Becoming An Outcast

Who would have thought that painting my gate would bring such looks of pity? In a country with extremely cheap manual labor, apparently anyone who brings such a task upon themselves is in a new class of oddness. The complex I live in is monitored by 24 hour security guards, and yet every single home has its very own 8 foot gaudy gate protecting the inhabitants from everything but tailless stray cats and the raunchy smell of the weekly, toxicRead more

Sharp as a Marble

So, Sunday I’m sittin in front of my house soakin up the blazing sun while reading a book. It’s nice to stay tan in a city where most daylight hours are spent in non-stop air conditioning. A couple hours roll on by and I figure I should take a shower and be productive. Once I’m under the running water, I realize – shit my soap is all out. I glance in some rarely used shelving to find a brand newRead more

Don't Bump Your Head!

I’m enjoying a 9 day break from work, but this time I’m not going anywhere. I decided that for once I’d sit my ass down in Jakarta for the entire break – relaxing, working out, sitting in the sun on my balcony, reading in coffee shops, and basically doing nothing (think “Office Space”). Sure, I’d love to be in Bali right now – or India like one of my friends – but the fact is I’m not – I’m hereRead more

In the Corner

Along one of my walks, I came across a housing development built upon stilts. They were raised 3 meters over the swamp below. The homes weaved intricately through a maze of wood and life. One hallway led to a gang of children playing and laughing in spirits light as helium. All but this one little girl. Clutching her belongings. Not laughing. Not smiling. Alone in the corner. Alone.Read more

The Art of Living

Updates have been few and far between as I�ve been involved with learning yoga and meditation through The Art of Living – after work � taking up the majority of my free time. I feel like Patrick Swayze in �Roadhouse�. I�ve never tried anything like this before, but can see that it could indeed be beneficial for those who apply it to their everyday lives. I�ll admit that I approached with a bit of skepticism, but I�ve been proven wrong.Read more

Masuk Angin?

Ok, can someone please explain what this means? I know what it translates to – “masuk angin” = “enter wind”. Ok, I get that part, but if anyone is not feeling well, and you ask them what’s wrong, they reply with, “masuk angin”. I’ve been here going on two years, and I have yet to find anyone who can explain to me what the hell that means. Wind is entering your body? People who ride motorcycles often will put somethingRead more