faraway

Yes, it's true. I have reached the ripe old age of 40. Many people have commented that I appear much younger than my age. In fact, I was recently in Washington, D.C. where I was asked to prove my age at a bar (the first time in 15 years)! In the west, youth is idolized. Yet I live in an asian country where age is respected. So it seems my youthful looks are not much of a boon since I can neither bask in western idolization nor get asian respect.

My birthday was on a Monday this year and as usual I bought lunch for the office according to Indonesian custom. I ordered my favorite ayam bakar from Ayam Ganthari. Somehow, I feel that custom should be suspended for your 40th.

The highlight of my birthday was the amazing gift from my brilliant and creative wife, Galuh. For months she had chasing friends and family from all the various corners of my life to contribute comments which she compiled into a book for me! It's like a chronicle of my life with pictures of my childhood (stored away faithfully by my Mom all these years), and comments from highschool friends, university buddies, Greenpeace pals, family and NDI collegues. It's a magnificient and moving gift of memories. Thank you, Galuh.

My friend Deb Nolan made the book using Japanese binding. It comes with a beautiful crimson silk bag. Thanks to Deb as well.

Galuh also bought me a very cool replica sword from Lord of the Rings called "Hadhafang, the Sword of Arwen". Here's what swordsmiths say about the sword:

"Hadhafang means Throngcleaver. It belonged to the Elven Idril, who wed a mortal man and bore Earendil, the father of Elrond who weilded Hadrafang at the end of the second age of 'Middle-Earth' during the last alliance of Elves and Men in the great battle against Sauron."

The nice thing about being 40 is that I can recieve weapons as gifts.