Life is A Big Surprise!

What You See as A Grown-up?

2012-02-05T09:44:00.000-08:00

Happy new year 2012! Sorry for the very very slow will in taking action. Wishing all of you the very best in this quite controversial yet exciting year. I hope everybody is having fun. :)

Well then 2012, it means I'm now soon to be 23. Still in 2 months, though. Time is passing when you're not looking, eh. Here and now I'm not going to review nor making any resolutions, no. That will be a never ending circle, so I actually find it kinda ridiculous to do so. Because I think, making plan is necessary, but embracing the opportunity that comes to you is even more important. Like one of my good friends said, "Why should I plan my life? Opportunities are everywhere if you open your eyes. That's what I learned from living." John Lennon even said, "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making plans."

Currently I'm jobless. I don't know whether I should be happy or sad about it, but I enjoy it somehow. I left Denmark in mid June, so I've been back here in Indonesia for around 7 months. See! Time does fly! I lived in Bali for nearly half a year (it's gonna be another story to tell). In short, I quit my job in Bali and came back to Jakarta. So January was my first full month living in Jakarta again. It has been lovely here in Jakarta, meeting up with family and also my good old and new friends, returning to the places I like, having fun, and you know, simply enjoying this highly complex capital. Not so bad. Yet still keep opening my eyes for new opportunities. Already got one or two, and even still in the process of reaching the goal. I actually can't believe I've made it this far. But as I usually say, I always set my dreams high, but never expect too much. So let's see what happens.

Anyway, have I mentioned about meeting up with people? Well yeah, that's special, as always. It's nice to be reunited with people I've missed all this time. I also got to meet new people. And, my uncle passed away last week, so sorry. But because of that I got to meet my cousins too, whom I haven't seen for ages. Like really, for ages. Do you know what normally people say when they meet another people from the past? "Wow, you've changed!" or "Wow you've grown!" or something like that. Which I think kinda silly, because of course people do change and absolutely, they do grow, for God's sake! Well, I also do it anyway sometimes, because that's the ice breaker to strike a conversation. But then, it makes me thinking...

When I met my little brother again, 7 months ago. He has grown so fast. He is so big now, even taller than me. I don't know what he has been through when I was not there, I don't know how develop or mature he got, I don't know how much he changes inside. But physically, he has developed. Yet in my eyes, he is still a kid who barely able to protect himself. Perhaps in some years, I will realize that he is not a kid anymore and I can eventually talk to him as grown-ups.

Speaking of experience, I feel that too. When I was a kid, I saw all the grown-ups (relatives, teachers, neighbors, even parents) were so big, mature, and powerful. They seemed just out of reach. But now, I'm growing up, having more experience, getting mature, and when I meet them again occasionally, they all look the same like what I can remember when I was a child. They don't slightly change. Even now, I can have friends from a very wide range of ages, from a 10 year-old kid to a 40 even 50 year-old guy. As long as I know where to have myself, can have good conversation, and have a good judgement, everything is good. Everything seems to be more equal. :)

Undskyld, nu skriver jeg paa Dansk. Saa pigerne i dette billede heroppe kan godt forstaar. Jeg tog sig af de boern, da jeg var i Danmark, var de 10, 9, og 2-aarige. Vi havde en rigtig god tid sammen, jeg gerne en dag vil komme en anden gang for os at blive genforenet. Og i den tid haaber jeg, de kan stadig huske vores gode gamle tid, saa vi kan goere det igen, paa trods af aendringerne. Selv jeg ville oenske, de kunne oplevealle de ting, som verden kan tilbyde. Som for mig, uanset hvad de bliver, vil jeg altid elske dem. :)

Jakarta

2012-01-09T21:58:00.000-08:00

One and a half year it's been.. Now I'm back in Jakarta. It was only short time, but it was meaningful. Like really, living away in another places, on your own. It feels weird to be back actually, but at the moment I'm really enjoying being reunited with my good old friends. I promise will write some more about the gap I haven't filled in since June until now. As for know, living the moment here in Jakarta until I leave again. :)

Father is (consciously/unconsciously) The Role Model!

2011-06-02T04:01:00.000-07:00

Lately I always introduce myself as Hanny Haryadi. Even actually, it is not my real given name. Well, Hanny is, though. But Haryadi is my father's. I just like the rhythm and it does, actually, fit me better, somehow.

As an Indonesian, I don't have surname. And there was no particular reason either why I chose to use my father's name as mine. Certainly, not because I wanted to show that I am my father's daughter. Because I am already is. I remember I even got annoyed when my friends called me with his name when I was a kid. How odd that now I like to be called that way.

I don't have a good father and daughter relation. I barely talked to him, even! He is not the type of father whom others would adore nor imagine to have theirs like him. He was willing to accompany me and my brothers to amusement park, though, and tried all the rides there. But still, in my eyes, he had no spirit of joy. No fun. I don't even know if he could laugh out loud or not. And as I recall, I even always looked up to someone else's fun father to be mine.

Mine always look serious. And most of the times, he is so quiet. Spend, I think, 3 quarter of his life studying and reading books. He has a very high self discipline. He is also very careful in using money. Get through everything before he uses every penny of his. No wonder, now he is a lecture in economy after retired from his prior job.

For me, he seems to live in his own world. With his own thoughts and his way of living. Sometimes, I can't even follow his mind. I don't even understand why he does such particular things. It just can't get through my brain system. The more I write about it, I feel like standing in front of a mirror, looking at myself. Because, I think, I am actually like that. So, I inherit that from him, probably.

But on top of that, I love him for the reason I will never be able to explain. And at the end of the day, he is always be my father. The one who loves me without questioned.

Anyway, you must have heard the line which saying "My Father is My Role Model". I never believed it's true, as I explained it earlier. But now, I think it is. The reason why now I do, because now I'm together with a guy whom, the more I understand him the more I feel he has certain values which almost the same like my father. Not exactly, though. Same, but different.

Just like my father, I can't follow his mind sometimes. His actions are unexplainable to my logic. He could be irritating, even. But also just like with my father, I do love him for the reason I don't understand. And I do feel safe when he's around. Knowing that, no matter what, he is always good to me.

So, My Father is unconsciously my role model.

PS: June 5th is Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, fathers!

The Road

2011-05-12T04:19:00.002-07:00

"We're creatures of comfort and we find our patterns and stick to what we know best. But there's a big wild and beautiful world out there for those who want to head up there"

-The Road/A Broken Down Melody

I can't agree more to that sentence! It is just entirely true.

I have left my comfort zone. But to be honest, it's not something that I can snob around to people, feeling better because I have done it. Not at all! It is actually very hard. Because all of a sudden I have to live up all the consequences, all the things which before only wandering around in my mind.

I live in a completely different place. I don't know anybody. I don't speak the language. I have no advance knowledge about the customs and rules. I barely have money. I have no status. I can't behave the same way like I used to do. I am obliged to do something I detest. In short, I'm nobody and lost.

Anyhow, I don't dislike getting lost, I enjoy it instead. Then I can try to find a new way get back to the right road. I have encountered with many turns, dead ends, still it feels like a long and winding road. But I keep on going, slowly slowly find my own path. Leave marks here and there. Build something from the scratch. Then now everything feels easier. Not all though, unfortunately.

I still have a burden, though. My ego is just too high to give in to see the world in up side down perspective. I decided to turn around, step backward, go back to where I start. I realize I might regret it one day. Because I have been through all the ups and downs, yet I haven't seen it until the end. It's only half-baked, still.

No matter what, decision has been made. There is no other way.

The Bell has Rung!

2011-05-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Another hiatus, apparently I like to leave this site unwritten for uncertain time. To be honest, I've been checking my own blog every now and then, and the passion to write is always there. Plus all the things that keep come and go in my life is just so interesting to share, I think. But I just don't understand myself why I just don't write a thing!? Maybe they are just so interesting until I don't know how to put it in words? Weird!

I don't even know who read my notes actually, but I'm so sorry if I seem neglecting this one. Me myself even feel bored always be welcomed with a note back from new year, means 4 months ago! Anyway, now I really feel like writing. And this particular event makes me even eager to just keep on going.

I love Friday! Oh yes, indeed! The last 2 Fridays have been always warm. Spring has blown its warm breeze accompanied with full sunshine. Not always, though, but at least now we do have the sun! No doubt that sun always brings a positive spirit for people live in this cold country. Now everyone looks even more shining and stunning. They already hanged their big winter jacket, stuffed back warm shoes, now it's time for colors!

Yes, colors are everywhere. From the people, the trees, the buildings. Everywhere! Even my life is just too colorful now! I mean it!

I love the fact that now we have the sun, feels like home, somehow. I feel blessed seeing how beautiful Copenhagen is when the sun is really there. I can't stop falling in love with it. It seems that the city is always ready to give you (at least me) something completely new. Since I already understand and speak a little Danish, I feel the city even more attractive. Because now I really feel like a part of it. And I know Danes a little more better. They are cold, yes, but they are also very helpful and friendly in many ways. I like them. See how my first impression about them is so wrong. Don't believe in first impression, it could be deceiving. ;)

Ok I need to stop telling about that now. It was just a hint. I will write the complete version to fulfill my promise to my best tutor. Ok, but what exactly I mean colorful is because I just got lots of surprise here and there!

It's just all about Friday! I said it that I love Friday. So, Friday last week, I went for a picnic with my friends. It was just so cosy. Nothing special in particular, though. Just a very nice feeling having time for myself and my friends, at last. And worried about nothing. But Friday this week, means today, hold da op! First of all, a friend of mine whom I went for a picnic with is already in India. Second of all, I have to work this weekend. Last but not least, I just lost 3500 kroner in a blink! For fanden! Ok, it's because of my stupidity, though, about toilet! Aah too embarrassing to spill the story behind it. So now, I'm worried about money, which actually I never really did before. Just annoyed me, this kind of thing. It's like a bell that rings in my head reminds me that I'm getting old and need to plan myself better, in every ways. Saving money is one of them, obviously.

But on top of that, this would sound odd after what had happened to me, I still feel happy. Who doesn't when the sun is shining for around 16 hours? God weekend! :)

1 Januar 2011

2011-01-07T22:54:00.000-08:00

Time does not fly that fast if you keep in trace about what you have been doing. Therefore, in order to appreciate my life and to refresh my mind, I would like to trace back my wonderful 2010 before I embrace the challenge and the beauty of 2011.

Some good things that happened in the year of tiger was I traveled to some countries in 3 continents: Southeast Asia (Thailand and Vietnam), Europe (Denmark, Austria and Sweden), and Africa (Egypt). It was a bliss. Even though some, I felt I just paid a visit and haven't explored that much. But it was worth visiting though.

Another thing was I dipped into the night life in Jakarta to interact with one profession that people normally spit on it, prostitute. It was unforgettable! And the notes I took from there, I presented it through my photo essay in two exhibitions. That time I could taste the sweet of glory.

Having finished my study with excellent result and worked with inspiring people at the same time could be one of the exciting moments of 2011 as well. It was just awesome.

Last but not least, if you ever reached the limit of your self boundary, then you might know the feeling. This is my best of 2010, I have been challenged myself to leave my comfort zone, to do something completely different with my prior life, to embrace the chances and the opportunities that life might give, and to look inside me to know myself better. I left my country and moved to Denmark to work. Even though it was hard at the beginning, but later when I have found which foot to stand on, I feel blessed to be here.

1 January 2011 gave me a very beautiful surprise. A positive energy to start my following year. A clear mind to see things better. And a healthy spirit to live the life. This year I need to keep challenging myself, I will leave the traces here:

- Speak Danish and Italian

- Be a travel journalist

- Write a book

- Learn how to cook

Just a simple note, the basic things in life we always need to do to build a good foundation. ;)

Endnu et år, en anden start.. Velkommen 2011!

People and The City

2010-11-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

"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!

2010-09-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-09-15T05:09:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-09-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

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

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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?

2010-05-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-18T23:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-04T04:31:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-04-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-03-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-26T05:42:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-13T23:17:00.001-08:00

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.

Tomorrow Never Knows!

2010-02-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

My last stop was Saigon. After that I had to go home. I was only away for four weeks, but when I had to go home, I didn't know what I supposed to feel. I didn't feel happy, but I didn't feel sad either. I just didn't know. It's strange to go home, and well, it's sad because it means you stop traveling, though only for a while. And like it or not you have to face the real and daily life back home.

I like the feeling when I'm away from home. Everything new, different, it's interesting. And when I don't know something or make mistake, everything is pardoned. When I have problems, I have to handle it by myself. There's no one that I can count on but me. I learn how to be tough, to think clearly, to spend money wisely, to adapt with new circumtances, to observe people behaviours, to understand and appreciate differences. It really is a good feeling and traveling is addictive!

Well, tomorrow never knows and life is a big surprise. Life back home is another adventure though. So I have to face it as well. I just have to stop for a while then soon I'll go again to new places! Wait for me! :)

Budget Travelers Should Not Complain!

2010-02-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

Well yeah it's true. Since I was traveling on budget, so I must not complain. But I can't stand not to tell these stories.

When I was about to go to Chiang Mai, I took another tourist bus! Cheap, yes! But very bumpy, even the road to Chiang Mai was boring, high way without any up and down or sharp curves. And it was fucking cold inside! Like in the fridge! Hell no!

And on my second time in Bangkok, since I was alone, so I chose to stay in a cheap guest house. I got it, 150 Baht/day. But but the bed was really hard like a stone! Every two hours, I woke up, slept again, next two hours woke up again. It hurt my back too much!

So the next day I decided to move to another guest house with the same price, but with a better bed. But yeah budget travelers should not complain, because my new bed... few ants on the bed! Jeez!

In Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, two nights I stayed in $10 room. Not that expensive actually and I got everything, AC, big and comfy bed, hot water, fridge, TV, wardrobe, even towel and toilet paper. But for budget and solo traveler, $10 was expensive. So I moved to dormitory, $7. Still expensive though, but cheaper. hehe.. And because I stayed in dormitory, I got some new friends. :)

Well, still had a good thing over not so good one. ;)

Saigon? Ho Chi Minh City? Whatever!

2010-02-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

First time I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, this communist country. Communist sounds scary, eh? But it was all right there. :)

First impression was good. On the bus, I didn't have no idea where Pham Ngu Lao was, the backpacker area, so I asked old couple on the bus and they kindly told me everything they knew. And when I had to pay, I didn't have small money, so there was a lady who paid for my ticket. :)

I was alone. I missed Ed and my friends in Bangkok. But yeah, when you travel alone, you never be alone. I met some people just some hours after I arrived. They showed me almost all Saigon within a day. They took me to the upper class restaurant (yuck! I didn't like it!), to the Spanish Bar (fucking good!), and to the place for lower class and yeah budget traveler. hehe... They told me to move from Saigon, five days in Saigon was too much they told me. But I didn't like to move to one place to another without knowing anything about it. I don't like to just have a look, I want to see, to know more, to understand.

When I moved to dormitory, I met Damian, my room mate. We did lot of walking, talking, laughing, eating (oreo creamy shake was very good!). We also met Lisa, Liesl, and Laura through Kirsti. I told them about the Spanish Bar and we wanted to go there. But stupid me, I didn't know where it was, I didn't even remember the name. So we did an adventure to find the Spanish Bar. Walked down the street, asked people, with map in our hands. But still we couldn't find it! So we ended up at Sheraton Hotel! On its 23rd floor! It was good there, but our outfits were totally didn't fit for that place! We wore t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops! hehehe...

Tour? No More!

Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum must be two of the relic of Vietnam War. People there always asked me, "have you been to those places?" I answered, "not yet", "why not?" they asked me back. Ooh! So I had to go, eh!? I didn't feel like going, but ok because my friends wanted to go to Cu Chi Tunnels, so I joined them. With a tour! Jeez!

I think it would be the first and the last time I took a tour. I felt like stupid following one guy instruction to do this, to do that! No way! Cu Chi Tunnels was interesting actually. But since we went there with a tour, so when we were crouching the tunnels, we could only crouch straight heading to the hospital bunker. Along the way, there were many other ways, left, right, I really wanted to turned left or right, but I couldn't! Oohh....

I didn't go to War Remnants Museum, haven't got time. Well, next time maybe. But I think next time, I want to do Vietnam trip from south to north... I'll see.

Crazy Traffic!

I thought Jakarta's traffic was the most fucked up! But then I found out that Saigon's was even worst! Horrible!

Too many motorbikes (but many Vespa LX there). They didn't follow the rule. They went wherever they wanted. Sometimes they didn't even stop in the traffic light! Crossing the street would never be this challenging, 0r most suitable word, frightening! hehe.. Two thumbs up for them who can ride motorbikes and handle the traffic there. :p

So Damian and I wanted to hit the traffic! Damian's friend, Patrick, just bought a motorbike. So we wanted to do test drive, quite reckless though, because we didn't use helmet, didn't have driving license and paper motorbike. We rode down the street trying to find the Spanish Bar, but we couldn't find it. We found a Cathedral and a big park instead.

In front of the Cathedral, there was a Mother Mary statue and people were kneel in front it, praying in the night! Wow! Real life of Saigon aside of the backpacker area. :) But I kinda regret haven't got the chance to enter the Cathedral. It looked magnificent and I never entered churh before. hehe..

But we were lost. We didn't know the way back home. And it was hard to ask for direction, because almost nobody spoke good english. :( We tried our luck, but the police pulled us over! I told you we were reckless. They didn't speak good english either. Before they wanted to take the motorbike, of course we couldn't let it happen! Patrick just bought it 30 minutes ago! So after some bla bla bla discussion, they asked for money, 500.000 Dong! We didn't bring so much money at that time, we only had 170.000 Dong. We showed them all the money that we had. And they only took 100.000 Dong and let us go. We even asked them for direction before we left. hehe...

After that accident, we laughed all the way home... And it was my last night in Saigon.

More picture from Ho Chi Minh City

I Left My Heart for Pai

2010-02-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

Before my itinerary was Thailand, Cambodia/Lao, and then Vietnam. But when I came to Pai, I knew that I would spend some times here. From the beginning, I fell in love with this place already. It was true, most of my traveling time I spent in Pai. I stayed there for two weeks.

Pai is a little town in the big valley located in Northern Thailand, between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. So the view from the town is mountain, so beautiful. But too bad when I was there, the leaves were not green, maybe because it was not the season. But still beautiful. :) The place was so relaxed, good place for laid-back people. And the spirit of Pai itself, I think, was hippy. It was cool! And the weather was also nice. Though during the day it was very hot and in the night it was fucking cold! People there were nice, they didn't treat me badly like in Bangkok, though they still thought that I was a Thai girl.

It was a touristic place, both for local and foreign tourists. But still nice. It was not as crowded as Khaosan, for sure. And it was not that expensive there. We stayed in a private bamboo hut for 150 Baht/day.

In the center of the town, normally activities started in the evening. The walking street turned out to be a shopping area. People sold many things, from food to accesories. Pai also had many bars and restaurants, and they were all cool! Always had live music every night. Even they played music in the street. Awesome! Moreover, I love wooden stuff, and almost all the bars and restaurants there had wooden decoration inside. Splendid!

When I was there, I didn't go to any tourist attractions like elephant riding, jungle trekking, and etc. I only went to the river to had water massage, to the canyon to saw it by myself, and to the hot spring to relaxed myself. It was funny when we were about to go to the hotspring, we almost ran out our petrol. And way to the hotspring was so challenging, up and down, and from the main road, it was pretty far. We were afraid we couldn't make it and already prepared ourselves to sleep in the jungle, more challenging though. hehe.. But we made it!

Like I told you before, in the night time, it was fucking cold there! That's why we need campfire! Never in my life I saw campfire inside the bar, but you can find it in Pai. ;) And there was one bar, Bamboo Bar! That place was cool. People only came there around 2 am - 6 am. There were three campfires inside the bar. But the music -sometimes- was cheesy. Sometimes people brought their own guitars there and played it, but they didn't turn off the music! Errr.... But that bar was cool! Really cool! I spent most of my nights there, drinking, talking to people, or just sitting around the campfire. And if I wanted to have the real live music, I could go to almost every bars. Because every nights they had live music. My favorite was duo Aom and Norbert. Aom, a hippy girl with unique voice, and Norbert, an eccentric guy who played his guitar excellently.

When I was there, there were two parties. One was in the art gallery, hippy party. The other one was reggae festival. Awesome! I liked both of the parties. In the art gallery, first time I saw fire show. It was incredible! And because the ticket for the reggae festival was expensive, so we didn't get it. But we had fun outside the venue, because people were jamming there, dancing, drinking... Fuuuun!

When I was about to leave Pai, I felt so sad. It was the longest time I stay in one place when I'm traveling. And it felt good. I was sad because I had to leave when I already knew the people there, when people knew me already, when I felt so attach to the place. It was sad...

Even I'm thinking to stay in Pai for good. Well I'll come back, sooner or later. :)

Meet and Break!

Well, now I'm going to tell you about my love life. Feel free if you want to skip this part.

This traveling was somewhat like a couple holiday. Because I had a long distance relationship with my ex-boyfriend and we didn't meet for two months. So we expected this holiday would be nice.

But life is really a big surprise, eh? Instead of felt happy about our met up, we broke up after 10 days together! We broke up in Pai and I didn't know why. I really left my heart for Pai. Pai gave me both good and bad memories.

Actually couple holiday is boring. And no one would talk to couples! So when we were together, altoghether three weeks, we spent only two of us. And somehow we both couldn't do like we always did before when we traveled alone. It felt not the same. But I still happy. I was happy because finally I could meet him again. But might be he was not feel the same way. I didn't know.

He introduced Pai to me. He has been there three years ago. And it was awesome he said. But when we were there, everything was not the same anymore like three years ago. And I knew he felt disappointed about it. But things are changing, we can't expect everything to be the same forever! So I thought when we were there he trapped in his own memories with Pai three years ago. It was so painful for me. Because he was there, but I couldn't even feel him! I knew his mind and his heart were not there with me.

After we broke up, it was very hard at the beginning. I didn't have someone to talk to and I didn't want to ruin someone's holiday by whining about my love life. So I kept it by my self. I had to be strong! I decided to stay together with him for the next 10 days. I knew it was gonna be painful for me by choosing to still stay together with him. But on the other hand, I realized maybe it would be the last time we met in the real life (well I hope not). So I wanted to spend it as long as I could. And since then, I started to feel jealous with another couples! Because they looked happy with each other, they seemed to be ok. Why we couldn't be like them??

Well, now I know next time I would never ever traveling with my boyfriend anymore! Ever!

Hitchhiking, Addictive!

I tried my first hitchhiking in Pai. It was fucking awesome! I got addicted to it.

My very first hitchhiking was a motorbike, only for short distance. Since then, altogether I hitchhiked three times in Pai. And the most cool hitchhiking experience ever until now was from Pai to Chiang Mai!

We decided to hitchhike because I wanted to experience the real hitchhiking. So we walked out of Pai. Some cars stopped by but they couldn't take us in because they didn't go to Chiang Mai. After almost half an hour walking, finally there was a car heading to Chiang Mai. So we got our ride, a cool pick-up!

At first, I was a little bit sick, because I didn't get used to it. But after some times, I could sleep good on the back. :) If we took bus, it took around four and a half hour from Pai to Chiang Mai. With hitchhiking only two hours. Better, faster, and cheaper it was for free! I want to do it more...

More picture from Pai

More picture about Meet and Break!

Life in Bangkok

2010-02-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

I never been to any countries but Indonesia. In Malaysia, only transit. So Bangkok was the first country outside of Indonesia where I stepped my foot in.

Bangkok! Home?

After stopped in Kuala Lumpur for a while, took another flight to Bangkok, finally I arrived in this elephant country. I had to wait for Ed at the airport. We almost couldn't meet each other, since he thought I was already gone to Khaosan. Since we arrived at midnight, so we decided to wait at the airport until morning comes. Suvarnabhumi Airport was a really nice place, sophisticated. Even we considered to spend our days in Bangkok at the airport, because you can sleep there, eat there, drink there, even take a shower there. And it provides you with almost everything, AC, benches, restaurants, toilet, book store, and music! hehe.. But we didn't do that, no worries.

In the morning, we went to Khaosan Road by tourist bus! Not so easy to find a hotel around Khaosan Road, especially we arrived there before 12 pm when normally people haven't checked out. So we walked to one hotel to another asking whether they still have room. And we got a hotel with discount! Not so bad.

Bangkok was pretty much the same like Jakarta. Typical of big cities. I didn't really like it. Almost same city, same buildings, same traffic, even people looked the same. Well not so interesting. And since we don't like tourist attractions, so we didn't go to any of them. We wanted to go to floating market or jatujak market, but then we had to wake up in the morning and it was far, outside Bangkok. So laziness won. :D

And Khaosan Road and around were like another shopping center. You could find almost everything there. It was good. But then it made that place fucking crowded!

Are You Local?

What the difference does it make when I leave my country just to see the place which is almost the same like home? Where people also think that you're local and give you the same label? Well, actually it's nothing wrong to be locals, especially when you can get local price. ;) But since I was there with my ex-boyfriend, and he's a german (farang in Thai), so people would think that I was a local girl with a farang! And yeah, there people always thought that I was a Thai girl and always tried to talk to me in Thai! Jeez!

Don't get me wrong, it's all pure my opinion. I think in touristic places, local people do not treat local tourists as well as they treat foreign tourists! Same like in Ubud, same like in Bangkok, same like in Saigon, everywhere the same I think! But until now, Bangkok is the worst, well especially Khaosan Road and around.

You know in every tourist places, there must be street sellers. If you recognize it, you would know that they rarely offer their stuff to local tourists! As if they do not exist! Though sometimes it's good, because mostly street sellers are annoying!

I told you already that for me the worst until now is in Bangkok. One time I was eating with my ex-boyfriend in the restaurant, but he didn't eat. He just accompanied me. After I finished my food, I asked for the bill, and the waiter gave the bill to my ex-boyfriend instead of me! Hey I was the one who ate here, did you think I couldn't afford my own food!?

Another local-look-alike experience, also In Bangkok. Mostly in every touristic places, hotels do not allow local people to get inside the room. Once, after worked and before we ate, my friends wanted to take a shower. So they must get back to their hotel. So together we went to their hotel and when I was about to get inside the hotel, the lady there asked about my id, and she asked me in Thai! Errrr... So my friends had to explain to her that I was not a Thai. She didn't believe it, so she asked for my passport. Here, you can keep it! Err I was fed up!

The funny thing was when they knew I was not a Thai, they treated me well soon after that. Funny.. So funny!

Back to Bangkok!?

I spent most of my traveling time in Pai. When it was almost close to the end, I had to go to Saigon, because my flight back home was from there. I could do overland to Saigon, but I only had 10 days left. And if I wanted to do overland, I had to pass either Cambodia or Lao, and both needed visas. It would be more expensive. So I decided to take plane, but then I had to go back to Bangkok. Oh my God!

At the beginning, I thought my another 4 days in Bangkok would gonna be soooo boring. We arrived in the morning and we directly went to Khaosan Road. Ed left for Penang on the same day, spent maybe two hours in Bangkok before leaving. After he left, I was officialy alone. I supposed to feel happy because eventually I was alone. But no, I was not so happy, because I knew I would miss him so much the next days.

One thing I really missed about Bangkok only the street food! Noodle soup especially. So some hours after Ed left, I went to one of the best street food stall in Rambutri Soi, near Khaosan Road. The noodle soup didn't taste the same like the last time, but it was still good. After I finished and wanted to smoke, then I had to roll the cigarette. Oh yeah this rolling thing, I coulnd't find Sampoerna A mild there, I don't like Marlboro, so the only choice left was rolling tobacco. I couldn't roll, I always messed it up. When I was trying to roll my cigarette, for maybe 5 minutes, then the guy next to me asked, "Do you want me to roll?" Oh thanks God! hehe... ;)

I didn't realize before that this guy would change my stay in Bangkok into an unforgettable one. Oh, his name was Roberto. First, we talked about cigarette, and he told me I could buy Sampoerna here. WOW! So in the evening, I met him in his work place, a club (but the club was fucked up)! There he introduced me to his partner, Diego. So we three went to find Sampoerna. But we couldn't find it. :( We went back to the club and they introduced me to their friends. But because these two guys were good looking and people rarely saw them with a girl, so many people looked at me jealously. Moreover, they must think that I was a Thai girl, ooh made everything more perfect! :|

Even a lady boy wanted to hit me at first, Diego told me the next day. Jeez! The midget always looked at me from head to toe. Another girl always looked sad everytime I was with them. People changed their behaviours to Rob and Diego when they were with me. Ooh I felt bad because of it! but they assured me it was not my fault, but they made fun of me telling I had to be careful because people might do harm to me.

So next days I tried to be friend with their friends. And it worked! Day by day, things were getting better. :) So soon my second time in Bangkok was very good! Rob and Diego have been there altogether three months, so no wonder they knew a lot about that place. And thanks God, we didn't have talk like most of tourists do, like "have you been to...?", "ah.. I've been there before, and it was...", "my plan is, I will go to..." I didn't like it. I never make plans, go with the flow. I don't have any Lonely Planet books. Everything more fun and challenging.

So did Roberto and Diego. We talked about life and people instead. Why they did like this, like that. Why they dressed like this, like that. It was a little bit funny, when sometimes I saw some people were very stylish. I didn't know whether it was the real them or not. Me myself when I'm traveling always try to be as simple as I can. So then I can carry less stuff. Another interesting thing was they even told me to distinguish between real girl and lady boy, straight guy and gay guy, hehe.. :D

Since I spent most of my time in Bangkok at Khaosan Road, soon I knew the place was crazy! Totally crazy! Even some said it's a heaven for backpackers, regardless the rate of violence which happened there. Many drunk people, people fought in the street. And for tourists, they cannot hit local guy and girl, if they do so, they could end up in jail. But they may hit lady boy.

I didn't stay in Khaosan Road though. I stayed in Phra Atit road, it was cheaper. And if I wanted to go to Khaosan Road, there was a shortcut to Khaosan Road from Rambutri Soi (the street next to Phra Atit Road) from the back door of Israeli place. There were two Israeli places and both provided free internet service and the food there was good!

When you eat something, even they give you chop stick, they must give you spoon, because it's impolite to eat without spoon. And oh yeah, Thai food was very delicious! Soooo tasty! And do not forget to try foot massage!

If you notice this, Thai language always put "cap" for men and "caa" for women at the end of every sentences to show politeness. Men always say "cap" firmly, while women say "caa" with long and low intonation. And mostly Thai people say the letter "R" not clearly. People who can speak the letter "R" clearly considered well-educated.

In Thailand, do not dare to say anything bad about The King if you don't want to end up in jail! Thai people love their king so much. Even in particular times, there will be a song being played and all Thai people will stand up to show their respect to The King.

In the end, I liked Bangkok because of the people there. They were awesome! :)

More picture from Bangkok

Let's Get Out of This Country!

2010-02-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

Started in Jan 13, 2010 and ended in Feb 10, 2010. It was my first time traveling outside Indonesia. So I was very excited about it.

My mom and my brother drove me to the airport, well I think it was the first time they drove me there, yeah they wouldn't see me for the next 4 weeks, so no wonder. Arrived at the airport, I still had some times before check in, around 2 hours away, so I was not in a hurry. I thought I could check in an hour before my flight departs.

I got inside the terminal right an hour before my flight departs, thought everything was gonna be all right, but I was wrong! The queue for checking in was sooooooo long! Jeez! So I had to wait, a little bit worry though. So I intended to cheat, I walked to the first queue and asked the officer whether I could check in now or not since I was in a hurry, but he said no! Oh ok! So, waited, waited, waited... After some times, I glanced at my watch, oh my god! My flight would be depart in 15 minutes! I didn't want to miss my flight! So I ran to the officer, told her about my problem, and I could check in! Oh thanks...

But it was not over yet. I had to pass the security check and immigration check. After all that finished, I ran again to the gate which is pretty far from the immigration desk. Ran, ran, and ran! I entered the plane 5 minutes before the door closed. Fiuhh...

So now, let's get out of this country!

Ready, Steady, Go!

2010-01-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

Finally.. After almost 5 months waiting, tomorrow I'll leave this country. Yeah, I'll be back though, but at least I won't see this country, Jakarta especially, for a month or maybe more. It's my first time traveling abroad. I'll see what will happen. ;)

See you!

2010, May You Bring a Very Good Luck for Me!

2010-01-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

Hello, we are GFJA family

I celebrated New Year's Eve with my second family, GFJA people. It was a really nice night. Good friends, good food, good music, drinks, I couldn't expect more! Spending time with them always bring some joy and fun to me. I really love them. :)

But stupid Hanny, I was too excited with drinks, like usual. Drank like crazy, dance like crazy, no wonder I got drunk and -this is embarrassing- puked! So again, my friends had to take care of me. Before I continue -I know this writing will really really embarrass me- I care, but what I do care most is I need to tell all this here, in public, so my bf knows that I told the truth. Ok, let's continue.. So it was the second time that my friends had to take care of drunk Hanny. Ohh bad me! I really thank them for this. :)

Well getting drunk always make me feel an inch to death, just like last night. I was so afraid. I could feel it. But the good thing is, because everytime I get drunk, I can feel what happen to me, what I say, what I do. I don't know why. Feels like my mind is still working properly, but of course hard to control, but at least I still can remember, but my body is weak, very weak. And I get tired and sleepy easily when I'm drunk. You don't believe it? Would you believe me if I say mushroom does not bring any effects for me?

Ya, at least I was drunk at the gallery, place where I feel safe. But bad people do exist. Something bad happened to me. Sorry I can't tell you what was that, because it's too sensitive. I only told people whom I thought related to this incident. Of course my bf is one of them. But after I told him about that, he didn't believe me and thought that I did bad thing also. :( I wasn't expecting a reaction like that to happen. I told him about all that because I don't want to hide something from him, especially thing like this. Huff.. when the truth is seen as a lie, what can I do? I strongly hope I can prove that I'm innocent. Well, I'm waiting...

Look at our hands, nice nail polish, eh? ;) and in the middle is our beloved, Oscar Motuloh

Cheers for 2010!

Have fuuuunnn...

Still sober, believe me. ;)

So this year began with a really-not-good thing for me, except the celebration. I hope it's only for this day, January 1st, 2010! I hope next days to come, a very good luck will always be with me. And I hope my bf will trust me. Amen!

Photos: Natasha Gabriella Tontey

Visa Problem

2009-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Once my boyfriend said, "The only problem about traveling is visa." I got what he meant at the first place, but never thought that it'd really screwed everything up!

My boyfriend is a German. He has been living in Indonesia for a year. And usually never got any problems with visa and bueraucracy here or something related to it. But today, he forgot that his visa runs out three days ago. His mistake, I know. So now he has to hurry leaving this country, otherwise he'll get penalty or worst, deported! But given these days are very close to Christmas and New Year, all price has set on the highest level. So it's hard for him to get the ticket to leave Indonesia! He has to take a ship to Penang instead. ahhh everything feels like pain in the ass!

Meanwhile here, I'm worried about him. I hope everything gets better soon and he can go back here soon as well. This thing makes me realised that visa problem does suck! Especially for Asian people, not all but almost.

For example, between Indonesian and Singaporean. Singaporean free to enter European Union countries, while Indonesian? We still have to pay the visa! Expensive and it's hard to get it! Jeez! Indonesia and Singapore is so close, just because Singapore is more develop than us, so western countries trust Singapore more. It's not fair though, but it's reality!

Why there's such thing called visa? My friend told me that they invented visa during world war to tell which side was on. Jeez those capitalists!

Visa sets during war. War made this thing happens! So no wonder, unity is hard to reach. People still set borders, still not believe in each other, still bla bla bla... Huff I imagine before, when war even a word that no one ever said, when people still believe in each other, when there were no borders, when everything was in harmony, when life might be more simple and easy. It was years ago. Even I don't know when was it. But I believe there was an era like that before. I'm longing to have one like that someday, though I know it's hard. And I'm pretty sure that we'd never live in peace afterall. Ever! Because we are all ready for the next war.

Hehe but why I'm talking about war here? ah irrelevant. ;) This writing ain't no deep, I just wanted to tell what I feel about visa even I never have experince about it yet. It's all because I'm worried about my boyfriend and his visa.

Well, life goes on including the visa problem. ;)

EnormouSight

2009-12-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Etimology

Enormous: Very large in size, quantity, or extent

Sight: The faculty or power of seeing

Well today we made a decision that EnormouSight becomes the theme of our, GFJA XV workshop participants, photo exhibition next year. From those two words which we make it into one, our interpretation is how we can see something in an extent way through the lens.

We're racing with time now due to our deadline in April! But we're sure we can make it. Make a great and memorable exhibition. :)

So, wait for my next stories updating this upcoming exhibition. :)

As We Go On, We Remember..

2009-12-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

Time goes by and now we're about to have our closing time. Some will have it by the end of this year and some will have it soon, soon! We are very happy about that yet sad knowing the fact that after this we have to say good bye to our togetherness at university. Leave all the beautiful memories behind and have to prepare ourselves for everything that comes toward us in the real life.

So today, we were freezing our joy and laughter into photograph. It would be the last gift for us which we can take a look at it someday in the future and say "I miss Komunikasi UI 2006 fellow."

Thursday, December 17, 2009. Teater Kolam, FISIP UI, Depok

PS: I love you. :)

Deadliner?

2009-12-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

I heard from I don't-know-who that the deadline to submit the proposal is Dec 7, 2009 if the person wants to present the proposal to the lectures this semester. I heard it maybe a month ago... and before today I alway laid down, did nothing.

But now I already finished it. Right before the deadline! And I finished it within a day. Haha... I'm so relief.. :)
I hope my lecture will approve my proposal so I can present it this semester before final test. Amen..

Finally finally..

Trouble is A Friend, Again!

2009-11-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

November ended with something annoying.. :(

Today, Nov 30, I lost my wallet!
Geez!! FOR THE THIRD TIMES!!!
I hate to explain in detail when I lose something. It sucks!
I just don't want to remember it anymore!
And if I can remember exactly where it was and how it could be lost, then probably it would have lost, wouldn't it?
*sigh*

I didn't know how I manage to lose it AND I didn't do it on purpose.
No one wants to lose something.. Neither do I.

What I hate when I lose something is my parents will mad at me and won't help me!
I mean, they won't try to cheer me up, yea mostly they will mad at me instead.
And say that I'm reckless! Maybe I am. But... argh!

This is at the end of the month!
A wallet of a student? No cash money inside!
But I have some cards, mmm.... I have to block it soon.
And I hate to take care of those cards to get the new one.
It takes time!

Last month, I lost my pocket camera.
Last year, I lost my iPod.
Before last year, I lost my two cellphones and my wallet.

Oowh see bad surprise does happen!
It's life! I have to deal with it.
Easy to say, but not easy to do.
Cliche...
But at least I have to try.

Goosfrabaaaa....
I have to let it go...
LET IT GO!

And now I'm thinking to change my stuff into a cheap one. hehe.. ;)

People's Shadows

2009-11-22T09:02:00.001-08:00

It's crazy I can't open my own blog on my laptop. I don't know why! And when I tried to open another blogspot, it didn't work either! Strange!

Just a quick and short post though. It's another random-thoughts about what have changed in my life this last 2 months. Mostly is about perception.

First. I believe people change their perception about me knowing I have a foreigner as a boyfriend. I don't really care about that though, but what I do not like is when the perception changes the way they look at me completely. It's annoying! The old proverb is true "Don't judge a book by its cover!"

Second perception that change is maybe about what people think knowing I change a little bit of my appearance. I do it not because of someone, I do it for myself. Anyhow soon or later I think I need it. And I think it's not a bad thing to do, so why not?

Ok now enough too much thinking. It's tiring.. I need to sleep. Though I think these perceptions will haunt me for the next days or maybe it will stay with me like a shadow for I-don't-know-how-long. Huff I hope not.. But let people do what they want to do.. As long as they're happy. But just don't intervene me to get my own. So everybody will be happy! :)

What's on Your Mind?

2009-11-17T08:50:00.001-08:00

"You're wrong if you think the joy of life comes from fuman relationships. God places all around, sets up everything, anything you can experience. People just need to change the way to look at those things."

-Alexander Supertrump/Christopher Johnson Maccandles - Into the Wild-

I remember this line because of my late night conversation with Karl about whining about love life. hehe... It's kinda funny, because before I liked to whining about love life most of the time, but then I thought it was ridiculous. Why should I worry too much about that thing? Problem in life is not always about love. So no worries. :)

I am Waiting for My Turn

2009-11-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

How is it like to be a travel journalist? Would be great I think. Can combine your passion and skill. And can go somewhere for free and paid as well, hehe budget traveler's motif. ;) I strongly hope I can be one someday. Amen..

And just today I had an interview to be a freelance repoter at one of the biggest media in Indonesia. But unfortunately I can't join them now yet given I still have plenty classes to attend in university.

Interesting thing for me was they were interested in my hobby, traveling. And after we finished the interview, they asked me about my prior and next trips. Wow! They said they want to develop their travel site and it would be nice if I could help. For sure, yes for sure! But not now. :( I really have to finish my study first!

Meanwhile, I just finished my chores, writing a travel notes about Gili Trawangan for Ransel, the magazine that my friends and I make in order to pass our subject in university. Still have another travel notes to write, later later. hehe.. Too tired now and have to wake up very early in the morning tomorrow. :|

So, good night! :)

Another Big Step in Your Life, Dear Friend

2009-11-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

Birthday mark the passage of time, they bring back wonderful memories, and they celebrate the lives of very special person...

like YOU... :)

It's for my dearest best friend, Marli Novita Simanjuntak.

Today, November 16, 2009, you turn 21.

Happy for you. :)

Wish you all the very best and always have wonderful surprises in your life. Good luck!

If you want to congrutulate her, you can do it here.

Midnight Ramblings

2009-11-15T09:47:00.001-08:00

I've been nowhere but home since this last 3 days, it makes my family happy I know, but it makes me bored. Hence some stupid thoughts slipped on my mind. :/ I'm sorry, you..

Just gave my laptop some rest today, and now I'm trying to write this post from my mobile phone. Wondering if it's gonna work or not. Hopefully yes. Before I intended to write this post in Bahasa, but then I remember what ED said some weeks ago. He said if you write with multiple languages on your website, it will lower your rating. So better you write in one consistent language. I don't know if that condition works on blog or not, but since I write in English from the beginning, so why not keep continuing it? My English is not that good though, but at least it can improve my English and hopefully enrich my vocab. ^^

And today my best friend is celebrating her birthday. Happy birthday to you, dear Marli Novita Simanjuntak. Wish you all the best. :)

I'm waiting for my midnight chat before I sleep. Hehe.. Hope tomorrow my self-alarm will work properly.

So, good night, people! Don't worry about hectic Monday: ;)

It is Sunday, People!

2009-11-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

Lazy Sunday, my favorite day to lay back.. :D

Anyway, it's Sunday, but I woke up early in the morning! It happened like this because of my self-alarm. It always makes me wake up in the morning, even when it's holiday! Sometimes this self-alarm helps, when I have to wake up early for university for instance, but anyone knows how to turn it off for a while?? Because if I turn it off, it's always hard to turn it on again. Strange!

As I always sleep late at night, I want to have longer and deeper slumber.. :| Why it's almost impossible to have it while I'm in Jakarta? I remember I always have good sleep if I'm on vacation, even I could sleep tight on economic train!

And stupid Hanny! My laptop was on for almost 24 hours yesterday, and last night I fell asleep so I forgot to changed its mode. Thus it died by itself! *Now I turn it on again, otherwise I would not write now* Given I'm not that expert in stuff like that, I was just wondering is it can make my laptop broken or not? I think my laptop needs rest, but I don't think having a day without laptop on and internet service. Nearly impossible. hehe... :D

Ok, I'm awake now. What to eat for breakfast? I was just thinking to make this dish, my favorite one, but I don't have any ingredients for it. Too lazy to get up and the most important thing is I can't cook! :(

I should learn how I think. Must be good for me. And why not trying something new? ;)

But now, I'll try to have some more sleep which I think it can't happen easily. hehe.. But I'll try. ;)

So... Happy lazy Sunday, people! Have a nice weekend. :)

I Have Been Writing All Day. If This was My Final Project, I am Sure It Would Have Finished by Now.

2009-11-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

Like I said, now I'm more into traveling than finishing my study. I don't know whether it's good or bad. :| Pick my destination, saving money, and then making an itinerary is a must. But beyond those things, something that much more essential is why am I traveling?

I'm bored with university and stuff. I need to see the world. I need to read more pages of this world, though I haven't been traveling outside Indonesia yet. ;) But why we have internet? It helps a lot for deciding my upcoming trips, for instance these travel blogs really make me want to jump to January 2010 as fast as possible. And well these inspiring quotes always can ensure me that traveling is a right thing to do.

I love to do solo traveling, it's a good way to know my own self. To know my own limit and explore the place that I visit. One famous writer, Paulo Cuelho knows exactly how to travel differently. I don't have any travel guide books. First, because it's expensive. And second, I don't really like going to touristic crowded places, and since everyone who travel might read the same travel guide books, so the places must be crowded. ;) I prefer to ask the local what is an interesting thing to do or where can I go to do sightseeing or whatever.

Since I'm still a student, I really hate when money becomes a problem! But then I realised that when there is a will, there is a way. I really believe in that.

And one proof, volunteer opputinites around the world could help us to make our traveling more interesting, and maybe we could get some money from it.

Well thing doesn't always work according to plan. Bad surprise does happen. But no worries, it's the part of the journey. We have to take it! And when something bad happens or we really lack of luck and broke on the road, at least we still can try to do this.

Good luck!

Let's get our own surprises. Happy travel! :)

Another Thoughts that Might Lead You to Your Surprises. Enjoy!

2009-11-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

Actually I have to write for the magazine that my friends and I make for our final test, but too lazy to do it. hehe.. I'm writing these random-thoughts of Stephan Stange instead. Why I write about him? Because I think he has a lot of stories to tell about his journey.

He is a German guy who hitchhiked all the way from Germany to the place he lives now, Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, Indonesia. It took one and a half year, more or less. You can read all his stories on his website, EDs Tramper Blog, but it's all in German. :|

Here is all about what I can catch from him (sorry EDtha if I'm wrong). And don't be upset if I write too much about you. I know you don't like putting yourself on the line. But I just think that what you thought about life is inspiring. So why not share it to other people? :)

"I'm traveling because I want to find my life. I want to escape my life from the system and society to find the real one."

"I was rich before, but I don't really like that, because when you have a lot of money; you don't have your freedom anymore. Same like when you have expensive stuff, it always makes you worried."

"I don't want to waste my life for the money machinery like most people do in western countries. School, uni, job, career.. all for money and "safe" life? And every boring day is the fucking same. How can I feel my life when I don't live it?"

"I like to have everyday different and unexpected. So I hitchhike and sleep wherever the wind blows me. I love that."

"On the road, heading somewhere without plan, guide, or destination. I'm looking for something that I don't know."

"What you need to start hitchhiking is just your mind. Your mind needs to be free. When your mind is not free, you will start to worry and then afraid of something. It won't make you start doing it."

"Why should I plan my life? Opportunities are everywhere if you open your eyes. That's what I learned from living."

"Somewhere on the road, I don't know where I am. I just keep walking, and I'm still alive. I like that feeling."

"When you travel, you will feel like giving yourself to other people. So do another travelers."

"I'm homeless when I'm traveling. Once, I ate friesh which had been left by someone at McDonald's. I don't care. But people must care and consider to that thing million times because it would impact their image. I don't care about image, because my mind is free. I hope everyone can experience this."

"The only worse thing about traveling is the visa problem. It costs money, time, and nerves."

"I want to feel a deepest lost. So then I would know how it feels and see if I could survive and live my life or not. Things must not be the same."

PS: If I remember something else, I will update this post. ;)

Where to Go Next?

2009-11-13T07:36:00.001-08:00

Currently in my last year at university, but then I started traveling. So instead of doing my final project, I'm making my itinerary. :D But I promise myself I will finish my study next year! Amen!

It's still two and a half month to go.. If everything runs well, I will leave this country for a month in January and February 2010. Hope I can make it! I'm very excited about this trip. :)

I haven't make my fix itinerary yet and I'm a flexible traveler afterall. I don't want to stick to my itinerary, it's boring. hehe... And there's more important now than making an itinerary, I have to save my money!!!

For those who want to travel to the same places (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), maybe these links could help. :)

Help you to make your itinerary:

Flights:

Overland by trains or buses:

Accomodations:

Guidances:

Meet another travelers:

Couch Surfing

Hospitality Club

Travbuddy

and... I want to go to this place...

To visit...

hehe.. SOMEDAY I WILL! :)

Let's get our own surprises. Happy travel! :)

Cheap yet Nice! Perfect!

2009-11-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

My sweetest escape with Stephan Stange in Tuk-Tuk Village, Samosir Island, Lake Toba for 6 days. We thought we would spend a lot of money since we stayed in a nice guest house, always ate delicious and "look expensive" meals, and beers and joints everyday and one day with mushroom. But then at the end of our small holiday, it was not that expensive! Cheaper than we thought! WOW!

I can't give you my fix itinerary since I didn't make one, hehe... But I will give you some things that might help. :)

How to get there:

- Airplane fare from Jakarta to Medan: fluctuating.

- Shared taxi from Medan to Parapat (if you want to go directly to lake toba): 70.000 IDR/person. You can choose either Paradep Taxi or Raja Taxi.

- Boat from Parapat to Tuk-Tuk: 7.000 IDR/person.

Accomodation:

- Room rate is starting from 30.000 IDR to (approximately) 300.000 IDR.

- Food price is reasonable.

- Cheap beer is at Liberta Guest House: 18.000 IDR/bottle.

- Tuak drink is around 20.000 IDR/bottle.

Things you can do:

- Swimming in the largest volcanic lake in the world.

- Cruising the lake with boat.

- Batak dancing every Wednesday and Saturday night at Bagus Bay.

- Relaxing!

So now, why not choosing Lake Toba as your next holiday destination?

Let's get our own surprises. Happy travel! :)

With 180.000 IDR, You Can Reach Gili Trawangan!

2009-11-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

Maybe some people have done more inspiring things. However because of them too I started traveling.

As I am a budget traveler, so the cheapest but quite human transportation or accomodation is always be my first choice. Hehe.. :D Tips for being a budget traveler is NEVER COMPLAIN!

Below was my itinerary for my Gili Trawangan, Lombok and Bali Trip in August 2-10, 2009. Check it out! :)

How to get there:

Sunday, August 2, 2009

- Kertajaya, economic train from Jakarta to Surabaya: 43.500 IDR. Depart from Senen Station, Jakarta at 4.15 pm and arrive at Pasar Turi Station, Surabaya at 7.30 am.

Monday, August 3, 2009

- Sri Tanjung, economic train from Surabaya to Banyuwangi: 19.500 IDR. Depart from Gubeng Station, Surabaya at 3.06 pm and arrive at Ketapang Station, Banyuwangi at 11 pm.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

- Boat from Ketapang Harbour, Banyuwangi to Gilimanuk Harbour, Bali: 5.700 IDR. Takes 45 minutes approximately and the boat will depart for every 30 minutes, more or less.

- Bus from Gilimanuk Terminal to Padang Bai Harbour: 35.000 IDR. Normal price is 27.000 IDR. I took the bus at midnight, departed at 2.15 am and arrived at 7.44 am, so it was more expensive. The key is you have to bargain!

- Boat from Padang Bai Harbour, Bali to Lembar Harbour, Lombok: 31.000 IDR. Departed at 8.30 am and arrived at 12.30 pm. The boat will depart for ever 45 minutes, more or less.

- Public vehicle to Cakranegara: 20.000 IDR and continued with another public vehicle to Bangsal: 15.000 IDR. Be careful! A lot of touts at Lembar Harbour. And don't ever forget to bargain!

- Boat from Bangsal to Gili Trawangan: 10.000 IDR. I arrived there at 5 pm.

Another expenses:

Gili Trawangan:

- For accomodation in Gili Trawangan, you can patiently walk from one guest house to another asking if there's still spare room. Or you can open this link, maybe it helps http://www.lombok-giliislands.com/pulau-gili-trawangan.htm

- Rent a bike: 40.000 IDR. Rent a fin and mask: 25.000 IDR. Cidomo for touring the island: 80.000 IDR. Don't ever forget to bargain! :)

- If you feel like to try diving, you go to the right place. But I don't know how much it cost to rent all the equipments, follow the lessons, and etc. But a diver there told me you don't need to have certificate to dive. :D

- For eating, I tell you where to have cheap delicious home made food. Go to the badminton field near the dock. There you can find one small restaurant where provide that food that I told. It's next to travel agent. :)

Bali:

- For accomodation in Bali, you know where to go for cheap hotels: Poppies Lane! I would recommend the hotel where I stayed, Tunjung Bali Inn in Poppies Lane 2. 100.000 IDR/night for single and 130.000 IDR/night for couple. Including breakfast. A nice hotel with swimming pool. Phone (0361) 762990. But if you don't really like Kuta, maybe you can try other places, like Ubud for instance.

- Rent a motorbike: 50.000 IDR/day, more or less. Bargain bargain bargain. The more days you rent, the cheaper deal you would get.

Things you can do:

Gili Trawangan:

- Snorkeling, diving, cycling, partying, drinking, eating, having fun!

- Every Wednesday night, party at Tir Na Nog, Irish Bar.

- Reggae performance at Sama-Sama Bar.

- If you like weed and mushroom, yes you can find it easily!

Bali:

- Surfing, sunburning, partying, having fun!

- If you're into art, Antonio Blanco Museum in Ubud is magnificent.

And I bet you know what to do there! :)

Don't ever forget to bargain. Having an ability to do it definitely will help!

Let's get our own surprises. Happy travel! :)

Sweetest Surprise

2009-11-13T03:49:00.000-08:00

Things were perfect when we were together for 9 days. But after I got back to Jakarta, here comes the trouble!

It was all my fault, so I decided to gave him a surprise by coming to Pematangsiantar again. :D I thought I was crazy because I just got back from Sumatra on Saturday and on next Thursday I flew back to Sumatra again. Maybe it was the craziest thing I've ever done for someone.

For he didn't know that I would come, so no preparation from his side. But I was so happy because I could see the real him. More natural, I liked that.

This time I was more into his daily life: his house works, his vespa business, and his surroundings. He's been living there for a year, but he can only speak a few words Bahasa. And I found out it was funny when he was about to deal with people there. Because some can't speak English and he can't speak Bahasa, but they can get along! Amazing! hehe...

And again, always raining when I was there. I intended to made a campfire, but it couldn't happen. But two nights I could see a lot of stars covering the sky there, loved it! And the rest, we only spent with doing little stuff. We really are lazy bastards and I figured out why he likes to stay in Pematangsiantar. Because that place is really fit for retired and laid-back people.

PS: Again, I forgot to bring something back. This time: Bubu, my lovely companion. Edtha, take a good care of Bubu, Ok? :)

Sweetest Escape

2009-11-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

Early October, some parts of Sumatra were hit by the earthquake. So sorry for them. :( That another big disaster worried everyone, so did some of my closest friends and family, because I would go to Sumatra. Yet not to West Sumatra, they were still worried. But it was not that hard to convinced them, thanks God! So I prepared my stuff and let's go to Sumatra!

Finally after one and a half month waiting, I got my ticket to ride! Holiday!!! Escape from my routines after hectic midterm test week. This time, my aim was visiting my boyfriend. :)

Friday, Oct 23, 2009. Ready to go! Flew from newest terminal of Sukarno-Hatta International Airport, nice terminal. :) And the plane was on time, I liked that! After around 2 hours and 15 minutes on the plane, finally North Sumatra! It was my first time and I always excited when visiting a place for the first time.

ED was already waiting for me outside the terminal. I was so happy to met him again. :) Finally finally... I missed him so much!!!

Medan, another big city. Before we went to ED's home in Pematangsiantar, we stopped by for a while to bought something and ate. I was very hungry! We took becak to a Carrefour. Becak with motorbike. For sure we will never find this kind of vehicle in Jakarta, but stupid Hanny! I forgot to take the picture of it. :(

I didn't find Medan is an interesting place to explored, so we just hurried and continued our trip to Pematangsiantar. It took approximately 3,5 hours to reached Pematangsiantar by shared taxi.

Almost midnight when we finally arrived in Pematangsiantar, so not many things that we could do. ED always said he lives in a barn, and I saw it by myself. Maybe it looks like a barn, but I like that place. A basic house with big garden.

Next day, I found out that Pematangsiantar was a "funny" town. Why funny? Because for me, that town was really different with Jakarta, for sure, and I think people there sometimes take care so much of another people. Maybe it's good, maybe it's not. Hehe... Everytime I wandered around the town with ED, even he's been living there for a year, still some people we met in the street called him, "Hello mister!" Hahahahaha... :D

Another funny thing was no girls go out at night! Maybe there was some, but I didn't know. mmm I wanted to tried tuak, so I asked ED to brought me to tuak shop where he usually drink tuak. But we had to ask some of his friends if it was good or not to brought me there. Hehe.. crazy! I said, why not? I want to go there? I can go everywhere I want in Jakarta. And again, stupid Hanny! Pematangsiantar is definitely not Jakarta. I forgot to adapt myself with the situation and condition there. :(

Only two nights in Pematangsiantar, after that we went to Tuk-Tuk Village in Samosir Island, Lake Toba. Another new place for me. Took one hour by Vespa to reached there.

Oh my goodness, Lake Toba was really impressive sight to the eye! When I was about to arrived there, I could see that that big lake was really mesmerizing, with the hills and village surrounded the lake. The weather was a bit cold, but I liked it. We took boat to get to Samosir Island, and it took around 45 minutes. We didn't go to Tuk-Tuk directly by that boat, we went to Tomok instead, because it was cheaper. 15 minutes drove, then we arrived in Tuk-Tuk. Again, my eyes were shimmering by the scenery. Small, quiet, and beautiful village! With nice weather. I love this place!

There was a lot of guest houses there, but almost all the places looked empty. Only few tourists there. We got a really cheap price for our room, 50.000 IDR/night. A traditional Batak house with upstairs balcony. I really liked that room. Food and drinks were not so expensive though. Maybe because it was low season. But then ED told me that about 15 years ago, a lot of tourists came to Tuk-Tuk, so people built guest houses. But some years later, people who went there getting less and less. And it happens 'till now. So, that's why price there is not so expensive, even it's touristy place.

We enjoyed our time a lot there.. But it was always raining all the time, so we could do nothing but stayed in our room or in the bar the whole day. Some times the weather was good, so we could swim in the lake or take a walk around the village. Enjoyed the view and feel the fresh air. Every Wednesday and Saturday night there's Batak dancing permormance in Bagus Bay. People there always singing all the time, greeting tourists, so friendly. You would never believe it when you only see their "hard" faces. It was really changed my opinion in a good way about Batak people, no offense but it was true. But one thing which I didn't really like was people always asked me about my ethcity. I don't like to ask nor answer about ethnicity or religion because somehow it could change your perception about someone.

Some nights there was funny and unforgettable moments between ED and I, like the electricity off when he was rolling a joint and before we ate mushrooms, we had a good conversations. Ah! Again, I tried mushrooms there. But still I didn't feel the effect. Strange! I really want to know the effect! ED and two other persons who were with us that night were really stoned. It was funny seeing them like that, hehe because I was sober. ;)

We spent six days in Tuk-Tuk. I was sad when I had to leave that place, because I knew I would miss this place so much. And I forgot to bring my scarf, I think it was a sign for me to be back there someday.

This place is highly recommended for relaxing and good for laid-back people. It was really the sweetest escape I've ever had. Thank you, Stephan Stange... :)

Check out my itinerary!

PS: Sorry I didn't take so many pictures there.

Monday Madness with Bureaucracy!

2009-11-13T00:11:00.000-08:00

Let's blame Henny for all the things that happened!

It was happening on Monday, August 24, 2009..

That morning I decided to apply for a new passport. So I went to The Immigration Office with a friend, Danny. *Thanks God I was with him.. Never thought that the process would really really pissed me off!

Ok. First, we went to the wrong place. The office has been moved to ... (I forgot), but it's not far away from the old one. I bought the form for 16.000 IDR. Wrote down all my personal informations then gave that form to the officer. He called my name and said that I have to bring the authentic documents (family card, birth card, id), not just their copies. Ok then, I went back home again to took those authentic documents! It took about 10 minutes to go to The Immigration Office-my home. It's not that far, huh? When I showed my family card to Danny, I said, "Dan, there's something wrong with my family card. They wrote down my name wrongly. Look! It's written as HENNY DWI JAYANTHI! It's not me! So I put an A sticker on the E." He was just amazed with thing that I did, and we laughed! "Ok, we'll see what will happen then," he said. Got back to The Immigration Office, I gave my documents and waited for about 5 minutes. Then a lady called my name and here came the trouble! She asked, "What's wrong with your family card? Is it authentic?" *Na,uh.. I knew she would ask me for that thing*Bravely I said, "Sure this is authentic, I know there's something wrong with my name. So the person in The District Office put a sticker on it." *Oh God I blame someone else for what I did. So rude!* "But we can't accept it," the lady said "You have to go back to your District Office and ask them to make PM 1 Letter telling that your family card is authentic." OH GOD! It was really annoy me! Danny just laughed and said, "I knew this would happen. hahahaha.. You're crazy by putting the sticker on your family card! hahahaha..." Ahhh... Fucked up!

I have bad experiences with bureaucracy, especially with my own District Office, Kelapa Gading Timur! First, I told the lady in the front desk about what was happening, she said I have to come inside and tell someone there. Ok. Then I came inside, and what I found was 6 men were just chatting and did nothing! *Man, I know this is Ramadhan! But hey do your job!* I talked to one of them, who was a security guard and he was so arrogant! He said I have to bring a cover letter from my home-area leader. Oh God didn't tell me to get back home anymore. Why didn't you just help me!? Geez!! I talked to the wrong person! Where the hell was the real officer!? I was so pissed off! No wonder I suddenly became so angry with him! Then there was an officer came and talked to us. God thought he would help me but he didn't! He even made the situation got worst! He told me to change my family card in the Citizenship Office!! OH MY GOD WHAT WAS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!? YOU KNEW IT WOULD TAKE TIMES!! Danny tried to calming me down and he took over my responsibility. He talked to the officer! I went out from the office and calmed myself down!

I remember about 3 years ago, when I got my ID card, it was wrong too. Again, it was written as HENNY DWI JAYANTHI! Ok Henny, you caused me in trouble for two times! I would never forgive you on the third times! Oh, is my name really hard to spell correctly? It's Hanny NOT Henny! With A NOT E! Oh come on!? And why most of the people in the bureaucracy are not so helpful!? They should help us! I really hate it!

Then Danny called me, asked me to talk to the supervisior. He said, "Be patient for awhile. The bureaucracy does suck, but you need them. If you resist them, you wouldn't get anything that you want." Ok. So I talked to a man about my problem, and he could help me, but he intensily looked for money. GEEZ!! After he finished with the letter for me, I paid him 20.000 IDR. Oh ok.. That easy money thing still happen.

I got the letter but we were too tired to go back to The Immigration Office. So, we just went to Gallery.

And the day after I went to The Immigration Office, gave all my documents, got my date for photo and interview

Hope everything will be ok. So I can get my passport immediately. Amen..

Things that I learn were: I have to be ultimately patient when dealing with bureaucracy and so with anything else; the process is the most important thing; this is a little part of my journey that I have to deal with, there are more upcoming things that I have to deal; I HAVE TO CHANGE MY FAMILY CARD!! WHO THE HELL IS HENNY!? HAHAHAHA....

It is Just The Beginning!

2009-11-12T22:53:00.000-08:00

"And I'll remember those moments for evermore, as the days where nothing had changed at all."

Even though I've been traveling for several times to several places, but I can say that my Gili Trawangan and Bali trip was my very first the real traveling experience ever. Because I knew no one in those places, so I had to be ready for every things that might came towards me. The good and the bad.

First destination of my trip was Gili Trawangan. I started on Sunday, August 2, 2009. It took two days to reach there from Jakarta. Pretty long time because I took economic trains, boats, buses, and my own feet as well. Felt quite hard though because I had my first day period. Was so glad I could overcome it.

I had to stop for seven hours in Surabaya, my first time there. Just sightseeing a little bit. Continued my trip, I hopped out at wrong station in Banyuwangi, but thanks God I realised it, so I quickly hopped in to the train before it left me.

There, I met someone who was heading to Lombok as well. So we traveled together since.

On Tuesday, I arrived in Gili Trawangan. So exhausting yet fun. When I stepped on my foot on that island, I was so fascinating by the scnenery. Beautiful...

But I felt like a stranger in my own country. Guess I was the only domestic tourist there. This August was so busy. Really really a lot of foreign tourists! Hard for me to got a place to stay for two nights. Then I ended up in a not-really-nice place to stay and salty water for shower. And it was expensive for a room like that, 150.000 IDR/night. Geez! I had to take it as the part of my trip. I couldn't expect everything will always going well because life doesn't always work according to plan.

This island was so peaceful. No cars, no motorbikes, only bycycles and cidomos. You can smell the fresh air, feel the sun, walk safely, enjoy the scenery, splendid! Also you can snorkel, dive, eat, party, have fun! No wonder this island is so famous with its beautiful scenery and every night party.

I did my first snorkel there. So challenging, but I got souvenirs. I hit the reef, and my knee, my calf, my sole, my little finger were wounded. Haha I don't know why I always hurt myself! Weird! But you would never learn if you never made mistake! :)

Famous on the island, Tir Na Nog, an Irish Bar. Every Wednesday night party in that bar. Luckily, I got my Wednesday night there, so I came and stopped by for a while. Crowded! I saw a competition, drank beers from mask. Hilarious!

I wasn't partying there, I sat and drank in another bar nearby instead. Enjoyed full moon, talked to the bartenders, and tried my very first mushroom and weed! :D The mushroom which made into a banana juice was also expensive, 125.000 IDR/glass, but I got the weed for free! hehe.. Anyway, the bartender told me that before 2008, people could easily smoked weed and drank mushroom there. But the cops did an operation in 2008, so today, it's not that free anymore. But trust me, mushrooms and weed are still everywhere! haha..

Gili Trawangan is a really nice place to have fun, quit for a while from daily routines. I just made a few friends there, because I thought people who came to that island came in a group of people and already had plans to do. While me? Alone and just went with the flow...

I left Gili Trawangan on Thursday morning. Met another domestic tourists whom I thought they were not exist here. hehe.. Then we traveled together to Bali.

Hello Bali! I stayed in Tunjung Bali Inn, Kuta. The place was good. I didn't expect a good place like this with a cheap amount to spent, 100.000IDR/night. And later, this place would leave unforgettable memories for me. :)

First night, I really hate myself because my mind was still trapped in Jakarta thinking about something useless. I spent my first night, sat on the bench at the pool side, stared at the beautiful August full moon, drank, smoked, and talked to myself. Gloomy... Then I saw a guy on the second floor stood on his porch. I didn't know what he was thinking about, but I was so surprised when he came downstairs, sat next to me, drank together, and started a conversation. His name was Josh. He really opened my mind. He was a stranger so that I didn't have something to worry about when I talked to him. Then in a couple of time, another guy came, talked to us because he heard us spoke in Spanish. His name was Zbyszek. We spent a really nice night together, talked about anything, shared stories about our cultures. Cool!

Friday, I went to Ubud. Ubud was a nice place, but I thought the local people there were not really nice to domestic tourists. I don't want to talk about this, just feel free when you come to Ubud. The place is really nice and full of things to see, especially arts. I went to Antonio Blanco Museum, artsy and magnificent!

Uluwatu Beach for the next day. Josh gave me a ride. My first experience ever rode a motorbike with a foreigner. haha.. :D The beach was not so bad and Josh found a little cave there where we could enjoy the ocean. :) On our way back, we enjoyed sunset at Kuta Beach. Funny, I realised that when the sun goes down, you can easily find a lot of domestic tourists. But when the sun is on the top, it's hard to find them. ;)

For Dinner, Josh told me that Mexican food is so tasty. So I tried Vegetable Enchiladas. Yummy.. Thanks Josh, you were right! After, we walked down the street in Legian. Sat in front of unfinished temple, still full moon, nice night. Josh is really a nice guy, easy to talk to, adaptable, hilarious, always cheer me up, and I learnt a bunch of new and meaningful things from him.

Sunday lovely sunday. Josh, Zbyszek, Ewelinka, and I went to Dreamland. I thought Dreamland is more beautiful than Uluwatu Beach, yet more crowded.

Ewelinka had a same camera with me, Canon EOS 400D. Suddenly I missed Nona, I didn't bring her on my trip. I didn't know why but I thought Zbyszek and Ewelinka were very expressive. I like them a lot!

Later on that day, we spent our night at the beach, drank Arak Bali with Coca Cola. Went back to our hotel, drank beer at the pool side, talked, laugh, fun! Then another friend, Edward, joined us. It was a really awesome night and it was my last night in Bali...

My last day in Bali... We spent it with ate lunch together. And all of us ate rice for lunch, so we had to use spoon. I know they're not usual to use spoon for eating. :D Ahh I forgot to tell about my watch, Classic Casio Calculator. My watch is always be the one that impress anyone, all the way from Gili Trawangan to Bali. Even Zbyszek wanted it. While I write this, he already got his watch from Jakarta.

I spent my last hour at Kuta Beach with Josh, meanwhile the others went to monkey forest. We both were happy we met each other. Felt we've known each other for years. :)

Different person, different personality and mentality. That's what you can learn when you meet someone new. Learn not to be selfish, learn to see things in different perspectives, learn to appreciate the differences. We are all different, but unite. Respect each other is all we have to do. I was so glad I had an opportunity to meet them. Bali will always be beautiful for me and it wouldn't be the same Bali without them. I hope we can meet each other and can be all together again someday. It was really quality times with them. I miss all of you!

This trip was so amazing. A lot of things I did for the first time. I could feel a very good vibe. I was so grateful I had the chance. I didn't buy anything but priceless experiences, good moments, beautiful stories, precious lessons, and endless happiness!

As for me, this trip was just the beginning. I wouldn't know my own limit if I didn't travel somewhere. I really want to see the world, because the world is like a book. If you only see one place, means you only read a page. The one and only thing I hate about traveling is going home. I hate to go home, but I have to! Every journey has an end. However if it would be endless, it wouldn't be so much worth. So I can't wait for another trip. More and more!

See you around. :)

Check out my itinerary!

A Piece of Cake for Jakarta

2009-11-12T21:15:00.000-08:00

June 22, 2009

I bought a little piece of cake to celebrate Jakarta's 482 birthday.

I brought that cake around the city and asked people whom I met randomly in the street to blew up the candle and wrote down some wishes for Jakarta.

Here they are...

Andy - English teacher

1. Equal education for all people

2. Cleaner waterways

3. Continued acceptance of all persons regardless of race, faith, gender

4. Improved traffic system using electricity or natural gas as fuel

Trias Kenn, Lutfia Hanif, Anisa Shoffiyana - Students

Happy birthday untuk Jakarta yang ke-482.

Moga tambah tertib ae yah..

Buat masyarakatnya, ayo berusaha memperbaiki Jakarta! Haha.. :)

Irfan

I love JKT!

M. Fahrudin F. - TransJakarta Officer

Selamat ulang tahun untuk kota Jakarta.

Semoga Jakarta semakin bersih dan bebas dari banjir

Leshtia - Reporter

Selamat ulang tahun ke-482!

Semoga Jakarta ga macet lagi!

Anwar and Andri S. - Policemen

Met ultah Jakarta!

Semoga semakin maju dan ga macet lagi!

Stella and Bella - Street musicians

Met ultah Jakarta!

Semoga para koruptor ditindas dan orang kecil selalu diperhatikan.

Semoga Jakarta semakin baik lagi.

Soto Betawi Family, Tanah Abang branch

Selamat ulang tahun Jakarta.

Semoga tambah lebih baik dan lebih maju.

Diki - Bajaj driver

Selamat ulang tahun Jakarta!

Semoga sukses selalu!

Kaka, Deka, Adam - Street musicians

Selamat ulang tahun Jakarta yang ke-482!

Semoga Jakarta panjang umur.

MIND/PASSION

2009-11-12T20:32:00.000-08:00

This was my very first photo exhbition.
I did it along with my friends from Photography Workshop XIV at Antara Photojournalism Gallery.
The exhbition was held in april 18-May 16, 2009.
I was so grateful I could make it. It was so amazing to be a part of an exhibition!

Science of Silence

Kukup Beach, Yogyakarta

Being Around

Bogor Station, Bogor

Waiting for The Journey to The North

Bogor Station, Bogor

Shake It Up, Baby!

La Piazza, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta

Spectacle

Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta

Abandoned People

Petak 9, Kota, Jakarta

Life is about Choice

Muara Angke, Jakarta