Anyone knows what that means?
It's a small sentence with big impact - happened in 2009.
Something that went down like this...
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Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said:
"THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?"
A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.
To Whom It May Concern,
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans).
They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins, stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia.
Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.
Mermaids don't exist.
If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human?
They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they do not have kids either.
Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl whose skin is all scaly and smells like a fish store?
The choice is perfectly clear to me... I want to be a whale.
P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy a treat with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a have a latte with my friends.
With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.
Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good gosh, look how smart I am"!
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Personally, set aside this wonderful letter, I don't agree on being a mermaid OR being a whale.
It's just too... EXAGGERATING! and WHY on earth do we need to choose? Should we became a victim of whatever industry?
Mermaids are pretty and mesmerizing creatures, but they just don't exist. I don't want to spend my existence in this world just to be a myth!
Whale are beautiful in their own way too. But the size of a whale has been made as jokes for years..
Remember this one? How do you turn a woman into a whale? ... You marry her! HA! Not funny!
Unfortunately, women are stuck in a world where SIZE is a ongoing commodity.BIG in one country can be considered small in another country - all depends on where you live on the globe. From general aesthetic point of view that is shaped in our current culture, a woman should have just the right proportion and curves. Not too thin, and not too fat.
Let's be grateful that the fashion industry is banning those super-skinny models from international catwalk and appreciating more of healthy/fit up till plus-size models with real curves. Health departments (esp. from big countries) are also very concern about those who are obese - all thanks to the fast food industry and consumerism. Both brings such disturbing images - never a good example for our younger generations.
Nevertheless... how thin or fat you may be, be happy and healthy. So.. Girls, are you happy with you CURVES? ;)
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As part of my annual PPR (Performance Planning and Review), I had to complete Workplace discrimination and Harassment-Legal Compliance course. I have obtained the certification after taking the test on the end of the course. As the name indicates, the course contains Australian Legal Compliance of Discrimination and Harassment.
The course contains
* worker’s right to have flexible working days
* what are the appropriate behaviors to your boss, college and sub-ordinate
* Everyone has equal right for a position
* What behaviors / company policies that are considered as discrimination and harassment.
This 90 minutes online course was very interesting to me, they sounds too good to be true. According to my friend’s stories, most of Indonesian company would be breaking ALL this regulations. Here are some examples:
* In Indonesia, it is normal to advertise a job ads, with specific race , religion, political views, physical performance requirement.
Wanted: an admin person who is loyal, honest and hard worker, minimal degree: Bachelor (S1) , Chinese. - “Dicari admin, syarat: jujur, setia, pekerja keras, minimal S1 dan chinese background”
In Australia, that’s the number one rule of discrimination, people have the right to any jobs. Even this job ad is considered “indirect discrimination”: Looking for a truck driver with excellent written and oral English. (Why would a truck driver need an excellent English skill, well this ad read: wanted Australian –native truck drivers)
* The common Corporate Executive behaviour “Your boss is your master, don’t like your job and how your boss treat you, then QUIT and find another job”
Australian workers are very privileged; they have the right to have flexible working days, so they have time to look after their personal need, kids and any other arrangements.
Most of my friend who works in Jakarta, they work more than 12 hours per day/ with no flexible working days, Some is lucky enough to get paid overtime.
* Another common Corporate Executive behavior “great employees works with the system, they don’t complain, they just do their jobs, but if they DARE to complain about me, They’re out… but if I still need them, I will face them out slowly“
Yes… an employee can’t lodge a complaint about his/her situation, they are meant to deal with it. Dealing with this unfair working condition is seen as strength, as one of the aspect that employers are looking for. Isn’t that TWISTED?
An Australian company must deal, documented, and respond to the complain seriously, and the employee who lodge the complain must not be treated differently, or they organization could be charged with “Victimization”
* Don’t get me started on disability workers - THEY DON’T EXIST IN INDONESIA, if you’re disabled, you’re screwed!!!!
It is very highly unlikely that some one will hire a person with disability; most of them end up in their relative care or work independently with low wages. (I see this first hand, one of my auntie is living with disability, for all her struggle, she is a brave woman, love her so much)
Again, Australian workers had it easy, there’s a lot of access of person with any kinds of disability. They could travel with public transport, and their employers are obliged by law to provide them with any of their disability needs.
Yes… I salute the Workers without Privileges (Indonesian Workers), shame on me for complaining about my job.
Although I can’t help but wonder, when will these condition change? When will these “Corporate Executive” even consider the idea of implementing workplace discrimination and harassment polices?
Most of these “Corporate Executive” are big with their seminars of self development (potential development), business development seminars. When are they going grasp the idea of happy employee might contribute productivity growth?
Hopefully SOON.
Again .. Salute to all hard-working people in Indonesia.
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Despite of all the hard facts in front of our eyes... I believe that Indonesia is not the only country to deal with "workers without privileges". A lot of Asian countries, Middle Eastern countries, and most probably ex-Soviet countries are in this mud together.
Most people will think twice to out-rule their superiors or speak the truth (if there's any harassment, discrimination at work, etc) because they feel "I am lucky enough to still be able to work", so they suck it up, let the issues go.. and so it's like a circle all over again.
Ignorance may come as a bliss, sometimes. But IGNORANCE (alias "pembiaran") at something as basic as Human Right (in this case: at work) will only enhance and strengthen the wrong perceptions about Worker's Right.
Want a good example of someone fighting for Workers Right? Marsinah. and her unsolved case in 1993. Apparently, at that era, she was as good as dead. Read her case from VHR Media.
The British are outraged and shaken by this new ad campaign from Marie Stops International. Surely because it “talks” about… ABORTION to women. Such a BIG word for humanity issue, right?
Although, initially, Marie Stops actually provides consultancy for “what do to if you find yourself unexpectedly pregnant and unsure what to do” (taken from its website).
Are we coming to the time when “abortion” can be sold and or persuaded to women just like diet cokes? Will this be written as an efficient example in the upcoming book “Marketing-for-Women-etc”? Have advertising cross the humanity line?
Most importantly, is this too controversial for you?
"Experience is simply the name we give for our mistakes." Oscar Wilde
The result of the equation of our personal life is not always positive. YES. Green light. Available. Success. Sometimes, if not most of the times, we bump ourselves into the negatives. NO. Red light. Unavailable. Failures.
As human, it is absolutely normal to make mistakes. Mistakes makes us human. However, it is wrong to dwell on our puddle of mistakes and seek for comfort in it.
Turn the table around, put your mistake on positive spotlight, see it in an uplifting and clear point of view.
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things that I can, And the wisdom to know the difference."
These words has been my source of self-encouragement throughout these last few years. As i whispered it to myself when I'm down, i somehow feel the urge to get back on my own two feet, and get back to life. However, one need to be willing to let go of all the burdening questions and willing to accept life as simple and as cruel as it is.
Originally written by Reinhold Niebuhr, the "prayer" is usually used as an encouragement statement for those people involved in group therapy: for narcotics, alcohol, etc. anonymous. It is embedded in thetwelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, dependency, compulsion, depression, or other emotional and behavioral problems.
This strong words have been used broadly from sermons, musical lyrics, movies, and other self-encouragement books.
Here's the full version of the original prayer:
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Serenity. Courage. Wisdom. I am bound to those words so deeply that I may (one day) have it inked on my skin :)
they say resolutions. i say expectations :) Here i share some of mine.
be a Happier person!
... ♫ fall in love recklessly <3
do sport and be thinner! (although i know that i always fail to do this, it has to be on the list) *Shop less.. Girl, take a good look at ur full closet hahaha (Ruud gave me this idea. I am no sure of this, not sure at all) read more books, improve limited vocabs
write more (useful and informative) BLOG entries
explore Jakarta and be in love the city (eventually)
be able to drive around, independently
learn another La-La-Language for fun
get closer to the Divine
"Expect Great Things; Attempt Great Things" -- William Carey, 1792
Skin was still very very dark from my trip from Bali and Uge. and I was still eager to burn myself even more. Ok, what happen in Uge stays in Uge haha..
Watching Diana Krall's concert with Goldie was lovely indeed.
February... What Valentine?
I met Zee for the very first time (in Burger King Thamrin - after waiting for around two hours!), and got myself a new best friend in a blink :)
Love life was so low, esp on Valentine's day. But Chikha gave me Starbucks' chocolate cupcake topped with colourful hearts. nyam! *Update: I suddenly remember that on last year's Valentine's day - i got myself a free dvd player hahaha
Putri and Dave came to town! wonderful dinner and hilarious talks and meaningful eye-glances were involved hahaha
Got myself an outrageous decision to visit Australia with my baby B. Too bad, i missed meeting Lina since she was in Indo (argh!!!!). Melbourne was just another Jakarta for me; loved Sydney for it's somehow-similarity with Madrid; Goldcoast theme parks and the stay-up-all-night-since-we-wanted-to-save-money-for-hostel night under the stars was extremely tiring yet remarkable.
However, i missed Zee's bday :( - and i missed meeting Alex :p
March. Crashing Aussie and every other places.
Still wondering around Australia for several days. Coldplay superb concert in Melbourne was also one of the reasons why i went to Aussie. Details! Missed my Mom's bday too :( but i managed to give her some nice souvenirs from Aussie :)
Involved myself in another spontaneous getaway plan. No, actually Chikha was the devil - in a good way (?) for not letting me be miserable and regretful in the future. Thank you girl!
Came to a weeding in Bogor with the girls, and spent a nice eve at Kedai Kita :) I did crash several weddings now and then hahaha
Skipped the Java Jazz Festival this year. no urge. no urge.
April. Long live the Queen!
Friend's wedding was coming up in 2 weeks. Chikha and I agreed to help and make ourselves Wedding Organizer duo :P - a very challenging project it was.
The shocking news about the killing attempt of the queen of Holland was almost ruining the big reception at Ritz-Carlton. almost. however, a reception without Mr. E was not as fun :(
i guess i still miss some points here.... when was our trip to Kebun Raya Bogor and Museum Gajah? Zee.. Ari... help :S
May. all my friends be merry and gay.
Sneaking around and got bitten by mosquitoes before surprising Ari on her bday at Kafe Pisa :) i got licked too... i think it was Ari. or Zee? hmm..... *Update: ARI licked me!
and on the same day, I got very busy with the wedding! it's was successful and almost everybody was happy. at least i was. i got to sing and to bring lots of good food home hahaha
It's a 3days 2nights with my girls (and boys) in Singapore :) while half of us team was crazed with shopping and pre-wedding-ing, Ari, Zee, and I was busy over-torturing ourselves by walking around to experience another side of Singapore.. temples and markets. So we have experienced metro-tour, walking-tour, and car-tour (with great thanks to Sham).
Sukabumi with Chikha and Ruben :) for the weekend - a culinary trip indeed!! I took pleasure of every flavour tingled in mouth, and gain weight in an instant. uhm 3kg in 2days? that's hilarious.
My old and dear friend from Ambon came and we spent some hours all together. Gosh, I haven't seen Natalia in 10 years!
Dominik and Lilith came to Indo for holiday. a week in Jakarta, another week in Bali. the whole group reunited in Jakarta for few days. Odd moments risen, as well as old flames. and of course, in the end, we all get burned.
June... i stay alone.
Another month alone at the office. Lame.....
July be my birthday :)
More wedding crashing! and off to the Public which was apparently going to be closed the day after.
My birthday was around the corner and i didn't really mind about not having surprise party. It is written that my bday is forgettable. Yet, my beloved friends caught me off guard. I was very very touched T.T with the cake and the kisses. I had a fun weekend - a home-cooked meal of tempe and sambal, and Harry Potter at Blitz.
However... my bday was not complete because Ari was not around T.T and B almost (arrrrgggggh!!!!) missed my bday.
and i miss some stuff happened in July. I mean was my July really that lame? xD did i cut my long long hair and missed it instantly in July?
August comes too soon
Supposedly, i went to Java Rockin Land. but i went to...
Jogjakarta. This time it's to commemorate 1000 (Javanese) days of my father's pass. I also took the time to go around Jogjakarta with my dear friend Beni, went to Solo to Ardy-Nita's reception, and visited some tourist attractions with my mom and sister. That was fun :)
I saw Ardy&Nita again in Jakarta for our small gathering with dear friends from Amsterdam. The event that was suppose to be just us 10.. turned out to be just us 20 people hahaha..
Ujung Genteng (again) with my beloved girls (and boys). a trip without scandal, at last hahaha..
Shhh.. and a daring ride with Ari! Super thumbs up for her super bravery riding motorbike on super high-risk tracks with high-risk weather. Near-death-experiences to the max! totally advanced!
September to remember!!
People lined up to get Visa on September! with a great luck, i managed to get mine one day prior to my departure.
So, i boosted myself by buying iPod Nano (purple) and filled its 16GB space with songs, songs, and songs. At last, i fulfill one of my personal wishes.
and yes, I went to Holland! For office stuffs. I called it my Selligent trip. At first, i really couldn't believe that it's real. even after i stepped my feet on Holland's busy Schipol airport. It's like coming home after years of longing :) Another personal wish fulfilled.
Reminiscing the good old days, hanging out with my good old friends, eating falafel and lays chips and hero onbijtvrucht, doing nothing and be happy about it, loving the cold weather, and indulging myself in bra-shopping ;)
Fons has been very wonderful to me :) we had Spanish dinner at that little place in Zeedijk. He even gave me a gorgeous shirt + tank top as my farewell present.
Got away to Prague for a nice weekend getaway with baby C. Praag is Prachtig! If i do have the time and the money, i really wanna to go to Czech Republic again.. and spend some more days wandering in Prague's streets.. maybe even go to other fascinating Eastern European countries. and maybe i'll finally have the gut to try the excrutiatingly herb-sy taste of Becherovka.
Missed Ika's wedding - several days after i went back to Indo.
I learned what "cinta mati/cinta gila/cinta buta" means. To be loved so deeply can be beautiful and deadly at the same time...
October quite a battle
Even though the bachelorette party was canceled... (my condolences for Alex), my diet was a scam (there's no way i can be thinner in a week hahaha) but at least we did managed to gave Lala & Jose a kinky gift for their marriage!! and we managed to come in our silver "armour", doing all the crazy things at the reception. Uhm.. I suddenly wanna see the video.
Office work, updating database and preparing for the upcoming campaign!
Niels is here :D and he's my date to Soulnation! Musiq Soulchild's performance was *speechless* the thing that i look forward the most for the last couple of months. Too bad, Estelle was not performing.
caught myself in a very awkward situation, and survived ;)
I met Kaysan (Dory's big baby boy) for the very first time and got entertained the whole time. He's such an adorable kid. Poking his petite mommy all the time.
November black and blue
Bali was scheduled for the weekend ;) I finally met gorgeous Radha for the very first time and fell in love instantly! Also there for her mommy, my dear Sita - haven't met her for almost 5 years! and she is still a stunning woman.
uhm.. also got a glimpse of Indah's belly, the soon to be mom, and tried out almost every flavour of her up and rising business Gelato Secret's in Ubud. Next time, I want apple&cinammon as well as tomato&basil for my gelato! I mean, u can not say not to good stuff ;)
Again. I'm working alone for another month.
Crazed up with the IDR 0 (not joking!) seats from AirAsia. Successfully secured seats for my upcoming trip to Vietnam and Bangkok - will do a duo travelers with Ms. Ari.
Kalimantan trip was also on the agenda. I went back and forth to Sampit, Palangkaraya, and Banjarmasin. Got extremely exhausted from the trip, but happy. I got to meet new networks, radio partners, best friend, best friends' mothers, and my family/cousins too. Add some extra bling in Martapura.. i couldn't ask for more.
Alfons was in Indo for almost two weeks, but we passed each other's schedule every time :(
A Samirono reunion. at last! It was only 15 girls that came that day (including Chikha), but it was nice and cozy :)
December razzle and dazzle!
Extremely busy with the marketing campaign i've been involved with for the company. do this, initiate that, translate this, explain that. Hectic to the max, but enjoyable. I'll say i am a work addict hahaha
However, playing around was still on the list. A jolly picnic session (under the rain) with best friends was the perfect medicine to cure my tired mind.
Ika was in Jakarta for sev days to prep her reception next year. We stole a little of her most precious time to meet up and catch up with each other :)
Another session with Radha (she's thinner!), with Robert this time. Baby Radha remembers me!
So what did I have for Christmas? I had a low and silent Christmas. Also a bit down since my B and my girls were not around. It started with 3-4hours of heavy heart wake-up call (implicitly and explicitly). It got better after a fancy brunch with my American friends at Social House. and it ended with a small visit from my relatives. Nevertheless, I really believe that i received a wonderful Christmas present this year.
And how about New Year's Eve? New Year's Eve (NYE) was a blast! My agenda started quite early in the afternoon, good coffee and good conversation with our network at Kedai Kopi Phoenam, a nice coffee place in Wahid Hasyim area. They served delicious roti kaya and coffee from Sulawesi. Later on, I had another fancy Italian dinner (i mean, u need to spoil urself from time to time hahaha) with enjoyable companions at PEPeNERO and mingled around till the count down! Overall, i can only see my life in 2009 in HIGHLIGHTS. because that is exactly what we human need to do. to see everything in bright light. to embrace every blessing. to walk every path with good will and positive thoughts. and everything that we human can't understand, let it be... the answers will come to us eventually :)
NEW YORK, KOMPAS.com — Enam ibu di New York, AS, menggugat perusahaan pembuat alat pendeteksi jenis kelamin bayi. Alat canggih itu ternyata keliru menebak jenis kelamin bayi yang masih di kandungan.Dalam gugatan di Pengadilan Tinggi Manhattan, para wanita itu mengeluh alat bernama Baby Gender Mentor itu ternyata tidak "sakti". Alat buatan Acu-Gen Biolab Inc itu dibeli seharga 275 dollar AS (sekitar Rp 2,7 juta).Seperti dilaporkan New York Post, Selasa (16/6), Acu-Gen sesumbar dalam situsnya bahwa alat itu mampu menentukan jenis kelamin bayi saat usia kandungan baru lima hingga delapan minggu. Pengacara Barry Gainey mengatakan, gugatan itu ditujukan kepada pembuat produk dan pemasarnya dengan tuduhan lalai dan penipuan.
First people guess baby's gender through how the mother look like during the pregnancy. Then comes the machine. Through USG, the doctors can almost accurately predict the baby's gender. There are also amniocentesis and DNA test to diagnose any infections and abnormality of the fetus.
Now come along baby's gender detector. I looked it up on Google; the name's actually Baby Gender Mentor - Prenatal Gender Detection. This is what wikipedia has to say:
Baby Gender Mentor is the trade name of a controversial blood test designed to determine whether a pregnant woman is carrying a male or female child. The test is made by Acu-Gen Biolab, Inc., a biotech company in Lowell, Massachusetts, United States, and is marketed to detect the sex of a fetus as early as five weeks after conception. The test made a prominent media debut on 17 June 2005 on The Today Show and about 4,500 people had purchased the test by March 2006.
The company says that the accuracy of the test exceeds that of conventional methods, such as ultrasonography, amniocentesis, or chorionic villus sampling techniques, and that their test offers "unsurpassed accuracy, unrivaled earliness, and uncompromised promptness". However, they have not made public any clinical evidence to support these claims. Customers and scientists have questioned the accuracy of the test, and legal action is being pursued against Acu-Gen as well as a major supplier of the test.
Oh yes, it is still not accurate!
I remember how my little sister could accurately predict an unborn baby's gender. It was like a gift, or something like that. was. Maybe she was all so pure she can see things. It is the same gift that my grandmother possessed, too. I don't know, we don't know if my sister can still predict babies.
It is fun to normally play around and guess what gender the baby will be. Confused of how the baby's room should be: baby blue or pink? Green or yellow or white or whatever will do just fine.
Pff... what ever happen to "You have a boy!" or "You have a girl!" excitements?
Koninginnedag atau biasa di sebut Queen's day atau Hari Ratu merupakan hari libur nasional negara Belanda untuk merayakan hari ulang tahun sang ratu. Jalan-jalan seketika berubah menjadi lautan manusia berpakaian dan beraksesoris serba ORANYE (yang adalah warna nasional Belanda). Orang-orang berjubel menawarkan beragam dagangan mulai dari pernak-pernik cantik hingga barang-barang bekas dengan harga super duper miring. Pagelaran musik di lapangan terbuka pun memeriahkan suasana hiruk pikuk jutaan manusia yang terhampar sampai ke sudut-sudut kota. Aura yang meruak hanyalah pesta, pesta, dan pesta!!!
Saking lengketnya kata PESTA dengan event ini, promosi Queen's Day tahun ini malah menimbulkan kontroversi. Lihat saja bagaimana wajah-wajah tokoh-tokoh politik dunia di gambar ini bisa nimbrung ikut konvoi masyarakat di Amsterdam. Sangat kreatif, itu harus diakui.
Sayangnya, pesta akbar tahun ini tercoreng dengan insiden maut. Sebuah mobil sedan berwarna hitam tiba-tiba menerjang rombongan Ratu dan keluarga yang sedang melaksanakan tradisi, bercengkrama dengan masyarakat di atas bis beratap terbuka. Peristiwa maut ini terjadi di kota Apeldoorn, di mana mobil tersebut menewaskan setidaknya 4 orang dan melukai belasan warga sipil lainnya sebelum akhirnya semakin ringsek setelah menabrak sebuah monumen. Perkiraan semua orang sampai saat ini, kejadian tersebut disengaja. Sayangnya, kita harus menunggu sampai si pengemudi mobil siuman dari berbagai operasi yang harus dijalaninya.*
Sengaja atau tidak disengaja, tragedi tersebut telah berdampak besar akan perayaan hari Ratu di Belanda. Banyak acara harus dibatalkan.
Bagaimana dengan perayaan di Indonesia? The show must go on. Dikarenakan perbedaan waktu yang cukup jauh (5 jam), perayaan di Indonesia tidak dibatalkan. Lobby Hotel Shangrilla sudah mulai ramai terisi para tamu undangan resepsi Queen's Day ketika saya menginjakkan kaki di sana. Dubes Belanda pun menyampaikan dukanya bagi para korban insiden di Belanda. Setelah alunan lagu kebangsaan Indonesia dan Belanda berakhir, dimulailah pesta yang sesungguhnya.
Makanan-makanan khas Belanda disajikan dengan apik. Mulai dari si kecil poffertjes dan bitterballen, hutspot dan worst-nya, dan tentu saja... haring! Sajian ikan haring dan ikan paling mentah ini memang agak berbeda. Langsung saja saya menyempatkan diri untuk melahap beberapa potong. Agak amis memang, tapi patut untuk dicoba. Bukan pesta pula kalau tidak ada bir dan wine, kan? Bar kecil pun dibuka untuk memuaskan dahaga para tamu.
Pengetahuan saya akan masyarakat diplomat dan pebisnis Indonesia memang masih sangat minim. Namun setidaknya wajah familiar Bakrie dan Gultom tadi ikut ambil bagian dalam acara potong kue bersama bapak dubes. Orang-orang sekelas Pia Alisyahbana juga bertebaran. Sisanya ya, kroco-kroco macam saya ini, yang kebetulan mendapat kesempatan ikut mencicipi suasana pesta.
Meskipun demikian, saya kurang menikmati acara ini. Kurang enjoy karena tidak ada teman-teman seperjuangan saya. Lebih baik saya pulang ke rumah dan menuliskan pengalaman saya hari ini ke dalam blog ini. Ya, kan? :)
- - - *update: Pengemudi meninggal; kajadian di hari ratu tetap tak terungkap.
Di antara semaraknya lagu-lagu cinta dengan hasrat kerinduan mendalam akan datangnya sang pujaan hati dan gaung lagu-lagu kepedihan dan tekad bulat perselingkuhan yang saling jegal satu sama lain di Indonesia, bertiuplah angin segar yang menyeruak di tengah beban asmara yang selalu mewek dan berlebihan. Angin segar itu bersenandung dengan suara khas Oppie Andaresta, dengan lagu terbarunya "Single Happy".
Betapa bahagianya saya karena, untuk sesekali, orang-orang yang tidak memiliki pasangan bisa dengan bangga mengatakan, "i'm single and very happy", instead of "gue jomblo" yang menurut saya kesannya begitu depresif dan desperate.
Penasaran dengan lirik dan video klipnya? Saya punya. Sayangnya, video klip Oppie kurang membumi, kurang menonjolkan public figure yang jelas-jelas memilih untuk menjadi single [ya teman, BEING SINGLE IS AN OPTION] dan bisa berbahagia dengan hidupnya. Cameo yang tampil di video clip tersebut hanya Okky Lukman dan Ivan Gunawan. Sisanya tetap dipenuhi oleh model-model cantik indonesia yang (maaf) tentu saja tidak mungkin memilih menjadi single. Kurang menohok, menurut saya.
Anyway, it's a nice and easy listening song. Layaknya lagu Natasha Bedingfield, salah satu penyanyi wanita favorit saya, yang menyerukan kata "Single" secara lantang!
Liriknya "Single Happy" :)
Mereka bilang aku pemilih dan kesepian Terlalu keras menjalani hidup Beribu nasehat dan petuah yang diberikan Berharap hidupku bahagia
[*]Aku baik-baik saja Menikmati hidup yang aku punya Hidupku sangat sempurna I’m single and very happy
[**] Mengejar mimpi-mimpi indah Bebas lakukan yang aku suka Berteman dengan siapa saja I’m single and very happy
Mereka bilang sudah saatnya karena usia Untuk mencari sang kekasih hati Tapi ku yakin akan datang pasangan jiwaku Pada waktu dan cara yang indah
Back to [*][**]
I’m single and very happy
Waktu terus berjalan Tak bisa ku hentikan Ku inginkan yang terbaik untukku
So my dear friend bea "tricked" me into this runaway trip :P here's my lil notes along the way... Day 1: Feb 20 - Melbourne Arrived in Melbourne airport around 9 am local time. The time difference with Indo is 4hours prior. Funny, i didn't really feel like i'm abroad. My first impression about the airport is even funnier, i felt like i'm in Kupang... with it's deserted bushes etc. The only difference is that the air is fresher and cooler compared to Jakarta.
Nothing special about the city, too. With its high way, and metropolis look of high rise buildings and towers, i feel like i'm still driving trough the SBD area of Sudirman and Kuningan. Weird, huh? I suddenly feel something i've never really experience before.. homesick about Jakarta. only a little dose of it.
Soon after we arrived at Raymond's apartment. That so called homesick feeling is gone and replaced by Kruidenhof-homesick as the apartment resembles the one we used to live in Diemen. Day 2: Feb 21 - Melbourne & Sdyney Woke up at 11 something after a very deep sleep! After a brief breakfast and a refreshing shower, we started packing for Sydney and Goldcoast. Our 6 pm flight was quite rock n roll hahaha as well as our taxi ride to Westend backpacker hostel by Pitt and Campbell street.
I fell in love at the first sight with Sydney. The city in general reminded me of Madrid :) in some ways. After dropping our luggage we started walking (in the rain, good that we brought umbrellas) for about 30-45 minutes towards The Rock area. Pancakes on The Rock was our ultimate destination that night. What a bliss.. the food was delicious and worth queuing for. With our belly full of fruit pancakes, tandori pizza, and mexican rolls we strolled to the harbour to witness the famous opera house and harbour bridge (plus the ever grand arcadia cruise ship) in the glimmering night. It's actually nice to talk and to greet random people we bumped into. Realizing that it's midnite already we walked back to the hostel.
2 am and it's time for us to crash.
yes, i heart sydney.
Day 3: Feb 22 - Sydney We started the day at 10 something by walking to the Chinatown to have our big breakfast... a gigantic portion of fried rice ala something. There on we entered Paddy market, Sydney's traditional market, just for window shopping. Our walk got us into Hyde park and St. Mary's Cathedral in the heart of the city. Considering it's Sunday, we walked towards the church just to find that the Eucharist was just over. However, i had a picture with the bishop! This is me being religious :P
We strolled down to Circular Quay to enjoy the day view of the Opera house etc. It was freaking hot! PFFFF... So we decided to catch the bus to get to Darling harbour. With big and small boats spread across the area, the place was awesome. Our booked dinner at Hurricane grill restaurant was gigantic and full of meat! well, at least for me. Suffering from over eating, we enjoyed the night scenery of Darling harbour.
The headache i got from hot-cold temperature that day was killing me so i skipped late Starbucks and preferred to swallowed my medicine and sleep as soon as we got to our room. Day 4: Feb 23 - Sydney & Gold Coast My headache seemed to ease this morning. We actually ate our yesterday's takeaway breakfast :P With fulfilled belly, we walked to Hyde park to catch bus 380 to get to Bondi beach. Good thing that we're blessed with sunny sky and good weather (not too hot, not too cold, perfect for beach-walking).
The beach itself was pretty: cool water, high tide. Suitable for surfers and wave-catchers. Phew I instantly imagined my friends running happily catching tides in this very beach. or maybe they would prefer to watch them girls with bikinis instead hahaha
Our big fat lunch was a large pack of fish and chips, Aussie's style, accompanied with the interestingly sweet and sour taste of seafood sauce. Next in line was our dessert: the infamous deep fried mars bars - the one and only! even i, a non mars bar lover, have to say that this food is brilliant!! They had the mars bars covered in batter. As the bar was fried, the choc and caramel inside melted while the outside looked shinny in oil. When one crunched the bar, the melted choc and caramel touched the taste buds and brought one the ultimate pleasure.
After another dip in the water, we went back to the city... getting ready to got in to the plane to gold coast.
The time difference between Sydney and Gold coast was quite funny/disturbing. 1,5hours since Gold Coast does not apply the daily saving time thingy. Quite exhausted from our little trip to Bondi, we got ourselves to our next accommodation: Islander hotel. oh, btw thirza did not join us to Goldcoast. Leaving bea, raymond, olaf, and me wandered around in Surfer's Paradise that night. After a not-so-decent-pizza at La Porchetta that evening, we headed to the beach (of course!) to feel the extra smooth sands slipping through our toes. Clear sky, too.
Day 5: Feb 24 - Gold Coast It's DREAMWORLD!!! and it's not crowded at all :P
We dragged out sleepyhead and rode Cyclone (roller-coaster) first. Ouw the thrills and drills, my head hurted even more. Feeling a little sick, we continued to Wipe out located next to Cyclone. Wipe out resembles Tornado in Dufan (or, apparently... vice versa).
February 14, or as most people refer as Valentine's Day is the day for lovers, for love, for teens, when any irrational (read = utterly stupid) actions are allowed and considered in the forbidden name of love. It also means a lot of candy hearts and "I-Love-You"s and fluffy pink stuffs which badly pokes me in the eyes.
So I rather spent my Feb 14 with friends. Let me describe the ambient: my all time favourite Javachip Frappe tasted so indulging in my tongue, while we girls blabbered about good things (and bad things, too) as the smooth live jazz music soothed our ears. Too bad Ari couldn't tag along.
Ck came with these cute cupcakes :) Rasanya pengen diliat2in aja.. gak usah dimakan.
/KILL! Seperti kata Zee, kita emang lebih jago pose camen daripada pose manis.
Oh, here's something cute i found while browsing at Zee's journal. This post is too good i am obliged to re-post it here. Medically Speaking of Love by Zee. When the object of my affection walks by... This is what I feel: My heart falls into my stomach and splashes my innards. All the moisture makes me sweat profusely. When the brain burns out altogether, the mouth disengages and I babble like a cretin until he leaves. *sayup sayup terdengar lagu it's good to be in love by Frou Frou*
- - -
I am content that i decided to spend the day with you guys. God knows how h e a v y my heart that day...
The rules have changed. The subject has changed. It is no longer called "To-make-a-better-person-out-of-him" game. It's now called "If-I-ever-gonna-feel-anything-ever-again-even-if-it's-pain" game.
. . .
... and i'm spinning. I don't know when to stop, nor how to stop.
"... he is just as selfish and soulless as ever. Only a masochist could ever love such narcissist" Blair Waldorf - Gossip Girl, her sad uttering of Chuck Bass.
... Guess i have always been a masochist my whole life. I tend to hurt my self, or rather... i let myself being hurt by my those i love [or those who i think have loved me].
How? by acting wildly irrational when it comes to following my stubborn heart.
My belief in own so-called "feeling" has gone so deep it drowned me over and over and over again. Everyone i know has called me crazy and tried to pull me up to save me, i remain still. Swimming in the ocean of uncertainty, strongly believe that i am doing this for my own good, for the achievement that no other people may ever understand. Some loyal friends tho, participate to cheer me up along the way.
The fact is this: most of the times, I have my own original point of view in seeing and observing things. I tend to choose the hard way; i am more confident going down the rocky road; i feel warmed through cold words of others; i seek beauty in evil. I am undoubtedly afraid. Yet i am still willing to spend every dime, every sweat, every tear i possess to hold on to my dearly beloved. I am suffocated and damaged at best; I resist to surrender to reality.
My past experiences give me great lessons: that every turn one took [or did not take] will bear consequences. At times, the consequences may become the heavy burden or the uncured scar one will have to live with one whole life. I said, that's fair enough. At least, my dear, i can say "been there, done that" out loud.
That makes me a masochist.
- - - I am gluing my feet on to the pavement. I am a fool. And I am not going anywhere. God help me.
I have a thing with Rihanna. It's not about the singer, nor the song, nor the super sexy hairstyle of hers.
It's her concert.
Two years ago, Rihanna was about to hold a concert in Amsterdam on November 18. My friends and I were about to go and have some fun there. But then my father passed away on November 16. And i had to go back home to Indonesia. So... I missed the concert. and my father.
This year, in few days, Rihanna is going to hold a concert in Jakarta on November 14. I was considering to go... but my party/concert sisters are not here... plus the ticket price is off the ceiling. Too freakin high for "just" a Rihanna, in my opinion. It's quite funny it is. Even if i decided to go to the concert, i will have to cancel it again... because my family will hold a eucharist in memory of my father on November 14.
HA HA HA... It's been two years, yet it links well. Rihanna's concert and my father's death. Very odd. very odd indeed.
Saya bisa duduk diam dan tiba-tiba molooooor dalam sekejap. Mungkin karena didukung perut kenyang setelah makan Ngo Hiang [五香], plus alunan music jazz kental dari Bubi Chen, plus cuaca Bogor-Jakarta yang cukup mendukung alias mendung, plus ayunan mobil meluncur lancar di jalan tol...
Ngo Hiang - kombinasi "some-kind-of-lumpia-resemblance" Babi dan Ayam + tahu + kentang + acara lobak + sambal + saos agak-agak rasa kacang encer yang manis dan mantafff!
Saya bertemu dengan beberapa teman dari Bogor setelah menghadiri kondangan ala Batak [bff-nya Ck] dengan baju baru harga miring yang hasil shopping di TA [lagi2 dengan wanita yang sama], makan BK Mushroom Swiss yang membuat super ketagihan lagi dan lagi dan lagi :P~ [nah, klo yang ini udah merasuk ke mimpi dari minggu lalu - senasib sama ruben!! wakakakaka].
Puas ke gereja di Bogor [sayang sekali pemandangan kurang memuaskan malam itu, tapi intinya ke greja kan mo ketemu Tuhan ya?]... bilas2 dll sepakatlah kami untuk jalan kaki ke mall terdekat. Alhasil kita beramai-ramai nonton LASKAR PELANGI :D ah syenang akhirnya kesampean juga. I think it's one of the best Indonesian movies ever made!
Lalu beranjaklah kami memuaskan nafsu tengah malam!! Apalagi klo bukan makan ROTI BAKAR hahahahaha :P Duduklah kami sambil melihat manusia-manusia malam Bogor adu balap motor dan mobil liar... Saya sambil makan Roti Pisang Coklat Keju! *sluuuurp* Beberapa manusia temannya teman saya ikutan masuk keluar warung tenda roti. Adalah yang botak lucu lewat, temennya Chemonk. Kata Dede, dia mah PK. Ha ha ha *tertawa sinis* bukannya semua cowo emang PK?
There were few downs during my little visit to Bogor that i wont write here. It's quite sad, quite brokenheartening, and quite annoying.
So, what's the moral of this story? Jok mobil Ruben memang laknat!
Ok. I admit it. I got a bad headache lately. Maybe i got stressed out because of the upcoming event in November [i have nightmares about it!] Or maybe i just got struck by several cold facts about my past "relationships".
My BIG time childhood/adolescence CRUSH is going to get married next year, on valentine's day. He told me that personally [if one consider "over the phone" as personal]. At that very second, i feel crushed by a building! Then all the madness occurs.
We've been "friends" for a long time now. Our "friendship" has been on and off and on and off all the time [for years and years now] since we got separated and brought back together and separated and back together... and of course, he's been busy too with his own conquest. I remember my girlfriends, back on high school, used to slap me for being so utterly stupid and hate him for being who he was. I admit it, at some point in my life i really thought that i may end up being with him for the rest of my life. How cheesy can that be? I'm miserable, it's undeniably true.
I know how his past girlfriends used to get a little jealous of me, out of the blue. It somehow flatter me a little :) Yet, it will not change the current fact that he is getting married... on valentine's day. How ironic for me :( *sobs* SAYA TIDAK RELA! uhm... mungkin belum rela :( *sobs* if somehow YOU are reading this.. well.. I do wish you happiness and I say a little pray for you Gosh, this is a lil bit like my best friend's wedding scenes! No!
Another thing... My old friend told me that my ex is married, already, when we chatted several days ago. Still a speculation tho, since he's been missing for several years. We were forcefully separated because of that outrageous conflict in Ambon years ago. Funny thing was he was so upset that i would meet my other "friend" hahaha... Ok. Why is this bothering me now? The fact is, I've been wondering how he's been after all those years. Wonder if he's fine, wonder if i could meet him again, give him a hug... sure i do care about him :) It's just quite shocking to know that he's most probably married already - he's not the kind to settle that easily. RELA sih, cuma bakalan very awkward aja klo tiba-tiba ketemu lagi.. tapi pake ada istrinya disebelahnya yang melihat saya dengan tatapan kejam.
And the last one. It's minor, but it hurts the most. Two days ago, I had a dream about my polar bear, Y. Dream about us still being together, as if nothing has ever happened :)
candid by heart. the dreamer/go-getter with ongoing observant conspiracy theories. mind traveler - might as well world traveler, when she has enough money.
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