Jakarta

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. :)

Happy Eid Mubarak!

Happy Eid Mubarak for those who celebrate it!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It Ain't Short!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Journalistic Class XV

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

The day!

Magazine interface

Web interface

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

So yeah, 3 months is ain't short!

Get Out from Jakarta for Breakfast and Photo Shot!

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

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

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

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

Annual Reminder, Birthday!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's April Again!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENJOY YOUR APRIL! :) :) :)

Jakarta Amazing Race!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deadliner?

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..

What's on Your Mind?

"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. :)

Midnight Ramblings

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!

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.

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! :)