Graus

June 15, 2019

Today I went to Graus, a small village up north from Tamarite. Well, it is slightly more populated than Tamarite. I went with Nacho, my academic brother, and his daughter Abril and his wife Ana. He drove us around noon.

First we arrived to a famous main square called Plaza Mayor. It has buildings with very nice paintings, also a building with a sun clock.

What I really like from this square is the ambiance. A lot children running around, playing together and laugh. This is very similar to my childhood days, where we spent more time with friends outdoor. In my opinion, playing with friends is really important to develop social skill. I fought and cried a lot as a kid, but that taught me how to handle emotions and deal with people. I saw a lot of improvement after all those tears and bruises. Nowadays, it is more common to see kids with their own phone. Since it was a nice day, we decided just to sit there and enjoy the moments, laughing at those kids. 

Around 2 PM, we walk toward a very nice and famous restaurant in town, called Criticón. It is a restaurant in a hotel. It was not big but packed. I order the appetizer typical from this area. Leek with crispy ham (I think). For the main course, I had pork cheek and grilled potato. The dessert was cut oranges with a scoop of coconut ice cream. I choose this because when I read on the menu, "naranja sin trabajo" --> "a jobless orange". haha. It actually means they just don't do anything to it.

After lunch, we visited Basilica de la Virgen de la Peña and we walked up the Mirador del Morral. 

What interesting is, you have two options to reach the top. You can either walk it or climb it. Here is the information if you want to climb. Of course, we don't choose this option. 

Here are some pictures of the view on the way up. 

What a motivating view!

The left upper statue is the destination. 

This is a father-daughter moment, competing to reach the top.

The happy faces that we made it to the top

To conclude, here is the breathtaking view from the top. It did worth a hike.

Things happen for a reason

This started long before my trip to Spain. When I was planning for my trip, I checked the school calendar that my last day to input the grade is June 3rd. So, I booked my flight on that day at 11 PM, just in case I have to be on campus for something.

My exam was May 22 and May 23, so I thought I would have plenty of time to pack up since I have to move out from my current room.

One random thought pop up urging me to check the retreat schedule at a monastery in Pine Bush New York. There was a retreat with Simon Child and Rebecca Li, from May 25 - June 2. I wanted to meet these two teachers since a while ago but the time has never worked out, but this time, it FITS perfectly in my schedule.

However, it is not as simple as that. A student of mine was sick so she didn't show up for my exam and requested a make up. The Final exam period finishes on May 30th. Her doctor note that she needed a good rest. After negotiation, she said she will be ready on May 29. I was a bit upset to know that since this means I won't be able to attend the retreat. But on the other hand, not going to the retreat gives me some time to pack things up, so I won't have to rush that much. I always had dilemma when it comes to retreat. If I don't go, have I wasted this good opportunity? Later I found out, I also have a deadline for extended abstract to a conference due on May 30th, so I was more convinced that this retreat might not be for me.

Fortunately, another random thought appear. How about if I drove up to volunteer from May 30th to June 2? I don't even know whether it is something possible as normally volunteer came for the same period of retreat. I wrote and email and submit the volunteer form and I was approved.

I drove up to Pine Bush and about 30 minutes before arrival, I heard a funny noise. At the beginning, I thought may be the road was uneven or so. But since the sound follow me for a while, I knew it was from my car. I knew something had gone wrong but I am not brave enough to stop and check it. My old car has always been giving me surprises. I was still so many more miles away from my destination. I just dragged the car with me.

The last 10 minutes or so, the sound is even louder. Once I arrived, I found that the last part of my muffler broke down. It touches the street all the way, producing the sound. I was lucky that it was Thursday afternoon so I still have chance to fix it on Friday. When I move my car backward, the whole muffler just fall off. Instead of being panic, I laughed soooo badly. I came with an old car and I am going back with a sport car! Mwahahahhaa. The sound of my car was so COOL! The monk who saw me couldn't stop laughing too. (don't worry, this was fixed before I drove it home. I was lucky that the mechanic was 5 minutes away from the monastery, so I don't need to show my sport car to police). Haha.

I get a volunteer work in the kitchen. The kitchen head is a tall monk that I had never met. I figured out within 5 minutes he was so funny, so caring. He told me that I should not wear glasses all the time, I need to take them off when I don't need it, as that will give the chance for my eyes to relax. He taught me how to massage my eyes.

Later on when preparing dinner, he asked why I am so thin. I told him that I eat a lot but I cannot gain weight. He said my body is by default very tense. Using his fist, he massaged my jaw and it was sooo painful. He asked me to do that from time to time, once the pain is gone, hopefully my body relax better.

The next day, he noticed my habit of crossing my leg, one over the other thigh. He pointed me for the first time. I thought because it is not polite. After the third time noticing me crossing leg, he asked me to stand up. He ran her finger through my spine and found that my spine are not aligned well. He took a chair and asked me to sit backward and started cracking my spine. The Qi energy in my body doesn't flow well due to the bad sitting position that impact my spine. After the cracking, I felt amazing!!! I have never feel this comfy and relax with my body. He warned me not to cross leg anymore. Once I did it, the problem with my spine will return. I have to put so much awareness into it since it has been a habit from a long time. I want this to change though, since the feeling with proper aligned spine is so good.

The tapper

The following day, he introduced me with tapping to circulate energy Qi better. He tapped my armed with a tool and it was sooooooo painful. The bruises came out. I ran away before he finished doing it. It was too painful. My body condition is so bad that's why I experienced so much pain. Also, I was about to travel to Spain, I didn't want to be stopped at the immigration and suspected as a drug dealer with all bruises along my arm. He gave me sesame oil to apply on my arm. It helped a lot. I feel so much better after the tapping. Body is so fresh! He gave me the tool so I can continue doing it at home.

The kitchen was super busy all the time, so I only had chances to attend the talk of Simon Child twice and in both occasion, I slept perfectly. But I learnt a lot in the kitchen. I learned how to work joyfully, silently, from 5 AM in the morning till 7 PM at night, preparing food with almost no break. The head chef was a 70 years old lady. She kept up with that 14 hours joyfully. No complaints at ALL! I did took a short break to sit down but not her. I had chance to stir fry veggie in a big wok of diameter around 1 meter!! I cleaned the wok with a big brush. I felt like a master Chinese chef. haha. I had sooo much fun!

From this I see, I probably meant to be in the kitchen to be fixed by this monk, instead of as participant in the Chan Hall. I ended up earning much more benefit for myself than the help I offered.  (I am born as a parasite. LOL) Thanks to my student who needed a make up exam.

I was extremely relax and happy leaving the monastery.

When I arrived to Granada, a problem occurred, but because I was in a relax mode, I was able to help figuring out the problem, mindfully.

I see that everything lines up perfectly! I am grateful to the universe and all causes and conditions.

Deep bow.

Barcelona

I have a gap for 4 days between the end of the semester in Delaware and the beginning of the study abroad program, so, I decided to fly to Barcelona to visit some of the best friends of my PhD supervisor. They waited for me at my hostel which is very close to the train station.

They took me for a very nice lunch. One thing I noticed from the restaurant here is, the menu is only one page, that already include the choices of appetizer, main meal and dessert. So you have only 3-4 choices for each. Most people just get the complete course. The portion is reasonably small compared to the US size. I finished everything here and I felt that I can fit more with no doubt. Haha. 

I had been so tired before coming, so, lunch is followed by a long siesta till 9 PM. After that, a light dinner at the hostel where I met an inspiring Malaysian lady who is a solo traveler. We had a good chat till midnight. 

The next day, we started a research project at the University of Politécnica de Catalunya, where I have chance to meet Einstein. Haha. Very close to the campus, there is a garden of Gaudi, with a dragon at the gate. 

Barcelona Central Train station

By the way, from the airport, we can take train to the central station, using the Renfe train. For this, we can use the T10 tickets, which cost 10.2 Euro. The other option using the T10 ticket is the bus. For the metro, you can reach the city center, but the T10 ticket will not work.

Not too far from the central station, there is plaza españa, I took this picture on the way to witness the magic fountain of Montjuïc. In fact, when I arrived, I exit the wrong side of the station to my hostel, I almost dragged my luggage to here. Haha.

 I was very lucky, then starting June, the magic fountain show started Wednesday, instead of Thursday, so I have the opportunity to watch. The show is for 30 minutes, twice a day, at 9.30 PM and 10 PM. I chose the 9.30 PM because I am afraid I would have fall asleep. The show was amazing. The music started and the fountain danced based on the music. For this, the pictures will not do a fair judgement, you have to be there, to enjoy and to be wet too.

The oldest restaurant in Barcelona. 

For the meal, I search online, what is the ¨must try¨ restaurant in Barcelona. The top one is ¨La Casa de Culleretes, a 200 years old restaurant and it is famous for the Paella. So, I decided to visit there one night, even though the meal is a bit pricy. For me, the taste of the food is not very special. But, this is also my first time trying to Paella, so I have nothing to compare with.

La Paella

A visit to Barcelona will not be complete without witnessing the Sagrada de Familia. It is the last unfinished great work of Gaudi too. The building is just impressive! The detail is jaw dropping. I prefer the old part than the new part. Since this place is so popular, it is recommended to buy the ticket online way in advance. I tried to queue from morning at 9 at ticket office, but all the ticket is sold out. I almost lost my chance to visit. The inside has a more modern impression. The cheapest ticket to get in was 22 Euro.

On the left here is the top floor of Casa de Mila, or for local, is known as La Pedreda. Since I am not an artsy person, it impressed me but not a place that I could spend time in. I just don´t get the message. The ticket can also be bought online. This venue is not as popular as Sagrada de Familia, easier to obtain ticket. 

Here is a famous market in Barcelona, it is La Boqueria Mercat. I bumped to this place by chance and at that time, I didn´t have much time to visit. So, I just took a picture and had a quick look. As you can see, the number of human beings visiting this place is enormous! 

The last thing that I enjoyed in Barcelona before departing for Granada was a classical concert! It is conducted by Jordi Savall.  I got 40% off because I am under 35 years old. I bet not many young people come to watch orchestra performance anymore. I went with my 2 professor and one of them take her mom. The concert took place in L'auditori and the room is almost fully packed. The show was 2 hours in total. Honestly, I fall asleep at some point of the first part before the break. The show started at 8PM and end at 10 PM. All the musicians played so much in harmony that it seems only one solid sound for each instrument. I love the sound of castanet so much! It is a great show!

That's all about Barcelona that I could share. I had great time here :). Hope you have chance to visit and enjoy this beautiful city. 

SPAIN

I wanted to go to Spain since long time ago. In 2010 when I departed from Netherland, I promised my Spanish housemate from Sevilla that I will visit her someday, but we don't know when.

Last semester when I was taking SPAN106, my professor sent me an invitation for participating in study abroad program to Granada. I heard about the study abroad since a year ago, but I don't think I could participate. But because of her email, I gave it a more serious thought. The tuition fee is so expensive for me as an international participant. I contacted HR office and they told me I can use my benefit to pay for the tuition for UD. I got much more excited. I contacted my chair of department and he allows me to join. Things work out smoothly and here I am in Spain! One thing I learnt is "keep your dream". Even though it took 9 years to make it happen, but at least it happens! Thanks to my professors as part of the causes and condition that make this happen.

I flew in Spain couple of days earlier, making a stop in Barcelona, to meet the good friends of my late supervisor, Mirka Miller. I managed to meet Miguel-Angel, Cristina and Camino. We had chances to start a project about line digraph. Both MA and Cristina were sooo hardworking. It was great to spend time with them.

On Saturday, I flew from Barcelona to Granada. They insisted to drive me to the airport, even though the train station is 650 m from where I live and there is a direct train to the airport. They said they need to make sure I leave the city. Jajaja.

I was spoiled with their kindness. Gratitude to the universe for surrounding me with compassionate and kind people.

At the airport, my flight was delayed. I informed my host mum who doesn't speak English at all. I wrote "tengo un retraso" which literally translated into "I have a delay". Later on when I told my professor, she said that this expression means: "your period is delayed, which means you are pregnant". Mwahahahhahahaha. I guess it is not me if I don't make this type of mistake. I have clarified it with "tiene un retraso", it is the flight that is delayed.

Let's see what joke comes next! :D

I arrived around 10 PM to the house of my host mum. I was greeted very warmly and I got my OWN room! What a joy! Thank you for the program coordinator for this arrangement.

Pertemuan aneh di kedutaan...

Jumat, 6 Juli 2018, aku sedang antri utk masuk kedutaan amrik, di depan ku ada ibu2 baju merah yg jg antri. Dia mau minta ditemani anaknya tapi ga dikasi sama petugas.
Pas masuk, dia urutan 137 dan aku 138. Tidak ada interaksi apa-apa di antara kami. Setelah mendapatkan nomor urut, dia berjalan untuk duduk dekat loket dan aku duduk deket pintu masuk.

Setengah jam duduk, aku dipanggil ke loket. Ternyata fotoku salah, harusnya tanpa kacamata, jd aku disuruh foto ulang ke jalan sabang dan harus kembali sblm jam 10.30. saat itu udah jam 9.05

Aku buru2 keluar dan memanggil taxi. Agak lama juga di studio foto karena komputernya agak lambat. Aku agak was-was dengan waktu ku yang tak banyak. Selesai urusan foto memfoto, aku kembali ke kedutaan.

Jam 10 kurang sedikit, tak ada antrian depan gerbang, aku langsung masuk dan kali ini mendapatkan urutan 214. Aku mendengar panggilan utk nomor antrian 170an pas sedang mencari tempat duduk. Saat aku duduk, kutatap nomor antrian 214 ku dan tiba-tiba ada firasat: "ada seseorang yang harus kutemui disini"

Logika mulai bekerja, klo dr 138 mundur jadi 214, logikanya aku mgk hrs ketemu org di urutan 215.

Aku mengangkat kepala, kuliat seorang cewe melangkah masuk. Kutatap mukanya dr jauh, bukan, bukan dia rasanya. Aku amati dia agak lama, aku tetap merasa bukan cewe ini. Tidak ada dorongan sama sekali untuk menyapa nya.

Ya udah, aku tak lagi melanjutkan menelaah firasat itu. Aku duduk anteng dan menunggu.

aku akhirnya kembali dipanggil ke loket dan setelah selesai memasukkan dokumen, aku membalikkan badan kembali ke bangkuku. Saat itulah ada yang menepukku.

Aku menoleh, ternyata si ibu-ibu baju merah yang tadi dapat antrian 137! Aku kaget dan kutanya:

Aku (A): lho, ibu? Ngapain?
Ibu (I): lah, kamu ngapain?
A: aku salah foto bu, harusnya tanpa kacamata.
I: fotoku salah latar, harusnya putih, tapi punyaku abu-abu.

Kutoleh ke bawah, kuliat antriannya 213! Glek.. Jangan-jangan ini jawaban dari firasatku tadi.

Kemudian si ibu bertanya lagi.

I: Nama kamu siapa?
A: Novi Bu.
I : kamu itu orangnya keras (sambil menepuk punggungku)

Aku yang masih terbengong2 dgn  pertemuan ini, ga ngeh siapa yang dia maksud. Lagian kami br ketemu saat itu aza.

A: Siapa ya bu?
I: Ya kamu!

Si ibu melanjutkan,
I: Kamu punya tekad yg kuat, kamu polos, tp klo ketemu org kamu langsung menganalisa org ini baik ato ga. Blm punya pacar kan?
A:  (Bah.. kog jadinya pertanyaan ini - batinku dlm hati) Heh? Blm bu.
I: Pernah tinggal deket makam?
A: (lah, ini apaan lagi??) deketnya seberapa deket bu? (Msh bengong dgn apa yg sedang terjadi)
I: yah, seratus meter lah.
A: (sambil mengingat2 semua tempat yg pernah kutinggalin) ngga ada kayanya bu. Memangnya kenapa bu?
I: Banyak arwah yg ikutin kamu. Mgk yg dr makam ato orang2 yang sayang kamu.
A: Aman donk bu?
I: Kehadiran mereka yang menghalangi jodohmu. Jodohmu berat dan mungkin ga ada.
A: 😅😅

Ibu ini mengatakan kalau dia penerawang nama.

Haha. Apapun itu, semoga semua makhluk berbahagia aza dah.. 

Sekaya si peminta minta

Hari ini aku berada di Philly dan saat mau pulang, kusadari hanya ada uang $11 dalam dompetku. Aku berjalan ke stasiun dan kutanyai pria yang duduk disana. Aku perlu ke stasiun 30th street, berapa ya ongkosnya? Dimana bisa kubeli tiketnya?

Pria berjenggot itu menjawab, bisa dibeli di dalam kereta dan harganya mungkin $6. Aku lega, uang ku masih cukup. Kereta tiba dan ternyata harga tiketnya hanya $5 saja. Jadi aku masih ada $6.

Sampai di stasiun, aku mengantri untuk membeli tiket kereta berikutnya. Kali ini aku memilih membayar dengan kartu. Karena masih 3 jam lagi aku baru akan sampai rumah, kubuka bekal nasi ku dan kusantap makan siangku. Sudah agak telat dari jam makan siang biasaku.

Sehabis makan, kuteguk air di botol minumku yang sisa tak seberapa kemudian aku berjalan mencari kios yang menjual air. Harganya $1.25, kubayar dengan lembaran $5 yang sudah kugenggam. Aku menatap lama pada potongan kue seharga $2 di meja kasir. Akhirnya kuputuskan utk membelinya. Sekarang uang ku tinggal $2.75. Selesai membayar, aku menoleh ke belakang, argh! Ada fountain untuk mengisi air. Agak menyesal rasanya udah membeli air, harusnya kucari dl. Tapi ya sudahlah, aku berjalan utk mengisi botol minumku yang sudah kosong.

Sampai di Wilmington, aku berjalan keluar menuju halte bus. Kemudian aku ingat, ada 2 cara untuk pulang. Bisa naik bus dua kali kalo tak mau jalan kaki jauh ato ada pilihan bus 1 kali, tapi harus berjalan 20 menit. Kuingat uangku yang hanya $2.75, yang artinya aku hanya bisa naik 1 kali, karena sekali naik bayar $2. Haha.

Ketika merogoh uang dari dompet, kuliat aku masih punya kartu bus! Senang :D. Pas kuliat, yaaah.. ternyata cuma sisa $2 dan kondisi kartunya agak lecek. Terakhir aku pake, mesin dalam bus menolak kartu itu. Kalo aku pilih naik dua kali dan kartu itu ga bisa dipake, berarti aku harus memelas ke sopir mengizinkan ku naik. Ah, harusnya aku tak membeli potongan kue itu! jadi aku tak perlu pusing. Kuputuskan utk naik yang sekali saja. Kalau-kalau kartu ku tak bisa dipakai, aku masih ada recehan dua dollar tanpa perlu memelas.

Masih sedang asik berpikir di halte, tiba2 kudengar teriakan dari bangku halte di belakangku: "Excuse me!" Ntah kenapa di keramaian itu, aku merasa dia memanggilku. Aku menoleh, seorang wanita meliat ke arahku. "What bus are you taking?" tanyanya padaku. "Number 6" jawabku singkat. Halte di stasiun ini selalu penuh dengan aneka ragam orang dan cenderung berkesan menyeramkan. Perempuan berbadan besar ini mendekat ke arahku. Logatnya sangat kental jadi aku hanya menangkap sebagian kalimatnya. Intinya dia mau minta uang $2 dariku, utk naik bus.

Biasanya aku tak akan bermasalah, tapi kali ini posisi ku aza kritis. Jadi kujelaskan padanya, aku hanya punya uang $2 dan aku punya kartu ini (yang juga hanya sisa $2), tapi terakhir kupake, kartu ini tidak berfungsi. Kubilang ke dia, klo kartu ku berfungsi, $2 uang tunai itu akan kukasi dia. Dia bilang ke aku, kita bisa kog naik dengan $1 saja, kasikan aku $1 mu. Aku tidak mau mengambil resiko, kalau aku ditolak, aku akan bengong di stasiun, lagian bus ini juga cm ada sejam sekali.

Bus pun tiba, kumasukkan kartu ku and it works! Jadilah kusodorkan uang tunai ku padanya. Dia hanya mengambil $1 karena dia berhasil menego sopir utk mengangkutnya dengan separuh harga.

Demikianlah cerita sore ini.. Rasanya unik aza, jadi terpikir utk menuliskan nya disini.

Newark, Aug 25, 2018.

Terima kasih untuk keluargaku

Suatu pagi ketika aku sedang menikmati croissant sarapan ku, tiba-tiba hati ini dipenuhi rasa syukur. Lucunya, bukan rasa syukur karena croissant enak (emang kurang enak sih), tapi merasa bersyukur punya keluarga yang luar biasa. Ntah mimpi apa semalam, aku merasa berbahagia punya saudara-saudara yang menakjubkan.

Dalam perenungan pagi itu, timbul rasa terima kasih yang amat mendalam kepada mama papa. Kenapa? Karena memberiku 6 saudara, yang juga berarti 6 teman baik sepanjang perjalanan hidup ini. Waktu kecil, mama selalu mengingatkan kami, bahwa at the end of the day, kemungkinan saudaralah yang akan tetap in touch, apapun kondisimu. Dan pagi ini, aku memaknai ucapan itu.

Aku bersyukur karena punya saudara yang bisa kuakses kapan saja, yang selalu penuh cerita dan tawa, yang selalu bersedia mendengar keluh kesah. (eh, berima! Haha. ga penting ya.)

Aku berterima kasih kepada papa dan mama, tidak hanya karena mereka melahirkan kami bersaudara, tapi juga mendidik dan membimbing kami menjadi komunitas yang solid. Itu hal yang jauh lebih susah. Kami selalu berusaha ada untuk satu sama lain dan saling mendukung.

Aku secara fisik memang sendiri, tapi aku jarang merasa sendirian. Aku selalu merasakan kehadiran mereka. Demikian pula aku selalu berusaha hadir untuk mereka, meskipun jarak jauh terbentang.

Terima kasih untuk keluargaku yang luar biasa. Aku ada dan bisa sampai hari ini berkat kalian semua. Deep bow in gratitude.

Peluk kangen dari jauh.. Love you all.

Ju