I exaggerate the above title a bit. So let me tell you how one event encourages a nation to be healthy.

Recently, my country hosted the Thomas-Uber Cup, a prestigious badminton match, this year involving 16 countries worldwide.

The event was held only for one week, but afterward (even though Indonesia didn’t get both of Thomas and Uber), I start catching sight of people everywhere (at least in the city I live in) playing badminton, day or even night (seriously, at night).

Badminton has always been one of Indonesia’s fave sports, but every time some particular big sport events occur, then the fever starts—not only do the ‘true’ sport-goers enjoy it, but even the ‘sport-haters’ do.

The kids in my neighborhood bought badminton rackets and birdies (or maybe just took theirs outside from the dusty cabinets) and play badminton (while pretending that they’re playing to get Thomas Cup) every afternoon for hours in front of the mosque—cheerfully.

I also happened to see some teens downtown play it at night in front of a already-closed mini-market—cheerfully.

What an inspiration

—Diar

Saturday, February 16th, 2008 was a day in which I experienced such a gorgeous peak experience (that’s what psychologists would say, I assume).

I eventually join (and help establishing) a brand new community in town — truly with my heart: The Green-Clean Community of Pontianak (Komunitas Hijau-Bersih Pontianak).

I am so very much excited about this brand new community, let alone helping it grows, baby step by baby step :)

For you who live in Pontianak can join this community, for sure.

Come on, make yourself and Pontianak greener :)

A few days ago, I fulfilled one part of my 101 list, that is to attend a play at the local theatre here in town. Si Doel & Si Ijah was chosen — a story about a couple of youngsters set in the ’70s, Doel and Ijah, who are tried to be separated by their parents, just because both fathers have bad past (fought because of a girl — the late mother of Doel)

I went with daulatrakyat and we had so much fun seeing the play performed.

We all at the theatre just burst out laughing, laughing, and just laughing.

The plot of the play wasn’t really gorgeous, but it was just purely entertaining.

Worth to release stress, I suppose.

{all photos were taken by daulatrakyat with his cell phone camera}

I should do this activity more :)

Particularly for us here in Pontianak, yes, we have to appreciate those artisans more.

For the matter of happiness, I believe those wise people out there are correct; money doesn’t guarantee any kind of happiness whatsoever.

But for some (or many?) cases, money is important (everybody knows, sure thing). Still, I am certain (and really hope) that I won’t go crazy and suddenly have some sort of mental illness once I lack money. Dear Lord, please help me.

Anyway, preparing that hard cash in your pocket, in your wallet, or even under your pillow (anyone?) is such a gorgeous effort, always.

In my case, I open two savings accounts. A woman (I forgot who, but she’s a famous one) says that having at least an account in a bank can make you feel safer in terms of finance. Do you feel the same? Well, I do.

In my 101 list, I have this one preset task to open a new savings account at another bank from mine now, but I ended up sitting before a bank customer service and created two accounts. Yes, two. 1st, the ‘regular’ one; 2nd, the term-deposit one. You know, just in case. But particularly because I’m at present planning on something big, so lots of (money) preparation is a must (though actually a small amount of money would be enough — but parents tend to exaggerate, if you know what I mean).

So, stop filling in that pillow case with your hard cash and turn around to your nearest bank. It’s such a gorgeous activity, believe me

Here’s a nice article on me-time from About.Com. Enjoy

ME TIME

 

There are simply too many things in our lives to stress us out. Fortunately, there are just as many things that can make us happy. We simply have to take the time to notice them and bring them into our lives. Here are some of mine, but make a list of your own and then make sure that they play a significant part in your day… everyday.

*Take Time. I have decided that I want to be fluent in French, so I spend 15 minutes a day listening to a French CD. I am amazed at how much I can learn in just a few minutes a day. So how does this pamper me? Apparently, we can’t think of more than one thing at a time, so if I am concentrating on my French lessons, I can’t think about anything else. For those 15 minutes, I am doing something just for me.

 

 

*Treat Yourself To Chocolate. Research has shown us that chocolate contains flavinoids that are associated with a decreased risk of heart problems. That means, that if you want a little pampering, a little chocolate is a good way to go. Did you notice that I said a little!

*Change The Ending. When we are stressed, we usually are thinking of the worst possible outcome. Starting today, I want you to spend a little time imagining a happy ending. Think of the possibilities. For example, I often fear going to the dentist because of the chance that he might find a cavity. Wouldn’t you feel a lot better if the new ending was a fast and easy examination? Why do we put ourselves through the stress of something that hasn’t even happened yet?

 

 

*Master The Art of Day Dreaming. This is along the same thread as above, but we are expanding on it. Do you remember as a child, laying on your back in the grass on a hot summer day and watching the clouds float by. We imagined all kinds of things. Well, we are going to do the same thing, and if you want to use a grassy lawn, go for it. If you don’t have a piece of grass handy, simply lean back and close your eyes. It doesn’t really matter where you are as long as you let your thoughts drift to somewhere pleasant. My thoughts often drift to a past holiday in Martinique. Just 15 minutes and I have felt the sun on my face and the beach sand between my toes. And oh yes, there is also a contented smile on my face.