End of Lebaran

For most people here, Hari Raya here begins with fasting for a month prior to the actual day and a week of celebrations after. During the week of celebrations, most people leave Jakarta to go back to their hometowns and Jakarta becomes quiet and roads emptied. Definitely the best time to explore the city.

And during this holiday, I had enjoyed golf with my good friend Kevin; baked many cookies and bread; and hit the gym frequently.

Though my scores have stayed consistent, I am getting more and more pars. And thanks to tips from friends (Ms Kathleen G.), we are better able to bake cookies that look good and taste good. In fact, Ms Nani W. thinks that they are good enough to be sold! And amazingly, with all these cookies (and thanks to the gym), my abdominal lump is slowly disintegrating into smaller pieces (still on schedule).



Nice course in Bogor.

Lost, and Found

Wife asked for headphones so that she could go gym. But headphones could not be found alongside my handphone.

Then the revelation. Last night, I had left the phone with the headphones in the gym locker and returned the keys!

Upstairs, phone could not be found. Manager (same one as last night) mentioned that he had locked up without checking (I believe him as I saw them locking up while I was waiting for the lift). Records stated a Hxxxx-san (japanese) on 15th floor who had used the same locker this morning. Manager also heard from a cleaner that nothing was found this morning; and that usually, found items are kept in a particular drawer.

Back downstairs, I searched house the third time. M. Phua suggested that I search for the SIM card in vicinity where phone is lost as usually, that is gotten rid of first.

I thought: the phone cannot be lost. There are only 3 parties who had come across the locker. 1. Manager last night (but he looked genuine in the search) 2. Hxxx-san (that's a rich jap and he has no need for such spare cash); which leaves 3. Cleaner this morning

Went up again. Informed receptionist that I am free today and asked for help to make a police report right away. She mentioned Manager will come and help. When he came up, he made a call, and informed that the phone had been found. The cleaner who had found it had kept it safely in a drawer in the staff pantry upstairs as it is safer than the "Found" drawer.

Case closed.

Post Earthquake Interviews

This is the day-postearthquake.

A summary of interviews and observations from yesterday.

Me: Can you please tell us about your experience of the earthquake yesterday?

Wife: I was lying in bed, about to fall asleep with Greg when the bed rocked. I thought Sri (domestic helper) was trying to mop under the bed. Then, I heard noises and saw large amounts of water (from the swimming pool upstairs) splashing outside the windows. I got out of the room and saw Sri shouting "Tolong, Tolong!" (Help! Help!) and had her head banged against the wall as she couldn't stand properly. I knew at once it had to be an earthquake. But I thought the house was going to collapse and that we were going to die due to the noises, violent shakings and waterworks. So I thought we had to run. I opened the door, ran outside, and realised that I was not properly dressed. So I ran back, redressed and ran out of the house carrying a tin of Greg's milkpowder, then we....

Me: Ok, we need to pause for a commercial break. When we come back, we'll interview Greg..

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Some call it Island of the Gods, others call it God of the Islands. Wherever it is, it is near you. Come to XXX now.
This message is brought to you by YYY, a ZZZ company.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Me: Thank you, our next guest is Greg. Greg, could you please tell us about the quake?

Greg: Nge Nge, bao bao, ar groor gowl, nana, ummph.

Me: Translator?

Translator: Quake, what quake? Don't disturb me when I'm reading my papers.



Footnote: Author notices something peculiar, that happened purely out of coincidence. The headlines of the paper was "Quake rattles Java killing 32 and damaging 1300 homes" but Greg happened to fold it to read something like "Quake rattles James 32".

Earthquake, again!

Just when I thought i had nothing to blog...

An earthquake of a magnitude of 7 on the richter scale struck the island of Java, which Jakarta is in.

I was in the lift. At that moment, it shook violently. A quick thinking fella pressed "open" and we managed to get out at the moment the lift electricity died. Phew! I could have been stuck inside for a long time.

Outside the 31st floor, people crouched on the floor and prayed. I was surprised to see such panic and some were clearly shaken (and almost crying). Afterall, this is unlikely the first earthquake that they had experienced. Still, I felt silly for being the "brave" one standing upright and walking around looking for the stairs.

The flight of stairs down was long, crowded and suffocating. Pregnant women were stuck at lower floors and fanned as they had no more strength to go down.

Issue 1: Staircases cannot accomodate an evacuating crowd

Downstairs, phones were unable to call out. Probably airwaves were jammed due to too much calls.

Issue 2: All telcos suck.

I heard a "crick" now that I am back to the office on the 43rd floor. Better run..

Greg and Friends

Lawrence and his family came to visit during the Independence Day (Indonesia) weekend and we had a wonderful time in Bandung and Jakarta. Megan is getting prettier and she's so articulate. Greg had been greatly inspired by Justin (Megan's older brother) and her antics that he started babbling more words than usual now.

I was left with a bout of "Stomach Flu" (doctors claim no such term medically) after they left. Probably was unclean roadside food on the way to Bandung. Stubbornly, I did "self-treatment", got worse, and had to see a doc last weekend.

However, with ill health, I had lost 2kg in the last week, which trimmed my tummy and now puts me ahead of schedule to achieve 6 packs before Christmas 2009.

Greg's "frenemy" Jennifer loves to fight with him. Though 3 months younger, she is heavier and bigger than Greg. It's lovely to watch them play and fight at the same time.

Gregory speaks up

I am upset. Because I was called "evasive" in the previous blog. Hence, I am writing to refute those accusations that I am "somewhat arrogant" and dismiss claims that I don't care about you, my fans.

Please understand that I have a busy schedule with many functions and events to attend. Short of autographing (I can't write yet), I have to be hugged, praised and kissed. Basically, to look good, so as not to disappoint you, my fans out there.

That is why I spend much time in the gym, perfecting my poise.

Let me just share with you how much time that takes, and how hardwork that is.

First, I have to measure my height and weight. Without tracking, how would we know of our progress?

Too many machines, I'm lost at which one to use.

Usually, I'll begin with the treadmill.

Then some light weights.



Reverse bench press.



And finally some Yoga.

But why is it that despite all these trainings, I still cannot get my finger out of the tumbler.

Declaration of Short Term Goal

My blogger friend persuaded me to blog today.

But without an inspiration, it is difficult. My sis and friends suggested that I feature more of Greg and his photos (he's more popular than me since his guest blogging debut). Unfortunately, it is hard to capture his photos because he is evasive and seldom grants an interview.

"Buddy" Eric mentioned 3 weeks ago during golf that he is a very fortunate person. Because he has achieved most of what he set out to achieve, such as traveling round the world etc. And he decided that we should set out to play par at golf once in our lifetime as our "worldly target". I dismissed that. One needs to turn "near-pro" to achieve that and I don't have the time.

At that Korean BBQ gathering with the gang of sixteen, there was the elder Lukito. She lost much weight (positively).

Then, people say that if we openly declare our goals, we are more likely to stick to it and friends will "pressure" you to achieve it.

With these three thoughts in mind, I am declaring my goal to achieve prominent six packs by Christmas 2009.

I am currently 61.5kg, waist 31inches, no packs in sight and spare handles at side of approximately 5cm thick (if i had calipers to measure). However, I had started going to the gym with Greg since two weeks ago. I have also not been eating out for lunch for half a year, by depending on wife's home-cooked food that is sent to me at noon daily.

To achieve this target, I simply have to carry on what I am doing now, except, to extremes. Gym 4 times a week, heavy weights, long running, low fat diet, no sugar and then more running again. I will then declare my weight every month end. If the target is achieved, you, the reader, will have the fortune to catch those six packs on this blog. Worst case, I'll borrow Brad Pitt's photo and crop his face.

Here are some pictures of my home-cooked lunches in the past two weeks.

Like that also can finish one blog...!?