random stories from nowhere & everywhere
Several weeks ago, a beautiful 11 year old girl named Josée died in a sledding accident at the hill at the Mooney's Bay, a park where I walk regularly. This was her first winter in Ottawa. Her entire family moved from Lebanon just 6 months ago, to build a new life in Canada. The story … Continue reading A QUIET PLACE
Sometime last year, I wrote a series of short pandemic narratives in English. Then they were translated into Indonesian, to be recited as part of the Virtual Concert (of Indonesian community) "Senandung Merdeka". In this 3 minutes video, I weaved these narratives into one continuous pandemic narration titled "When It Is Over"--in Indonesian with English … Continue reading #Pandemic: Ketika Semua ini Berlalu /When it is Over
I walk following a particular route in my neighbourhood three times a week. Passing small streets and rows of houses. Making the same turn on the corner of a small neighbourhood park. Crossing the road at the same intersection. Walking over the same bridge and climbing the same hill. Over and over again. I have … Continue reading A SOLITARY WALK
Text of my speech for the Jakarta Arts Council's "Pidato Kebudayaan" ("The Speech on Culture") is available in both English and Indonesian, here: http://bit.ly/rhythm_algorithm. Naskah Pidato Kebudayaan DKJ saya bisa diunduh di link tersebut. Also, the talk itself, while delivered in Indonesian, now it has English subtitle;it's way more rhythmical than a written version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh9nydACB1U … Continue reading Rhythm & ALGORITHM OF US
Saya mendapat kehormatan dan kepercayaan untuk memberikan PIDATO KEBUDAYAAN DKJ (Dewan Kesenian Jakarta) pada tanggal: 10 November 2021, pukul 19.30WIB, di kanal youtube DKJ. Pidato ini akan tetap bisa diakses online setelah acara berakhir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh9nydACB1U Semoga anda berkenan hadir. salam hangat, merlyna
(terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia di bawah) I was truly in doubt whether to post this or not, but eventually I promised my students that I'd do it. This was originally written in response to Inspiring Girls International's invitation to participate in #ThisLittleGirlIsMe campaign. Also to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on October … Continue reading #ThisLittleGirlIsMe
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Ponte Vecchio, Firenze (Italy) - September 2001. I sketched this 20 years ago (and decided to colour it 19 weeks ago). Once upon a time on the bridge of Vecchio ... I took this Italy trip after the Dutch police called me that I needed to leave the country by early October or otherwise I’d … Continue reading THE REFLECTION BRIDGE
12 April 2001 - 12 April 2021 Two decades ago, I packed my bag and took a trip to a faraway place, leaving Dayeuhkolot, a place where I grew up, my family and friends behind. What began as a 4-months excursion had turned into an exquisite journey of life. Two decades is such a long … Continue reading It’s been twenty years …
"From now on our troubles will be out of sight ... From now on our troubles will be miles away ... Through the years, we all will be together ... If the fates allow ..." https://youtu.be/0A6gdW6OmJ8 We failed to make holiday cards this year, but here is our last minute attempt to combine a timelapsed … Continue reading Have yourself a merry ….