Jum’at malam, malam macet se-Jakarta. Ditambah lagi, hujan lebat beberapa jam sebelumnya menyebabkan sebuah pohon rubuh. Tapi, perjalanan panjang dari kantor menuju rumah mesti ditempuh. Pipis sebelum berangkat, siapkan snack dan air… off I go….

18:11 – Berangkat dari kantor

18:19 – Bundaran kecil Pondok Indah arah deplu macet, jadi diputuskan lewat BCA yang baru saja

18:25 – Putar halauan, karena arah gedung BCA pun macet lebih panjang. Akhirnya ikut antri di arah deplu

18:37 – 12 menit dr bunderan kecil pondok indah-deplu, much better dari lewat gedung BCA

18:55 – 18 menit dr underpass deplu sampe pertigaan pizza hut bintaro, macet berat

19:09 – menurut gps: 9.8 km to destination, 1.5 km to gintung, ciputat

19:28 – ciputat, finally, 20 menit untuk 1.5km = 4.5 km/jam. Thanks to jalan rusak didekat Sandratex

19:34 – Legoso, ternyata arah Ciputat arah Lebak Bulus macetnya dari sini

19:40 – 3.5 km away from home, lancar jaya

19:49 – Sampai di rumah…. 1 jam 38 menit untuk 15 km

Not bad… untuk sebuah Jum’at dimana alam semesta berkoalisi untuk membuat Jakarta macet

I started this blog 6 years ago. Part of it is to serve as picture of life in words, other is to practice my English writing skill, which is why almost all my posts are in English.

The blog has served its purpose. Skimming to couple of posts, I can watch my life as if watching it on DVD. My English has also much improved, which is proved by approval of my travel blog to join Lonely Planet’s Blogsherpa. I’ve also got more chance to practice my English at work, since I mostly works with foreigner.

Now, as life unfolds, I decided to write it in my mother tongue, Bahasa Indonesia. It is the perfect time, with so many Indonesian become more connected to other media. I’m proud to be part of this young generation, the most creative one I can tell since the renaissance era.

Sampai jumpa in Bahasa….

Don’t get me wrong. I’m as proud as the other with the appointment of Sri Mulyani Indrawati as Managing Director of World Bank Group. As with other, I also feel the lost of such great woman, yet it proof that Indonesian does not lack of great people. And I also curse those people who accuse her running away from corruption investigation. If it is true, it will be the most elegant way to avoid investigation, rather that sick, or even worse, sudden amnesia.

But her as Indonesian President? Wait a second, I won’t suddenly agree with this.

Why don’t we nominate Rudy Hartono, winners of 8 All England Trophy, or Icuk Sugiarto, Susi Susanti or Alan Budikusuma as our Minister of Youth and Sports? Or those who has traveled across Indonesia as ministry of tourism? For sure, he/she will know Indonesia’s great tourist  spots better than the current minister, right?

I don’t think SMI should run for presidency in 2014, at least not now. Being a president would require more than just excellent financial experience, similar like Minister of sports have to know more than doing sports, or Minister of Tourism to know more than traveling and tourist spots.

It is the communication and leadership that has to be proven. Skill to communicate effectively, and in a tactical way. Negotiating at a bigger scale of a nation. All this might be more important for a leader at a country level.

Besides, you won’t ask all the great people to be your foster parents, or do you?

“So, what’s next”, I popped the question to her.

We are getting married in 3 weeks, in the first month of 2010. And marriage is not the end. It is a beginning of a new chapter in life, and we definitely don’t want to spoil it. There should be another great thing after marriage other than making babies.

That evening, we created our new bucket list. Not the list to be done in 2010, but a far greater list of what we want after the wedding. Some we wish to cross off  during the year, other might took years to complete. The list so far:

1. A travel book and travel literature library, with attached coffee shop. Travelers are free to read the travel guides and literature over a cup of coffee and plate of snacks. We will keep a corner for ourself, for us to write our travel story
2. To relive the nomad live, to live and work at a new city, country for at least 3-5 years before moving on. City list so far: Singapore, Melbourne, London
3. To be able to work and make money at anytime, anywhere
4. To have her own regular column about travel, architecture and food
5. To have a furniture shop featuring works of non-famous designer. New designer with great talent but little opportunity will have the chance to feature their works.
6. To travel round-the-world, fly to the east

Happy New Year 2010, hope that you cross off many things in 2009, and add even more in your bucket list for 2010

In less than 120 minutes, 2009 will become past, and 2010 will become present. They said count your blessings to be grateful. I’m grateful for this years, I feel blessed….

1. At the end of January, I was accepted at new company.
2. February, not long after 1 year anniversary, she said: I Do
3. March marks my first day at my new company
4. In May, I’m officially home owner – or land owner to be exact
5. In November, we are officially engaged
6. Closing the year in December, I traveled to Vietnam

All in all, 2009 has been a great year. I might not achieve all my goals this year, but just by counting my blessing, I know I will have another great year in 2010….

Happy New Year….