Morning Mayhem at Changi, Singapore

Okay, this trip I wanna talk is rather a new experience. Last October, I went to Bangkok with some of my friends. My friends were already there, meanwhile I went alone from Jakarta. I took three different airlines in this trip, that's the first new thing. From Jakarta to Singapore, I took Jetstar. From Singapore to Bangkok, I took Tiger Airways. And from Bangkok to Jakarta I took Air Asia. So, I've tried all budget airlines :) It  was night flight from Jakarta to Singapore. I arrived at Changi at about 12.00 AM. This was the first time I landed at Changi though I'd been to Singapore before. My previous visit was through harbor from Batam. Changi has everything to spoil its visitors. Free internet everywhere, shops opening up to 24 hours, rest areas, even charging booth. You could find yourself a comfy seat for sleeping. Since my flight was early morning flight, I needed to do early morning check in. Here's how the mayhem happened. 

Firstly, this was my first transit/ transfer flight experience and moreover my first time in Changi. Once arrived I went straight to Terminal 2 where my morning flight was located. I spent the night hanging around the terminal. I was so hungry but I could not find any food stall opened. Only some coffee shops there and I had no appetite for coffee or bread. I tried to sleep but I could not really sleep well since it was all very noisy (of course it is). In the early morning I went to pray Subuh in Multi Faith Prayer Room. Then I headed straight to gate F41. Before that, I bought a breakfast first. I bought Kaya Toast and Tea O at Killiney. The seller was kinda friendly. He asked me where was I going, I answered to Bangkok. Then he wished me a safe flight. Pretty friendly for a Singaporean I guessed. Then I headed to Gate F41. Something was wrong. What I imagined was there would be a Tiger Airways booth near the Gate. But there was nothing. Only metal scanning. I gasped in panic. Oh My God, where should I check in and get the boarding pass? Then I walked back to the information. If you know how huge Changi is, you'll know how exhausted I was. I ran in panic and asked an officer. He said I should go to Transit/ Transfer Section, which was on the first floor, then I should go to the second floor again to check in at Tiger Airways booth. It turned out that the airline booth is on the outer side of the terminal. I was so panicked I kept looking at my watch. It was 5.30 and my flight was at 6.00. I thought of the worst idea if I missed the flight. May be I took land route to Bangkok. But it would take TWO days! Otherwise, I should buy a ticket again, but it would be very costly. No, I could make it, I won't miss the flight! I screamed in my heart. I passed the immigration and got the stamp. Luckily, I had filled in the arrival card. Then I moved to the second floor where Tiger Airways booth located. And, yeah, there was a long queue. I went into Web Check In booth there. It was not ended yet. I asked two Singaporeans in front of me, if it was right to check in here since it was my first time taking Tiger Airways. They said I had a wrong place. I was supposed to  check in through web in the other booth. I was so shocked I ran in panic to the other booth. But I could not find the booth they meant. So I went back to the previous booth and asked the officer and she confirmed I was right and asked me to queue. I walked to those two Singaporeans and said "it is the right booth", almost losing my temper. The officer asked me to queue, but I just sneaked after those two Singaporeans pretending I was their friend. Haha, Indonesian's habit was sometimes useful :) Then I got my boarding pass and hurried myself toward Gate F41 again. It was like a life and death experience. I threw myself in the boarding room while examining what had happened to me. I could only say, Thanks God I don't miss the flight..........
   

 

Changi Terminal One

                                                              My flight was TR 2102

Promo Airfares? Tempting, Huh?

On low season, many airlines are offering promo of airfare tickets. The prices vary from only 5.000 rupiahs, buy one get one, or even free seats! Well don't be to happy because there is always terms and conditions apply. Promo tickets usually are offered far in advance. For example, three months before departure, six months, or even a year! If you want to book a ticket for next year's trips, it is the best choice. But you must note this, promo fares are mostly effective on weekdays. The lowest fare will be on weekdays, and on weekends or national holidays, don't expect too much. So, for you who have freelance job, you can consider this. But for 8-AM-Up-To-5-PM workers, think twice, because you have to be able to take longer leaves. I am having this experience this year. I booked the flight tickets at the beginning of the year and the trip is at the end of the year. In mid-year, I resigned from my job and got accepted in a new company. I am not entitled for annual leave yet. So, I have to change my trip itinerary, which costs me twice from the initial fares! Well, eventually it is not saving at all. One more thing about promo airfares is that no change itinerary can be made. Therefore, you need to buy the new tickets. Some airlines can do, but most budget airlines do not have this option ( I am referring to budget airlines, because I oftenly use that). It is better for you to check, once again, the terms and condition of the promo before booking. The other thing about promo airfare is that the most chances or retime, change flight, or even delayed flight. From my experience, I booked promo airfares five times, twice were retimed, and one was delayed. Therefore, do consider this on your trip itinerary also. Remember the quote, there is a price to pay for luxury and comfort. The choice is all yours.

Happy hunting!

Teluk Kiluan, The Dolphin Bay

Hello, Blog!

Nice to see you again! I am totally recharged! Going on a vacation is such an endorphine for me and I am totally addicted. My last trip was to the bottom part of Sumatra Island, which is Lampung. I went to a beautiful island called Teluk Kiluan (Kiluan Bay). This was a short trip, but satisfying enough. We went to Lampung by bus. DAMRI is one of the bus service to Bandar Lampung. Though it was only a business class, it was comfortable. I could sleep well on the bus. We have to cross Sunda Strait by ferry to get to Lampung. The journey took approximately 2.5 hours. We arrived in Lampung the next morning and were picked up by our guide, Pak Dirham. He is the one who manages the resort in Kiluan Bay. The journey to Kiluan was a very long long journey. I took like 4 hours to get there. Please don't imagine that the road is a long and smooth one. The access was quite bad, unfortunately. We found many damaged roads. But, still, there is a quote I like from Trinity, "there is a price to pay to enter a paradise". Indeed, paradise it is. Teluk Kiluan is so stunning and breathtaking. It is actually only a small island. We had to go there by a wooden boat. But the sand is white and the water is crystal clear. I spent one day for snorkeling, swimming, or just chilling out on the side of the beach. Moreover, when we arrived, there were no other guests. Only six of us. So, it was like a private island, truly. Though, at the end of the day, more guests were coming. But one word for the island, MAGNIFICENT!. 

If you expect that this small island is resort-like. You're wrong. Not many facilities here. The place for us to sleep is only like a wooden house with a mattress. No fan or air conditioning. But don't worry, it is not hot at all at night. What I cannot stand is the bathroom.I think it should really be fixed. I also had to take a bath with sea water. But the inconvenience was obviously ignored because I was having so much fun. On the last day, we went for dolphin-hunting. It was the most adventurous and risky moment in my life! Just imagine if you go to the deep ocean with a wooden small-equipped boat. Let me emphasize, the deep deep ocean. Dolphins like to live in the deep ocean. I was trembling when all I could see was a horizon. Where is the land, for God's sake? But it was all paid off when I saw groups of dolphins swimming beside our boat. They were so cute. I am in love with dolphins. One tips if you want to go dolphin-hunting, you must sing. Dolphins will be attracted with voices. They will come nearby. 

Overall, I had so much fun there. When you travel, you do not always find everything easy, sometimes you will find obstacles. But it is then up to you on how you will react to such situation. Whether you will grumble or just chill out and enjoy the moment.

Happy traveling! :)

                                       

                                                      Still and serene beach

                                                    Look at those pure sand. Great!

                                                             I have been here!
                                                 

     On our mission for dolphin hunting

                                                                  Full team 

Who Is The Terrorist?

I bumped into some videos in Youtube showing the oppression of Muslim minority in some countries. Alhamdulillah, I live in a country which has the biggest Muslim citizens in the world. I never feel such a feeling of being oppressed. I live freely. But when I put myself on the other people shoes, I can't help but crying. O Allah, they just want to worship You. They want to leave in a straight path. Why are they being killed for that? 

There are Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, China, who are being chased by China's government. They are death-sentenced, kidnapped,  imprisoned, on their own land. There are also Kurdish people in Turkey, who are unable to live freely in their own country. They were severely harashed, forcibly relocated, and killed. The greatness sadness is for my brother and sister in Palestine. Bombing is continuously happening. But all of the Muslim country in the world seems to deny the fact. Where are the Arab League? Are they able to put pressure towards the cruel government just to save Muslims. They're left alone. The violence happens everyday and none can help them. They have no choice but to live their life in such a situation. Meanwhile, we, here, enjoy the excitement of being free. Living in a hedonism life. Forgetting our brother and sister there. Trust me, I speak for myself either. I know some people out there who try to give their voices. But the voices are still less loud. There is no use also to say our voice if the government just stands still. This world is full of Muslim, but very rare who have the same feeling, the same affection, as Muhammad SAW. I cry for this irony. I cry for myself, for I can't do any better to change the world. 

We have not been a good agent of Islam in this world. We sometimes only think how to get the power, the authority, the money. We're living in individualism. Islam never teaches us of being individual. Islam is the most tolerant religion. We will be blamed if we're full meanwhile our neighbor is in hunger. Just a simple fact like that shows how beautiful Islam is. 

I wish I could do something for my brother and sisters who are opressed out there. I wish I could help them more. I wish I had a pure heart to always feel the suffer of someone else. 

I pray that one day the oppressed people will be free. I pray that they can live happily just like what I have in my country. I pray that all those Muslims leaders someday can stand up to fight for Islam. I pray that one day, people will see who are the real terrorists. People who misbehave are the real terrorists, no matter what religion they are.

Islam and Cleanliness

Islam is a religion of cleanliness.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said cleanliness is half of faith. Islam has instructed its followers to keep clean everyday. This aspect is clearly described in either Qur'an and Hadith. Below are some examples

1. Muslim should take Ablution (Wudhu) before praying (Sholat)

Muslim must pray 5 times a day. And Allah says in Qur'an "Believers when you prepare for prayer, wash faces and your hands to the elbows; rub your heads (with water) and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are ritually impure, bathe your whole body (Qur'an 5:6). This verse gives the detail to muslim on how to perform ablution. The meaning of this ritual is, when you are ready to meet your God, you must be perfectly clean. It means also that Allah loves cleanliness and would like this to be a part of our daily life. Look, five times a day you perform ablution. Can you imagine how clean is it if you do that everyday? Subhanallah.

2. Muslim must bathe the whole body after intercourse, menstruation, and first forty days after childbirth

If Muslims want to pray, touch or read Qur'an after those three situations, they must bathe the whole body. The purpose of this is the same as performing ablution. If one wants to worship Him, he or she must worship with clean body and heart. The same with touching the book of Allah, Al Qur'an, we must be in the clean condition. Those conditions are categorized as janaba and taking a bath is necessary. Purity is a condition of a prayer to be regarded valid. 

3. Islam encourages one to wash his or her hands before and after meals

Muhammad SAW said: Food is blessed when one washes his hands before and after it (Tirmidhi). Before scientists found the bacteria and germs which are dangerous to human beings and encourage people to wash hands before meals, Islam had regulated it already. 

4. It is sunnah to keep our mouth and teeth clean

Islam emphasizes the importance of siwak or brushing teeth. When Muslims want to pray or read Qur'an, it is better if they brush the teeth. However, it is not mandatory. If it is difficult to do, it is not sinful to omit. The messenger of Islam said: Had I not found it difficult for my followers, I would have ordered them to cleanse their teeth before every prayer (Bukhari)

5. Muhammad SAW asks us to do circumcision, remove pubic hair and also pluck armpits hair, and clipping the nails

It is very possible that germs and filth breed in our body, such as in our private areas. Islam has taught us to prevent the incurring of disease by cleaning our private areas regularly. All those actions are scientifically proven. Such as how circumcision is scientifically proven to be best way to prevent cancer in men's genital area. And even, it is beneficial for a better intercourse. Removing pubic and armpits hair can also prevent someone's from irritation and infection cause by germs breeding in the hair. 

6. Keep your clothes clean

Islam does not like a person who looks mess. Muslims should keep his or her clothes clean. Allah orders it very clearly. "Keep your clothes clean (74:4). Muslims should look good whenever he or she sees the family, friends, in Eid day, and most importantly in prayer. Looking good does not mean to have new clothes, but clean clothes are necessary.

The cleanliness in Islam has the purpose to create Muslims who are healthy and strong. If everyone applies this in the daily life, it is hoped that they will be prevented from the dangerous disease. This is the way Allah protects us. Subhanallah.

"Truly, Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean" (2:222)

May Allah keep you well.

Salaam alaikum.

PS: Wait for my next post about ISLAM DIETARY AND HEALTHINESS. Still under construction. Insya Allah.

Hope For The Best

It is been a while I do not write in my blog. Last time I said I was having pain in my lymph nodes. It was mumps actually. My colleague infected me. But, I have recovered from mumps, Alhamdulillah. It took about two weeks for recovery. It was a total bed rest. But the other thing comes up. I start to hear a ringing sound in my left ear since last Saturday. It is not loud, but quite annoying. I have done some searches, and the name of this ear problem is tinnitus. It is quite depressing actually when you have this problem. When I am on my bed and the situation seems so quiet, I can hear this ringing sound in my ears very clearly. Even if I try to cover my ear with ear protector, it just does not work. I am still afraid to see the doctor. I am just afraid that I will be gobsmacked with the medical bill. Medical cost in Jakarta is quite expensive.I do have an insurance, but it only covers for hospitalization service. So, for outpatient care, I have to bear it on my own. That is why I am still thinking twice. I do not have any idea why this tinnitus occurs. It may be because of the infection inside my left ear, or may be because of medication I took for mumps. Some medicines, like antiviral medicines can cause tinnitus also. However, it is only my guess. The thing I worry is that there is no cure for tinnitus. I am scared if I have to live my whole life with it. There are some therapies indeed, but it only reduces the intensity of tinnitus. Nothing like a medicine which can cure it. Right now, I just hope for the best. I think I am going to see a doctor this Saturday, and I hope the doctor will say okay, so I can feel relieve. In addition, I am also up to apply a scholarship in Korea. I need just one single document before I can apply. The TOEFL certificate. I hope that my TOEFL score is great. And hopefully I can apply for the scholarship and get shortlisted. Allah knows what is best for me. Sometimes it upsets me when I need to do many things but my body just feels weak. But may be it is a sign from Allah that I do not have to be hurry in everything. Just slow down and relax. My pain will be gone and everything I do will just run smoothly. May Allah blesses me. Amin.

Live High, Live Mighty, Live Righteously

I try to picture a girl
Through a looking glass
See her as a carbon atom
See her eyes and stare back at them
See that girl
As her own new world
Though a home is on the surface, she is still a universe

Glory God, oh God is peeking through the blinds
Are we all here standing naked
Taking guesses at the actual date and time
Oh my, justifying reasons why
Is an absolutely insane resolution to live by

Live high
Live mighty
Live righteously
Takin it easy
Live high, live mighty
Live righteously

Try to picture the man
To always have an open hand
See him as a giving tree
See him as matter
Matter fact he's not a beast
No not the devil either
Always a good deed doer
And it's laughter that we're makin after all

The call of the wild is still an ordination why
And the order of the permeates
All our politics are too late
Oh my, the congregation in my mind
Is this assembly singing gratitude
Practicing their loving for you

Just take it easy
And celebrate the malleable reality
Nothing is ever as it seems
This life is but a dream

I always consider Jason Mraz not as a singer only but an inspiration. From his songs, I can see he has a great concern toward humanity. It appears in his song, such as Love for A Child, Live High, Details in The Fabric, etc. Live High is one song I'd like to see the whole content now and try to see the deep meaning inside it. 

Jason tries to picture a life from a man and a woman which people see they have weaknesses. On the first line he sees a woman as a carbon atom. Carbon is the most vital element for living beings, because all living organisms are constructed from compounds of carbon. It appears first in atom (which is the smallest elemen) to form a molecule and then finally build the compunds which is truly beneficial for life for example forminh water, oxygen, and other essential things for life. What he intends to say to this blind girl is that, though this girl is like living in her new world, in the darkness of her world, however she is also one most essential part in life. The second comparison is on how he pictures a man. An ugly man, if people may say. But he is an open hand person who always be helpful and kind. He is the real good deed doer.All human are the same, despite their weaknesses. We must find something valuable from her. Though a home is on the surface, she is still a universe, though she seems to have nothing in her life, she owns everything in her life. Jason would like you to give more emphaty to those having weaknesses.

God does not choose someone from the weaknesses of someone. God chooses someone from what kindess and good deed that he/she has done. We're coming out in this world nakedly, without no sin. And we only have to wait the actual date and time when we have to die.Though it seems such a hard reason to believe that someday they're gonna die. They will leave this world and everything and some people still think that they will leave forever, we should find a justifiable argument for that, that. So why not starting the good things from now on? 

Live high means growing through every experience, taking each encounter with each being you cross paths with as intention, understand that there are no coincidences, every single action has an equivocal reaction wether upon initialty, or somewhere down your twisting passage of time may it rise back with some realization ( I am taking this from the internet and I think this is the best argument). Living with intention, with understanding. So we're able to achieve what we want in our life and also becoming more tolerant toward people surrounds us. Live mighty is to live by having or showing great power, skill, strength, or force. Live righteously means arising life from an outraged sense of justice or morality. That's the reason for living. To be passionate but do not forget others.

Jason also tries to give the criticism on the government. How they are still living in the wild world, when the one who is strong is the winner. They neglect the interest of people. The policy are too late to save people sometimes because they're arguing something for their own interest, not people's. He imagines that the assembly or parliament, would be more likely a worship place to God. When people intends to struggle for other people's interest. And it will be grateful for those people in the parliament to work for God through the people. 

In the end, we ask us to enjoy the reality which is able to adjust to changing circumstances or adaptable. Sometimes something we really want to picture in our real life can't just turn out to be what it is. Therefore, we oftenly think that it is a dream rather than a reality. But let's just take it easy :)

Before Sunrise and Sunset

When you first meet someone, what captured your attention first? His/her good look? His/her eyes? His or her smile? Or else. If you have watched Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, you’ll answer differently. These movies are about two strangers, bump into each other, drown into great talks, and feel that they complete each other. Let me give you the details first. The first movie is Before Sunrise. Jesse is an American who is having a vacation in Europe. She meets Celine on the train heading to Vienna. They begin the conversation. Celine is a French and a student. She is on her way back to French. As Jesse will leave Europe the next day, she asks Celine if she could walk him in Vienna till tomorrow. Celine agrees and both are staying at Vienna for a night. The movie are all about the conversations of those two people. Nothing else. But you won't get bored. Because the talk is very rich. They talk about many things. About politics, social, and about theirselves. We then know that Jesse is a broken home boy and is not close to his family. Meanwhile Celine is a young ambitious student, who is quite cynical with society and government, and love. They spend the night talking and talking, get to know each other better, and finally they make love at the park. On the next day, they promise to see each other again in the next 6 months in Vienna. The sequel is Before Sunset. Both people meet 9 years later. Celine did not show up after 6 months because her grandmother died. Jesse waited in Vienna in desperation. He then tried to forget her and wrote his story with Celine in a book, which become a hit. He is having a book tour in Paris when he meets Celine again. She lives there. Fate meets them there. Celine has worked as an environmentalist, and in a relationship with a photo journalist. Jesse has married with one kid. The conversation are focused on how unhappy Celine with all the relationships she has been through. And how Jesse also feels the same in his marriage. Boring and less passionate. Jesse is supposed to catch his flight to New York but the ending of the movie does not describe that. He is stuck in Celine’s apartment. And we never know what happens next J

What makes me into this movie so much is that the conversation that is made in the movie looks so natural. It is like they do not act to each other. They are really into it. Two strangers are falling in love after a great deep long talk. It is amazing how you flip your heart when you can share all your feelings freely to someone. You feel the connection. You feel the comfort. Eventhough, they do not seem to always agree to each other’s opinion. But they listen. This movie makes me think about how a relationship is built. A basic thing that is needed in a relationship is openness, an act to reveal the true of us. In every relationship, whether with friends, lovers, and even family, what we need is to be open to them, trying to share our opinions, our problems, and our stories. This will enrich the relationship itself. But this will not be perfect when both sides do not have the ability to listen. Each other must have a respect towards someone else’s opinion. They must be patient to listen to their stories, and their problems. I know this movie seems so perfect. How can you stand to talk to a stranger for hours anyway? May be you’ll get bored at one moment. That is not the point anyway. The point is you will know someone better and much better with a good conversation. We sometimes forget to speak our mind and to listen. We only rely upon ourselves. We don’t share much. And what happened? We get depressed. We become individualist. We lose our best friends. We lose our families. We lose the feeling of comfort. To every story in our life, there is one listener. One great conversation can make our day. We will be much happier person with fewer burdens, because we can share laughter, anger, and even sadness. This is what these movies teach me about. It is the essence of a good two-ways communication. Now I come up to a conclusion that you will love someone if you never get bored to talk to him/her, and so will he/she.

                                                          Before Sunrise

                                                              Before Sunset

February Falls Sick

February is supposed to be the month of love. But in contrary, this February I fall sick. First I got cough. Alhamdulillah, it does not take a long time. Only about one week. But the next week, my lymph nodes is swollen. So, I get this quite big swollen on my left neck. The doctor says, it is because my immune is weak. I have fatigue which leads my lymph nodes to be swollen. It is quite a new experience for me. I've never had this kind of symptom before. And never wanna. Because it is too painful. I am given antibiotics such as amoxicillin, paracetamol, CTM, and multivitamin. After I drink it, it is fine. But after few hours, my neck is feeling so terrible, it feels so stiff and sore. When it happens, I cannot eat. I have to chew the food very carefully so it wont touch my swollen wall of the mouth. May be the feeling is just the same when you have toothache. 

I hope everything gets better after three days. I really do. I am trying to be patient with this situation. God promises to mankind, that when we're sick our sins are eased. Amiin. Hopefully, Allah forgives my sins. Take a good care of your body. Remember your health before your sickness. Falling sick makes you inproductive, makes you weak, and less optimistic, if I may say. So, stay away from any disease if possible.

Assalamu'alaikum (peace be with you).

This Is Islam

Subhanallah this brother has described the complete definition of Islam, in my opinion. This is Islam:

Islam is a complete total comprehensive way of life.  It is a way of life revealed to us by God through phrophet Muhammad, praise be upon him, how to live our life in every single aspect. Islam is so detail in our life that not one single detail is left out from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed. Every action has been dictated to us by God through His prophet Muhammad.  This is Islam, a systematic way of life. And then it comprises six beliefs and five pillars. The six beliefs being that we believe in Allah, we believe in the prophets, and we believe in the angels, we believe in the books, we believe in the day of judgement, and we believe in pre-determination  or the knowledge that God knows everything that is going to happen, and that has happened. And the five pillars or the five foundational actions of Islam are number one testifying that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is a messenger, accept this with your heart. After this comes the five a day prayers. Praying towards God, sub missing yourself as an act of this submission in which He will accept it. Then paying the charity or the poor due on to the poor. And then of course fasting in the month of Ramadan. Fasting for 30 days during the month of Ramadan in order to purifying our soul. And then making a Hajj or pilgrimage to the house of Allah in Mecca if one is financially able to do so. This is islam.

Cars, Interrupted

"Do you want to have a car?". If we ask this question to every Indonesian, I bet the answer is "yes". 

I want to raise an issue of car and traffic now. I live in Jakarta, the most polluted city, and yes the city with the worst traffic jam in Indonesia, in my opinion. Everyday I witness traffic jam, on my way to shuttle car. I work in a suburb, actually, in BSD area. So, the journey to my office is quite smooth. Most people go to work from suburb to downtown. I am from downtown to suburb. So, I am against the current. But along the journey, what I see is gridlock everywhere. Even in highway, Oh My God! Highway is supposed to be free from jam. But it is all the same. I begin to think, what the smurf happened here? (okay, it's the effect of watching The Smurfs, I am smurfying every smurf, okay smurf again, smurf, I mean, sorry). 

One answer of the question is because we have tons of cars here in Jakarta. Meanwhile, the public transportation is very poor. Well, we may have Transjakarta. But, is it comfortable enough? In rush hour, Transjakarta is very crowded, and the bus is oftenly not on time. We spend much time longer using this means of transportation. There are also Kopaja, Metromini, and Angkot. But hey, it is not air-conditioned, messy, and a lot of pickpockets sometimes. The worst is, these buses sometimes transfer you to the other one. If you say it is comfortable, please stand up, please stand up :D.

Comfort is what people get from having a car. And it seems that government supports the idea of people having a car. Loan condition for car is pretty much easy. With the down payment of approximately 10% of car prices, and installment up to 5 years, middle up to upper class level can buy a car. No wonder, in Jakarta, or may be in other big cities in Indonesia, one family can have more than one car. One for daddy going to work, one for kid going to school, one for mommy going shopping. Oh my, how much do you earn every month? *gobsmacked. Aaaannnndddd, okay I am getting impatient, there will be booming of cheap cars here in Indonesia. For example these:

This is Tata Nano car. Made in India and the price is only Rp. 25.000.000,-. It will be released here this 2012. I am sure we will see these frogs striding on the road in a few months.

Esemka car. The price is Rp. 75.000.000,- up to Rp. 125.000.000,--. Our beloved parliament members have bought these cars. Whereas, I believe they already have one or two cars in their garages. Aren't they aware that they promote people to buy more cars? I am not saying that I am not proud of this made in Indonesia product. I am proud of them. But, please, it is not a good moment to create cars. I will be more proud if you guys create train (okay, it is too much),  hydrogen car is better and less polluted, sophisticated bike may be, bike that can go 60 KM/ hour, or hoverboard, like in Back to The Future. Curious what hoverboard is? Here it is:

                     
 It is a flying skateboard and it can walk on the water too. Cool isn't it?

Yeah, we have to think about the more developed mass transportation system here in Indonesia, especially Jakarta. I really wish we had MRT. It is fast and it can accommodate many people. Government also should restrict the loan for cars. There must be set of condition people should have before buying a car. Such as in Singapore, the tax for private car is super expensive. There is also electronic road pricing there. And people who will buy car there must have Certificate of Entitlement as a warrant. Quite strict, right? No wonder, this neighbor country is free from traffic jam.

Well, I am not a green peace activist, but I am really concerned with environment. Let us pray that our mass transportation system is better, so we do not need to buy cars. If you want to buy one, I suggest you buy the secondhand car. It is cheaper and you'll save the environment because you prevent the company to produce more cars. And please, do not have more than a car in a house. Lastly, go biking to work or even walking. It is much healthier for our body!

Facebook and Tweet Less, Blog More

Do you know how much time you spend for facebooking and tweeting? In May 2011, Nielsen reported that American spent 53.5 billion total minutes on Facebook-or roughly 101,720 years. Can you imagine that time we waste for facebooking in one month? I am not saying social network is lame. But it is indeed addictive. Let's go back to the past time, when facebook and twitter was not yet existed. What we were doing back then? I suppose some of you mention these activities: reading books, writing, doing physical activities, and so on. Anything not including checking out your phone every five minutes to see if someone has commented your status. Rushing yourself to reply the tweets from your friends. Getting upset and grouching once you find the internet connection is very slow. Getting sad when none comment on your status. Yes, you get addicted and stressful with this so called social network.

Why am I writing about this? Well, I am a facebook fans also, and recently twitter fans too. I update status much and tweet quite much too. I subscribe  for monthly prepaid internet for my mobile. Last week, I don't know why, the subscription was failed, so ending up I could not access the internet for the whole week. I was upset at the beginning, but the second, and third day, I got used to it. Not that I stopped visiting the pages, but I did not update my status and tweet much the whole week. And I feel that life is much easier when we don't facebook and tweet much. 

People have the needs of affection and attention. People need friends. Social networks provide them all. You share your feeling and what's happening so people can see. They will then comment or mention on yours. The question is, do they really care? Is it an affection or merely just interested? Those are two different things. When you mention that you're sad in facebook, the persons who really care will call you and give you a hand. Someone who is interested, may only say, "be tough, dear". That's it!. It does not change the situation. So, we cannot value the friendship based on how many friends we have in facebook or how many followers in twitter. Going out and hanging out with friends, that is called socializing. Spending more quality time with family is much better. Developing new hobbies that will occupy your times is great. Writing in your blog is much better. There are many successful writer comes from a blogger. Just like Raditya Dika, Trinity "The Naked Traveler", and so on. This writing is not to avoid you (or myself) from social network. But, it is merely for our own awareness. We might have wasted too much time and energy just to get people's attention. In fact, we can spend more times in other meaningful activities. That is the way to become a more enriched people.

“Social networks aren’t about Web sites. They’re about experiences.” – Mike DiLorenzo, NHL social media marketing director.

Favorite Place in Town

Jakarta is a city with the biggest number of mall in South East Asia even in the world, some surveys say. The number of malls in Jakarta as of 2010 is said to be 170 malls. I have been to Singapore and Malaysia before. These two countries indeed have malls, but not as many as Jakarta. Most of the malls in those two countries are located in certain shopping district, such as Orchard Road in Singapore, and Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur. In Jakarta, you can find malls in every area, South Jakarta, North Jakarta, East Jakarta, and West Jakarta. From a high class mall up to low budgeted mall, or commonly called ITC (Indonesian Trade Center). Mall is now no longer a place for shopping, but it has turned into recreational places. People bring their family to malls during weekend and enjoy all amusement centers that they provide. It is not their fault, but it is because local government do not allocate open space park to hang out during weekends. Consumerism in Jakarta is really frightening.

Anyway, I am one of the victim of this consumerism lifestyle. I love hanging out at malls. I have been to almost all malls in Jakarta. I can count the malls which I have not visited yet.in Jakarta (I dont categorize malls in suburb areas such as Depok, Bogor, BSD, and Bekasi).They are: Thamrin City, Kemang Village, ITC Cempaka Mas, Arion, Glodok, and Mall of Indonesia. That is so far I can recall I have never visited. So, I am quite a pro, am I? 

But there is one mall I almost visit every week, which is Pejaten Village. It is because I live in Cilandak, and this mall is very easy to reach. Only by Mikrolet 36 or Kopaja 20 in 15 minutes I can reach this place. I call it my second home. Why is that? Because almost every week whenever I am back from my office or whenever I want, I visit this place.

This is the building by the way:

I can spend hours if I am here. Sometimes for shopping or just window shopping  at Matahari. Eating out with friends at Solaria, Secret Recipe, or Ah Mei Cafe. I like to order Fu Yung Hai, Roti Prata, and also Tom Yum at these restos. Checking out new books in Gramedia. Grocery shopping at Hypermart. Karaoke-ing  at Inul Vista or in a small music box when I am broke. Watching movie at XXI. Or even just wifi-ing at JCo. 

The last activity is what I enjoy most. If people say Starbucks is the best wifi and coffee place, I choose J Co. The reason, of course because it is cheaper! I love the donuts and the yogurt too, actually. But I must say wifiing in J Co Pejaten Village is the best. I have ever tried once in Cilandak Town Square, but the connection is very bad and the place is too crowded. Here, I can spend hours doing this and the barista will never pay attention on me. Besides I have my cool spot here. Let me show you this:

On the corner, beside the plug: 

And here is my fave order, J Cool!

Here, I can blog, apply job, download music, or whatever I want. This is what makes my second home special. I think everyone needs to have a favorite place in order to run away from the daily activities and as a refreshment to release stress. The place you will miss when you are away. So, what is your favorite place to hang out?

Oh La Love I've Fallen In Love

This is rainy season here in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta. Rain can be something romantic. Especially when it is raining and you are listening to a love song. Either you smile or you cry, is the result. Love is in the air, baby.

I am not falling in love at the moment (so the title is tricky :D). But I really want to fall in love after listening to this song. Love song is not always a ballad. It can be alternative electropop music which can make you eargasm :D. For you who are in love, you will be deeply in love. For you who haven't, you'll look forward to.

Happy rainy season, and happy in love!

Foster The People- I Would Do Anything For You

Never want to stand upon myself  

Never want to get in the way… I said it 

I don't know what the plan is, 

But you can share with me.

Ooooh la love, I've fallen in love  

and it's better this time than ever before  

Ooooh la love, I've fallen in love  

and it's better this time than I've ever known

Hello, 2012!

I spent the New Year's Eve's night with my BFFs: Anggi, Nisa, Tami, and Yuli. We hung out at Plaza Indonesia and Grand Indonesia. Then we watched movie. I and Yuli watched Alvin and The Chipmunks 3. Anggi, Nisa, and Tami watched Sherlock Holmes 2. By the time the movie finished, the celebration also started to begin. We took photos along the Transjakarta lines (with many poses). Then we watched the blooming fireworks at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia  together and started shouting each of our wishes together. Then we got back to Nisa's house to sleep for the rest of the night (or morning?) The moment was hilarious. Hopefully we can share this moment again in the coming years! 

Us

Alone

                                                                  singing: Baby, you are fireworks!........





I made no resolution for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of critisizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me -Anais Nin