The First Time ...

“I did it!!! I shouted inside my heart, talking to myself. :-D
This reminded me of one ‘motto’ I once joked to one loved ones of mine, “There will always be the first …”
The first in anything …
The first marriage …
The first divorce …
The first baby …
The first boyfriend/girlfriend …
The first book to buy …
The first book to read …
The first book to publish …
The first job …
You name it.
Including what I just did today: THE FIRST TIME BIKE TO WORK!!!
Today, Monday 16 June 2008 the electricity was off when I arrived home from Paradise Club, one fitness center in Semarang. I was very disappointed of course since I couldn’t do one dearest hobby of mine: SCRIBBLING SOMETHING while in fact when at PC I already planned what to write after taking a shower.
Since nothing I could do but reading, so after taking a shower I just lazed myself away on my comfortable bed although a bit hot since the fan was off (due to the blackout). After browsing one gossip tabloid (and feeling entertained when reading a movie review of SEX AND THE CITY movie, can’t wait to watch it! When will it come to my hometown? SATC is my favorite television serials, although I didn’t watch it on television.) and today’s (local) newspaper, I tried napping.
However I couldn’t fall asleep.
My mind was full of what I want to write.
I don’t know from where the idea came but I started to think of going to the office by bike today. Yesterday I wrote three short articles on ‘bike to work’ to post at my blog. Absolutely I support this healthy and environmentally-friendly habit. I started think of telling the members of b2w Semarang mailing list that I also have done it. (FYI, just a couple of days ago I joined the mailing list.)
Amused by the idea to tell the b2w gang, I became more sure.
Wanna know my experience during my ‘trip’ to the office, that in fact only took 6 minutes? (My dwelling place is in Pusponjolo, while my office is on Pierre Tendean street.) I was wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved black polo shirt, sandals (or in Indonesia they are called ‘shoe sandals’), black socks and an old green hat of mine (I bought it in 1986!). When passing a garage in the next alley, a mechanic shouted, “Ayo mbak, ngetrek mbak!” (“Come on, sis, be fast!”) Nearing the roundabout before Banjir Kanal river bridge, a group of police inside a car passing by me looked at me, one of them said, “Ayo mbak, ngebut!” (“Come on, sis, ride it quickly!”)
I thought it must be caused by the yellow tagline under the saddle saying BIKE TO WORK.
I feel glad. Although a little, I have tried doing something to join the crowd to reduce the air pollution of our earth.

P.S.: After arriving at the office, I 'changed' my clothes to my 'usual' so-called uniform, a long black dress, and a black blazer, but minus my lovely black boots. :)
LL 14.53 160608