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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You

Have you ever complained about your country? Your president? Your government officials?Well, I do. A lot. But nevertheless, I still love my country.

About two weeks ago, me and my friend Inti went to a show called "Beta Cinta Indonesia", which means "I Love Indonesia". It was a Guruh Sukarno Putra's (GSP) production, and he's a politician, an artist, and son of Indonesia's first President. Now, I really really really dislike politics. Each time I read too much about politics on the news, or even on the internet, I got very upset and annoyed. But I do love art.

And I really love shows like this, but I do not love the ticket price! The cheapest went for USD 25, and they were all gone. The cheapest available was USD 75, which was the bronze ticket.
That called for a little pep talk, creating some excuses we could possibly make to justufy paying that much amount for a show.
"Well, my budget for Broadway shows used to be 75 bucks..." I said hesitantly.
"And I spent 90 Euros to watch a classical concert in Vienna..." Inti added.
We looked helplessly at each other.
"Oh, booger! Let's get the tickets, then!" I said.
"Hurray!" she welcomed.
(Have you ever had similar experience when you had to persuade and cajole yourself to jump into a purchase?)

However, we were lucky. When my boss heard my moaning about the show's expensive ticket price, he told me that using a credit card from a certain bank would get us a 50% discount. Aaaand... a friend of Inti's was willing to lend her her debit card. So we ended up getting the tickets for only USD 32.5 each! So happy! Thank you! Aah, those good, kind people!
Anyway, since the theme is about loving one's country, Inti and I decided to wear Indonesian traditional fabric outfit called batik. And it was the correct "dress code"! Almost everybody in the audience wore batik, too! Even the foreign audience!
As for the accessories for the evening, I layered four individual necklaces like these...
... and wore them like this... Who needs to buy new layered necklaces at the store, when you can create one (or more than one) from your very own existing collection? Anyway, I also wore this outfit to go to Church before the event. It's sweet, modest, and modern with a touch of traditionalism. Haha!

This is what the pattern looks like up close. This is yet another handpainted Banjarnegara batik, influenced by Chinese blue and white pattern.

The new Jakarta Theater can be very cold, perhaps because it's a new building, so I brought my trusty wool cardigan in mint green! Better be prepared!

And I layered some bracelets, as well. No need to buy new layered bracelets, as well!

Inti and I snapped pictures of each other when we were waiting for the door to be opened...

The show was being held at Teater Besar or The Grand Theater. Last time we went there, it was matinee show (Read the post here). After sundown, it looked even more magnificent.

Outside the theater building, they had all kinds of street vendors and stalls selling local, Indonesian and international food. I had "kerak telor", a kind of dish made of egg, sticky rice, and shredded coconut spice, which is a local Jakarta traditional food. Yummy!
What do you think this picture is? At first I thought the vendor sold fries. But on a closer look, it turned ou they sold fried mushrooms! How extraordinary! You could choose the powdered spice of your own choice, like original , BBQ, and I picked cheese flavor.
And the fried mushrooms are sold in this small brown and green paper bag container.
Inside the theater, they had also some kind of bazaar going on.
Now, let's jump to the show. Ow, let me admit this. Actually, we were not supposed to take pictures. However, everybody did so finally I disregarded the rules too and snapped these. Haha!
Well, I think it's perfectly fine, as long as you don't use flash that may distract the performers on stage.
At one point they had this collage of various Indonesian batik prints in multicolors. So pretty!
And the grand finale was just super-gorgeous! The dancers wore extravagant costumes with giant, colorful feathers that was associated with GSP dance company in the '80s.

Until next time!

26 comments:

  1. oooh so many pretty pearls!! and what a fun-filled time you had!!! love that purple on you :)


    <3Amanda
    feast.fashion.faves
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  2. Love how you accessorize! :) and fun pictures, love! You're looking stylish as always. <3

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  3. The layered pearls look beautiful! I like doing the same to create a layered necklace look!

    xo, sam

    Thanks for the sweet words on my blog! :)

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  4. lovely skirt! many pretty pearls too x

    follow u now!

    low me on:
    Miss Kwong - Art and Fashion

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  5. Love the purple top on you! These pearls are so pretty - I'm on a search for a nice pair of pearl earrings and necklace, think I might get a grey one since I think the color is so pretty. Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Very well put together! I love this outfit!

    Colormerunway.blogspot.com

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  7. Omg I always do that with myself! Trying to justify buying something or spending money on something hahahaha I love how you layered the pearls and I agree, sometimes it's better to take a second look at your accessories and mix some things up! Why do they always have the theaters so cold! My theaters are like that too and I always have to remember to bring a jacket or a coat or else I will freeze!

    How were the fried mushrooms? I'd love to try them!!! I don't mind your long comment, I love it! I totally agree with you! About buying a bag because of the style! I think it's sweet that the people in your life give you gifts! =D

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  8. I may not agree to what our leaders do and the stuff some of my countrymen do, but bottomline: I love my country too ;) The cultural show looks so exciting and fun.

    You look really nice in that outfit, LeeAnne. The skirt is just adorable and so is it's print and I love the length! The pearl necklaces are the perfect accessories for this outfit.

    Cheers,

    Wi
    A Single Girl's Musings

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  9. Your bag is fabulous! :) And thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. :)

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  10. love the pearls!

    x

    http://scarlet--red.blogspot.com/

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  11. Lol... i loved your comment. Totally made my day.. and since it was so awesome i have to follow!

    love the pearls!

    come visit.. i'm doing a giveaway!

    x0
    annette
    www.theversastyle.com

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  12. cool outfit


    on my blog is an option that if you want you can change this message from Polish into any
    Ps. see to the left in my blog :):)

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  13. that jamur kriuk looks really delicious ! hahahha !!


    WWW.GLISTERSANDBLISTERS.COM

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  14. cool layers of pearl!!!!

    xoxo jenna
    ps: check out the Petit Heels Giveaway on my blog! some fabulous petite size shoes as winning prize :)

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  15. I haven't been to the theater in forever.... Now I think I am reminiscing about those times long ago! I love the look you've assembled for going out! the layered pearls look magnificent!
    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    enter my Too Faced and Hello Kitty Giveaway!

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  16. love it babe,
    purple looks good on you

    new outfit post :
    www.mirfashion.blogspot.com

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  17. beautiful outfit, like the combination of colours and your bag is so pretty!

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  18. Love that place so muucchh :)
    thanks 4 visiting my blog..

    satmahayu.blogspot.com

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  19. OK, that's it! I wanna play in your closet. I love love love the batiks and hand painted fabrics that you wear.

    Laughed at the story you told about persuading yourselves that the tickets were worth the cost, I do that all the time. LOL

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  20. I love the layered pearl necklaces! Very pretty. I've always been fond of pearls!!

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  21. Hello pretty! Thank you for following me :) Iya ntar pasti mampir ^^ Keep in touch ya dear!

    Cheers,
    Karina Dinda R. ♥
    BLOG | TWITTER | SHOP

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  22. I love this! You're really doing a good job promoting your country by simply blogging about your life :)

    p.s. When I saw you have fried mushrooms there, I wanted to book a flight to Jakarta asap! Gaaaah!--to think I'm only imagining what it tastes like!

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  23. your hair is so gorgeous! i enjoyed reading your posts, and i am following. :) how is it that indonesians speak english so fluently? awesome! anyways, hope you get a chance to visit my blog and follow-back if you enjoy my blog also. :)

    cheers, and 'til next time!
    jasmine
    adamalexmommy.com

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  24. Love the outfit. Great mix of colors with the add cardigan. That purse is AMAZING! The night looks fun.

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