Sunday, January 24, 2016

Problem Solver

One lovely Sunday morning weeks ago. Maureen & I were sitting on patio chairs in my terrace enjoying the nice weather when Marvin went up to me and said, "Can I sit on your chair, tante Tina?" Before I said anything Maureen said, "FYOP Marvin!" I laughed and high-fived her. Marvin went inside and drag a dining chair outside. Sleepover Rule #3 FYOP: Fix Your Own Problem


Friday, January 22, 2016

Little Things She Needs

One fine Friday in a physiotherapy office's waiting room. A couple sat across me. I would say early sixty-ish. He listened to her complains about this and that and comforted her with his words. Not once did he raised his voice. Then he hold her arm to help her stand up and walked her slowly to the toilet. "Don't lock the door," he told her gently. He stood right in front of the door and waited for her. A true gentle-man



Thursday, January 21, 2016

True Color

One lovely Wednesday afternoon in a food court of an upscale mall. A tall and lean young lady at a counter ordering something. Long beautiful straight hair. She could be a ballerina. A sapphire blue mini A-line sundress. A canary yellow flat shoes. I was just admiring how confident she looked in her very short dress when she did the unthinkable, she leaned over the counter. Her underwear matched the color of her shoes. Oops!


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Muscles are like work animals that are quick on the uptake. If you carefully increase the load, step by step, they learn to take it. As long as you explain your expectations to them by actually showing them examples of the amount of work they have to endure, your muscles will comply and gradually get stronger. It doesn't happen overnight, of course. But as long as you take your time and do it in stages, they won't complain - aside from the occasional long face - and they'll very patiently and obediently grow stronger. If however the load halts for a few days, the muscles automatically assume they don't have to work that hard anymore, and they lower their limits. Haruki Murakami




Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Man Up

One fine day. A couple walked side by side. Nothing unusual except that he carried her oversize shoulder bag. Sweet. I adore man who manly show their unmanly side. 

Monday, January 18, 2016

Oh Joy!

Senin penuh suka cita itu latihan interval lalu ke GBK minum kunyit & beras kencurnya mbak Sri sambil mendengarkan ceritanya, "Mbak, sepatu yang dari teman mbak itu ahirnya dipakai anakku yang di Undip. Kemarin itu pulang kampung sama bapaknya aku dilapori: anakmu jogging tiap hari selama di Wonogiri!" Senangnya bisa memicu orang untuk berlari itu jauh lebih gegap gempita dari pada menerima medali finisher di garis finish atau membuat PB jarak apapun. Life is short. Run for your life!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Sisterhood

There is something about the first month of a new year that make people feel optimistic and promising. The other day out of the blue and out of curiosity I told my sister, "Let's get you into a walk/run training program to do a 5K race within 3-4 months." I was shocked when she agreed to my challenge! Yay! So I'm letting the world know so you can cheer, encourage, and high-five her from now to finish. Perhaps even inspired by her. Because if my couch potato sister can do it, so can you! Life is short. Run for your life!


Saturday, January 9, 2016

Young At Heart

Happy blessed 79 birthday to the woman who taught me that to be able to love others I must learn to love myself first. That pain is inevitable in life but suffering is an option. That being persistent and stubborn is (sometime) a good thing. That my talents and skills are useless if not shared with others. That I am responsible for my happiness. And that a great pair of heels make all the difference. I love you to the moon and back.


Friday, January 8, 2016

Goodwill Ambassador

Bahagia itu menerima kebaikan seseorang tanpa diduga. Pagi yang cerah di GBK menikmati segelas jamu buatan mbak Sri. Seorang bapak penjual susu kedelai menghampiri saya dan berkata, "Mbak ini puding tahunya ada." Aduh! Tempo hari saya memang janji lain kali mau beli, tapi hari ini saya tidak bawa uang banyak. "Kalau uangnya cukup ya pak?" jawab saya sambil mengeluarkan uang kecil dan uang logam dari kantong dengan perasaan kuatir tidak dapat memenuhi janji. Belum lagi saya mulai menghitung mbak Sri menyaut, "Pake duit saya aja dulu mbak!" Mbak Sri idolaku. 

Saturday, January 2, 2016

B & B

"Tante Tinaaa! Look at my bed!" That was the first sentence Marvin, my little nephew, said this morning when he woke up. I went to his room and discovered that the first thing he did when he woke up was making his bed instead of playing with his Ipad. Maureen, his little sister, made her bed right away. Sleepover rule #2 CYOM, clean your own mess. 

Imagine Nation

One lovely rainy Saturday evening. Stuck in a coffee shop. Two hot chocolates, a cup of green tea, a Nutella sandwich and a grilled cheese sandwich. When they saw their hot chocolate, Marvin said, "Tante Tina maybe your friend Ferra work in this place!" When I said no, Maureen added, "She works in the back, that's why you can't see her!" Last night as a bed time story I told them about my friend Ferra who make incredible latte art. We can't wait to see your next creation. Star Wars? Pretty pretty please, with sugar on top?