JOE IS DYING

Days like these don't come often. I had to resist the lure to romanticize it, but I know I will fail. So, why not push the romanticism envelope even further - further than the truth? Pardon me if the words you're about to read will trigger acidic reactions down under. Last night, I went to my first Indo wedding of someone I actually care for. The groom is a friend from the states, much older than I am, had been in this relationship for a couple years short to a decade. His reception was definitely a romantic's dream: pink-purple lights against white sakura trees, food to feed a few hundred mouths, a full jazz band (4 trumpets, 4 violinists, etc etc). It was simpler than other richies' weddings, but one thing that was most evident from the event: The groom's joy. He was beaming. He was vocal. He was bopping and snapping his fingers, walking to the stage! The sweet but reserved Ko Jul is overjoyed! From the stage he pointed at us, tiny group of Seattle-lites, ...

Early July this year, I packed my life into 2 suitcases and moved back to Jakarta. On the way home, I spent a night in Tokyo, a city I've always wanted to see. I didn't have much time, so I scheduled all the things I wanted to do, down to the minutes. But of course, that did not happen. In the midst of awe to the new topography, and the obvious language challenge, I abandoned all plans and stick to 2: Get a good ramen, and walk around Shibuya. So, I did that and some.. Note to travelling alone: Get acquainted with the language. My first sentence (and I'm quite proud about this) was "Sumimasen, information wa doko desuka?" to an elderly, kind looking lady at the Eapoto (It's Airport, show off). Then my possible third sentence was an unclear plea of "Do I just slide the tickets in for ___ station? Do I even have the right ticket?" which came out as, "Ano.. ticketo wa?" then some furious wagging of hands around the ticket counter...