I have been so busy lately. So many things to write, so little time I had. I have been left with words dancing at the end of my fingers trying to get through. Let me trying to get through some of them today. More are coming.

On April 5, my big family and I went to my youngest brother’s girl friend’s house to formally propose her to be his wife. The occasion went well, regardless the fact that Mika and Pascal were being their usual curious self. Kids. They are so funny. They did not realise that this is a big moment for their favorite uncle. So they kept on climbing to his lap. When I moved forward to bring the ring, they jumped out from their chairs and kept on asking, “What is that, Mom? What is that?” Mika could easily look at it whereas Pascal kept on jumping. Apart from that, there was no major incident. Thank God.

On April 8, we celebrated Pascal’s 3rd birthday in his pre-school. The 2 - 3 years old children are the cutest creature. They looked at me with their blank look when I sang Peter Pan’s song. Their eyes were like, “What is this woman doing here???”…hehehehe…so cute! Pascal’s birthday party theme was Transformers. His cake got Optimus Prime and Star Scream. It was great. 

On travel note, this coming Thursday and Friday, I will be travelling to Batam to visit the North Belud-ers. The WHP and Platform is in project stage in McDermott and Nippon Steel fabrication yard. I really look forward to see it.

And by end of April towards the beginning of May, I will be travelling Offshore again. Yay!! I really look forward to return to those beautiful production fields and meet the people. I hope they will be gentle with me.

I will write more, I promise!

I have not fully recovered from the muscle pain I gained from the previous TBOSIET training and intensive pilates exercise when I was hit again with one full day outdoor activity during HR team building.

It was a 2 days activity from 14 to 16 Dec at Rumah Jambuluwuk which is located in Bogor, Ciawi. The place is nice, the air is refreshing, the acquintances are fun and the food is great. What a perfect combination.

But what ’refresh’ me most was the whole day trekking on the second day. When I asked my friend who was the committee about the activity, she told me that it would be very low impact as our boss was very concern about our safety. And the fact that we brought 3 security guards, 1 policeman, 2 our own fire extinguishers with us seemed to prove this point. Moreover, the place where the game would be held will be a kid’s play ground. Yeah right.

The trekking was no low impact at all. It was started quite easily at first where we still can chat and giggling endlessly. But when we start entering the padi fields area that’s where my pink nike shoes really face challenge. The trek was muddy and seemed to be an endless up and down, not to mention that it was slippery. Thank God the team was solid and we really looked after each other.

The only dissappointment was the instructor. He was no help at all. Of course he is not suppose to help but the way he answered our question was really hopeless. The instructor kept on asking “Do you have any questions?” and later on answering any questions with the monotonous zombie tone, “Read the instruction”. One of my friend finally explode and saying, “So what kind of answer that you can offer us?? You are not helping at all! I don’t want to see you here!”. Hihihi… 

After that, we went through series of physical games where our endurance was really challenged. One of the toughest game was walking on the block where our balancing capability was really tested. There goes personal embarrasment as we were required to literally hang on to each other. Body to body. Head to toe. Sweat to sweat. So much for personal hygiene.

Other than that, it was really a fun 2 days that gave me the opportunity to know my new colleagues better. We sang and danced endlessly and at this point, I felt really lucky to join this group. They are a bunch of fun people who are easy to be with. And now I have to deal with the physical pain.

Note: after that event, I went straight to Bersih Sehat and had an hour body massage. And the next day I hit the gym again. Surprisingly, my insomnia seemed to fully recovered. I guess I really do have to exercise.

I just returned from 3 days Tropical Basic Off Shore Safety Induction Emergency Training in Cilegon. If you are a Fear Factor lovers, this will be like mini Fear Factor episode.

Day 1 - Fire Fighting and Safety Induction

We left the pick up point in Senayan at 6 am with a bus. I was so sleepy as I went home quite late the night before. And it was raining. The sky was grey and these particles of water hitting the window make a soft dripping voice that I love so much. I had Keane on my ears and it was not long before I started to feel very sleepy and at a point of dozing off. But the scenery of rice fields were so refreshing and later on I had somebody by my side that kept on talking to me and keeping me awake. He made the long journey seemed short. Thank God.

The day 1 program was fire fighting and safety induction. One of the training was a simulation of what should you do if you are trapped inside a rig and need to find your way out. Bear in mind that everything was dark and smokey. We were taught on how to climb down the ladder safely and how to hang on to our buddies etc. It was good. I think I did ok. The only obstacle is only the heat and humidity. Being an indoor air-conditioned typed of person I felt like I was boilt alive inside the silo wrapped in the fire retardant coat, boots and helmet. And being the only woman in the group, I soon realised that the reason why everybody was being perfect gentlemen to me and keep on saying “ladies first” was not totally out of courtesy. There was a hidden agenda underneath these manner. Hmm…

Day 2 - HUET (Helicopter Under Emergency Training)

I would say that this is the funnest part. It is where you are being put inside a chopper and dropped into the water upside down. You will need to find your way out. Being a swimmer and water sport lover, I found it pretty easy. I was commented as really taking my time in taking my way out. I have always been the last one to surface. I am not sure whether I would be able that relax under the real situation. I hope I will never be put into the real helicopter ditching situation. Amien.

Day 3 - First Aid Training and Sea Survival

I had passed Basic First Aid Training before so I have nothing much to say. The sea survival, however, was really a test to my fear of height. I had no problem being in a closed environment with a room full of water and had my head upside down, that’s still tolerable and bearable. But to jump from 6 meter high platform, now that’s a problem! I could feel fear gripping me under and not long after seeing how blue the water below was, my heart pounded so hard against my ribs and my breath became slow. It was so slow to a point I almost could not breath. I had to ask the instructor to wait. He kept on telling me to take a deep breath and not to look down. Everything will be all right. But it was not all right. My palms started to sweat and my knee started to give away. I finally made up my mind. I took the jumping position. Closed my eyes and jumped.

It was the worst feeling in the world. It was as if I left my intestines outside and I never hit the water. I slide and slide and slide and where oh where those goddamn safe water??? When I finally hit the water the impact surprised me but I felt better and in control instantly. I had an instructor grabbed my life jacket and pulling me farther. It took a while before I could calm my own self.

So that was the last program. After that, we had the bus took us back to Jakarta. Unlike the journey to Cilegon, I had made a lot of friends during my journey home. 2 hours went just like that and I had my self dropped off in CITOS. It was a fun 3 days where I did nothing but laugh, making new friends and conquer my fear. I sure hope that none of those simulation will ever happen to me in real situation. But if they do, I hope I will be able to survive it. I feel so much prepared for my next month trip off shore now.