Colours of Life

One of The Perfect Days

2012-01-15T22:39:00.002+07:00

Spends a lazy day, sitting side by side and humming along to old songs.
Talking to each other heart’s content.
Seeing each other’s eyes and listening to each other’s heart.
Laughing to silly things, crying on sad things, and holding hands in silent.

Smile..

because I know you’re there.

Dedicated to the other part of my soul.
May you keep shining.

Where Bandung will go??

2011-06-19T23:17:00.005+07:00

That question sometime lingers on my mind which I think it's only natural given I am Bandung citizen who was born and grew up in Bandung. It is not a secret that Bandung is now a tourism destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. And it is also not a secret that the government pushing Bandung tourism sector to go forward. But this constantly makes me ask that question worriedly.

Where Bandung will go??

In my heart, I'm truly proud of Bandung become an increasingly popular tourism destination. Then why are you worried?? Because, in my personal opinion, behind the huge tourism potential, Bandung still has many shortcomings. For example, inadequate and not-well managed public transportation, no tourist information center, incredible traffic jams which always occur on weekends and holidays, and so forth.

Why so pessimistic??

I still have hope for this nation and country and also for Bandung. I am not pessimistic, I just feel that the government and all authorities are not sensitive to the negative impact of the encouraging of tourism sector.

Is this writing related to the Trans Studio Bandung newly opened last weekend??

Indirectly, yes. Actually I've been wanting to write about tourism in Bandung but the opening of Trans Studio Bandung has become my biggest motivation to make this writing. Behind all the positive news about the benefits and economic potential for Bandung (read: money), I am in a position between agreeing and disagreeing with this construction of this Trans Studio. I disagree with the construction of Trans Studio because Bandung is not ready yet. Yes.. in my opinion, Bandung is not ready yet. Wouldn't the citizens of Bandung upset to read this tweet from @infobdg?? Although the tweet was only an opinion, but many of Bandung residents are already complained about the power outage this weekend. What are the added value from Trans Studio for Bandung other than economic growth, traffic jams and power outages??

Then agree because of what?

Looking from the other side, this could force the government and authorities for the immediate response and action to overcome (seriously) all Bandung weaknesses in facing the increasingly large number of tourists that will visit Bandung.

Have any hopes for Bandung??

I look forward for Bandung that is convenient for the citizens life and activity.

Hmm.. I just remember the words of my friend some time ago when we talked about the corruption that increasingly happened in this beloved country. He said, more or less, "Do not wait for the attitudes and behavior of the government to become good, just continue to improving ourselves"

Side note:
I made this post in Indonesian here.

Bandung akan ke mana??

2011-06-19T22:29:00.007+07:00

Pertanyaan di atas terkadang terlintas di benak saya yang saya kira wajar saja karena saya warga Bandung yang lahir dan tumbuh besar di Bandung. Bukanlah rahasia kalau Bandung sekarang menjadi tujuan pariwisata baik bagi turis domestik maupun asing. Dan bukan rahasia juga kalau pemerintah pun mendorong sektor pariwisata Bandung untuk terus maju. Tapi hal ini terus-menerus membuat saya melontarkan pertanyaan di atas dengan nada khawatir.

Bandung akan ke mana??

Dalam hati, saya sebenarnya bangga Bandung menjadi tujuan pariwisata yang semakin terkenal. Lalu mengapa khawatir?? Karena, menurut pendapat pribadi saya, di balik potensi pariwisata yang besar, Bandung masih memiliki banyak kekurangan. Misalnya sarana transportasi umum yang tidak memadai dan tidak terkelola dengan baik, tidak ada pusat informasi pariwisata, kemacetan luar biasa yang selalu terjadi di setiap akhir pekan dan liburan, dan lain sebagainya.

Mengapa nadanya pesimis sekali??

Saya masih punya harapan akan bangsa dan negara ini dan juga untuk Bandung. Saya tidak pesimis. Saya hanya merasa pemerintah dan segala pihak yang berwenang tidak peka terhadap dampak negatif penggenjotan sektor pariwisata ini.

Tulisan ini berhubungan dengan Trans Studio Bandung yang baru dibuka akhir pekan yang lalu??

Secara tidak langsung, ya. Sebenarnya saya sudah sejak lama ingin menulis tentang pariwisata di Bandung tetapi pembukaan Trans Studio Bandung memang menjadi motivasi terbesar saya untuk membuat tulisan ini. Di balik segala pemberitaan positif mengenai keuntungan dan potensi ekonomi untuk Bandung (baca: uang), saya berada dalam posisi setuju dan tidak setuju dengan pembangunan Trans Studio ini. Saya tidak setuju dengan pembangunan Trans Studio karena Bandung belum siap. Ya.. dalam opini saya, Bandung belum siap. Apa warga Bandung tidak akan kesal membaca tweet @infobdg ini?? Walaupun tweet tersebut hanya sebuah pendapat, tapi sudah banyak juga warga Bandung yang mengeluh tentang pemadaman listrik akhir pekan ini. Apa nilai lebih Trans Studio bagi Bandung selain pertumbuhan ekonomi, macet, dan pemadaman listrik??

Lalu setuju karena apa??

Dilihat dari sisi lain, hal ini bisa memaksa pemerintah dan pihak berwenang untuk segera tanggap dan beraksi mengatasi (secara serius) segala kelemahan Bandung dalam menghadapi jumlah besar wisatawan yang akan semakin banyak berkunjung ke Bandung.

Punya harapan untuk Bandung??

Saya berharap untuk Bandung yang nyaman bagi warganya untuk tinggal dan beraktivitas.

Hmm.. saya jadi teringat dengan perkataan teman saya beberapa saat lalu saat kami berbicara tentang korupsi yang semakin menjadi-jadi di negara tercinta ini. Dia berkata, lebih-kurang, "Jangan tunggu sikap dan tingkah laku pemerintah menjadi baik, lebih baik perbaiki terus diri kita masing-masing."

Catatan samping:
Saya membuat tulisan ini dalam bahasa Inggris di sini.

What I See.. What I Feel..

2011-05-08T00:37:00.004+07:00

The chairman says, "Why should I care for them??"
     It makes me angry.

The businessman says, "I have visited 40 countries so far."
     It makes me want more.

The student says, "I'm pursuing my doctoral degree in X university of X country."
     It makes me envious.

The girl says, "My dad used to beat me up."
     It makes me cry.

The boy says, "How can I help you??"
     It makes me smile.

The little kid says, "I want to go to school."
     It makes me grateful.

The man says, "It's hard for me to even have 1 meal each day."
     It makes me humble.

The Chance

2011-04-25T00:10:00.003+07:00

Consider these:

Have someone who understands you
Have someone who tries to understand you

From above choices, what choice do you want in your life??

Before answering that question, it's better to answer this question: "Do you believe we can live alone in this world??" I do not. For our physical needs, it is certain that we need someone else to help fulfilling our needs. But what about our mental needs??

Answering the first question, my choice is to have someone who tries to understand me and to have someone who understands me. Sounds greedy, but I believe I have met that certain someone.

Every time I think about the chance of our meeting, I still can't believe how this chance could somehow materialize. Have you watched "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" film?? I'm thinking about Daisy got hit by a car and Benjamin narrated that how it could be different if one little thing had gone differently. In my case, if just one little and trivial thing went differently, I would miss that chance.

Every time I think about the chance of our meeting, I always feel grateful to God.

I am grateful.. grateful.. grateful..

Happy Easter!! And may God bless us, always..

Python in Action!!

2011-04-04T00:58:00.005+07:00

So.. rather than indulging myself with studying the basic, I decided to jump into action. Oh yeah, if you don't understand what I mean, I'm talking about my progress in learning Python.

Anyway, I didn't have much time as I wanted it, so I just ported the algorithm I found here (a great blog post by Mr. Alfred Thompson) into Python and transformed it into something like this:

I don't want to post my code for this now because it is messy. If I have time to make it more beautiful, certainly I will post it here. But for now, let's be satisfied with the picture.

Unto the next level!!

Fleeting Moment

2011-03-24T00:31:00.003+07:00

Yesterday morning, I saw flowers on the street, already falling down from the tree and suddenly I felt that it was unfortunate for such beauty go wasted. So I pick up one of them and bring it with me. I felt somewhat happy afterward.

Looked at this beautiful thing, I remembered about this. I hope I could preserve the smell, the color and the shape but the fleeting moment of this flower that makes it beautiful.

Side note:
1. I make a pressed flower from it, the first pressed flower ever (outside school assignments).
2. I wonder how about taking fallen flowers like this everyday and decorating my desktop monitor with them.

First Python Program!!

2011-03-20T01:24:00.002+07:00

print ("Hello World")

Chap Goh Meh (Part 3)

2011-03-14T22:49:00.003+07:00

This is my last post of Chap Goh Meh 2011 related posts. Anyway, hope you enjoy these pictures.

The Aftermath - In front of My House

The Cute One - At my House

Note:
All pictures were taken at 19th February 2011. The fireworks photos were taken from my house. And like my previous post, I'm lazy now so I only put two titles for the pictures. If you have some suggestion, feel free to put a comment.

Until next time.

Chap Goh Meh (Part 2)

2011-03-14T22:18:00.004+07:00

It was fun. It was crowded. And I learn it hard that I still have many things to learn in photography. At that time, I had in my mind that people were the most interesting part of this celebration so I took a lot of candid pictures of people around me. But most of those pictures didn't turn out well. Well, I can't say that I'm proud of my works here. But here we go.

Cepot

Guan Yu Wannabe

Note:
All pictures were taken at 19th February 2011, in front of my house. And I'm lazy right now, so I only make two titles for the pictures. If you have some suggestion, feel free to put a comment.

One more post to go..

Chap Goh Meh (Part 1)

2011-03-14T00:33:00.005+07:00

Wow.. it's already 416 days (according to this) since my last post. My long hiatus from my blog was because a certain someone. My time to write and compose something for this blog was sucked by her in some ways. If you read this post, do you know it is you that I talk about?? :D hehe.. Anyway this is not exactly what I have in my mind for my very first post after a while, but here we go.

On February 19th 2011, there was Chap Goh Meh (click this for Indonesian reference) celebration at my hometown, Bandung. Chap Goh Meh is celebrated on the 15th day (the first full moon of the year) from the Lunar New Year. As far as I know it, this celebration is not celebrated only by Chinese but by Korean also but the celebrations are different.

Indonesian-Chinese people celebrate this event every year. But what made this year celebration special for me were the size and the magnitude of the celebration. This was the first time in my life to see so many Dragon and Lion dance performances at the same place in a day. This celebration made a deep impression in my heart too because we, Indonesian people, with no regards to religion and race could blend together and enjoyed this celebration together. Congratulations for all of us!!

Anyway, I borrowed my soon-to-be-sister's DSLR and took many pictures. I checked and set the camera the way I wanted to, but I forgot to set the ISO setting. So foolish I was -_-

Every time I took a picture, I felt something wrong but I didn't know what it was. What I felt was it was so easy to take a picture even in low light condition (I took the pictures from 4 p.m. till 6 p.m.). I was so foolish to forget checking the ISO setting and it ruined the pictures quality. But nevertheless, I can't turn back the time. Anyway, I will stop writing here and let the pictures to tell you the story.

Note:
All pictures were taken at 19th February 2011, in front of my house. And I'm tired right now, so I don't put titles for the pictures. But if you have some suggestion, feel free to write a comment.

Last but not least.. Let's pray for Japan and hope they can make fast recovery. All my thoughts and prayer for all of my friends and everyone there. Have spirit and courage everyone!!

To be A Tour Guide in 90 Seconds

2010-01-22T15:55:00.004+07:00

The question is: "How??"

The answer is simple. Just meet these criteria:

First you must form a group consist of 2 males and 2 females.
At least one person in the group has adequate English conversation skill, a keen hearing, and knowledge and information about tourism object around the area.
All of them must have a good heart and sensible mind.
A chance to meet lost and stranded tourist(s).

Sounds impossible?? Then just read my experience, with my 3 of my friends of course.

At December 29th 2009, I, Cuco, Ira, and Nila planned to go to Braga Festival. We met at Cuco's boarding house around 8 p.m. Then we went to Braga Festival, and found two lost and stranded tourists. Because we met those criteria, eventually we became their tour guide.

End of story.

Not interesting enough?? So let me elaborate it, a little.

Actually it was me who found the tourists. When we went to Braga Festival, we pass the 2 tourists, and I, not deliberately, overheard their conversation with somebody on the street. In that couple seconds of the overheard conversation, I found that they are from Korea and they wanted to go to a spa. And then I informed the other three and we discussed among ourselves about what we should do and who should approach them in the first place. With no result from our discussion, I braced myself to approach them and asked them where they wanted to go. And so began the conversation between us with the tourists and the guide job. With non-fluent English, we could guide them to a cheap and nice accommodation, Braga Festival, Aroma Coffee Factory, Ciater, Saung Angklung Udjo, and Bandung Train Station successfully.

So what did we get from it??

I can't tell for the other, but for me it was a really splendid experience. To meet and to know somebody is really a God's gift to us. When received it, I can't describe how happy and excited I was.

Beside my excitement, I perceived that Bandung is still not ready to be a tourism destination. The most important problem is transportation, because Bandung still doesn't have a cheap, good, and unified transportation system. And there are several other problems, but I won't disclose those but the tariff discrimination between local and foreign tourist. I have known it for a long time, but before I met them, I just accept it without any consideration. I sensed that they felt they were cheated, just because they are foreign tourists. And then I asked myself, "Why is there tariff discrimination??" I can't find a good explanation. Then I asked some peoples, I can't find it either. And it was the same when I searched the Internet. If I were them, I would feel cheated too, then I wouldn't recommend Bandung or Indonesia as tourism destination and I wouldn't go to Bandung or Indonesia for a second time. So if there is no strong reason behind this tariff discrimination, I guess we should evaluate this tourism policy.

Now let's leave the problems and see the opposite side, the valuable thing from this experience. In my opinion, the most valuable thing is the meeting. After you meet someone, you could know that particular person, and making bond. I believe that this bond will guide myself to new chances, new opportunities, new experiences, new friends, new acquaintances, and millions others possibilities. So I will treasure the experience, the meeting, and the bond. And then hope for the good possibilities to come. We could dream right??

So.. if you meet those 4 criteria, don't hesitate to jump and help the tourist. If you have some doubt, imagine yourself become a lost and stranded tourist. Moreover, we, humans, are social creature, right?? So.. again, if you meet those 4 criteria, don't hesitate to jump and give a sincere help.

Emotion, in Human and Non-Human Perspective (An Insight to Jakarta Bombing Incident)

2009-07-22T20:25:00.013+07:00

The first alarm that occurred to me was my friend status at Facebook and then I checked it at news channel on television. Yes, it happened.. again.. the bombing incident at Jakarta. So let me send my deepest condolences to every victim and their relatives, friends, and colleagues.

It is very human to feel a surge of emotions at a time like this. My family, my friends, and a lot of people I met that day (Friday, July 17th 2009) felt a strong resentment to the culprit, sadness and pity to all the victims and their families. And for me, the first thing hit my emotion was emptiness, and then I felt a pity for the culprit and victims.

Well.. maybe it didn't happen in front of the door of my house, so I can say that I didn't feel any strong emotion that day. Yes.. I resent this kind of action, because I detest the idea to use destructive approach in solving problems rather than peaceful approach. But I just didn't feel any strong emotion. And maybe that it didn't happen in front of the door of my house, that I can think this incident thoroughly and logically. Well.. to be human maybe everyone is supposed to feel some kind of emotion at this incident. At first, I guess it would be appropriate, but not to dwell in it for all time. Given a bit more time, we should assess the thing that happened more logically, more coldly, not emotionally.

Well, I guess almost everyone detest the culprit.. and naturally we direct our anger and resentment towards them. Is it really good when we do this?? I believe that the culprit have a strong reason behind the action. And because of that, I think it would be unfair if we direct our anger and resentment towards the culprit; to be fair maybe we should direct our emotions to the cause of their action. When everyone get a long and lot of pressure, he/she could be exploded. And at this time, the explosion came true at the incident 5 days ago.

What the cause of their action then?? Given the culprit haven't been identified yet and very little information that I have, it will be safe for me to say that I don't know the cause, though I can conjure 1 or 2 theories about the causes. But I have a good quotation about this, from Watchmen (a really good superhero film), spoken by a favourite character of mine, Rorschach:

God doesn't make the world this way.
We do.

So should we put our anger and resentment to ourselves??

From the news, the victims of this incident are 62 people (including 9 died). Bombing incidents are only occurred once a while (about once a year maybe), but poverty and famine still spread widely around the world.. everyday. And everyday almost 16000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds (see this), but strangely we mourn more deeply at the bombing incident rather that the famine problem. Are we, human, a strange and illogical creature?? Or, maybe we just love the drama and want to shut off everything that happened and beyond our comprehension..

So what should we do now?? Remember what Rorschach say:

God doesn't make the world this way.
We do.

Maybe we should do everything we can to make this world a better place. But we also should aware that we treat everyone fairly and equally. But even always put this two things always on our mind, maybe sometime, somehow, we treat someone unfairly and unequally. Maybe we should pray that God will help us with our action.

And last, but not least is a question: "Is logic better then emotion??" In my opinion, no it isn't. Because I believe we always should search for a balance point, a harmony in almost every aspect of our live. So think with our mind, and feel with our heart. And hope that our quest for harmony will bring peace on earth.

May the best thing happen to every victim of the Jakarta bombing and every single person that is suffering in the world.
May every single person that alive works together, for a better place, for a peace on earth.

Side Note:
Image courtesy:

First image from: www.h4x3d.com
Second image from: library.creativecow.net

Saatnya Membuat Pilihan

2009-07-06T17:19:00.004+07:00

Dua hari lagi.. ya dua hari lagi adalah hari rakyat Indonesia membuat pilihan.. pilihan yang menentukan pemimpin negara ini untuk lima tahun ke depan. Sudah siapkah kita memilih?? Mari.. sebelum menjawabnya, mari kita tengok dulu beberapa hal.

Pertama.. mari kita soroti KPU. Lagi-lagi, sebagai lembaga yang bertugas menyelengarakan Pemilu di Indonesia, KPU seperti kehilangan taring dalam menghadapi berbagai macam pelanggaran kampanye yang terjadi. Saya lagi-lagi hanya melihat pelanggaran ini didaftarkan tetapi tidak ada tindak lanjut dari setiap pelanggaran kampanye yang ada. Kemudian DPT pun lagi-lagi bermasalah, karena masih banyak rakyat yang belum terdaftar dan juga ada yang terdaftar ganda.

Mengenai masalah DPT, berita mengenai konferensi pers kemarin malam cukup mengejutkan walaupun telah saya perkirakan juga akan terjadi. Saya kira berita ini cukup mengesalkan juga. Saya heran dengan pihak-pihak yang belum puas dengan DPT, tetapi baru menyampaikan permasalahan DPT ini tiga hari menjelang Pemilu. Seperti yang saya dengar pada siaran langsung konferensi pers tersebut, mereka mengatakan bahwa sudah ada data mengenai pemilih yang belum terdaftar dan pemilih yang terdaftar ganda. Spontan saya bertanya dalam hati.. "Lah.. bagaimana Bapak-Bapak dan Ibu-Ibu ini.. Katanya sudah punya datanya, lalu mengapa baru sekarang melayangkan protesnya?? Bukankah langkah terbaik adalah Anda-Anda sekalian proaktif dalam menyelesaikan masalah DPT ini?? Lagipula bukankah KPU sudah mengeluarkan DPT ini sejak sekitar 1 bulan yang lalu??"

Konferensi pers semalam hanya memperkuat penilaian saya akan satu hal, yaitu sebagian besar rakyat Indonesia belum dewasa dalam berpolitik. Maafkan saya jika saya terkesan melebih-lebihkan dan terlebih lagi penilaian saya ini tidak berdasarkan suatu studi formal, melainkan hanya merupakan perkiraan kasar saja.

Bukankah kita sebagai pemilih selalu dipuja-puji oleh para politikus, atau pengamat politik, atau siapapun.. bahwa kita sudah lebih cerdas dalam menggunakan hak pilih kita?? Seharusnya kita jangan terlena dengan pujian ini dan ada patutnya kita bertanya.. Sudah seberapa cerdaskah kita?? Apa tolok ukurnya?? Dan satu hal yang jangan terluapakan, seperti yang sudah tertulis di atas.. Sudah dewasakah kita dalam berpolitik??

Seperti yang saya singgung dalam tulisan saya sebelumnya.. adalah kita sebagai makhluk sosial sulit melepaskan diri dari kegiatan politik. Menggunakan hak pilih ini menurut saya termasuk pula ke dalam kegiatan politik. Nah untuk saat ini mari kita nilai diri kita sendiri.. Apakah kita sudah dewasa dalam berpolitik?? Maka, menurut saya hal yang perlu kita ingat dalam menggunakan hak pilih kita adalah kita harus cerdas dan dewasa. Menggunakan hak pilih dengan cerdas dan dewasa, menurut saya, berarti menggunakan hak pilih dengan mempunyai pertimbangan dan alasan yang kuat. Tidak memilih pun baik.. asalkan dengan pertimbangan dan alasan yang kuat. Jadi sudah cerdas dan dewasakah kita??

Dan mari kita teropong ke masa depan.. Sebetulnya saya masih kecewa dengan iklim demokrasi Indonesia yang belum cerdas dan belum dewasa. Debat politik terasa hambar.. tidak ada argumentasi.. solusi yang ditawarkan mengambang, tidak konkret.. dan lain sebagainya.. Karena itu, ada baiknya kita terus belajar dan mau memperbaiki diri demi masa depan yang lebih baik. Dan saya kira dengan semakin cerdas dan dewasanya kita, tentunya iklim demokrasi Indonesia pun akan semakin baik. Dan.. bukankah kita masih bisa berharap demi masa depan yang lebih baik??

Maka.. sambutlah pesta demokrasi kita.. sambutlah dua hari mendatang, dengan kecerdasan dan kedewasaan..

Sudah siapkah kita membuat pilihan??

Sudah siapkah kita membuat pilihan dengan cerdas dan dewasa??

Catatan:
Gambar diambil dari: www.40kradio.com

More of The Queen Photos

2009-06-16T20:18:00.004+07:00

After posting some photos of Squirrel on my last post, it seems unfair for Yin,The Queen, Yin if I don't post some more photos of her. So, before she become angry and bite me, better I post these photos first :D

What Do You Look At?? - At my House

Comment:
Taken at 11th September 2008

Sleepy - At my House

Comment:
Taken at 11th September 2008

Another Series of "The Queen"

1

Comment:
Taken at 22nd August 2008

Lulu, The Squirrel

2009-06-16T18:27:00.004+07:00

Meet Lulu von Scorpio Lucky Seven, the new family member in my house. She is nicknamed Squirrel by my brother's girlfriend. But, even after almost 5 months stays in my house, I still considers (objectively and subjectively) this nickname is lack of creativity.. no offense *grin* hehe.. Because I consider giving an animal with another animal name is uncreative. But anyway, it's not my place to complain (well.. I am exactly not complaining here..) because her owner is my brother, and Shakespeare once wrote "What's in a name??", right??

Well.. she is a pomeranian, a cute one too (she is cute even when she is barking). But, you know, it's kind of irritating when she make a mess around my house. And that means still a lot of training to do with her.. And now I try to train Squirrel and Yin-Yin "play-dead" trick with, but it's still a long way to go. But when they could do it, I guess it will be hilarious *grin* hehe.. Anyway, I and my family seem can't make Squirrel and Yin-Yin get along together, any idea anyone??

I am Cute, aren't I?? - At my House

Comment:
Taken at 13th June 2009

What am I Doing Here?? - At my House

Comment:
Taken at 13th June 2009
In her mind: "What am I doing here?? Oh it so hot you know.."

Series of "Lulu"

1

Comment:
1-3 Taken at 13th June 2009
4-7 Taken 16th June 2009

A Friend Prayer

2009-05-27T16:43:00.004+07:00

I hope things run more smooth than they were before..

hope you're given the power to think and to dream BIG,
to stay positive,
to maximize your potential..

Reach the dreams!

For I'm sure God has armed you well enough..

It's just a matter of willingness and time :)

Side note:
As the title said, this is not my writing but a friend of mine (for you who wrote it.. and want to be credited in this post, just contact me personally, OK??). I just edited one word and gave some space. Apart from those, I didn't do any correction, so please forgive my friend if there are any mistake (in my opinion though, there is at least one grammatical mistake :D hehe..). And for this certain friend, I'm feeling deeply gratitude to you, and of course you made my day today.

Sub side note:
Anyway, when I was searching for an image for this post, I stumbled on a really cute picture (see here and here). But unfortunately I didn't find any to my liking for this post. But, oh come on, didn't it really cute??

The Things in Flowers

2009-04-30T20:53:00.005+07:00

"There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion," said he, leaning with his back against the shutters.

"It can be built up as an exact science by the reasoner.

Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers.

All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance.

But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it.

It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."

Quoted from The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, spoken by Sherlock Holmes.

Side note:
The picture is mine.

Obrolan Tentang Politik

2009-04-20T16:00:00.006+07:00

Berhubung suasana politik Indonesia sedang menghangat (bahkan ada yang mengatakan sudah panas), mari kita mengobrol tentang politik. Sekarang mari kita tengok dulu sekilas mengenai keadaan politik Indonesia terkini:

Pertama.. Pemilu Legislatif sudah berlalu dan sekarang sedang dijalankan penghitungan suara. Walaupun begitu, hasil penghitungan cepat dari berbagai lembaga survei mengerucutkan hasil kepada salah satu partai besar sebagai "pemenang".
Walaupun pemilu legislatif telah berlalu, masih banyak PR untuk KPU dan pemerintah. Misalnya pengakuratan DPT dan penyediaan serta penyebaran logistik untuk pemilu presiden.
Berkaca dari hasil penghitungan cepat dan hasil penghitungan sementara, partai-partai mulai menentukan sikap (baca: berkoalisi) untuk menghadapi pemilu presiden mendatang.

Nah, mari sekarang kita tinjau bebarapa hal unik (menurut saya unik atau bahkan aneh) yang sudah dan sedang terjadi:

Media massa banyak memberitakan mengenai pelanggaran pemilu (katanya sih mencapai ribuan).. ternyata eh ternyata.. sanksi untuk pelanggaran itu kok sepertinya tidak ada ya?? Kalau memang ada yang tahu tentang sanksinya (dan tentu juga pelaksanaannya), tolong terangi ketidaktahuan saya ini. Lalu mengapa saya bertanya tentang sanksi?? Hmm.. karena ketika saya menonton perlombaan "jet darat" F1 bebarapa minggu lalu, tiba-tiba saya teringat bahwa pelanggaran-pelanggaran di F1 biasa diganjar hukuman penalti 10 detik. Untuk saya yang tidak menggilai F1 saja merasakan penalti 10 detik itu sangat berat. Nah kalau itu balapan kelas dunia.. nah kalau yang ini persoalan pemilu, persoalan hidup-matinya pemerintahan suatu negara.. nah loh.. jadi??
Menilik banyak pemberitaan, berbagai media massa menyatakan sebuah partai besar sudah hampir pasti menjadi pemenang pemilu legislatif, atau menyatakan bahwa partai "QWERTY" sudah dipastikan kalah akan berkoalisi dengan partai kalah lainnya untuk pemilu presiden. Penggunaan istilah menang-kalah ini menarik untuk diperhatikan, karena setidaknya bagi saya penggunaannya salah kaprah. Sebenarnya siapa pemenang pemilu ini sesungguhnya?? Bukankah jawabannya seluruh rakyat Indonesia.. Jika begitu, maka siapa yang kalah?? Tidak ada. Jika istilah menang-kalah tetap digunakah, berarti pemilu dipandang sebagai sebuah kontes unjuk kekuatan dan kekuasaan, di mana pemenang jadi penguasa dan yang kalah jadi pecundang. Bukankah konsep demokrasi adalah kekuasaan tertinggi berada di tangan rakyat?? Maka saya usulkan penggunaan istilah "memimpin hasil pemilu."
Setelah beberapa saat ramai dengan pemberitaan hasil penghitungan cepat, dua orang jenderal besar pada zaman orde baru, bertemu untuk membicarakan situasi politik di Indonesia (termasuk kemungkinan koalisi). Kabarnya kedua tokoh ini tidak pernah bertemu setelah peristiwa berdarah di Jakarta (sejak Mei 1998, lihat ini). Dan mari kita ramai-ramai tanyakan kepada tokoh-tokoh terhormat pemegang kekuasaan orde baru, "Bapak dan Ibu, bagaimana proses penyelesaian dosa bangsa dan negara ini yang terjadi pada bulan Mei 1998??" Untuk penyelesaian masalah ini semuanya mengaku tidak bertanggung jawab dan berkata waktu yang akan menjawabnya. Maka saya bertanya, "Kapan??" Untuk dosa besar ini, pihak-pihak terkait hanya beradu argumentasi, misalnya melalui buku atau media massa. Tidak ada pihak yang berbesar hati untuk meminta pihak-pihak terkait duduk bersama, membahas, dan mencari kebenarannya. Tapi untuk kepentingan politik yang katanya untuk kepentingan nasional, bangsa dan negara (mungkin juga hanya untuk kepentingan pribadi dan golongan), mereka bisa bertemu, duduk bersama, berfoto dan bahkan berjabatan tangan. Ada beberapa orang yang berkata kepada saya, "Untuk apa selalu melihat ke masa lalu??" Begini kawan, dosa tahun 1966 dan 1998 masih gelap, dan dosa sepanjang pemerintahan orde baru masih sama gulitanya. Dan saya percaya bahwa suatu saat peristiwa serupa mungkin terjadi lagi. Dan jika di masa depan itu kita korbannya, atau anak kita atau cucu kita atau teman kita atau sanak kita (yang semuanya adalah manusia), apakah pemerintah akan bertanggung jawab?? Apakah pemerintah akan berusaha mencari kebenarannya??
Banyak protes bermunculan sebelum pelaksaan pemilu legislatif, terkait DPT, hukum yang menaungi pemilu, proses pemilu itu sendiri, penyebaran logistik, dan lain sebagainya. Tapi saat itu protes tidak sekeras sekarang setelah pemilu selesai, karena partai-partai beramai-ramai memprotes hasil pemilu, yang untuk saya pribadi semakin menunjukkan sikap tidak ksatria dan pemilu ini hanya untuk kepentingan pribadi serta golongan. Baiknya protes ini dilakukan sesuai dengan jalur hukum yang tersedia, dan untuk kekisruhan DPT seharusnya dilayangkan protes ramai-ramai sebelum pemilu dimulai. Bahkan melalui pemberitaan media massa pun, saya mengetahui ada protes yang dilayangkan karena pada pemilu legislatif telah terjadi kecurangan. Apakah ini hanya indikasi atau sudah ditemukan fakta dan buktinya?? Bukankah di Indonesia berlaku azas praduga tak bersalah, yang ramai-ramai dilayangkan dalam setiap kasus yang diusut KPK?? Jadi teringat iklan sebuah partai politik dengan slogan "Siap Menang" yang langsung menggelitik saya dengan pertanyaan "Siap kalah tidak??"
Tidak heran sebenarnya jika periode mendatang sebagian besar para anggota wakil rakyat tetap malas (tidur, mengantuk, ngobrol, dan merokok saat bekerja), dilihat dari cara berkampanyenya yang saya sebut dilakukan dengan penuh anarki. Misalnya, seberapa banyak para caleg dan kader-kadernya yang meminta izin untuk menempelkan poster kampanye?? Seberapa banyak para caleg yang membersihkan atribut kampanyenya secara mandiri dan sadar diri?? Saya kira jawabannya sebagian besar tidak.
Banyak pihak yang bertanya-tanya tentang apa perlunya berkoalisi, apa gunanya pemilu, untuk apa berpolitik, dan lain sebagainya. Semuanya ini seharusnya membuka mata kita bahwa pendidikan politik di negara kita sangat kurang, walaupun semasa kita bersekolah dari tingkat SD sampai SMA kita dicekoki pendidikan ideologi (yang terkadang memuakkan dan membosankan). Hal ini disebabkan terlupakannya pendidikan politik tertutama politik praktis. Kita sebagai manusia pada hakikatnya adalah makhluk sosial, karena itulah selama kita tidak dapat hidup seorang diri, kita akan selalu berpolitik dan berorganisasi. Guru Sejarah saya semasa SMP pernah berkata bahwa arti politik yang paling sederhana adalah cara yang kita lakukan untuk mencapai sesuatu. Karena itu mengapa harus menghindari sesuatu hal yang tidak bisa kita hindari?? Karena itu pelajari dan lakukanlah politik dengan berpegang pada kebenaran.

Mungkin kita masih bodoh, tidak berpengalaman, dan tidak mengerti, tetapi kita mau belajar dan mau mengerti. Karena itulah saya masih berharap bangsa dan negara kita bisa lebih cerdas lagi dalam menyikapi dan berperan dalam dunia politik. Misalnya: jumlah partai politik yang tidak terlalu banyak (5-7 partai mungkin??), jarak 1 tahun dari pilkada dengan pemilu legislatif, dan jarak 1 tahun lagi untuk pemilu presiden.

Dan akhir kata seperti kata teman saya di sebelah, yang penting adalah semangat.. Mari kita bersemangat menyambut pemilu presiden mendatang.

Tanya Sahabat

2009-03-27T15:36:00.002+07:00

Saat itu aku di belakangmu

tetap anggun parasmu
tetap bersinar putih kulitmu
tetap menawan matamu
tetap hitam semampai rambutmu
tetap lincah gerakmu

Kini waktu tak ada untukku
Kawan,
apakah ini makna kita bersahabat?

Tapi
apakah berhak aku tanyamu?
apakah waktu kusediakan bagimu?
apakah rindu aku padamu?
apakah ada ruangku untukmu?

Kawan,
saat itu aku di belakangmu
dan pergi aku darimu

Bandung
10 Maret 2009 - 02.40

Revisi:
Bandung, 11 Maret 2009 - 14.47

Catatan:
Sudah lama rasanya saya sejak saya menulis dalam bahasa ibu saya sendiri di blog ini :) hehe.. Awalnya saya berencana mengalihbahasakan tulisan ini ke dalam bahasa Inggris, tapi terlalu banyak kesulitan yang menghalangi demi memenuhi keinginan saya terhadap tulisan ini. Karena itu saya menunda proses ini dan tentunya berharap ada teman yang bisa membantu (bantuannya gratis ya.. :P). Kalau bersedia membantu mengalihbahasakan, kontak saya saja atau tulis komentar. Selamat menikmati..

I Dream on A World Without Prejudice

2009-02-27T20:18:00.004+07:00

When there is a sexual harrassment case between a man and a woman..
Whom do you think the victim is?? I daresay that most of us will say the woman..
There is a prejudice..
(I had this question after watched this film)

When a very rich old man/woman married a lot younger woman/man..
What do you think about this?? I daresay there will be a lot of rumors linger around that the younger woman/man after the money in the marriage.
There is a prejudice..

When a criminal, after released from prison, come to you to look for job..
What will you do?? I daresay that most of us will reject the criminal..
There is a prejudice..

When you think about it, there is still a lot of prejudice on this earth. So, is this world without prejudice still a dream?? A dream perhaps and a long journey to achieve it. But, I think prejudice one of human nature way to simplify the way to look into the world; with prejudice, the world seems simpler. So how we can eliminate this prejudice?? With an open mind and heart, I will answer the question.

But is this prejudice a bad thing??

And will a world without prejudice be a better world??

Call Me Old Fashioned

2009-02-20T21:08:00.016+07:00

Have you ever met a person, who still keeps their stuffs from a long time ago (15 or 20 years ago or more perhaps)?? Well I guess I have and moreover I am a kind of person that hard to throw away something. So, believe it or not, till last year I still had my test paper from my first year of elementary school (that's like from 18 years ago, or 17 years for last year). Those papers, books, and everything else from my elementary school was sure bring nostalgia. But I had to discard those for cleaning up my house. Beside that, there is a pencil eraser which I still use till now that was bought in my sixth year of elementary school. My pencil case and ruler have been being with me since 9 and 10 years (respectively) ago. My bicycle is 12 years old, still in a good condition, and my only one vehicle.

Those kind of stuff are oldies, but still can be used perfectly and sometime add something invaluable. But of course, pencil eraser, pencil case, ruler, and bicycle, more or less, stay the same, from 20 years ago till now. But how about this one??

The Oldie Camera - At my Little Studio

Comment:

Taken at 16th February 2009

The camera (maybe around 25-30 years old) once belonged to my mom, and about two weeks ago I suddenly remembered about it and I ask it for me to my mom. Well, when I was a little boy, I had used this camera and now I'm craving to use it. But, to properly use a camera, I have to do some experiments.. and experiments with this kind of camera mean much money. What part is I liked from this camera anyway?? I should say the camera smells old and nostalgic to me. Then I like the sound of the shutter release and when you manually roll your film. And when you use this camera, it sure bring magic and mystery that were eliminated by digital camera. When you capture a picture by this camera, you wouldn't know the result until you print it, whereas with digital one, you could see the result right away from the LCD screen. This magic and mystery bring a new excitement in using this camera, but this doesn't mean I hate digicam, I love both. But now, other than a really good DSLR, I'm really craving to use this camera.

The Oldie Typewriter - At my Little Studio

Comment:
Taken at 16th February 2009

This 14 years old manual typewriter is belonged to my brother. In my last year of elementary school and my junior high school time I sometime used it to type some school assignment or just for some fun (in that time I felt that typing with this typewriter was fun, and the material I typed were some short stories or articles from magazines). And it is still fun to use it now, cause I like the mechanical sound when the machine hammering the paper when we type something. And the sound will keep us to type more and more for the sake of continuing the sound. But recently, when I tried to use it, I found more discomfort than excitement, because I type too fast for this typewriter now, so the typebars were sometime entangled in the middle, and the typing had to stop a while to fix this. And of course it is still pained my little finger a lot.

Heap of Letters - At my Little Studio

Comment:
Taken at 16th February 2009

In my high school time, cell phone, computer, and internet have been a common sight among the students. But at that time, I didn't have any cell phone and internet connection but a computer. When it became common to text someone with cell phone or sending e-mail and chatting via internet, I still found enjoyment with writing and sending a letter. Well, writing is more time consuming than typing, but when you can't compensate the pleasure feeling when you read someone handwriting, because it feels more human. I still like writing letters or cards, but now I find it hard to find someone who like this also. But maybe when I have a girlfriend, I can send her heap of letters *grin*

I still find enjoyment with some things that lack of recent technologies because those things sometime had an intangible and invaluable value within it. That intangible and invaluable value just can't be exchanged with any technology at all. And this doesn't mean I don't like a high tech stuff.

Well.. are you "old fashioned" too??

Unfinished Answer

2008-12-19T21:29:00.007+07:00

If about incarnation this lingering sensation, I am asked
a daylong singing melodies, as an answer will not be sufficed

It is not heavy, as not light
It is not dark, as not bright
It is not lament, as not joyful
It is not empty, as not full
It is not crowded, as not abandoned
It is not smooth, as not rippled
It is not vast, as not tiny
It is not fragile, as not sturdy

I am just from nowhere pierced
and now already round the circle trapped

Very grateful somewhat
that your job has been done
Very misearable somewhat
that your job has been done

Maybe would be sufficed that one answer
which the beautiful voice of yours could be heard no longer

But maybe will not be sufficed that one answer

Bandung
31th January 2008 - 04.21

Revised:
Bandung, 16th December 2008 - 18.55
Bandung, 19th December 2008 - 14.43

Side note:
I wrote this poem almost one year ago (but recently revised it twice). I read it three days ago, after it stayed for a long time in my pile of papers. After finished read it, I realized that I need to bring a writing tool (paper and pen) and a camera anywhere I go, so that I could record any events or idea I like. And those two things can be summed up in a laptop.. so the conclusion is I need a laptop.. just joking. Anyway, the idea that was struck to my mind was I need always be ready to capture any flashing events or ideas, for we can't turn back time (or precisely, we haven't had any means to turn back time yet). There are people say "history repeats itself", but I believe that every history is never be the same, although maybe that certain history is considered to be repeating.

Three days ago, when I read it, the first thing flashed in my mind was "what is this melancholy feeling". After a thorough reading, I realized that I was lamenting someone, an artist that died on my birthday a year ago. Her works not that superb and I am not really a fan of her, but somehow when listening her last album a strong sense of melancholy came to me, and then I wrote it. Although very well known in her country, she lived modestly and mostly out of public, which sometime led some people to think that she was never existed. But, I believe that she just have a very shy personality, because I really like a humble and modest artist and that's why I respect her. For the first time I wrote it, this poem was especially dedicated to her. But after some revising, I thought that this poem was made because of her and dedicated to everyone who feels the same as I am, when losing someone.

Yes, this poem made because of her. So thanks a lot Izumi Sakai-san.

be human

2008-09-24T16:48:00.004+07:00

As I stated in previous post, I love Kanno Yoko music very much. Well in this post I want to share the lyric from "be human" song, which is so good and inspiring for me. Take a note that this song is about Tachikoma, and sung also by a Tachikoma (hmm.. I tell you that tachikoma is robot with splendid AI). Read.. and tell me what do you think about the lyric. For me, as I have said above, this is really inspiring.

Title: be human
Vocal: Scott Matthew
Music: Yoko Kanno

I analyze and I verify and I quantify enough
100 percentile no errors no miss
I synchronize and I specialize and I classify so much
Don't worry 'bout dreaming because I don't sleep --

I wish I could at least 30 percent
Maybe 50 for pleasure then skip all the rest

If I only was more human
I would count every single second the rest of my life
If I just could be more human
I'd have so many little babies and maybe a wife

I'd roll around in mud and have lots of fun then when I was done
Build bubblebath towers and swim in the tub
Sand Castles on the beach, frolick in the sea, get a broken knee
Be scared of the dark and I'd sing out of key

Curse when I lost a fight, kiss and reunite, scratch a spider's bite
Be happy with wrinkles I got when I smile
Pet kittens 'till they purred, maybe keep a bird, always keep my word
I'd cry at sad movies and laugh 'till it hurt

I'd buy a big bike, I'd ride by the lake
And I'd have lots of friends and I'd stay out too late

If I could just be more human
I would see every little thing with a gleam in my eye
If only I was more human
I'd embrace every single feeling that came in my life

Would I care and be forgiving?
Would I be sentimental and would I feel loneliness?

Would I doubt and have misgivings?
Would I cause someone sorrow too? Would I know what to do?

Will I cry when its all over?

When I die will I see Heaven?

Fasten Your Seatbelts

2008-09-23T16:07:00.004+07:00

Imagine you were in a car, then looked to your left or right. There you would see some kind of cloth material, with width around 7 cm, hanging limply. For your own safety, you should take that material, pull it from your left or right shoulder across to your hip and then fasten it. This material is known around the world with the term seatbelt. But rest easy, since I won't write anything about car or "100 things you should know for safe driving", but something entirely different, which is music.

You have seen where the red thread would end, or have you not?? If you still haven't grasped what is I want to write about, you should know about 3 things first. The thing that I want write is a band that play really diverse music styles from jazz, blues, rock, country, electronic, and hip hop. The second one is the mastermind behind this great band is Kanno Yoko, a very accomplished composer, arranger, and musician. I love Kanno-san music very much, and I think she is one of the best composers in the world. The music genre she has composed ranging from jazz, rock, orchestra, electronic, to pop. The great thing of Kanno-san is whatever genre she composed or arranged turn out to be good or even great. Her music is usually used for many anime soundtracks. The last is the band performed whole soundtrack of Cowboy Bebop anime series. The story of this anime revolved around bounty hunters in the near future when interplanetary travel could be done very easy and fast.

The band name is The Seatbelts. So why is the band have that particular name?? See in your mind's eye that we lived in the era that humans already made many colonies in outer space, that in some place had lower gravity than earth. So if a band would perform a jam session, they should wear seatbelts for their own safety. Anyway.. The Seatbelts have no lead singer, because they are mainly focused on instrumental work.

A jazz, blues, rock, or country music seems a perfect companion for a cowboy or bounty hunter film, doesn't it?? Well, I can't tell exactly because I haven't watch all the episodes, but very few of those. But I really enjoy all of their works, because I am a jazz lover and love to listen to many music styles such as blues, rock, classic country, pop, and many others (don't give me dangdut please.. :D). All their albums definitely could be enjoyed without watching the film, moreover in my opinion The Seatbelts is the best work of Kanno-san (the second best is Ghost in The Shell - Stand Alone Complex soundtrack). Unfortunately I couldn't find any of their albums of any music store that I have visited. Well of course those can be found at Amazon, but it still too expensive for me to buy online.

Well, enough talking and let me recommends you some great tracks from The Seatbelts. My personal favorite track is "What Planet is This?!", a groovy, up beat, jazz tune with a great solo sax. "Tank!", an instrumental, up beat, big band style jazz, also with a great solo sax, is the opening theme for Cowboy Bebop. Two tracks with a magnificent vocalist, Mai Yamane, are "The Real Folk Blues" (ending theme for Cowboy Bebop with blues tune) and "Gotta knock a little harder" (another track with blues tune and splendid lyric). "Adieu", a rather sad and soft jazz track, is another vocal track with Emily Bindiger as vocalist. You can expect Indonesia in "Mushroom Hunting", a song with simple lyric and catchy beat. Kanno-san wouldn't complete without cat as you could find in a mild blues tune "Cat Blues" or funny tune "Cats on Mars".

With loads of great tracks, I still could write some more, but let me finish it, before go too long. So where could we find these songs from The Seatbelts?? Well, I should say, we should buy it (yes.. I will buy all of their albums). But if you want to try the samples, those could be easily found with a little googling on the Internet. Last advice before you listening The Seatbelts: "Fasten Your Seatbets!!"

Side note:
Image courtesy:

First image from: en.wikipedia.org
Second image from: www.last.fm

A Listener

2008-09-05T20:54:00.006+07:00

What was the first thing that crosses your mind when you read the title above?? Mine is a socket. What is this socket anyway?? Of course it is not about socket wrench, eye socket, or an electrical socket, but an internet socket one. Well, to put it simple, I can say that a socket is like a mouth that can talk (send message) and an ear that can hear (receive message) between two programs in an IP based network (e.g.: the Internet). Don't put your hope to high or run away when you read this Internet socket, because I won't write about this particular socket, but something really different, at the same time have something common too.

So.. what is the relation between listener and a socket?? Well, there is a term in computer network that a socket which has a function to listen and ready accept every connection intended for that socket is called a listener socket. This is a lousy definition, but don't argue with me about this cause I won't write about this topic anyway. Okay now.. this particular function is often called listening, the same term for our ear function, isn't it?? But it is a voice that is listened by our ear. A socket too can drop the connection that has been built before, the same as the ear can be closed so that any voice will not reach it. See the similarities now?? But, once again, I won't write about socket :D

Almost every human on this earth have the ear to listen every voice in this world. And recently I have two questions about this particular function. The questions are "When do you close you ear??", "When do you choose not to listen??"

A socket drop connection after it has received packet data from the other side. Well.. to build a connection, the program that wants to initiate the communication must send a message first to the other program. The causes for the dropping are various, whether the sender is banned, the data is invalid, the other side closes the connection, or anything else. You can see that every connection may be dropped after there is one message listened by the socket. Mark the word after here.

So how about our life with the ear?? We often close it even before the reached it right?? Well.. I have seen so many times, the talking continued on and on without anybody listened. And many of the eyes sent messages to stop the talking. Isn't it kind of sad thing, that the messages of hatred were permeated, even before the talking started?? So then what is the function of the ear, if not to listen??

I guess in this time when the world filled with so many voices, it is not strange anymore that we want to shut our ears off to some voices that we don't want to hear. I think this isn't wrong, but judging before listening is. We have a mouth and two ears, so it is natural that talking and listening become our need. When we are talking, we give a privilege to somebody to listen, otherwise when somebody is talking to us, that certain somebody gives us privilege to listen. I think this privilege is priceless, even when a son gave it to his father, a daughter to her mother, a brother to his sister, a student to the teacher, a stranger to a stranger. But sometimes our judge hammer knocks this privilege down before it is given to us.

I realized that I had been playing this hammer ruthlessly. The more I felt that I despised this kind of person, the more I realized that I had become this kind person. The more I did it, the more I realized it, the more reasons I had to not do it again in the future. When I tried it, I got more than I had imagined, but it didn't matter whether it was more sadness or more happiness. And know this, sometime when somebody is talking to you, that somebody maybe just want you to listen, not to judge or evaluate anything. So lending our ears to listen doesn't seem hard, does it??

So let's keep an open mind with a listening heart and ears to listen more. Because I really believe when we listen, we get something as well we give something. And maybe we could really safe a life just with listening, who knows right?? Oh anyway.. if you have someone that you can talk to, someone that would listen to you no matter what, cherish it. It is one of the God greatest gifts for us in this world.

Side note:
Image courtesy: www.funnychill.com

The Queen

2008-06-06T18:52:00.003+07:00

There is a new kid on the block.. and she has been around here for 5 months. She is a queen, a queen that is very demanding and wants all things for herself. She is still a kid and she live in my house. Meet Queeny von Caustri (nickname: Yin-Yin).

It is impolite to ask for a lady age, moreover for a queen, but I can tell that she is around 7 months old.. hehehe.. This is my revenge for the earlier time she stayed in my house (it was a hell of time). Raising a puppy has a lot of similarities with raising a human baby but fewer complexes.. it has been confirmed to my mother. Not to tell that owning a Shih Tzu means a lot of time used for grooming everyday, but it is paid with her cuteness anyway.

She is cute, she sometimes becomes a disturbance with her barking late at night, she sometimes becomes angry with some unknown reasons, and she is a good companion. Well.. what can I tell more?? I love her so much and so do my family. Let's enjoy the time we stay together, Yin.

FYI: Yin-Yin owner is my brother :)

Lazy Day - At my House

Comment:
Taken at 13th May 2008
After grooming session at a pet shop

Series of "The Queen"

1

Comment:
Taken at 23th May 2008

After grooming session at my house

Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Nine - And so The End Came..

2008-01-08T18:37:00.000+07:00

Monday Michiru show, that ended at November 25, Sunday, around 1.00, marked the end of my rush journey to Jak Jazz Festival 2007. It was an exhausting trip, but very pleasant. The dream to watch a Jazz concert had come true. But this won't be the last one.

Anyway, at least there were two drawbacks from Jak Jazz 2007. The first one was some of the Jak Jazz on-field comittee members didn't have a lot of information, such as schedule, stage location, etc. And when I asked one of them, he didn't give any info, didn't have motivation to seek the info, and didn't point to whom I should ask the question. The other drawback was there were two versions of the show schedule distributed among the audience.

And there are, of course, some lessons learned from this trip. So I will write some tips if you want to go to this kind of concert (a music festival):
1. Bring some snack and drink (of course I brought it).
2. Bring mat, paper, or anything that can be used to sit on.
3. If you want to get some autographs, bring some related merchandises and a waterproof marker.
4. Prepare yourself with rest, eat well, etc because it will be exhausting.
5. If you want to take some photos, bring a good camera (yeah, I will bring DSLR next time). Anyway, if you want to test your camera is good enough or not to be brought, try to test it in low light condition (maybe like the light condition in a cinema). If you satisfied with the result, you can bring it. If not, use a better one. Maybe I will write more tips and trics in using digicam in other occassion.

So this is the end. Whew.. these are the most related posts I've ever wrote anyway. Quite a accomplishment I guess.

Jazz is.. One of life's greatest gifts: fun found within surprise.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Eight - Main-Course: Monday Michiru

2008-01-08T18:15:00.001+07:00

After Parkdrive show was over, we headed to Big Stage 1 again where Monday Michiru would perform. I was exhausted at that time and a sleepy sensation struct me. We had to wait for another 15 minutes till the show started. Anyway there were many persons decided to sit on the ground, in front of the front seat to watch this show, so we decided to follow it too. And sitting there made my sleepiness became worse.

Monday Michiru from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Born August 19, 1963 in Tokyo, Japan, Monday Michiru was named but her parents, jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano, to reflect both her Japanese and American heritage. With music obviously in her blood, Monday showed interest in the arts from an early age, studying modern dance and ballet from the age of 8, and classical flute from 11 years of age.

After winning first place in several local flute competitions in Los Angeles, she attended the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan and was recognized for her talent and awarded a scholarship from both the Armstrong Flute Association and Interlochen Arts Academy.

After graduating IAA, Monday shifted her studies from the classical flute and began concentrating on the voice more seriously. It was in 1991 that she finally had the opportunity to reroute her endeavors back to her roots in music and released her debut solo album. By 1993, Monday steadily began recording and releasing albums in Japan and later in Europe, Australia, and South America.

First Experience with Monday Michiru

I knew Monday Michiru for the first time at the recorded Jak Jazz 2006 show and stunned by her voice. Since then I had became her fan.

More Experiences with Monday Michiru

I knew more of her music through Optimista album. She has been known as an artist that combine many genre to form her own music style. It is ranging from jazz, dance, pop, and soul. And from this album I learnt more in her style. She combine samba tune in some tracks of this album. Other than that, I'm really amazed by the depth and the meaning of her lyric. Her music is simply beautiful, and sometime energetic and groovy, and the lyric has a lot of messages. Such combination made me love her music more.

Monday Michiru's Jak Jazz Show

Monday Michiru walked to the stage with a red gown to the knee, she looked very beautiful and sexy also. Accompanied by Alexandre Sipiagin (trumpet), Seamus Blake (saxophone and guitar), Gene Jackson (drum), Henry Hey (keyboard), and Fima Ephron (bass), she was ready to begin her show. Some of her songs were romantic and some other more were groovy and energetic. But I guessed the audience was already tired, so they didn't want to get up from the seat. I wanted to stand up rather than sat down also, but I was also tired and feared to be shouted by other audience (in the previous shows, everyone that stood up in front of the stage, mainly because wanted to take some pictures, was always shouted by other audience to get down).

Anyway, I recognized at least two of her songs, those were "Oasis" and "Play It By Ear". And it was really an honour for Jak Jazz 2007, because she especially sang one song that she had never sung before live, unfortunately I forgot the title :( sigh.. Anyway, other than singing, in some of her song, she played flute too. At the end of the show after she got off the stage, the audience shout "we want more" over and over, and she appeared again. Anyway she stated that she prepared to come to the stage, and said it would be really silly if the audience didn't call her back. So I guess it didn't count as an encore anyway. One song more to go and the show was really over.

After the show was over, we left the stage, but to see she reappeared to give autograph and a little photo session to her fans. So we rushed back to the stage, but I didn't prepare anything to get her autograph. So I took a bag that was left behind on the ground by its owner, clean it up, and got her autograph. Wow.. she is a really kind person. Anyway.. what I really disappointed about is.. I should get her photo with me.. sigh.. I was too shy to ask that :P

Photos

All these photos taken at Jak Jazz 2007 festival, 24th November 2007

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Alexandre Sipiagin on trumpet and Seamus Blake on saxophone

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The beautiful Monday Michiru

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Alexandre Sipiagin on trumpet and Seamus Blake on guitar

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Fima Ephron on bass

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Gene Jackson on drum

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Monday Michiru

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Henry Hey on keyboard

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Seven - Side-Dish: Parkdrive

2008-01-08T18:07:00.001+07:00

Really satisfied with Bill Sharpe & Geography show, we have one more "main-course" at 23.15, and it was around 30 minutes more to the designated hours. We went to stage immediately to get the best spot but only to find the front chair already full occupied. With nothing to lose spot, we decided to watch Parkdrive on Frestea Garden Stage.

Parkdrive from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Parkdrive launched their self-titled debut album on the 11th of August 2005, with their first hit-single Sekedar Cerita. They received an immediate warm welcome from Indonesian music lovers and the media alike, with their CD sales reaching up to 3,000 copies in just 3 months. Quite impressive noting that their release was under an indie-label.

Although the group has never performed live prior to their release, just five days after they finished producing their first clip, they were instantly made MTV Exclusive artist of August 2005. Their hit-single Sekedar Cinta soon became a popular request and climbed up the charts in several national radio stations.

Made up of two Berklee College of Music graduates, Rayendra Sunito and Juno Adhi, teamed with Mikuni's unique vocals, Parkdrive continued to make various appearances and interviews in press formats, radio, and television. Their fresh and new sound in the Indonesian music industry led them to collaborate with well known local musicians of the same genre. One of their works with Glen, Selalu Tersenyum, can be found in the movie Cinta Silver's OST.

First Experience with Parkdrive

The very first experience with Parkdrive was with their first album and Mikuni was still the vocalist.

More Experiences with Parkdrive

The most notable experience after the first one, maybe from watching they live at Paskal Hyper Square. When they performed at Paskal Hyper Square, the vocalist already changed to Olive. Personally I prefer Olive as the vocalist, because her voice can bring Parkdrive more energetic and groovy.

Parkdrive's Jak Jazz Show

I didn't know why that I felt this show not too good. I felt it had not much difference when I saw them live the last time. But I guess it was still a good performance, judging from the audience response.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Six - Main-Course: Bill Sharpe & Geography

2008-01-08T17:45:00.000+07:00

Nine was approaching, and we had arrived at Dji Sam Soe Super Premium Stage around 10 minutes to nine. Well, this show enlisted in my "main-course" list because I wanted to see Tetsuo Sakurai. I amazed with Tetsuo style in playing bass guitar. He shows that a bass guitar is not only played as the rhythm section, but also can be played as a melodic bass and becoming like a lead guitar. Other than Tetsuo, I also had known Shakatak, Bill Sharpe's old band, but just learnt that Bills Sharpe was one of Shakatak personnel.

In the Jak Jazz 2007 schedule, it was just stated that there would be Bill Sharpe (keybard and piano) & Geography, band from Japan, consist of Tetsuo Sakurai (bass), Masato Honda (saxophone and flute), and Hiroyuki Noritake (drum). But there were still two more musicians, they are Don Grusin (keyboard and piano) and Carlos Rios (guitar)

Bill Sharpe from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Bill Sharpe is widely known as one of the Shakatak personnel. He formed Shakatak in 1980, along with Keith and Roger and Producer Nigel Wright. They toured the UK extensively during the early eighties. In 1982 they had their first top 20 hit with Easier Said Than Done. Others include Night Birds, Invitations, Dark in the Night, Down on the Street, and Sister Cool. In 1983, international success began for the band where Night Birds became one of the biggest selling international albums of all time.

As the band's success continued through the 80's, Sharpe released his first solo album Famous People in 1985. One song in the album featured Gary Numan called Change your Mind, became a top 20 hit and also heralded the start of a successful collaboration with Gary under the name of Sharpe and Numan.

In 1997, he had the time and opportunity to record his second solo album. This enabled him to work with some of his favourite American musicians including Alex Acuna, Paulinho da Costa, as well the great soul singer Jeffrey Osborne.

Don Grusin from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Don Grusin (born April 22, 1941, in Denver, Colorado), is an American songwriter, producer, and keyboardist. He holds a Master Degree in Economics from the University of Colorado and for a period of his life taught at the National Autonomous University of Mexico as well as at Foothill College, California before deciding to enter the music business full-time.

The younger brother of producer/composer Dave Grusin, Don Grusin is an excellent keyboardist who has had his own solo career. He originally avoided music (not wanting to be in his brother's shadow), becoming an economics professor and not becoming full-time musician untui 1975. At that time, he put together a band to tour Japan with Quincy Jones, freelanced in Los Angeles, and headed the group Friendship which recorded for Elektra 1978.

Grusin recorded a few albums for JVC in the early '80s; and in 1988, with Sticks and Stones (a collaboration with brother Dave), Don Grusin began recording regularly for GRP, playing music that (although influenced by pop) is also somewhat adventurous within the crossover genre.

Tetsuo Sakurai from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Tetsuo Sakurai (born November 13, 1957 in Tokyo) is a Japanese bassist. He started playing bass when he was 13 years old.

He was a member of the jazz fusion band Casiopea in 1976-1989 and Jimsaku with Akira Jimbo in 1990-1998. He has released a total 37 albums as members of Casiopea and Jimsaku as well as solo. He also made 3 instructional videos. Now, he is composing and playing his own music as solo artist with domestic and foreign musicians. The 3rd solo album TLM20, released in 2000, was recorded live concert with Casiopea members, Issei Noro and Minoru Mukaiya. Akira Jimbo also performed on drums. Kazuki Katsuta of Dimension was the lead on sax. The 4th solo album Gentle Hearts released in 2001, was recorded with Greg Howe & Dennis Chambers. The 5th solo albums Cartas do Brasil, released in 2003, as the self cover vocal ballad album recorded in Rio de Janeiro with Djavan, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, and so on. In 2004, Tetsuo toured with Greg & Dennis. The following year, the tour live performances was released on DVD titled Gentle Hearts Tour 2004.

First Experience with Bill Sharpe & Geography

As I stated above I had known Bill Sharpe music through Shakatak before Jak Jazz 2007. As for Tetsuo Sakurai, I know him at the Java Jazz 2006 warm-up event, and since then I love his bass playing. After Java Jazz 2006, I browse YouTube to find some of Tetsuo's video clip, and then I saw Masato Honda performance in collaboration with Tetsuo. For the rest three musicians, I've only known them in Jak Jazz 2007

More Experiences with Bill Sharpe & Geography

More experiences with Bill Sharpe were done through Shakatak, but only a few songs. And for Tetsuo Sakurai and Masato Honda, I've heard and watched some more of their performances in YouTube. Anyway, I had heard some of Casiopea tracks, but before Jak Jazz 2007, I hadn't known that Tetsuo was the former bassist.

Bill Sharpe & Geography's Jak Jazz Show

It was a really awesome performance. During the show, Don Grusin and Bill Sharpe, that sometime changed their position on piano or keyboard, the lefty guitarist Carlos Rios, Hiroyuki Noritake, the virtuoso Masato Honda, and the most popular in the stage Tetsuo Sakurai brought song one by one magnificently and then lead to big applause from the audience. Along the show, they perform improvisation one by one very smoothly, and it was done very well and not too much (sometime in a jazz show, the musicians perform improvisations too much, in my opinion resulting in too long and boring show). I really like how they communicated with the audience. And for Tetsuo Sakurai as the most popular musician on the stage, he sure really know how to satisfy the audience with his skill and improvisation on the 6-strings bass.

The first song I knew in this show was "My Funny Valentine". They invited vocalist from Indonesia, Anna Andrea, to sing this song. The next one was "Fire Water", a piece for bass and drum. Tetsuo and Hiroyuki play this piece amazingly. Tetsuo showed various skills with the bass, and Hiroyuki also play the solo drum energetically. And then the most familiar song and maybe most awaited by the audience, "Night Bird" from Shakatak played. Near the end of the show, one string of Carlos' guitar was snapped, I guessed it was the 6th string. But it didn't matter anymore, because the show was going to end soon. And when the show ended, the applause echoed really hard and long.

Photos

All these photos taken at Jak Jazz 2007 festival, 24th November 2007

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Masato Honda on saxophone and Tetsuo Sakurai on bass

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Don Grusin on piano

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The featured Indonesian vocalist, Anna Andrea was singing "My Funny Valentine"

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Hiroyuki Noritake on drum, together with Tetsuo Sakurai were playing "Fire Water" piece

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Bill Sharpe on piano

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Bill Sharpe & Geography on stage

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Tetsuo Sakurai did some improvisations

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Tetsuo-san, the most popular musician on stage

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The lefty guitarist, Carlos Rios

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Hiroyuki Noritake the energetic drummer

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Five - Side-Dish: Lou G and The Galaxy Big Band

2008-01-08T17:26:00.000+07:00

It was still an hour to go to nine, the next "main-course" performance, so we decided to take a walk around the venue and look at some merchandise stores. Then music from a stage attracted us, there was Lou G (from Netherlands) performed on the stage.

First Experience with Lou G

Their performance at Jak Jazz 2007 was my very first time knowing the band.

Lou G's Jak Jazz Show

There was another great performance, but then again I rarely knew their song, but one was recognized as "Roots". I'm really familiar with Incognito's version of this song. Anyway I was really enchanted by the beautiful voice of their gorgeous vocalist, Marlayne.

After Lou G performance ended, there was still some time till nine, so we got to the nearest stage. And there was Galaxy Big Band performed on the Frestea Garden Stage.

The Galaxy Big Band from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

It would appear that jazz tradition has advanced quite a lot in Japanese society. Such that expatriates from Japan living in Jakarta has the mens to form their own jazz band. This group called The Galaxy Big Band often plays swing jazz. They have also performed in numerous national events.

Even though they are not professional musicians, their performances cannot be underestimated. They play with such coordination and control that each elements of the band acts as one and never get in each other's way.

This band was formed in 1992 and is also supported by musicians from Indonesia and non Japanese expatriates. During that time, some of their members came and went because of various reasons, such as having to return to their own countries. Last year, they made an appearance at the ITB Big Band Concert in Bandung, West Java, and received a very enthusiastic welcome.

First Experience with The Galaxy Big Band

Well this time too was my first experience with The Galaxy Big Band.

The Galaxy Big Band's Jak Jazz Show

Wow, I was amazed by their performances, noting that they are not professional musicians. And.. actually I'm ashamed writing this again and again.. sigh.. yes I didn't know the songs they were performed, but the swing tune somewhat familiar.

Photos

All these photos taken at Jak Jazz 2007 festival, 24th November 2007

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Lou G performance at Jak Jazz 2007

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The gorgeous Lou G vocalist, Marlayne
I couldn't get nearer to the stage, so I took her photo at the big screen just behind me

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The Galaxy Big Band performance at Jak Jazz 2007

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Four - Main-Course: PIG

2008-01-08T16:35:00.000+07:00

Around 19.00, the Super Premium Stage had filled with people that was waiting for PIG performance. And we arrived just in time. About 10 minutes after we arrived, the PIG show began. Well, to my surprise, everyone seemed to like sitting on floor to watch the live music show, on the other hand, in my opinion, it is normal to stand for watching this kind live show.

PIG from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Pra Budidarma, Indra Lesmana, and Gilang Ramadhan were once part of a music group called Krakatau along with Trie Utami and Dewa Budjana. But these three also developed an experimental form of music far different from Krakatau's style.

According to Pra, PIG's style is free jazz. A style that focuses on the exploration of each of the individual's performance. In 1996, PIG released an album, though not many knew about it because of lack of promotion and their somewhat complicated music style.

They were also considered successful in combining Indonesian ethnic music and be-bop Jazz. They were able to integrate both style in such a way that neither one overpowered the other.

An example would be the composition named "Little Jakarta". Characteristic sounds from the musical style Gambang Kromong were presented within an envelope of Jazz nuances without seeming overly-forced. Both sound merged beautifully as if they were born from a single cultural community.

First Experience with PIG

As a group, it was my first time heard their music at Jak Jazz 2007 but for Indra and Gilang.

More Experiences with PIG

There is only one album from Indra that I like so much, which is "Rumah ke-7" soundtrack. The album is filled with swing-jazz track, a brand new sensation for me the first time I heard it. But I couldn't appreciate it well, provided I became intimate with Jazz genre in 2004. As for Gilang, I have heard him before and also have heard his music, but I can't recall what and when.

PIG's Jak Jazz Show

Great, really great, their performance was. None of the song they performed was known by me, but somewhat really familiar. I really like their style that combining jazz with Indonesian ethnic music. Just with Indra's pianika and piano, Pra's bass, and Gilang's drum, they could bring a beautiful performance. Every aspect of the performance was great, however they didn't communicate often with the audience and the performance was really short, about 40 minutes. When I felt they had done warmed up the audience, just a little after that the show ended. Well, I guess I will buy PIG next album. I already fall in love with their music style.

Photos

All these photos taken at Jak Jazz 2007 festival, 24th November 2007

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Indra Lesmana on pianika

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Gilang Ramadhan on drum

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Pra Budidarma at bass

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Indra Lesmana on piano

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Three - Side-Dish: The Doctor, Dinner, and Some Other Dishes

2008-01-08T16:25:00.000+07:00

First thing first.. that was buying the official program book. And then straight to the nearest stage, that was Garden Stage with The Doctor performance.

First Experience with The Doctor

Well, that was my first time to know about The Doctor band and their performance as well and nothing too special about the very first experience.

The Doctor's Jak Jazz Show

Good, but not impressive, that was my first impression about The Doctor. In the show it seemed they brought other jazz artist song. I couldn't remember every song, but still could enjoy their show. The biggest drawback was their vocalist didn't remember the song lyric very well. So all the three vocalist always read their note when they were singing. Personally, I don't like this kind of performance, because the vocalists seemed ignoring the audience when they were singing.

Dinner and Some Other Dishes

After The Doctor show, there was still more or less 1 hour till one of the main target shows. After, took a look around all of the stages, we decided to have dinner early. Other than dinner, we just took a glimpse at other shows that had begun on other stages.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Two - Departure and Arrival

2008-01-08T15:58:00.000+07:00

I was 15 minutes late, but there was still enough time. So I'm rushed to my Angkot (Angkutan Kota, the English translation, literally is City Transportation; it is one kind of public transportation; the vehicle is minivan) and there was a story happened back there. My Angkot's driver caught on a dispute with another Angkot driver. A silly dispute and I guessed the other driver was drunk, even he drew a middle size single-edged sword. And I sat behind the driver, and the sword pointed to the driver, and the sword was only approximately 30 cm away from my face. Gosh.. at that single moment, I just feel fear and did not know how to react. Fortunately, a police pass by and the driver with sword ran away. Feels like my hometown become more and more dangerous.

Anyway, a little bit information, a Japanese style single-edged sword is called katana. I have heard a usual mistake to call this kind of sword samurai. Well, for more information about katana follow this link and concerning samurai can be viewed at this link.

And then, I arrived around 13.40 at the shuttle departure point. Wasted some time and 14.00 came, and so my shuttle was ready to go to Jakarta. Well, I rarely can sleep to spend time on road trip like this. So I played with my new phone a little bit, and then tried to take a nap. I did have a little nap around 15.20, just for 15 minutes, then woke up for realized that the shuttle had been caught on traffic jam on the freeway. It should be a freeway, but all the vehicles moved very slowly. The shuttle trapped in the jam for about 30 minutes. After that, the shuttle rode smoothly till arrived at the arrival point, at Blora, Jakarta.

After asking the people around, I took a bus-way (a weird term.. because it is a public transportation but doesn't signify that), arrived at Gelora Bung Karno, headed to Istora Senayan, and the music already echoed on the air. Then I met Unggul at Istora's gate.

"Jak Jazz here I come.."

The White Bed - At Cipularang Freeway (maybe around KM 25)

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Taken at 24th November 2007
I just want to jump to that "white bed".. hm.. take a nap there seems tempting.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter One - The Plan

2007-11-30T19:31:00.000+07:00

Well, going to a jazz festival is my dream since the first one Java Jazz Festival. Around that first Java Jazz Festival (2004) too that I became like to Jazz genre. And the Jak Jazz Festival 2007 is my very first experience.

The first plan was started about 1 month ago. One of my friends, Ridwan, raised the plan about going to this festival. I accepted quickly because there was student ticket which is very cheap. The time went by and we know too late about the term and condition to buy this kind of tickets. About three weeks ago (one week before the last day to buy student ticket), I just knew that to buy these tickets, we have to go to Jakarta. And everyone already had a plan for the week. A week passed and I burrowed the plan. I apologize to everyone that I asked to join the trip that I didn't tell about the failed plan. That time I was too disappointed.

The time paced up again to Thursday, November 22nd. As usual I went to campus with a plan googling cell-phone. Then I saw Unggul's status at Yahoo Messenger that he asked whether anyone would go to Jak Jazz. And it turn out that he had one spare student ticket. The story behind this one spare ticket is another story and I won't write it to protect some parties *grin* (You go Unggul!!). Anyway, I asked this ticket without any real intention to go, because I didn't like this kind of rush plan. Suddenly an offer to watch Beowulf surfaced from Tania and I took it. Well Thursday ended after watched Beowulf and I arrived home. My status was I still had not a good plan about the trip.

The next day came; it was Friday, the first day of Jak Jazz Festival 2007. Woke up with a stomach-ache because the day before dinner (the food was hot, or in Indonesian "pedas"); I cancelled again to go to the festival. Well, I cancelled it because I would be homeless at Jakarta after the festival. Everyday the festival ended around two o'clock in the morning. About two hours after I cancelled it, Unggul called me and provide me with some good ideas. And after asking my parents permission, I made my mind, "I'm going to Jak Jazz tomorrow". The next hours of the day was spent by booking a seat on shuttle going to Jakarta, going to campus to get the ticket, and buying my new cell phone. Buying new cell phone was necessary because my old one didn't reliable anymore (read this post). After exploring a little my new phone, Saturday came.

The Ticket - At my House

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Taken at 24th November 2007
Well.. I succeeded in applying the shallow DOF in this picture with my digicam. I thought it impossible to do this with a pocket digicam, but not anymore.

Saturday morning, at eight, I woke up with empty stomach. After filled with instant noodles and bread, I'm going to sleep again, because my mom promised me to help me preparing all my belongings. At twelve I woke up again, took a shower, packed all my belongings, had my lunch, and I'm ready to go at 1.15. I was late 15 minutes from my plan.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Zero - The Beginning

2007-11-30T19:12:00.000+07:00

This is the starting point of all posts related to my experience in Jak Jazz Festival 2007. I'll try to write all my experience, maybe in 7-8 posts.

I have said in the previous post that this festival was my worst nightmare in my photography experience. Well, I used my pocket digicam and I can't expect a really good picture in low light condition. So I must reduce the quality greatly to get a somewhat sharp photo. It was quite a torture for me to capture the picture and knowing that it would turn out bad. And I was so stupid that I forget borrow my brother's digicam, though it is a pocket digicam but a better one than mine. Yes, regret always comes late.

The title of all the posts will have a common pattern as this post title. If there is a "Side-Dish" phrase in the title, it means the story occurred in-between the main target shows of the festival. And if there is a "Main-Course" phrase, it means the post told about the main target shows I watched.

The curtain rolls up and the show begins..

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The Journey of Four Days and The 100th Post

2007-11-30T18:29:00.000+07:00

Well.. this is my 100th post in this blog. The 100th.. not too bad, I think. My plan for this post was to give some news about digicam or my experiments with photography. And it was just a plan or maybe will be.. Anyway for now just read my "Journey of Four Days"

Last week, from Thursday till Sunday, was quite a "journey" for me. Of course a "journey" has connection with money expense and some new photos. From watching Beowulf, buying new cell-phone, going to Jak Jazz Festival 2007, to attending Mukrab (Temu Keakraban) at my campus.

Beowulf is somewhat an okay movie. Not have a good story, but supported by good action and beautiful animation. This movie is that kind of movie. Hey, I'm not going to give a review to this movie anyway. But I suggest that if you seek a movie with a good storyline, you will be disappointed. But if you like an action movie, the medieval setting, good animation, or a "hardcore" fan of some artist (Angelina Jolie for example), maybe you will like Beowulf. Anyway Angelina Jolie looks so.. so.. so.. "sexy" in this movie *grin* but appear in just a little portion of this movie. I am going to seek the real manuscript of Beowulf right now.

Now let's move to the next topic, the most expensive "journey". Yes, I'm buying a brand new cell-phone, replacing my old Siemens C 35 to Sony Ericsson W950i, quite a leap, isn't it?? Well, I'm not the kind of guy who loves to change his cell-phone. My old Siemens C 35 has accompanied me since my first year at college, so it has been 4.5 years now. The battery usually drops, the number 4 keypad is missing, and the phone system is often not responding. So I decided to buy a brand new one. It's not that easy for me to pick the new one. It is easier for me to pick a digicam or computer or laptop that I want rather than a cell phone. After three weeks struggling, I chose W950 for various reasons. Now I have activated the GPRS and installed some applications. My next target is to activate 3G and to successfully sign in to Yahoo Messenger from my phone. Maybe I will review this phone if I like to in the future.

The Jak Jazz Festival 2007 story will be told in some others posts. I have planned to write all my experiences and attach some photos in some posts. This trip is my first trip with a rush plan. I accepted and planned the entire trip in less than 24 hours before the D day. But it was kind of exciting, and the festival was also really exciting. I still can feel the euphoria of the festival now. But it was really my very first and worst nightmare in my photography experience. Anyway this trip is the second most expensive "journey".

Mukrab is somewhat like a "meet and greet" event with no celebrity of course, but with all of the students in my study program. The day after I watched Jak Jazz, I went back to Bandung (with Unggul), arrived at 5 in Bandung and went straight to my campus. I won't tell much about this, but it is a good event and a rare occasion for us to gather around. Moreover I still tired from the trip, but it was fun.

Well it's a wrap now. Wait to more Jak Jazz stories to be told..

Wrote at November, 25th 2007

October 5th is World Teachers Day

2007-10-05T19:44:00.000+07:00

I get CodeProject daily news today and just know that today is World Teacher Day. The CodeProject daily news point to Teacher Appreciation link and from Google search, the top result is this link. Go to these two links to get more information about World Teacher Day. Anyway I want to give a lot of gratitude to all of my teachers, in my entire life till now and even then. Without them, I maybe can't typing this post right now. Thank you for everything.

There are a lot of teachers in my life already, but not that much that inspire me. And if I have to point just one teacher, the most inspiring teacher, I will point my Geographic teacher, Miss Anna Mey in my senior high school. She taught me just in the first year (the 10th grade). My first impression about her was kind, funny, and energetic. And she is still like that now. After the first year, in second and third year we still contact each other. It was not a rare opportunity to talk with her, even if she came to school just in Friday and Saturday. Because she usually joined in every event in my school.

There are lot of things about her that inspire me. But one that I remember very clearly in my mind is her lesson about the importance of doing everything whole-heartedly. Sometime in the past, after I began my undergraduate student life, I experienced lack of motivation in this college life. And I talked to her about this matter. She said to me that she always tried to do her best in everything she had to do, even if she didn't have a lot of potential. Then she point me that I have a lot of potential and it was really a shame to waste it. I told her that it was not that simple. But again she said it was just as simple as "do everything whole-heartedly, even if you feel that you can't do it". Maybe that was not so great, but from the way she told me, I had to admit that I was stupid and just wasted my life. Thank to her I began to do everything whole heartedly, not just in action but also in my heart. Thank to her that I do not have many regrets.
Thank to her that I have take a better step in my life.

“The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.”

William Arthur Ward

The Web Browser War

2007-09-28T16:20:00.000+07:00

The massive growth and penetration of internet world makes "web browser" a common term in daily life. Internet user must know web browser brands such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Konqueror, Safari, etc. Microsoft used to have the biggest market share and dominate the web browser world with Internet Explorer. But that is a story from some years ago. Right now, Internet Explorer "fame" is challenged by other browsers such as Firefox and Opera (click this for more information). I, as one of the internet user, am also experiencing this issue, which is so funny that I mentioned in the previous post.

The story is as follow. I entered a photo contest held by Microsoft (see this post). The submission of the photos had to follow some guidelines such as maximum file size, file format, etc. So I carefully followed the guidelines, double checked everything, began submitting the photos, and it was approximately 40-50 minutes left till the submission deadline. Unfortunately the submission always failed. So I with a friend of mine tried to spot mistakes in my submission form. It was stated in the rule that every contestant must have a MSN account to be an eligible contestant. But this rule never asked even once in the submission form. So I desperately changed my e-mail contact with my Hotmail e-mail address (I created this Hotmail e-mail address just for this contest). But this effort was failed also.

Then, I checked again the submission guidelines and tried again to submit. But every time I tried to submit, it was always failed. I began to give up, because it was 30 minutes late from the deadline. I was also surprised that the submission form was not closed even if it had past deadline. I thought Microsoft held this contest half-heartedly, even now I still do so. But at that time suddenly I realized that I was using Firefox browser. Maybe I had to use the Internet Explorer, I thought that time. Have nothing to lose; I tried the submission once again with Internet Explorer. And it was a success.

Click Image to view the original size. The left browser is Mozilla Firefox and the right one is Internet Explorer.

I just couldn't believe this could be happened. I wasted almost one hour just because this silly problem. But it is just my guess. To be sure about this matter I have to asked Microsoft or take a peek at the submission system. Anyway I have a good hunch that it was just a really bad joke from Microsoft.

Side News:

My friend mentioned above is Effendy (a.k.a. Pendy). I forgot add him to my credit list in the previous post. It has been corrected by now.
Not to be surprised enough, I was surprised again by the fact that the submission form wasn't closed even around 12 hours after the deadline.

The Photo Contest

2007-07-26T19:32:00.000+07:00

Like I said in the previous post, recently I participated in a photo contest hold by Microsoft and only for Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India, and Mainland China residents. Anyway, there were some funny stories in this contest, but that will be another story in another post :P

The contest is called Project Shutter. There are 3 category for the contest: food, culture, and architecture. To join this contest, every participant must submit 3 photos in any of the categories. And I submit 2 photos for architecture category and another one in culture category. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the 9 top finalist, but it's alright. This is my very first time in a photography contest anyway. It was really tiring hunting the pictures for this contest, but it was really fun. Anyway, to hunt pictures you must love to walk for a long time. Hehe.. I even took a walk or ride a bicycle till around 12 p.m. to take the pictures.

I couldn't participate in this contest if I had not received any help from my friends. So I would like to give a ton thanks to:

God to give me a good health, protect me always, and for everything in my life.
My family (that always wondered how late I get back to home) to give me the encouragement.
Audi to let me know about this contest.
Ujay to lend me her brother DSLR camera, give me the spirit, and help me to choose pictures to be submitted.
Pendy to help me during submission time and lend me his internet connection.

And here they are the 3 pictures I submitted for the contest:

Night Live - Savoy Homann Hotel, Bandung

Comment:

Taken at 12th July 2007
Submitted in architecture category

Reflections - At my Campus

Comment:

Taken at 14th July 2007
Submitted in architecture category

Rehearsal - At my Campus

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Taken at 14th July 2007
Submitted in culture category
I wanted the caption to be "Spirit of Rehearsal", but because the limit of the caption I just give "Rehearsal" to be the caption

And here are the other pictures that I considered to be submitted:

The Tranquility - Cathedral, Bandung

Comment:

Taken at 14th July 2007

Call for The Prayer - At Jalan Wastu Kencana, Bandung

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Taken at 14th July 2007

Twin Tower - Mesjid Agung Bandung, Bandung

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Taken at 12th July 2007

Mirror Image - At my Campus

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Taken at 14th July 2007

Welcome.. - Cihampelas Walk, Bandung

Comment:

Taken at 12th July 2007

Work and Chat - At Jalan Setia Budhi, Bandung

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Taken at 13th July 2007

The Rehearsal - At my Campus

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Taken at 14th July 2007

Bamboo Dragon - Jalan Braga, Bandung

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Taken 29th December 2006
It's a dragon create from bamboo in Braga Festival II event. I have posted it in this link.

Blow it Away - Jalan Taman Sari,

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Taken at 13th July 2007

Updated - 28th September 2007:
Added Pendy to the credit list. Well I forget it for almost 2 months. Forgive me friend :P

Another Photo Post..

2007-07-25T17:52:00.000+07:00

It has been a while since I posted my photos. Anyway recently I participated in a photo contest, but that will be another story in another post. So let's take a look at the pictures..

A Pure Smile - At Prefere

Comment:

Taken at 9th June 2007
A candid shot, but not quite good picture, it's blurred and under exposured. But I retouched it a little and here is the result. Anyway I really like the emotion that captured really good in this picture

Burn It - At The Peak

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Taken at 9th June 2007

Flashing Red - In Front of My House

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Taken at 11th June 2007

It's Hot Here - In Front of My House

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Taken at 11th June 2007

6 Weirdness

2007-07-24T17:55:00.000+07:00

It has been a while since the last time I wrote in this blog. And it has been a while too since I was tagged in a 6 weird things game by Unis and Bram. So I'll try to write my 6 weirdness which anyone rarely to know about. Anyway the game is like this:

Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write a post of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

The first one is I have really flexible fingers. I can bend my right and left little fingers 90 degrees backward. And for the other fingers, I can bend them almost 90 degrees backward. Anyway, I can do this because I like to bend all my fingers since little. Hehe.. the conclusion is you can have a really flexible body, if you always train your body since little.
If you have read my blog for some time, you would know that I really like photography. But I really like to take pictures only. Give me a camera, and if I am in the mood, I will take a lot of pictures happily. But given the good mood, I will consider more than two times to be shot by a camera. I am not photogenic, and I really aware of that. My photo will break my good-looking, cool, and handsome reputation.. khekhekhekhe.. Okay.. let's cut the very little narcissistic thing (even though it's a fact that I am good-looking) and continue to the third one.
I have a high appetite and you will be surprised to see how much food that I can eat at one time. Hehe.. I have surprised many people when I go to all-you-can-eat restaurant. This high appetite is also accompanied by a slim body. Please take a note that I never get fat even if I eat a lot of food. Bless me for have this body and for women, do you have a little jealousy towards me?? :D hehehe.. Anyway, the only obstacle to my appetite is can really not enjoy a hot food (it is called 'pedas' in Indonesian, but I can't find an English word that match the meaning other than hot).
Sometime in the past Lely had called me a-straight-face, because I can't put a lot of facial expression on my face in formal occasion and in front of people that I don't really know well. Interestingly, I can put a lot more emotions to my writing. It seems that I have a different personality that manifested in my writing. Anyway I am a kind of person that has more lively emotions in a writing communication rather than verbal communication.
Right now my hometown, Bandung, is a quite hot town. Curse the air pollution caused by anyone in the world that I can't really enjoy the coldness again in Bandung. Anyway, when I was a little boy, Bandung is much colder than right now. Growing up in that condition makes me has more resistance in coldness. In my second year of senior high school, my school held a tour to Yogyakarta and Dieng and I didn't bring any jacket. On top of Dieng, I just wear a t-shirt and jeans, and just feel a little cold, although was fog everywhere. But place me in a room with 20 Celsius degrees AC, I will start trembling.
In the past my father had a scooter and we used to travel with the scooter around the town. But just before I entered primary school, my parents had an accident when traveling with the scooter. Since then, my family never has any vehicle except bicycles (anyway my brother bought his motor-cycle around one year ago). So this condition has made me almost always use a public transportation to go anywhere. And it caused me not to memorize really well streets and roads in my hometown. Because I don't really pay attention about the taken road if I don't ride the vehicle, moreover I rarely travel to reduce unnecessary expenses. So, I really beg your pardon if I can't give a clear direction even if in my hometown. But ask me an in-town public transportation route, it is very high possibility I will know it.

Fuhh.. it's a wrap, although I still want to add some more weirdness :P hehe.. Anyway it is the time for me to choose other 6 people. And they are:

The lucky number one is Lisiani. I know her in the internet world and I really want to know her weirdness.
Second one is Devi. She is on vacation right now, so it is a right time to give this homework to her *grin*
Rika is a must in this kind of game. So please write your 6 weird things Rik.
Cuco, weird person with a weird smile.. don't need any more explanation I think.
It has been a long time since Ira updated her blog. I guess it is the right time to invite her to the game.
The last one is Anna the "Bawel".. hehe..

Dream

2007-06-19T17:44:00.000+07:00

I'm dreaming
A really sweet dream
Fascinating and thrilling also
Don't wake me up too fast
Just let me sleep a little while longer
To dream bit more
Savoring this
Till it runs in my vein
So I will never forget the taste
Even a little bit
Therefore when I wake up
I only have to make the dream come true
And live in it
Then waking up I am
With the gentle sun ray on my face
Only two more to go
For make it a reality

Bandung
19th June 2007 - 04.34

Introducing...

2007-06-07T13:18:00.000+07:00

First, I want to deliver my deepest gratitude to Ujay who gives me a really special birthday present which I never really dare to dream about. I got a new digicam and it is a SLR one. It's a DSLR anyone!! It's Nikon D70!! Hehehe... but it's only for a few days anyway. I must return it maybe in one or two days ahead. This camera belongs to her older brother, so I must give a lot of thanks to him too. Thanks a ton Ujay and Ujay's brother!!

Like I wrote on the post about "A Little of My Photography Side", taking a picture with a SLR camera is a whole different dimension from a pocket digicam like mine. At first, it was really hard to use a SLR camera. But after a few days and a lot of experiments, I began to understand a little in using this camera. So what is it like using a DSLR camera?? First, it's really hard to use this camera. But as soon as you know how to use it, you can take picture faster and better than with a pocket digicam. Anyway, a lot photos I took with the camera is not focused, under-exposured, over-exposured, blurred, or grainy. There are still many things I have to learn to use this camera and the features to the fullest.

After little introduction about the DSLR camera, I want to introduce Shela, the new family member. She is a two months old golden retriever dog. After staying at my brother's girlfriend house for a day, she stayed at my house at 27th May. To put the story short, she stayed at my house because she didn't get along with another dog belongs to my brother's girlfriend. She lost her left eye on the morning at the day she is stayed at my house. Anyway, Shela is really active and still love biting anything, including my shoes, my legs, my pants, and my hands. She is a cute dog, but she like to pee at anyplace that my mom really annoyed. Anyway, the next day she was picked up again to my brother's girlfriend house again. But, I feel she will come back to my house in the future anyway.

The last one is introduction to my new flash disk. The first flash disk I have is a MP3 Player, Creative Nomad MuVo, with 128 MB capacity and USB version 1.1. After accompany me for around 3 years, it can't be detected at any computers I try. I really like this MP3 player, but it's not working now. So, I decided to buy a new one and I choose Kingston DataTraveler, with 2 GB capacity and of course USB version 2.0.

Next I want to show some pictures I took with the DSLR. For the second and third pictures, I think that those can't be captured with a pocket digicam. Anyway I change my profile picture with the fourth picture :P

Shela.. please don't bite my shoes.. - At My House

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Taken at 28th May 2007
It's one of her hobby

The Road at Night

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Taken at 2nd June 2007
S: 22
A: F22
F: 18 mm

Shoot The Moon

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Taken at 2nd June 2007
S: 1/125
A: don't really remember, maybe F11 or F16
F: 400 mm

Okay, take a pose.. One.. Two.. Three.. *click*

Comment:
Taken at 7th June 2007

My Nomad MuVo, My Brand New Kingston, and Nico Robin keychain

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Taken at 7th June 2007

A Double Two Day

2007-05-28T14:14:00.000+07:00

Yesterday was a Double Two Day. Can't really write much right now, since it has been a hectic month, but I really enjoyed yesterday. Special credit goes to my family and Shela, the new member of my family (I'll introduce her next time). And a lot of thanks goes to Ira, Ujay, David, Rika, Teh Mia*, Xindi, Eunice, Audi, Dian, Satria, Tania, Moren, Icha (which is mistaken that the Double Two Day is today :P hehehe...), and all of my friends out there.

A Little of My Photography Side

2007-05-10T16:51:00.000+07:00

It is almost a year since I have a digicam. A lot of photos I have been taken since then. I don't really sure if my photography skill has been improved. But the sure thing is there still a lot of things to be learned about photography. Anyway, I tried a DSLR camera (borrowed from Sonny :D) at the class of 2003 photo event. It really a whole different dimension compared to my pocket digicam. I really want a DSLR... sigh... does everyone want to give me one for free?? $_$

Anyway, I have read somewhere (maybe from a comic) that a male movie director can fall in love with the female leading character because he often views and sees her acting in front of the camera. Can you believe it?? I don't know if I experience the same thing. But, so many times I have taken photos and viewed the world from the camera viewfinder (err... in my digicam it just a LCD screen :P) and I fall in love with some objects and subjects which I have taken the pictures. Recently I have taken a lot of people pictures and I really like one person when I view her from my digicam. It is not a kind of love or like that you want him/her to be your partner in life. I just really like to take her picture. Haha... anyway it just a rambling from my photography side. Maybe someday I will tell her about this.

Anyway, here are some photos I've taken a while ago. Enjoy!!

Peaceful - At My House

Comment:
Taken at 2nd May 2007
She is maybe a stray cat or one of my neighbours cat. She visits my house very often just for asking food or playing around with my family. The way she slept was so peaceful, wasn't it?? By the way, this was maybe on her mind on that time: "I'm full, so it's time to take a good sleep."

Waiting The Moon Rise

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Taken at 25th March 2007

The Night Has Come

Comment:
Taken at 25th March 2007

Class of 2003 Photo

2007-05-07T13:31:00.000+07:00

Two days ago, at 5th May 2007, we -the class of 2003- took our photo to be included in our graduation book. To match colourful concept of the book, the book team decided that everyone must wear a bright colour top, consist of red, green, blue, yellow, orange, and purple.

A lot of effort to make the photo session happened has been paid. The weather was nice, the colour combination was really beautiful, no one used the place when the photo session took place, and almost everyone in class of 2003 came (around 100 persons came from total 128 persons). And it turned out to be a really good and fun day. It has been a long time for me to feel the excitement when we gather around and doing things together. I will really miss this kind of event in the future.

A ton thanks goes to photography team -consist of: DiBon, Rian, Windarto, Jaya-; Sonny (our graduation book team leader and photographer); ~~humas (I don't know this term in English. Have some suggestions anyone?? :P)~~ public relation (thanks to Roberto) team -consist of: Nyai, Ujay, Dani, Ridwan-; the rest of the graduation book team, and of course everyone in class of 2003. You are all awesome; it is really good to know all of you.

This book still has a long road to go, so please keep supporting this book. Anyway to catch up with news from the graduation book, you can read this blog, or you can ask the team, or you can post your question to our milis.

Of course I have taken a lot of photos during the event, and here is one photo from my camera. Enjoy it!!

It's Hot, but We even Hotter - At my Campus, West Campus Center, Basketball Court

Comment:
Taken at 5th May 2007
The colour was really beautiful, wasn't it??

I write in Indonesian about this event too at this link. Please visit it too.

Three Questions for Me

2007-04-14T13:56:00.000+07:00

Some times in the past, many have asked me three questions related to my writing in this blog. The first one is "Why I choose English for a lot of my posts recently??" There are a lot of reasons behind this. At first I just want to improve my English skill, mainly in writing skill. But recently, I start wanting this blog to be read by everyone in the world, not just with everyone who understands Indonesian. To achieve it, I always try to polish my English skill with writing a lot in English. But of course, I love Indonesian a lot too, because this is the language that I grow up with for these 21 years and this is my mother language. I will choose Indonesian to write a post if I feel that Indonesian suits the post better than English, and I will choose English, if I feel that English fits better.

The second one is "For whom I wrote some of the poems I have posted in this blog??" Writing is one of my ways to ease my mind and pour down my feeling. So a big portion of the poems I posted are mainly written for me for the first time. Then I will post the poem in here if I feel save for the poem to be read by everyone. And if I don't write to whom I dedicated the poems, aside for myself, the poems are for everyone reading.

The last one is "What is my interpretation for my poems??" I will gladly tell everyone that is asked me that question, but of course I will do it if I feel secure to open the secret *grin* hehe... Anyway, apart from my interpretation, I also love to read everyone interpretation. Because, I think this kind of writing has an open interpretation for everyone that reads it. So, whatever you think about my poems after you read it please put a comment to the poem :) Anyway I like to write in metaphor. But for a while I have to postpone that desire because of my insufficient English skill. To realize this desire I have to learn a lot more of English.

I don't know why that my post at 10th April 2007 had the reader comments option turned off. But I have turned it on again, hehe.. In case you want to read ant put some comments to it, now you can write your comments. Anyway something very, very good happened yesterday to me. I feel that I can't put of my smile and happy mood for couple of days from now *grin*. Have a nice weekend everyone.

Towards the Golden Horizon

2007-04-14T13:37:00.000+07:00

Dear beloved friend
have taken a long road for a full year
there you are
stand in front of
beginning of your new age.

Just take a little rest
sit on the shore
to ease your tired legs
with the sea breeze
and the late sun warmth.

Take a deep breath
to look back at your million foot steps
on the sea sand
under your shadow,
and pray your very best gratitude.

Turn and see the sun
setting slowly at the west
sense the light all over your skin
feel the hope that tomorrow will bring,
and make your deepest wish.

Put a smile on your face
and shakes your legs a little
get up with a whole full heart
take a glance at your back
then set your eyes to the glittering sea.

Start your walk again my friend
carve this sea sand
with your steps, jumps, and downs
and do not left your walk in the shadow
but towards the golden horizon.

Bandung
11th April 2007 - 02.31

Side note:
At first, I intended to write this poem just for a friend that celebrated her birthday a couple days ago. But when I read it more and more, I get the feeling that the message which I want to deliver is somehow appropriate for everyone else. On the other hand, the more I read it the more energy and spirit emit from these words, and of course the more I like it. I just can't help to think and feel that this poem is one of the best poems I ever made. Then I consider it will be a waste if this poem is just read by two people, so I post it here. A ton of thanks go to Lisiani, because if I haven't knew her, maybe I can't arrange these words, thanks a lot Cha. Hope you all like it, as I love it very much.

Just a Mind Problem

2007-04-10T13:48:00.000+07:00

A lot of problems for one people originate from inside one's head, the thought or the mind; at least it happens plenty times in my life. A problem in this post relates to anything in an individual life, for example a relationship problem with friends.

Let's start with just one simple question: "Have you ever felt that someone close to you started to behave strangely, and you thought that he/she started to keep a distance for you, and just to thought that way made you felt very irritated??" My answer is, definitely yes.

It is a bad characteristic of mine to look almost everything in my life from pessimistic point of view or from a bad side of the coin. I have a friend that I feel so attached to and feel so comfortable with. Doing everything with this friend of mine is very wonderful. Smart, bright, cheerful, discipline, and the others characteristics make a lot of excitement to work or just hanging around together with this friend of mine. But recently, I feel that this friend of mine starts to keep a distance from me. I don't know why but my feeling and mind just keep telling and remind me about this thing, and it distracts me greatly. But, of course I don't know for sure about my friend behavior. It becomes a mind problem for me and keeps bugging me for a while.

I realize that maybe this friend of mine doesn't have a bad intention for me and, again, maybe it is just a mind problem for me. I have practiced a lot to suppress this bad characteristic by these simple four ways:

First, look from a lot of side. To experience the beauty of a place, one mustn't see it in morning, day or night, but every second in the 24 hours, and every day in a year. If I think this way, maybe other people will think in other way. It is better to view a problem with other people eyes or mind than just stuck with our own thought.
Keep a positive thought. A coin has two sides, so it's not good always live in pessimistic mood.
Consult it with somebody. Just keep remember that there are a lot of people out there who still care and will listen to us. Sharing a problem with somebody will make lot of weight lift from our shoulder.
Keep praying and smiling. Don't forget to keep praying to God and ask Him to help us in this problem. Last, keep smiling will bright a day, and of course it is really nice to see a smiling face rather than a gloomy and sad face.

It is not that easy to change a habit, so I just have to fix my bad characteristic bit by bit. Right now, I have get rid a little of my pessimistic characteristic. But it doesn't work every time. Sometime, there is a bad mood hanging over my face but I can clear that gloomy aura more easily. On the other hand, a good sleep or eating some snacks can help me to ease my mind *grin*. Anyway, we just have walk step by step toward a better road, aren't we??

Updated - 14th April 2007:
Somehow the reader comments option for this post was turned off and I don't know why. So I turned it on again.

Personalized Searh Engine

2007-04-04T16:43:00.000+07:00

Okay.. now it's computer time. First, for anyone who doesn't know about search engine, please follow this link. This semester I attend a lecture about "Special Topic on Search Engine Technologies". And right now, I just have done the mid term take home examination and get a lot of information about personalized search engine. So, what is this term mean?? I can't get the definition from the internet. But for me, a personalized search engine is a search engine that provides different benefit for every different people that using it. Main characteristic in personalized search engine is to access the personalized feature, we have to logon to the system first.

For everyone that have a Google account and usually use Google search for everything, you can activate this feature with accessing http://www.google.com/searchhistory. I activated this feature on April 30th, 2007. Google provides a search history to log your search query and every link you click from the search result. You can choose to pause the search history from logging your searching activity too. Then, from this search history, Google can generate your trend at searching with Google and offer you with interesting items that maybe you interested in, even if you haven't knew about it. Every link in search history can be saved to Google Bookmark too. The last one from search history page is searching feature in your own search history.

Other than search history, Google provide a personalized home too. I think a lof of people have tried about this. And the effect that I haven't felt yet that Google search result will be differ when you log on to Google or not. I have read about that in this article.

There are still a lot of personalized search engine in the internet, such as:

Ok, have a thing to do now. If you have tried a little about personalized search engine, feel free to put some comment on this post. Ciaoo!!

Surat Cinta Terbuka untuk Para yang Mulia Wakil Rakyat

2007-03-23T14:53:00.000+07:00

Bandung, 22 Maret 2007

Kepada,
Yang terhormat para yang mulia wakil rakyat Indonesia

Salam terhormat dan tersayang saya sampaikan untuk para yang mulia wakil rakyat tercinta yang sedang berkarya dan berjerih payah untuk turut membangun negeri tercinta Indonesia. Mungkin para yang mulia wakil rakyat yang telah dan sedang mengenyam nikmatnya kursi dewan tidak mengenal saya sama sekali. Saya hanya salah satu dari rakyat Indonesia, berasal dari kalangan pemuda, yang bersama-sama dengan seluruh lapisan masyarakat dari hulu tertinggi hingga hilir terendah menyumbangkan keringat, air mata, dan darah untuk kenyamanan kursi para yang mulia. Saya sungguh berharap dari lubuk hati terdalam bahwa pengorbanan kami semua tidak akan pernah sia-sia, karena dapat menopang nikmatnya duduk di atas kursi dewan selama masa jabatan para yang mulia wakil rakyat.

Para yang mulia wakil rakyat, saya dengan penuh kesadaran mengakui bahwa diri ini sungguh bodoh, naif, dan kurang ditempa panas dinginnya alam. Tapi perkenankanlah saya, yang sangat jauh dari posisi nun jauh sempurna yang mulia wakil rakyat sekalian, untuk sekedar memberikan sebutir sumbangsih pemikiran, walaupun saya tahu bahwa gagasan ini akan langsung terlempar ke dalam tong sampah dewan saat tiba di mata, telinga, lidah, kulit, hidung, hati, pikiran, dan jiwa para yang mulia. Tapi tetap, saya memohon dengan penuh kerendahan hati agar gagasan saya didengar dahulu seutuhnya sebelum dicampakkan dan bergabung dengan kumpulan limbah lainnya. Saya sungguh tidak memiliki hati setangguh karang, sehingga selalu menangis, terluka, dan terkoyak dalam diri saya untuk setiap bencana di tanah air tercinta ini. Asa yang sangat lemah daripada yang mulia wakil rakyat ini selalu berteriak dan berteriak untuk memberikan segala cucuran air mata, keringat, darah, dan doa untuk membantu setiap sanak saudara terkasih di seluruh pelosok Indonesia. Tapi sekali lagi saya yakin, walaupun saya selalu berusaha sekuat tenaga membantu, para yang mulia wakil rakyat tentu mempunyai tekad baja dan pemikiran mutakhir untuk tidak turun berderma pada saudara-saudara tercinta.

Para yang mulia wakil rakyat, yang sedikit terpilih dari ratus juta penduduk Indonesia untuk mengemban suara kami dan menjadi pemimpin, tentu tidak dapat dibandingkan sama sekali dengan saya yang belum kenyang makan timbunan asam garam dunia, ilmu kemoralan, agama, politik, sains, manajemen, bisnis, pendidikan, ekonomi, dan lain sebagainya. Saya yang berasal dari kalangan terpinggirkan ini tentu tidak mempunyai visi setajam dan sekuat para yang mulia wakil rakyat. Dari sisi manapun melihat, saya selalu berpikiran bahwa banyak anggaran tidak penting dan tidak signifikan yang telah digunakan para yang mulia wakil rakyat. Saya selalu berpikir bahwa ada baiknya anggaran tersebut dialihkan untuk pendidikan dan kesehatan rakyat, untuk kepentingan masyarakat Indonesia. Tapi berkali-kali pun tetap saya yakin bahwa para yang mulia wakil rakyat mempunyai visi seindah berlian untuk masa depan Indonesia. Sebuah laptop tentu akan membantu kinerja para yang mulia wakil rakyat dalam 50 tahun ke depan dan memajukan Indonesia dalam 100 tahun ke depan, sedangkan bagi saya terlihat tetap lebih penting program satu buah laptop untuk seorang siswa. Tapi sepertinya ada secercah terobosan dalam otak saya, karena saya merasa para yang mulia wakil rakyat berusaha merubah stigma 4D yang telah mengakar dari "Datang, Duduk, Diam, Duit" menjadi "Datang, Duduk, Download, Duit". Izinkanlah saya sedikit berbangga atas kemajuan pola pikir ini, tetapi tetaplah berhati-hati para yang mulia wakil rakyat, agar tidak terulang kembali peristiwa penyebaran materi pornografi di kalangan anggota dewan yang telah terjadi beberapa saat lalu dan sangat terkenal itu.

Demikianlah sedikit gagasan dari saya untuk para yang mulia wakil rakyat. Tetapi izinkanlah saya memohon agar para yang mulia wakil rakyat tetap berkenan membaca hingga akhir tulisan saya ini. Para yang mulia wakil rakyat, selalu dengan tekun saya menempa pikiran dan hati, jiwa dan raga, jasmani dan mental diri ini demi kemajuan diri dan bangsa dan tanah air. Tetapi hingga saat ini, hasilnya adalah hati yang lemah dan visi yang tumpul. Karena itulah saya mohon sumbangsih saran dari para yang mulia wakil rakyat untuk diri saya yang bodoh ini agar dapat sedikit melangkah dan mendekat posisi nun sempurna tersebut. Sangatlah berterima kasih saya jika para yang mulia wakil rakyat rela membagi rahasia tersebut. Akhir kata, saya ingin berharap agar seluruh semangat, cinta, kasih, dan keringat yang saya kerahkan untuk membuat tulisan ini tidak berakhir dengan tepukan sebelah tangan. Sambutan tepukan dari telapak tangan para yang mulia wakil rakyat selalu saya nantikan dengan penuh kesabaran. Terima kasih yang sangat terdalam dan terluhur saya panjatkan kepada para yang mulia wakil rakyat Indonesia atas kesediaannya membaca tulisan ini hingga akhir. Semoga Indonesia terus berjaya dan para yang mulia wakil rakyat akan tetap nyaman duduk di atas kursi dewan selama masa jabatannya. Merdeka!

Hormat saya,

Saya, seorang dari kalangan pemuda terpinggirkan Indonesia

Diamond of Life

2007-03-21T20:35:00.000+07:00

what would you do
if you find treasure of life so precious
a diamond shaped so flawless
so when a ray of light touches
emits glittering glow so bright
only see the brilliance of it
warmth your heart
and ease your misery
just a little radiance of it
make the others around, sparkling
but it shares the shine with other than you
even if you know
that your light will resonate with its
and walk a long road with it??

I fell that
I can't seize it
though my heart shouts for it
and my soul wants it even more

then it comes to my mind
it is a God's gift
to show a precious diamond there is
for each of us
that not so flawless maybe
but will resonate
not only with light
but also with shadow of mine
and take step till the end of me

Bandung
20th March 2007 - 23.43

it feels

2007-03-15T17:22:00.000+07:00

it feels
that you pile up bricks and put the cement
build a wall when my thought and feel reach you
and it seems your smile
not the truest smile
you want to give
and you have

and when I show you my all
you seem surprised to see many faces you never know
I just feel
to be honest and the truth
really matter if I want to reach you
because I want you to know
pleasant face is not the only one I have
because I do have
angry, rude, picky, moody, lazy, and sad faces
because I do have
tears, blood, fear, and sweat
because all of these are the real me
yes... it is me

and when I tell myself
that I am afraid to hurt you when I reach you
that is just a big, big lie, lie, and lie
because really scared I am to be hurt
and go weak my heart to see the truth
even I know all these things are irrelevant
even I know that God will lead my way
I just can't help to be afraid
of the pain

so will I face the sun or turn back to shadow??
I just want to find the courage
to walk this road
till the end of it

Bandung
14th March 2007 - 02.05

Updated - 20th March 2007:
Correcting typing mistake, thanks to Ujay.

A Day with a Lot of Laughter

2007-03-15T16:06:00.000+07:00

I have written in "A Lot of Musics" post that something special happened on that day. Because of that something special I would like to declare that day as "Laughter Day". I really felt happiness and laughter just floating in the air, so I set my Y!M status as "A day with a lot of laughter" last Friday. It seemed that everything happened on that day made me laughed and happy. The excessive happiness happened on that day made me set a smile on my face all day long. And thanks to Lisiani who made that Friday a lot crazy, happy, and funny with her jokes, riddles, e-mails and chatting. I think that we did something silly and funny, that when I remember about it, I just can't stop smiling and laughing.

And the effect of that Friday seemed to continue on my first and second day in this week. A "chaotic" virus infected Audi and Ujay on Monday, so they just couldn't stop doing something silly and teasing me (and of course I teased them too). I still couldn't believe that Ujay ate a spoon of rice with chocolate milk shake and afterward said that it tasted weird *LOL*. And on Tuesday, I and Lisiani continued our riddle session with instant messages and e-mails. The excessive happiness aura from Friday just kept gradually decreasing, but still a lot of things happened on Monday and Tuesday kept me smiling. It seems that I am reminded, with all of these, what a good day we will have, if we give some pure smile and laugh from our heart. So everyone, keep spreading and sharing your happiness and make people around you smile.

This Shoes is Meant to be Mine

2007-03-14T10:43:00.000+07:00

My Precious Shoes - At my House

Comment:
Taken at 5th March 2007
This shoes has accompanied me for almost three years now. Apparently this shoes is the best condition sneaker I have, so I almost always use it to everywhere.

The story behind for this shoes to be mine is very miraculous... err on second thought not that miraculous I think *grin* hehe.. Okay, I bought this shoes accidentally, almost fated to have this shoes. That day, I really have no plan to buy any shoes and I just accompanied my mother to a mall (I can't remember what my mother wanted to buy that day :p). Then at that mall I spotted a very *shining* shoes with a very *shining* price and discount. The normal price was 200 thousand rupiahs and it was discounted 50%. 100 thousand rupiahs for a well known brand shoes is really cheap, furthermore I really like this shoes model. The simple style and denim material made me fall in love with this shoes. So I looked for my size, found it, and bought it with no further thought.

Right now, this shoes is torn in some place. It is really exhausted with all my activities in these three years. So from half years ago I decided to buy new shoes. I want good quality shoes but I can't afford the price if it's not discounted (it's just about money, money, and money $_$ kekeke...). So I just keep searching patiently to many shoes stores when there is a sale but I haven't found any shoes to buy. My criterions for searching this shoes are cheap price, good quality, good model, and match size and it's really hard to meet all these criterions. All these things just make me realize that this shoes is really meant to be mine. Hmm.. I think I have to stick with this shoes for more time.

Moral of this story are I'm a picky buyer and discounted items in Indonesia are seldom in good condition or good style or good model.

Side note: For everyone that curious about my Y!M status: "Yellow and Blue day" in the past, just imagine I walked around with a bright yellow and blue bag, a blue jeans pants, a blue wallet, a bright yellow t-shirt, and this shoes. All that items made my day yellow and blue *grin*

A Lot of Musics

2007-03-09T17:18:00.000+07:00

Yay.. I got a lot of mp3s recently. Yeah I know that this is a piracy thing, but I won't discuss it here. I concern about the piracy problem, but again I do not want to discuss it here, right now. Okay... first I got Tompi newest album with title Playful. Tompi is Indonesian vocalist with a very unique voice.. hmm.. I don't know how to describe it in English, can anyone help me?? I haven't heard all of the songs in this album, but generally, I think it's not quite as good as his previous album. The first song in this album is a jazz version of "Balonku" which is a children song in Indonesia. This song circulate in the Indonesian people with a fatal mistake in the lyric and so in the song sang by Tompi in Playful album. Can anyone post the right lyric for "Balonku"??

The second one is a band from my hometown Bandung called D'Cinnamons. This band just have released the debut album with title "Good Morning". D'Cinnamons' vocalist sounds very similar to The Cranberries vocalist, Dolores O'Riordan. This band brings an accoustic music and easy listening pop genre and I love it really much. Though the music and the lyric throughout the album are very simple, but they can deliver the mood and feel well. I think they still have a lot of rooms to grow and mature in their music style. I can't wait for their next album. Hopes that this band will grow and last for a long time. Anyway I really like three songs from this album, there are "Ku Yakin Cinta", "Loving You", and "So Would You Let Me Be...".

The third is YUI, a female singer from Japan. She still young (19 years old) and has a good music talent. I really like when she is sing just with her accoustic guitar. But her music style is too plain, there's not a unique sense in her style. But, I believe she is still has a big chance and time to grow her music skill and talent. Anyway I download the CHE.R.RY single from her. Well, it's still bring the Japanese Pop style, but let's see a couple years from now when she has matured her music skill and style.

The fourth is Chris Daughtry from American Idol season 5. This rock singer is really stick with his rock style. I like his vocal since watch him in American Idol. I got the Daughtry album from Aldo. Hmmm.... I like rock, but I think this album doesn't offer something unique. You will listen the same rock style throughout the album, it's quite boring for me. I just expect more from him because his vocal is really good.

The fifth and the last one is Incognito, my favourite band. Remember my post about Incognito newest album?? I have waited for the "Bees + Things + Flowers" album to be released in Indonesia, but it haven't released yet till now. This album features new arrangements from Incognito and Earth Wind & Fire classics. Read the article about this album at this link. Love it but I really miss the Incognito's upbeat style that I can't listen in this album. Anyway I really really love the "That's the Way of The World" song. The lyric is so good and have a really deep meaning. Here is the lyric from that song.

Hearts of fire creates love desire
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire creates love desire
High and higher to your place on the throne

We’ve come together on this special day
To sing our message loud and clear
Looking back we’ve touched on sorrowful days
Future pass, they disappear

You will find peace of mind
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Don’t hesitate ‘cause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart ‘cause you’re never (never, never, ..) old at heart

That’s the way of the world
Plant your flower and you grow a pearl
A child is born with a heart of gold
The way of the world makes his heart so cold

It's a really good music week for me I think. And a very special thing happens today, but I'll post it next time (and the photos too). Just wait for them.

BGM: "Bees + Things + Flowers" album by Incognito

Updated - 12th March 2007:
Correcting some mistakes in this post and a big sorry to Ujay because I forgot to write about Lisa Ono in this post. Okay.... I have heard about Lisa Ono name before but I haven't listened to her music. And Ujay recommended me about her because she (refer to Ujay :D) watch Lisa Ono live in Java Jazz Festival 2007 (2nd - 4th March 2007). She (this refers to Ujay too..) said that she was amazed with Lisa Ono performance. And I searched and got the "Dans Mon Ile", a bossanova album in French. In English the album title means "In My Island" (thanks to Google Translate). I think Lisa Ono is a great and very talented musician. She has created albums at least with 3 languages (French, Italian, and Portugese) and I think that's really great because it's not easy to pronounce words correctly in foreign languages, and it's really hard to speak French isn't it?? But after listened to this album, she (again this refers to Ujay..) said that the live performance was a lot better than the album... yah... that sometime happens.

Okay.... that's a wrap for a music review from me right now. And... Jay... you really disappoint me for not telling me that you were going to Java Jazz Festival 2007 kekekeke..... *devilish grin*

Updated 15th March 2007:
Andri reviewed D'Cinnamons too at this link, so please read it and you can find "Loving You" lyric at that post. After update on 12th March, there is still one album left to be reviewed. It is Free Your Mind album from Maliq & D'Essentials. I will review in the future post, otherwise there'll be a lot of update in this post :P

December 2006 Photos

2007-03-01T15:39:00.000+07:00

All these photos were taken in December 2006 with various themes, from Machine Learning assignment deadline to Braga Festival event.

- photo(s) deleted -

Happy Faces - At my Campus, IRK Lab

Comment:
Taken at 16th December 2006
The assignment was done and it's 2 hours and 30 minutes late. So.. it's happy time.. it's sleeping time.
(L-R) : Adi (it's me), Helen, Hermanto (a.k.a To-Ong), Aulia

Our Christmas Tree - At my House

Comment:
Taken ~~around~~ 25th ~~or 26th~~ December 2006
It's my family Christmas tree.

Bamboo Dragon - Bandung, Jalan Braga Bandung

Comment:
Taken 29th December 2006
It's a dragon create from bamboo in Braga Festival II event.

Another Panorama Photographs

2007-02-27T13:47:00.000+07:00

It hass been a while since I posted some of my photos in this blog. These two photos are taken with panorama assist feature and edited with Adobe Photoshop. Just wait more photos to come.

Tomorrow Will Come - On My House Roof

Comment:
Taken at 14th January 2007

View of Bandung - Gedung Sate, Bandung

Comment:

Taken at 3rd February 2007
This photo was taken in Amazing Race Informatika event.

Universal Language of Love

2007-02-14T18:05:00.000+07:00

“Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms without the aid of the seasons.”
- Kahlil Gibran -

Today is Valentine day, so the quote match the feel of this day. And of course it also suits the blog theme :p hehe... I like this quote. For me it could be mean that love can grow and blossom anytime and anywhere, even if you do not aware of it.

There are a lot of languages in this world, but love just speak in one language, just one universal languge. I believe that everyone will understand love even there are a lot barriers around the it. So we shouldn't limit ourselves to love anyone. Let's share it with everyone, everytime. Even we only have a simple love, if it comes purely from our hearts, a simple love can make the world go round.

For me everyday is a day for me to share and express the love in my heart. So let's start pouring the world with love, and make it better and better.

Happy Valentine everyone, all my friends, and especially my family and my love story somewhere out there.

New Taste

2007-02-13T13:54:00.000+07:00

Recently I am so busy with my college activity. I have also taken the Chinese course since 3 weeks ago which makes me busier. But, somehow I can edit some picture for this blog. You can see the new taste of my blog with two new pictures, one at the header and one at the footer. Feel free to put comment about this new layout. Anyway I haven't finished editing this layout, just wait more changes to come.

These two picture comes from my photos at the past. With a lot of help from Photoshop, I can edit those easily. I really like beautiful flower photos, so I decided to search my photos directory and put some at this blog. It is better to use the picture for the blog skin than just keeping it in my computer, isn't it??

Anyway Valentine's Day is coming and a flower theme suits the feel, doesn't it?? Valentine's Day is always connected to a lot of love story and I am currently pursuing my own love story too. The theme also suits my feeling right now which is flowery. Hehe... hopes everything will turn out good.

Love will grow if you share it.

it is you

2007-02-07T09:34:00.000+07:00

seems I have forgotten how this is feels
     just trying to make you smile
          truly make happiness blooms

for reminding me how this is feels
     when my smile is wide
          here, I give you my sincere thanks

wish I make, that you feel the same way
     and the end of this story, whatever it is
          truly grateful I am, is what I want to tell you

Bandung
4th February 2007 - 02.28

~~Currently untitled. Please post a comment if you have a suggestion for the title.~~

I've decided the title for this post. A big thanks for Aldo, Bram, Devi, Credo, and Anna for the comments.

Post Ketiga

2007-01-11T18:21:00.000+07:00

Rencana gue buat post ketiga di tahun 2007 ini akhirnya berubah karena ada permintaan khusus dari temen baik gue. Kita udah lama banget ngga bertatap muka. Gue juga udah lama banget ngga denger suaranya. Hmm... sekitar satu tahun lalu pernah sih denger suaranya dia lewat Skype, tapi itu juga putus-putus dan ngga jelas. Jadi, apa salahnya mengabulkan sedikit permintaannya??

Nah, barusan pas masih nulis post sebelumnya, terjadi percakapan sebagai berikut lewat Yahoo Messenger tercinta:

...
--temen gue--: gi apa mas?
**gue**: lagi blogging
**gue**: hehehe
**gue**: lo lagi ngapain mbak??
--temen gue-- : balesin email penggemar gelap
--temen gue-- : :P
**gue**: huhuhu
**gue**: keren uy punya penggemar gelap
**gue**: kenal lewat mana gitu??
--temen gue-- : waktu magang semester lalu
--temen gue-- : hihihihi
--temen gue-- : sampe si --pacarnya temen gue-- cemburu berat
**gue**: :))
**gue**: parah lo
--temen gue-- : yeeee, kan bukan salah g donk kalo dia tertarik ma g
**gue**: hmm
**gue**: iya sih
**gue**: kecantikan tuh dosa ya
**gue**: ;))
--temen gue-- : ga lah
--temen gue-- : yang dosa itu mata yang memandang dan menginginkannya
--temen gue-- : :P
...

Sebagai catatan tambahan, temen gue ini cewe (ngga mungkin banget kalo cowo lah yaa :P). Terus... istilah "kecantikan itu dosa" gue pinjem dari Anna Maria yang sering banget ngomong gitu. Terus berjuang balesin e-mail penggemar gelap lo ya teman baikku.

This Year Resolutions...

2007-01-11T17:29:00.000+07:00

A lot of things have happened in 2006 and here I am standing at the beginning of 2007 right now. Err... to be precise it is 11 days after the first day in 2007 :p hehe.. There are so many things that I want to do in this brand new 2007. The list grows from time to time but the top five of the list are:

Reducing my following-mood habit.
Reducing my habit to postpone everything... almost everything about assignments is more accurate :D
Learn how to cook to my mom.
Improve my English skill.
Learn Chinese.

Hmm.. that's all for now I think. Hope that I can keep all these resolutions. By the way read this interesting writing about how to make and keep New Year's resolutions. Hope that everything will be getting better and better this year.

Terang by Glenn Fredly

2007-01-08T17:13:00.000+07:00

Glenn Fredly is one of the most talented musician from Indonesia, and he is one of my favorite artist. I really like his voice as a vocalist, his performance as an entertainer, and all his songs and lyrics. "Terang" (Light in English) is the first song from his Christmas album. This song's lyric is very inspiring... and really great. This is the lyric in Indonesian (taken from Anggri's blog):

Jadilah terang, jangan di tempat yang terang
Jadilah terang, di tempat yang gelap

Jadilah jawaban, jangan hanya kau diam
Jadilah jawaban, di luar rumahmu

Hooooo.... Jadilah jawaban
Hooooo.... Jadilah terang

Jadilah garam, jangan di tengah lautan
Jadilah harapan, jangan hanya berharap

Jadilah jawaban, jangan hanya ucapan
Jadilah jawaban, jangan tambahkan beban

Hooooo.... Jadilah jawaban
Hooooo.... Jadilah terang

Kedamaian yang kita inginkan
Hanya ada bila hati kita bersama

Hooooo.... Jadilah jawaban
Hooooo.... Jadilah terang

Hooooo.... Jadilah jawaban
Hooooo.... Jadilah terang

Hooooo.... Jadilah jawaban
Hooooo.... Jadilah terang

Jadilah terang

And here my English translation from the lyric (post a comment if you find any mistakes :D hehe.. sorry for my inadequate English):

Be the light, not at the bright place
Be the light, at the dark place

Be the answer, don’t you keep silent
Be the answer, outside your home

Hooooo.... be the answer
Hooooo.... be the light

Be the salt, not in the midst of the sea
Be the hope, don’t just hoping

Be the answer, not just word
Be the answer, don’t be a burden

Hooooo.... be the answer
Hooooo.... be the light

There will be the peace we all want
If our heart go together

Hooooo.... be the answer
Hooooo.... be the light

Hooooo.... be the answer
Hooooo.... be the light

Hooooo.... be the answer
Hooooo.... be the light

Be the light

What do you think about this lyric?? It's really peaceful I think.

Speaking about music, I bought "Spiral" album on Christmas holiday last year (last year doesn't mean one year ago :P) which I really want. Fortunately, the CD reappeared in the store and I immediately bought it (read my post about it). I really love Hiromi's music too. All of the songs in this "Spiral" album are full of feel, love, and energy. And speaking about music again, Incognito released a new album on August 2006. I can't wait the album to be released in Indonesia. It's the time to check the music store...

My first post this year...
My plan for the second post is some of my resolution this year...

What is Christmas for You??

2006-12-22T17:01:00.000+07:00

Christmas is the time when Jesus Christ was born to the world

The world seems overjoyed when Christmas is coming and parties will be held everywhere in the world. But who will truly welcome Him with open hands and open heart?? Not that much I think. But still 25^th December is one of 365 days that I’m expected every year. Coming to December, I usually have a “can’t wait for Christmas” feeling.

I’m not going write too much about this for sometimes I’m still ungrateful for what I am, for everything He give me. But I am still really grateful that He has come to this world so there is Christmas. And I'm really greatful that I've known Him.

Christmas is the time for me contemplating myself, grateful for everything He has done, and grateful for everything I have.
Christmas is not about Christmas’ Carols.
Christmas is not about party.
Christmas is not once a year, Christmas is every time.
Christmas is the time when Jesus Christ was born to the world.
Christmas is the time when we welcome Him to our heart.
Christmas is everywhere.

So what is Christmas for you??

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. May God bless you always.

This is probably my last post this year.

Beginilah kalau lagi ngga jelas...

2006-12-22T16:12:00.000+07:00

Tadi gue ngerjain tugas sambil chatting sama temen-temen di kampus dan berhubung sedang mode ngga jelas dan merajuk, gue bisa menghasilkan deretan kalimat berikut.

ternyata uang sudah membutakan lo
duhh sedihnya daku
masa pertemanan kita harganya sama kaya ongkos print
kalo lo sampe ga sadar gue merasa sudah gagal sebagai teman lo
waduh hidup ini kok semakin sedih rasanya
langit pun menangis melihat keadaan ini
liat aja ke luar ujan gede banget tuh

Untungnya temen gue ngga merespon ketidakjelasan ini. Hehe.. hidup GJ. Ohya.. pilih kalimat yang paling kalian suka ya. Kalimat favorit gue adalah kalimat ketiga :p

A Hedgehog Dilemma

2006-12-18T14:46:00.000+07:00

I've wanted to write about this topic since a month ago. I know about this "Hedgehog Dilemma" from Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series. The unique term of this dilemma makes it always be remembered by me. And after some events occured last month, suddenly this term popped up in my head. Then my curiosity drives to browse the internet about this topic. Anyway, for more informations about "Hedgehog Dilemma", please follow this Wikipedia link or Answers.com link.

It's the nature of human, that in life we always need somebody else, that in life we can't live alone for humans are social beings. So unconsciously, at least for me, human always feels comfortable when there is someone around that loves and concerns about us. But, every single individual is a unique being and imperfect. So sometimes we do something that hurt each other. It likes the false idea of this dilemma, that hedgehogs, with their sharp spines, will hurt each other if they get too close. The closer we get to someone, the chances that we will get hurted will be bigger. Because when we have a close relationship with someone, we tends to have a high expectation of him/her. But the differences among humans and imperfect trait in every single individual make that expectation is highly unlikely will be fulfilled. And when this is happened, we will be badly hurted.

Fortunately, hedgehogs don't hurt each other when they close to each other. When relaxed the spines lay flat and do not pose threat of poking one another. One of my friends, Audi, said that when we were relaxed at a relationship, we would not hurt each other. I'm agree with her, but I think we must act according to the situation and condition. The key points are we have to try to understand each other and keep in our mind always that every human is imperfect and unique.

The beauty of life comes from the harmony of the differences in life.

YES, I'm Tempted

2006-12-10T12:49:00.000+07:00

Two days ago, when I had my hair cut, I went to music store, to browse new CDs and cassettes. My plan was to buy a CD, titled Spiral, by Hiromi Uehara. I'm really curious with her music. So, after postpone about three months, two days ago I decided to listen to her music first, and if her music suit my taste I would buy the CD. Anyway, this CD is imported one and the only one in the store. I gambled with my luck to postpone buying this CD. And my luck ran out for the CD had been sold two days ago.

But instead of Hiromi's CD, I found The Soul Sessions cd by Joss Stone. I really love her voice and music, so I switched my plan to buy The Soul Sessions. After browsing a while, I found another interesting CD, a Christmas album by Ella Fitzgerald. She is one of the legend jazz vocalist, though I rarely hear her song. Right now, I'm really tempted to buy this two CDs, but it will be over budget for me. And after watching "Mass in C Minor" concert yesterday, I have to think carefully if I want to buy these CDs. It seems that I have to meditate for a while.

Switch to Blogger Beta

2006-12-04T19:19:00.000+07:00

I'm switch to blogger beta. Hahaha.. really don't have any topic to post.. errrr.. on second thought, it really a lot of topic swirling inside my head. But, I'm too lazy right now to write and post it right now.

A really busy week has been passed, but another busy week will come. Ohh... I really can't wait for Christmas holiday. By the way, it's December everyone and Christmas is coming. But, this Christmas holiday will be full of assignments I think. Let's not hope so.

Anyway, Bandung is freezing right now. Hmm.. I really like Bandung when its cold. Seems my theory in last post is correct.

Banyak hal deh....

2006-11-23T13:57:00.000+07:00

Hmm.. udah lama juga ngga post. Belakangan ini kesibukan gue sedang sangat sibuk.... eh maksudnya gue semakin sibuk belakangan ini. Yah.. selain itu juga agak kehilangan mood buat nulis. Berhubung udah lama ngga post jadi banyak banget yang mau ditulis.

Sekarang Bandung lagi panas-panasnya nih. Di halaman depan harian Pikiran Rakyat (korannya Jawa Barat), hari Selasa, tanggal 20 November 2006 sampe ada judul berita [Bandung ”Hareudang” Suhu 34,20 Celsius]. Huh.. gila deh panasnya, sampe gue sering kipas-kipas dan tidur harus selalu ditemani kipas angin. Ada yang salah dengan Bandung sepertinya.

Masalah Bandung yang panas ini gue punya teori konspirasi menarik. Sedikit berkhayal dan bergosip boleh lah yaa... Coba tengok berita pada link di atas. Di situ tertulis rekor suhu terpanas Bandung terjadi pada 21 Oktober 2002, yaitu mencapai suhu 34,7 derajat Celcius. Pas tanggal segitu gue masih kelas 3 SMU, dan saat itu (kalo gue ga salah inget) ada pameran lampion di Bandung. Bulan Oktober tentunya merupakan musim hujan dan pameran lampion bakal rugi besar kalo sampe propertinya banyak yang rusak karena hujan. Di Bandung pas musim hujan tuh biasanya hujan setiap harinya. Nah berhubung acaranya dilaksanakan di tempat terbuka, gue pikir panitianya bermodal nekat doang. Tapi setelah denger-denger gosip, mereka sampe sewa pawang hujan supaya acaranya berjalan lancar. Walhasil terjadi suatu kejadian aneh, yaitu sekitar 3 minggu ngga turun hujan sama sekali. Kalo semisalnya turun hujan pun langsung berhenti dalam waktu kurang dari 5 menit.

Nah beberapa saat yang lalu berlangsung juga acara serupa dengan nama "Disney Lantern Funtasy" sejak 20 Oktober sampai 19 November 2006. Menurut gue ini acara yang aneh juga kalo diadain saat musim hujan. Dan ternyata acara ini bertepatan dengan menghilangnya hujan di Bandung beberapa minggu ini. Hmm.. mungkin panitianya sewa pawang hujan juga kali ya. Kalo bener sih gue cuma bisa bilang: "kalian breng***".

Nah.. topik berikutnya adalah hari Sabtu, 18 November 2006, akhirnya jadi juga acara makan-makan kelompok PPL gue. Sekedar informasi saja, PPL adalah singkatan dari Proyek Perangkat Lunak, salah satu mata kuliah wajib gue di semester 6 kemaren. Kegiatan mata kuliah ini adalah pengerjaan sebuah proyek perangkat lunak sepanjang semester dan lumayan menghabiskan energi dan waktu. Tapi pada akhirnya kelompok gue berhasil melewatinya dengan berhasil. Nah pada saat berakhirnya tugas, gue sebagai Project Leader, pengen mentraktir semua anggota kelompok, yahh.. sekalian traktiran ulang tahun gue yang kebetulan berdekatan juga waktunya. Tapi karena banyak hal, termasuk kerja prakte, acara makan-makannya selalu batal sampai akhirnya jadi tanggal 18 November itu. Buat Unis, Ujay, Vic, Ong, dan Deasy terima kasih buat perjuangannya ya. Hehe.. gue minta maaf juga kalo berbuat kesalahan, marah-marah "sedikit", dan lain-lainnya yaa.. Nah berikut foto waktu acara makan-makannya.

Take a Pose Everyone

(L-R) : Victor, Wulan (a.k.a Ujay), Adi (it's me), Hermanto (a.k.a To-Ong), Eunice (read: Unis), Deasy

Hehehe... akhirnya gue memulai proses tugas akhir gue juga. Fyuhh.. ayo kumpulkan semangat, kerjakan tugas kuliah, tugas akhir, ngajar, dan keinginan-keinginan lainnya dengan semangat. Ayoo...

1000th Photo

2006-10-30T17:17:00.000+07:00

Family

Comment:
Taken at 24th October 2006
Edited with Adobe Photoshop CS
L-R: My brother, my mother, my father, me
After a while I decided to took the -1000th photo from my digicam- at my family. You are all very important for me.

Photo and Poem

2006-10-30T16:57:00.000+07:00

Shine On - At Jimbaran

Comment:
Taken at 11th August 2006

what really define you

at first you have everything
as your eyes blink
has gone your wealth
disputes come and go
and as you turn your head around
have left your friends
and God has not done testing you
as a lot suffering fall upon you
taking everything left in you
bit by bit
your appearance
your physical ability
your best friends
your chances
your future
your tears
even your family
mind, heart, and soul
are the very last on yourself
and at last
those are that define you
even you lost your family
even tears have dried up
even tomorrow seems so dark and far away
even chances are fading away
keep your mind, heart, and soul
always
and shine
as the end comes
you can see somehow
your smile, spirit, and passion
continue to live
because your mind, heart, and soul
are really what define you

Bandung
25th October 2006 - 01.07

Inspired by "1 Litre of Tears"

When love has fallen...

2006-10-15T14:39:00.000+07:00

I know that to love is to give. But every individual has a little bit of egoistical trait which is making it impossible for us for loving someone without any urge to be loved back. It is a common saying that said, “You should let her/him go if you love her/him.” But when we love someone, we always want to receive the same love we give. That makes “to love is to give and to receive.” An egoist point of view but that is what makes us human.

Love sure works in a very mysterious way. When I was hurt by love, I felt that I would never fall in love again. But love is always there around the world. And when you are not aware, love will struck your heart and reside within it. And even if you are aware, love will work its way to open your heart along with plant the seed of love in it. And right now, this kind of emotion pierces to my heart.

For these few days, I have a pounding heart, a “missing someone” mood, and a lot of complicated feeling. I realized that maybe I am falling in love to someone. And to make things worse, I can not figure this someone out. I always feel that I will be ready when the time for me to fall in love again comes. But right now, this kind of feeling really confuses me and I feel that I am still not ready, or to be precise not brave enough, to face this feeling. For I know that to love is to be happy when you receive the love back, or to be sad when you are heartbroken. It is a risk in love, and honestly I do not have courage to take that risk right now. For I know that a heartbroken feeling is truly devastated and will tore your heart apart.

I am always waiting for this time but right now, my heart says it is not the right time. For some various emotions and reasons, I want to neglect this feeling. But my logic says that if this is not the time, then when is the appropriate time. This contradiction is confusing me. Ah… well… my life also full of contradictions, so why I must bother myself with another contradiction??

But given an amount of time, I come to a conclusion that I will never ready to fall in love again. And when that time is come, all I need to do is let it grow with a full compassion and see if that love will grow and live. So right now I just keep my heart open, nourish this seed of love, and hope that it will bloom in the future.

To love is to give.
To love is to be happy and sad.
To love is to take the risk to receive the love back or to be heartbroken.

Friends

2006-10-13T16:52:00.001+07:00

Whew... I finally passed my weeks of hell. Two mid-tests and five assignments really drain my strength up. But, I still have one more assignment to do which is due next week. Anyway, I can catch my breath again and take a really good sleep yesterday. The good side is I made my own personal record in "Awake for 37 hours non-stop" yesterday. *grin*

Thanks to God that I can go through this weeks. God sure works in a lot of ways. Including give me a bunch of friends that keep supporting and spirit me up. For me a friend means a lot of things. It could be a happiness, sadness, anger, knowledge, wisdom, and everything else. Without any friends in this world, I don't think I can go through all comforts or any hardship. So make a friend every time you can.

Thanks to all of you my friends. And a really big thanks goes to all my partners in those assignments and to someone that always send me instant messages about "hang in there" in various ways. For this someone I wish you the best in you works. By the way, for everyone that assumes that you are this someone please put a comment. *grin*

A friend in need, is a friend indeed.

Deja Vu

2006-10-13T16:52:00.000+07:00

Tanggal 29 September 2006 ada peristiwa aneh yang gue golongkan sebagai deja vu. Walaupun peristiwanya sedikit berbeda dari arti deja vu aslinya. Peristiwa itu terjadi lewat YM. Nah berikut adalah sekilas percakapan gue dengan 2 temen gue, sebut saja si A dan B.

-A- : test
**gue** : test
-A- (9/29/2006 8:02:41 PM): ping **nick gue**
**gue** (9/29/2006 8:02:52 PM): reply from **nick gue**
-A- : msh di sister?
**gue** : masih
**gue** : :))
**gue** : ada kejadian lucu
-A- : walah
**gue** : bentar2
-A- : ronda
-A- : apa?
**gue** :

-B- (9/29/2006 7:32:13 PM): ping **nick gue**
**gue** (9/29/2006 7:32:46 PM): pong -nick si B-
**gue** : oi
**gue** : apa kabar nih??
-B- : km harusnya jawab reply from **nick gue** dong
**gue** : oh gitu ya

**gue** : lucu kan??
**gue** : baru setengah jam yang lalu loh
**gue** : de javu bo
**gue** : :))
-A- : ah kok bs
**gue** : iya
**gue** : makanya lucu
...

with Your hand

2006-10-04T19:15:00.000+07:00

breaking and falling down
dried up tears and sweat
tired eyes
slipped strength
torn apart heart
that I am

but a life should be that is
life that talks about honesty, passion, and love
loves me, others, and You

guides me with Your hand so tender
so stand up again I can

stands at the present
face the future

fear no with me
with Your hand

Bandung
2nd October 2006 - 23.27

Dedicated to someone out there that I really miss though I don't know who she/he is

Menyeimbangkan Hidup

2006-09-22T19:03:00.000+07:00

Tidak ada satupun manusia yang sempurna. Bahkan jika memang ada manusia yang sempurna, terdapat juga ungkapan bahwa kekurangannya adalah tidak mempunyai kekurangan. Sebenarnya ketidaksempurnaan manusia ini menjadi suatu kelebihan di dalam diri manusia dan membuatnya menjadi indah. Karena memang demikianlah manusia diciptakan oleh Sang Pencipta, yaitu menjadi potongan-potongan puzzle yang saling mengisi dan bersatu untuk membentuk gambar yang indah.

Walaupun begitu, tidak sempurnanya manusia tentu berdampak banyak pada kehidupan sehari-hari, baik untuk dirinya sendiri maupun untuk untuk lingkungan sekitarnya. Manusia kadang bingung dan bimbang untuk melakukan suatu hal. Bahkan setiap kelebihan dari dalam diri manusia sering dibawa hingga ke titik ekstrim sehingga membawa lebih banyak hal-hal buruk daripada hal-hal baik.

Tetapi, segala suatu yang telah diciptakan oleh Sang Pencipta pada dasarnya adalah baik. Sekarang yang harus manusia lakukan adalah belajar menggunakan dan mengelolanya dengan baik. Menyeimbangkan hidup tentu menjadi kunci utama keberhasilan hal tersebut. Seimbang antara berpikir dan bertindak, seimbang antara bekerja dan beristirahat, seimbang antara menangis dan tertawa, seimbang antara bicara dan mendengar, serta seimbang antara hal-hal lainnya.

Hidup dengan seimbang karena Sang Pencipta telah menciptakan segala suatunya dengan seimbang. Hidup dengan seimbang, niscaya dunia menjadi tempat yang lebih indah.

Selamat menunaikan ibadah puasa bagi semua teman yang beragama Islam untuk 30 hari ke depan.

Dilema

2006-09-21T21:03:00.000+07:00

Menjadi pengajar privat sebenarnya menjadi salah satu dilema dalam hidup gue. Dipandang dari satu sisi, gue sangat membutuhkan pekerjaan ini untuk mencari pengalaman mengajar dan juga mendapatkan tambahan uang saku. Gue sebenernya juga ingin sedikit mandiri dalam masalah keuangan karena kondisi ekonomi keluarga gue tidak terlalu baik.

Tetapi jika dipandang dari sisi lainnya, mengajar privat untuk mata pelajaran yang diajarkan pada institusi pendidikan formal menunjukkan ada yang tidak beres pada sistem pendidikan ini. Siswa seharusnya mendapat pelajaran dan pendidikan yang cukup di sekolah atau di manapun tempat dia menuntut ilmu. Jika siswa merasa kurang, maka seharusnya siswa meminta tambahan tersebut pada guru atau pengajar pada institusi formal tersebut, bukan mencari tambahan dari luar. Lagipula biaya pendidikan yang semakin mahal seharusnya membuat siswa dan orang tua semakin peduli dengan kondisi pendidikan ini.

Pada kenyataannya, saat ini kebanyakan siswa dan orang tua banyak mencari tambahan dari luar, termasuk dari gue, untuk mencari tambahan ini. Hal ini diperburuk dengan adanya rasa kurang percaya diri pada sebagian besar orang bahwa tanpa tambahan tersebut, siswa tidak dapat mengikuti pelajaran di sekolahnya. Sekolah serta institusi formal lainnya pun nampaknya tidak begitu peduli dengan masalah ini.

Permasalah ini sudah semakin parah dan meradang. Bahkan semakin banyak orang yang menjadikan ini sebagai lahan mencari uang tanpa memandang esensi pekerjaan seorang guru. Mereka terkadang tidak tahu bahwa hal terpenting menjadi guru adalah mendidik dan mengajar, bukan mencari uang. Tapi gue pun ikut serta dalam hal ini, membuat ladang mata pencaharian di atas kesalahan sistem. Dilematis, tapi diperlukan.

A Couple of Tests

2006-09-15T20:00:00.000+07:00

I feel bored right now. So I decided to take a couple tests at blogthings which I know from my friends' blog. Here are the results:

Your Love Life Secrets Are

Looking back on your life, you will only have one true love.

You're a little scarred from your past relationships, but who isn't?

You expect a lot from your lover - you want the full package. You tend to be very picky.

In fights, you are able to walk away and calm down. You are able to weather the storm.

Break-ups can be painful for you, but you never show it. You hold your head high.

Your Love Life Secrets, Revealed

Your Birthdate: May 27

You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything.
You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life.
Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal.
You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return.

Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone

Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge

Your power color: Cobalt blue

Your power symbol: Dove

Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

You Are An INFJ

The Protector

You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.
Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.
You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.
You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them.

You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

What's Your Personality Type?

How You Life Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside.
You tend to avoid confrontation and stay away from sticky situations.
You prefer a variety of friends and tend to change friends quickly.
You have one big dream in your life, and you never lose sight of it.

How Do You Live Your Life?

You Are 35% Impulsive

You're a pretty stable and serious person. You don't take things lightly.
This doesn't mean you can't have fun - you just have fun responsibly.
You definitely have a spontaneous side, but you only let loose when it's appropriate.

Are You Impulsive?

You Are 55% Feminine, 45% Masculine

You are in touch with both your feminine and masculine sides.
You're sensitive at the right times, but you don't let your emotions overwhelm you.
You're not a eunuch, just the best of both genders.

Are You Masculine or Feminine?

Duhhh... have to do my assignment.

Happy and Sad News

2006-09-11T19:50:00.000+07:00

Two days ago, Saturday-9th September 2006, my family has one new member. Let me introduce you to my cute little kitten (I still don't have a name for her). You can see her at these two photos.

Comment:
My legs is one of her favourite spots to sit around. She is so cute isn't it??

Comment:
Please don't move around... I want to capture your picture *grin*

Unfortunately she fell sick at Saturday night and she couldn't even stand and eat yesterday morning. But I and my mom decided to force her drink some milk. At Sunday night, she was going better. She could walk around and also sit at my legs or my lap or my arms. I was so happy and hope that she would be going better and better. But this morning she is dead. My mom buried her even before I wake up. I will miss her. Though she stays at my house only for two days, I already like her.

Goodbye my cute little kitten.
These tears are for you.

Today The Flowers Have a Thousand Meaning

2006-09-08T21:30:00.000+07:00

Trisum - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006

Shower me With Your Light - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006
This photo and "Trisum" are especially taken for Lisiani. She said that she wants the tree with these yellow flowers. *grin*

White Tree - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006

Closer to The White Tree - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006
When you look a little closer at the tree in "White Tree" picture, you will see that the flowers are mixture from purple to white colours. It seems that the flower has a violet colour when it blooms and growing to paler colour to white when it reach full bloom.

Contrast - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006
When the right tree almost has no leafs, the left one has a lot of promise with so many flowers blooming.

Death and Life - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006
When there is death, a full promising life also walk into the world.

Violet Flower - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006
It seems that these flowers are the same kind with ones in "Closer to The White Tree". I took those two pictures at different trees.

Full of Life - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 8th September 2006
This flower reminds me to always struggle in life. I feels really down right now, but this flower somehow gives me a hope and a lesson that God never leaves his creations, that everything will be beautiful when the time comes.

Yesterday Flowers

2006-09-08T20:56:00.001+07:00

The Gate - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 7th September 2006

The Pillars - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 7th September 2006

The Symmetric - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 7th September 2006

The Orange Flower - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 7th September 2006

Night and Morning

2006-09-08T20:56:00.000+07:00

Night Life - Pasupati Fly Over, Bandung

Comment:
Taken at 5th September 2006
I broke two laws to take this picture. The first one is entering the fly over with bicycle and second one is stopping at the fly over. *devilish grin*

Beginning of Journey - Jalan Pasirkaliki, Bandung

Comment:
Taken at 7th September 2006

Sun Rise - Jalan Pasirkaliki, Bandung

Comment:
Taken at 7th September 2006
I took this picture and "Beginning of Journey" when I went to my college to attend a class that starts at 6:30 a.m. Very early isn't it?? But the lecturer came at 6:55 a.m. *sigh* It took about 10 minutes to take these photos and 8 other photos (I don't post those here).

The Flowers Blooming

2006-09-05T18:17:00.000+07:00

It seems all flowers in my campus blooming right now. Can you see the pink and orange colour at the far right side of these photos?? Beautiful isn't it?? These two photos taken with different orientation, portrait and landscape. I can't decide which one is I like the best, so I post all the photos.

I will try to capture another views (of course with a lot of flowers) in my campus tomorrow. I hopes that the weather will be nice tomorrow.

Side News:

Steve Irwin died after being struck in the chest by the stingray's barb. I like his show (The Crocodile Hunter) very much though I rarely watch the show now. May you rest in peace in heaven and God bless your family always.
I get Aston Villa's mp3s today. This is not an English football club. I saw Aston Villa's performance at Journee Francaise event at ITB and it was stunning. Unfortunately I don't understand the French language they used. Their rock style isn't unique but I like their music and I think they a lot better when they perform on a stage. It's expanding my mind about European musisc.

A Correction

2006-09-04T14:29:00.001+07:00

Few days ago, after I organized all my photos, I realized that one of my photos that had been posted in this blog had a orientation mistake. It has "A Flower" title and posted in this post. From the first time posted this photo, I feel there is something wrong with this picture. But now a correction has been made. So please visit this post.

Penampilan Rambut Baru

2006-09-04T14:29:00.000+07:00

Semangat baru harus dibarengi penampilan baru. Mmm... ga segitunya sih. Sebenernya hari Jumat yang lalu temen gue ada yang ngajak potong rambut. Kebetulan ada temen, akhirnya gue ikut potong rambut juga karena gue ga suka potong rambut kalau harus nunggu sendirian. Tiba-tiba muncul deh "kecentilan" gue, dan gue pengen nyobain creambath.

Jadinya, hari Minggu kemaren gue potong rambut juga plus creambath. Duhh.. ternyata enak juga ya creambath tambahan dipijat juga. Tapi ga enaknya itu waktu potong rambut yang super lama dan biaya yang mahal juga. Bayangin aja mulai dari jam 18:11:35 sampai selesainya jam 19:41:xx. Buang waktu banyak banget deh.

Sesampainya gue di rumah:
mami: "Loh potong rambut ya??"
gue: "Iya. Sama creambath juga."
mami: *ngga ngomong apa-apa sambil muka terbengong-bengong*
gue: "Ga apa-apa donk kalo sekali-kali memanjakan diri."
mami: *ketawa*

Foto di bawah ini diambil sesampainya gue di rumah kemaren malam. Sebenernya ga penampilan baru juga sih. Gaya potongan rambut gue emang udah seperti ini untuk setahun belakangan ini.

bagaimana

2006-08-31T11:12:00.002+07:00

bagaimana menetes
jika berlinang tidak air mata?
bagaimana berlinang
jika berduka tidak rasa?
bagaimana berduka
jika patah tidak asa?
bagaimana patah
jika jatuh tidak hati?
bagaimana jatuh
jika tahu tidak yang tercinta?

lalu apa panas dan mengalir pada pipi?
lalu bagaimana pandangan kabur,
mata basah,
dan wajah lembab?

Bandung
31 Agustus 2006 - 01.37

Panorama Photoghraps

2006-08-31T11:12:00.000+07:00

All of these photographs taken with panorama assist feature in my digicam. Last night I have installed the software, which I got with the digicam, to arrange the photographs into one photograph. I have tried arrange these with Adobe Photoshop too, but it really needed a lot of effort that I gave up. With panorama assist software, it's very easy to arrange these photos and the result is nice. But at these two result photos there are a little deffects (put a comment if you notice them).

Panorama at Kintamani

1

The Result

Comment:
All the photoghraps taken at 5th August 2006

Sky Panorama on My House Roof

1

The Result

Comment:
All the photoghraps taken at 26th August 2006

Photographs Post from Bandung

2006-08-29T19:45:00.000+07:00

Light Speed - Jalan Merdeka, Bandung

Comment:
Taken from the crossing bridge at Jalan Merdeka Bandung at 20th August 2006

Night View - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 22th August 2006
Scary isn't it? One of my friend said it's look like a cemetery.

Yellow Tree - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 25th August 2006

Twisted - At my Campus

Comment:
Taken at 25th August 2006

Cloud Circling Around - On my House Roof

Comment:
Taken at 26th August 2006

Before the Sun Sets - On my House Roof

Comment:
Taken at 26th August 2006

Series of Cloud Photograph - On my House Roof

1

Comment:
These photographs are taken at 26th August 2006

Sun Set - On my House Roof

Comment:
Taken at 26th August 2006

I will See You Tomorrow- On my House Roof

Comment:
Taken at 26th August 2006

Take a Little Peek - On my House Roof

Comment:
Taken at 26th August 2006

Koneksi internet super cepat

2006-08-29T18:28:00.000+07:00

Wah senangnya hari ini walaupun telat bangun dan ga masuk kuliah Analisis Perancangan Berbasis Objek (APBO) hari ini. Pertama, gue berhasil ngerjain beberapa temen gue dengan sangat berhasil. Kedua, tiba-tiba koneksi internetnya jadi super cepat.

Kemaren sebenernya sempet kesel juga karena ga bisa download file-file ukuran besar (baca: file-file berukuran di atas 5 MB). Memang ada polisi penggunaan internet di kampus bahwa dalam rentang waktu pukul 09.00 sampai 17.00 ngga bisa download file-file berukuran besar. Tapi kemaren itu gue mau download sekitar jam 19.30 dan tetep ga bisa. Tapi ternyata hari ini, setelah tahu temen gue ada yang bisa download file sekitar 130 MB, gue nyoba lagi deh nge-download file-file yang gue mau. Sebenernya file-file apa sih yang gue mau itu?? Jawabannya adalah file-file mp3 dari album terbaru Five for Fighting, yaitu Two Light. Sekitar pukul 16.00 gue coba download lagi deh, dan hasilnya 70 MB berhasil disedot kurang dari 8 menit. Coba perhatikan gambar di bawah ini kalo ngga percaya.

Gue bahkan sampe ngedapetin kecepatan 550 KB/sec walaupun cuma sebentar. Berarti ini rekor terbaru dalam catatan download gue di kampus (rekor sebelumnya cuma sampe 250 KB/sec dan pake download manager). Kecepatan download ini stabil di sekitar angka 100-200 KB/sec. Sayangnya koneksi super cepat ini cuma bertahan sebentar banget. Sekitar pukul 17.00 kecepatannya menurun drastis ke kisaran 1-6 KB/sec. Ngga terlalu masalah sih, soalnya gue udah dapet semua file yang gue mau.

Koneksi internet di kampus pada dasarnya memang cepat. Tapi karena harus dibagi ke ribuan mahasiswa dan dosen, setiap orang bakal ngerasain kecepatan akses internet yang standar, sekitar 5-6 KB/sec. Walaupun begitu kalau traffic jaringannya tinnggi, kecepatan akses ini bisa turun lagi bahkan sampai 1 byte/sec.

Semoga aja gue bisa sering-sering ngerasain kecepatan seperti ini deh. Saatnya menikmati hasil download gue deh.

Samurai, novel dan cerita

2006-08-29T17:36:00.000+07:00

Samurai: Kastel Awan Burung Gereja
diterjemahkan dari Cloud of Sparrows

Samurai: Jembatan Musim Gugur
diterjemahkan dari Autumn Bridge

Pengarang kedua buku di atas adalah Takashi Matsuoka

Catatan

Dalam bahasa Jepang "Cloud of Sparrows" dituliskan menjadi "Suzume no Kumo", sedangkan "Autumn Bridge" dituliskan menjadi "Aki no Hashi".

suzume = sparrow
kumo = cloud
aki = autumn
hashi = bridge

Resensi

Kedua buku yang berhubungan, saling mengisi satu sama lain ini, membawa begitu banyak cerita. Takashi Matsuoka tentu sangat ahli dalam memadu cerita-cerita yang terpotong-potong menjadi satu kesatuan roman yang saling mengisi. Buku pertama, Samurai: Kastel Awan Burung Gereja, membawa pembaca ke dalam dunia Jepang saat rezim Shogun Tokugawa mendekati masa akhirnya. Genji Okumichi, seorang bangsawan Akaoka merupakan tokoh sentral yang kehidupannya diceritakan sangat menarik oleh Takashi Matsuoka.

Gaya penceritaan yang melompat-lompat, maju-mundur, berpindah-pindah sudut pandang, pada awalnya akan membingungkan. Begitu banyak sudut-sudut cerita yang digali, terpotong dan melompat ke bagian lain sebelum seluruhnya menjadi jelas. Walaupun begitu setiap potongan dan kepingan cerita akhirnya bersatu, bertaut satu sama lainnya membentuk suatu cerita utuh dan memberikan penjelasan dalam perspektif yang begitu kaya.

Buku kedua, Samurai: Jembatan Musim Gugur, merupakan penutup kisah kehidupan Genji. Walaupun merupakan kelanjutan dari buku pertamanya, Samurai: Jembatan Musim Gugur tetap mempunyai alur yang mengalir lincah, bahkan jauh lebih lincah. Satu per satu misteri terbuka tetap dengan gaya penceritaan yang unik. Penelusuran cerita dapat dikatakan meloncat-loncat dari satu tempat ke tempat lainnya, dari satu waktu ke waktu lainnya, dari satu masa ke masa lainnya, dari satu orang ke orang lainnya. Semuanya mengalir dan terjalin begitu indahnya serta menceritakan plot-plot yang tak terduga. Seluruh elemen ini tersaji dalam penggambaran yang begitu eksotik.

"Suzume no Kumo" akan selalu menghiasi Samurai: Kastel Awan Burung Gereja, sendangkan "Aki no Hashi" akan tergambar pada Samurai: Jembatan Musim Gugur. Kedua elemen ini menjadi pembeda rasa antara kedua buku tersebut. Tetapi kedua elemen ini pada akhirnya bersatu padu dan melengkapi keseluruhan kisah tentang Genji Okumichi.

Takashi Matsuoka menggambarkan pergolakan yang terjadi saat dua budaya yang berbeda saling berbenturan dengan begitu baiknya. Setiap sisi merasa aneh dan asing akan sisi lainnya, saling mengejek, saling mencela, dan saling mengagungkan diri. Tetapi pada akhirnya terpadat individu-individu yang menyadari dan kemudian dapat menerima perbedaan itu. Karena tidak selamanya perbedaan itu menjijikan, karena dalam sudut pandang yang berbeda perbedaan itu begitu indahnya sehingga dapat saling mengisi satu dengan lainnya.

Pendapat Subjektif

Saat membaca buku ini untuk pertama kalinya, saya jelas-jelas jatuh cinta pada gaya penceritaan Takashi Matsuoka. Ceritanya tentang perbedaan budaya Timur, dalam hal ini Jepang, dengan budaya Barat tergambar dengan baik. Bagi beberapa orang yang tidak mengetahui tentang budaya Jepang tentu akan merasakan kesulitan saat awal membaca buku ini. Tetapi lambat laun, cerita-cerita yang tersaji akan membuka perspektif baru dalam pemahaman budaya Jepang. Terlebih lagi ceritanya tentang politik, perang, cinta dan kasih, agama, kekuasaan, dan unsur mistis berupa ramalan membawa saya begitu terlarut dalam dunia cerita yang begitu kaya unsurnya.

Saya belum mempunyai kesempatan membaca kedua buku ini dalam bahasa aslinya atau bukan dalam bahasa terjemahan. Saya selalu merasa bahwa menikmati karya sastra selalu lebih terasa kenikmatannya di dalam bahasa aslinya. Sebaik apapun terjemahannya tetap akan ada cita rasa yang hilang dalam proses penerjemahan itu. Jujur saja terdapat beberapa hal yang saya kurang sukai, yaitu pada cara penggunaan beberapa istilah pada buku ini. Hal itu dapat terjadi karena kurangnya kualitas terjemahan atau mungkin (karena saya belum membaca dalam bahasa aslinya) memang seperti itulah yang sang penulis tuliskan. Banyak istilah yang menurut saya lebih baik tertulis dalam bahasa Jepang tanpa harus dipaksakan masuk ke dalam bahasa Inggris. Pemaksaan itu membuat beberapa hal terkesan aneh dan janggal.

Kutipan

.. Tujuan politik bukanlah pencapaian kesempurnaan yang mustahil, kesempurnaan yang tidak akan pernah disepakati dua bangsa dalam kasus apa pun, melainkan terakomodasinya minat yang berbeda melalui keseimbangan kemunafikan yang bijak dan terkoordinasi...

... "Ayahku menjalani hidup penuh kebencian karena dia hanya memikirkan diri sendiri. Bisa dikatakan, ini makna sejati kebencian itu sendiri. Dia berubah karena dalam diri ibuku, dia menemukan orang yang perlu diperhatikan daripada dirinya sendiri. Itulah penafsiranku tentang cinta." ...

Kedua kutipan diambil dari Samurai: Jembatan Musim Gugur. Saya sangat menyukai kutipan kedua yang menunjukkan kehebatan Takashi Matsuoka dalam mengartikan kata cinta dengan rangkaian kata sederhana dan begitu mengena.

29 Agustus 2006 - 01:38

Sedikit Ulasan Teknis

2006-08-23T19:11:00.000+07:00

Sebenernya sekitar tiga minggu yang lalu gue melakukan kesalahan yang cukup bodoh dan bisa dibilang ceroboh. Permasalahan yang gue hadapi itu adalah permission beberapa file dan folder di home folder gue (di kampus) ternyata mengizinkan group dan everyone untuk read dan write. Wah sempet kaget juga gue, padahal gue selalu ngecek permission file dan folder. Tapi karena banyak banget file dan folder yang gue rubah, timbul deh pikiran males gue.

"Wah kalo rubah satu-satu kelamaan nih. Mending gue ubah aja semua permission file dan folder jadi rwx (baca: read, write, execute) buat gue aja. Terus nanti folder public_html (tempat homepage) dan semua file di dalamnya tinggal gue kasih permission rwxr-xr-x (baca: read, write, execute untuk owner; read, execute untuk group; dan read, execute untuk everyone)."

Langung dah gue ketik serangkaian perintah di bawah ini dari home folder gue:
> chmod -R 700 *
> chmod 755 public_html
> cd public_html
> chmod -R 755 *

Celakanya... setelah gue cek lewat internet, ternyata homepage-nya ga bisa dibuka. Ngga terlalu masalah sih, tapi tetep aja ngeselin. Soalnya homepage ini cukup penting juga buat share file di kampus. Setelah diutak-atik lagi, gue berkesimpulan bahwa ada satu atau lebih file konfigurasi yang harus gue kasih permission read dan execute buat group dan everyone. Wah sekarang gue pusing deh. Males banget kalo harus dicek satu per satu, terus hasil googling pun ternyata tak banyak membantu.

Kemudian setelah tanya ke beberapa temen, katanya mungkin file .htaccess yang harus gue rubah lagi permission-nya. Tapi setelah gue cari ternyata file itu ga ada di home folder gue maupun temen-temen gue. Wah makin pusing lagi deh. Tapi akhirnya gue berjuang dengan ngecek satu per satu file dan folder.

Mendekati akhir perjuangan, gue baru sadar ternyata permission home folder gue sendiri adalah rwx------. Iseng-iseng gue coba ubah permission-nya jadi rwx--x--x. Wah ternyata si homepage-nya bisa diakses lagi lewat internet. Ternyata ini masalah utamanya dan akhirnya homepage gue kembali online.

Moral dari cerita ini adalah:
"Kalau kita berbuat sesuatu yang kita tidak tahu akibatnya, kita harus berani menghadapi resikonya"
"Kemalasan membawa petaka"

Walaupun kemalasan membawa petaka, tapi gue jadi dapet pengetahuan lebih nih, ha..ha..ha.....

Apa Kabar Indonesia?

2006-08-22T19:18:00.000+07:00

Sejak tahun 1945, tanggal 17 Agustus selalu menjadi momen istimewa bagi bangsa dan negara Indonesia. Momen ini adalah saat Indonesia memproklamasikan kemerdekaannya. 61 tahun sudah berlalu sejak proklamasi itu pertama kali berkumandang di langit Indonesia. Merdeka Indonesia! Selamat untuk Indonesia yang merayakan ulang tahun ke-61-nya.

Kita sudah merdeka. Ya, kita memang sudah merdeka. Tetapi sekarang kita masih terkungkung dalam penjajahan modern. Ekonomi kita masih terjajah dengan begita banyaknya pinjaman, budaya kita masih terjajah dengan begitu besarnya pengaruh penetrasi kebudayaan asing, sumber daya alam terus dikeruk tapi tidak dinikmati bangsa sendiri, dan sumber intelektual kita masih terus dibajak bangsa asing. Selain itu banyak di antara kita yang masih terpenjara dalam lingkungan pikiran yang picik dan sempit. Sudah terjajah oleh bangsa asing, kita semakin terjerumus dengan membuat penjara-penjara sendiri dan kotak-kotak pembatas.

Tapi jangan menyerah, karena jalan akan selalu terbuka bagi siapapun yang terus mau berusaha. Bahkan di antara kesesulitan dan kesesakan yang kita alami, hal tersebut tidak menghalangi putra-putri Indonesia untuk terus berkarya. Masih terngiang sayup-sayup hasil kemenangan Tim Olimpiade Fisika Indonesia 2006 dan harumya nama Indonesia pada kejuaraan paduan suara internasional 2006.

Saya masih merinding dengan berita-berita di atas. Bahkan lebih merinding lagi mengetahui bahwa almamater saya turut serta dalam kejuaraan-kejuaraan itu. Bahkan Nadine Chandrawinata, Putri Indonesia 2005 pun masih satu almamater dengan saya walaupun sangat jauh. Saya bangga atas kalian semua, walaupun tidak satu almamater, kalian adalah warga negara Indonesia yang telah berjuang begitu keras mengharumkan nama bangsa dan negara. Semangat saya menjadi lebih terbakar karena saya belum menelurkan prestasi atau sumbangsih apapun bagi Indonesia.

Ayo terus berjuang saudara-saudaraku. Kita masih mampu berkarya.

Merdeka Indonesia!

Seindah Kenangan

2006-08-16T13:48:00.000+07:00

Lama tak rasakan
senyum hangat mengembang
pada udara-udara
kering menyengat
menebarkan rasa-rasa bahagia

Lampau saat
bersama tawa-tawa cerah
bertualang dalam
indahnya dunia
bergandengan bersama

Bahagia waktu
bertemu kembali
dengan senyum-senyum lama
walau berbeda
tapi menghidupkan kenangan

Masa berlalu
tapi kita kan terus bersama
dalam tawa-tawa riang
lekang dalam waktu
tak sirna pada masa

Bandung
23 September 2003

Komentar:
Tiga bait awal puisi ini dibuat pada 18 September 2003 dan bait terakhir baru diselesaikan pada 23 September 2003.

Judul puisi ini merupakan sumbangan dari Anna Steven.

Tak Mengapa

2006-08-16T13:28:00.000+07:00

Tak mengapa dilupakan
Tak mengapa tak dipedulikan
Tak mengapa tak dilihat
Tak mengapa tak disapa

Karena
aku tetap menyapa
aku peduli
aku dapat melihat
aku tak mau melupakan

tapi
perlukah jika dilupakan?
adakah jika tak dilihat?
pentingkah jika tak disapa?
nyatakah jika tak dipedulikan?

Bandung
4 Agustus 2002

Komentar:
Sejauh ini, puisi ini merupakan karya terbaikku.

Saat ini, puisi ini benar-benar mewakili suasana hatiku. Perasaan yang begitu terasing, yang begitu sedih.

Tulisan-tulisan lama

2006-08-16T13:27:00.000+07:00

Gue pertama kali suka menulis tuh sejak SMA kelas 2. Terima kasih buat sahabat gue, Anna, sehingga akhirnya gue bener-bener suka nulis.

Pada awalnya sih kesukaan menulis gue muncul buat mencurahkan isi hati (baca: tekanan, stress, kesedihan, dan sebagainya). Setelah menulis yang biasanya menghasilkan puisi, perasaan gue langsung plong. Rasanya ada suatu beban yang udah terangkat. Ya, mungkin karena beban gue udah terbagi dengan tulisan-tulisan itu.

Sekarang gue merasa sangat terbantu dengan kesukaan menulis ini. Yang paling gue rasakan adalah bisa lebih mendewasakan gue sendiri. Kadang saat gue membaca ulang kembali tulisan-tulisan lama itu gue banyak mendapatkan pelajaran. Begitu banyak yang mencerminkan ketidakdewasaan gue pada saat-saat itu. Dan begitu banyak pula pelajaran yang bisa gue dapat serta perbaikan dan perubahan yang sudah terjadi dalam diri gue.

Walaupun sudah sering menulis, tapi gue tetep ga bisa menghasilkan puisi yang "menggetarkan" tanpa sumber inspirasi yang bener-bener kuat. Herannya lagi gue cuma bisa menghasilkan tulisan yang bener-bener bagus di saat gue sangat tertekan ataupun sangat sedih. Kalau perasaan gue lagi riang gembira, jangan harap gue bisa menghasilkan tulisan yang bisa menyentuh hati. Ya.. sekarang gue masih tetep belajar menuangkan semua inspirasi, baik itu senang maupun sedih, ke dalam tulisan.

Dua post setelah ini gue dedikasikan untuk sahabat terbaik gue Anna Steven, untuk segala kebaikan, waktu yang diluangkan buat gue yang bawel ini, dukungan, pelajaran, dorongan, coklat-coklat yang sering gue dapet, dan sudah menjadi sahabat gue selama ini. Biarpun waktu dan tempat membuat kita semakin jarang bertemu, semoga persahabatan kita tetap abadi.

Hari Terakhir Kerja Praktek

2006-08-11T16:27:00.000+07:00

Setelah berlangsung dua bulan, akhirnya kerja praktek selesai juga. Terima kasih buat Pak Rochmad, Mba Novri, Mba Putri, Mba Yuni, Mba Yani, Pak Irfan, dan Pak Imam buat semua bimbingan dan bantuannya. Terima kasih juga buat temen-temen baru di kantor: Diaz, Win (dua yang pertama senior di kampus sih... jadi bisa dianggap bukan temen baru :p), "little" Tommy, Dharma, Alit, Afri, Faren, Wawan, Yudis, Pak Azis, Bli Made, Hery, Wendra, Yudy, Tomy, Freddi, Aris, dan Pak Cecep. Wah.. wah.. sepertinya masih banyak yang kelewat... yang penting terima kasih buat semuanya deh. Sampai jumpa dan semoga kita bertemu lagi.

Akhirnya harus rela juga pergi dari Bali nih.

Tambahan daftar terima kasih [150806]:
Diana

Ngga ikut Happy Hour terakhir di kantor.

Post terakhir dari Bali.

It's Raining Again

2006-08-11T09:15:00.000+07:00

If I remember correctly, the last time I relived a raining day at Bali is almost two months ago. I arrived at Bali on July 11th, 2006 and the first raining day is on July 12th or 13th. It was Monday night or Tuesday early morning. The rain was really hard and I felt the chillness in the air.

Today, almost two months since the last rain I remember, it is raining again. Feels like it a coincidence. The rain is not hard but the morning breeze is really fresh. I really miss the fresh air after the rain pouring down. And my body, spirit, and soul seem revitalized with the freshness from the morning.

My early days at Bali were welcomed by rain and at my later days there was a rain too. But do not be afraid Bali, for I won't forget you, I won't forget the beauty of your island, the beauty of your culture, and the beauty of your people.

This is not a farewell, because there is still one more day. And I will come again sometime in the future.