The Leap of Confidence

It is often said that when learning a new language, a good test of one's language skills is going to the saloon. Mis-speak and weeks, or even months, of hard work might be gone in a matter of seconds. One would also have to put up with the damage for a long time to come.

Jeremiah is proud to share that he had gone to a saloon in Indonesia speaking only Bahasa Indonesia and survived the cut.

The damage for a cut and wash and head massage in the local-equivalent of Kimage? US$5.

Candi Borobudur

Situated some 40km northwest of Yogjakarta is the Borobudur complex, a 9th century Buddhist monument that is also Indonesia's most popular tourist destination.  Consisting of a main temple - Cantd Borobudur - ringed by hundreds of smaller temples (though not all manged to withstand the test of time) in a picturesque landscape dotted by padi fields and volcanic peaks, the Borobudur complex was once a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists coming from as far as China and India.

Built from over 1 million stone blocks without the use of modern construction technology - no cement was used for example, Candi Borobudur is the final leg of the pilgrimage.  The pilgrims would have crossed numerous hills and a river bare-footed, made their way through the various surrounding temples and more importantly, seen and internalised the relief panels where numerous Buddhist parables are inscribed. A pilgrimage would range anywhere from three weeks to three years.

Awaiting them, and the modern visitor today, at Cand i Borobudur are over 2,000 more intricately-crafted relief panels which recount the life story of the Buddha.  Built on a hilltop and crowned by a main dome on the top platform that is surrounded by 72 stupas containing Buddhas inside, Canti Borobudur is a majestic site beyond description.  Jeremiah would let his photos do the talking.

 A post modernist artistic Buddha statue on display at the crafts museum at Borobudur

沒那麼簡單

While watching MTV the other day, Jeremiah came across this unforgetable song, which he first heard at Lunar. The song has been a hit and looks set to become an evergreen. It has a memorable tune and very, very meaningful lyrics (see below). A translate courtesy of Goggle Translate is also appended. The translation looks looney but you can get the gist. Enjoy!


沒那麼簡單 歌詞
作詞：姚若龍
作曲：蕭煌奇

沒那麼簡單 就能找到 聊得來的伴
尤其是在 看過了那麼多的背叛
總是不安 只好強悍
誰謀殺了我的浪漫

沒那麼簡單 就能去愛 別的全不看
變得實際 也許好也許壞各一半
不愛孤單 一久也習慣
不用擔心誰 也不用被誰管

感覺快樂就忙東忙西
感覺累了就放空自己
別人說的話 隨便聽一聽 自己作決定
不想擁有太多情緒
一杯紅酒配電影
在周末晚上 關上了手機 舒服窩在沙發裡

相愛沒有那麼容易 每個人有他的脾氣
過了愛作夢的年紀 轟轟烈烈不如平靜
幸福沒有那麼容易 才會特別讓人著迷
什麼都不懂的年紀
曾經最掏心 所以最開心 曾經

沒那麼簡單 就能去愛 別的全不看
變得實際 也許好也許壞各一半
不愛孤單 一久也習慣
不用擔心誰 也不用被誰管

感覺快樂就忙東忙西
感覺累了就放空自己
別人說的話 隨便聽一聽 自己作決定
不想擁有太多情緒
一杯紅酒配電影
在周末晚上 關上了手機 舒服窩在沙發裡

相愛沒有那麼容易 每個人有他的脾氣
過了愛作夢的年紀 轟轟烈烈不如平靜
幸福沒有那麼容易 才會特別讓人著迷
什麼都不懂的年紀
曾經最掏心 所以最開心 曾經

相愛沒有那麼容易 每個人有他的脾氣
過了愛作夢的年紀 轟轟烈烈不如平靜
幸福沒有那麼容易 才會特別讓人著迷
什麼都不懂的年紀
曾經最掏心 所以最開心 曾經
想念最傷心 但卻最動心 的記憶

===========================

Not That Simple
Authors: Yao Ruolong
Composer: Xiao Huangqi


It is not easy to find someone who is easy to get along with
Especially seen so much betrayal
Always disturbed only powerful
Who murdered my romance

Not so easy to love others can not see the whole
Perhaps the good may become bad the actual half
Love alone is not long accustomed to
Who do not have to worry about whom tube

Feel happy on the busy busy West East
Feeling tired, they emptied their
Others say casually listen to their own decisions
Do not want to have too many emotions
A glass of red wine with movies
Weekend night and shut the phone comfortable nest on the sofa

Love is not so easy that everyone has his temper
After a vigorous love to dream with as calm
Happiness will not be easy particularly fascinating
With no knowledge
Cutting was the most heart it was the most fun

Not so easy to love others can not see the whole
Maybe good maybe bad actually get the half
Love alone is not long accustomed to
Who do not have to worry about whom tube

Feel happy on the busy busy West East
Feeling tired, they emptied their
Others say casually listen to their own decisions
Do not want to have too many emotions
A glass of red wine with movies
In the weekend evenings on the phone off the sofa comfortable nest

Love is not so easy that everyone has his temper
After a vigorous love to dream with as quiet
Happiness will not be easy especially fascinating
What age did not know
Cutting has been the most happiest ever heart so

Not so easy to love everyone has his temper
After a vigorous love to dream with as calm
Happiness will not be easy especially fascinating
What age did not know
Cutting was the most heart it was the most fun
But they miss the most sad memory of the most inviting

Culinary Capital of Java

Yogja is touted as the culinary capital of Java, and, according to some, Indonesia. Good food from all parts of Indonesia can be easily found in Yogja for a steal. Want some exotic food? No problem. Just the other day, Jeremiah chanced upon a small eating house touting its speciality "Mie Dog-dog". It sure looks tempting!

Stirred, Not Shaken

If you are one of the lucky few who have received coffee in the mail from Jeremiah, here's a guide to brewing kopi tubruk ("collision coffee) the Javanese/Balinese way:

(a) Open the box of coffee.
(b) Put two spoonfuls of the coffee grinds (and sugar if desired) into a cup.
(c) Add boiling water to the cup, cover the cup and let it stew for a few minutes.
(d) According to some, if still uncooked, the coffee grinds will float on the surface.
(e) The final product is a coffee suspension. The traditional Indonesian way of consuming kopi tubruk is to drink the coffee together with the grinds. The suspension is stirred from time to time to prevent the grinds from settling at the bottom.
(f) Selamat menikmati.
(g) Remember to close the box of coffee.
(h) Say thanks to Jeremiah the next time you see him and better still, send him some bah kwa.