Sad but true - Asking the right questions and analysing an issue beyond what it appears on the surface are the biggest challenges.
Anyway, I hope Plott - and anyone in the newsroom, for that matter - will stick to what the man says on the last two paragraphs.
Enjoy.
The Australian
Monday, September 29, 2008
Indonesian Tycoon To Launch New Daily
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Jakarta correspondent
LAUNCHING a new newspaper in the face of global circulation woes, staff cutbacks and cries of the death of the medium would seem an ambitious, even foolhardy, move.
But for Indonesian media, property, infrastructure and banking tycoon James Riady, the imminent arrival on the streets of his latest project, the Jakarta Globe, makes good enough sense.
What's more, it's an endeavour that has attracted the interest of former News Corporation executive Lachlan Murdoch, who is reported to be looking at other media investments in Indonesia with Riady.
The 48-page, full-colour English-language broadsheet newspaper will be distributed initially in major Indonesian cities and Singapore, with a print run of
"over 50,000", according to launch editor David Plott.
Plott, a former editor-in-chief at the Hong Kong-based Far Eastern Economic Review, has been working since last December to assemble the team that will bring Riady's dream to fruition. And global seismic wobbles in the newspaper industry are the least
of the tycoon's concerns, according to Plott.
"Indonesia's a little like India, in the sense that it's a market where print publications are still quite profitable and there's still quite a lot of growth potential; in terms of advertising it's a $US3 billion a year market," he says.
The Globe will have just one direct competitor in the local market: the Jakarta Post, an English-language daily which has a circulation of barely 18,000 copies. The Globe will also have an integrated website, although negotiations are continuing with a local news aggregator already operating the jakartaglobe.com domain. Plott is hopeful the Globe will leave the Jakarta Post for dead, although he admits the lack of quality Indonesian print journalism, particularly in the field of analysis and
investigative reporting, let alone the thorny issue of writing in a language still not used outside a reasonably small elite, has affected the project.
Retraining reporters to produce an ``international standard newspaper'' has presented significant challenges.
``Newspapers aren't what they used to be,'' admits Plott, who has split his new responsibilities in Riady's Globe Media group with those of teaching journalism at the University of Hong Kong and running the political quarterly Global Asia (unrelated to the Riady endeavour).
``You can't survive by just reporting what happened, particularly in Indonesia, where things aren't always what they appear to be, and what's actually going on behind events is not clear to anyone except insiders.''
Despite a flowering of print and other news media outlets since the 1998 fall of strongman Suharto -- whose 32-year reign saw a savage curtailment of press freedoms -- Indonesian news and analytical journalism often demonstrates how far it has yet to
go.
Asking tough questions of politicians -- let alone checking facts or digging into corporate bookkeeping in an attempt to uncover the collusion that still dominates Indonesian commercial and political life -- is not the norm.
But, insists Plott, ``all the great newspapers in the world have built up their news culture over time, and even the best of those newspapers have failed the higher standards of journalism, sometimes shockingly so''.
That there is serious weight at the top of the Jakarta Globe tree is not in doubt, even as Plott is set to cede direct control of the operation after the launch to focus on further Globe Media expansion. And Murdoch's recent visit and talks with
Riady have also opened up further possibilities.
Day-to-day operations will be taken over by former Hong Kong Standard executive editor Lin Neumann, former AFP (Agence France-Presse) Indonesian reporter Bhimanto Suwastoyo and former Newsweek and DPA (Deutsche Press-Agentur) Indonesia correspondent Joe Cochrane.
But even with such credible leadership at the newspaper, questions remain as to whether Riady -- whose family was a major political player during the Suharto era, and who himself has been at the heart of a range of scandals, including the infamous
1992 Democratic party funding that ensnared Bill Clinton's presidential campaign -- will be prepared to let it operate independently.
Riady, who paid millions of dollars in criminal fines in the US over the party funding affair, declined to be interviewed for this article. However, it is fair to say that his Lippo group has such extensive interests in Indonesia that it would be hard to write a story in his own newspaper that did not have some connection with the family business.
``I don't think James Riady would've engaged my services or allowed me to hire the people we've hired here, if the intention was for this to be a mouthpiece for a particular business group, a particular ethnic group, a religious view,'' Plott says.
``Opinions will be expressed on the opinion page, and Riady knows that's the place where they belong.''
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
This is not a review.
I watched Bangkok Dangerous on Saturday night with Bangun, right after our monthliversary dinner, celebrating three and a half years of us.
I should have known better when reading the title, Bangkok Dangerous. It screams "crappy Asian gangster flick." It is such a disappointment coming from Nicolas Cage. The movie, overall, is awkward. Cage is supposed to be this cold-blooded bounty hunter, but he let his emotions come between him and his job.
Then be a babysitter like Skadandy in Friends, don't get a job where you have to kill people mercilessly.
Bangun said the movie reminded him of Dealova (don't ask why we watched it). There's a scene where Cage and his Thai girlfriend suddenly just stood by the window in the girlfriend's house, holding up their hands and entwined them, while staring deep into each other's eyes.
Please.
The action parts are also lame-o. Not enough heart-stopping stunts, too many wasted bullets. The characters look like they cannot use a weapon.
Thank God the movie didn't last long, running just about 90 minutes. I should've forced Bangun to watch Mamma Mia! instead.
I should have known better when reading the title, Bangkok Dangerous. It screams "crappy Asian gangster flick." It is such a disappointment coming from Nicolas Cage. The movie, overall, is awkward. Cage is supposed to be this cold-blooded bounty hunter, but he let his emotions come between him and his job.
Then be a babysitter like Skadandy in Friends, don't get a job where you have to kill people mercilessly.
Bangun said the movie reminded him of Dealova (don't ask why we watched it). There's a scene where Cage and his Thai girlfriend suddenly just stood by the window in the girlfriend's house, holding up their hands and entwined them, while staring deep into each other's eyes.
Please.
The action parts are also lame-o. Not enough heart-stopping stunts, too many wasted bullets. The characters look like they cannot use a weapon.
Thank God the movie didn't last long, running just about 90 minutes. I should've forced Bangun to watch Mamma Mia! instead.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Next time, it's under my name
This is my first taste of publication in THAT news agency. Well, I only contributed parts of it. My editor, who used to work for them, wrote the original story.
*Sok cool banget ya*
*Sok cool banget ya*
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Will we ever?
I miss you, Genk.
Seriously miss you. Not each of you, but you, Genk. I'm even tired of writing down the things I wanna do with you guys.
Seriously miss you. Not each of you, but you, Genk. I'm even tired of writing down the things I wanna do with you guys.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Another silly news
Islamic council to restrict Indonesians from smoking
Putri Prameshwari
The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) is considering issuing a religious edict to banning smoking to protect children from diseases caused by cigarette smoke, its chairman said Tuesday.
The council made an agreement with The National Commission on Child Protection (KPA) to campaign for a cigarette ban in Indonesia, citing the need to protect public health.
“The fatwa (edict) will direct adults to stop smoking and protect children from the dangers of cigarette,” MUI chairman Amidhan told the Jakarta Globe.
Such an edict has been issued in all Sumatra regions except Lampung
Amidhan, who goes by a single name, said that the edict would be discussed further in a conference of Muslim scholars to be held by the end of the year and it would ban cigarette ads that can be seen by children.
“Cigarette producers should not put up advertisements anywhere in children’s activity centers,” Amidhan added.
A report released by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids said that from 1995 to 2004, almost 80 percent of smokers in Indonesia started before 19 years of age.
KPA chairman Seto Mulyadi said that the commission urged MUI to immediately issue the edict, forcing families and related institutions to create a cigarette-free environment for children.
“This fatwa is crucial to save children in the future. People need to be convinced that smoking near a child is wrong,” Seto said in a telephone interview.
Amidhan admitted that the fatwa would affect the economy, as people in the cigarette industry could lose their jobs, and asked the government to create alternative job opportunities for cigarette industry workers in the future.
Two years ago, Jakarta regional government issued a bylaw prohibiting people to smoke in public places but the ban has been largely ignored.
Indonesia, a country with more than 250 million people, has yet to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty that became a law in February 2005. The framework requires its 152 ratifying nations to implement effective methods to reduce tobacco use.
-----
The silliest part is the paragraph in italics. Buang bodi, mas?
Anyway. As a smoker, though like most people I've been trying to reduce the habit, I am of course against the banning. But I gotta admit, smoking near a child is just ruthlessly insensitive.
Putri Prameshwari
The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) is considering issuing a religious edict to banning smoking to protect children from diseases caused by cigarette smoke, its chairman said Tuesday.
The council made an agreement with The National Commission on Child Protection (KPA) to campaign for a cigarette ban in Indonesia, citing the need to protect public health.
“The fatwa (edict) will direct adults to stop smoking and protect children from the dangers of cigarette,” MUI chairman Amidhan told the Jakarta Globe.
Such an edict has been issued in all Sumatra regions except Lampung
Amidhan, who goes by a single name, said that the edict would be discussed further in a conference of Muslim scholars to be held by the end of the year and it would ban cigarette ads that can be seen by children.
“Cigarette producers should not put up advertisements anywhere in children’s activity centers,” Amidhan added.
A report released by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids said that from 1995 to 2004, almost 80 percent of smokers in Indonesia started before 19 years of age.
KPA chairman Seto Mulyadi said that the commission urged MUI to immediately issue the edict, forcing families and related institutions to create a cigarette-free environment for children.
“This fatwa is crucial to save children in the future. People need to be convinced that smoking near a child is wrong,” Seto said in a telephone interview.
Amidhan admitted that the fatwa would affect the economy, as people in the cigarette industry could lose their jobs, and asked the government to create alternative job opportunities for cigarette industry workers in the future.
Two years ago, Jakarta regional government issued a bylaw prohibiting people to smoke in public places but the ban has been largely ignored.
Indonesia, a country with more than 250 million people, has yet to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty that became a law in February 2005. The framework requires its 152 ratifying nations to implement effective methods to reduce tobacco use.
-----
The silliest part is the paragraph in italics. Buang bodi, mas?
Anyway. As a smoker, though like most people I've been trying to reduce the habit, I am of course against the banning. But I gotta admit, smoking near a child is just ruthlessly insensitive.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Let's all take a second and say,
Rest in peace, Bernie. I haven't seen all of your work, but I love the ones I have. You were one of the best out there.
Full story here
Rest in peace, Bernie. I haven't seen all of your work, but I love the ones I have. You were one of the best out there.
Full story here
Friday, August 08, 2008
After-lunch break
I've been busy learning to write articles, I've forgotten a bit about this blog.
We finally moved to our permanent office, and I'm still getting used to a huge newsroom. People are still coming in, and there's gonna be around a hundred workers here. A hundred! I mean, I used to work only with five other people in the office.
Anyway. The paper's publishing date is postponed, so don't hold thy breath. However, it's been kinda hectic recently with exercises and else. In the last few days, I've been writing about various issues from that gay murderer case to the coming of digital TV to this country.
Yes, people in the future will have to buy a decoder if they want to watch craps called TV. Sure, why not pay more to get your kids damaged by crime shows and sinetrons, right?
And of course, paying for entertainment is no biggie for most people in Indonesia, who are struggling hard enough to eat every single day.
Oh well, enough rant. Back to work.
We finally moved to our permanent office, and I'm still getting used to a huge newsroom. People are still coming in, and there's gonna be around a hundred workers here. A hundred! I mean, I used to work only with five other people in the office.
Anyway. The paper's publishing date is postponed, so don't hold thy breath. However, it's been kinda hectic recently with exercises and else. In the last few days, I've been writing about various issues from that gay murderer case to the coming of digital TV to this country.
Yes, people in the future will have to buy a decoder if they want to watch craps called TV. Sure, why not pay more to get your kids damaged by crime shows and sinetrons, right?
And of course, paying for entertainment is no biggie for most people in Indonesia, who are struggling hard enough to eat every single day.
Oh well, enough rant. Back to work.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dummy #1
Special Agencies Needed to Supervise Local Coal Supply
Putri Prameshwari
Indonesian coal producer said Monday there has to be a special agency dedicated to manage in kind royalty payment of the coal domestic market obligation (DMO) in the country.
Director and Corporate Secretary of PT Adaro Energy Tbk Andre Mamuaya implied that the company is willing to contribute to the DMO in the form of coal commodity, better known as in-kind royalty.
“If the government applies in-kind royalty, a special agency must be formed in order to manage the logistic aspects,” Mamuaya told Jakarta Globe over the phone.
Mamuaya explained that Adaro, currently the second largest coal producer in Indonesia, is willing to allocate 30 percent of its annual output for domestic market. The special agency should be able to supervise more than a hundred coal miners in the country who are likely to contribute their in-kind royalty to the DMO scheme.
Coal Contract of Work (PKP2B) holders are obliged to sell parts of their products to the domestic market. Taufik Sastrawinata, Secretary General of Indonesian Coal Society, said Tuesday that the market price might follow the lowest export price. However, the said price is yet to be confirmed.
“Considering the fluctuating global coal price, the government has to be extra careful on determining the local price. An independent team should be formed and discuss about the matter,” he explained via telephone conversation.
The team, Sastrawinata elaborated, should consist of stakeholders from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Finance Ministry, State-Owned Power Company (PT. PLN), and other related parties.
Sastrawinata assured that coal producers would not suffer from damage as the government might only require ten percent of their output for DMO allocation.
Indonesian government has been considering applying domestic market obligation in order to secure domestic coal supply for the upcoming years. Local demand for coal is predicted to increase in the next two years, as companies begin to switch their energy source to coal because of the rising oil and gas price.
PT. PLN has also started its 10,000 MW project, which will provide more energy by the end of 2009 through several new power plants. Sastrawinata said the need of coal supply would more than double to 72 million tons per year due to the development plan.
-----------------------------------------
I had no idea there could be so many mistakes from that article. Sigh.
Putri Prameshwari
Indonesian coal producer said Monday there has to be a special agency dedicated to manage in kind royalty payment of the coal domestic market obligation (DMO) in the country.
Director and Corporate Secretary of PT Adaro Energy Tbk Andre Mamuaya implied that the company is willing to contribute to the DMO in the form of coal commodity, better known as in-kind royalty.
“If the government applies in-kind royalty, a special agency must be formed in order to manage the logistic aspects,” Mamuaya told Jakarta Globe over the phone.
Mamuaya explained that Adaro, currently the second largest coal producer in Indonesia, is willing to allocate 30 percent of its annual output for domestic market. The special agency should be able to supervise more than a hundred coal miners in the country who are likely to contribute their in-kind royalty to the DMO scheme.
Coal Contract of Work (PKP2B) holders are obliged to sell parts of their products to the domestic market. Taufik Sastrawinata, Secretary General of Indonesian Coal Society, said Tuesday that the market price might follow the lowest export price. However, the said price is yet to be confirmed.
“Considering the fluctuating global coal price, the government has to be extra careful on determining the local price. An independent team should be formed and discuss about the matter,” he explained via telephone conversation.
The team, Sastrawinata elaborated, should consist of stakeholders from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Finance Ministry, State-Owned Power Company (PT. PLN), and other related parties.
Sastrawinata assured that coal producers would not suffer from damage as the government might only require ten percent of their output for DMO allocation.
Indonesian government has been considering applying domestic market obligation in order to secure domestic coal supply for the upcoming years. Local demand for coal is predicted to increase in the next two years, as companies begin to switch their energy source to coal because of the rising oil and gas price.
PT. PLN has also started its 10,000 MW project, which will provide more energy by the end of 2009 through several new power plants. Sastrawinata said the need of coal supply would more than double to 72 million tons per year due to the development plan.
-----------------------------------------
I had no idea there could be so many mistakes from that article. Sigh.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Quick hello
Fourth day at the Globe. So far it's been fun and relaxing, because I've been doing practically nothing. There was a group assignment, we had to make an article, but it was a by-phone interview. Not really exciting. I suppose the real chaos will start once the paper's published.
August 17, people. Bear in mind.
Up to this point, the downside of this job is the amount of money I have to spend for lunch. I still haven't figured out where the cheap foods are. I mean, I can't rely on Plaza Semanggi's food court everyday, can I.
All in all, it's still nice being here. Love it.
August 17, people. Bear in mind.
Up to this point, the downside of this job is the amount of money I have to spend for lunch. I still haven't figured out where the cheap foods are. I mean, I can't rely on Plaza Semanggi's food court everyday, can I.
All in all, it's still nice being here. Love it.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sigh
I don't get why it's called goodbye, since there's definitely nothing good about it. Wait, I heard that somewhere before, did I steal it from someone? Sorry if I did.
Anyway, it's heart-breakingly sad. That's all there is.
Anyway, it's heart-breakingly sad. That's all there is.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Another goodbye.
So tomorrow's my last day in this office, and it is getting harder to leave. Yesterday, the whole crew gave me a farewell present, a black laptop backpack. I'm definitely going to miss quite a few things here, even though I'm looking forward to be a journo.
I'm gonna miss the thirty-minute drive from home, for a start. While most people have to fight the city's traffic jam, I have the luxury of being able to run my car up to 120 km/h everyday from Bintaro to Kramat Jati.
I'm gonna miss the homey-feeling, because, well, we work in a residential area. By we, I mean all six of us. Seven with my boss-slash-house-owner. When the electricity goes off, we go home because there's no generator set. A maid cooks lunch for us everyday, and there are sounds of various street vendors selling stuff. I'm gonna miss that "Es krim coy, beli dong" guy.
And of course I'm gonna miss being a secret agent, looking up people in the internet right to their teeniest detail. If you're some business tycoon with at least a dozen of subsidiaries in your hand and have a bank account in Cayman Islands, or if you're some idealist who thinks that the world can be one peaceful, environment-friendly place where no one kills another for the importance of their interest, then we most probably have your complete profile in our database, with details that even you might not know about. Oh, ditto for you whose cars are licensed with *country initials* [space] *number(s)*.
Oh, I think this is what I'm gonna miss most; working in the same room everyday with my bestie. All the YM convos, yet we're only two meters away from each other. Run, go move your ass to Oom James' media empire!
Farewells are always hard.
I'm gonna miss the thirty-minute drive from home, for a start. While most people have to fight the city's traffic jam, I have the luxury of being able to run my car up to 120 km/h everyday from Bintaro to Kramat Jati.
I'm gonna miss the homey-feeling, because, well, we work in a residential area. By we, I mean all six of us. Seven with my boss-slash-house-owner. When the electricity goes off, we go home because there's no generator set. A maid cooks lunch for us everyday, and there are sounds of various street vendors selling stuff. I'm gonna miss that "Es krim coy, beli dong" guy.
And of course I'm gonna miss being a secret agent, looking up people in the internet right to their teeniest detail. If you're some business tycoon with at least a dozen of subsidiaries in your hand and have a bank account in Cayman Islands, or if you're some idealist who thinks that the world can be one peaceful, environment-friendly place where no one kills another for the importance of their interest, then we most probably have your complete profile in our database, with details that even you might not know about. Oh, ditto for you whose cars are licensed with *country initials* [space] *number(s)*.
Oh, I think this is what I'm gonna miss most; working in the same room everyday with my bestie. All the YM convos, yet we're only two meters away from each other. Run, go move your ass to Oom James' media empire!
Farewells are always hard.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Who's ya motha flippin'?
This is the most hilarious thing on TV right now. Seriously. Take a look and you will see why I'm glued to my screen browsing for their videos. You can never get enough of Bret and Jemaine!!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Being idle
Another new layout! I was bored right to the bone the other day in the office, so I looked around for blog skins, and here I am with the new appearance.
Work has been boring - maybe it's because I'm resigning, and I can't wait to switch to my new job. I'm trying to read as many articles as I can these days. Wouldn't wanna get left behind those Reuters/AFP experts now, would we?
Work has been boring - maybe it's because I'm resigning, and I can't wait to switch to my new job. I'm trying to read as many articles as I can these days. Wouldn't wanna get left behind those Reuters/AFP experts now, would we?
Friday, May 16, 2008
Back on the map, baby!
Is it safe to say, that starting July 1, I'm gonna be a published writer? I'm gonna write for one of Indonesia's English language newspaper?
Wait. Isn't that one of my dreams?
Watch this space. Right now, I'm feeling like jumping up and down, left and right, and spinning around on my heels. Media industry, heeeere I coooooooooommmmee (again)!!!!
Wait. Isn't that one of my dreams?
Watch this space. Right now, I'm feeling like jumping up and down, left and right, and spinning around on my heels. Media industry, heeeere I coooooooooommmmee (again)!!!!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Where is the life that I recognize?
The constant nag in my stomach, the queasiness I feel the second I open my eyes, the way it stays there all day long - knowing something is terribly wrong, the feeling of not wanting to go home, nor do I want to think anything related to home. The feeling of having to fight the lump in my throat each and every day, alone.
They're all here again. Welcome back, 2003. That was the last time I felt like I wanted to escape from it all. The last time I felt that home was not where I wanted to be.
Problem is, I'm not 18 anymore. So bailing, stalling, and going out everyday pretending it's all okay are not options.
Fuck.
Take me away, Oom? Girls? Anyone?
They're all here again. Welcome back, 2003. That was the last time I felt like I wanted to escape from it all. The last time I felt that home was not where I wanted to be.
Problem is, I'm not 18 anymore. So bailing, stalling, and going out everyday pretending it's all okay are not options.
Fuck.
Take me away, Oom? Girls? Anyone?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Who would've thunk?
I never thought I'd say this, but I'm missing my campus. My stranded-out-of-nowhere, budget-fattening, superficial-looking, over-strict Karawaci campus. I miss going to classes, for the starter. I had fun learning about all those journo thingy, as geeky as it may sound. This one is even geekier; but I miss going to the library and spend hours, frozen to death sitting in one of the most comfortable sofas I've ever known in my life, looking up books for my papers.
I miss my friends, too. I'm not too good at catching up with friends I'm not really close with, so now there are only like seven or eight people who I am still constantly in contact with. But I miss going to classes with my friends, who I always saw as strangers even after five years. Some of them might appear...bizzare, but they're damn good at what we were learning.
And of course, the "Dixie Gang". I miss hanging out in that place with them, talking mostly about boys and the
things we do with them, a.k.a sex and all its glory. Pretty shallow, but always very...um, informative. We went there before class, after class, and when we skipped class. I even miss the green drink I used to always order, which none of my friends like.
I heard my campus has turned even more lavishly developed now with all the new glass-walled (is that a word?) buildings, capsule-like elevators, and all the student lounges and else. But still, I miss the old one, and with all the
people in it.
I miss my friends, too. I'm not too good at catching up with friends I'm not really close with, so now there are only like seven or eight people who I am still constantly in contact with. But I miss going to classes with my friends, who I always saw as strangers even after five years. Some of them might appear...bizzare, but they're damn good at what we were learning.
And of course, the "Dixie Gang". I miss hanging out in that place with them, talking mostly about boys and the
things we do with them, a.k.a sex and all its glory. Pretty shallow, but always very...um, informative. We went there before class, after class, and when we skipped class. I even miss the green drink I used to always order, which none of my friends like.
I heard my campus has turned even more lavishly developed now with all the new glass-walled (is that a word?) buildings, capsule-like elevators, and all the student lounges and else. But still, I miss the old one, and with all the
people in it.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Why choose report over doing this?
1. What do you think of the most when
you are alone?
* It varies from politics to popsicles.
2. When it is a rainy night, what do
you do most of the time?
* Sleep with my Gepeto.
3. When was the last time you were out?
* Out for fun? Bandung last week. Out of the office?
Tuesday, on a secret agent duty.
4. What do you do when you see a full
moon?
* Depends who I'm with, since one of my friends is a suspected werewolf.
5. Would you rather swim in the lake
or dive in the ocean?
*I'd rather watch from the lakeside, or the beach. We'll never know what's in the deep end, yknow.
6.What would be the best partner of a
good cup of coffee?
*Newspaper in the morning, a friend to talk to at night.
7. If you'll ask yourself a question
now, what would it be??
*What exactly do you want?
8. If certain things in your life will
fall apart, what will you do?
*I'll do anything to prevent them from falling apart, naturally.
And look for Plan B.
9. Favorite month/s?
*November, and months with holiday. It used to be June,
but now, being a secret agent, it's pretty unpredictable.
10. When your friends forget you, what
will you do?
*Eh, big deal. Go buy another one.
11. Do you talk to yourself?
*Not out loud.
12. Is there anything that you are
craving for right now?
* Ketoprak, and a better job maybe.
13. i or you?
* I ask, you give.
14. Ever cried for something stupid?
* Somehow I always feel stupid when I cry.
15. Do you like anime?
* Ew, no.
16. How about Japanese music?
* Ew ew, double no.
17. Your definition of sexy?
* In a guy, bun-looking tushies and piercing eyes. Haha. I don't really get why people say that smart is sexy, but it is a turn-off if I see a good-looking guy who doesn't know, say, who Barrack Obama is.
So I think high awareness is also sexy.
18. Do you think you're sexy?
* There was a time, and what good time it was. Oh, but now my guy sometimes makes me feel sexy. Hihi.
19 . First thing you do after watching
a movie?
* Discuss it with my watching partner.
20. Do you know how to wash the dishes?
* Yes. Best of my performance in the kitchen.
21. Can you last two days without a
bath?
*I don't think so, I'm a clean-freak sometimes.
22. Most common words in your house.
* "Gila", "Mbeeeek".
23. The last lie you told your parents?
* I can't remember really. Maybe telling my Dad I was off to Bandung or Batu Karas
with a group of friends when really I was only with Bangun.
24 . Still go to the mall with your
parents?
* Oh yeah! Like me, my mom is a mallrat.
25. Are you brand conscious?
* Most likely, yeah.
26. Ever fell in-love?
* Of course.
27. What time is it?
* Nap time.
28. where are you?
*My own corner in the office, wanting desperately to climb down
the window in my left with a rope.
29. Is it in you to kill someone?
* Haha. Haha. Mwahaha.
30. Daydream a lot?
* I used to, but now not as much.
31. Happy with your life?
* Yeah, it's nice.
32. The saddest movie you've watched?
* Mengejar Matahari, hands down.
33. The bitchiest person you know?
* She-Mans!!
34. The dumbest person you know?
* Sometimes, it's also She-Mans.
35. What do you hate about urself?
* My stubborn head, my endless thoughts.
you are alone?
* It varies from politics to popsicles.
2. When it is a rainy night, what do
you do most of the time?
* Sleep with my Gepeto.
3. When was the last time you were out?
* Out for fun? Bandung last week. Out of the office?
Tuesday, on a secret agent duty.
4. What do you do when you see a full
moon?
* Depends who I'm with, since one of my friends is a suspected werewolf.
5. Would you rather swim in the lake
or dive in the ocean?
*I'd rather watch from the lakeside, or the beach. We'll never know what's in the deep end, yknow.
6.What would be the best partner of a
good cup of coffee?
*Newspaper in the morning, a friend to talk to at night.
7. If you'll ask yourself a question
now, what would it be??
*What exactly do you want?
8. If certain things in your life will
fall apart, what will you do?
*I'll do anything to prevent them from falling apart, naturally.
And look for Plan B.
9. Favorite month/s?
*November, and months with holiday. It used to be June,
but now, being a secret agent, it's pretty unpredictable.
10. When your friends forget you, what
will you do?
*Eh, big deal. Go buy another one.
11. Do you talk to yourself?
*Not out loud.
12. Is there anything that you are
craving for right now?
* Ketoprak, and a better job maybe.
13. i or you?
* I ask, you give.
14. Ever cried for something stupid?
* Somehow I always feel stupid when I cry.
15. Do you like anime?
* Ew, no.
16. How about Japanese music?
* Ew ew, double no.
17. Your definition of sexy?
* In a guy, bun-looking tushies and piercing eyes. Haha. I don't really get why people say that smart is sexy, but it is a turn-off if I see a good-looking guy who doesn't know, say, who Barrack Obama is.
So I think high awareness is also sexy.
18. Do you think you're sexy?
* There was a time, and what good time it was. Oh, but now my guy sometimes makes me feel sexy. Hihi.
19 . First thing you do after watching
a movie?
* Discuss it with my watching partner.
20. Do you know how to wash the dishes?
* Yes. Best of my performance in the kitchen.
21. Can you last two days without a
bath?
*I don't think so, I'm a clean-freak sometimes.
22. Most common words in your house.
* "Gila", "Mbeeeek".
23. The last lie you told your parents?
* I can't remember really. Maybe telling my Dad I was off to Bandung or Batu Karas
with a group of friends when really I was only with Bangun.
24 . Still go to the mall with your
parents?
* Oh yeah! Like me, my mom is a mallrat.
25. Are you brand conscious?
* Most likely, yeah.
26. Ever fell in-love?
* Of course.
27. What time is it?
* Nap time.
28. where are you?
*My own corner in the office, wanting desperately to climb down
the window in my left with a rope.
29. Is it in you to kill someone?
* Haha. Haha. Mwahaha.
30. Daydream a lot?
* I used to, but now not as much.
31. Happy with your life?
* Yeah, it's nice.
32. The saddest movie you've watched?
* Mengejar Matahari, hands down.
33. The bitchiest person you know?
* She-Mans!!
34. The dumbest person you know?
* Sometimes, it's also She-Mans.
35. What do you hate about urself?
* My stubborn head, my endless thoughts.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hee. Hee. Whooh.
When you date someone in high school, you probably wonder, what happens after graduation?
Will you go to the same university? There's probably the excitement of wanting to enroll at the same school, yet at the same time, you wanna know how it feels to separate.
Then college comes. You match your schedules together so you can still go out, this time more often than you could in high school. You help each other with term papers, you plan the semester holiday together and get so hyped up about it because semester holiday lasts longer than school holiday.
As time goes by, you graduate. You wonder how will it feel to get a job. How cool it will be to meet up with your other half after work, or talk about your Lucifer-like boss on weekends. In the beginning, you cannot wait 'til both of you can
save up and go somewhere even further for holiday. Then, it happens. Now both of you have stable income, you've grown up and can afford to buy things you used to only dream about, and you start to think. Now what?
That's when the collar of your shirt starts to feel tighter around your neck, and your lungs get too small for the oxygen to come in.
Will you go to the same university? There's probably the excitement of wanting to enroll at the same school, yet at the same time, you wanna know how it feels to separate.
Then college comes. You match your schedules together so you can still go out, this time more often than you could in high school. You help each other with term papers, you plan the semester holiday together and get so hyped up about it because semester holiday lasts longer than school holiday.
As time goes by, you graduate. You wonder how will it feel to get a job. How cool it will be to meet up with your other half after work, or talk about your Lucifer-like boss on weekends. In the beginning, you cannot wait 'til both of you can
save up and go somewhere even further for holiday. Then, it happens. Now both of you have stable income, you've grown up and can afford to buy things you used to only dream about, and you start to think. Now what?
That's when the collar of your shirt starts to feel tighter around your neck, and your lungs get too small for the oxygen to come in.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
And why you
Forget holiday-ing, forget reuniting with my long-lost besties. Here's what I want most for now: Enrolling at New York University's Journalism Department, majoring in News and Documentation studies.
I checked out the website today, out of boredom, and became dangerously obsessed ever since. I always wanted to get my masters' degree abroad, but I don't think I've ever wanted it this much. You see, the courses there interest me more than seeing Jude Law naked. (a true scholar would've never made that kind of comparison, I think, huh?)
Anyways. Check this out, taken from http://journalism.edu.nyu:
"News and Documentary educates students interested in reporting and producing short form and long form journalism for traditional and non-traditional media. From the first class, students are immersed in the small DV camera and desktop editing environment. They learn form, structure and storytelling by working in the field with a partner and, eventually, by themselves."
Also, the course outline goes something like this:
A typical (full-time) schedule:
Semester 1: 12 points
Writing Workshop I
Television Reporting I
Media Ethics
Semester 2: 12 points
Television Reporting II
Newscast Workshop
Documentary Tradition
Semester 3: 12 points
Advanced TV Reporting
Internship
One elective
You know how in school (and uni) you always find subjects that you just don't prefer to take? Well, not one of the aforementioned classes that I'm not interested at. I don't know what "One elective" is though, but I'd like to find out.
Now all I gotta do is find out how I can manage to afford the sky-high tuition. Oh, and the living cost, too.
I checked out the website today, out of boredom, and became dangerously obsessed ever since. I always wanted to get my masters' degree abroad, but I don't think I've ever wanted it this much. You see, the courses there interest me more than seeing Jude Law naked. (a true scholar would've never made that kind of comparison, I think, huh?)
Anyways. Check this out, taken from http://journalism.edu.nyu:
"News and Documentary educates students interested in reporting and producing short form and long form journalism for traditional and non-traditional media. From the first class, students are immersed in the small DV camera and desktop editing environment. They learn form, structure and storytelling by working in the field with a partner and, eventually, by themselves."
Also, the course outline goes something like this:
A typical (full-time) schedule:
Semester 1: 12 points
Writing Workshop I
Television Reporting I
Media Ethics
Semester 2: 12 points
Television Reporting II
Newscast Workshop
Documentary Tradition
Semester 3: 12 points
Advanced TV Reporting
Internship
One elective
You know how in school (and uni) you always find subjects that you just don't prefer to take? Well, not one of the aforementioned classes that I'm not interested at. I don't know what "One elective" is though, but I'd like to find out.
Now all I gotta do is find out how I can manage to afford the sky-high tuition. Oh, and the living cost, too.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Return of the pointless questionnaire
1. If you could push one person off a
mountain, who would it be?
I can only think about this girl who is said to dislike me because I'm friends with her boyfriend. She has moustache. Eek!
2. Where did you get the shirt you're
wearing?
Zara.
3. Do you still have clothes that
belong to your ex?
I don't even have any clothes of my current boyf. Sekalinya punya, turned out he'd gotten that from his psychotic ex. So I threw it away, literally.
4. Do you get attached to people
easily?
Really, really not.
5. Have you ever been to California?
Sadly, not yet.
6. Do you like roller coasters?
Not really. Now I wonder why I once took a double ride of Halilintar in Dufan a few years ago.
7. Have you ever cut class?
Of course, I was young once, you know.
8. What's your tv series ?
Currently, Heroes and Gossip Girl.
9. How many times have you been in
love?
Eh, not sure.
10. Do you have any pets?
Yes, two adorable dogs. One of which is half-Batman breed, and the other one is, I suspect, Satan's.
11. Do you curse a lot?
No, I don't really like hearing it.
12. What is the first thing you do when
you wake up?
Think what happened the night before.
13. What's your favourite season?
Festive season. There used to be a holiday season, but I guess now that we all work, there's no such thing anymore. Mean.
14. Have you been on a date in the last
2 weeks?
Yes. Well, if you count a short dinner just a few tables away from our other friends, with whom we'd come together, a date.
15. Are chuck norris jokes funny?
Yes.
16. What's your favorite food?
Cheese I think. Also, non healthy ones.
17. What's the last movie you saw in
the theater?
Jumper.
18. Can you live without the computer?
I don't think so.
19. Do you hide your emotions?
I don't know. To some people, I unload like a truk sampah on duty.
20. What is your favorite movie?
There's a few.
21. Do you like chick flicks?
Some of them, yeah.
22. When was the last time you got
flowers?
I think November 2007, on my birthday. Susah memang punya pacar romantis. Kidding, Oom.
23. Who was the last person you were in
a movie with?
In a movie, like star in a movie?? Runi and Bune. In a cinema watching a movie, Bangun.
24. Best kind of pizza?
Izzi's Beef N Izzi. Or that thing from Pizza Marzano, I can't remember the name.
25. Would you take care of your friends
while they're sick?
Yes I would, if they ever come to me. Haha.
26. What was the last CD you purchased?
The Killers - Sawdust
27. When was the last time you dyed
your hair?
I never.
29. Do you want to be in a
relationship?
I am in one. Now I want a bestfriendship, please.
30. Have you ever watched a movie
drunk?
I have better things to do when I'm drunk.
31. Do you wish at 11:11?
No. I either work, or sleep at that time.
32. Do you have any piercings?
Yes.
33. Last person you hugged?
My momi last night.
34. Where is the weirdest place you
have slept?
Weird? Never, I guess. I'm a picky sleeper.
35. What are you wearing on your feet?
Nothing. Kantor macam apa, pegawainya disuruh telanjang kaki...
36. Who was the last person you laid
in bed with?
Dinda, of course. Well, Bangun, if you mean in one bed.
37. What is your natural hair color?
Black, thank dear Lord. Wouldn't have it any other way.
38. How many people have you texted
today?
Not counting... Let's see. There's Momi, Iluk, Bangun. Yeah, three.
39. Who was your last comment from?
I assume this refers to Friendster since I took it from there, so Kania.
40. What is your current conversation
about?
I'm talking with Runi in YM, and we are talking about.... Kebo giting.
41. Do you have a crush on somebody?
Nope. Well sometimes I feel like I'm still crushing on Bangun. Hehe. Siapa suruh ganteng.
42. Where did you spend your evening 2
days ago?
My living room, of course. It was work night.
mountain, who would it be?
I can only think about this girl who is said to dislike me because I'm friends with her boyfriend. She has moustache. Eek!
2. Where did you get the shirt you're
wearing?
Zara.
3. Do you still have clothes that
belong to your ex?
I don't even have any clothes of my current boyf. Sekalinya punya, turned out he'd gotten that from his psychotic ex. So I threw it away, literally.
4. Do you get attached to people
easily?
Really, really not.
5. Have you ever been to California?
Sadly, not yet.
6. Do you like roller coasters?
Not really. Now I wonder why I once took a double ride of Halilintar in Dufan a few years ago.
7. Have you ever cut class?
Of course, I was young once, you know.
8. What's your tv series ?
Currently, Heroes and Gossip Girl.
9. How many times have you been in
love?
Eh, not sure.
10. Do you have any pets?
Yes, two adorable dogs. One of which is half-Batman breed, and the other one is, I suspect, Satan's.
11. Do you curse a lot?
No, I don't really like hearing it.
12. What is the first thing you do when
you wake up?
Think what happened the night before.
13. What's your favourite season?
Festive season. There used to be a holiday season, but I guess now that we all work, there's no such thing anymore. Mean.
14. Have you been on a date in the last
2 weeks?
Yes. Well, if you count a short dinner just a few tables away from our other friends, with whom we'd come together, a date.
15. Are chuck norris jokes funny?
Yes.
16. What's your favorite food?
Cheese I think. Also, non healthy ones.
17. What's the last movie you saw in
the theater?
Jumper.
18. Can you live without the computer?
I don't think so.
19. Do you hide your emotions?
I don't know. To some people, I unload like a truk sampah on duty.
20. What is your favorite movie?
There's a few.
21. Do you like chick flicks?
Some of them, yeah.
22. When was the last time you got
flowers?
I think November 2007, on my birthday. Susah memang punya pacar romantis. Kidding, Oom.
23. Who was the last person you were in
a movie with?
In a movie, like star in a movie?? Runi and Bune. In a cinema watching a movie, Bangun.
24. Best kind of pizza?
Izzi's Beef N Izzi. Or that thing from Pizza Marzano, I can't remember the name.
25. Would you take care of your friends
while they're sick?
Yes I would, if they ever come to me. Haha.
26. What was the last CD you purchased?
The Killers - Sawdust
27. When was the last time you dyed
your hair?
I never.
29. Do you want to be in a
relationship?
I am in one. Now I want a bestfriendship, please.
30. Have you ever watched a movie
drunk?
I have better things to do when I'm drunk.
31. Do you wish at 11:11?
No. I either work, or sleep at that time.
32. Do you have any piercings?
Yes.
33. Last person you hugged?
My momi last night.
34. Where is the weirdest place you
have slept?
Weird? Never, I guess. I'm a picky sleeper.
35. What are you wearing on your feet?
Nothing. Kantor macam apa, pegawainya disuruh telanjang kaki...
36. Who was the last person you laid
in bed with?
Dinda, of course. Well, Bangun, if you mean in one bed.
37. What is your natural hair color?
Black, thank dear Lord. Wouldn't have it any other way.
38. How many people have you texted
today?
Not counting... Let's see. There's Momi, Iluk, Bangun. Yeah, three.
39. Who was your last comment from?
I assume this refers to Friendster since I took it from there, so Kania.
40. What is your current conversation
about?
I'm talking with Runi in YM, and we are talking about.... Kebo giting.
41. Do you have a crush on somebody?
Nope. Well sometimes I feel like I'm still crushing on Bangun. Hehe. Siapa suruh ganteng.
42. Where did you spend your evening 2
days ago?
My living room, of course. It was work night.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
No "i" in Genk
How 'bout we go out and talk
Not in present tense
If you want
Let's just reminisce
How 'bout we go take a walk
Around the big mall
Among the clothing racks
Find people we can diss
How 'bout we sit, place our orders
Glasses of Martini, cups of coffee
Dozens of laughters,
And a thousand of blinding flashlights
Because the pictures are getting old,
The four-chaired table aren't meant for two,
And for the reason of, simply, missing you,
How 'bout, soon, we make a date?
Not in present tense
If you want
Let's just reminisce
How 'bout we go take a walk
Around the big mall
Among the clothing racks
Find people we can diss
How 'bout we sit, place our orders
Glasses of Martini, cups of coffee
Dozens of laughters,
And a thousand of blinding flashlights
Because the pictures are getting old,
The four-chaired table aren't meant for two,
And for the reason of, simply, missing you,
How 'bout, soon, we make a date?
Monday, March 24, 2008
Never really gave up on breaking out of this two-star town
After weeks of distress, I finally got to rest my brain and not think about work. Better, I got to do it in Batu Karas for three days with Bangun, Runi, and Ebonk.
We went there on Wednesday and I had the most unfortunate trip ever in my life. In one night, we:
a) Got slowly hit by a car from the front side when driving uphill
b) Got stuck in a traffic jam for quite a while
c) Got lost for a good two hours (or so Bangun said - I was asleep the whole time)
d) Hit a dog, which left an obvious dent to my car
e) Couldn't stay in our favorite cottage in Batu Karas because it had been swept by the recent tsunami that hit the place
f) Didn't get another comfy hotel
g) Got something stuck under my car, which made a very weird, disturbing sound.
However, slowly, things went uphill from there. We stayed in the second best hotel we could find, and well, do nothing important because that's the true meaning of holidays, right. Too bad, the place was more crowded than the usual. I guess people have slowly "discovered" Batu Karas. So much for secluded beach.
And what's Batu Karas without magic mushroom? We got "funny" on the third night, laughing at everything and nothing. I and Bangun also got to celebrate our postponed third anniversary dinner in one of the small restaurants there. He gave me this small agenda for work, and a Lego R2D2 pen!! It's so cool, I don't wanna use it too often.
Like all good things in the world, the holiday must end. We got back to Jakarta on Saturday night, and now here I am back in my office desk. Ew. Can't wait for another long weekend to come.
We went there on Wednesday and I had the most unfortunate trip ever in my life. In one night, we:
a) Got slowly hit by a car from the front side when driving uphill
b) Got stuck in a traffic jam for quite a while
c) Got lost for a good two hours (or so Bangun said - I was asleep the whole time)
d) Hit a dog, which left an obvious dent to my car
e) Couldn't stay in our favorite cottage in Batu Karas because it had been swept by the recent tsunami that hit the place
f) Didn't get another comfy hotel
g) Got something stuck under my car, which made a very weird, disturbing sound.
However, slowly, things went uphill from there. We stayed in the second best hotel we could find, and well, do nothing important because that's the true meaning of holidays, right. Too bad, the place was more crowded than the usual. I guess people have slowly "discovered" Batu Karas. So much for secluded beach.
And what's Batu Karas without magic mushroom? We got "funny" on the third night, laughing at everything and nothing. I and Bangun also got to celebrate our postponed third anniversary dinner in one of the small restaurants there. He gave me this small agenda for work, and a Lego R2D2 pen!! It's so cool, I don't wanna use it too often.
Like all good things in the world, the holiday must end. We got back to Jakarta on Saturday night, and now here I am back in my office desk. Ew. Can't wait for another long weekend to come.
Friday, March 14, 2008
A little rejection won't hurt, right?
Know what I just did? I just turned down an interview from MRA Printed Media Group, as a reporter at FHM. Haha. Sombongnya pol gak sih. The lady called yesterday, and again today to reconfirm, and I said no, because I had a meeting I can't get out of on Monday.
Which is totally bull. On Monday at 11 a.m, I'll probably be sitting pretty in my chair with nothing to do, and then I'll be starting my Facebook hour.
The thing is, I finally agreed to commit myself in this company, having been promised a direct involvement in a new, supposedly huge project. I guess it's bye-bye media career for a long two, three years, then. It's kind of a bum to think that.
Lately it's all about work in this blog. Moving on to a lighter subject, I had my third anniversary with Bangun yesterday. Like the years before, I'm gonna say, who would've thunk. We've made it this far with all the sugar, spice, and each other's annoying temper! Here's to more celebrations ahead, Oom.
Well, we haven't had any celebratory dinner or something though, so maybe stories are catching up later. Right now, as I'm suffering from this flu, all I wanna do is temporarily place my nose somewhere else. That way, maybe my head won't feel as heavy as Titanic.
Which is totally bull. On Monday at 11 a.m, I'll probably be sitting pretty in my chair with nothing to do, and then I'll be starting my Facebook hour.
The thing is, I finally agreed to commit myself in this company, having been promised a direct involvement in a new, supposedly huge project. I guess it's bye-bye media career for a long two, three years, then. It's kind of a bum to think that.
Lately it's all about work in this blog. Moving on to a lighter subject, I had my third anniversary with Bangun yesterday. Like the years before, I'm gonna say, who would've thunk. We've made it this far with all the sugar, spice, and each other's annoying temper! Here's to more celebrations ahead, Oom.
Well, we haven't had any celebratory dinner or something though, so maybe stories are catching up later. Right now, as I'm suffering from this flu, all I wanna do is temporarily place my nose somewhere else. That way, maybe my head won't feel as heavy as Titanic.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tell me what you want, what you really really want
For the first time in my life, I don't know what I wanna do with it. Haha it sounds dramatic, but seriously, I really don't.
It's about work. I've always wanted to be a journalist, right. I think everyone who knows me knows that. Well at least I thought I did. Here I am now, working in a consultant office. And when my six-month contract is done, I should start looking for a job in the media, right, as to pursue the so-called dream.
But nooo, I signed another contract, and this time it's one whole year. Now in theory, I can look around for other jobs; my boss is even aware of that, and she understands. And I have found a few vacancies; I even got an interview with one of the biggest media empire in Indonesia, although I haven't been contacted yet.
However, that's it, yknow. I don't have anymore desire to apply. None of those vacancies...appeal to me that much. So now I'm not so keen about my current job, yet also not motivated to look for another one.
Hidup susah mati tak mau, if you will.
I keep thinking, if I want to be a journalist, I gotta start somewhere. Most likely in local media, which means pathetic cash. Call me sombong, but the average salary of fresh-starters in local media doesn't meet my living requirements. Therefore I have to start looking for a spot in international-scale media, which is very hard as they don't recruit random people that often.
Sometimes, that leads to the question whether I still wanna be a journalist or not. Hey, who knows, maybe I'll end up good in the consultancies world. Or even better, climb myself up in the mining industry. Rory Gilmore always wanted to go to Harvard since she probably could read, but you see, she ended up in Yale. And it wasn't bad at all. Plus, she met THE boyfriend of the century, Logan.
Back to the topic. So now, there's the dilemma of staying in a boring job I don't really like but pays me good, or start my supposedly dream career with poor payment. Or maybe I want a time off to think.
It's really weird, I thought I got it all mapped out, yknow. I thought I was the "ambitious" one who knows what to do when she graduates from college.
It's about work. I've always wanted to be a journalist, right. I think everyone who knows me knows that. Well at least I thought I did. Here I am now, working in a consultant office. And when my six-month contract is done, I should start looking for a job in the media, right, as to pursue the so-called dream.
But nooo, I signed another contract, and this time it's one whole year. Now in theory, I can look around for other jobs; my boss is even aware of that, and she understands. And I have found a few vacancies; I even got an interview with one of the biggest media empire in Indonesia, although I haven't been contacted yet.
However, that's it, yknow. I don't have anymore desire to apply. None of those vacancies...appeal to me that much. So now I'm not so keen about my current job, yet also not motivated to look for another one.
Hidup susah mati tak mau, if you will.
I keep thinking, if I want to be a journalist, I gotta start somewhere. Most likely in local media, which means pathetic cash. Call me sombong, but the average salary of fresh-starters in local media doesn't meet my living requirements. Therefore I have to start looking for a spot in international-scale media, which is very hard as they don't recruit random people that often.
Sometimes, that leads to the question whether I still wanna be a journalist or not. Hey, who knows, maybe I'll end up good in the consultancies world. Or even better, climb myself up in the mining industry. Rory Gilmore always wanted to go to Harvard since she probably could read, but you see, she ended up in Yale. And it wasn't bad at all. Plus, she met THE boyfriend of the century, Logan.
Back to the topic. So now, there's the dilemma of staying in a boring job I don't really like but pays me good, or start my supposedly dream career with poor payment. Or maybe I want a time off to think.
It's really weird, I thought I got it all mapped out, yknow. I thought I was the "ambitious" one who knows what to do when she graduates from college.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Empathy
This requires a post, just because I am so excited, I wanna shout to the world.
Congratulations, Bangun the Bachelor of Engineering with a big fat A on the final project!!! I am so proud of you. I'll probably tell you about it later tonight, but what the heck, I'm writing it down here right now like an idiot because I can't scream and dance while I'm still at the office.
Woohoo, another celebration is in order!
Congratulations, Bangun the Bachelor of Engineering with a big fat A on the final project!!! I am so proud of you. I'll probably tell you about it later tonight, but what the heck, I'm writing it down here right now like an idiot because I can't scream and dance while I'm still at the office.
Woohoo, another celebration is in order!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
I'll have my Bratwurst with two scoops of mashed potato, please.
Penerbangan Bugil untuk Kaum Nudis Jerman
Oleh : Denny Sitohang
31-Jan-2008, 05:17:09 WIB - [www.kabarindonesia .com]
KabarIndonesia - Tidak lama lagi kaum nudis (kelompok
bugil) di Jerman dapat memulai liburan mereka lebih awal dan melepas
baju mereka di pesawat jika mereka menerima tawaran baru sebuah
firma perjalanan di Jerman Timur.
Menurut Agen perjalanan OssiUrlaub.de, mereka akan
membuka pemesanan sejak Jumat pekan lalu untuk perjalanan nudis
percobaan dari Kota Erfurt, Jerman timur, menuju resor Usedom di
Laut Baltik yang direncanakan untuk 5 Juli dengan harga 499
euro. "Harganya memang mahal, saya tahu," kata managing director
Enrico Hess kepada media melalui telepon. "Ini karena pesawatnya
sangat kecil. Bukan karena pesawat khusus untuk kaum nudis harus
lebih mahal dari pada (yang) biasa."
Penumpang pesawat yang seluruhnya berjumlah 55 orang
harus tetap mengenakan pakaian hingga mereka naik ke pesawat dan
kembali berpakaian sebelum mendarat, papar Hess. Kru kabin tetap
berpakaian sepanjang perjalanan demi alasan keselamatan.
"Saya ingin mengakui bahwa kami sendirilah yang
merancang perjalanan ini, namun ide sebenarnya berasal dari seorang
pelanggan," ucap Hess. "Di pasar penerbangan, ini merupakan
perbedaan yang tak biasa," tambahnya.
Naturisme atau yang dikenal sebagai kebebasan ekspresi
tubuh (FKK) di Jerman, sempat dilarang Nazi. Namun FKK muncul
kembali setelah Perang Dunia II, khususnya di Jerman
Timur. "Terdapat hotel FKK, di mana Anda bisa pergi ke restauran dan
berbelanja tanpa mengenakan busana," kata Hess. "Bagi penggemar FKK -
selain saya - hal seperti ini sudah biasa."
"Saya tidak ingin orang-orang berpikiran salah. Kami
bukan membuka klub swinger (bertukar pasangan) di udara atau
semacamnya, Kami benar-benar perusahaan perjalanan biasa," kata
Hess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Coffee, tea, or sausage?
Oleh : Denny Sitohang
31-Jan-2008, 05:17:09 WIB - [www.kabarindonesia .com]
KabarIndonesia - Tidak lama lagi kaum nudis (kelompok
bugil) di Jerman dapat memulai liburan mereka lebih awal dan melepas
baju mereka di pesawat jika mereka menerima tawaran baru sebuah
firma perjalanan di Jerman Timur.
Menurut Agen perjalanan OssiUrlaub.de, mereka akan
membuka pemesanan sejak Jumat pekan lalu untuk perjalanan nudis
percobaan dari Kota Erfurt, Jerman timur, menuju resor Usedom di
Laut Baltik yang direncanakan untuk 5 Juli dengan harga 499
euro. "Harganya memang mahal, saya tahu," kata managing director
Enrico Hess kepada media melalui telepon. "Ini karena pesawatnya
sangat kecil. Bukan karena pesawat khusus untuk kaum nudis harus
lebih mahal dari pada (yang) biasa."
Penumpang pesawat yang seluruhnya berjumlah 55 orang
harus tetap mengenakan pakaian hingga mereka naik ke pesawat dan
kembali berpakaian sebelum mendarat, papar Hess. Kru kabin tetap
berpakaian sepanjang perjalanan demi alasan keselamatan.
"Saya ingin mengakui bahwa kami sendirilah yang
merancang perjalanan ini, namun ide sebenarnya berasal dari seorang
pelanggan," ucap Hess. "Di pasar penerbangan, ini merupakan
perbedaan yang tak biasa," tambahnya.
Naturisme atau yang dikenal sebagai kebebasan ekspresi
tubuh (FKK) di Jerman, sempat dilarang Nazi. Namun FKK muncul
kembali setelah Perang Dunia II, khususnya di Jerman
Timur. "Terdapat hotel FKK, di mana Anda bisa pergi ke restauran dan
berbelanja tanpa mengenakan busana," kata Hess. "Bagi penggemar FKK -
selain saya - hal seperti ini sudah biasa."
"Saya tidak ingin orang-orang berpikiran salah. Kami
bukan membuka klub swinger (bertukar pasangan) di udara atau
semacamnya, Kami benar-benar perusahaan perjalanan biasa," kata
Hess.
Coffee, tea, or sausage?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Okay, now let's turn to me
The Rules:
1. Each blogger must post these rules
2. Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight
things and post these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose
eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged and
to read ur blog.
Here goes, eight things I can think of:
to join the game, though. I know you like to talk about yourself. Who doesn't, right?
1. Each blogger must post these rules
2. Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight
things and post these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose
eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged and
to read ur blog.
Here goes, eight things I can think of:
- I often read too much into something. That's not always useful, I have to say. It only leads to worse thoughts usually, as I also like to think about everything. I mean it, everything. I think it can help me make a book of worst case scenario in a company or something. Yknow, what those PR people do.
- I Google everything. I think Google is one of the best guidance in my life, and I don't know what I would do without it.
- I can fix a toilet's flush. Even when I'm drunk, which was once proven. So for me, when I have one too many drinks, I can have a mutual symbiotic thing with the toilet bowl. We're useful for one another.
- I dislike people easily. I find it hard to be nice to everyone, only the ones I (sometimes unconsciously) pick.
- I don't like people who write like they're texting. Come on, use the space you've been given, people! There's no 160 character limit, so why bother with the abbreviations?
- Inside, I'm just a dork who tries to fit in.
- I always dream to live somewhere in a big city abroad, having my own apartment and a five-star career. But deep down, I don't think I can actually live away from home, away from my mom and sister.
- I'd rather watch a person than an animal being slaughtered. On TV, of course. I don't agree with the concept of Idul Adha, even though I pretty much believe in my religion.
to join the game, though. I know you like to talk about yourself. Who doesn't, right?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Stay don't stay
Reasons why I should stay for another six months in this office:
Reasons why I should leave this office by the time my contract's done at the end of this month:
Writing down a pro-con list definitely didn't give much help.
- I've become more comfortable with the atmosphere. I'm getting more used to the awful, awful silence in this room every single day.
- In the meantime, the workload is still bearable. I get to do what I like; write. Plus, I get to know what's happening out there by reading all the articles I have to summarize.
- Nice, nice payment. The management pays full attention to the emplyees.
- Since it's located inside the boss' house, I get to wear whatever clothes I like, as long as it's appropriate. I don't even have to wear any shoes inside.
- Again, since it's located inside a house, lunch is served everyday by the cook. Therefore, I can save lunch money.
- It's only 30 minutes away from my house, and traffic is less frustrating.
Reasons why I should leave this office by the time my contract's done at the end of this month:
- This is not what I planned. In my head, I was going to be a journalist right after I graduated. I want to be out there, covering events, and then report it to the world.
- However, being a local journalist pays practically nothing. From what I see, the workers' welfare is also pathetic. Therefore, I have to start looking for a job in a foreign media. And it seems that I won't get started if I still have my current job here.
- Some things in this office just don't click with me. I don't like having to hide where I'm from everytime I attend a seminar or conference.
- I'm still 23. I just graduated, and I started working here exactly one day after my final thesis presentation. I deserve to have some time-off, don't I? Yknow, looking slowly for what I'm gonna do next.
- Maybe I should find a job where I can go to the office by train. It's faster, cheaper, and help reducing pollution from my car. Haha.
Writing down a pro-con list definitely didn't give much help.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Diamond is indeed a girl's best friend
I saw the most beautiful engagement ring ever...in my dream two nights ago. And it was mine, from Bangun (who else, right?).
It has got to be one of the weirdest, yet most memorable dream I'd ever had. Bangun proposed to me, and the next thing I knew was I had that ring in my left middle finger. Yes, middle. The ring was a mixture of gold, white gold, with diamonds sprinkled all around it.
I'll try to describe more, though it's kinda hard: the upper and lower surface is made from gold, and it is engraved with white gold in the middle, all around the ring. Little diamonds are sprinkled all over the carving, making the ring sparkle here and there. Shiny, but not flashy.
What's a girl to say no to that, right? Too bad, I don't know how he proposed to me, as that would make the dream more interesting.
In my dream, I was happy as Santa on Prozac. I showed the ring to some people including Bangun's parents, smiling from ear to ear. When I woke up, I was kinda sweating. And not to mention feeling really weird, yet I could still feel the giddyness a little bit. Haha how could I have a dream about that, I would never know. When I told Bangun, his first reaction was, "Yah selamet deh yang mau ngelamar kamu, mahal banget kayaknya cincinnya."
Anyway, that dream made me wonder about something. What if someday a guy asks me to marry him, but I don't like the ring he has for me? Haha it could happen to me, yknow, as I can be very picky with the things people give to me. Call me an ungrateful bitch, but when I don't like a gift, I neglect them almost completely.
There's no chance that I can swap the ring now, is there?
It has got to be one of the weirdest, yet most memorable dream I'd ever had. Bangun proposed to me, and the next thing I knew was I had that ring in my left middle finger. Yes, middle. The ring was a mixture of gold, white gold, with diamonds sprinkled all around it.
I'll try to describe more, though it's kinda hard: the upper and lower surface is made from gold, and it is engraved with white gold in the middle, all around the ring. Little diamonds are sprinkled all over the carving, making the ring sparkle here and there. Shiny, but not flashy.
What's a girl to say no to that, right? Too bad, I don't know how he proposed to me, as that would make the dream more interesting.
In my dream, I was happy as Santa on Prozac. I showed the ring to some people including Bangun's parents, smiling from ear to ear. When I woke up, I was kinda sweating. And not to mention feeling really weird, yet I could still feel the giddyness a little bit. Haha how could I have a dream about that, I would never know. When I told Bangun, his first reaction was, "Yah selamet deh yang mau ngelamar kamu, mahal banget kayaknya cincinnya."
Anyway, that dream made me wonder about something. What if someday a guy asks me to marry him, but I don't like the ring he has for me? Haha it could happen to me, yknow, as I can be very picky with the things people give to me. Call me an ungrateful bitch, but when I don't like a gift, I neglect them almost completely.
There's no chance that I can swap the ring now, is there?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
When the whole world's gone, you won't be alone
I spent the 2007 - 2008 countdown in a karaoke room, singing Auld Lang Syne with Bangun, Runi, and Ebonk. A bit different than the usual, huh. It was fun.
So 2007 was quite an interesting year for me. I would love to write some recap, but why look back when you can plan forward, right. In other words, I'm not in the mood to use my brain and think what I've done last year.
Instead, let's hang the hopes up high for this year. More than anything, I guess I want my friends to stay where they are this year; no more disappearing drama. A wise friend told me on new year's eve, that I and Runi should make more friends, and build a chain between our friends so we could all hang out together. I don't really agree with this. I mean, how can I think of anyone else when I am on the verge of losing a dear friend to some kind of bitterness?
Here's to a better, brighter 2008. I hope this year I will not cry idiotically when singing Tommy Page's A Shoulder to Cry On.
So 2007 was quite an interesting year for me. I would love to write some recap, but why look back when you can plan forward, right. In other words, I'm not in the mood to use my brain and think what I've done last year.
Instead, let's hang the hopes up high for this year. More than anything, I guess I want my friends to stay where they are this year; no more disappearing drama. A wise friend told me on new year's eve, that I and Runi should make more friends, and build a chain between our friends so we could all hang out together. I don't really agree with this. I mean, how can I think of anyone else when I am on the verge of losing a dear friend to some kind of bitterness?
Here's to a better, brighter 2008. I hope this year I will not cry idiotically when singing Tommy Page's A Shoulder to Cry On.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Take me home
Here I am in Jimbaran, Bali. Sitting pretty with my laptop, a tall glass of ice cappucino, cigarette in hand, and the beach right before me. Aw I feel so sad. How many days left to Dec. 15??!
Two things I've learned so far from my trip:
First, I can't live alone. I have to have my close friends or family with me. I mean, only what, five days now and already I've cried and cried and finally when not knowing what to do today since it's a day off (thank oh almighty God), I tucked a flower on my ear and checked my reflection in the mirror. You see here, I'm losing it, yknow. Whoop.
Second, I am, going to do almost everything to get me a job as a journalist. I have been sooooo jealous looking at my journalist colleagues here! They have all the fun in the world covering the biggest event of the conference, and they don't have to worry about not knowing the issue thoroughly. I wouldn't mind carrying the tripods and the camera everywhere.
AP, BBC, Reuters, are you hiring?
Two things I've learned so far from my trip:
First, I can't live alone. I have to have my close friends or family with me. I mean, only what, five days now and already I've cried and cried and finally when not knowing what to do today since it's a day off (thank oh almighty God), I tucked a flower on my ear and checked my reflection in the mirror. You see here, I'm losing it, yknow. Whoop.
Second, I am, going to do almost everything to get me a job as a journalist. I have been sooooo jealous looking at my journalist colleagues here! They have all the fun in the world covering the biggest event of the conference, and they don't have to worry about not knowing the issue thoroughly. I wouldn't mind carrying the tripods and the camera everywhere.
AP, BBC, Reuters, are you hiring?
Friday, November 30, 2007
All that's missing is you
I never thought I'd say this but I am not looking forward to the next two weeks, which I will spend in Bali. Yes, I will be able to finally breathe the salty, ocean air again. I will be able to walk along Kuta, Legian, you name it. I will stay in a seemingly-lavish hotel in Jimbaran, with the beach just a few steps away. Not to mention the seaside seafood, and I don't have to pay a thing for all those.
This is my first time ever to travel alone for two weeks, and not for leisure. If you don't hear from me by the end of this month, worry.
This is my first time ever to travel alone for two weeks, and not for leisure. If you don't hear from me by the end of this month, worry.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Twenty-third time's the charm?
This year's birthday season has passed. Overall, it was not the best because unlike previous years, Genk did not meet at all during the four days. One of us even went MIA for quite a few days, sparking questions and assumptions among the other three left here in Jakarta.
However, it was a different birthday for me. That week ended with my graduation day. Since I declared on Nov. 4 that my brithday would last six days this year, the graduation day on Saturday was included in the festive season.
The long-awaited graduation ceremony was nice. I hadn't thought I would be that excited gathering with my friends for the last time. Too bad, my entourage (Bangun, Runi, and Dinda) came after the whole thing ended. But we still took pictures, anyway. I even took one with Dinda and the coolest lecturer in the world, Pak Robby.
That night, I celebrated my birthday plus graduation with the whole crew; my family including my Dad who came all the way from Padang, Mbak Vicky, Bang Manda, little Agam who ensures me even more that he will grow into the most good-looking man on Earth, Bangun, Runi, and Rozelle. Yes, of course without the aforementioned MIA-girl's presence as she, back in Jakarta by this time, had to rest in bed due to illness. Tsk. We had dinner at Ritz Carlton, complete with birthday cakes (two of them, three if you count the one Bangun gave me earlier) and even a birthday clown singing for me with the restaurant crew.
Presents were nice nice nice, dinner was entertaining; therefore, it was quite a special day for me this year. Here's to a rockin' 23rd year!
However, it was a different birthday for me. That week ended with my graduation day. Since I declared on Nov. 4 that my brithday would last six days this year, the graduation day on Saturday was included in the festive season.
The long-awaited graduation ceremony was nice. I hadn't thought I would be that excited gathering with my friends for the last time. Too bad, my entourage (Bangun, Runi, and Dinda) came after the whole thing ended. But we still took pictures, anyway. I even took one with Dinda and the coolest lecturer in the world, Pak Robby.
That night, I celebrated my birthday plus graduation with the whole crew; my family including my Dad who came all the way from Padang, Mbak Vicky, Bang Manda, little Agam who ensures me even more that he will grow into the most good-looking man on Earth, Bangun, Runi, and Rozelle. Yes, of course without the aforementioned MIA-girl's presence as she, back in Jakarta by this time, had to rest in bed due to illness. Tsk. We had dinner at Ritz Carlton, complete with birthday cakes (two of them, three if you count the one Bangun gave me earlier) and even a birthday clown singing for me with the restaurant crew.
Presents were nice nice nice, dinner was entertaining; therefore, it was quite a special day for me this year. Here's to a rockin' 23rd year!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
My hillbilly moment
As a...top secret agent to a superpower country, it is my job to monitor and be aware of several media; be it local, national, or international. Of course, that includes the media from various provinces. One thing I have to say is that, it is VERY CRUCIAL for every country to have at least one credible journalism school in every city. Because oh my Holy God, the way those local journalists write their articles is highly incomprehensible. Okay, so I'm not Barbara Walters to throw mean criticisms at them. But that's the point; even regular people can see how frustrating local journalism in this country is.
Anyway, there's one online media that my office has to monitor and it's the worst of all. Please feel free to click the link on the bottom to judge it for yourself. In the meantime, here's some pure entertainment taken from the web site, as a kind-of-regularly-updated section. After a while, you'll get used to their language and jargons.
Kangkung Paling Besar
Anak 3 anak kecil, dong crita soal sayur kangkung di dong pu kampung masing-masing.
Anak 1 : “ Di sa pu kampung tuh, kangkung besar-besar skali, kalop masak beberapa batang saja, pasti makan sampe kenyang,”
Anak 2 :” Ah, itu kurang, di sa pu kampung, sayur kangkung tuh tikus bisa masuk di dalam,” Anak 1 dan 3 heran skali. Giliran anak ke 3, dia tra mau kalah.
Anak 3 : “Kalo di sa pu kampung, tikus tra bisa masuk dalam kangkung,”
Anak 1 dan 2 :” Ah, itu tra hebat, pasti kangkungnya kecil-kecil too,”
Anak 3:” Sabar dulu, kam tau kenapa tikus tra bisa masuk?” Dong dua diam.
Trus anak ke 3 lanjut:” Itu karena di sa pu kampung tuh, dalam kangkung ada kucing,”
taken from http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/
Kangkung Paling Besar
Anak 3 anak kecil, dong crita soal sayur kangkung di dong pu kampung masing-masing.
Anak 1 : “ Di sa pu kampung tuh, kangkung besar-besar skali, kalop masak beberapa batang saja, pasti makan sampe kenyang,”
Anak 2 :” Ah, itu kurang, di sa pu kampung, sayur kangkung tuh tikus bisa masuk di dalam,” Anak 1 dan 3 heran skali. Giliran anak ke 3, dia tra mau kalah.
Anak 3 : “Kalo di sa pu kampung, tikus tra bisa masuk dalam kangkung,”
Anak 1 dan 2 :” Ah, itu tra hebat, pasti kangkungnya kecil-kecil too,”
Anak 3:” Sabar dulu, kam tau kenapa tikus tra bisa masuk?” Dong dua diam.
Trus anak ke 3 lanjut:” Itu karena di sa pu kampung tuh, dalam kangkung ada kucing,”
taken from http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Yesterday went far too soon
Wasn't it yesterday that we talked about crushes over cigarettes and alcohol? That we talked about our dream job, a dream house that we would live together in, and the thousand things that we'd do after we graduate? That we doodle the least meaningful things in the world? That we made appointments to skip classes and go for afternoon coffee instead? That we wasted ourselves to the point where all we could do was sing with our eyes closed, not able to lift our weight off the floor? That we recorded all those times in video?
Then how come now it's all about work and marriage? Where have all the coffee sessions, sleepovers, vodka, beer, cards, guitars, purple doodle books, picture times, and off-key tunes gone?
Where have you all gone?
Then how come now it's all about work and marriage? Where have all the coffee sessions, sleepovers, vodka, beer, cards, guitars, purple doodle books, picture times, and off-key tunes gone?
Where have you all gone?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Irish pizza boy turns into manager
Which Entourage Character Are You? | |
 | You are Eric. You are the executive, the suit. You know what the grand strategy is, you understand what is needed of you, and you execute. Most people tend to underestimate you, but you deliver quite a surprise. Your hard work and natural abilities provide you with the confidence to step up to the plate when it is required of you. Although you aren't the All-Star of the group, you are the Manager entrusted with confidently calling the shots. |
| Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com | |
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
While there is time
Wow, it's been a while. So I am finally working full-time in my office now. I gave in to the cash, hee hee. As long as I can keep up with my shopping habit, right. I still wanna be a journalist, though. Better not get too comfy here.
There's nothing else, actually. My life has been work-home-eat-sleep-work, all weekdays long. All the while, I am having a not-so-secret crush on Adrian Grenier a.k.a Vincent Chase. Please don't call him Vinnie, he's more of a Vincent to me.
Owell, I'm bored with my task, so I copied this off Runi's blog:
7 YEARS AGO
1) How old were you?
* 16
2) Where did you go to school?
* SMA 70
3) Where did you work?
* Nowhere
4) Where did you live?
* Bumi Bintaro Permai
5) Where did you hang out?
* My house, malls, including Blok M Plaza pastinya..
6) Did you wear glasses?
* Nope
7) Who was your friend(s)?
* Geng Pantat......... What a joke.
8) How many piercings did you have?
* Two
9) What car did you drive?
* ATOZ, my beloved Bajay Merah Warnanya.
10) Had you been to a real party?
* Do sweet 17s count?
12) Had your heart broken?
* Yes of course.
13) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?
* Single
2 YEARS AGO.
1) How old were you?
* 21
2) Where did you go to school?
* Journalism UPH
3) Where did you work?
*Chrysolit English Course, Associated Press.
4) Where did you live?
* Bintaro Jaya
5) Where did you hang out?
* Runi's, Bangun's, malls, Dixie Karawaci.
6) Did you wear glasses?
* Still nope.
7) Who were your friends?
* Genk, people in campus.
8) Who was your crush?
* Bangun Suryoputro hihihi.
9) How many tattoos did you have?
* None.
10) How many piercings did you have?
* Still six...or was it five? They came, stayed, gave me ridiculous pain, and they went. Really.
11) What car did you drive?
* Switching between my Bajay and Honda Jazz.
12) Had your heart broken?
* Not that year, no.
13) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?
* Taken for most part of the year.
NOW, 2007.
1) How old are you?
* 23
2) Where do you work?
* Associated Press, and now Mirah Sakethi.
3) Where do you live?
* Still Bintaro Jaya.
4) Do you wear glasses?
* Yeah, damn.
5) Who are your friends?
* Those who stay.
6) Do you talk to your old friends?
* Occasionally.
7) How many piercings do you have?
* Back to those conventional two.
8) How many tattoos?
* Still none.
9) What kind of car do you have?
* Honda Jazz.
10) Has your heart been broken?
* Naah..
11) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?:
* Still taken, with the same guy.
12) Where did you go to school?
* Graduated earlier this year.
13) Where did you hang out?
* Runi's, Bangun's, malls, places in Bandung.
There's nothing else, actually. My life has been work-home-eat-sleep-work, all weekdays long. All the while, I am having a not-so-secret crush on Adrian Grenier a.k.a Vincent Chase. Please don't call him Vinnie, he's more of a Vincent to me.
Owell, I'm bored with my task, so I copied this off Runi's blog:
7 YEARS AGO
1) How old were you?
* 16
2) Where did you go to school?
* SMA 70
3) Where did you work?
* Nowhere
4) Where did you live?
* Bumi Bintaro Permai
5) Where did you hang out?
* My house, malls, including Blok M Plaza pastinya..
6) Did you wear glasses?
* Nope
7) Who was your friend(s)?
* Geng Pantat......... What a joke.
8) How many piercings did you have?
* Two
9) What car did you drive?
* ATOZ, my beloved Bajay Merah Warnanya.
10) Had you been to a real party?
* Do sweet 17s count?
12) Had your heart broken?
* Yes of course.
13) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?
* Single
2 YEARS AGO.
1) How old were you?
* 21
2) Where did you go to school?
* Journalism UPH
3) Where did you work?
*Chrysolit English Course, Associated Press.
4) Where did you live?
* Bintaro Jaya
5) Where did you hang out?
* Runi's, Bangun's, malls, Dixie Karawaci.
6) Did you wear glasses?
* Still nope.
7) Who were your friends?
* Genk, people in campus.
8) Who was your crush?
* Bangun Suryoputro hihihi.
9) How many tattoos did you have?
* None.
10) How many piercings did you have?
* Still six...or was it five? They came, stayed, gave me ridiculous pain, and they went. Really.
11) What car did you drive?
* Switching between my Bajay and Honda Jazz.
12) Had your heart broken?
* Not that year, no.
13) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?
* Taken for most part of the year.
NOW, 2007.
1) How old are you?
* 23
2) Where do you work?
* Associated Press, and now Mirah Sakethi.
3) Where do you live?
* Still Bintaro Jaya.
4) Do you wear glasses?
* Yeah, damn.
5) Who are your friends?
* Those who stay.
6) Do you talk to your old friends?
* Occasionally.
7) How many piercings do you have?
* Back to those conventional two.
8) How many tattoos?
* Still none.
9) What kind of car do you have?
* Honda Jazz.
10) Has your heart been broken?
* Naah..
11) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?:
* Still taken, with the same guy.
12) Where did you go to school?
* Graduated earlier this year.
13) Where did you hang out?
* Runi's, Bangun's, malls, places in Bandung.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Hello, life
Now that I've got that S. Sos title following my name, I need to figure out what to do next. I'm currently employed as a part-time media monitoring staff, but I think I'm open to other choices.
Including unemployment. Sometimes I think, why rushing into getting a job? Why not lay back for a while, do nothing with my two also-currently-unemployed best friends, and maybe take short classes here and there. Sure it looks good in a resume if there's no time gap between graduation and the first job, but a lot of people still manage otherwise, right?
Then again I think, I wanna do something and get some cash out of it. You can't help it; there's just something...self-fulfilling about having a job. Even though that job forces you to wake up before the sun does every single morning. I've been a slacker for a long time before, and now can be the right time to get serious with life, right?
So when my boss told me I might get a full time job in my office, even though it's still not certain, I thought I gotta start considering everything in my pro-con list.
Moving on, let's see what happened recently:
Including unemployment. Sometimes I think, why rushing into getting a job? Why not lay back for a while, do nothing with my two also-currently-unemployed best friends, and maybe take short classes here and there. Sure it looks good in a resume if there's no time gap between graduation and the first job, but a lot of people still manage otherwise, right?
Then again I think, I wanna do something and get some cash out of it. You can't help it; there's just something...self-fulfilling about having a job. Even though that job forces you to wake up before the sun does every single morning. I've been a slacker for a long time before, and now can be the right time to get serious with life, right?
So when my boss told me I might get a full time job in my office, even though it's still not certain, I thought I gotta start considering everything in my pro-con list.
Moving on, let's see what happened recently:
- My sister finally came back from her three-week Eurotrip and I hereby state that I don't ever wanna be apart from her anymore. Ever.
- After the talk, I and the girls set a date to meet. Well, now that the supposed date has passed, I learned that some things just don't change, no matter how hard you pull your hair to get them straight.
- I had a little gathering with some of my friends last Friday, and it was fun. Not everyone was there, but when have all of them ever these days?
- I found out that saying your boyfriend's last name after your name out loud can bring silly, surprisingly giddy butterflies to your tummy. Especially if you've never done that before.
That's all I got for today.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
I'm officially four-eyed now. I'm not gonna wear the glasses all the time, though. Still, that makes me and Bangun a geek-looking couple.
What else is new? Oh, recently I went to Dufan, after...three years. Wow it's been that long, huh. Anyway, this time I went on a triple date; Bangun and me, Iluk and Dimas, and the newly engaged Awan and Nci. The place was really crowded with people lining up for rides like there's no tomorrow, but it was fun fun fun. Afterwards we had dinner with Bangun-Iluk-Awan's parents in Bandar Jakarta, and this time we ate like there's no tomorrow.
Dufan is always a nice place to go to.
Hey you
I'm tired of missing you
Yet I can't help but do
What else is new? Oh, recently I went to Dufan, after...three years. Wow it's been that long, huh. Anyway, this time I went on a triple date; Bangun and me, Iluk and Dimas, and the newly engaged Awan and Nci. The place was really crowded with people lining up for rides like there's no tomorrow, but it was fun fun fun. Afterwards we had dinner with Bangun-Iluk-Awan's parents in Bandar Jakarta, and this time we ate like there's no tomorrow.
Dufan is always a nice place to go to.
Hey you
I'm tired of missing you
Yet I can't help but do
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
It's a dot to me
I only met two of my friends today (some social life, huh). Both of them asked me two same things; marriage and having kids. Gee.
Also today, I found out that it turns your stomach inside out when knowing that your boyfriend has thought about financial plan of marriage. If the words "belanja bulanan" makes you queasy, imagine hearing "kontrak rumah", "nyicil mobil", or "makan untuk berdua sebulan."
There goes another butterfly flapping. Yet, the b-a-b-y word wasn't even mentioned.
Yo, people, let's just think about what to do today. Let's all just worry about what movie should we watch on the next date, or which overpriced Zara item should we spend our money on. Or where should we hold our next gathering. Because those things above, they're still so far away from my sight. They're dots. Small, tiny dots. You with me?
Also today, I found out that it turns your stomach inside out when knowing that your boyfriend has thought about financial plan of marriage. If the words "belanja bulanan" makes you queasy, imagine hearing "kontrak rumah", "nyicil mobil", or "makan untuk berdua sebulan."
There goes another butterfly flapping. Yet, the b-a-b-y word wasn't even mentioned.
Yo, people, let's just think about what to do today. Let's all just worry about what movie should we watch on the next date, or which overpriced Zara item should we spend our money on. Or where should we hold our next gathering. Because those things above, they're still so far away from my sight. They're dots. Small, tiny dots. You with me?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
I feel like
P rattling endlessly
O verreacting here, but I don't care
U ncaringly splurging my money for pretty things
T elling everyone to stop being so busy
I ndifferently blah
N umbing my head before it beats me
G oing somewhere far and fun with the right bunch
=(
O verreacting here, but I don't care
U ncaringly splurging my money for pretty things
T elling everyone to stop being so busy
I ndifferently blah
N umbing my head before it beats me
G oing somewhere far and fun with the right bunch
=(
Friday, June 08, 2007
My donut, my town
You Belong in London |
 A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |
| You Are a Glazed Donut |
 Okay, you know that you're plain - and you're cool with that. You prefer not to let anything distract from your sweetness. Your appeal is understated yet universal. Everyone dig you. And in a pinch, you'll probably get eaten. |
Nothing like you and I
We spent some time together drinking
Spent some time just thinking about days of joy
As our hearts started beating faster
I recalled your laughter from long ago
There's nothing like you and I
The Perishers
Spent some time just thinking about days of joy
As our hearts started beating faster
I recalled your laughter from long ago
There's nothing like you and I
The Perishers
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Beyond the sound
Name your 15 favorite songs and then answer the questions below.
1. Shiver - Coldplay
2. Read My Mind - The Killers
3. When It Started - The Strokes
4. Run - Snow Patrol
5. In Love With A View - Mojave 3
6. A Life Less Ordinary - Ash
7. Burning Photograph - Ryan Adams
8. Cannonball - Damien Rice
9. Swallowed In The Sea - Coldplay
10. So Alive - Ryan Adams
11. Strange and Beautiful - Aqualung
12. Local Boy In The Photograph - Stereophonics
13. A Whole New World - Aladdin and Jasmine
14. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star
15. The Scientist - Coldplay
*Where's the first time you hear the song number 9?
Home .
*What do you feel when you hear song number 4?
Empathy; deep, deep empathy.
*You'll give number 14 for?
For I look at you and I see nothing.
*You'll hear number 10 when you feel so..
......Alive.
*Do you like the singer number 2?
Yes, though at first I thought they were just another "the" bands following the current trend; hoping to get big outside the US before anyone in there heard them.
*Who will you dance with while you hear number 3?
Nick Valensi. Please?
*Your fav lyrics of song number 1?
"And you know how much I need you, but you never even see me."
Actually can I say all?
*Do you listen song number 7 when you're broken heart?
Not really.
*Miss number 5?
Uh-huh. It's just "so far from here".
*Who will you remember if you hear number 8?
I will remember just the brilliant, brilliant singer/songwriter Mr. Rice.
*What's the unique side of number 12?
It was the song that made them big, but strangely it's not too popular over here. Wait, that's not unique; that's just normal international music in Indonesia.
*If someone sings number 15 to you?
Haha. Well, Bangun has sung it to me saying the song reminded him of me back then. It wooed me. Let's see who else can woo me with the song.
*Number 6 makes you happy?
Kinda. The song's loud, and I never understand the lyrics so I wouldn't know if it's happy or sad. It's good.
*Why'd you love number 13?
Because it's from my favourite Disney film, and it sounds so sweet and I think it can get anyone to fall in love with their best friend when they sing and dance to the song together in a karaoke room.
*If a street musician sings number 11?
I would hire him to sing in my wedding.
1. Shiver - Coldplay
2. Read My Mind - The Killers
3. When It Started - The Strokes
4. Run - Snow Patrol
5. In Love With A View - Mojave 3
6. A Life Less Ordinary - Ash
7. Burning Photograph - Ryan Adams
8. Cannonball - Damien Rice
9. Swallowed In The Sea - Coldplay
10. So Alive - Ryan Adams
11. Strange and Beautiful - Aqualung
12. Local Boy In The Photograph - Stereophonics
13. A Whole New World - Aladdin and Jasmine
14. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star
15. The Scientist - Coldplay
*Where's the first time you hear the song number 9?
Home .
*What do you feel when you hear song number 4?
Empathy; deep, deep empathy.
*You'll give number 14 for?
For I look at you and I see nothing.
*You'll hear number 10 when you feel so..
......Alive.
*Do you like the singer number 2?
Yes, though at first I thought they were just another "the" bands following the current trend; hoping to get big outside the US before anyone in there heard them.
*Who will you dance with while you hear number 3?
Nick Valensi. Please?
*Your fav lyrics of song number 1?
"And you know how much I need you, but you never even see me."
Actually can I say all?
*Do you listen song number 7 when you're broken heart?
Not really.
*Miss number 5?
Uh-huh. It's just "so far from here".
*Who will you remember if you hear number 8?
I will remember just the brilliant, brilliant singer/songwriter Mr. Rice.
*What's the unique side of number 12?
It was the song that made them big, but strangely it's not too popular over here. Wait, that's not unique; that's just normal international music in Indonesia.
*If someone sings number 15 to you?
Haha. Well, Bangun has sung it to me saying the song reminded him of me back then. It wooed me. Let's see who else can woo me with the song.
*Number 6 makes you happy?
Kinda. The song's loud, and I never understand the lyrics so I wouldn't know if it's happy or sad. It's good.
*Why'd you love number 13?
Because it's from my favourite Disney film, and it sounds so sweet and I think it can get anyone to fall in love with their best friend when they sing and dance to the song together in a karaoke room.
*If a street musician sings number 11?
I would hire him to sing in my wedding.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Where are you?
I have one of the biggest questions in the world: Which is more important, friends or lovers?
I understand that both are important in one's life, really. You need your friends to be the place where you can have all the fun in the world, be your dorkiest self, share your stupidest dreams, cry your eyes out, and everything else in between. While boyfriend, well, it's basically same with friends, only plus all the sex.
But when it comes to managing your times between the two, how hard is it to keep having dates with your boyfriend, while still going out with your friends? Especially if your boyfriend lives in the same town as you do. I mean, that makes it easy to see each other, right? You don't have to wait 'til weekend to go out, you don't have to wait three months before you can see each other again, and you don't even have to dread for Sunday 'cos that is the day your boyfriend has to go away again.
When you can see your boyfriend any day of the week, why can't you see your friends once in a while, on weekend? Let's say, once in four weeks. That's nothing compared to seeing your boyfriend that often. That wouldn't ruin your dating frequency, would it?
So what do you say, can you start learning to divide your time fairly between your boyfriend and your besties? Aren't you familiar with the saying, friends are like flowers; they have to be maintained regularly so they won't die?
I understand that both are important in one's life, really. You need your friends to be the place where you can have all the fun in the world, be your dorkiest self, share your stupidest dreams, cry your eyes out, and everything else in between. While boyfriend, well, it's basically same with friends, only plus all the sex.
But when it comes to managing your times between the two, how hard is it to keep having dates with your boyfriend, while still going out with your friends? Especially if your boyfriend lives in the same town as you do. I mean, that makes it easy to see each other, right? You don't have to wait 'til weekend to go out, you don't have to wait three months before you can see each other again, and you don't even have to dread for Sunday 'cos that is the day your boyfriend has to go away again.
When you can see your boyfriend any day of the week, why can't you see your friends once in a while, on weekend? Let's say, once in four weeks. That's nothing compared to seeing your boyfriend that often. That wouldn't ruin your dating frequency, would it?
So what do you say, can you start learning to divide your time fairly between your boyfriend and your besties? Aren't you familiar with the saying, friends are like flowers; they have to be maintained regularly so they won't die?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Growing up
I got this from Friendster's bulletin board, so excuse the lame-o lingo.
1. skul dmana?
*SMUN 70
2. betah ga?
* Sangat sangat betah.
3. di kelas berapa?
* Paling betah sih di 3 IPS 1
4. mata pelajaran favorite?
* Matematika kelas 3, Olahraga kelas 3.
5. guru favorite?
* Bu Ospara, bikin pinter.
6. ikut ekstrakurikuler apa?
* Banyak deh pokoknya.
7. pernah ikut OSIS g? sebagai apa?
* Nope.
8. selama jadi OSIS knangan apa yg pling bharga?
*
KISAH KASIH DI SEKOLAH
1. slama di sma pernah pacaran satu sekolah? kalo belom, pasti punya gebetan kan?
* Masa gak punya gebetan sih, bukan SMA dong...
2. sekelas? kakak kelas? ade kelas?
* All of the above.
3. berapa lama?
* Ha ha ha berapa lama katanya..
4. ngapain aja?
* Cukup memandang dari kejauhan sama cewek2 setiap hari.
5. pernah cipokan depan guru?
* Nope.
TEMAN
1. temen yang paling deket selama SMA sapa?
* RunBunRos dooong.
2. pernah ngelabrak?
* Nggak ngelabrak...
3. sapa?
*
4. pernah di labrak?
* Nggaklah, mau gua makan apa orangnya.
5. sama sapa?
*
6. temen yang paling kamu benci selama SMA?
* Ya yang patut dibencilah.
7. masalah yang paling besar antara kamu ma temenmu?
* The biggest problem then is the smallest problem now.
8. pernah ketauan guru pas ngelabrak ato dilabrak?
* Nggak.
CONCLUSION
apa yang pengen kamu bilang ke temen2SMA mu?
* Let's make a big time machine, aim it to 2001 - 2002, and jump in it together.
1. skul dmana?
*SMUN 70
2. betah ga?
* Sangat sangat betah.
3. di kelas berapa?
* Paling betah sih di 3 IPS 1
4. mata pelajaran favorite?
* Matematika kelas 3, Olahraga kelas 3.
5. guru favorite?
* Bu Ospara, bikin pinter.
6. ikut ekstrakurikuler apa?
* Banyak deh pokoknya.
7. pernah ikut OSIS g? sebagai apa?
* Nope.
8. selama jadi OSIS knangan apa yg pling bharga?
*
KISAH KASIH DI SEKOLAH
1. slama di sma pernah pacaran satu sekolah? kalo belom, pasti punya gebetan kan?
* Masa gak punya gebetan sih, bukan SMA dong...
2. sekelas? kakak kelas? ade kelas?
* All of the above.
3. berapa lama?
* Ha ha ha berapa lama katanya..
4. ngapain aja?
* Cukup memandang dari kejauhan sama cewek2 setiap hari.
5. pernah cipokan depan guru?
* Nope.
TEMAN
1. temen yang paling deket selama SMA sapa?
* RunBunRos dooong.
2. pernah ngelabrak?
* Nggak ngelabrak...
3. sapa?
*
4. pernah di labrak?
* Nggaklah, mau gua makan apa orangnya.
5. sama sapa?
*
6. temen yang paling kamu benci selama SMA?
* Ya yang patut dibencilah.
7. masalah yang paling besar antara kamu ma temenmu?
* The biggest problem then is the smallest problem now.
8. pernah ketauan guru pas ngelabrak ato dilabrak?
* Nggak.
CONCLUSION
apa yang pengen kamu bilang ke temen2SMA mu?
* Let's make a big time machine, aim it to 2001 - 2002, and jump in it together.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I swear by any Gods in the universe and beyond that I don't mean any single thing by saying this, but I miss having a crush.
Hahaha totally not important. I miss all the butterflies and the dagdigdug when you and your crush are texting each other, waiting for what seems like forever for a reply.
Again, I'm just saying this. I don't mean anything.
Hahaha totally not important. I miss all the butterflies and the dagdigdug when you and your crush are texting each other, waiting for what seems like forever for a reply.
Again, I'm just saying this. I don't mean anything.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Two is better than one
It's been two whole years for Baped now. How time flies, huh. All queasiness aside, we celebrated our second anniversary by having dinner in Cafe de la Bastille, a small, homey French restaurant in Cipete and then caught a midnight show in Citos.
The foods were great and cheap; less than 200k for escargot and steaks are definitely wallet-friendly. What's interesting was, we got 1/4 bottle of wine for free from a nice couple who sat beside us. Then, the owner visited us and gave us two shot glasses of this nice-tasting liquor because she recognised Bangun's face as one of the regulars in the restaurant. Hahah, the perks of being a total dead ringer to your brother..
So the free drinks topped the dinner. Unfortunately, the movie Good Sheperd we watched was a lowlight of the night. I can sum up the movie into one word: Boring. The main story is interesting, actually, about the life of a secret agent. But God, could the plot go any slower than that?!
Overall, the day was nice nice nice. Two years, who could've thought, right Oom?
The foods were great and cheap; less than 200k for escargot and steaks are definitely wallet-friendly. What's interesting was, we got 1/4 bottle of wine for free from a nice couple who sat beside us. Then, the owner visited us and gave us two shot glasses of this nice-tasting liquor because she recognised Bangun's face as one of the regulars in the restaurant. Hahah, the perks of being a total dead ringer to your brother..
So the free drinks topped the dinner. Unfortunately, the movie Good Sheperd we watched was a lowlight of the night. I can sum up the movie into one word: Boring. The main story is interesting, actually, about the life of a secret agent. But God, could the plot go any slower than that?!
Overall, the day was nice nice nice. Two years, who could've thought, right Oom?
Monday, March 05, 2007
This week
Last Sunday I had my Java Jazz dose a.k.a my and Bangun's early anniversary celebration for this year. Too bad we only can afford one day instead of three, but still it was better than not going at all, which we almost.
The whole festival was less eventful than last year, starting from the line up. I thought at first, I'm not a big jazz fan anyway, so what the hell; I'm just gonna go and enjoy whoever's playing. Unlike last year, this time I didn't find any show that could amaze me. However, among the food stalls there was J.Co, and that kept me pretty happy. Hee hee.
That was last weekend. Compared to this week, that weekend felt like heaven. It's been kinda crazy in the office these last four days, with the subregional counterterrorism meeting, Sumatra quakes, and Garuda explosion to top the week. Now my body aches, my eyes are barely open, and my head feels light.
I would like to get so high and sleep for like a week or something.
The whole festival was less eventful than last year, starting from the line up. I thought at first, I'm not a big jazz fan anyway, so what the hell; I'm just gonna go and enjoy whoever's playing. Unlike last year, this time I didn't find any show that could amaze me. However, among the food stalls there was J.Co, and that kept me pretty happy. Hee hee.
That was last weekend. Compared to this week, that weekend felt like heaven. It's been kinda crazy in the office these last four days, with the subregional counterterrorism meeting, Sumatra quakes, and Garuda explosion to top the week. Now my body aches, my eyes are barely open, and my head feels light.
I would like to get so high and sleep for like a week or something.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Today's dish
Reasons why Logan Huntzberger is the most perfect man I've ever known:
- He is good looking, obviously.
- He is smart, but contrary to the stereotype, he is well-attired.
- He is a good writer.
- He reads.
- His family is loaded.
- He is one snotty, coolier-than-thou guy.
Of course, he only exists on TV. Rory Gilmore is one lucky bitch.
Anyway, here's what I learned today: Due to global warming, our beloved city has now the possibility of sinking. We lay 50 cm below sea level, and the constant heavy rain and the increase of sea level can eventually vanish some areas including Jakarta. Congratulations to my great great grandchildren, then.
Another congratulations, however, is addressed to my best friend Runi, who finally got a job as a reporter in a women's tabloid. Niiiiiiice, Run!!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Been living so long with my pictures of you
I just got back from doing a piece of post-flood school activities. SMA 8 is one of those damaged schools, so we went to its temporary learning place, a Diklat building in Kuningan. I went into one of the classrooms with the cameraman, and while he was busy recording, I stood in the back of the class, observing.
The room was still full of students (well, it's SMA 8 after all--they solve math problems religiously), doing all kinds of stuff. It was during math, and the teacher was trying to explain something about deret geometri while some of the students played with their cell phones, talked quietly to each other, and threw banters at their friends frequently (as it is rare for them to find a TV crew in their class).
That situation reminds me of my high school days. The seats in SMA 8's classroom were divided into four-seats-a-row, and I saw most rows were occupied by girls. I started to imagine four different high school girls talking excitedly while taking notes during a lesson, and I was one of them. Then after class, we would sit together near the stairs where I interviewed a girl today, and we would gossip about anything.
After that, comes the high school graduation. Even though almost all the students are scattered all over the world to continue with their lives, we would still be in the same town, feeling lucky because we live just a few minutes away from each other. Regularly, we would go out to eat, watch a movie, sing our asses off in karaoke rooms, drink cups and cups of coffee, or even just to eat ice creams when the weather (or one of our heads) gets hot.
Over fried chickens, escargot, hot tea, cocktails and anything in between, we would talk for hours. We would ask, "Terus ada cerita apa niii..." as a cue for another person to start the next sentence with "masa ya katanya..." We would doodle in our book about our current states, our dreams from making the best parties to future business plan, our little matchmaking game, to our absurd drawings of this and that.
During all that, we would take pictures. We would use all our recording gadgets--digital cameras, cell phones, even a mini DV camera. I always thought, get as many pictures as we can, because that was the only way to memorize the days, years later. Those footages were even useful for my Multimedia class project.
These days, those pictures and movie clips are the only way I can see us together again.
The room was still full of students (well, it's SMA 8 after all--they solve math problems religiously), doing all kinds of stuff. It was during math, and the teacher was trying to explain something about deret geometri while some of the students played with their cell phones, talked quietly to each other, and threw banters at their friends frequently (as it is rare for them to find a TV crew in their class).
That situation reminds me of my high school days. The seats in SMA 8's classroom were divided into four-seats-a-row, and I saw most rows were occupied by girls. I started to imagine four different high school girls talking excitedly while taking notes during a lesson, and I was one of them. Then after class, we would sit together near the stairs where I interviewed a girl today, and we would gossip about anything.
After that, comes the high school graduation. Even though almost all the students are scattered all over the world to continue with their lives, we would still be in the same town, feeling lucky because we live just a few minutes away from each other. Regularly, we would go out to eat, watch a movie, sing our asses off in karaoke rooms, drink cups and cups of coffee, or even just to eat ice creams when the weather (or one of our heads) gets hot.
Over fried chickens, escargot, hot tea, cocktails and anything in between, we would talk for hours. We would ask, "Terus ada cerita apa niii..." as a cue for another person to start the next sentence with "masa ya katanya..." We would doodle in our book about our current states, our dreams from making the best parties to future business plan, our little matchmaking game, to our absurd drawings of this and that.
During all that, we would take pictures. We would use all our recording gadgets--digital cameras, cell phones, even a mini DV camera. I always thought, get as many pictures as we can, because that was the only way to memorize the days, years later. Those footages were even useful for my Multimedia class project.
These days, those pictures and movie clips are the only way I can see us together again.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Pure entertainment
I saw the new series Fashion House last night in Star World, and that's sinetron made by Americans, my friends. The plot is too much, contrary to the below zero acting skill (zero being the worst) and all the casts look a lot like each other.
On the other side, I think Heroes can be the new comer in my top TV show list.
Speaking of list, I wanna watch these movies:
1. D'Bijis - Gery Iskak as a transvestite.
2. Long Road To Heaven - I wanna see Nia Dinata's attempt to make a semi-documentary that I think got too much publicity.
3. The Holiday - Jack Black in a romantic comedy after Shallow Hal, and Jude, of course.
4. Blood Diamond - Interesting story.
5. Infamous - Recently I wanna know more about Truman Capote.
Anyway, concerts are happening in Jakarta for the next few weeks. There's Muse, and then Java Jazz Festival, and two Sondre Lerche gigs in Jakarta and Bandung. If I had the money, I would go see all of them. But it looks like I'm picking Java Jazz, because it's, well, more festive. You can get hundreds of performers in three days, really the tagline doesn't lie.
Ack, I write craps today.
On the other side, I think Heroes can be the new comer in my top TV show list.
Speaking of list, I wanna watch these movies:
1. D'Bijis - Gery Iskak as a transvestite.
2. Long Road To Heaven - I wanna see Nia Dinata's attempt to make a semi-documentary that I think got too much publicity.
3. The Holiday - Jack Black in a romantic comedy after Shallow Hal, and Jude, of course.
4. Blood Diamond - Interesting story.
5. Infamous - Recently I wanna know more about Truman Capote.
Anyway, concerts are happening in Jakarta for the next few weeks. There's Muse, and then Java Jazz Festival, and two Sondre Lerche gigs in Jakarta and Bandung. If I had the money, I would go see all of them. But it looks like I'm picking Java Jazz, because it's, well, more festive. You can get hundreds of performers in three days, really the tagline doesn't lie.
Ack, I write craps today.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Water works
Welcome aboard, flood.
Obviously, it's been a disaster for a lot of people for these last few days. But I see silver linings here, at least for me. First, some of the streets have been empty. Most people are reluctant to go out of their houses, so it's less crowded in some of the public places and areas. This morning, cars actually ran more than 20 km/h along Bintaro-Tanah Kusir. What a rare, rare sight. Even though I was stuck for more than half an hour getting from Ratu Plaza to Bunderan HI.
Enough Elshinta-reporter-mode from me. The other thing I like from all this flooding phenomenon is the weather. The cold, breezy wind that of course makes you wanna sleep (and pee) all day long. It's good for a change from the hellish sunshine recently.
Aside from those two, the flood sucks. And I wanna get on one of those rubber dinghys (dinghies...? What?) instead of getting stuck in the office all day.
Obviously, it's been a disaster for a lot of people for these last few days. But I see silver linings here, at least for me. First, some of the streets have been empty. Most people are reluctant to go out of their houses, so it's less crowded in some of the public places and areas. This morning, cars actually ran more than 20 km/h along Bintaro-Tanah Kusir. What a rare, rare sight. Even though I was stuck for more than half an hour getting from Ratu Plaza to Bunderan HI.
Enough Elshinta-reporter-mode from me. The other thing I like from all this flooding phenomenon is the weather. The cold, breezy wind that of course makes you wanna sleep (and pee) all day long. It's good for a change from the hellish sunshine recently.
Aside from those two, the flood sucks. And I wanna get on one of those rubber dinghys (dinghies...? What?) instead of getting stuck in the office all day.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Not so terrific traffic
Tacky, tacky title, Peds.
This morning it took me two hours to drive from Bintaro to Bunderan HI. I could've reached Bandung, maybe even with a short stop in Starbucks Cikampek. Oh how I love my fucked up, metropolitan city. Once it starts to rain, cars magically appear from out of nowhere, filling up the road bumper to bumper. Maybe what Jakarta needs aren't busway or monorail. We need a mass helicopter transportation. It could be called Helicab or something.
Or maybe I'm just not used to the traffic, that's all. You see, I spent the last four years driving back and forth to Karawaci via Serpong, and the traffic was friendly most of the time. Now I have to commute everyday for the next four months and slowly, it's driving me nuts. One of these days, I think my head is going to explode.
Also, the rain today makes me wanna go back to bed, wake up at three in the afternoon, followed by TV-DVD marathon accompanied by snacks and pillows.
This morning it took me two hours to drive from Bintaro to Bunderan HI. I could've reached Bandung, maybe even with a short stop in Starbucks Cikampek. Oh how I love my fucked up, metropolitan city. Once it starts to rain, cars magically appear from out of nowhere, filling up the road bumper to bumper. Maybe what Jakarta needs aren't busway or monorail. We need a mass helicopter transportation. It could be called Helicab or something.
Or maybe I'm just not used to the traffic, that's all. You see, I spent the last four years driving back and forth to Karawaci via Serpong, and the traffic was friendly most of the time. Now I have to commute everyday for the next four months and slowly, it's driving me nuts. One of these days, I think my head is going to explode.
Also, the rain today makes me wanna go back to bed, wake up at three in the afternoon, followed by TV-DVD marathon accompanied by snacks and pillows.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Time passed, yet you still last
I'm idle at the moment. Apparently, nothing breath-taking is happening out there so I'm stuck in the office. So let me bore you with my ramble on what's happened lately.
Last Friday was probably the highlight of my weekend. A bunch of my high school friends agreed to have dinner in that HEMA Dutch Restaurant thingy, and I came with the girls, all three of them. I literally had forgotten how nice it feels to just be with those girls, driving in my car. Call me nge-geng or something, but sometimes I enjoy talking only with them even though there are people around. I didn't mind being the first ones to arrive in the restaurant, and even when people started to show up, I almost didn't care.
Almost loh, tapi. Because who wouldn't love a gathering with old friends, right?
Anyway. The gathering was brief, because the place closed at ten and we didn't have anywhere else to go, plus some people wanted to go on their own. But all in all it was okay. Again, who wouldn't love a gathering with old friends, right?
...I'll see you later, maybe with better stories.
Last Friday was probably the highlight of my weekend. A bunch of my high school friends agreed to have dinner in that HEMA Dutch Restaurant thingy, and I came with the girls, all three of them. I literally had forgotten how nice it feels to just be with those girls, driving in my car. Call me nge-geng or something, but sometimes I enjoy talking only with them even though there are people around. I didn't mind being the first ones to arrive in the restaurant, and even when people started to show up, I almost didn't care.
Almost loh, tapi. Because who wouldn't love a gathering with old friends, right?
Anyway. The gathering was brief, because the place closed at ten and we didn't have anywhere else to go, plus some people wanted to go on their own. But all in all it was okay. Again, who wouldn't love a gathering with old friends, right?
...I'll see you later, maybe with better stories.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Here's to us and another year.
I know it's a bit too late, but still, it's better to have a record of special events, right.
As opposed to what I'd predicted, I didn't cry on the new year's eve. There was some lump, but no tears escaped. I spent the night at home with Runi, Bune, and Syarif. We played with fireworks, get our party hats (and trumpets, and tiara, and sunglasses) on, while enjoying just the right amount of snacks and vodka.
Some time during the night, Rozelle came over with her boyfriend. She stayed only for a few short minutes, which broke my heart that night and still boils my temper when I think about it now.
Runi, Bune, and Syarif went back home the next day, but the fun didn't stop there. On the 2nd day of 2007, we went to Bandung and had a three-day-straight new year celebration with Bangun, Ebonk, Ingga, and Meivi. The trip was pretty special because Bune and Syarif were there this time, while normally, getting Bune to go somewhere far used to be so hard.
The hotel, the foods, the shopping, and the great great company made the trip perfect. As usual, I didn't want to go home; Bandung is somehow so different from Jakarta. It's less hectic, the weather's always nice, plus everything there seems cheaper than here. Throw in the fact that my boyfriend lives there and you'll see my point.
However, somehow in some time I had to go back home, so here I am. I'm trying to enjoy my last days of holiday, and so far it's been good. I and Bune stayed over at Runi's the other day, and today we went on a culinary tour with Bangun and Syarif. Ice cream at Ragusa, then dinner at Nasi Goreng Rawit. Sadly, Syarif has to go back to Aceh tomorrow. It was fun hanging out with him, as we saw each other quite a few times this holiday.
I've been having great times with my friends (and Bangun) recently, but something's still bothering me. Lately a friend has been occupied with her own life. And I don't know which is worse; selfishly and frequently ranting about how I want my best friend to be there with us despite her busy schedule, or pretending not to care about her presence at all.
I might get back at you on that one.
[song of the day: albert hammond jr. - scared]
As opposed to what I'd predicted, I didn't cry on the new year's eve. There was some lump, but no tears escaped. I spent the night at home with Runi, Bune, and Syarif. We played with fireworks, get our party hats (and trumpets, and tiara, and sunglasses) on, while enjoying just the right amount of snacks and vodka.
Some time during the night, Rozelle came over with her boyfriend. She stayed only for a few short minutes, which broke my heart that night and still boils my temper when I think about it now.
Runi, Bune, and Syarif went back home the next day, but the fun didn't stop there. On the 2nd day of 2007, we went to Bandung and had a three-day-straight new year celebration with Bangun, Ebonk, Ingga, and Meivi. The trip was pretty special because Bune and Syarif were there this time, while normally, getting Bune to go somewhere far used to be so hard.
The hotel, the foods, the shopping, and the great great company made the trip perfect. As usual, I didn't want to go home; Bandung is somehow so different from Jakarta. It's less hectic, the weather's always nice, plus everything there seems cheaper than here. Throw in the fact that my boyfriend lives there and you'll see my point.
However, somehow in some time I had to go back home, so here I am. I'm trying to enjoy my last days of holiday, and so far it's been good. I and Bune stayed over at Runi's the other day, and today we went on a culinary tour with Bangun and Syarif. Ice cream at Ragusa, then dinner at Nasi Goreng Rawit. Sadly, Syarif has to go back to Aceh tomorrow. It was fun hanging out with him, as we saw each other quite a few times this holiday.
I've been having great times with my friends (and Bangun) recently, but something's still bothering me. Lately a friend has been occupied with her own life. And I don't know which is worse; selfishly and frequently ranting about how I want my best friend to be there with us despite her busy schedule, or pretending not to care about her presence at all.
I might get back at you on that one.
[song of the day: albert hammond jr. - scared]
Friday, December 22, 2006
What's a wonderwall anyway
It's good to know that you are home for Christmas
It's good to know that you are doing well
It's good to know that you all know I'm hurting
It's good to know I'm feeling not so well
[Travis]
Mematung yok rame-rame.. Get stoned, literally or not.
It's good to know that you are doing well
It's good to know that you all know I'm hurting
It's good to know I'm feeling not so well
[Travis]
Mematung yok rame-rame.. Get stoned, literally or not.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
What's round, shiny, and comes in a pair?
What does a ring mean in a relationship these days? I mean, does it really show that you're serious, or as Luke Danes puts it, are you "in"? Me, I am still freaked out by the thought of having to wear the same ring with my boyfriend. It would be nice, though, if he gave me one, but only if it was because it's a ring I would like. Just for the sake of its beautiful appearance, with no intention to "tie" me with it.
..On a second thought, no thanks. Maybe in a few years, but not now, I don't want a ring in any form of purpose.
But enough about me. What does a ring mean, really? Does it mean you're gonna take your commitment to the next level? Does it mean you're telling people that you're taken completely, so there's no chance for other people to come near you, or even secretly hope to? Does it mean you're in a stable relationship where nothing in the world can never rock your, uh, boat?
A friend once told me, when we were having this conversation about our engaged friends (which was unusual 'cos we had just been graduated from high school back then), "Kalo tunangan-tunangan doang sih gue juga sering." Or something like that. I remember it made me think what a bastard that guy was, taking commitments for granted.
..Now I don't see the point of putting that last paragraph above. Oh well, excuse the nocturnal mind who is taking over me now, hence the questions I've never asked--even to myself--before.
[song of the day: beck - girl]
..On a second thought, no thanks. Maybe in a few years, but not now, I don't want a ring in any form of purpose.
But enough about me. What does a ring mean, really? Does it mean you're gonna take your commitment to the next level? Does it mean you're telling people that you're taken completely, so there's no chance for other people to come near you, or even secretly hope to? Does it mean you're in a stable relationship where nothing in the world can never rock your, uh, boat?
A friend once told me, when we were having this conversation about our engaged friends (which was unusual 'cos we had just been graduated from high school back then), "Kalo tunangan-tunangan doang sih gue juga sering." Or something like that. I remember it made me think what a bastard that guy was, taking commitments for granted.
..Now I don't see the point of putting that last paragraph above. Oh well, excuse the nocturnal mind who is taking over me now, hence the questions I've never asked--even to myself--before.
[song of the day: beck - girl]
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
It went something like this
So here comes the end of the year, again. I took these questions from a post last year, when I was browsing my own blog (yes, I do that) and I thought why not go over it again? It's not like I have a thousand things to do anyway. Here goes.
1) Was 2006 a good year for you?
It was fine, nothing to complain about.
2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
Shopliday last October, the whole clothes-selling fiasco, Bandung trip with Genk + Ngong last June.
3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
When I found out I should've just gone to see Coldplay in Singapore, and I have to say I don't really like remembering what happened at RuniBune's graduation party last September. And now.
4) Where were you when 2006 began?
Bandung.
5) Who were you with?
My boyfriend and only one of my three besties, which made it suck.
6) Where will you be when 2006 ends?
I wish I knew the answer to that.
7) Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
Right now, I'm thinking Obi Kenobi, Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, and yes, later on, Darth Vader.
8) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions of 2006?
I didn't have any.
9) Do you have a New Year's resolution for 2007?
Haven't thought about it so much.
10) Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yeah, sure.
11) Favourite website of 2006?
Still Blogger for ranting and rambling, Friendster for nosing around people's lives, and Detik.com for updated events.
12) Favourite place to go?
Bandung for its coziness, the weather, the cheap stuff, the getaway place from everything hectic in this city, and oh yeah, that's the place where I can be with my boyfriend 24/7.
I also like Kuala Lumpur this year for its shops and everything else there.
13) Did you break up with anyone in 2006?
No, and hopefully the answer stays.
14) Did you make any new friends in 2006?
Yes. Oh the "perks" of taking freshmen classes at college.
15) Who are your favorite new friends?
No one. I still like my old ones better.
16) What was your favorite month of 2006?
I like October for the trip, and November for the birthdays.
17) Did you travel abroad in 2006?
Yep.
18) How many countries have you traveled to in 2006?
Two.
19) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
Yes, Uteng.
20) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Uteng and Dad.
21) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2006?
I like Deja Vu recently, and The Prestige, and I don't mind watching reruns of For Keeps on TV.
22) What were your favorite songs in 2006?
Feist - Inside and Out
The Killers - Read My Mind
And about a hundred more.
23) What was your favorite record in 2006?
The Killers - Sam's Town
Feist - Let It Die
Coldplay - X & Y
24) How many concerts did you see in 2006?
Two. Java Jazz (I went three days straight this year--wow) and Kings of Convenience in Bandung.
25) Did you have a favorite concert in 2006?
Hmm. The Kings gig was fun 'cos I got to do a road trip with my friends and took a pic with Erlend Oye afterwards. But Java Jazz was also memorable 'cos it's kinda becoming my and Bangun's...annual thing.
26) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
Nope. I'm old.
27) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2006?
Nothing illegal.
28) How many people did you sleep with in 2006?
What difference does it make?
29) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I'm ashamed that as a self-acclaimed big Coldplay fan, I didn't go to see their concert in Singapore.
30) Did you treat anyone badly in 2006?
I don't think so, except for the usual people-bitchin' with Genk.
31) Did somebody treat you badly in 2006?
Once, unintentionally. But still I was hurt back then.
32) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006, when/where?
That Bandung trip with Genk and Ngong, and just freeze the time.
33) What are your plans for 2007?
Uh, I kinda really have to graduate. And work my ass off in APTN.
1) Was 2006 a good year for you?
It was fine, nothing to complain about.
2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
Shopliday last October, the whole clothes-selling fiasco, Bandung trip with Genk + Ngong last June.
3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
When I found out I should've just gone to see Coldplay in Singapore, and I have to say I don't really like remembering what happened at RuniBune's graduation party last September. And now.
4) Where were you when 2006 began?
Bandung.
5) Who were you with?
My boyfriend and only one of my three besties, which made it suck.
6) Where will you be when 2006 ends?
I wish I knew the answer to that.
7) Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
Right now, I'm thinking Obi Kenobi, Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, and yes, later on, Darth Vader.
8) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions of 2006?
I didn't have any.
9) Do you have a New Year's resolution for 2007?
Haven't thought about it so much.
10) Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yeah, sure.
11) Favourite website of 2006?
Still Blogger for ranting and rambling, Friendster for nosing around people's lives, and Detik.com for updated events.
12) Favourite place to go?
Bandung for its coziness, the weather, the cheap stuff, the getaway place from everything hectic in this city, and oh yeah, that's the place where I can be with my boyfriend 24/7.
I also like Kuala Lumpur this year for its shops and everything else there.
13) Did you break up with anyone in 2006?
No, and hopefully the answer stays.
14) Did you make any new friends in 2006?
Yes. Oh the "perks" of taking freshmen classes at college.
15) Who are your favorite new friends?
No one. I still like my old ones better.
16) What was your favorite month of 2006?
I like October for the trip, and November for the birthdays.
17) Did you travel abroad in 2006?
Yep.
18) How many countries have you traveled to in 2006?
Two.
19) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
Yes, Uteng.
20) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Uteng and Dad.
21) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2006?
I like Deja Vu recently, and The Prestige, and I don't mind watching reruns of For Keeps on TV.
22) What were your favorite songs in 2006?
Feist - Inside and Out
The Killers - Read My Mind
And about a hundred more.
23) What was your favorite record in 2006?
The Killers - Sam's Town
Feist - Let It Die
Coldplay - X & Y
24) How many concerts did you see in 2006?
Two. Java Jazz (I went three days straight this year--wow) and Kings of Convenience in Bandung.
25) Did you have a favorite concert in 2006?
Hmm. The Kings gig was fun 'cos I got to do a road trip with my friends and took a pic with Erlend Oye afterwards. But Java Jazz was also memorable 'cos it's kinda becoming my and Bangun's...annual thing.
26) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
Nope. I'm old.
27) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2006?
Nothing illegal.
28) How many people did you sleep with in 2006?
What difference does it make?
29) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I'm ashamed that as a self-acclaimed big Coldplay fan, I didn't go to see their concert in Singapore.
30) Did you treat anyone badly in 2006?
I don't think so, except for the usual people-bitchin' with Genk.
31) Did somebody treat you badly in 2006?
Once, unintentionally. But still I was hurt back then.
32) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006, when/where?
That Bandung trip with Genk and Ngong, and just freeze the time.
33) What are your plans for 2007?
Uh, I kinda really have to graduate. And work my ass off in APTN.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Alone, together
Finally, after six whole months, I, Runi, Bune, and Rozelle went out together.
Well, not like we hadn't been together in the last six months, it's just that every time there's always someone else with us. Don't get me wrong; it's nice to be surrounded by a lot of different friends because it reminds me that I still have some. However as time went, I missed having a quality time with just the three of them. It's the only time when we can talk about anything in the world.
So last night, we went JJS to PIM. We walked around the mall, going in and out of the stores without buying anything. Tired with the window shopping, we had dinner at Pastamatrix, staying there for a few hours. We talked about things that we cannot talk about whenever we are with other people. Only now, we slip the topics of jobs and careers to our conversations. Well, as Bune once said, we're not teens anymore.
It wasn't anything different from our usual Rapat Genk, but that's what exactly I'd been missing. I had a really great time last night, and didn't want to come home. Hopefully there'll be no more six-month-absence. I don't want to consider Rapat Genk as a special occasion because we rarely do it, yknow, geng.
There are four silhouettes, there are PIM escalators; I'm having a quality time.
Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
let's just go out and ride
Talk about the things we try
Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
they'll never get inside
We've got too much to hide
[Moby - Beautiful]
Well, not like we hadn't been together in the last six months, it's just that every time there's always someone else with us. Don't get me wrong; it's nice to be surrounded by a lot of different friends because it reminds me that I still have some. However as time went, I missed having a quality time with just the three of them. It's the only time when we can talk about anything in the world.
So last night, we went JJS to PIM. We walked around the mall, going in and out of the stores without buying anything. Tired with the window shopping, we had dinner at Pastamatrix, staying there for a few hours. We talked about things that we cannot talk about whenever we are with other people. Only now, we slip the topics of jobs and careers to our conversations. Well, as Bune once said, we're not teens anymore.
It wasn't anything different from our usual Rapat Genk, but that's what exactly I'd been missing. I had a really great time last night, and didn't want to come home. Hopefully there'll be no more six-month-absence. I don't want to consider Rapat Genk as a special occasion because we rarely do it, yknow, geng.
There are four silhouettes, there are PIM escalators; I'm having a quality time.Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
let's just go out and ride
Talk about the things we try
Look at us, we're beautiful
All the people push and pull but
they'll never get inside
We've got too much to hide
[Moby - Beautiful]
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Blow another candle
So, this year's birthday season went great. It was somehow less festive, though, due to some reasons. On my birthday, my friend's dad passed away and it was sad to the bone. I mean it; I'm not too close with this friend, but I wanted to cry when I visited his house. On Bune's birthday, Rozelle couldn't be there. And on Rozelle's, I kinda lost my nerve on the birthday girl herself. No bloodbath involved, thankfully, as everything went back OK later on that night.
Then there was Bangun's birthday. For the first time ever, I went to Bandung to give him a surprise visit on his big day. It's safe to say that it went well, and despite a few lies I have to tell here and there, I had fun spending three days in Bandung. It's a bit cheesy to say, but lately things have been going great and I'm kinda head over heels again (and of course there's the need to tell the world about this, huh).
The last birthday, however, was a great peak to end the season. On Runi's birthday, we held a small party at Bandar Jakarta. I, Runi and Bangun were the host. Everyone who's anyone in our list was there. Great friends, great seafood (if not the best), a karaoke session afterwards; it was certainly one of this year's high moments. The fact that Ingga and Ebonk drove Bandung-Jakarta-Bandung nonstop that night just to attend our party just made my night even more.
Seeing the pictures from the party last night, suddenly it hit me; we're old. We're old, old, old. I know if any of you people over the age of 25 read this, you'd be pissed at me. But I just realised last night, I'm not 19 anymore. Twenty two sounds so...full of responsibility. It doesn't scream fun. Now that the festive season is over, here comes the age crisis.
Here's to hoping that this 22nd year will rock my (and everyone's) socks. Happy birthday!
Then there was Bangun's birthday. For the first time ever, I went to Bandung to give him a surprise visit on his big day. It's safe to say that it went well, and despite a few lies I have to tell here and there, I had fun spending three days in Bandung. It's a bit cheesy to say, but lately things have been going great and I'm kinda head over heels again (and of course there's the need to tell the world about this, huh).
The last birthday, however, was a great peak to end the season. On Runi's birthday, we held a small party at Bandar Jakarta. I, Runi and Bangun were the host. Everyone who's anyone in our list was there. Great friends, great seafood (if not the best), a karaoke session afterwards; it was certainly one of this year's high moments. The fact that Ingga and Ebonk drove Bandung-Jakarta-Bandung nonstop that night just to attend our party just made my night even more.
Seeing the pictures from the party last night, suddenly it hit me; we're old. We're old, old, old. I know if any of you people over the age of 25 read this, you'd be pissed at me. But I just realised last night, I'm not 19 anymore. Twenty two sounds so...full of responsibility. It doesn't scream fun. Now that the festive season is over, here comes the age crisis.
Here's to hoping that this 22nd year will rock my (and everyone's) socks. Happy birthday!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Buy low, sell high
Here's one thing I can put on First-Time list: I participated in a bazaar last weekend. Along with Runi, Bune and Bangun, I sold dresses in Warung Baba's bazaar. For two straight days, we arrived there at 12 noon and stayed there up 'til 10 at night.
It was tiring. The weather was very hot, you'd think the sun was just an inch above. Not being able to drink didn't help the situation. Plus the patience I had to put up with stubborn customers who thought they could buy a vintage-looking, colourful, pretty-detailed dress for under Rp. 50.000 was almost unbearable.
Despite all that, however, I had so much fun. It involved cute clothes, which is one of my top interests, and I'd never done this before; trying to sell stuff to strangers (even though quite a few people who came weren't really strangers--our family and friends), having to smile and make small talks in order to have people buy the dresses. It's worth the two-week preparation we'd had, and RunBun, I'm gonna miss working with you every single day, trying to fix the dresses.
For now, I'm done with bargaining. I'm sick of both trying to buy something with the lowest price and selling something with the highest price.
It was tiring. The weather was very hot, you'd think the sun was just an inch above. Not being able to drink didn't help the situation. Plus the patience I had to put up with stubborn customers who thought they could buy a vintage-looking, colourful, pretty-detailed dress for under Rp. 50.000 was almost unbearable.
Despite all that, however, I had so much fun. It involved cute clothes, which is one of my top interests, and I'd never done this before; trying to sell stuff to strangers (even though quite a few people who came weren't really strangers--our family and friends), having to smile and make small talks in order to have people buy the dresses. It's worth the two-week preparation we'd had, and RunBun, I'm gonna miss working with you every single day, trying to fix the dresses.
For now, I'm done with bargaining. I'm sick of both trying to buy something with the lowest price and selling something with the highest price.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Randomly rambling
People say that suicide is forbidden, because it's against God's will. Recently I think, isn't everything mastered by That One Up There, including how we think? Therefore, our intention to attempt suicide is also part of The Plan, right? So we're not against anyone's will, are we.
No, I'm not in the mood to kill myself, thankfully. It's just that I've been reading about suicide in Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down (which I recommend for everyone to read).
Anyway, I am finally resigning from Chrysolit. This month, hopefully will be my last. I want to spend my days as a normal student (in other words, a student-slash-slacker) before I really have to worry about getting a job. I want to watch meaningless afternoon TV, treat myself in a hair salon, or go with my friends. Of course, that's after I take a nap. Ah, how I miss those days.
Have you ever had the feeling when you wish you could forget someone for just a day or two, and later you can...unforget that person, all because you want to forget some awful thing that the person's done to you?
Suicide, job update, and a heartbreak rant. That's my mix for today.
No, I'm not in the mood to kill myself, thankfully. It's just that I've been reading about suicide in Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down (which I recommend for everyone to read).
Anyway, I am finally resigning from Chrysolit. This month, hopefully will be my last. I want to spend my days as a normal student (in other words, a student-slash-slacker) before I really have to worry about getting a job. I want to watch meaningless afternoon TV, treat myself in a hair salon, or go with my friends. Of course, that's after I take a nap. Ah, how I miss those days.
Have you ever had the feeling when you wish you could forget someone for just a day or two, and later you can...unforget that person, all because you want to forget some awful thing that the person's done to you?
Suicide, job update, and a heartbreak rant. That's my mix for today.
Randomly rambling
People say that suicide is forbidden, because it's against God's will. Recently I think, isn't everything mastered by That One Up There, including how we think? Therefore, our intention to attempt suicide is also part of The Plan, right? So we're not against anyone's will, are we.
No, I'm not in the mood to kill myself, thankfully. It's just that I've been reading about suicide in Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down (which I recommend for everyone to read).
Anyway, I am finally resigning from Chrysolit. This month, hopefully will be my last. I want to spend my days as a normal student (in other words, a student-slash-slacker) before I really have to worry about getting a job. I want to watch meaningless afternoon TV, treat myself in a hair salon, or go with my friends. Of course, that's after I take a nap. Ah, how I miss those days.
Have you ever had the feeling when you wish you could forget someone for just a day or two, and later you can...unforget that person, all because you want to forget some awful thing that the person's done to you?
Suicide, job update, and a heartbreak rant. That's my mix for today.
No, I'm not in the mood to kill myself, thankfully. It's just that I've been reading about suicide in Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down (which I recommend for everyone to read).
Anyway, I am finally resigning from Chrysolit. This month, hopefully will be my last. I want to spend my days as a normal student (in other words, a student-slash-slacker) before I really have to worry about getting a job. I want to watch meaningless afternoon TV, treat myself in a hair salon, or go with my friends. Of course, that's after I take a nap. Ah, how I miss those days.
Have you ever had the feeling when you wish you could forget someone for just a day or two, and later you can...unforget that person, all because you want to forget some awful thing that the person's done to you?
Suicide, job update, and a heartbreak rant. That's my mix for today.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Will you catch me?
I wish sometimes I could not care about anything. That way, I wouldn't give so much thought into something when it goes wrong. Kind of like the way I don't care about, say, wearing cosmetics. That way, I wouldn't care about smudged lipsticks or wrong shades of mascara in my face.
Or big, celebratory days. I wish I didn't care about New Year's Eve; that way, I wouldn't give a slightest fuck when I can't spend it with people I want to spend it with.
When I don't care about something, I suppose I wouldn't get too attached to it either. I wouldn't have to commit to it, and end up questioning myself in doing so. Commitments like it or not, make you feel dependent of your partner, don't you think? It's just not healthy. At all. There are times when I like depending because I'm sure no matter how much of a "survivor" women claim to be, deep down we can't live without our partners.
However, there are also times when I wish the word "commitment" did not exist at all. It's suffocating, it makes me think, and of course, it makes me ramble on and on with no sense whatsoever. All this just because of one silly question Bangun asked me jokingly the other night, following one bad news he'd delivered a few nights before.
But I guess above all, it's still nice to have the feeling of being needed by someone. I like it.
Enough about scary stuff, now moving on to a lighter area. Ever so unpredictably, I went to A Mild Live's Soundrenaline 2006 in Pantai Karnaval last Sunday. Supposedly the biggest annual rock festival in Indonesia. From the performers and the ticket price ( Rp. 30,000 and you get to see Indonesia's leading bands perform all day long in five stages), anyone can notice who the target audience was. Low-middle class, who seek for entertainment at the cheapest price, just to take a break from their tough daily life. People—mostly men—who came in groups, proudly bringing flags and banners saying "Slankers Club Depok" or "Slankers Club Cirebon".
Therefore, I want to say to the promoter of the festival, good job for bringing together Slank, Jamrud, /rif, Cokelat, Seurieus, and other top local acts in such an affordable price for their fans, but what the hell were you thinking, inviting INXS to perform?!
Poor, poor JD Fortune and the aging guys (but obviously not with aging skills) performed like they were playing in front of a group of disadvantaged people. From the thousands of men and women there, I'd say only a hundred or maybe less who actually enjoyed their music. I heard most of the crowd shouting "Udaaaah…Slanknya manaaa…" over and over again.
INXS deserves another concert, maybe alone, or at least not scheduled before Slank in the same stage. As for Soundrenaline, think more of perhaps Hoobastank or Good Charlotte for next year.
[song of the day: Mogwai - I Know You Are But What Am I?]
Or big, celebratory days. I wish I didn't care about New Year's Eve; that way, I wouldn't give a slightest fuck when I can't spend it with people I want to spend it with.
When I don't care about something, I suppose I wouldn't get too attached to it either. I wouldn't have to commit to it, and end up questioning myself in doing so. Commitments like it or not, make you feel dependent of your partner, don't you think? It's just not healthy. At all. There are times when I like depending because I'm sure no matter how much of a "survivor" women claim to be, deep down we can't live without our partners.
However, there are also times when I wish the word "commitment" did not exist at all. It's suffocating, it makes me think, and of course, it makes me ramble on and on with no sense whatsoever. All this just because of one silly question Bangun asked me jokingly the other night, following one bad news he'd delivered a few nights before.
But I guess above all, it's still nice to have the feeling of being needed by someone. I like it.
Enough about scary stuff, now moving on to a lighter area. Ever so unpredictably, I went to A Mild Live's Soundrenaline 2006 in Pantai Karnaval last Sunday. Supposedly the biggest annual rock festival in Indonesia. From the performers and the ticket price ( Rp. 30,000 and you get to see Indonesia's leading bands perform all day long in five stages), anyone can notice who the target audience was. Low-middle class, who seek for entertainment at the cheapest price, just to take a break from their tough daily life. People—mostly men—who came in groups, proudly bringing flags and banners saying "Slankers Club Depok" or "Slankers Club Cirebon".
Therefore, I want to say to the promoter of the festival, good job for bringing together Slank, Jamrud, /rif, Cokelat, Seurieus, and other top local acts in such an affordable price for their fans, but what the hell were you thinking, inviting INXS to perform?!
Poor, poor JD Fortune and the aging guys (but obviously not with aging skills) performed like they were playing in front of a group of disadvantaged people. From the thousands of men and women there, I'd say only a hundred or maybe less who actually enjoyed their music. I heard most of the crowd shouting "Udaaaah…Slanknya manaaa…" over and over again.
INXS deserves another concert, maybe alone, or at least not scheduled before Slank in the same stage. As for Soundrenaline, think more of perhaps Hoobastank or Good Charlotte for next year.
[song of the day: Mogwai - I Know You Are But What Am I?]
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Tears stream down your face when you lose something you cannot replace
I just realised that I'd never lost someone close until yesterday, when my mom told me that Uteng, my former babysitter passed away due to illness.
I was so close back then with her, she was practically my second mom. You know what they say about how a career-driven mother tends to leave her child with a babysitter, making them feel bonded with each other? It happened with me. Even when I was growing up and Uteng stopped working for my mom, she always visited me regularly. I always imagined that she was gonna be there forever.
What hurts most is that I've been missing her recently, because the last time she came to my house was about two years ago. I've been looking for her, which wasn't hard 'cos her husband works with my mom and she worked in my aunt's boutique. My mom then told me Uteng was in her hometown of Madiun, and kept getting sick. I never heard from her again, until the news came yesterday.
I just want to see her for one last time, that's all.
I was so close back then with her, she was practically my second mom. You know what they say about how a career-driven mother tends to leave her child with a babysitter, making them feel bonded with each other? It happened with me. Even when I was growing up and Uteng stopped working for my mom, she always visited me regularly. I always imagined that she was gonna be there forever.
What hurts most is that I've been missing her recently, because the last time she came to my house was about two years ago. I've been looking for her, which wasn't hard 'cos her husband works with my mom and she worked in my aunt's boutique. My mom then told me Uteng was in her hometown of Madiun, and kept getting sick. I never heard from her again, until the news came yesterday.
I just want to see her for one last time, that's all.
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