Indonesian Bridesmaid

After I returned from Mountain Jam that last weekend in May, Sari, my former-roommate whom I visited in Jakarta last year (see previous posts) facebooked me to tell me some very exciting news... she's getting married! On Sunday, June 21st she is being proposed to. Let me explain: Johnny her boyfriend has already asked her in private, but there is a tradition where the two families get together and an official proposal takes place. If all goes well (and it better!), Sari and Johnny will be married on Friday, October 2nd, 2009.

Sari has previously been married and isn't looking for the huge, glitz and glamour that she had for her first. The wedding will be more intimate and the wedding reception will be held at a local hotel. Even though she doesn't want it to be large, I have this funny feeling that it's still going to be a big deal. Sari asked both myself and our friend Kenzo to be her bridesmaids. Kenzo actually already bought her ticket online for less than $700 roundtrip, but I didn't get online to the deal quick enough, so I'm still looking. I would love to go over for two weeks, but hopefully I'll have a job by then, so I am planning on returning to Jakarta for a week, departing NYC on Saturday, September 26th and returning on Sunday, October 4th.

The part I am looking forward to the most has got to be my kebaya. During my previous trip to Jakarta, I wore a lime-green kebaya to a family wedding and I bought a beautiful, red/gold lace kebaya from a department store for myself. While cleaning my closets out this past week, I put my red lace kebaya on and low and behold (I knew it), those 10 lbs I put on since my trip have definately done their share to not allow me to wear it in public at this point in time. So, gotta lose the weight so I can wear it to some family event. For the wedding, Sari is going to be getting kebayas made for Kenzo and I and so I have to send her my measurements now and get fitted/tailored within the first day or so after I arrive in Jakarta. Start the diet and exercise!

In another exciting turn of events, I am going to learn how to speak Bahasa Indonesia. I'd love to be able to say a few basic things to Sari's family and friends while over there. I already know how to say a few things such as dog, cat, car, plane, girl, boy, woman, man. Don't forget "the cat is in front of the car". I got that one down pat! I am using the Rosetta Stone program and it's awesome! Gonna be jibberjabbering in another language in no time at all!

So that's my update! I am gonna write another within the next few days about my job search, so be on the lookout!

Mountain Jam @ Hunter Mountain

A lot has been happening since I last posted. I've gone to a number of concerts (Alkaline Trio, AtomicTom), the most recent one being Mountain Jam this past weekend at Hunter Mountain, NY. My ex was teching for Michael Franti & Spearhead, who were performing on Sunday and I drove up Saturday evening and stayed through Monday morning.

Why Monday morning? Did you take a vacation day? NO WAY! I was let-go from my job on Friday. An end of the day blow. To be honest, I was having some problems working at my last job and I was feeling like I wasn't fitting in and not as passionate about a job as one should be. So it's a blessing in diguise. I did not expect it though.

Back to the concert- I was supposed to get my zipcar and drive up Sunday morning but my ex got into the hotel early and asked if I could come up Saturday night. It really was a lovely drive once I got unstuck from the mess of New Jersey roads once across the GW Bridge!!!! Horrendous I tell you! Two hours later and I was at the Villa Vosilla at Hunter Mountain. A throwback to a 1960s, this is a a mini-resort. Looks small from the outside, but man, this place is a MAZE when you walk inside! The bar, that leads to the night club area with stage/dancefloor (perfect for a retro wedding), dining area, lounge area, indoor pool/sauna/game room! This place had the most amazing Italian food and the owners were so generous to the whole group. :)

The show on Sunday was awesome. Michael played an acoustic set on a sidestage, then I got to sit on the mainstage and watch the main performance- amazing! After the show, we went back to the hotel, relaxed, grabbed some dinner and then something magical happened...

MP AND I GOT MARRIED BY MICHAEL FRANTI! completely fake, but let me explain...

Earlier in the night I walked into the night club area, complete with archway covered in tulle and exclaimed that this was where I was going to have my wedding. Carl, the bassist for the band overheard me and put this bit of info in his pocket for later on. The band takes the stage around 11:30pm for a set and there are a lot of people in this room. Friends, family, fans, the owners of the Villa Vosilla. Michael says the following: "Welcome to the Mountain Jam 2009 after-party at the Villa Vosilla and wedding reception. We heard some rumors... are there any couples here tonight that would like to get married?" Michael and Carl then point to my ex and I. What the hell! We walk to the dancefloor with people clapping and stand in front of Michael. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." and then we were "married" by Michael Franti. We had our first kiss and dip. People clapped. Some girl was my maid of honor. Throughout the whole night, whenever Michael mentioned wedding reception, we'd scream and yell and throw our drinks up in the air. I think I consumed about 2 bottles of pinot grigio that evening. We had our first dance to "All I Want Is You". fantastic.

The goodbye was quick but hard. He lives in LA and I live in NYC and that's the main problem. I'll always love him and it's hard to see the possibility of when we could possibly be together. So I'll take whatever time I can get, if I feel like it's ok too and I look forward to seeing him back in the area late August/early September. The drive home only took 2 hours. Definately have to go back for some skiing and I'll definately be staying at the Villa Vosilla.