I am There but not Here...Tim​e to say "Bye"

Farewell - Bye Bye Time

Finally the moment/day has come for which we not waiting but as we all know time never stops for anybody and this moment had to come and it came on 5th April Evening.
As I go ahead writing about today evening and of Friday/Saturday, one will see and have just one question in mind - how can people get so close and get bonded so well in just 4 weeks.
As per our plan, we had to exchange the gifts today/last day of our assignment and this was the moment. Somewhere around 7 PM, 5th APril-2012 we all met in our Team Room 312.

Started one by one.
First was Ruth - She got a handmade box(for girls) - very cute and a toy taxi/bus (for boys) from Philippines.
Next was Javier - He gave us the USB/Pendrive with Mexican Songs ( very different thought).
Next was Jess - She got the black rice for each one of us. Also said that she will be sending the recipes for the same over the email. I requested her to send something for Veg also. But, I suppose none of us had ever seen the Black Rice.
Then came Arun with a small key chain of elephant and Ganeshji. God bless all of us. Wish, the friendship we all started in Makasaar remains for ever.
Now our lovely Cheryl came up with lovely gifts of a neck piece for girls and t-shirts for boys.
Our Military Man Tom gave a friendship band but it was not just a friendship band, it could be used in different ways and this showed how one should optimize his/her travel bag while travelling. We could use it as fishing line. Awesome thought.
After this Sabine gave us chips...So cute of her. Actually she had got key chains and Austrian Chocolates which she gave it our clients.
So, next was my turn. From India I brought and elephant which has the significance of greeting/wishing for the good beginning in somebody's life and also pen.Both the things were very traditional and hand made. Best was my brother's wife who had packed them so well. She had put flowers over them made by herself. Thanks to her.
Also, last one week, I have been working over something as a surprise to be given. I wanted to give something which is small and can be close to hearts forever. So I made the cards with some pictures. It was a tough job. First got the handmade papers from the mall. Then, had to run around to find the Photo Shop somewhere who can print the pictures for me. Finally found one shop, but next issue was the explanation that what and how I want. Final issue was not letting my team know that I am doing something like this. Maybe, this whole thing took more than a week to get completed but many a times, I had to tell a lie to my friends when I was going out alone here n there.
While giving this, I said something and I got choked and could not speak after that. It made me speechless. I was normal till this time but don't know what happened. It made me speechless, no more words. Ok getting back to the moment, as soon as I gave this - Jess broke the seal. She started crying. Everybody got emotional, got quiet. Some spoke, something was being said but somewhere somehow I got lost. So many things were running in my head. I realized I need to go back to face the reality. Tom said that we all are like a family and you are the middle child of this family with whom anybody can talk and share anything. Also, he said we have seen so much change in you, you have grown up a lot here. Javier, Jess, Arun , everybody said something, but each moment I was moving deep inside somewhere. Something started hurting me and I was lost after that.
We all got quiet for sometime, no words, didn't know what to do.

Also, I had made the same card for my clients also which was given to them in the morning... And these are the 9 cards for my team with something special for each one of them. My sweet little family. Thanks so much guys. You are so special for me.

Then, ball went in Vivek's court and he said he hasn't got anything but had words. He spoke about each one of us and vive-vera. Good thoughts and good feelings for each other.

Last was our Very Very Hot Member - Marcelo. He collected some Brazilian songs for us and had put them in the CD. So sweet of him.

And then, suddenly when we were all done. Arun or Ruth said, Nitu what happened. You are always talking non-stop. What happened. Say something.I couldn't smile, couldn't say a word. Javier said, Guys go on Facebook and read what she has written. But, then Vivek read it for all of us and it made me cry more. Tom was looking at me and he saw that I was crying quietly. He said, do you want a hug. I just jumped up for it. I really needed it. I cried holding him.Thanks a lot Tom. And next hug and crying together was with Jess. Again, we all just sat down trying to talk. It was almost 9 I suppose(don't remember) and then we left for dinner.

We all went for dinner and then some of us for dancing/club.
We came back late night. All my friends know, I am not a song/dance person, but I used to go with all to be with all and see them smiling and dancing. That gives such a good feeling and also I feel so good seeing them even if I am not able to.
Friday - 6th April - Got up. Had breakfast and then rushed to complete the knowledge transfer spreadsheet and transferred my photos in the hard disk.
Irma came and along with Jess, we went for shopping. Shopping done. Back to hotel. And then the time came (3 PM) when our first 3 family members left for home. It was just cry n cry and bye n bye. Miss you guys.

After some time, Ruth, Cheryl and myself went for shopping but I didn't have my heart in it and didn't do any shopping.
We went to the Honeymoon Hotel, saw the sunset for the last time. Back for dinner to Red Bowl - our last dinner in Makassar.
In the meantime, Irma came in the Hotel and gave the Kabaya dresses for Sabine and myself. What should I say. Again a gift. These people are so sweet and so lovely. Can't believe how can somebody be so good.
Last night in Hotel - packing n all.
Saturday Morning - One by one, all of us bid bye to Makassar. Cheryl left for Bali, Arun for Bangkok.

Next were we --Ruth back home Manilla, Javier to China and myself to Singapore.

Later in the day - Sabine for Dubai and Vivek for Bali.

Want to end with the below poem not mine but from my heart::::
It's hard to believe it's time to go
Leave this way of life, spread our wings and grow
Say Good-Bye to those friends that we hold dear to our hearts
Shedding tears for we'll be so far apart
Remembering all the good times and even the bad
Including the not so good discussions we sometimes had
Through the tears and the pain!!!
Friendship was our gain
We stuck together through sunshine and rain, laughs and shouts
We found out what true friends were all about
So as our month comes to an end
We'll carry in our hearts our special friends
And take with us all the memories that were made
Since that very first CSC Day!!!

Love you my Team and miss you so much!!! Wish and hopes and dreams to meeet you again somewhere, sometime, someday!!!

Keep Smiling

:)

Cheers

Last Week of the Assignment

Last Week
I know the blog is one week late but last one week has been so busy and it just flew but I wanted to write about it so here it goes..
Last week of our stay/assignment in Makassar, Indonesia.
Monday and Tuesday went giving training/workshops over Project Management Effectiveness, Change Management etc. Day seemed so small. There was so much to do and so less time. It was tough and I was worried if my thoughts and what I wanted to tell could get though them or not. But, yep our clients were also very supportive. But, somehow still managed to complete the task. Also, we closed on Tuesday evening with the farewell smiles and cries, lots of gifts, cakes, awesome lunches, dreams and hope to meet again and also our wish that our one month work will help them improve their way of working and they will be more effective.

4th April - We had the Workshop for more than 900 teachers over Anti-Cyber Bullying. From CSC Team, we had Jessica presenting. Also, there were many more people to talk about it and answer to the questions raised by the teachers. But, their enthusiasm amazed me. This shows that how much the city is looking forward to make their city a smart city and intelligent city and they know that the youth are the future of the country.
Bapak Walikota could not make for the Workshop but we had Suryo (CGM of IBM, Indonesia). Suryo has a great personality and it was good opportunity to listen to him.

After the lunch, we all went to the Public Library where IBM was going to donate computers (Smart Kids Program). My personal perspective, felt good seeing IBM working for the growth of the city and hence the country in such a big way. Kids presented the dance and it was so lovely to be with the kids. Reached our Hotel and there was a surprise awaiting myself an Sabine. Our clients came to the hotel around 6.30 PM with the gifts. They got us the traditional dress of Indonesia which is known as Buji Bodo( It made me speechless. They are so sweet and ....don;t know all what I can say. Today when I am writing this sitting in my IBM office. I have been talking about these people the whole day and telling everybody that how good the Indonesians are). Both of us got dressed up and I was almost in tears seeing the love of our clients, seeing how much they care for us and ....Awesome.
Day ended with the dinner with the CGM and Karoke alongside.

Next day - Last Day - 5th April -All of us ( all the five teams) presented our presentations to the Mayor, CGM and our clients. Sabine and myself wore Buji Bodo for the presentations and everybody liked seeing us in the dress. Also, in the end after Mayor appreciated our work for the city, he invited us to be the citizenship of Makassar and also find the husband for me and Sabine.

Next and our final activity, we went to the Juvenile Prison ( which had around 100-150 children below 18 years). They greeted us with the traditional dance and then we played and tried to teach some computer skills. All of us got so senti seeing those kids, I could not even sense/feel if they had committed any crime. They were talking so sweetly, smiling and could talk so well. This is an unforgettable experience. They just wanted to touch and have the feeling of closeness. Must have been missing their families for so long. I pray for their happiness and wish that all good happens to them.

I am thankful to all for giving us this opportunity. It is the lifetime experience.
Our Day and the CSC Assignment ends today with the sad faces which will come up in the next post.

Weekend Stories!!!

Weekend n Again a weekend n a Special Weekend!!!

Weekend started with a bad note. There have been demonstrations in Indonesia and in our city - Maksaar also since last one week due to which many of us have not been able ot go to our clients place and worked from Hotel. But we were waiting for the weekend. For the weekend, there were two plans for the team:

First was the Bira Beach which was 5-6 hours drive from the city which is one of the beautiful beaches here. Pictures of the same on the internet and also as informed by locals in the city did say that one should go to this beach if you are in Makassar. Other plan was to have the City Tour, Fort, Waterfall, Butterfly Park, Caves and all. Frankly saying, I was in the dilema that what should I do and where should I go. I was not very excited for either of them as always had in the mind to go to Bali, but due to the secutiry reasons and whatever, it did not work out. So both of these plans were just Ok or 50-50 for me.When I was asked, I said to the team that I will go ahead with one of them but maybe to Bira Beach as I was afraid if the demonstartions keep going, we will not be able to make the City Tour and I did not want to stay locked down in the hotel for the weekend. But, while sleeping on Wednesday night, I thought about this and tried to imagine both the situations. If I go for the beach, it will be travel, reach there, go there on the beach, sit, enjoy the beauty, nature. But, as far as I know myself, I love to go and be in the arms of the nature but....I don't know something, but maybe that something....., don't know what and I decided to change my plans and let Sabine know whenever I meet her next day that I will be going for the City Tour. I was feeling bad as I wanted to go but I couldn't go. Also, somehow I felt I might get to see many different things here in the City of Makassar on the weekend.
So finally, it was confirmed that four of our team members will be going for Bira Beach and rest all for the City Tour.Our team which had to leave on Friday afternoon for Bira Beach, had to wait till Saturday morning as the situation in the city got worse and IBM Security asked us not to go anywhere. But, we were fortunate enough that situation improved and team left on early Saturday Morning.

Both the groups have so much to talk about their weekend. Both the groups had an awesome weekend and enjoyed it the way they wanted, thats the best part of it. I cannot write much about the Bira Beach as I did not see it myself and felt it myself. Maybe, I cannot imagine and feel the same as whatever expeirences we are having cannot be explained so well in words, all this can only be felt. But, seeing the pictures and talking to them, it seems they had the time and the vacation they wanted. Best part is they are happy. Hey guys, But Missed You!!!
Getting on to the trip, on which I went. We started on Saturday somewhere around 8.50 AM in the morning. 3 small/young ones on the back seat and 3 big/old ones in the middle seat. Had great fun talking and pulling each other's leg all over the way in the car. First we went to the Fish Market. I don't think I have ever gone and might ever go in a Fish Market like this. It was near the port. Different Types, different colors, different sizes of the fishes could be bought. People there were excited to take the photos/pictures. We were also excited to take the pictures in difefrent poses. We felt as if we all were smelling after this and tried to smell each other. I Suppose we were not smelling but it was that smell of the fish market which pschylogically made us feel that we were smelling. But , it was a good place to go once in a while... :))

Next in line was the Fort Rotterdam. AS all other forts it was the place of history and our guide told us a lot about the same. Good place to go and see the history of this city. Fort Rotterdam is recognized as the city’s most iconic landmark. With historical traces dating back to the Kingom of Gowa from the 16thth century to colonization by the Dutch, this Fort has silently witnessed many episodes in Makassar’s history. Then comes Bit of sovenior shopping. We just went to two shops. Sorry Cheryl, not much shop today.. :((( but still we all could buy something.. :)))Next, we went to the Museum on the way to Gowa Area.

Again history and pictures.Then Lunch in the Gowa Area. Lovely place to have the lunch. In India also, many people sit on the floor and eat(maybe now its not so common), but for some of our team members it was a different expierence. But, best part was I got good evegetables to eat and I actually ate lots of food. My friends got good/fresh fishes to eat.Next was the Grave of the Sultan Hassanuddin. Good place. Ruth tried her level best to get some sad pictures, but she somehow managed the Pole Dance in the Grave.

Last was the Mosque. Maybe not the biggest of this city but it was very big and huge. Name is Al Markaz. It was somewhere around 6.30 PM. Prayer was going on. We went inside and I got feeling of peace seeing the people praying clamly. First, I just sat and was looking at the women who were praying. Suddenly some of them turned and saw us as if some who are so different are in their praying area. Good part was I did not see anger in their eyes that why somebody else who can be Non-Muslim is sitting here. Felt good to see it.After that they came and talked to us. Sat around us, we exchanged our names and details of who, why and all. Lia went for her prayers and then I just went to her and asked if she could tell me how the prayer is done. I have this feeling and strong belief that God is One and we can pray to him as we like but since different people pray in diferent ways so just wanted to know how it's done in this religion. This was the first time I Was in mosque so I wanted to know as much I could. She gave me her dress and then told all what happens. It was a different feeling. I just sat for a minute to feel it. Liked a lot!!! This is something, again I might not ever do it. Thanks a lot Lia for getting me the chance to pray in the mosque.

This was just one day of our Weekend, So many different things and not just one thing. Let's see whats waitin for us on Sunday.

Sunday, again the same time, somewhere around 8.50 we left for the Butterfly and stunning waterfall known as Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park which is 50 Kms from the city. This was discovered in 1857 by Alfred Russell Wallace. The Bantimurung National Park has a total area of approximately 43,750 hectares and is divided into three major types of ecosystems, namely the karst ecosystems, a lowland forest ecosystem, and a lower montane forest ecosystem. The valleys of limestone hills and steep karts walls with tropical vegetation have made Bantimurung an ideal habitat for various rare and endemic species of butterflies, birds and insects. The word Bantimurung itself is derived from two Bugis words: Benti meaning water, and Merrung meaning roaring. Therefore meaning roaring waters. Others also suggest that the name Bantimurung comes from the words Banting Murung or smashing one’s gloom, meaning that here visitors can release their sadness or depressing thoughts through refreshing nature. The hills of Bantimurung-Bulusaurung National Park also hold wonders in some of its astonishing caves. The most notable of these caves are the Goa Mimpi (dream caves) and Goa Batu (the Stone Cave). Inside these caves, visitors can marvel through their interiors filled with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. The dreamlike crystal clear stalactites and stalagmites earned the cave its popular name, the dream cave or Goa Mimpi. Among these caves are found prehistoric “hand stencils”, similar to the rock art of Australia.
Me before I start the trip.

We saw the Waterfall, Butterflies, Cave 1.

We went to the first cave which was a small one, acted like monsters and all. Waterfall was amazing. After this, Arun decided to go in the water for Swimming( he liked it a lot) and three of us (Javier, Marcelo and me decided to go to the second cave). As informed to us, it is 4 kms walk in the cave. Also, not everybody or many people go for this. Again, I took 5 minutes to decide if I wanna go or not. And finally, as I was telling Marcelo that I am afraid of trekking steep mountains but I always want to do it as I want to explore, see and get rid of this fear of mine. I suppose, I am not afraid of falling or anything but I am not able to trek properly makes me scare and hence I keep going for it again n again n take the risk so that one day I can do it well. Hence, I was back in action. We three left for the Caves. I thought, it would be like 4 kms just cave but it was not like this. It was a trek first and a scary one. After five minutes, I actually took two minutes again to ask myself if I should go back or take the U-turn. But, nopes I went ahead. Finally I reached the mouth/entrance of the cave holding hands sometime, sometime on the knees, sometimes walking using all the four limbs fully drenched due to the rain (Worried for my camera in the bag). Now the caves saved us from the rain but it was not an easy walk. We walked on the Bridge made of wood, on the stones. I felt as if I was one of the characters of the books of Robinson Crusoe.

It was so peaceful inside, if it was not scary/so dark/or something like that; it was awesome to just sit and try to listen to the slience of the Cave, Silence inside yourself. But still, We sang some stupid songs, some talks as if we get lost, die here then what, etccc... Also, for Marcelo and Javier, it was not their first cave walk but yes, the first which was not yet touched by man to make it a tourist place and the first where they were talking in English. It was just nature, no changes made by anybody, nothing done to make easy walk. For me, it was first time a long cave walk. Also, our guides could not understand what we were saying and we could not understand, what they were saying. Sad, no pictures. If no torch, it was dead dark. We saw number of bats. It was scary, but again an expierence which cannot be missed or can be put in words so well. Next, was we were out of the cave somehow and the trek back on the montain. This was more bad. It was steep, slippery and scary. We could have fallen and if fall, just down and directly to India, without any flights. I allowed Marcelo to get my tickets cancelled if the above thing happen and use the money for his Bali trip and also he could take my camera.But, we forgot everything and we treked back most of the time by sitting and then taking next step. So, we walked by sitting. And sorry, I will go to India by flight and as I am writing this now, it means we are safe n back. We reached and took some lunch and final point was the Sunset Point which we call as the Honeymoon Hotel. We reached before the Sunset, took some good pics, Marcelo porposed Lia, all of us talked with each other. Day ended with a good note. Back to the Hotel, with lots of thoughts and good feelings.Met our four team members and it made me happy that they were happy and they were happy that we were happy. So the weekend story ends with the Happy Ending and the expierences which we all have felt it and enjoyed it!!!

Weekend Ends with all smiles. Ready for the week!!!
Keep Smiling.. :)))