Like bees to honey

This was originally posted on October 23, 2008.






After a short trip to Central Java mom and I went back to spending time with more (other) family members. Dang, they do seem to multiply steadily over here... Just like I anticipated, spending two or three days and nights with each member (aunts, uncles, cousins) would certainly take time. But I'm not complaining. People have been very generous (I think I gained 5 pounds just eating all my favorite foods) and different people have been taking time off work just to show me (and my mom if she felt like it) around. My cousin Deny had a great time taking me to places. He and his older brother Indra (who now works at a lab at a university nearby as a dirt analyser) took mom and me to Mt. Bromo the last time we were visiting. Yes; that is an active vulcano. Deny is a country boy, who has an adventurous streak, but that fact makes him feel awkward and out of place when wanting to try new things. He's never had pizza (although he was curious enough) so I took him out for pizza. Well, take out actually. Same goes for KFC. (Looks like I had my share of junk food for this year ) I took him to Ba-Be, a cafe/restaurant where my cousin Yuli works, since he's never been to a cafe. It's nice to see him enjoy all those new experiences.





Anyhoo, I mentioned the multiplying part earlier. Some are surprised I still don't have that one "special boy friend", others understand that modern big city women *ahem* sometimes don't feel the need to settle down. In the past four years there have been several additions to the family. And the majority don't waste time taking to me. I am just as surprised as my mom, because I don't give them special attention and I certainly don't talk the oogely-boogely talk. But they all stick to me like bees to honey, and are seriously upset once the moment has come to say goodbye. I'm doing something wrong here - I can tell you ignoring them does NOT work.
The funny thing is that my favorite aunt and uncle (my mom's older sister and younger brother) seem unfazed by my ink. Bear in mind that in Indonesia traditions are very important. Like, short hair on girls/women is rare. (Although, I noticed emo haircuts on boys - the happening trend right now.) Tattoos are rare, and certainly not meant for girls. There are no female soccer players (professionally) and Indonesian "rock chicks" are still a novelty. Anyhoo, my uncle showed me his ink and told me how he did that himself. My aunt revealed that the eyeliner and her eye brows are tattooed. The story on how she got it done is hilarious, but that's perhaps something for another time. My little cousins were all curious by my ink, and frequently lifted my shirt sleeves to have a look at them



Unfortunately for me, I miss the queer film festival in Surabaya as I'm in Central Java. And two days before mom and I intent to leave for Bali for a few days, the opening of the first Asian Beach Games (held on Bali) is being aired in national TV. Not wanting to risk ending up on Bali without a (decent) hotelroom, mom and I decide not to go. We can always go another time.