1. Got back from a long trip to Washington, DC for seminar on Indonesia hosted by one of the running parties of the 2004 general election. The seminar was interesting, DC was cold, but overall, we had fun. Riding a 15-passenger van was quite an experience: 700+ miles East felt shorter with all the fun talks, teases, and even self-mockeries. Food were more than enough: chicken satay, lontong, plantain, chocolate chips, tangerines, etc. Departed at midnight on Friday, we arrived at Washington on Saturday afternoon, after two small detours to Lafayette, IN, and Pittsburgh, PA.

2. Visited SMI in Bethesda, MA. She was the Director of LPEM when I joined that research institute back in 1996. I also had assisted her in Microeconomics course (1995?) in Univ. of Indonesia while completing my college years. SMI is one of the Indonesian top economists, now serving as one of the Executive Directors in the IMF. It's been a while we haven't met again. Last time, she came to Champaign-Urbana, IL with her family to visit her alma mater before starting the new role in the IMF headquarter. Had breakfast with her family: nasi uduk, krupuk udang, tahu goreng, and rendang! It was so good, especially after all this years consuming American food. Thanks a lot, Mbak Ani!

3 Now, back to office.

4. The day as it resumes:: Breakfast: salmon, boiled eggs, rice. Lunch: indomie and lontong. Dinner: not yet, will go to dinner farewell of two friends later this evening. Work: checked simulation result at home, now trying to assemble with the previous ones. Music: J. Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis.