Octopus's Garden

I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus's garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
In an octopus's garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus's garden near a cave
We would sing and dance around
because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden with you
in an octopus's garden with you
in an octopus's garden with you


Do you know this song? It was performed by The Beatles, the famous oldies group to whom I admire the music lately. I mean, very late, just recently. Somehow it took only one time for me to hear this song and then adore it ever since. I’m not much of their fan, to be honest, different with my husband who is a fanatic to this English band. But this music is fascinating.

No wonder I was surprised to know that the singer of the song was Ringo Starr. I thought it was John or Paul who used to write and sing songs for The Beatles. I was aware that this distinctive band was very talented which allowed every one of its personnel to sing and play instruments in turn. But, once again, I could not believe that this was the drummer’s voice. He even wrote this song himself. Moreover, the music is fun and enjoyable. Complete with the bubbling sound that Ringo made by blowing in a glass of water.

The thing I like most about this song is that it seems like the text represents a matter that is so simple it could almost been categorized as ‘not important’. Why would you have to tell a story about dancing and singing and being happy in a nowhere with an octopus as a host?

However, I love it. Being under the sea, in a deepest darkest part of an ocean, with nobody ever give a bug, only few aqcuaintance are permitted to join, and nobody to tell what to do, sound so promising! To be secluded to minding our own business, deep sea seems to be the best place. The world sometimes is way too crowd, just as the mind, when it finds its pace to speed with numbers of problems that linger until solved. Will be more to be dealt with, when people are making judgement for what should be done ideally …

I like sea. It always give me long and profound contemplation. It is mystifying. I also like octopus. Though they seem ugly, they are stated as highly clever, perhaps the most intelligent of all invertebrates. Both are combined perfectly in the movie ‘Pirates of The Carribean’, should you remember a scene when a gigantic creature shattered and consumed a mighty ship. Might you recall, yes, it’s an octopus, called Kraken if I’m not mistaken.

So, would you like to be the eight-handed’s guest? I would be happy to!

Defining 'enough'

Have you ever define ‘enough’ for yourself?

According to my reliable Oxford dictionary, it means ‘to do something / for doing something to a satisfactory degree; sufficiently’. OK, let’s stop for this definition. Well, it may sound too theoretical, so I believe that any of you would be keen on having your own meaning. I mean, in financial terms of course.

Human has basic needs. Soon as they are fulfilled, human tend to satisfy more of their necessities. Food, clothes, place to stay, sleep, sex (hey, that’s not my definition, that’s Maslow’s), excretion, breathing, are among them. Then, when we are able to search and invent, we are consuming various type of food with more delightful taste and mild textures, wearing luxurious-fabricated clothes, or living in a humongous habitat that resembles a manor. The problem is, to some people, these could be considered as heaven and wish a whole lifetime to gain them. Otherwise, to other people, they mean to include some more to their wealth by allowing any way possible.

How many do you get each month? Do you feel like having enough of it? Or do you wish to gain extra for your account? I am disturbed with people who claim other people’s belonging, money for example, to be used by themselves to extent their wealthiness to some degree. The Indonesian Minister of Finance herself has proclaimed that despite how high she could raise her subordinates’ wages, there will be no guarantee that they will avoid themselves to having extras by corrupting. To them, probably there are no limitations. They recognize no ‘enough’ whatsoever.

So how do we describe this omnipresence predicament? The seven deadly sins, a classification appeared early on Christianites era, define one of them is greedy. Others are wrath, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony – according to the final version. At Wikipedia, greed is defined as a very excessive or rapacious desire and pursuit of wealth, status and power. Consequentially when wealth arises, so will status and power. Anything is entitled to be possessed. So does other people’s or something that is not meant to be theirs.

Were not we taught at school for this morality highlight? I hardly believe so. Back to the old times, we were obliged to take ‘Penataran P4’ whenever we begin to swoop into new educational level. Though it might not be taught directly, greed was to be sure among the subject. However, I wish I could reread my Pancasila Morale Education (PMP) book these days …

I assume that it is important to determine the word ‘enough’ since early education. Requesting for more and more and always being fulfilled might increase the possibility to be greedy. It might be not easy for kids to hold their passion to have everything they want, but I’ll say, parents should illustrate them how to be grateful and thankful for everything they have possess. I myself, am still in process of defining my own definition of enough. Should you mean financially, I must sincerely confess that I desire more. Yet I am learning to define my limitations and realize my own strength …