right?

I searched online about the place, and apparently it's mentioned that they got "TEA TIME".
And once I saw that word.. TEA TIME. I immediately got excited. My mind is imagining about the afternoon tea that I had at Lovejoy's, Crown & Crumpets, and Rotunda at San Francisco, and also TWG Salon at Singapore.

Here's a brief explanation about "tea time". People around the world usually called it with several names; tea time, high tea, or afternoon tea.
Here are some descriptions that I cited from Wikipedia ('cos I'm too lazy to summon the descriptions in my own words);

• Afternoon tea or low tea is a small meal snack typically eaten between 4 pm and 6 pm. Observance of the custom originated amongst the wealthy classes in England in the 1840s.
• Traditionally, loose tea is brewed in a teapot and served with milk and sugar. 
• For laborers, the tea was sometimes accompanied by a small sandwich or baked snack (such as scones) that had been packed for them in the morning. For the more privileged, afternoon tea was accompanied by luxury ingredient sandwiches (customarily cucumber, egg and cress, fish paste, ham, and smoked salmon), scones (with clotted cream and jam) and usually cakes and pastries.
• In hotels and tea shops the food is often served on a tiered stand; there may be no sandwiches, but bread or scones with butter or margarine and optional jam or other spread, or toast, muffins or crumpets.

A few pictures of afternoon tea meals that I had before;

Afternoon tea usually comes with snacks/finger foods type of meal as the companion with the tea.

(Rotunda - Neiman Marcus, San Francisco)

It's usually served in two or three tier of serving. The savory and sweets are placed accordingly. 

(Crown & Crumpets, San Francisco)

Finger (mini) sandwiches.

(Lovejoy's Tearoom, San Francisco)

Now with the expectations according to the above pictures, of course I'm pretty excited to go to Brava, meet my girls, and have a wonderful tea time.

As I walked in, the ambience is nice. Not crowded at all (in fact, nobody's there, ha!). And they played a smooth jazz music which is perfect for relaxing and a long chat time with friends.

I grab a seat with my girls, and the nice lady came to us, offering their menu. I quickly asked about the tea time, and apparently.... SHE'S CONFUSED! What the... 

So I have to described it again, the so-called "tea time" that they promoted in their website. And the lady said that THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PROMO YET ON THE TEA TIME.

Why the heck you put it on your website if you don't have it at all? Then she offered other "promotion" about getting a main course dish, with free tea or coffee, et cetera. NO! I WANT MY AFTERNOON TEA! *sobs*

But to wipe away my disappointment was rather quick. Their "tea mudd" is quite good. I order the kiwi tea mudd, which basically is tea infused with chopped of kiwi fruit. It's refreshing. And after a long and great chat with the girls, I didn't really think about the tea time anymore.

But what I really hope is, they're going to bring the afternoon tea to their menu. If they're not going to, better delete that section on their website. Rather than giving a prospect customers a false hope.

Or maybe I should open my own afternoon tea place?

When you are right in the middle of THAT situation.

I guess when I grow older, I don't make a lot of friends as many as when I was in high school or college.
Even worse, some close friends turn out as foes through complicated matters and conflicts.
And maybe it's myself who like to set myself apart from those "reunion". For example; when I met one of my high school friend in the mall, I recognize him right away, and I know he's kind of questioning himself "Wait, is that...". But I discourage myself from saying "Hi" to him. I acted like I didn't know him at all.
Maybe based on that attitude, people starting to pull themselves away from me.

I think I personally try to avoid those cliche questions;
"What do you do now?",
"Have you married?",
"Why haven't you got married? Oh you must be really choosy when picking boyfriend!",
"You don't have boyfriend? Liar!",
And the typical of conversations with locals in Palembang who like to brag about their business;
"My job is....",
"I know this governor, that general, this coal mine boss",
"I made $$$ this month. How about you?"
Usually when I start to hear that kind of conversation, I feel I want to run away and hide.

And my recent confrontation was with a long lost "frenemy" (frien-enemy) that I've been trying to avoid to meet.
I know we live in the same city. I know apparently we'll meet each other one day. But, oh-my-Lord, why it had to be on that day?
The conversation went awkward, well, for me. And I could tell that I was putting a fake smile in my face.
I don't really know if he know our situation, but I think he's just too ignorant to know that I actually not so fond of him (anymore).
But thanks God it didn't last for too long. I got off from the scene and liberated myself.
Now I hope that I don't have to meet him again.

Mean? Probably I am. It's something personal to me. Yeah, I'm the kind of person who's rather picky in making friends.
But don't we're all like that? I mean, you can't befriended all of the human in this universe, right?

Feeling old now.

I'm not becoming any younger for sure. Looks might deceiving, as many people can't really tell my real age (uh-huh!). But it does reflect on my attitude and what I feel inside.

I get irritated easily with people around me, including my family members. Simple little things annoyed me. And when I get annoyed, I simply burst out of anger. I feel that my toleration level is become thinner than before.
I remember during my junior high time, one of my friend told me that I always smiled at every situation even it's not a nice one. She said that I looked like I didn't have any burden at all in my life.
Well, as time passes by, I wish I still can put that kind of face.

My body, that's another thing. I feel that my bones can't take much heavy pressure as before. Not to mention that I had to suffer from sciatica (back pain) in 2011. And my right knee has this kind of thing that hurts if I sit for too long.
Even I was much over weight back then, I feel that I'm not as quick as before. But lately, I discover that  when it comes to exercise, I begin to love the sport that I hated before, running.
I'm not talking a running in a marathon matter, but more to small run in the thread mill.

Honestly, I'm a pretty lazy person. I don't find sport is a fun thing to do. Slap me in the butt, but yeah...
Hopefully, I'll do more running.