Solo-Indonesia

First of all pardon my grammar...

Last Thursday I went to visit my father in Indonesia which I never did for I guess 8 years? Currently he is residing in Solo, Surakarta Indonesia. The place is less developed unlike Singapore, although modernization can be seen progressing through out. You can see malls and the residents are dressed in a more westernized clothings, less batik.

I never miss Dad that much because partly, I was brought up by Mom cos they were divorced when I was only 2years old.

Today my father lives with my step-mom Ibu' Yanti, an Indonesian from Java, which part? I'm not too sure. I'm not so fond of her in the beginning but I guess I am getting used to seeing her around my Dad.

It was my first time visiting Solo and I already have little ideas or thoughts of retiring there. I can get a house as big as my Dad's at mere SGD200k! That's like cheaper than a 3-room flat! Imagine, a garden, a pond, a garage, laundry room, store and even space to start a food stall! Now I know why Uncle-Rawi, the Health-Attendant bought a house in Indonesia and plans to retire there.

The cost of living is super low too...I guess if you save enough to retire, you can retire very comfortably there without even worrying about having to work part time to survive till your death like what most middle incomed here does...they have to work, else it just ain't enough. Especially with people like me who started saving late and having trouble to save because I have to survive on my own. I am seriously considering that(retiring in Indonesia), I can already imagine.

I talked with Dad over there, he told me of his retirement plans which most probably I will follow. He has reached the age whereby he can withdraw his CPF funds. After doing so, he will bank in all of them to an account in Indonesia cos there, they offer higher interests. And with the monthly interest he earns, its enough for him to live by daily and even indulge in his part-time business(selling customized motorcycle parts) and Ibu' Yanti's food business(warong). He got it all planned and he even plans to buy another land on top of the house he is going to buy to build another house and rent it out. Gosh, although far from relatives but I can imagine how comfortable life's going to be. I think if I were to do the same, I can also bring mom along together, I'm sure there's ample room.

In Solo-Indonesia, there's nothing much to spend on.....there's not much to splurge...life's pretty simple there, pretty basic, if you say there's no entertainment...there's always nature or you can always turn on your pc/mac to blog(LoL) or surf or watch cable....I just want a comfortable life before I die in my old age, I don't wanna slog to my death or count my savings everyday and really budget to ensure I don't outlive my savings. For those whose already comfortable perhaps don't worry too much but for me, I do, cos I know life ain't getting any easier, that's why the investments and I am even considering to get a life investment on top of what I already have.

Some people say I think too much but look where am I now, I didn't think too much back then, thats why now, there's quite a struggle. Had I forgo the life I had, I would've not be so panicky now, although I know I can make it but I know I am balancing on a tightrope with the help of an umbrella and a net below offered by people close to me. Had I thought of the future, the umbrella and net would've come from my own pocket. Therefore now, I still can't say I am independent although 90% I am, that 10% is the safety net in case anything happens....LoL

Back to the trip, I'm glad it happened although during the trip....I lost my ipod shuffle, the baggage crew tore part of my bag, I got cut from the stand of my dad's bike, I left Ain's camera case in Solo and I finished all IDR2.1million, leaving only IDR2k. AND I discovered my rear tyre got punctured when I reached home. And surprisingly although frustrated, I am not 1bit angry....LoL.....

Why I am glad? The bond I never had with my father, my grandmother, my stepmom and my auntie. The trip got us closer, we joked, we talked bout serious issues, we shared ideas and many more....above all we know we care bout each other....I know at least my grandma care about all of us. I love u nenek, ouh thanks for the airfare...next time round, I pay for the flight...:)

I thought I could be all alone, start a whole new chapter on my own with Ain but now I realise, no man is an island. Family will be family although some part of family is not worth calling family for what they have done. However being a muslim....forgive and forget, always keep an open mind...I'm no saint, I do admit, I still can't forget....

Time flies....though I got lots more to say bout my trips(Phuket which I had yet to mention) I gotta go to bed cos tumoro I gotta get that rear tyre fixed.....gnite peeps.

Love you all....nites.