Simple Red & White Menu

Patriotic August: Indonesia, Why I Love Her
Indonesia, you ask me why I love her ? Well, give me time & I’ll explain…
Have you seen a Lombok beach sunset or a Pangrango rain ?
Have you drifted on a bayou down Mahakam way ?
Have you watched the cold fog drifting over Bromo highland ?
Have you heard an Orang Utan calling in the Kutai Hulu pines ?
Or heard the bellow of a diesel in the Sawah Lunto coal mines ?
Does the call of Sigura-gura waterfall thrill you when you hear her waters roar ?
Do you look awe & wonder at a Tanah Lot shore ?
Where men who braved a hard new world, first stepped on Sorowako rock ?
And do you think of them when you stroll along a Sunda Kelapa dock ?
Have you seen a snowflake drifting in the Jaya Wijaya mountain…way up high ?
Have you seen the sun come blazing down from a bright Kelimutu sky ?
Do you hail to the Membramo as she rushes to the sea…
Or bow your head at Pegangsaan street…in our struggle to be free ?
Have you seen the mighty teton of Bukit Barisan ?
Have you been to Ambon bay & watched an eagle soar ?
Have you seen the Bengawan Solo roll along Gresik’s shore ?
Have you felt a chill at Samosir island, when on a rainy day,
Her waters rage along the shore in a thunderous display ?
Does the word “Kitorang basodara” make you warm ?
Do you stare in disbelief when you see the surf come roaring in at Bunaken reef ?
From Sabang island to Merauke town…from Sebatik to Roti island…
My heart cries out… my pulse runs fast at the might of her domain.
You ask me why I love her?… I’ve a million reasons why.
My beautiful Indonesia… beneath Gods’ wide, wide sky.
Adapted by DS
August 1, 2008

Here come again .... the month of August!
This is a special month for all Indonesians. The month when we celebrate our independence day. This year will be our 63rd of anniversary.

Two weeks ago, we received an invitation from the Indonesian Consult General in Mumbai, to attend the flag raising ceremony. Yes, together with the Indonesian communities here, we will come and attend the sacred ceremony. Our children will come, too. It will be their very first experience to attend this kind of ceremony (... oh, we still have to teach them to sing the Indonesia Raya, our beloved national anthem though). They're very excited for that, more because there will be lots of children games after the ceremony with good prizes :)

Later, I have to prepare my Kebaya and Sarung Batik, our national dresses that I'll wear for the ceremony. Not only for me, but also for my daughter. For the gentlemen and boys, they will wear the Batik shirt. For me, this ceremony will be very interesting since it was 17 years ago the last time I attended the independence day ceremony back in my university campus in Bandung, Indonesia.

Usually we don't have to cook special food during the celebration, instead will be busy playing lots of games and enjoying lots of events. But this time... for my entry to participate 'Red and White Foodie Photography Contest' I choose to cook a simple Indonesian food. Food with the ingredients that always remind us to our beloved country. Stir fry touge (~bean sprout) with cabe merah (~red chilli), ikan asin (~salty fish) and fried tahu/tofu (~bean curd). The dish will be served with steam rice, telur balado (~boiled eggs in chilli sauce) and krupuk cimpring (tapioca cracker). This is a simple menu that is common to be found on many Indonesian Family dining table. For dessert, we choose the 'Pink Lady' apples.

Do you want to join us... Come the table is ready!

Happy Independence Day! Merdeka !