Puasa

I’m so proud of you. Today, on the third day of this Ramadhan month, you began your half day puasa. What I was so happy about was nobody really asks you, it came from you. You really wanted to, and refuse to take your favorite choco sandwich that mbak Irah brought you this morning.

Today you broke your fast at exactly 12 noon with a glass of water and four stack of choco sandwich. You promise that after 1 pm, you will continue your puasa until maghrib. Way to go, honey!

Stages Of Life

Last year, when I was planning to buy my first shortsighted eye glasses, a question popped up in my mind: does this mean I am entering another stage of my life? You know, just like when you first enter school, have your first period, get your first job, get married and so on and so on. Does the fact that somebody begins to need shortsighted glasses mean anything?

That question reminded me of a conversation I overheard some 25 years ago, when I was in junior high, on my way to Bandung with some friends.

We were traveling by the most popular car rental back then, the 4848. It was a big old Cadillac that can accommodate 5 passengers and a driver. My two friends and I sat at the back seat, while another two middle-aged men sat in the front seat. I think we were somewhere in Puncak, my two friends started falling asleep to the sound of raindrops, when I overheard the two gentlemen talking about stages in life.

One man said that there are stages in life that changes every 8 years. This is how he described each stage as I remember it:

0 – 8 years old:

One has just begun to breath; they need a lot of help while trying to figure out about everything that is happening around them. Questions, questions, questions

8 – 16:
This is the period when one becomes more aware of her/himself. They have questions about themselves and a lot of times feel awkward and uncomfortable with their physical changes. Often, they find themselves in trouble, in school as well as at home

16 – 24:

One will fall in love with her/himself. It’s ‘narcist time’. They just love to see themselves in the mirror. Girls just want to be pretty. Boys try to be attractive for girls.

24 – 32:

A period when one has no fear in life. They will try everything, go anywhere, hike the highest mountain. It’s time to proof who they are. By this time, they will get their first job and start a family.

32 – 40:

Life is work. Work harder, earn more.

40 – 48:

Life begins. They would already have a steady career. Those who have a strong family bond will switch their focus to their spouse and children. However, some may have difficulties in marriage and start a new relationship.

48 – 56:

Time to enjoy life with what’s earned from their hard work. It’s time to travel around the world or buy a new big house.

56 – 64:

Life slows down. Time to reflect on oneself and become wiser and more religious.

64 – onwards:

Back to the first stage. They become dependent again while trying to figure out how life and the world have changed right in front of their eyes.

I believe what the man said makes a lot of sense. And knowing about these stages of life will help you understand where your life is going and therefore prepare yourself to face it.

Now, in what stage are you now, honey? Questions, questions, questions? No wonder....

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Picture from here

Getting Old

Used to be that time passed so slow
Now it seems to be so fast

Running fast to get back home
Wondering where which way to go
Wish I’ve seen it thru my mother’s eyes
Now I stand alone…
I’m sitting here getting old

(a lyric of a song your pakde Yogo used to sing, don’t know what’s the title and who’s the singer)

I think one of the signs that you are getting old is when you feel that you don’t have enough time to do whatever you want to do. And that is exactly how I feel right now.

I found a comment from a visitor yesterday, saying that I haven’t been writing for a new post for awhile. Gosh, yes, I haven’t, despite the promise I have made to myself that I would write at least once a week.

This is my wish list: when it comes to how I want to spend my time

1) I want to spend more time with you, playing, talking and helping you with your homework (last night, you refused to finish your homework until I got home)

2) Yet, I’m also enjoying my time in the office, ensuring that everybody is enjoying their work as well (and I still have that 40 pages translation to edit by this afternoon)

3) And I also want to catch up with that good buddy of mine that I recently found after 20 years! (I cancelled the plan to meet this buddy yesterday, so that I can go home early and spend time with you. Yet, I was only able to leave the office at 7pm)

4) Not to mention that I want to chat and gossip with my two best friends, tante Elza and tante Ira, whom I haven’t seen for more than a month (I really miss them!)

5) And I want to tidy up the house, re-arranging my closet and get rid of those old clothes (I think I have been wanting to do this since two years ago….)

6) I also feel that I’m not spending enough time with my mom and dad, they are really getting old (love them, and sometimes I’m worried about them….)

7) And I want to write my short stories, there are so many ideas that are playing on my mind (I just wrote a poem instead, as it is shorter and easier and less time consuming!)

8) And I haven’t even finished reading Jostein Gaarder’s The Orange Girl, after a year! (this is soooo embarrassing….)

The seconds are ticking, there is so much more I want to do…, and I’m watching you grow, and I’m so afraid that I’m losing important and precious moments that I should have had with you. ..