!ncredible !ndia

Let me help with your slippers, Mom
Any footwear is to be removed before entering the palace - Taj Mahal, Agra

Sadhu and a Trident
I assume this photogenic sadhu is a follower of Shiva, as he's a carrying a trident - the weapon of Shiva;
 taken at Ganges Riverbanks

Illumination of Ganges
Lights from the afternoon Puja at Ganges Riverbanks were so mesmerising and captivating

Sadhu
with garlands of flowers - Ganges Riverbanks

Sadhu with a modified tricycle
He moves around quite fast, actually - Hiranyavanti River, Kushinagar

Brick Ladies
The Chinese Monastery at Bodhgaya was under renovation,
instead of using carts or other devices, the ladies - not the men - walked back and forth to carry bricks on their head

The Water Gatherer
A water source in the middle of the town, on a side of a busy road
Yet, the water was so clear that people collected it.
Not sure if it's a natural water source or just a leaking water pipe

The Pilgrims
Pilgrims from all around the world come to visit Gijjakuta Hill
Here is a Tibetan lady in front of Ven. Ananda's Cave

The Vulture's Guardian
Blackfaced monkey seems to have Gijjakuta Hill - The Vulture Hill as their territory
Do not feed them, unless you want to be chased by the whole clan 

Banners of Prayer
Strings of  Prayer Banners can be found everywhere at Gijjakuta Hills
May the wind blows all the prayers for the goods' of all beings

Nuns and Flowers
It was International Tipitaka Chanting event when I visited Bodhgaya
These 2 Tibetan nuns were so pretty. Don't you think?

Wheel of Prayers
It was International Tipitaka Chanting event when I visited Bodhgaya
Here, the monk was doing it in Tantric way

In Deep Prayers
Monks and Nuns from all over the world came to Bodhgaya to attend the International Tipitaka Chanting event
Here are Burmese monks, retreated themselves in prayers, away from the crowd

Nun in a Tent
Monks and Nuns from all over the world came to Bodhgaya to attend the International Tipitaka Chanting event
Not sure why she's in a tent, maybe to avoid insects' bite

A Meal to Share
Despite carrying a gun and serious look, the security guard were generous enough to share his meals to the hungry local kids

And this's me :) pretending to read a Burmese Tipitaka. Haha!

More! Important places in India

Apart from the Avijahitatthanani mentioned on the previous post, we also visited a few other Buddhist's important places.

JETAVANA MONASTERY

Jetavana was the place where the Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses, having passed at Jetavana 19 (out of 45) rainy seasons (Pāli, vassas, a traditional time of monastic retreat), more than in any other monastery.

When the Buddha accepted Anāthapindika's invitation to visit Sāvatthi the latter, seeking a suitable place for the Buddha's residence, discovered this park belonging to Prince Jeta. When he asked to be allowed to buy it, Jeta's reply was: "Not even if you could cover the whole place with money" Anāthapindika said that he would buy it at that price, and when Jeta answered that he had had no intention of making a bargain, the matter was taken before the Lords of Justice, who decided that if the price mentioned were paid, Anāthapindika had the right of purchase. Anāthapindika had gold brought down in carts and covered Jetavana with pieces laid side by side. The money brought in the first journey was found insufficient to cover one small spot near the gateway. So Anāthapindika sent his servants back for more, but Jeta, inspired by Anāthapindika's earnestness, asked to be allowed to give this spot. Anāthapindika agreed and Jeta erected there a gateway, with a room over it. Anāthapindika built in the grounds dwelling rooms, retiring rooms, store rooms and service halls, halls with fireplaces, closets, cloisters, halls for exercise, wells, bathrooms, ponds, open and roofed sheds, etc.

It is said that Anāthapindika paid eighteen crores for the purchase of the site, all of which Jeta spent in the construction of the gateway gifted by him. The gateway was evidently an imposing structure.
The vihāra is almost always referred to as Jetavane Anāthapindikassa ārāma (Pali, meaning: in Jeta Grove, Anathapindika's Monastery). The Commentaries say that this was deliberate at the Buddha's own suggestion in order that the names of both earlier and later owners might be recorded and that people might be reminded of two men, both very generous in the cause of the Religion, so that others might follow their example. The vihāra is sometimes referred to as Jetārāma

Lighting a Candle
at Jetavana Monastery where Buddha gave majority of his teachings and discourses
having passed 19 (out of 45) vassa at Jetavana

Paradaksina at Gandakuti
circling clockwise at the remains of Buddha's Hut at Jetavana Sravasti

Embracing the Nature
near Buddha's Hut at Jetavana Monastery, Sravasti

GIJJAKUTA HILL

Located at Rajgir, the kingdom ruled during Buddha’s period by King Bimbisara and Kind Ajasattu, is located around 80 kms away from Bodhgaya. Gijjakuta Hill means the hill of vultures, a place where Buddha spent a Vasa period,  Sariputta Thero spent time meditating, and Devadatta Thero  pushed a huge stone and injured Buddha. The Buddha’s Kuti is located at the top of the hill – a square structure less than a foot in height. On our way up the hill, we saw Venerable Sariputta’s Cave, Ven. Mogallana's Cave and Ven. Ananda’s Cave.

Tip of Vishwa Shanthi Stupa
a stupa build by Japanese on the peak of other hill

The Soaring Vulture
The great stone on top resembling a soaring vulture (just its head)
gave Gijjakuta its renowned name

Candle of Ananda's Cave
The Ananda Cave located before the peak, it has a steep passage to Gandakuti on top of the hill,
making Ven.Ananda always accessible to attend Buddha's needs 

NALANDA UNIVERSITY

Nālandā was an ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India. The site is located about 88 kilometres south east of Patna, and was a religious center of learning from the fifth century AD to 1197 AD. Nalanda flourished between the reign of the Śakrāditya (whose identity is uncertain and who might have been either Kumara Gupta I or Kumara Gupta II) and 1197 AD, supported by patronage from the Hindu Gupta rulers as well as Buddhist emperors like Harsha and later emperors from the Pala Empire.

The complex was built with red bricks and its ruins occupy an area of 14 hectares. (488 by 244 metres) Nalanda was ransacked and destroyed by a Turkish Muslim army under Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. The great library of Nalanda University was so vast that it is reported to have burned for three months after the invaders set fire to it, ransacked and destroyed the monasteries, and drove the monks from the site.

Ruins of Nalanda University
At its peak, the university attracted scholars and students from as far away as Tibet, China, Greece, and Persia.

India - Pilgrimage

The idea of a pilgrimage came from the Buddha himself over 2500 years ago, in answer to Ven. Ananda’s concern that the monks would no longer be able to see the Buddha and pay their respects after his Parinibbana, Buddha advised pious disciples to visit Four Places, the sight of which will inspire faith (saddha) and religious urgency (samvega) after He was gone. These places are called Samvejaniya-thana in Pali or places that arouse awareness and apprehension of impermanence.

LUMBINI: “Here the Tathagata was born! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.”
BODHGAYA: “Here the Tathagata attained the unexcelled Supreme Enlightenment! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.”
SARNATH: “Here the Tathagata set rolling the Wheel of Dhamma! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.”
KUSINARA: “Here the Tathagata passed away into Parinibbana. This, Ananda, is a place that a pious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.”

“And whosoever, Ananda, should die on such a pilgrimage, with his heart established in faith, he at the breaking up of the body, after death, will be reborn in a realm of heavenly happiness.”

Mahaparinibbana Sutta V, 16

LUMBINI: BIRTHPLACE OF THE BUDDHA
Lumbini is located in Nepal, about 20 km from the border town of Bhairawa, just across the Indian border crossing at Sonauli. The Buddha was born on the full-moon day of Vesak. His mother was Maha Maya, chief consort of King Suddhodana. Already 56 years old and in the final stage of pregnancy carrying the Bodhisatta for 10 full months, she was travelling to her parents’ home in Devadaha to deliver her first child following the tradition of her Koliyan clan.
Along the way, the entourage passed Lumbini Garden, a pleasure grove of Sala trees, which were then in full bloom. She decided to stop there to admire the flowering trees and plants. Soon she began to experience signs of impending birth. Quickly she summoned her female servants to cordon off the area with curtains. Then holding on to the branch of a Sala tree with her right hand for support, she gave birth to the Bodhisatta while standing up.

"Sun Shining Upon His Birthplace"

Maya Devi Temple - housing a shrine of Prince Siddharta's exact birthplace.

At front, a 3rd century Ashokan Pillar to mark the holy site.

"The Lion's Roar"

I am chief of the world,

Eldest am I in the world

Foremost am I in the world

This the last birth

There is now no more coming to be

In 249 BC, King Asoka visited Lumbini as part of his pilgrimage to the sacred Buddhist places and worshipped the sacred spot where the Buddha was born. To commemorate his visit, he built an Asokan Pillar with a horse capital and an edict written in Brahmi. Today only 6.7 metres of the pillar still stands but without its horse capital. According to ancient Buddhist literature, when Asoka visited Lumbini, he erected a brick shrine and placed a “Marker Stone” on top, to worship the exact site of the Buddha’s birth. In 1992, archaeologists started excavations at the old Maya Devi temple and discovered the marker stone pinpointing the exact spot where the Buddha was born.

Lumbini Pillar Edict Translation:

"20 years after his coronation King Piyadassi, Beloved of the Gods, visited this very spot in person and worshipped at this place because here Buddha Sakyamuni was born. He caused to make a stone (capital) representing a horse and he caused this stone to be erected.  Because the Buddha was born in here, he made the village of Lumbini free from taxes and subject to pay only one-eighth of the produce as land revenue instead of the usual rate"

Exact spot where the Buddha was born is not located at the Asokan pillar but inside this new temple built over the remains of old Maya Devi Temple, which was excavated in 1992. In the foreground is the Puskarni pond where Maya Devi washed herself before giving birth.

Inside the temple is a wooden walkway for pilgrims to circumambulate the spot where the Buddha was born.

The historical womb-shaped marker stone, which was place on top a brick shrine by King Asoka in 249 BC to worship the very spot where the Buddha was born, that pinpoints the exact spot where Maya Dewi gave birth to Prince Siddhatta. It is now inside a bullet proof glass case.

BODHGAYA, PLACE OF SUPREME ENLIGHTENMENT

Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment on the full-moon day of V esak in 588 BC, is the most hallowed place on earth to Buddhists. According to the Commentary, the Seat of Enlightenment (Bodhi Pallanka) at Buddhagaya is one of the four places that do not vary for all Buddhas (Avijahitatthanani).

King Asoka was the first to build a shrine at this sacred spot. In the 1st century AD, two Sunga queens enlarged the Bodhi shrine and in the 2nd century AD, the Kushan king Huviska (111-138 AD) built a temple on the site to install a Buddha image, which was then in vogue. Cunningham suggested that the entire Mahabodhi Temple as seen today follows the Huviska structure. As it was built over the remains of the Asoka shrine, the position of the Diamond throne remains unchanged. Inside the temple, one comes face-to-face with a great gilded image of the Buddha from 10th century AD seated on a patterned cushion instead of a lotus. It is supported by a pedestal, decorated with figures of lions and elephants.

"MahaBodhi Temple, Bodhgaya"

The temple was recently decorated with umbrellas of solid gold in early Dec,

adding a royal touch to the already-grandeurs temple

"Samadhi"

so still, so serene, so liberated

At the back of the Mahabodhi Temple is the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment. It is a Bodhi/Pipal tree (Ficus religiosa), also known in Pali as ‘assattha’. The Diamond Throne is located between the Bodhi tree and the rear wall of the temple. It marks the actual spot of the Seat of Enlightenment (Bodhi Pallanka). It is said that the Buddha sat facing east with his back to the trunk of the Bodhi tree. A red sandstone slab measuring 2.3 meters long by 1.3m wide by 0.9m high now marks this holy spot.

The Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya is the most hallowed place on earth to all Buddhists who came from all over the world to pay homage under its sacred Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment. Shrine hall inside Mahabodhi temple showing 10th century Buddha image in earth-touching posture to signify the earth as witness to his Perfections when Mara challenged the Bodhisatta for the Diamond throne.

SARNATH, PREACHIN G OF FIRST SERMON

After spending seven weeks at the seven places in Buddhagaya, the Buddha was undecided about teaching the Dhamma that he had discovered to others. Brahma Sahampati, on reading his thoughts, implored him to teach otherwise the world would be lost without the Dhamma. Out of compassion, he decided to go to Sarnath to preach to his former companions, the Five Ascetics, who had abandoned him when he forsook the path of self mortification and adopted the Middle Path or the Noble Eightfold Path.

Travelling on foot, the Buddha arrived at Deer Park or Isipatana in Sarnath on the full-moon day of Asalha (Chinese 6th lunar month). When the Five Ascetics saw him, they were skeptical that he had realized enlightenment but the Buddha was able to convince them of his attainment. That night, the Buddha delivered the historic First Sermon, Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or Discourse on Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma, which led to Ven. Kondanna attaining first stage of Sainthood at the end of the discourse.

"The Turning Wheel"

The very site where Buddha himself gave his first Sermon - Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta

The remaining four, namely: Ven. Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji attained first-stage sainthood successively over the next four days. Next day the Buddha preached the Anattalakkhana Sutta or Discourse on on Self, hearing which all attained Arahantship. In Sarnath too, the Buddha converted the rich man Yasa and his 54 friends, who all became Arahants. These were the first sixty Arahant disciples of the Buddha who formed the original Bhikkhu Sangha.

"Paradaksina"

Sangha to lead paradaksina/circumambulating Dhamekh Stupa as a form of respect

These events occurred during the first rainy season or Vassa. After the rains had subsided, the Buddha instructed his sixty disciples to disseminate the Teaching, no two disciples going by the same road.

Thus Sarnath became famous because of the following events:

• First sermon, Discourse on Turning the Wheel of Dhamma.

• Founding of Bhikkhu Sangha & spreading of the Dhamma.

• First Rains Retreat took place in Sarnath.

According to Commentary, all Buddhas preach their first sermon in Deer Park, Isipatana in Sarnath. It is called Avijahitatthanani or one of the four places that do not vary for all Buddhas.

KUSINARA, PLACE OF MAHAPARINIBBANA

Three months before he reached the age of eighty, the Buddha renounced his will to live at the Capala Shrine in Vesali. Travelling in stages via Pava where he ate his last meal offered by the smith Cunda, he reached the final resting-place at the Sala grove of the Mallas by the bank of the Hirannavati River in Kusinara. There on the full-moon day of Wesak in 543 BC, the Buddha passed into Mahaparinbbana, the passing away into Nibbana wherein the elements of clinging do not arise. His last convert was the wandering ascetic Subhadda. His last words to the bhikkhus were: “Handa ‘dani bhikkhave amantayami vo: Vaya-dhamma sankhara. Appamadena sampadetha.”

Translation: “Indeed, bhikkhus, I declare this to you: It is the nature of all conditioned things to perish. Accomplish all your duties with mindfulness.”

"The Morning of Mahaparinibbana"

It was a fine quiet morning when we visited,

the sun gave a touch of gold to the humble white temple

The Mahaparinibbana Temple and Stupa is the most hallowed place in Kusinara and marks the site where the Buddha entered Mahaparinibbana in 543BC.

The rear view of the Mahaparinibbana Temple showing the bell shaped Mahaparinibbana Stupa in the foreground is a low brick stupa which is believed to be the site where the Buddha entered Mahaparinibbana under the twin sala tee in 543BC

This 5th century image of the Buddha entering Mahaparinibbana is very special. It can arouse strong emotions depending on where one stands looking at it. Viewed from the middle, one can discern a mood of suffering in the face, but viewed from the head, one can discern calm and peace in the facial expression.

"Resting in Serenity"

The unique facial expression of this recumbent image captured the Bliss of Peace (Santisukha) as the Buddha enters Mahaparinibbana on his 80th birthday in Kusinara

The Buddha was accorded the funeral of a Universal Monarch. His body was wrapped in cotton and put in an iron coffin filled with oil and cremated at the Makutabandhana,the consecration ground of the Mallas.

Cremation Stupa shown here was erected by the Mallas and expanded by King Asoka during 3rd century BC later during the Gupta period.

"Sarira"

The cremation site of Buddha, where his relics were divided into 8 to the lord of each kingdoms

A Spoonful of Fluffy Cuteness

Finally...

A few days ago, Mom brought up the marriage topic again.
About mom's arrangements when the prince charming finally took me to his castle so I won't be on her side.

I finally told her,
I am not interested anymore
I wanted to be something else
Pursuing something different from the rest of the world
And that won't be a hubby, kids and Hermes bags

Mom said, that's not written in my fortune reading
so it will never happen

I wanna be a NUN, Mom

Soft Shelled Eggs

Yesterday, I found an egg on the ground in the chicken coop. The White's kids' coop.
The girls already start laying: tiny eggs. I'm not sure if it'll improve its size with time - but I don't mind the size, they're perfect size for Nara.

Back to the egg on the ground, I notice it has a more pinkish hue. I thought the girls just fighting for the nest, so one of them just lay eggs anywhere.
Once my staff handed the egg to me, he said "The eggs is bad"; I held it in my hand and felt the eggs is actually fell rubbery - just like tortoise eggs! Poked it, and it's just dinted.
I was actually worried it's actually a snake's egg! Could it be?!
Hahahha, showed to Dad, and he said it happens sometimes, so it's OK to get soft-shelled eggs once in a while.

Since the egg was fresh, and I don't think it'll last for long in the fridge, and plus I was curious what it looks like inside.
Here're pics of me opening up the egg

Notice how rubbery the shell is? I actually "tearing" it rather than "cracking" it

Oh, how it tasted like? It's taste just like normal eggs.
I pour the egg into a steaming hot rice congee for my breakfast. Nice :)

The Land-Owner is Back

It's been long I haven't heard from someone whom I hated so much before - the fortuneteller.
After years since my first and doomed encounter, it's only yesterday I found out more about him.
Well, I always assumed that he became a "fortune teller" to put himself out of his wealthy wife's shadow, but now I found out that he has been farming in someone else's land, out of mercy - (well, this could be cos of his "power":  "Look, I made them go away, so I can stay and do business here for free, and my superpower made me untouchable, they couldn't even ask me for any rent")

He has been milking the business for almost 15 years, for FREE - in the name of his wife, of course!!!
Last week, the rightful owner of the farm came back and claimed his land back, no previous rent fee charged.
All the owner was asking for is his land back, "You have stayed here for free long enough, it's time for you to find your own place"
Afterall, the fortuneteller has build his own fortune, right? He can just go get a new land for himself, he should have some savings, right? Plus, God knows how much he charges per consultation! (fortunetelling is just a tiny side job)

But NO!!!... the fortuneteller got furious about it, claiming "I have been sowing, thus it's only right that I am the one to harvest; Who the hell cares whose land it is?!!!"
He is now on constant campaign, asking his 'patients' to help him to get the land back. He refused to surrender it.

Surprise... Surprise...
If he could really foresee the future, shouldn't he knew it all along that the rightful owner oneday will come back?
If he really have power, why can't he stop the rightful owner? He always claim he can manipulate people and other magical beings to do whatever he wishes for.
If he really have direct access to deities, gods, goddesses... Why bothered whining to his patients? He claims to have direct hotline to heaven 24/7!!!

I might sound cruel, I don't sympathise him. He is just a lucky parasite.
All I can say is... Not only he has taken for granted such fortune he was given before, but he also being greedy for wanting to steal from rightful owner.
Some people just doesn't know how to be grateful.

Black Chicks are Here!!!

Mrs.Black started to lay eggs last month, around the same time as Mrs.White.
I don't want more white chicks, so when Mrs. White started to get broody, I swapped her eggs with Mrs. Black's.

Here is the picture on the "Eggs Swapping Day", Mrs. White was a little reluctant when I removed her and did something to her eggs. Hahaha... Look at her expression, that fierce penetrating eyes!!!

Finally she thought "mmm... the eggs are still there, I'll sit on them". 

And she officially a surrogate mother to Black's eggs.

The pic was always in my phone, I just don't wanna jinx it. Haha

Anyway this morning, I was trying to check on Mrs. White, she wasn't very friendly, I got pecked a few times before I retreat. I don't wanna upset her.

And then, when I came back again, I realised there's black thing moving under her. 2 eggs were hatched!!!
Mrs. White did it!!! What a good mother :)

I dunno why these 2 have different feather, but both their bodies are black. I never let the White and Black together, so I can assure there's no way they inter-breed.
I am waiting for more chick to arrive. I hope... I hope, there'll be more...




PS: Now I know although the Mr. and Mrs. Black seems to fight all the time, at least they "did" it :)
#ayam cemani #ayam hitam #ayam indonesia






And what happened to Mrs. Black when I removed her eggs? I swapped them with some golf balls, so she doesn't think the nest suddenly empty. The trick worked. No sign of her getting upset.
Until today, Mrs. Black has laid 20 eggs in total, not stopping yet, more to come :)

"When you can't get a job, Create a job"

When 2 or more middle aged people gathered around, there's one topic that never failed to set their gear up: Matchmaking. Even if the mid-aged ones are un-married, divorced or even having a miserable, tormenting and torturing marriage, it still won't stop them to join the "sacred" conversation.

Apparently there's a mid-age unmarried man that worry about me and my 2 friends. Let's call him "uncle"
I have to admit he is a good guy, way too good that it's sometimes he underestimate others' ability, and of course there are times he is being taken advantage by irresponsible people. Although unmarried, Uncle see himself as foster father to many, this include me too...

Uncle worries a lot too, he worries that me and my 2 friends are unable to find a perfect guy, so he always set his radar ON!!!
One time, during a long conversation about matching these 3 girls to who, who and who...
He gave out some info:
1. girl #1 (tat's me)... need to find a guy more superior than me, orelse he'll feel intimidated. Hhehehe... common-sense, which girl wanna get a weak guy?
2. girl #2 has an attitude (in negative way), so he was abit reluctant to matchmake her
3. girl #3 is such a perfect girl, she'll a good wife and good mother material. Such a gentle and loving being.

Because of the uncle's analysis, I got a complaint, "Ming, why cant you be as gentle and loving as girl #3?. She'll be good wife and good mother. Why can't you be like her"

I happened to personally know these 2 girls, girl #3 is indeed very lovely, basically a princess. She can't even hold a knife to cut fruit. Get real about being good wife and mom. She'll be great throphy wife.
Of course, I can't blunt out these facts, it would make me seems like such a bitter person (maybe I am... Hahha)

But then, later on, I found out the reason why uncle was rushing to marry off girl #3
Her family is not doing very well, she's now working for her first-time-ever real-life job, with a standard salary.
According to uncle, such princess girl doesn't belong in workforce, he - as a over-worry uncle worries about the 8-5 work, seems way too hard for her.
So, to get her out of such situation, he said the best and quickest option is to find a rich dude to save the helpless damsel in distress.

Gee! after I found out the real reason why it's girl #3 that is urgently need to find a husband, I am in great relief - this's cynical. But then I don't feel so bad anymore. Hahaha

I know there's a quote saying "When you can't get a job, Create a job"

It's seems like some people interpret it differently.
My college friend wanted so much to stay in Oz rather than going back to Indo. That's totally fine, but the problem is she is not qualified enough to get an Oz-PR, and she couldn't get a job in Oz. She tried her luck in Indo, no job either for monthsss. So what happened next is she was married to a Indo-born Oz-PR. All these life-time-contract just to fulfil her desire to stay in Oz.
Even when she finally held an Oz-PR, she still couldn't find a job. So she created one.... no, she created 2. She had 2 kids, so she's a full time mother.
Not saying that being a mother is not a real job, I know it's a tough job. But if you know all these started just because she wanted to stay in Oz and her inability to find a job. It's a bit ... ugh, whatever, I really sound bitter now.
But it happened to many of my gf-s!  Well, at least they look happy on Facebook.

White Chicks are Growing Up!

Top - Bottom:

1. Male: black face and body, bigger build than Dad, big floppy maroon comb

2. Male: red face, pink flesh. Smaller build than bro. Bright red, standing and well shaped comb

3. Female: pink face and flesh, Mom look-alike

4. Female: black face and flesh, big pompom on her head, smallest build of all - looks like a pigeon

5. Female: black face and flesh, with a lil' bun on her head

6. Female: pink face and flesh, messy feather, with a lil' bun on her head

7. Female: black face and flesh, messy feather -- really looks like a Silkie breed

8. Female: pink face and flesh, messy feather, smooth head.

They are growing so fast. In only 3 months, the chicks are as big as their parents. Well, some are bigger.
So big that we built a new bigger coop for them, it's just way too crowded.

I plan to give them away, but I really wanna make sure that they won't be slaughtered and made into fried chicken. Still looking for foster parents who can be satisfied with just fried eggs. Haha





Below are the pic of me and two of naughty kids (both flew out from their coop and I had to chase them)

These  two is a perfect clone of their parents. The male one exactly look like Mr. White, only with bigger built and a comb that flopped to left.
The female one, exactly look like Mrs. White, once she started to lay eggs (thus more fluffy butt), I'd have difficulty to tell them apart.

LR: male, female

Teddy in a Robe

It started as a kill-time project a few months ago, I made a tiny cell-phone accessories of a monk-teddy-bear. At that time, I happened to have a few tiny teddy from IRN, and I got some scrap fabrics from my tailor-lady, and happened to found a piece of maroon red that perfectly resembles a Burmese monk robe colour.
The project halted, as usual, I created some - got bored - and leaving it behind.
Until I was given a task for fund-raising for the upcoming Kathina. I gave away these tiny teddy-bear as a thank-you tokens. It's was just for fun, spontaneous, out of my own pocket. I gave them away for those that donate through me.
Then friends started to put it on their Blackberry Profile Picture, then it started to spread... and what happened next is way beyond me.
Now, I am sewing day and night to make more teddies, tiring but very happy. It's for a good cause, I hope people like it. But then the focus of Kathina is taking care of our Sangha :) not the teddies. Hahaha.

Thanks for the teddy-hunting team: IRN, BA & HT. - they searched far and near, high and low for the cheapest yet cutest teddy available in the market.
And, Dear, thanks for supporting me in this one. Really appreciate it :) Love you

Life Warranty Policy

Kinda wish everything in life goes in perfect order

You got a good mark, went to great school, graduated with super degree, landed a promising job, got to know a perfect soul mate, throw a glittery wedding ceremony, had a forever-ever-after marriage, had wonderful kids then adorable grandchildren, and then rest in peace surrounded by a loving family.

Yet, in the real world, it doesn't really goes that way...

I am talking about love, marriages, life and ofcz, wealth

People talks; esp in Chinese community, you are expected to answer when people ask about your personal life, incl your virginity. Well, I never had any uncles/aunties to ask the V question up to my face yet, but I know they talk about love, sex, pleasure and life a lot, not to forget asking the amount in your bank account. Wealth is the ultimate measurable indicator of one's happiness (well, at least for Chinese)

I always heard the comments like,

     "A... She attend a party and meet some boys, she'll have a boyfriend soon"

     "Ah.... she got that rich boyfriend, her life gonna be so good now"

     "Ahh... she got herself pregnant with that rich guy, he can't escape anymore, she'll be good now"

     "Ahhh... she marry a rich guy, her life gonna be so good now"

     "Ahhhhh... she gave birth a boy, all the family fortune is in her hands now"

so on, and on, and on

The truth is not always as perfect as it is. The life sequence is easily disturbed in any mili-second of its each stage. Some people having all the wedding plan burnt a step before walking down the aisle, some people have the wealth plan burnt on a line of a will, etc. etc. etc.

But I know people with a failing marriage; either they had few-days marriages or even years-and-years of marriages. Fairy-tale is a scam. Somehow, nothing can guarantee the happily-ever-after thingy.

In Chinese community, having babies can be "weapon-of-wealth-destruction" to drain the family fortune if the marriage ever failed. But it doesn't always goes that way...

X-factor may show up: an affair(s), you are adopted, you finally realized you have half-siblings, or the baby she had is never yours, the baby is dead,  or your wealth was declared illegal by government.

One day you are the crown-prince, the next day you maybe a poor commoner.

Realist, maybe I am.

I want someone/something that can assure me, that my life will be "picture" perfect

Those uncles and aunties said a "perfect man" can guarantee everything that I wished for…
When they said "perfect" means a person that consists of mixture a tycoon, a royal, a movie star, a scientist, an athlete, a politician, a Zen Master, (whatever good thing that cross their mind) - sounds like Iron Man, isn't it?

If only I can be absorbed in that hallucination, if only... But I know better, no one could ever ensure my happiness, my fulfilness. No one could.

The only certainty is that nothing in life is certain

Maybe... maybe... If I really found someone who can sweep my feet away, maybe, I would risk my happiness in the name of love. Maybe...

Maybe I'll let myself intoxicated in a cloud of love, rotted in ecstasy, vanished in delusion

Life is a lie

And I know better

Legs Up

18 Sept 2013 - QR - Zagreb to Doha
Here's a pic of my fellow flying mate. She sat next to me. I secretly took her interesting flying pose.

I like her style...

She kept her legs up for hours, must be a good treatment for varicose veins

and I admire her non-stinking socks (or else, passenger at front would have commented something)

Logic: a BusyBody Auntie and a Fortune-Telling Uncle

A conversation occurred in a formal event I attended a few weeks ago, between a stranger 70 years old auntie and me. Btw, I dunno the auntie personally, she happened to share a table with me and other biz acquaintances.
70 y.o. Auntie: how many kids do you have?
                Me: don't have any, auntie
70 y.o. Auntie: how long have you been married?
                Me: not married yet, auntie
70 y.o. Auntie: how old are you? What's wrong with you???
                Me: (awkward smile)

                Friend #1: You know young people nowadays. Hahahaha
70 y.o. Auntie: You have to get married! What kind of life do you expect?!

Suddenly an uncle rushed into the conversation...
Uncle: ya ya... People nowadays... Ming, can I borrow your hand?
      Me: eee... No... (was really reluctant to have a fortune telling session)
Uncle: left hand, all I need is to see it. Won't touch it.
      Me: oh... Ok. What u gonna do? Fortune telling?
Uncle: Can u feel it? (So, he keep his palm opened on top of my palm... Keeping a distance)
      Me: what?
Uncle: I am sending it to you, you responded... Can u feel something like electric current?
      Me: no
Uncle: yes you can, you just refused to do so
      Me: what?
Uncle: you refused to get married because you are way too logical. A person should balance logic and feeling. You shut off all your feeling, you had a trauma before. That's why you are closing the door
      Me: eeeee... No trauma
Uncle: you cannot lie to me. I have special ability. It runs in my family, we can "read" people, can see future 
      Me: ooo.... OK

      Friend #1: now my turn!!!
Uncle: come come... You know, my whole family have the ability. 
(Doing the hand thingy again)
You are good, you are very balanced. You let you emotion rule sometimes. 
      Friend #1: can you see any traumas?
Uncle: no... Very good. Not like ming's. All just logic
      Friend #1: I have a lot of trauma... A lot. Why can't you see it?

Finally, the uncle's magic ability has brought some show, Friend #2 and 70 y.o. Auntie quickly said, "Now our turn!!!"

So that's how my friends helped me :) hehehee.

Nothing much. I laughed when he "read" me. I didn't think much of it, I know it's bullsh*t. Until the next day;
we had a fun-bike event. To cut the story short, the event was poorly organised (let's blame the lousy Jakarta EO!) and there were some accidents during the biking event, including the fortune teller uncle. He was the only one being carried into ambulance for his severe injuries: big cuts on his legs, I heard. Saw his legs wrapped up with big bandages.

So much for the special ability, should he know he would have bad injuries, he shouldn't go for the bike event, rite?
Or, probably, he gonna say, things are unavoidable.
If it's, why bothering reading it? I am not impressed at all...

Water in The Bottle

Check this youtube video about the The Truth of Bottled Water

The idea of Selling bottled water might sounds silly, who would buy things that are free and available abundantly around us? What's next? Even years and years ago Dr.Seuss have predicted something dodgy yet promising to sell when the environment collapsed, it's written in the Lorax. Bottled water, done. Does it mean next gonna be a hip bottled air, just like O'Hare advertisement?
Get a well-known celebrities to endorse ridiculous products, create an illusion that your life would be incomplete without it. And kaboomm!!! The product will be a hit!

As someone who spend almost 50 gallons of refilled drinking water per-week, I feel very bad watching the video above. Though, I think it's not as bad: I mean, we are not disposing the bottles right away, they get refill-ed (the 20L size that get chucked into a water-dispenser). Why we choose to buy bottled-refillable-water is about it's actually cheaper to buy rather than to boil tap water. Note that in Indonesia, our tap water is not ready-to-drink, we need to boil it to kill all the bacteria; the good thing about it is not-much-chlorine-in-it.

About those tiny bottled water that I could finish up in a few gulp. Gee, need to remind myself to always carry my water bottle. Save the environment, save the future.

He is ...

He is...

Helium

and I couldn't believe I thought of something else

Guinness Book of Record: The Longest Centipede Procession (蜈蚣座）

To celebrate 福德堂/HokTekTong/Himpunan-Tjinta-Teman/HTT's 150 years anniversary, a series of events were held to celebrate it. One of the most anticipated one was The Centipede Procession or Sepasan or 蜈蚣座.

The achievement was awarded by Guinness Book of World Record and MURI (Indonesian Record) as the Longest Centipede Procession in the world, they broke the previously held world record by 金门 KinMen County, Taiwan, by having 223 kids on boards, total length of the construction is 250m, number of people participated in carrying the centipede was 1500 people, taking a route of 3.9km (basically circling Padang's Chinatown).

The procession was carried completely on human strength, without wheel and engines; all by 100% human strength. Of course, HTT has 5000++ members, they sure can carry a bit this. Noting that, HTT member carried coffins almost on regular basis.

Although there were a bit of light shower in the middle of the procession, it ran quite smooth and elegantly. It's a success! Very proud to see the young kids to behave very well, it's a big thing, since the kids were 2-5 years old and they were dressed in complicated costumes too. Even some foreign kids participated in this procession, ignoring the language and cultural barriers.

Apparently the procession has always been carried out years and years ago. The term Sepasan (Centipede in Minang language/Padang local dialect) was a translation of 蜈蚣. Looking at the similarity of the wooden construction with KinMen County, there's a big probability that both originated from the same source: somewhere in FuJian, Mainland China. 

FuJian Chinese Immigrants started to come to Padang-Indonesia sometime in Qing Dynasty (Canton Chinese came a bit later), a conclusion roughly taken by reading some of inscription left in HTT. In the same time, I guess, some of them went to somewhere closer to FuJian: Taiwan. It's amazing that this particular tradition is well preserved until today.
The only difference from KinMen version is the Head part. Padang's Centipede has evolved into a Dragon (always been as far as my memory goes); while KinMen's Centipede is still looks like a Centipede.
Used to wonder why this dragon called as Sepasan? Now the mystery is answered.

You can watch a report on our local TV station here (in Chinese)

Here are some pictures of the glorious procession

The original name of HTT-福德堂 was 建德堂. Looking from the name, you'd probably able to draw a family-line to some South East Asian areas. The early immigrants didn't aim for one particular places, they spread to a different places, carrying their unique cultures that deeply infused until the very day. The brother-organisations can be found in cities of Malaysia and Myanmar. Some more are yet to be discovered, the world is all connected after all.

Blue Yabbie Pet

Apart from my chickens, I have another pet: Blue Fresh-Water Crayfish / Yabbie
Didn't purposely get it for a pet. What happened is, Mom saw some live ones in the market. Obviously they were intended as food.
Out of compassion, Mom bought some to release it in wild.
Then Mom and Dad realised that they can't just throw those crayfish in ponds, waterways or anywhere. They can be a scary predator. Crayfish can ruin natural habitat, so they end up to be my pet.
I dunno how long I'll keep them, until they all die I think. I've been keeping them for nearly 2 years now.
Somehow they do not reproduce any little babies for me
They are not much fun as pet, cos they always hide in their burrows (made from PVC pipes) - what a shy creature...

Big Balloon - Failed

the giant balloon of the "Gateway of India" - Bombay

Look how cool this giant balloon is.
All I think about when I saw it that it'd be so cool for Nara's 1st Bday.
I imagined to tied up those giant balloons on his waist and it'd look like Disney Pixar's UP.

So, I bought a pack of ten (and WAS regretting not buying more of them. Not anymore now)

the length of the tile is 60cm

On Nara's Bday, I really brought up the balloon. And to my big disappointment, it never turn out to be what I expected. I wanted to be as big as the vendor's!!! 

I guess I've been fooled.

Should have asked the vendor "Are these balloons gonna turn out to be as big as what you have now???"

I also googled about this Bombay Balloon, see if anyone succeed... Not much luck. 

But I found a lady wrote something about Big Balloons of Bombay here.

Who buys them ?  ---  me?

How much do they pay? --- around 50 rupee if I'm not mistaken

What do they do with them? --- Blow it?

How long do they take to blow up? --- not long, see this youtube clip. I tried using my mouth too, it tooked 5 mins, I guess

Why? --- cos giant balloon is cool

The Black Monster

I once visited a friend at our neighbouring country. I stayed at her place for a couple of days there.
Once day, she took me to mall for sightseeing...
And suddenly, her 2-3 years old baby girl shrieked "MONSTERRR !!!"
My friend quickly gave her baby a hug and say... "Yes! Black Monster... It's OK, mommy is here"
They were referring to a Bangali cleaning service guy - whom were busy mopping the floor and did nothing to scare the baby.
Apparently, my friend has been teaching her daughter "to-hate/ to-be-scared" those Bangali people. The code name is "MONSTER"... "If u not eating your food, Mommy'll call the Monsters to catch you (pointing at a Bangali worker)" or "Don't run, walk with mommy, later got Monsters, how??" etc etc
The sad part is, almost all the family members named those people as "Monster". Even the grandma told me proudly "Since very young, she already don't like those Bangali. Smart girl, you know. Those Bangali are scary and filthy, like Monsters, right?". So wrong.

In my neighbouring country, it's very common to see South Asian immigrants doing "unwanted" job, ie. Cleaning service, janitor, construction worker, etc. Although, you can find some other races doing unwanted job too.

But teaching a toddler to love and hate a certain race by judging skin colour is so wrong. 

She's so young, and they started to feed her unnecessary fears. And these kids will keep in their minds and develop hatred for ridiculous reasons for the rest of her life.

Why "RESPECT LEVEL" is inversely proportional to a "MELANIN LEVEL"?

Though seems trivial, these "RACISM" issue may cause a bigger problem in longer run. Learn from us, please :(

Look, In Indonesia, despite being colonised by Dutch and Japanese for centuries, I never seen any local Indonesians hate them as much as they hate Chinese. Odd, isn't it?  (Although, I believe those jugun-ianfu will have different opinion about this)
And vice versa, Chinese hates locals. Looking down on them.

I don't know how people in the pasts whipped out this hatred. Some said, the Dutch used to give more benefits to Chinese, so the locals got envy. Some said it's the sin of our former President Suharto. I dunno how true it is, but it seems to be deeply infused until today.
And sometime it blew up, just like 1998 incident.
Both races' morons fought for someone-else's victory! They don't even realised they are being used for military for a coup trial. Stupid...!

Yet it still happens...
Local kids will call Chinese by "mocking" names. Local government official will anyhow ask for more ciggy-money form Chinese, anytime, anyhow.
When I was young, my parents forbid me to speak Chinese in public, they are scared that locals will harm me by showing Chinese traits. I think, no matter what I speak, my skin and my eyes already shows my race. Being mute won't help much.
I don't understand Indonesian Chinese either. Those super hard-core ones (I met some who can mistreat and swear about locals' race) are hardly "Chinese". I mean, they are 3rd-6th generation Chinese that no longer speak Chinese, they know nothing about China, and they never ever set their foot in China. What's China about them is merely diluted gene and their cheap mobile-phones!!!

I won't teach my younger generation to hate someone based on unchangeable things, like: you can't change your skin colour.
Ehm... (I see what you do there... OK OK, I'll rephrase it)
I guess, the proper way to say it, it'd be better not to hate anyone or anything :)
Easier said than done. But let's give it a try, shall we?