tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55670053228834886632024-03-09T05:33:28.766+07:00Soul of Asian WomanBits and pieces on life, travel, yoga, coffee, food and booksMaharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-4609781121100698132011-05-22T20:33:00.000+07:002011-05-22T20:33:12.285+07:00Migrating to wordpressIn the midst of migrating this blog to wordpress.<br />
<br />
https://maharanidawn.wordpress.com/<a href="https://maharanidawn.wordpress.com/">wordpress</a>Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-86839829819773810172011-05-16T21:18:00.011+07:002011-05-22T06:34:34.345+07:00Be happy<div class="mobile-photo"></div>At yoga class today, the teacher asked us to set our intention. Mine was to be happy.<br />
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Happiness is what I have been searching for. Ten years ago I wanted to be happy. Ten years later, I still want to be happy. <br />
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Yet I have stopped searching for happiness. It is no longer a goal I yearn for. Rather I have accepted happiness is a journey, not something far fetched I aim for. <br />
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I am happy as I am. I want to be happy as life is short and when I am happy, people around me are happier. Being happy is a choice and I choose to be happy. <br />
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Just like my yoga practice, some days I do better, I push deeper. Some days, my body can't seem to stretch and I am just not in the mood. On those days, I simply go with the flow, be conscious of my breath and stay present. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpRHdvSCdPw/TdhKrOcm7WI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Zth1nLTW2OE/s1600/Uluwatu+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpRHdvSCdPw/TdhKrOcm7WI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Zth1nLTW2OE/s320/Uluwatu+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-47077681803741409832011-05-14T16:10:00.000+07:002011-05-14T16:11:26.357+07:00Sunset in Bali<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUkOoKbBkFc/Tc5HP5NabMI/AAAAAAAAASs/aOcpp7sBGSk/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNTE0LTAwMDkyLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-786358"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUkOoKbBkFc/Tc5HP5NabMI/AAAAAAAAASs/aOcpp7sBGSk/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNTE0LTAwMDkyLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-786358" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606496924503534786" /></a></p>Not a typical sunset one expects in Bali where the sun sets in the horizon like an orange ball disappearing into the ocean. The air has cooled down and excudes a calmer ambiance.
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-86935901992674550602011-05-14T14:54:00.000+07:002011-05-14T14:56:25.297+07:00Crispy fried duck at Bebek Bengil, Ubud Bali<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRoSiDYzCMw/Tc41quIF7_I/AAAAAAAAASk/fOJtxrT1tzs/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNTE0LTAwMDg4LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-785298"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRoSiDYzCMw/Tc41quIF7_I/AAAAAAAAASk/fOJtxrT1tzs/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNTE0LTAwMDg4LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-785298" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606477594175598578" /></a></p>Best crispy duck in Indonesia. Found only at Bebek Bengil, Ubud Bali.
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-17648043933086336432011-05-08T09:19:00.000+07:002011-05-08T09:19:33.170+07:00Shabu Shabu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzBUL6g6eZ8/TcX7SqeXYlI/AAAAAAAAASA/yMOlpRDiDfg/s1600/Shabu+Shabu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzBUL6g6eZ8/TcX7SqeXYlI/AAAAAAAAASA/yMOlpRDiDfg/s320/Shabu+Shabu.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
My all time favorite cuisine, Japanese shabu shabu. You cook a variety of vegetables in the hot pot filled with broth or miso. The broth base is the authentic style but I like the miso base, it makes the vegetables tastier. The original shabu shabu comes with a plate of thinly sliced beef which you cook into the hot pot and dip it into ponzu sauce before allowing the beef the melt in your mouth. Ponzu is a lemon based soya sauce which you can add freshly cut chili, garlic, spring onions and radish to bring out the favor.<br />
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My favorite shabu shabu is at Shabu Shabu House at Little Tokyo. It's the best in LA and probably the best I've had.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-2785641596104550272011-04-23T15:04:00.000+07:002011-04-23T15:15:02.920+07:00Kue Putu<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CwR-7yNRlA/TbKKiKQpzII/AAAAAAAAAR4/-YJsprcdTek/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDIzLTAwMDQ5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-702921"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CwR-7yNRlA/TbKKiKQpzII/AAAAAAAAAR4/-YJsprcdTek/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDIzLTAwMDQ5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-702921" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598689606249335938" /></a></p>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-72256696671018840542011-04-22T21:19:00.001+07:002011-04-22T21:19:43.295+07:00First loveWhen is your first love
<br>Is it when you first fall in love
<br>Or is it when you truly lose yourself in love
<br>Can you ever forget your first love
<br>Promise me my love
<br>You'll never forget our love
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-52486124215544454132011-04-22T21:14:00.001+07:002011-04-22T21:14:54.992+07:00Puppy loveThe thrill of puppy love
<br>Is a feeling we never forget
<br>We all yearn for feeling
<br>That reminds us of our puppy love
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-83325870952764242272011-04-20T08:57:00.001+07:002011-04-20T08:57:36.337+07:00DeathWhat happen to you when you die
<br>What happen to me when I die
<br>Do we fear death
<br>Or should we fear feeling dead more than death
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-66184328512056594882011-04-17T11:09:00.000+07:002011-04-17T11:09:09.207+07:00DreamWoke up wishing it was more than a dream<br />
Lingering to every detail<br />
Wishing to capture the dream<br />
Embracing every detail<br />
Lamenting it is but a dream<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjRJjzXPJXA/Tapnknlrg3I/AAAAAAAAAR0/YYI8gQIYPlI/s1600/14_sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjRJjzXPJXA/Tapnknlrg3I/AAAAAAAAAR0/YYI8gQIYPlI/s320/14_sky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-73575646963610448542011-04-16T07:03:00.000+07:002011-04-16T07:00:41.253+07:00Restless when I am not busyAfter full week of work which included 1 day trip to Singapore and a client dinner, I was eagerly waiting for Friday.<p>Yet I didn't know what I wanted to do. There were so many things I planned to do but yet nothing that I really wanted to do. I wanted to go home early to rest cos I told myself my body needed it. This conflicted with a little voice telling me I ought to be ought spending time socializing. After all it's Friday! I needed a hair cut, yearned for a massage, wanted to spend time with my kids and missed reading and writing. Did I mention there was another office function which I was invited?<p>With all these thoughts going in my mind, I became restless. I was not enjoying the people I was with instead wishing I was doing ten other things. No doubt they didn't enjoy me too given I was not the most engaging company.<p>Realized I am so addicted to busyness that when I have idle time I packed them up with activities. Instead of simply enjoying the present, I run around doing one things after another. And when I don't have anything to do, I line up my mind with things I wish I get to do. This sounds bizarre but I am restless when I am not busy.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-81546683352177976772011-04-14T07:13:00.000+07:002011-04-14T07:15:12.747+07:00Sweet potato for breakfast<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKBfp62scvI/TaY8ka30hYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-h7qph4fW3M/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDE0LTAwMDQwLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-712748"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKBfp62scvI/TaY8ka30hYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-h7qph4fW3M/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDE0LTAwMDQwLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-712748" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595226183440827778" /></a></p>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-80426335793549701482011-04-10T10:32:00.000+07:002011-04-10T11:12:56.874+07:00Martabak (Indonesian pancake) vendor<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiD5gi-BCuY/TaEuSU8fBVI/AAAAAAAAARI/PxCb1mKp4Pk/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDA4LTAwMDA5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-776876"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiD5gi-BCuY/TaEuSU8fBVI/AAAAAAAAARI/PxCb1mKp4Pk/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDA4LTAwMDA5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-776876" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593803104565790034" /></a></p>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-73880784281345887032011-04-10T10:30:00.000+07:002011-04-10T11:02:37.188+07:00Typical sight of padi field in Java<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiqcymOfMFg/TaEr39nzWMI/AAAAAAAAARA/aMFmRED7kQ4/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDA5LTAwMDEzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-757189"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiqcymOfMFg/TaEr39nzWMI/AAAAAAAAARA/aMFmRED7kQ4/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDA5LTAwMDEzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-757189" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593800452605171906" /></a></p>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-50989370327376868512011-04-09T06:19:00.000+07:002011-04-09T06:33:18.230+07:00Traditional fruit vendor at Cirebon<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t3vgRrJ-CLc/TZ-bP-TjX7I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/xrsrLSQjfMs/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDA4LTAwMDA4LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-798231"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t3vgRrJ-CLc/TZ-bP-TjX7I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/xrsrLSQjfMs/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwNDA4LTAwMDA4LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-798231" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593359960942796722" /></a></p>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-30562482249751651712011-04-08T16:34:00.000+07:002011-04-08T16:32:19.445+07:00Train ride from Jakarta to CirebonThe landscape changes once the train moves out of Gambir station. We are now three hours away. No more poor cities with graffiti on the walls. Instead, it's lushes of green padi fields and sporadic villages.<p>The modest houses have brown tiled roofs. Once in a while, you get to catch a glimpse of the village life. I see children playing in the fields, and several young girls sharing a scooter.<p>We have now arrived at Cirebon.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-6703996045063636182011-03-29T19:20:00.001+07:002011-03-29T22:01:02.352+07:00What would you do to keep your man?The latest scandal in the Jakarta social scene is this banker who swindled money from her clients. The amount is said to be significant and she works for an international bank, not one of those local banks whom we deem to have weaker control.<p>What makes this news scandalous is the fact that this lady banker in her late 40s looks should I say well-preserved. She has done a lot of work on her face giving her the look of someone much younger. And she is well-endowed beyond natural. The pictures circulating shows someone happy to flaunt her "asset".<p>The story behind her is rumored to be a husband who likes a trophy wife. She is said to undergo extreme efforts to keep herself youthful and attractive. That includes frequent vitamin drips amongst others.<p>But all the effort does not prevent a divorce. I have no insights into her marriage but the main cause of failure in marriage is usually a third party. And it tend to be a much younger third person.<p>Question to all the women out there, how much are we willing to undergo to maintain our beauty in order to keep our man? Is it a sign of insecurity when we try to stay youthful for our man? Whatever happens to inner beauty and true love?<p>These are questions worth pondering as we age. And the answers will force us to confront the true nature of our marriage.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-23002952903223900152011-03-22T06:53:00.000+07:002011-03-22T06:55:10.425+07:00Balinese offering<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DrnwsdjXGA/TYflX1PGSkI/AAAAAAAAAQw/VnZ4zgMIlh4/s1600/photo-710426.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DrnwsdjXGA/TYflX1PGSkI/AAAAAAAAAQw/VnZ4zgMIlh4/s320/photo-710426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586686060366547522" /></a></p>Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-71006286466245842652011-03-20T17:39:00.000+07:002011-03-20T17:39:19.273+07:00Does yoga make you sleep better?One of my yoga teachers said he needs only four hours of sleep because he is re-energized from his yoga practice. For me, yoga makes me feel so relaxed I always feel sleepy after class.<br />
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When I was in my early 20s which was ages ago, I used to think sleep is a waste of time. There was so much to life (friends, school, parties, learning new stuff) that sleep was not a priority then.<br />
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More than a decade has passed and now I treasure any opportunity to sleep. With the responsibilities of a full-time job and a family, I crave for uninterrupted sleep. The one where your head hit the pillow and you open your eyes to a new day. I hate the kind of sleep where I wake up in cold sweat in the middle of the night, I end up feeling lethargic the next day.<br />
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Since I started yoga, I sleep better. I still need at least eight hours of sleep to get me to fully function the next day. But gone are those nights where I toss in bed counting sheep. And I tend to sleep through the night. On evenings where work or social obligations take the lead, I compensate the following night with a good sleep. The best nights are those when I come home fully relaxed after yoga practice. Those are the nights I sleep like a baby.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xKYe_PZbd_o/TYXYj4bXq3I/AAAAAAAAAQs/KCc5acvO4w4/s1600/Sleeping+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xKYe_PZbd_o/TYXYj4bXq3I/AAAAAAAAAQs/KCc5acvO4w4/s320/Sleeping+Dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit to: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=172</span></span></div>Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-36186506421434636832011-03-20T08:08:00.000+07:002011-03-20T08:08:26.891+07:00Vacation is my best remedy to release stress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jAOBYuVbru0/TYVNQig7ahI/AAAAAAAAAQo/KyXSPO-M_dI/s1600/IMG_6859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jAOBYuVbru0/TYVNQig7ahI/AAAAAAAAAQo/KyXSPO-M_dI/s320/IMG_6859.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
In need of another vacation. Going on holidays is one of my best remedy to release stress. I do undergo the usual traveller's stress which includes packing, delayed flights, unforeseen circumstances that change the plans amongst others, but they are manageable stress. And they are worthwhile for the opportunity to see a new place, experience new culture and meet new people.<br />
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Wonder if you would feel the exhilaration of traveling if you do it full time.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-25845651096960872552011-03-15T07:26:00.001+07:002011-03-20T17:01:33.709+07:00Work for money...or listen to your gut?An interesting job offer is in the horizon. Interesting because the compensation can be big. Of course, the rest of the offer sounds good. But honestly, the money is going to be attractive.<br />
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Yet somehow it doesn't feel right. Can't put my fingers around what exactly is bugging me. Is it my instinct talking to me? Or is it fear that is whispering into my ears? Am I so at ease in my comfort zone I am scared to make changes?<br />
<br />
Need time to think this through. And being sleep deprived doesn't help me to think clearly. Gosh, need an undisrupted "thinking time" set aside this week.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-68510998596438525292011-03-05T17:34:00.000+07:002011-03-05T17:35:01.691+07:00Nyepi dayWhole day gone by without TV. I've never been a TV fan so not missing it. Rather enjoy the absence of noise from TV. <p>I napped a lot. Caught up on all the sleep I needed. Finally started reading a book (then got distracted by tweeting). So half finished book waiting. <p>Since it was so quiet, I heard the rustling of the leaves. And since I was staring into space a lot, I actually saw puffy clouds moving which was a pretty sight and which reminded me when I was a kid.<p>So this Day of Silence actually went well. The fun part is tonight when there will be complete darkness.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-15512103474658459762011-03-05T14:57:00.000+07:002011-03-05T14:59:33.097+07:00Ungasan, Bali<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FGXVXMXa_Ys/TXHtZU2OB-I/AAAAAAAAAQc/95n_PC77VU4/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HMDA1NzMtMjAxMTAzMDUtMTQzNC5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-773097"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FGXVXMXa_Ys/TXHtZU2OB-I/AAAAAAAAAQc/95n_PC77VU4/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HMDA1NzMtMjAxMTAzMDUtMTQzNC5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-773097" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580502432637388770" /></a></p>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-49930268672768593342011-03-05T09:21:00.001+07:002011-03-05T09:21:13.667+07:00Having no "to do" list freaks me outOne of the nagging concerns I had about spending Nyepi in Bali was what do I do? I mean seriously, as much as I bitch and moan about my hectic work life and cry for a break, having nothing to do is a scary thought.<p>Ok, I can catch up on sleep for one. But how much can one sleep? I can read books and finish the half finished books I have stacked up. And I can tweet and blog. But knowing you are confined to the hotel and not allowed to go out kind of spook me. It means no jogging and no yoga class which are my weekend routine. Did I mention the lights will be off at 6 pm tonight with no activities allowed at all. What do you do in complete darkness for 12 hours?<p>This is definitely a sign I am not living in the present and that I am a worrier. <p>As I breathe in the sweetness of the Bali air looking over the ocean, I decided to just let go and enjoy. To simply embrace the beauty of the tranquility. As I was typing this away in the bale (pavilion) by the pool, I saw two dragonflies flew across and a few birds flying in the horizon. Such is the beauty I am surrounded by. <p>Instead if fretting over what to do, I decided to do nothing and just enjoy what nature has prepared for me, its beauty crafted in perfection.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5567005322883488663.post-83176136535664467592011-03-05T07:52:00.001+07:002011-03-05T07:52:27.623+07:00Evening before NyepiBali was dressed with a sense of tranquility when the plane was touching down. Wooden boats lined next to one another bopping gently in the sea. There was no sight of activities on the beach. A flock of birds glided in the sky above the calm sea. Even nature takes its cue that it's Nyepi and is peaceful.<p>The Balinese take Nyepi seriously. The hotel car had to turn back at the junction a stone away from the hotel and find an alternative route much longer as the access road was blocked by preparation for the night's activities. Villagers were out on the street watching the Ongoh Ongoh; scary looking huge statues meant to be burnt at the end of the night. It was a party scene and you are allowed to make as much noise as you want. <p>Tomorrow would be totally different where everyone is expected to stay quiet. Activities come to a still. It would be interesting to experience such peacefulness for once.Maharani Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06378816564129611923noreply@blogger.com0