Where Bandung will go??

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??

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..

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.

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

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

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

Obrolan Tentang Politik

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:

1. 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".
2. Walaupun pemilu legislatif telah berlalu, masih banyak PR untuk KPU dan pemerintah. Misalnya pengakuratan DPT dan penyediaan serta penyebaran logistik untuk pemilu presiden.
3. 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:

1. 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??
2. 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."
3. 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??
4. 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??"
5. 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.
6. 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

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

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??

Unfinished Answer

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.

A Listener

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

Dream

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

Three Questions for Me

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

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

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:

1. 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.
2. Keep a positive thought. A coin has two sides, so it's not good always live in pessimistic mood.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Surat Cinta Terbuka untuk Para yang Mulia Wakil Rakyat

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

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

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.

Universal Language of Love

“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.

it is you

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.

What is Christmas for You??

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.