People and The City

"Getting to know people is like visiting countries in the world. You fall in love with one or two, but you can't stay long enough if the country doesn't issue a visa. So you can only marvel its beauty from outside, take an afternoon walk, evening drive, hoping someday you won't need a map."

- Ramda Yanurzha

This is another story from my life in Denmark. This time no more complaints, definitely! The first two months dealt with culture shock, social status, loneliness, and long list of complaints, made me strong enough to stand on my own feet without worry about anything. Now comes another phase of settling in, which is getting to know people.

I left this page unwritten for a month and a half. Along that time, many things have happened, even though they come and go. Being alone for a while let me have enough space for myself, for me to understand myself better. I've been friend with myself ever since. How nice. :) So, the thing that I wanted to have friends like my wish in the beginning was not so important anymore. But then, one by one people came to my life. Some continued their journey and some stayed.

I was so grateful that some of my friends helped me a lot in my first encounter with Denmark. How they always listened to my complaints. How they tried to ensure me that everything would be ok. How they trusted me that I could get through this. It was just so nice of them. I even got to meet two of them, and I was extremely happy to meet familiar face in a complete stranger world. Then I know that they are my best friends for life. No question asked.

Then I got the chance to meet another Indonesian people in the living fairy tale city, Copenhagen. One was my former boss and the other was a guy who hosted my friend back in Jakarta. I barely talked to my former boss before, but here we became good friends. Since we were far away from country. And he gave me so much input. Same story with the other guy, I never met him in Jakarta, but here all the conversation went like we knew each other for ages. How interesting it is when you meet someone who speak the same language outside the country, then all of sudden you just feel.. at home.

That was with some people whom I knew already. But they had to continue their journey, it was sad but on the other hand I knew that we have each other in our memories and will support each other in everything we do. We're hopping that our path will cross again someday.

Even far away from the country, I try to manage to keep in contact with my friends back home. Though with the time difference is not that easy. Again, the time when I was alone gave me another perspective on how I see friends. I realized that now I know better know about my friends back home. They are my very good friends, but then I know that some are just friends when we're together, some are just friends when they need me, some are just friends for some particular issues, and some are friends for life to stand by each other even we're far away. But above all, they are still my very good friends anyway and will remain the same forever.

I love getting to know people. I feel so blessed that now I can get to know people better. It's just because now I know myself better. So I can see another people more clearly. :)

Like in my first paragraph, now I'm entering the phase of settling in which is getting to know people. Since I already knew some people here, aside of my host family of course, it's the time for me to make friends. Generally speaking, they are friends, of course, but in different term. I just know them, but they're super nice. I like them. And as for me, I know that there are some people who just can give me good impression that make me feel that they are gonna be my good friends. I felt it with one or two people here.

Since now I'm here, then I need to follow the rules of the game here. It's not my country where I can easily make friends because I know the mentality of the people there, more or less. It could be a little bit difficult, but I'm sure it won't be an obstacle as long as I'm just being who I am and doing good to people.

The best thing about getting to know people is somehow you can get so much input which really suit to your life condition that time, even though the people who tell you that do not realize or do not even mean to give you something. Anyhow as long as you open yourself for new opportunities and chances, then you will receive something good that you never thought. It is a surprise, like a box of chocolate. ;)

Hello New Friend!

Let's say that loneliness has been my new good friend this last 4 weeks. Even though I'm already trying to settle in, finding which foot to stand on, managing my life here and there so I can get the best out of my new life in Denmark, still this friend is sticking like glue! How wonderful is that! ;)

Before I begin to describe my new friend, I would like to apologize for my post which full of my whining instead of something more interesting. Since this is what I feel lately, so I can't help not to write it. Anyway, just feel free to continue or leave it.

Yes, life is a big surprise! I already warned myself before I came here that this is living not traveling. I still felt happy though, because I would live in Europe. I would have the chance to explore Europe, Denmark at least. But I didn't know that it would be this hard. Regarding on settling in, having friends, and stuff like that. Well, it's not this this hard, but it's still hard though. The major difference is definitely the fact that I haven't got any friends yet. So all of sudden, loneliness has become one. I couldn't take it at first, because normally I always surrounded by friends. Even I wished to left alone. And this time when I'm eventually alone, but knowing that nobody is expecting my presence is not a good feeling. Well I might sound snobbish, feeling that back home some people might expect my presence. But I guess it's true, well at least my family. And also, now I know how homesick is. I guess this is the first time I feel that way, since I know it's for long period I'm here. And believe me, it's not a good feeling at all!

Most of the time I get so emotional because of this. I often cry without reason. How weird! And I keep questioning whether is it the right choice to be here or not. All the life I have built back in Jakarta now is vanished into thin air, and I have to build up something new again from the beginning. It's something interesting if I see it from different perspective and realize that I can learn a lot from this. But since I still feel lonely now and then, I can't really maximize myself to do it. I even feel I lost the touch of my warmth and joy. And again, it's not a good feeling when you realize that you change, and this time into something different. But even though it's not a good feeling, I should not give up. Because I'm still on the process of getting to know and integrating myself with something new. I have to give it a chance. I'm here anyway. I know that it will pass, eventually.

Something that I have to do to deal with it is embrace this loneliness. Be friend with it. Take advantage of it. Because this ability to feel something telling me that I'm still alive, showing me how precious people surround me are, and slapping me that life must go on even I'm lonely.

And every starts is not always that easy, eh?

A Resident or A Tourist?

It's been 2 weeks since I live in Denmark. I already got my Danish CPR number, means I'm officially a Danish resident even it's temporary, but on the other hand I'm still playing tourist. I know I'm here not for traveling, but to work and to live and learn something different. However, it's a new life, everything is new, so it's very exciting!

Talking about differences, yes Denmark is far different from Indonesia, especially the weather. Yet some still the same. Until now, I'm still adapting to the weather, integrating myself with the life here, getting to know the host family and the city, learning the language, and yes playing tourist!

I live in Horsholm, 30 minutes drive from Copenhagen. The place where I live is very nice, but very quiet since it's a residential area. So, I prefer to go back and forth to Copenhagen. I like Copenhagen a lot, it's a very nice place. It's the capital, but not too crowded. One of the biggest cities in Europe (1,128.6 sq mi), but only 2 millions inhabitant. It's very relaxing for me to dip into the city, to walk in the sidewalk with the view of beautiful and colorful buildings, cobble stone, canals, green trees, pale blue sky (sometimes we still have it) combining with people walking, biking, driving in order. I can still feel the sun sometimes even the wind blows quite hard, breath fresh air, oh I can't ask for something better. And what an indulging view after 21 years living in crowded and busy Jakarta! I'm still playing tourist by visiting some tourist attractions here and there, but on the other hand I know that I'll live here for quite sometimes. I don't want to know all the things at once then I get bored afterwards and feel like knowing everything. It would be not so interesting anymore. So I prefer to dip in slowly to the city. Not to rush.

But the problem is I still haven't got any friends. Well, yeah only 2 weeks. I haven't even started my school. It will start at the end of October. So I still feel alone all the time. I like to be alone, but somehow I feel lonely here. This lone gives me completely different feeling. Sometimes I feel sad about it, having no friends, and I miss my friends a lot in Jakarta. But on the other hand I feel good, so I can do everything on my own. And people take it for granted! Because it's a free country!

The thing is sometimes I forgot that I live in a different place with different culture and the people who have different mentality. So I can't really apply the same life with what I had back in Jakarta. Thus now I'm still searching something to cling on, to settle myself in. And it's not that easy, because it's the the time to adapt, integrate, cope with everything here. It's not that difficult either actually, it's mainly because of my own thought and feeling, I still have some obstacles within me. I'm still at the point where I need to always remain myself about my role here, about why I'm here, about all the good and the bad, about all the benefits and disadvantages. And this time have to deal with it otherwise I would fail. But it takes time, because of all the differences, I don't have any security anymore. Sometimes I feel sad and lonely, I might feel homesick even I keep saying I don't really miss home, consciously. But maybe subconsciously I do, especially the life there. I've left my comfort zone. But that's my choice. I have to live with it. I already threw myself in deep water, now it's time for me to swim ashore (as Karl said to me). I know I can do it!

It's been my dream since long time ago to live in Europe. Now I have the chance. I have to take advantage of it. I don't want to waste my time!

Happy Eid Mubarak!

Happy Eid Mubarak for those who celebrate it!

It's my first time away from home at that special event. Well, to be honest, I didn't do Ramadan properly this year. I didn't mean to make this as an excuse, but I live in the place where least people do it. But anyway, let's leave that issue.

As I said before, it's my first time away from home at that special event, so I got the strike of homesickness all of sudden. How strange! Because I knew I missed the tradition like what I always did before. And to be honest, I felt very lonely the last days, even worse when I imagined how nice it would be to be home and celebrating it. And here, too bad, I missed the celebration, because I didn't know that people celebrated it on Thursday instead of Friday. So, it just made everything felt even worse, a little bit. Plus, the weather in Denmark was not so good that time, drizzling all the day! So grey!

But at least, there was still something good, since I was with my friend, Karl. How kind he was accompanying me to visited the mosque in Copenhagen. Even we ended up only met two guys who told us that they celebrated it on Thursday. So, he said to me that there was a mosque in Malmo. There was where we heading to afterwards, Malmo!

I thought Scandinavia was entering the real autumn, since in Malmo the weather was not so good either! Just a little bit better than Copenhagen. So, on the way to his home, we passed the church and I said to him I wanted to go there. I wanted to talk to God. I'm not a Christian nor Catholic, but that time I felt like talking to God in His house. I really didn't mean to do any harm to any religions, it was really my personal communication between me and Him. The church was very nice actually even it was empty. Not so big, but very typical 18th centuries architecture. I talked to Him there for some times and I felt completely peaceful afterwards.

I'm not a religious person, but I still like to talk to God in some particular times. So, after church and lunch, we went to mosque. It was a very nice and a real mosque, with minarets! That mosque was quite classy, very bright and clean, yet empty. They also celebrated it yesterday. And one more time, I talked to God there. Felt peaceful again. I felt content. How nice. :)

Just too bad I couldn't see how people celebrate Eid Mubarak in Denmark and Sweden. Hopefully, next time..

And anyway, by writing this, I feel bad as well knowing that the essence of Eid Mubarak for me has changed now. Just for a celebration? I should shame on myself... I didn't even do the Ramadan. I didn't even win, I guess. And worse, I didn't even have any celebrations. So?

Oh.. how I miss everything in Jakarta. Sorry for being too melancholy. Have a nice day!

There's a Light that Never Goes Out!

Sometimes when you stumble and fall, when you feel like the unluckiest person in the world, you don't realize that somehow there is always always a light that never goes out for you! That will shine on after the dark time. Like an old proverb said, the darkest time at night appears just before the dawn.

It happens to me as well. Like always..

When I was afraid that I couldn't make any photo essay, his book helped me, even the photographer himself helped me out!

When I was so naive searching for another 'someone', it just made me realize that no other person is better than him..

When I was failed in the process to the final of one big contest in Jakarta, it must have been arranged to be happened that way, so I could finish my final project right in time..

When I was talking about the possibility of winning a quiz, the next day I really won it. Taking the line from The Alchemist, so I may say it was beginner's luck!

When it's impossible for me to go somewhere for a long time because of work, then when this work finish by the end of July, I will probably leave the country for 2 years..

Many things happen to us, not by chance, but it's already been set up to be happen that way. We just don't realize it. And yes, sometimes to reach the light, we should pass the dark first..

It Ain't Short!

Hello.. Been long time not writing this blog. Pardon me for that. Been quite busy and my mind was too fucked-up for composing some words in order, so it caused a quite big hiatus here.

So the last 3 months, I achieved some good and also some bad things. All the experiences made me stronger, wiser, and for all the sum, better. 3 months sounds short, but in fact it doesn't! You would never imagine what you could have done in 3 months period.

Here are the list of what I have done in the last 3 months:

- I celebrated my 21 years old birthday (April 3) in a prostitution place in Jakarta, Jatinegara. It would never slipped in my mind to celebrate my birthday there. Well, I didn't really celebrate mine there, just happened to be there in order to do my photo essay project. It was the first time I went there, for the next month, I visited that place regularly.

I can't upload all the works, since I promised her I will only use it for the exhibition

- Together with my friends from XV class, in May 21, we held an exhibition at Antara Gallery of Photojournalism. We were afraid that we couldn't make it because of lack of fund, but in fact at the end we successfully made it and we made some profit, how surprising! And the opening was an unforgettable one, like always. Float and Tika and The Dissidents played there!

Journalistic Class XV

- I was graduated from university in June 30! Finally after three weeks working on deadline, I could finish it. :) Brave New Photographer. Ramda Yanurzha helped me a lot on this.

The day!

Magazine interface

Web interface

They were only the most important things in my life in the last 3 months. Even to be honest, there are still a lot a lot of things have happened in the last 3 months. But I just don't feel like writing it here. Maybe some I will write about it, later.. I'll see..

So yeah, 3 months is ain't short!

ENORMOUSIGHT!

A Photography Exhibition
Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara
Class Of XV

Adhi Wicaksono | Ahmad Syah Reza | Aldi Pradikta | Amalia Sekarjati
Anbia Permadi | Anggita Panji Nayantaka | Dewa Gde Riam | Grace Hutasoit
Grandyos Zafna Manase Mesah | Kemal Indi Rizky Namora | Khansa F. Nabila | M. Abdul Aziz
Maria Goretti | Putra Sophan Pribadi | Teti Rahmawati | Tony Achri Hutabarat
Agung Fatma Putra | Dhemas Reviyanto Atmodjo | Fanny Fajarianti | Gayatri
Hanny Dwi Jayanthi | Nicklas Hanotubun | Nunu Nugraha | Roki Pandapotan |
Suryo Wibowo | Titah Hari Prabowo | Wisnu Agung Prasetyo | Xaverius Herman

May 21st - June 25th 2010

Opening :
Friday , May 21st 2010
19.00 Local Time
Opened By Mohammad Nuh
Minister of National Education
Republic Of Indonesia

GALERI FOTO JURNALISTIK ANTARA
Jl. Antara No. 59, Pasar Baru, Jakarta 10710
T/F: 021-3458771, www.gfja.org
YahooGroups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gfja
twitter: http://twitter.com/galeriantara
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19164023720

Live Performance by :
Tika and The Dissidents
Float
Seekpopers

Free food and drink!

Enormousight Goes To Campus :
Wednesday, June 2nd 2010
15.00 Local Time
UMN (Universitas Mulimedia Nusantara)
Speaker : Feri Latief (National Geographic Indonesia Contributors)

Monday, June 8th 2010
15.00 Local Time
ABFI Institute PERBANAS
Speaker : Bea Wiharta (Reuters Photographer)

Gallery Talk :
Date still on schedule, Sorry.
Speaker : Jay Subiyakto
NEO JURNALISM CLUB
Jl. Antara No.61 , Pasar Baru
Jakarta 10710

Next Exhibition :
Djakartartmosphere
November 2010
Kartika Expo - Balai Kartini
Jakarta

ALL EVENT: FREE OF CHARGE!

Q & A?

Hello. Sorry for not writing fro quite some time. I was just a little bit busy. Preparing my exhibition, working, doing my final project, but still found the time to do 9 days trip to Bali though. Will write about that soon. So now, I hope you are well. :)

For now, I just want to post this one, because I found these spiritual questions are so interesting to answer. I'd like to answer (later though), and for you, please feel free to copy and paste the questions on to your blog or whatever and answer it as detail as you like. :) And don't forget to visit the website, Brave New Traveler.

Here we go!

1. Why is there poverty and suffering in the world?

2. What is the relationship between science and religion?

3. Why are so many people depressed?

4. What are we all so afraid of?

5. When is war justifiable?

6. How would God want us to respond to aggression and terrorism?

7. How does one obtain true peace?

8. What does it mean to live in the present moment?

9. What is our greatest distraction?

10. Is current religion serving its purpose?

11. What happens to you after you die?

12. Describe heaven and how to get there.

13. What is the meaning of life?

14. Describe God.

15. What is the greatest quality humans possess?

16. What is it that prevents people from living to their full potential?

17. Noverbally, by motion or gesture only, act out what you believe to be the current condition of the world.

18. What is your one wish for the world?

19. What is wisdom and how do we gain it?

20. Are we all one?

Mind/Passion - enormouSight

I should have written this on the 18th. Due to commemorating a year of my very first photo exhibition with GFJA XIV, Mind/Passion!

So, it's been a year. How time flies so fast until I realize that next month I will have my second exhibition. I'm so happy, but on the other hand anxious because we still have no sponsors yet! Moreover, my photo essay is still not finished yet. Just finishing touch here and there for the photos, but for the essay: none! I demanded to write using journalism aspects again this time, like what I used to do in university. Well, it's been quite a while since I didn't write such thing. I hope I'm still good at it. :)

About the exhibition itself, it's strange now. Because I can't feel the excitement of having another exhibition yet! Why??? This time last year, I was so excited until I couldn't say a word. And when we succeeded to make a good one, wow speechless. World seemed too wonderful, everything felt so miraculous, I couldn't believe we did it! All tiredness disappeared in a flash! All paid off with the pride and joy!

I hope my friends and I can motivate ourselves to give our best for ENORMOUSIGHT! We can do it! Just believe every thing is good when its time. :) GFJA XV, WE CAN DO IT! GODSPEED US! :)

Open Up Your Heart and Let The Sunshine In!

So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin
Smilers never lose
and frowners never win
So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

-Frente-

PS: I think now I'm ready to feel something, again. At last.

Get Out from Jakarta for Breakfast and Photo Shot!

All of sudden after attending the opening exhibition of Fiksi Non Fiksi at Antara Gallery, me and six friends of mine decided to go somewhere. At first we said, "Ok, Puncak!" Puncak is a place out of Jakarta, approximately 2 hour driving, located in the valley. It's a nice place with mountains and green fields as the scenery, and also with cool weather. So no wonder the place is often be a gate away choice for a while for Jakartans.

We left Jakarta at 4 in the morning. When we were about to arrive in Puncak, we said, "oh come on, just go to Puncak is not cool, let's go to Bandung!" So we went a little more further to Bandung, the capital of West Java. But we stopped for a while to enjoy the dawn in Puncak. :)

Bandung is famous as a shopping paradise. Its another nick name is Paris van Java. But, we didn't plan to shop, so no extra money. We arrived in the morning, and because there were 5 men of us, so they wanted to hunt for girls! Guess what? We went to Padjajaran University! But it was Saturday, I thought no classes on that day.

We ended up just having breakfast and photo shot in Bandung. But it was soooo fun, though we were damn sleepy and tired. And since most of us are single, so it was like a short trip for absofuckinglutely single people! Hahaha...

Annual Reminder, Birthday!

Before, I always wanted to keep the spirit of birthday. Curious about who will congratulate me first, whether I will get birthday cake and presents or not, like a lively childhood spirit.

One day before the D-day, I had a little argument with Ed. We were talking about birthday. Why people celebrate it, what's the difference between birthday and any other days, what's so special about it! He argued that it's all because of the society, because society -like it or not- makes you believe that it's important to make birthday special. He doesn't like birthday! I do like birthday. When I was a kid, maybe the reason why because people put so much attention to me on that day. But I realized as I grow older, less people would care!

I feel the same way. As older I got as careless I will be about birthday! But I always like to keep the spirit, because as for me birthday is like an annual reminder. For me to contemplate, to review what I've been doing until now, to be better. I know, even it's so little, there will always be something good happens on birthday. :)

April 3rd, 2010. My birthday this year, I turn 21! Legal age eventually. ;) Nothing special, nothing phenomenal, no presents, but birthday cake and wishes are more than enough. Thank you for everything, people! I really appreciate it. But beyond not-so-special-thing, I got a remarkable moment to remember in my whole life. For the first time, due to my essay project, I went to Jatinegara Railway. That place known as a prostitute area in Jakarta. I went there with a friend, because I was afraid to go there alone!

First time is always remarkable, I know that. When I sat in a small street vendor, I tried to feel the ambiance of that place. I observed how people there talking to each other and, for sure, trying to get a client! They looked normal, very natural. I must look natural as well. For a while I had to let myself be a part of them in their mind. I must not annoyed when people thought that I was one of them. But I was safe because I was there with a friend. So maybe people thought that I already got a client. hehe.. So then I convinced myself I have to get a good result that evening, so I asked one girl to sit with us. She was so friendly. She smiled a lot.

And since then, we talked about almost anything. I tried to get as many information as possible from her. I tried to do it naturally though, because I wanted to be friend with her and I also wanted her to feel comfortable with me. And it worked! I liked it. I couldn't believe I can do that! I could have a good conversation with her and she didn't feel intimidated by us. Even she agreed, when I eventually explained her about my project, to help me! Thanks Lord! Meant a lot!

I got my subject. I have to give my best out of it. I must not disappoint people who already put their trust on my shoulder. Ohh I feel like I got a nicest birthday present ever! :)

And one thing to learn: I didn't expect I will have a friend from place like that, but in fact I have one now. So it's always better to expect less, give more instead! And use the word "want" less, use the word "need" more instead. So really want something that really needed. Because God gives you thing that you really need. But don't forget to keep this in mind, "if you want something, the universe will conspire to make it come true!" So keep dreaming, keep fighting, do not give up!

It's April Again!

Here it comes, April! My favorite month of the year. I have a huge expectation that this month will bring me tons of luck! :)

Well, but like I always say, LIFE IS A BIG SURPRISE! Because in fact, first day of this month didn't run so well... I was neglect and irresponsible of my duty. I feel SO BAD about myself! And even worst because I ruined my friends' trust. I'm afraid now they lose their trust on me. I strongly hope not. And I'm sorry... I really am.

So then again, after several trials which happen to me since the beginning of this year, I'm asking myself again this time, "am I being tested?" I asked three of my closest friends that question, and one asked me back, "if you are being tested, do you have any idea why?" And automatically I answered her, "For me to be strong and to see life the way it is. To open my eyes and my heart, to be thankful of what I've got, to be more wisdom. But trials always never be that easy." Oh darn! I already know the answer of my own question!

I was thinking about it when I was walking alone back home. How to be strong, how to be more thankful, how to be more wisdom, how to accept things, how to struggle, how to be tough! Even now life is bringing me down, I must not give up! I have to keep fighting for my life! I CAN DO THAT!

Then I know what I should do, I need to change my perception about things. Seems I forgot it the last days. I was too cynical, so I couldn't see the good side of every single thing that happened.

There is no the word late for good thing. So from now on, if I can't change the thing that happen to me, I have to change the perception of the way I see that thing. And somehow, good thing always happen when you prepare for the worst. Same like if you expect too much, mostly you'll get less of it.

Real proof for those words, just experienced it today! I was walking alone back home at 10 pm. It was my first time walking alone in that street. It was a big street with many vehicles passing by but there were some spots which a little bit dark and looked dangerous. So I really prepared myself not to be robbed again, like two years ago. Then after around 1 km walking and still had 1 km left to walk, I was just thinking it would be nice if I could hitch hike inside the town. Two minutes after, a motorbike stopped by and offered me a ride! At first, I was suspicious! It's Jakarta! You would never know what will happen to you in big cities! We talked for a bit, then I could see that he really didn't mean something bad. So I accepted his offer. And my home was on his way home also. Just had a little talk and I asked him to pull over around 300 m from my house. It was really nice because he didn't even ask for my number. So he didn't have any motives at all! Wow thing like that happens in Jakarta. I have to pinch myself! ;)

Experience, what a really great teacher in life. And April, what a really incredible month. I feel like I have so much positive vibes in this month, even when things aren't going so well...

ENJOY YOUR APRIL! :) :) :)

Jakarta Amazing Race!

I'm not eligible yet to join Amazing Race Asia due to my age is not 21 yet. So this event, Jakarta Amazing Race, like a fulfillment for me.

This event held by Central Jakarta CouchSurfers as one of CouchSurfing Indonesia Festive 2010. It was so fun! I'd like to share my experience in my very first race ever! :)

Ready, Steady, Go!
Sunday, March 14, 2010. The meeting point was in National Monument (Monas) and the time was around 8 am. But I was late. I came there with Arya, so we were the only two left behind. We didn't want to waste our time waiting for another people to come, so we decided our time was only the two of us. Like the real Amazing Race Asia! We started around 10.30 am. Ready, steady, go!

Task no. 1: Ken Dedes Statue
Ok, first task was we had to go to National Museum to find Ken Dedes Statue and write down her real name. We arrived at the museum and directly asked the receptionist, where was the Ken Dedes Statue? Looked like another team already asked the same question, so he directly said upstairs. A tourist asked us, "Are you doing a race?" We answered hastily, "Yes!"

We found the statue, her real name was Prajnaparamita. After took a picture of it as a proof for the committee.

It was my second visit to National Museum. The first one was maybe 12-13 years ago. Shame on me.. :| And today the museum is having some renovations here and there. Still looks interesting though. Will come back soon.

Task no. 2: Soe Hok Gie Tomb
Garden Tomb Inscription, that was the place! First time visit to the most famous place to take photos. Well, found the place interesting, because of the historical side. I mean because of the people buried there. Because they could be important people when the colonial time.

Not so difficult to found Soe Hok Gie -one of the leaders of student movement- Tomb. Wrote down what's written on his tomb, "Nobody knows the trouble I see. Nobody knows my sorrow." And how ironic, he died one day before his 27th birthday. Took picture with it, a must!

Task no. 3: Hermes Statue
There are two Hermes Statues in Jakarta, if I'm not mistaken. One in Fatahillah Museum and the other one in Harmony intersection. Our destination was the second one. Simple task, only had to take picture with it with the same pose. :D

And went to Pasar Baru to gave the proof. But along the way, when we took bus, I found a really really annoying thing. Arrogant beggars, I'm sorry if I'm being so rude, but they deserve the title, I guess. They looked strong, at least strong enough to do criminal. And they were really insist for money! They make Jakarta looks dangerous.

Task no. 4: Crown in Vihara
Every time I remember this task, always makes me laugh! Well after Hermes, we went to Pasar Baru Gate to gave the proof. After that we were given the next task. And not like the previous tasks, this one was consist only with writing, long story writing. We were in a rush, it made us become smartass! We directly jumped to the end of the story and read the instruction "How to get there!" The place was in Senen, not so far. We hopped in to the bus and easily found the place. When we arrived there, the committee asked us, "where's the picture?" Darn! What picture? OH NO! We haven't read the instruction! Ok, back again to Pasar Baru.

It was a vihara where we should go to. Ok I knew the place. Easy. Now we had to find the crown. There was another team there and they said we can't get inside, people are praying. We didn't want to waste our time, so I decided to come inside and ask the guard there about crown! He didn't know! Jeez! I asked him again about Kwan Im Goddess Statue, he knew! And he accompanied me to that statue. There I found a Crown Cake! I thought it was it! I found it! So I took picture of it! I felt so proud because the committee couldn't fool me.

Senen again by ojek drivers. Along the way we saw an accident. Two ladies with motorbike hit the car. Ohh... But they were all right I guess. Ok, I gave the proof and OH GOD IT WAS WRONG! Ahhh how come! And Arya forgot to give the helmet back to the driver, well we had to go back indeed. :D

We couldn't be wrong again. So we cheated, we asked another team about the crown. And it was real crown! Located on a big statue of ... I don't know the name, sorry. What a task! We went back and forth for three times! hehe... But it was remarkable!

Task no. 5: Dancing in Public
After the hustle task, it was a cooling down. And Arya found a very good idea. We rent a taxi. So every time we had to finish the task, the driver waited for us. hehe..

This task was easy, only sang a song and dance in public. Fortunately, Ismail Marzuki Park which usually full of people, that time was empty. Maybe because that time was so fucking hot! hehehe...

So we performed couple singing and dancing: The Kicir-Kicir. We held the lyric, but still sang it wrongly. hehe..

Task no. 6: Find The Amphibian
Frog Park after that. Only had to take picture of it. The committee asked us, "Why you took so long?" "Hehe long story," we said.

Task no. 7: Welcome to Jakarta. It's All about The Money!
Time to took picture with Welcome Statue in HI roundabout. Easy, eh? ;)

After that with taxi we went to to Indonesian Bank and tried to find the committee, but we couldn't. Because it was impossible for them to wait inside the bank. So we back to the first stop and asked them, but of course they didn't let us know. So we run back again to the bank and met another team and asked them. Oh they waited for us on the bridge crossing!

There we had to count the money in coins! Jeez! Not so easy!

Task no. 8: This is Jakarta!
The last and the most tiring and boring task! We had to go upstairs of Monas! And since it was Sunday, so many people did the same thing! So all of the team had to wait for approximately an hour to go upstairs! Wasting time...

It was nice upstairs, like always. Strong wind and we can see Jakarta from above. We thought there was a committee waiting for us, but in fact there was not! Another team us said that we just have to take picture there using some particular clothes. Oh.. we didn't even know the task! Haha.. So, that team lent us their costumes. How kind. :)

At the end, we won in the sixth place. Not so bad for the second last team whichstarted the race. :D

Inauguration Night
Jakarta Amazing Race was over. Time for inauguration night in Mocca Cafe. It was fun, as usual if we gather around together. Met and made friends with new people, talked to them, exchanged stories, laughed, saw pictures, many things! One of unforgettable moments.

Thank you so much for making such a great event! :)

*Photos by several people and still waiting for more pictures. ;)

Life is A Journey!

Even though it is a long and winding road
Even though there are many surprising things -good or bad- waiting ahead
Even though it is not so easy to get through it
Even though I stumble and fall many times
Even though I should do countless try and error
But I always try to love my journey

Life is not merely about the destination
It's about the journey

It's like the road, long and winding
I don't know where this path might lead me
I don't know the destination of this journey
I can't even see the end of it
But I know there's an end
All I know I should live with it
So -hopefully- I can get a real life and live it

And the only thing that I can do is follow the road
Though I can decide where to go
I can decide what kind of life that I want to choose

Just keep in mind not to give up when I face the trials along this journey
I have to be tough! Keep on walking!
My journey is waiting...

Small Things Do Matter!

If you think that small things are not worth to be done and you don't want to sweat for it, then you should think about it again! ;)

In age of 20, eventually I know how to make paper bird. I'm so happy. :) I never knew before that when you make it, it feels so good. Even it's just a small thing -unless you make a giant one- but you have to give at least 50% of your concentration for it. Moreover if you make a tiny one, you need to concentrate more. But it really is a good feeling. When you finish making one paper bird, your hand will automatically trying to find another paper to make another one, always like that, always like that. Because it is, like traveling, addictive! You can't stop! Believe it or not! And you can simply kill your time -if you're bored- by making paper bird. And you know like a very famous Japanese Proverb says "If you make 1000 of paper bird, your wish will come true." I don't know if it's true or not, but you can give it a try if you want. And if it's not true, at least you have 1000 of paper bird, you can put it in a jar, and if you make them with colorful paper, I believe you will have a very beautiful decor.

So small things do matter, at least for me. Almost all small things; like the art of making paper bird; like say hello and smiling to stranger; like say thank you or sorry; like give a seat to old citizen; like helping someone to cross the street; like throw the garbage in the bin; anything; do matter! If you think that small stuff is not so important, you have to think about it again. Because if you can realize that small thing might give you so much in return, you would do that. Making paper bird can give you a contentment and a good decor; by saying hello and smiling to stranger, you open yourself to accept new friendship; we don't have to discuss about the power of thank you and sorry, I bet we know it already; and the rest you I believe you can find it by yourself.

Maybe it takes only less than 2 minutes to do small things, it doesn't cost you anything, but you'll get so much in return. ;)

In The Path of Going Nowhere

People say it's normal if you feel lost, don't know what to do in your life, when you're 20! Because you're still young!

That's what happen to me right now, feel lost, don't know what to do in my life, I don't even feel that my life is meaningful, not for society but for me. In a way my life is boring!

Maybe because I'm 20? But after all this time, 20 years, I think I should have been done something good, at least for myself. I did some good things for my own, but I don't think it's enough! Well, yeah people can't get enough, always want more and more.. That's why being grateful of what we have is the best thing that we can do to appreciate our life.

God has bestowed me with a lot of wonderful things. People tell me that I have many talents inside that I should discover and develop. That's why some of them expect me to do great things. But I'm not as great as they think. I don't even know what my real potential is! I've been learning a lot of things, good at some of them, but still I can't tell my real potential! Am I stupid? And moreover, I feel like I don't have any plans nor visions for my life. Sounds so desperate, eh? But my very good friend, Ed, said to me, "when you plan your life, you will never have a chance to grab different and good opportunities."

Now I'm in the path of going nowhere, where I have to choose where to go. I don't know! Am I stupid? Sorry for being so emotional, but that's what I feel right now. :/

But I believe, I will find the answer soon. I will! Because I don't want to end up being nothing! And the most important is I want to be happy and live my life. :)

So after all said and done, I know I'm not the only one

Life indeed can be fun, if you really want to

Sometimes living out your dreams, ain't as easy as it seems

You wanna fly around the world, in a beautiful balloon

(Life - Des'Ree)

Life is About Choice

Sometimes choosing is not soooo easy. We have to know what we really want, really need, or anything. It's all based on our primary, secondary, or any other needs, like desire, dream, so on.

Just today my friend asked me to go to the place which I think it's gonna be my next destination after I graduate. He said there's a very big event going on there, a hindu pilgrimage. And that pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years! I really want to go there! I really do!

But then I remembered that I have many things to be done here. So I have to choose.

Then my choice for now is, I will stay here, finish everything, and then go to that place! I'll see. :)

Life is about choice. Sometimes we have to postpone (just don't give up) the most interesting thing to do in our life for something more important.

And nothing's wrong with that. :)

Change of A Lifetime

Life changes, people change, places change, and everything changes. But how do you know that they change? How can you tell that they change?

Recently, I’m back to the place where I’ve been two and a half year ago. Here still looks the same, well maybe some changes here and there, but only small changes. But I know, this place –after I left some years ago­– has been witnessed many things; people who came to this place; events that were held in this place; everything. But the place stills the same. Same!

And I meet the family who lives here. I still remember them, seems like only yesterday when I first knew them. But now, they don’t even remember me. Because too many people come to this place, interact with them. Even after two and a half year, they still look the same! The mother looks the same, maybe only the little girl; she is taller now and calmer. But the rest, same!

Same like me, same like you. Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and asked yourself, what have changed in me? Maybe your hair is longer or shorter, maybe you’re getting taller or bigger, maybe your skin complexion is more black or white, maybe you have scar now, maybe you wear glasses or braces now. You can tell that easily from your reflexion that you see in the mirror. And if you meet people from the past, they will only tell your changes in appearance! Nothing more! Though maybe over all you still look the same.

But if you ask yourself again, do I change? For this, you need to relax and let your memory back to the past to recall what you have been through, what you have learnt. Those things might change you from inside. You might become smarter or dumber, more wisdom or more reckless, more open-minded or more narrow-minded, anything. Or might be you stuck and feel the same because you still dwell in your past? What side are you on? You choose! Your life is in your hand.

But if you know how good it is to experience things –good and bad– in life, you would like to have it. The more you experience something, more that you can learn. And how you react for every situation depends on your life background, your frame of reference, your knowledge, your environment, and your experience in the past. Because of that, no need to be afraid or worry about what will come in the future. You can predict it from your present, but life is a big surprise. Just embrace what comes toward you.

Though if you fail or make mistake in your present, it’s normal. You would never learn if you never make mistake and you would never know how it feels to be success if you never fail. Same like, if you always success, you would prefer to die if you fail. It’s cliché, I know. But it’s true.

Don’t be afraid of failure or to make mistake, even it’s painful. Every pain can make you stronger. Sometimes maybe you can’t stand the pain, it’s only because you never experienced it before. That’s why you don’t know how to deal with it and handle it. And like Queen said “Pain is so close to pleasure.” And every pleasure can make you feel grateful for everything that you have in your life (unless you become snob instead, hehe).

So look at yourself again, ask yourself, “What have changed in me?” It’s only you who know the answer, the right one which comes from inside.

Traveler's Hangover

Traveling is addictive. If you like it also, maybe you would say, "I never want to stop!" Same like I do.

For me, I really like the feeling of away from home, away from my routines, away from the system. Sounds pretty coward, eh? But well I'm still alive even I'm coward. hehe.. It feels strange to be home again after all. Strange! But I don't feel sad, and of course I don't feel happy either. Sometimes I just don't know what I supposed to feel when I'm home. All I know I just want to travel again. So mostly the feeling of going is more frightening than the feeling of leaving. Though adapting with home's circumstances is not that difficult, since adapting is the thing that travelers always do.

When I talked about this with my friend, Roberto, he told me, "So do not travel again." I was shocked, why he told me like that? He's away from his country as well. But then he explained to me that I should not do what makes me feel unhappy. He said I like traveling, but I don't like to be back home. But I should go home. So everytime I'm traveling, possibly I would feel unhappy after it.

I couldn't say he was right, but he was not fully wrong either. And everytime I ask myself why I travel? I can't find a satisfying anwer yet. I know I'm looking for something, but I don't know what. I'm looking for something I don't know (like ED always say also). Envy them who can answer this question already.

But all I know I feel happy when I'm traveling. But yeah, not when I have to go home. It's all about what's in my mind. My mind is more free when I'm traveling, but not at home. Seems like there's a conception in my mind about home and what's inside it already and I can't change it!

Though I can't change it, I have to change my mind about it, change the way I think about it. So it could change the way I react with that. I should enjoy myself wherever I am. Because in the end, (maybe) it's the same to here or there. And the most important is that I -and you also- should be happy. Because why would we choose to be unhappy?

Nice to Meet You

I love traveling alone, but in fact I never be alone. Because I always meet new people when I'm traveling. I love to meet both locals and tourists.

My traveling experience is not that much yet. But from that I already learned a lot that makes me want to learn more and more. A friend told me, "Maybe one day you would experience this. In the end it's the same to be here or there, to travel or settle down. What makes it different is the people. People you meet, people to share with, people with a good heart who want to be friend with you not because you're a tourist, but because you are you!"

The last 4 weeks when I did my Thailand and Vietnam trip, I met some wonderful and awesome people who made my days more beautiful. :)

Pai

Phine, Georg, Christian

They were very nice. And it was funny, because they were the last people who knew me and Ed as a couple, and they also the first people who knew that we were no longer couple anymore. ;)

Rickard

I supposed to take pic of him with ukulele, instead of this tobacco.

He was Ed's old travelmate, they met up coincidentally in Pai.

Paul

This guy is fucking tall! Even taller than any other westerners.

Aom

She's a singer. Her voice is unique. She sings beautifully.

Ladissa

She's a good dancer. She also can sing!

Martin

He looks like Chris Martin, eh? Crazy guy!

Bangkok

Roberto and Diego

They're a great team. They always complete each other. And they know how to value someone, they have beautiful souls inside. People with good hearts.

Tiap and Nii

Hard to tell that Tiap is not a girl, she's pretty. Nii is an artist, she's wonderful!

HCMC

Christophan

He and his friends showed me HCMC around within a day. From upper class to working class.

I don't know her name. I met her through Chris. She can't talk because she has mental depression. So I used sign language when I talked to her.

Damian

Stayed in the same room in dormitory. He's very talkative. He always have something good to talk to.

Liesl, Lisa, Laura

We did a lot of walking, talking, and eating. Because of Spanish Bar, Cu Chi Tunnels, and oreo creamy shake.

Patrick and Ronan

Paddy's motorbike was cool! But police pulled me over when I was riding this motorbike. And Ronan loves small cute dog. ;)

Hopefully see you again. Someday, somewhere. :)

More picture from people I met.