Cloverdew Creative

Not only did we get to witness a beautiful wedding, but we also got to experience much of the culture in Central Java through our travels there. We were fortunate to have a wonderful trip all planned out for us and enjoyed every minute of every day (well, except when my parents and I got food poisoning – ick!). We took a bus trip through the countryside and up into the mountains to stay at Dieng Plateau. We arrived in the evening, after dark had settled, but could see the beauty of the gardens at the tea plantation where we were staying. When we woke up the next morning, we could not only see the loveliness that was the waterfall outside our door, but also the other mountains in the distance. It was a breathtaking view.

We got a tour of the facilities and lessons in how to process tea leaves to make both green and black tea. Did you know they both come from the same plant? Black tea is just fermented. That’s the only difference. This tea plantation has 800 tea-pickers who are all women. They grow tea for Lipton… next time I drink a Yellow Label, I’ll remember everything about how it’s processed and prepared. Mmm, tea. (I love tea. I have many favorite types and love experimenting with new blends. What about you?)

While staying in the area, we also visited a beautiful old Hindu temple that was built in the 8th century. The facades were cracked, but you could still make out the carvings. It had long since been robbed of the figures inside the shrines, but the structures themselves were still quite impressive.

On the way to Jogjakarta, we visited Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Though this temple was built in the 9th century, it is still used for worship today. There are three levels to the structure, each representing a different realm in Buddhist cosmology: namely Kamadhatu (the world of desires), Rupadhatu (the world of forms), and finally Arupadhatu (the formless world). Humans live out their existence in the first level, the world of desires. Those who have pushed away and overcome all desires live in the world of forms, where they can see forms, but are not drawn to them. Only Buddhas, or those enlightened, can reach the realm of the formless world. In addition to this symbolism, there are also panels depicting the stories of Buddhist lore, the birth and life of Siddhartha. There are 72 statues of Buddhas, which through subtle differences, represent different directions and carry different meanings. Their different purposes include: calling the Earth to witness, benevolence and alms giving, concentration and meditation, courage and fearlessness, reasoning and virtue, and the turning of the wheel of dharma. The temple of Borobudur was not only impressive, but truly breathtaking.

My favorite temple, however, was not Borobudur, but the Prambanan Temple, a Hindu temple. Prambanan was also built in the 9th century and celebrates the Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Sustainer (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva). (Can you guess which one I was drawn to most?) In a similar fashion to Borobudur, there are three levels: the Bhurloka, the lowest realm of common mortals (humans, animals also demons), the Bhuvarloka, the middle realm of holy people, rishis, ascetics, and lesser gods, and the Svarloka, the highest and holiest realm of gods. In the lowest realm of mortals, humans are binded by their lust, desire and unholy way of life. In the middle realm of holy people, they have begun to see the light of truth. It is in the highest and holiest realm of gods that heaven is represented. This is where the righteous go between lives on Earth. At Prambanan, there were also many reliefs. They represented the epic stories of the Ramayana.

We set for Indonesia and met up with my brother in Jogjakarta (Jogja) for lunch at Ayam Goreng Suharti, one of the best fried chicken places in Jogja. Indonesians love fried food, especially chicken and this place is pretty famous for it. We ended up waiting at the restaurant for a while since Mike’s plane was delayed. While we were there, my brother gave each of us a gift of a book that had something to do with Indonesia – mine was Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Once we picked up Mike, who is a very old friend of my brother’s, we set off for Kebumen, Yulia’s hometown, in a very nice air-conditioned bus. By the time we were on the road, it was dark and most of us just spent the drive quietly looking out the window. There were even a few snores from the back of the bus. Later into the evening, we stopped at a buffet for our first real taste of Indonesian food, which is often spicy and includes small chilies. There were lots of options with egg, tofu, and tempe, and, of course, tons of rice. Indonesians, we learned, love sweet things and put sugar in almost everything including fruit juice and soy sauce. We were able to experience this first-hand at dinner and throughout our stay in Java. When we arrived late in the evening at our hotel, we were all relieved to find that it included air conditioning. Indonesia is hot and humid (but being near the equator has lots of lush flora to be relished – pictures to come in the next installment).

After a good night’s sleep, we all were excited to finally meet Yulia in person. She was a doll! Sweet, funny, and a perfect complement to my brother. After the ladies got fitted for the kebaya, we all got ready to head over to Yulia’s parents’ house to meet her family and take part in a couple of Javanese wedding rituals.

Introductions (Left to right: Pat, me, Ann, Jamie, Yulia)

The first ritual is that of the Sungkeman, where the couple asks permission each from their own parents by kneeling in front of them. The parents give their blessing to their children for marriage.

Sungkeman: Jamie with father, Ray, and mother, Ann.

After this ritual, Yulia and Jamie each took their turn for Siraman, the bathing ceremony, where the family members of each poured a rose-petal bath over their heads to purify and ready the couple for marriage.

Siraman: Yulia and her mother, Retno.

Siraman: Jamie and his father, Ray.

After the Sungkeman and Siraman, there was the ritual of gift-giving. Seserahan is when the bride and groom give each other gifts. There are certain expectations of the groom for the bride, mostly. He is to give the bride clothing, shoes, cosmetics, food and other things that show he can provide for her. My brother gave Yuli a lovely dress as her first gift and she thought it was very beautiful. Once she held it up for everyone to see, he pointed into the basket again. Yuli grinned and put on a pair of Groucho Marx glasses. “I’ve never been more beautiful!” she exclaimed. Everyone laughed. Then, Jamie pulled out another pair of glasses, with springy eyes, and put them on. The goofy pair of them made all her relatives laugh. And afterwards many of her relatives took turns trying on the glasses and taking pictures.

The happy couple: Jamie and Yulia.

On the day of the wedding, we all dressed in traditional Javanese clothing and made our way to the ceremony. In addition to traditional legal and Muslim pieces of the ceremony itself, there were also more Javanese traditions, including the Upacara Balangan Gantal, or throwing of betel leaves. At a distance of about 10 feet, the bride and groom stand in the middle of their parents and throw betel leaves to each other. The philosophy of the ritual tells that this is a special moment that will never happen again. The betel leaves are rolled tightly and this shows that the bride and groom are bounded and will face happiness and bitterness together. In Javanese culture, betel leaves are believed to have power to cast out bad spirits.

Then there was the Sindur Binayang ceremony. The mother of the bride covered the bride and groom with fabric. Then, the bride’s father led them to the bride and groom’s chairs. The bride’s mother walked behind the bride and groom. This ritual shows that the parents of the bride give their blessing to the bride and groom. In Javanese culture, a husband is expected to be a role model for his wife. This ceremony demonstrates how the father of the bride is a role model and how the groom should also be a role model. And the bride’s mother walks the bride and groom showing that she gives support to both the bride and groom.

Sindur Binayang

One of my favorite rituals was the Bobot timbang/Pangkon, or sitting on the bride’s father’s lap. The bride and groom sit on the lap of the father of the bride. The bride’s mother will ask to the bride’s father “who is heavier?” Then the father will say “they are just the same weight”. This ceremony shows that both of the daughter and son in law are equally accepted in the family. Then, the father will lead the bride and groom to sit in their arranged chairs.

Both are the same weight.

Before the reception line of about 300 people, there was also a repetition of the Sungkeman. There were many photos taken and a lot of music played. There were smiles on everyone’s faces. It was a beautiful and awe-inspiring day. And that was just the beginning…

Our truly international family: Mike, Anti (Yuli's sister), Hadi (Yuli's father), Retno (Yuli's mother), Ann (Jamie's mother), Jamie, Daffa (Yuli's nephew, Dewi's son), Yuli, Pat (Jamie's step-mother), Ray (Jamie's father), Joe (Jamie's step-father), Me. Dewi (Yuli's sister), Jason (Jamie's brother). Not pictured: Fais, otherwise known as Erman, Yuli's brother (he joined us for the wedding in Bali).

I just got back from the most amazing trip of my life – two weeks in Southeast Asia celebrating my brother Jamie’s wedding to a wonderful, amazing Javanese woman named Yulia. I set off on the first of April from Washington Dulles airport. I spent the next six hours mostly trying to avoid getting jabbed in the ribs by my neighbor’s elbow and thinking about how soon I would get to see my long-lost brother. When I got to San Francisco, I joined up with my parents (my brother’s father Ray and step-mother Pat) and we got our boarding passes for Singapore Airlines. Our flight wasn’t until after midnight, so we spent some time in the airport catching up.

On the plane, we were impressed with everything about Singapore Airlines – the seats, which are roomier than we’re used to on domestic flights in the US; the flight attendants uniforms and demeanor; the hot towels; the ridiculously good food; the in-flight entertainment. I highly recommend using Singapore Air if you get the chance. Although I wasn’t really able to sleep, I was at least somewhat comfortable and enjoyed watching Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows in my sleep-deprived state.

Singapore Skyline

Once in Singapore, we joined up with my brother’s mother Ann, step-father Joe, and brother Jason. The six of us spent a day and a half enjoying great food, drinks, modern architecture, Buddhist temples, Little India, Chinatown, many and varied species of orchids at the botanical gardens, and a sunset harbor cruise which gave us a great view of the Singapore skyline. (For more on our adventures in – and more pictures of – Singapore, be sure to read my parents’ blog entry here.)

Orchids in the Botanical Garden.

My mom (Pat), Ann, and I even had time to go to the spa and have a fish spa treatment and pedicures! The little fish felt like tiny little bubbles all over my feet. The larger ones tickled so much, we actually laughed out loud!

At the fish spa: Pat, me, Ann.

To be continued…

This morning, my mom sent me a link to a post about Berlin-based land artist Walter Mason. His work utilizes the beauty of nature and expands upon it. I just had to share the loveliness.

landart | elmleafmeander by Walter Mason

If you’re taken with this image, please check out more of  Walter Mason’s work at his Flickr photostream.

This post is part of a weekly feature on this blog called a Simple Image, which is just an image with links to the photographer’s or artist’s own website or blog.  If you would like to have your artwork or photography featured, or if you have suggestions on who should be featured, please contact me via email.

A list of gratitude and wonder:

♥ having breakfast with three beautiful deer, grazing in the morning sunlight ♥ opportunities to interview with interesting organizations ♥ Lark Rise to Candleford (who doesn’t love a period drama?) ♥ testing out fun recipes from foodie blogs ♥ picking apples and making homemade apple butter ♥ good friends who rescue you from going stir-crazy ♥ ending the evening with a phone call from my sweetheart ♥ being able to do something nice for someone else just to put a smile on his/her face ♥ pumpkin spice lattes ♥ fall temperatures and being able to wear sweaters ♥ putting together a playlist on Spotify for the express purpose of writing ♥ spending a full day outside with good friends at the Renaissance Festival, wearing pretty garb, watching a production of Hamlet, and enjoying music ♥ LUSH’s Dream Cream (with every essential oil good for your skin in one lotion… it’s decadent and scrumptious) ♥ Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s autumn scents (Pumpkin Latte, Sugar Skull, Samhain, etc.) ♥ leaves turning many colors, falling, and crunching under my feet ♥ It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! ♥ homemade cheddar, shallot, and chive scones and broccoli cheese soup ♥ the start of NaNoWriMo ♥ Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups ♥ having a job ♥ making holiday plans ♥ all of the fall colors ♥ pedicures ♥ drinking wine and socializing with some great people ♥ firing up the fireplace to keep the house warm ♥

*image credit: jek in the box

Fresh pumpkins. A bright evening sun on a summer’s day. Orange evokes brightness and happiness. Even the scent of oranges, the fruit the color is names after, is said to be energizing.

1. Orange flower, 2. orange vintage, 3. Orange Overload, 4. Orange Sunbrellas, 5. orange, 6. orange walls, 7. Orange on Orange, 8. Choco Orange Macarons, 9. Orange & Blue

Orange is the color of luck. It is the representative of the second chakra. It evokes the warmth of fire. Orange is full of energy. At its best, orange strengthens confidence and contributes to creativity. Orange stimulates. It increases activity, appetite, and socialization. It is a “love it or hate it” color, demanding action. It is a color of enthusiasm and joy, celebration and festivities!

In design, orange is used to create energy and is often used with and juxtaposed to blue and green.

As with red, a little goes a long way. Use sparingly for a little life or an abundance to give life to a project.

• For a little orange in interior design, check out this post from Cottage Home Decorating.
• If you’re looking for inspiration, try Color In Design: Orange.
• The Llewellyn Encyclopedia offers an article on the Seat Chakra, also known as Svadhisthana, which is associated with the color orange, emotion, sexuality, pleasure and polarity.
• About.com tells you How to Use Orange in Feng Shui.

How does orange make you feel? How will you use it in your life? I’m enjoying bright orange sunsets and fresh oranges in Florida to bring more joy and energy into my life.

Evaluation and refocusing are two essential pieces to accomplishing goals, especially for someone like me, who often comes up with tons of creative ideas, but never seems to have the energy to complete them all.

Last week, I posted regarding my goals for 2010 and the plans in place to achieve those goals. This week, I reflect on what’s worked, what hasn’t and where to go from here. I am doing this with just a few simple steps.

1. Review my best laid plans to remind myself of all the things I want to accomplish, both large and small.
2. Assess which goal paths I have been following and how much progress I have made.
3. Look for other goal path opportunities.
4. Act.

Learn

Assessment: I have utilized my free time very well and integrated learning into my work life with much success. I have accomplished a lot in the way of reading (books and blogs). I have deepened and broadened professional relationships, both through my office and no my own. I am extremely grateful to have a great new mentor and other professionals in my network whom I consider positive influencers, teachers, and colleagues. I’ve discovered areas of interest I didn’t know I had, uncovered talents and built skills I didn’t think I had the capacity for.  I view every challenge as a learning opportunity. I’m grateful and determined, working hard on every creative project and taking every chance to develop skills as a young professional. I’ve started journaling (on paper, in ink) again, launched this new blog to catalogue my progress in creative ventures and I am keeping the conversation going on the creative process across disciplines and fields and various platforms. I haven’t made it to any of the finish lines for my learning goals, but I’ve made huge strides.

Next step: I need to get out that 35 mm film camera and take some photos!

Create

Assessment: I’ve started this new blog about the creative process and have been successful with posting fairly regularly. I’ve cleaned out old clothing and have a huge pile of things to donate to charity… soon it will be time to make my own pieces. Though I haven’t completely succeeded here, I’m encouraged to do more the second half of the year. I’m excited about more opportunities to create blog content, my own clothing, jewelry for my roommate (who’s allergic to any metal except for gold), and putting together a cohesive and comprehensive offline journal. I used to carry around a Moleskine, which was not just a journal, but a living piece of art – I’ve started to get back into this practice and it’s amazing what a difference it makes in my life. Even if no one else ever sees it, “Art for art’s sake.”

Next step: Design my logo and put together a site. Completely finish cleaning out my closets and get my art and craft supplies in order in a workspace.

Invest

Assessment: I am doing MUCH better with eating well and have been shopping almost exclusively at the farmer’s market and only at Trader Joe’s aside from that. I have invested money into a personal trainer and this morning I started working out at the gym with her. The monthly membership and training sessions are expensive, but I’m looking forward to getting into shape and staying that way. I felt great this morning and, though I will be sore tomorrow, the investment in my future health is the only motivation I need to keep going. I’ve done a terrible job at keeping track of the accomplishments, but I certainly have been keeping up with the goal of doing something every week that I’m proud of – I think I’m going to start writing them all down for future reference and motivation. As I said above, I’m working on cleaning up and out and getting rid of any clutter (this one still needs quite a bit of work). I’ve been doing great with paying down what little debt I have and hope to continue on that trend throughout the rest of the year.

Next step: Writing in my journal the accomplishments I want to remember, work at better balancing my budget.

Image Credits: Learn – Rachael Ashe; Create – jessica wilson; Invest – connie zhen.

I’d love to know where you are on your goals for the year. How do YOU assess your progress? What adjustments have you made? How do you feel about the rest of the year?

I wrote this post back in January, but considering it’s been almost 6 months since then (oh, MY GOODNESS it’s flown by!), I thought I should post it again as both a reminder to myself what I want to accomplish and a means of checking in on my progress.

The other day, I read a great article on Chris Brogan‘s blog about Wiring Yourself for Success in 2010. He suggests that, instead of making the traditional New Year’s Resolutions and following them up with endless to-do lists, a better alternative is to set goals and lay out mind maps or frameworks for how to accomplish those goals with multiple paths to the same end result. So, instead of laying out resolutions like “lose 30 pounds”, he says he chooses to set a fitness goal and focuses on one word (in this case, active). He then writes out multiple ways, or paths, to achieve this goal and any distractions or obstacles that might prevent him from accomplishing it, then lists out a few steps to take on his path to success, what the “finish line” looks like (3-5 activities a week, looser jeans, a need to go shopping), and ultimately what comes after he has achieved this goal (step up activity level, try something challenging).

Rather than static goals and infinite to-do lists, this approach is accessible and fluid. If you slip up, there’s no need to start over, simply reassess and redirect, keep working your way to that goal. It’s encouraging, motivating, and makes so much sense.

Chris suggests picking three words for the year to start with. Mine will be: Learn, Create, Invest.

Learn

• Goal word: LEARN
• Path 1 to the goal: formal classes (I’m in the process of signing up for graphic design classes)
• Path 2 to the goal: utilize free time
• Path 3 to the goal: integrate into work life
• Distractions: work, other goals, social and leisure activities
• Steps to the path: sign up, work hard in, and excel at online graphic design classes; find free or inexpensive photography tutorials and practice with both digital and 35mm film cameras; read, read, read; observe professionals online and reach out to ask for guidance; work closely with my boss on creative projects and professional development opportunities
• The finish line: working knowledge and understanding of typography and layout in print and online media, five photography sets each with a different concentration (aperture, focus, f-stop, filter, flash, etc.); enough knowledge to push forth and create my own website.
• What’s next: use new knowledge to complete own website, portfolio.

Create

• Goal word: CREATE
• Path 1 to the goal: build own website
• Path 2 to the goal: continue blogging
• Path 3 to the goal: create my own style look
• Distractions/obstacles: time management, lack of patience
• Steps to the path: create a logo for my new online identity/website, layout and design of site, code it, update it; post to blog at least twice each week, keep new and exciting features coming and continue with features which I have already started, keep it fresh and relevant; add at least three home-sewn pieces of clothing to my wardrobe; make at least three pieces of jewelry; clean out any old or outdated pieces and donate to charity; take photos to document looks
• The finish line: a comprehensive, cohesive style and look in person and online; a brand I am proud to push forth in the world
• What’s next: continue to refine look, organize and style home spaces and document with photos, label, periodically refresh look online and in person

Invest

• Goal word: INVEST (I had originally picked “Smart”, but changed it to a verb – I like “doing” words and investing sounds smart, doesn’t it?)
• Path 1 to the goal: invest financially
• Path 2 to the goal: invest my time
• Path 3 to the goal: invest in myself
• Distractions: cash flow, time management, the usual social and leisure distractions
• Steps to the path: eat well (no nitrates, chemicals, preservatives, or hormones, eating a balanced diet, eating often but not lots at once), exercise (walking, biking, and getting out more), learning to view spending money on myself as an investment and not wasteful, do something every week that I can be proud of – whether that’s creating a piece of artwork or excelling at a project at work or donating time or money to a charity I support, spend money and time on quality and not quantity
• The finish line: owning only things that are quality and useful and nothing that can be considered clutter, visible results in health improvement via physical appearance and in hormone test results, a savings account not linked to a checking account that has a small amount in it only used in cases of emergency, a list of accomplishments at the end of 2010 that will challenge me to do even better in 2011
• What’s next: paying down debt on student loans, investing money, a list of equally challenging goals for 2011

Image credits: Learn – Dubio; Create – Thanushyan; Invest – Jordan Liang.

Analysis on my progress with these goals coming soon. In the meantime, I’d love to know what challenges and goals you set out for yourself in 2010. How are you doing with them?

Love A La Carte features all the little things that make my life just a little more delicious.

♣ MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC: of all kinds. Lately: Enya, Motown, Chuck Berry, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Imelda May, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ryan Adams, Kate Nash, the Smiths, M. Ward, She & Him, Greg Edmondson (the Firefly soundtrack), Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson, Sondre Lerche, Erlend Øye and Kings of Convenience. What music are you listening to lately?

♣ Long-distance phone calls.

♣ Emails from friends who might as well be family, who have known you forever and known you through everything beyond life itself.

♣ My iPhone and all of my nerdy news apps: BBCNews, Huffington Post, NYTimes, and NPR, as well as the Council on Foreign Relations. Yeah, I’m a huge dork. I embrace it.

♣ Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil.

♣ Multi-grain tortilla chips.

♣ Going to the salon for hair dying and new style. Pampering myself in general. Might even get a manicure!

♣ Making peace with the fact that I can’t afford graphic design school just yet. But I will find a way. I am determined.

♣ Having guy friends I can just chill with. The balance of energy is different than with girls and I’ve missed having friendly, non-romantic relationships with guys.

♣ Hot caramel mochas.

What’s making your life sweet this week?

It’s 60 and sunny in the beautiful District of Columbia today, but I can imagine nothing better than taking a day like today and completely wasting it on the water. If you could do anything, what would you do with a beautiful day?

Sailing SE in Broad Sound, Casco Bay, near Whaleboat Island by jaybirding

If you’re taken with this image, please check out more of Jay’s work at his Flickr photostream.

This post is part of a weekly feature on this blog called a Simple Image, which is just an image with links to the photographer’s or artist’s own website or blog.  If you would like to have your artwork or photography featured, or if you have suggestions on who should be featured, please contact me via email.

I remember, as I drink my morning tea, that we are all children of Earth.

I breathe in and remember that we all are born and we all must die.

I breathe out and remember that from death comes new life.

This morning, I am drinking Teavana’s Arcadian Apple green and white tea blend and connecting with the earth. I steeped my tea and breathed in the steam, a tasted the tea and thanked goodness that I am here and alive and that I can enjoy these small pleasures in life. What are you thankful for today?

Image credit: Heather Spriggs Thompson of Gathering Spriggs.

♥ Seth Godin tells us exactly what we don’t want to hear: No, everything is not going to be okay. (Except reading this post really made me feel like everything IS going to be okay. How did he do that?!)

♥ Need a laugh? You must check out Sleep Talkin’ Man, who says things like “My bagder’s gonna unleash hell on your ass. Badgertastic!” and “Oompa loompas don’t sing in heaven. They tidy up the clouds.” The transcripts his wife posts online mornings after are hilarious. And very odd. But mostly just hilarious.

♥ This year, I want to get back to basics: writing in a paper journal. I found some great inspiration on how to turn a (cheap!) composition notebook into an art journal at Lil Blue Boo.

♥ Have you heard? Pantone Is Blowing Up In 2010.

♥ Do you have a thirst for giving? Try KOR’s water bottles, each benefiting water-related issues: ocean protection (blue), watershed protection (green), container recycling (orange), and global water crisis (pink). They’re beautifully designed and these innovative products reduce environmental impact (plus, 1% of all sales goes to water-related non-profits).

♥ Need a little zen in your life? Check out the Zen Salutations blog. You might also want to check out 8 Unconventional Ways to De-Stress and Relieve Tension.

♥ Need a pick-me-up? Try 14 Ways to Beat the Blues.

♥ I am in love with the whimsical style of Randi Brookman Harris. Her prop styling and creative direction is quirky, but simple and pretty. I particularly love the bright colors with white for weddings (she’s done styling to Martha Stewart and Kate Spade). Lovely!

♥ This first look of Zac Posen for Target is awesome and I can’t wait to see more. I particularly love that red cocktail dress. It’s sexy, cute, and classy all at the same time!

♥ Do you love Helvetica? Ever wonder why? Well, here’s a testament to the Simplicity of Helvetica (along with some history of the font, too).

♥ Possibly one of the prettiest weddings I’ve ever seen, straight out of a fairy tale. Every detail in this collection of photos is filled with magic. From the beautiful, intricate headpieces, to the priestess’ staff, the flowers, the shoes. Everything looks as if it were sprinkled with fairy dust. Gorgeous!