The Opera Populaire

Finally I managed to go to the church that Pastor Alvin told me about. It's located in one of those newly-built shophouse complexes that are all over Jakarta these days. I emailed the pastor, Rev. Denny, a week ago in super awkward Bahasa Indonesia (hey, the last time I ever wrote an Indonesian composition was like more than 16 years ago!). He replied back in good English! Though he was away for a conference today, I learned that he had actually studied in S'pore.

The whole congregation spoke English and service was conducted in English. It was a rather United Nations congregation, comprising mostly of Indonesian Chinese, some Indians and oso one Japanese, I think. The service was in traditional Methodist manner, with hymns etc. Hmm... I still miss contemporary worship but having attended Catholic missionary schools for most part of my life, I do like hymns too.

Anyway, I found the people very frenly and actually opened up despite not being in a particularly good mood these days. A very nice lady showed and introduced us newcomers around, the ppl actually bother to remember my name and introduce themselves afterwards. This nice Indian family even said I could join them for lunch and they could drive me home. Another lady oso asked me to let her know if I need transport to Hotel Shangrilla next Sun where there will be a combined English service (Rev. Rick Warren will be preaching!!). I find it easier to integrate, at least for 1st impression-wise, having come from a "cosmopolitan" background myself. Thanks be to Him. Lets see where God takes me from here.

Caught sight of a large poster flag advertising Zara sale here after lunch!! Mom and I insisted and "bullied" my Dad into letting us go into the shopping mall to take a look. Haha we are such Zara fans! Just like Weijin. I find that their working attire suits me; I can never find suitable shirts elsewhere. But after the "attention" I got from the guys during Keong's birthday when I wore a Zara shirt, I may just consider erm...making the shirt less provocative. Anyway, thanks a million to Fern, who took the trouble to help me buy a top from the sale in S'pore :p

On the note of shopping, factory outlets seem to be sprouting all over Indonesia, following the example of Bandung. When we went there last month, we found that they are selling more high-class brand e.g. Old Navy and Abercrombie & Fitch etc, for export I think. They sell very cheaply indeed and I was very satisfied with my purchase of Old Navy boxer shorts and pyjama pants.

So sad...looks like Brazil lost the chance to win the World Cup this year! Man, I wish I could have watched the matches with some peeps my age with beer and the works.

Oso wanna thank God for healing me from the most serious diarrhoea I've ever had in my life. Had to go to the doctor for a jab. I neva knew I actually had so much fluids in my body to lose, but nvm. Lets just stop at this heehee ;-p Thank God that I actually din feel weak or dizzy in the least, and that I was well again the next day.