Collection of My blogs from Friendster

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Friends---you will always remember

DATE: 03/26/2005 08:29:36 AM
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BODY:

I woke this morning because one of my closest friends sent me a text message saying that she bumped into my sister in one of the salons nearby our hometown. It wasn't the fact that she bumped into my sister that attracted me, but it was the fact that she went out with my 2 other closest friends and she took the time to tell me that. I thought then, how fun it must have been to meet friends that we used to have almost everyday in high school.

Life after high school has changed so fast that the older you get the less friends you have obviously. Everybody is busy with their hectic lifes. One is figuring out its way out of college, the other one is getting ready to make the most important decision of one's life, marriage, and the rest others are just trying to get by with their own uncertainties in life, called the real world. Whatever that is, most people tend to forget how incredible the feelings of being able to sit down and meet their closest friends. At least for me, having to live on the other side of my hometown, in a country where people praised individuality and capitalism, I certainly longing to have those days back. The days where I could just sit with my bestfriends, listening to their jokes and sometimes unintelligent comments-- which I often find very soothing for my serious minds.

No matter how far you go, there is no place like home, that's what old people are saying. I find this very true. I've been as far as on the other side of the world, going here and there in the unknowns, and yet, I often think of home. You'll find new friends whereever you go, you'll build new closest friends as you go, but there will always be that moment when you will never forget the friends you'll always have. Friends who will check on you whereever or how far you go. Friends who've changed your life so much that any concrete gifts in this world wouldn't have been enough to express your gratifications. Friends who will never change how they behave in front of you, in their own uniqueness, will often say "I am still the person you knew few years ago--still am--perhaps, i'm modifying myself a litte bit better". Friends who've reminded you at things you did, that you'll share the story with. Friends who are even in the future, you'll always mention to other people from the stories that you can share with them. Those are for sure friends, that you will always remember.

I am a worshipper in friendship. I value friendship and bring the matter close to the heart. I am the type that will choose to have little friends who'll value me as a friend and a person, than to have more, so that I can make myself look like a fool trying to engange a conversation. To me, there is a sense of loyalty when it comes to friendship, but at the same time, a great sense of hatred when it comes to betrayals and fakeness. So, knowing that you have friends, that no matter how busy they are, or how far they've becoming, and they still remember you, you know how good the feelings are just to even know that they'll always be your friends, your closest friends at heart.

I must say, my friends are one of things I have that makes me the person that I am right now, and the person I want to be in the future. They are one of my greatest posessions in the world and I hope it will always stay that way.

I miss you all!!
Love,
-DENOK-

--dedicated to The Pandirs and to my high school friends who've often said "HI" to me--

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Am I looking down at myself? or am i just being too ambitious?

DATE: 06/10/2005 08:25:54 AM
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BODY:

Here we go again,
Another success story. My boss's son graduated from Tuck's Business School of Darmouth University. Not only he is graduating as one of the top 5 in the MBA program, he'll receive 2 high honors from Darmouth University. Boston Consulting Group is one of the first top companies who are ready to offer him a job. He didn't have to apply for it -- makes sense. WOW!(i want that ...yes)

Here I am , listening to this great story. The joy that I feel for his mother--who happened to raise him by herself, as a single mother, and also, the slap I feel in my face. This is not the first time I hear great stories like this. A friend who got accepted in the top graduate schools. A friend who got hired by Fortune 500 Companies even before he graduated. A friend who who received top awards---plus full scholarships, etc etc.
They all are great. Usually, I feel fine, and I've always been fine.

Except, now, I feel like everybody that I know around me is moving up and I am still here.
Is there something wrong--with me? Am I looking down at myself? or perhaps I am just being too ambitious?

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: A little bit about Me--haha--

DATE: 06/24/2005 08:43:47 AM
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BODY:

> >WANITA AQUARIUS
> >
> >Jika anda mencintai wanita tipe ini, anda harus
> >bersiap-siap menjadi bahagia selamanya atau sangat
> >bersedih. Ia adalah wanita supersibuk dengan
> >masalah-masalahnya, persis seperti cowok dengan
> >zodiak yang sama. Ia mampu hidup sendiri tanpa
> >adanya pria dalam kehidupannya, orang yang
> >benar-benar kuat. Bukan karena ia tidak dapat
> >menemukan cowok impiannya, tetapi jika ia memang
> >tidak dapat menemukan cowok demikian, apa boleh
> >buat.
> >
> >Apalagi karena memang dia berpikir bahwa dia mampu
> >melakukan apapun yang mampu dilakukan seorang pria.
> >Ia adalah seorang pemimpin, tipe orang yang
> >benar-benar penuh percaya diri. Ia suka melakukan
> >segalanya sendiri, membuka pintu sendiri, melayani
> >diri sendiri. Karena ia berpikir menunggu bantuan
> >orang lain hanyalah membuang waktu saja, dan dia
> >tidak cukup sabar menunggu orang lain melakukan hal
> >itu.
> >
> >Jika ia duluan mengajak anda kencan, jangan pikir
> >bahwa ia akan mulai menggoda anda duluan. Ia
> >melakukannya karena dipikirnya menunggu anda
> >mengajak kencan akan sangat membosankan dan
> >membuang-buang waktu saja. Ia sangat menyukai cowok
> >cool yang terkadang bertingkah seakan cuek terhadap
> >dirinya, maka ia akan memiliki kesempatan untuk
> >menunjukkan kepercayaan dirinya.
> >
> >Ia suka untuk menebak reaksi seseorang pria, tapi
> >pada saat yang bersamaan ia suka sekali jika ada
> >banyak pria menginginkan dirinya. Ia adalah tipe
> >orang yang berani yang mampu melakukan banyak hal
> >secara berbeda dari orang lain dalam lingkungan yang
> >sama. Ia berani berjuang untuk mendapatkan apa yang
> >ia pikir menjadi miliknya.
> >
> >Walaupun ia bertingkah penuh percaya diri, ia
> >seringkali merasa kesepian dan sendiri. Jika ia
> >putus dengan orang lain, ia tidak akan
> >memperlihatkan emosi apapun, walaupun sebenarnya ia
> >dipenuhi dengan rasa sakit dan penderitaan. Tidak
> >lama kemudian, dia akan kembali menjadi orang yang
> >cerah ceria, karena dia selalu melihat dunia secara
> >positif dan memiliki "Kepercayaan" pada kata
> >"Cinta."
> >
> >Ia memiliki lebih banyak teman cowok daripada cewek,
> >maka jika anda berpacaran dengan dia, jangan menjadi
> >tipe pencemburu. Ia mungkin sedikit pencemburu, tapi
> >ia sangat membenci tipe cowok pencemburu. Ia
> >mencintai "kebebasan" baik sebelum dan sesudah
> >menikah, kebebasan dia harus sama dan tidak boleh
> >diikat.
> >
> >Ia ingin anda mempercayainya, bahkan mungkin jika ia
> >tidak mempercayai anda. Ia suka menjadi pihak yang
> >"benar", maka jika anda bertengkar dengannya,
> >biarkan dia menang, jika memang hal yang
> >dipertengkarkan bukan masalah besar.
> >
> >Ia adalah tipe orang yang langsung dan terbuka, maka
> >jika ia tidak lagi mencintai anda, ia akan
> >mengatakannya langsung kepada anda.
> >
> >Cinta dan hubungan yang dia bangun selalu nyata,
> >maka jika ia mengatakan "Kita bubar" maka sudah
> >saatnya anda bubar, dia tidak sedang menguji anda.
> >Ia bukan tipe cewek yang mudah terluka, maka anda
> >tidak perlu kuatir mengenai dirinya, ia mampu untuk
> >bangkit sendiri. Jika ia bersama anda ketika anda
> >sakit, maka dia akan merawat anda, bahkan merawat
> >anda berarti "pinjaman kecil" baginya.
> >
> >Jangan pernah menyimpan rahasia dari dirinya, hal
> >ini sangat dibencinya dan dapat membuatnya sangat
> >marah. Ketika ia sedih, mengertilah dia.
> >Ketika ia bahagia, bahagialah bersamanya, ia
> >menyukainya. Anda tidak akan pernah bosan bersama
> >cewek tipe ini. Mereka yang dekat dengannya akan
> >tahu bahwa dibalik semua percaya diri dan sifatnya
> >yang berdarah dingin, ia sama rentannya seperti
> >semua wanita.
> >
> >Ia adalah orang yang menyenangkan dan banyak bicara,
> >dan ia suka menggoda anda. Jangan biarkan dia
> >berbicara sendiri, karena bila hal itu terjadi, ia
> >akan meninggalkan anda. Ia memiliki banyak tipe
> >pekerjan, karena ia percaya bahwa apa yang bisa
> >dialakukan kaum pria, bisa juga dilakukannya. Jika
> >anda ingin mempekerjakannya, jangan harap.
> >
> >Ketika ia sedang jatuh cinta, ia akan meninggalkan
> >pekerjaannya di siang hari hanya untuk menemui anda,
> >tetapi dia akan segera kembali ke pekerjaannya dan
> >kembali serius bekerja. Jika anda mampu untuk hidup
> >dan mencintai seorang "wanita pekerja", maka anda
> >akan pas dengannya. Jika ia marah, carilah tempat
> >berteduh dari "badai".
> >
> >Tapi kemarahannya hanya akan sebentar saja. Ia bukan
> >tipe pembalas dendam, dan tidak akan memikirkan
> >mengenai saat "pembalasan". Banyak orang berpikir
> >bahwa dia benar-benar "cowok hebat", walaupun
> >sebenarnya dia benar-benar 100% cewek. Ia mudah
> >terluka, maka sebaiknya anda bersikap baik padanya.
> >
> >Jika ia benar-benar mencintai anda, maka anda
> >beruntung, karena ia adalah orang yang jujur, tulus,
> >dan tidak akan pernah membuat anda bosan. Anda harus
> >mengerti bahwa terkadang ia akan menjadi terlalu
> >percaya diri, dan terkadang cenderung bersikap
> >ngeboss.
> >
> >
> >

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Jakarta...oh Jakarta

DATE: 10/01/2005 03:56:27 AM
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BODY:

what is wrong with Jakarta? well, let me tell you what is wrong with it.

The city is a perfect example of a city in chaos. No other cities like it --of course yes, I've never been to the cities in the AFrican continent or any city in India---but I bet you wouldn't find anything like the loving, temperamental, corrupted, and yet amazing city of Jakarta, a mega metropolitan city.

The traffic is like a suicide machine that kills people slowly. Spend a few hours on the road, and couple of hours stuck in the traffic every day, every week in your every living time, you'll find yourself in agony and pain from the stress, the anger, the will to kill each other.
Who did not come home one day in complains?
who did not drive one day with a will to kill or hit any of the "flying" motorcycles?
who did not explode one day finding out that your car or your motorcyle have been hit by a fellow rider?
or
who did not have any story about the rendezvous with the men on the road, mr. and mrs. Police officers, whom of course by any judgment, we should try to limit these fine, working hard people and try to appreciate them with their efforts to control the traffic, and not in any way by "a little business" they're pulling through whenever they can with any (so-called) unfortunate riders.

if every opinion and every complains are like the disease that will clogged a human's artery. Then, not a single soul will stay alive within a day. They all will have strokes, heart attack, and common problems alike (all doctors, you can disagree with me on this assumption. I am not a Doctor).

and yet, my friends, there are more and more people by counts in this city. They all survived and evolved. Isn't that amazing?

The stories below will describe in details the every day activities on the road------

----The traffic is ridiculously horrible! You think driving 2 hours or more
to Martha's Vineyard or New Hampshire from Boston is a long drive? Try
sitting in a car for that many hours and not actually driving, instead,
you're sitting in your car. You are not moving anywhere.


Compared to Boston, however, Jakarta has more experienced and skillful
drivers. Imagine a Nascar Event or an F1 Competition------but this time
you have 10 times the number of cars in a single road, doing exactly
just that.in addition to the number of motorbikes going sideways, from
every side of your cars trying to pass or cut you right when you're
running about 110 miles/hr. zig zaggin'---and swooooooosshhhhhhh....
It's a wonder that we don't have that many people involved in the car race competition or something like that-----


you have a highway for one way that will ONLY allow 3 cars stretched
side by side--but in here those 3 lanes become 5 (6 is also possible)
lanes.You'll have a mixed of big, small compact cars, SUVs, and jeeps
versus pick-up cars, minibus to a Giant bus and also container trucks,
on the same street heading the same direction, head-to head, neck to
neck trying to cut each other. sounds dangerous? maybe, but here,
that's normal.
Oh wait, don't forget the motorbikes that are like "mosquitoes" ready to bite you..

they are very exciting mobiles tranporters that if you're driving a
car, you feel like you want to slap or hit or kicked them out off the
road.
but, again, you hardly see people got kicked off off the road.


Only 3 men or more cars can be allowed to go on the road during rush
hours. At certain locations, only cars manufactured from the year 1995
and above can be allowed to be on the road.
However if you are found guilty not following the rules, just like any other countries, the law is there to punish you.
The slight different is that you finish the job right there on the spot----

"it's up to you sir, the rate is between Rp. 50.000 to Rp.
200.000---we'll be happy not to see you again" --(sounds familiar?)

If you hit a pedestrian, it's the pedestrian's fault.
If you hit a car, it's that car's fault for not knowing that you're there.
If you hit a motorbike, it's that motorbike's fault for cutting your way.
If you can't avoid a collision with other cars, then, you blame on the road.


Funny how the traffic goes in this city. I couldn't say for all other
cities in this county--not fair, I think. But, it's enough to describe
one aspect of a mega metropolitan city called Jakarta.

(to be continued)

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Killer Motorists

DATE: 01/17/2006 05:25:52 AM
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BODY:

Just like any days of my working days, I took the cut through Kemang Timur (or is it Utara?) from Jl. Ampera before reaching the main street of Warung Buncit. I found out that by going through that route could save me about 20 minutes compared to taking Cawang Highway. Plus, it saves me from pressing the brakes too many often -- that relieves me a lot from the stress of being too close to the other cars by less-than-an-inch from my side mirror to the other's which usually happens after you pay the Rp.4500 toll fee. However taking the shorter route via Kemang gives its own shares of stress. You will probably encounter same types of vehicles, big or small, in highway, but if you take the ordinary roads, like the ones in Kemang, you will definitely encounter passing killer motorists.

I have nothing againts motorists and their bikes in general. How could I? After all, my brother is riding one of them -- thus my parents own one of them as well. Especially with the higher fuel price lately, who are they to be blamed for making the decision to buy motorcyles instead? But, I do believe that when I am on the road, driving, I feel like I am in the middle of a war with the motorists. These people, whether that would be a member of my family, relatives and friends, they all have seemed to turn themselves againts me, and I against them. What was friends, turns to foes. As I start my day, I feel like I have to get myself fully prepared, physically and mentally for battle with no ending. My daily journey to work usually takes about an hour or so-- already, depending on the traffic. But the efforts to get to my destination actually takes more than just the time and the patience to go through it. Every single driving skills, in addition to knowledge of the roads, are needed in order to survive the battle.

Picture this----
You're driving your car down on a two-way street. I am not talking about highways with 2-3 lanes, but small roads with lanes going to the opposite direction. That means, in order for you to pass the car in front of you, you'll have to step on the gas and make sure the other side of the street is empty so you can make the loop. So, now, you're stuck in traffic. The cars ahead of you don't seem to move a lot --- you're guessing probably because there's a traffic light in front of line, or, an (God-forbids) that an accident is occuring at that moment. Of course, depending on the width of the road, you are finding your car to be about a few inches from the car's side mirror on the opposite direction. In other words, the lane could only fit one car.
But, imagine this, how about if within that few inches you have to save your car from getting hit by the passing cars, you have a (or possibly more) motorcyle (s) in between?

I found this rather factly proven occurences between motorists and car drivers quite funny. Obviously, if the motorist(s) get hit by the car, regardless if the motorist get hurt or not, whatever car that "touched" the motorists will eventually be blamed for being reckless and not paying attention to roads/traffic. On that sense also, regardless if the car is badly dented, it's still the driver's fault and therefore the motorist(s) has no obligation to pay for the damage caused (well, in a lot of cases, the cars are just too damn expensive for the motorist to pay for the damage).
I've heard and understood about this culture of jakarta traffic so many often. Finally, I've eyewitnessed it. Guess what?! I was laughing----it was just so true. Motorcyles with their motorists seem to find their ways of getting out of troubles. Cars -- or big dudes such as buses and trucks would get the final blame.

One morning I was on my way the same scenario occurred in kemang. A bus from the opposite direction as I did, almost (if it really happened, I wouldn't be laughing about it) hit a motorist who was standing by right next to my car. Obviously, he was waiting for the bus to pass. But, judging from my point of view, I could very well tell that I hadn't move forward a bit, this motorist would get hit. Well, unfortunately, I couldn't move at all, so, supposedly, the motorist should have realized what was happening. But, I had seen it coming. The bus, which was actually a metromini, was moving slowly. I guess, the driver was trying to avoid any collision between the traffic from our side and some electric poles on the side of the street. When the bus almost "touched" the motorist, obviously the motorist went ballistic and banged on the bus's body. I could see from my mirror that the bus driver felt the same rage because he must've felt that he didn't do anything wrong (which I could see why) and that he was on the right side of the street. Out of my usual attitude to buses in jakarta, this time, I felt as if I wanted to help the bus driver to scream at the motorist for doing what he did.---then, I suppose, i'd laugh about it as well.

I don't drive motorcyle on the street of Jakarta. Neither have I ever driven ones somewhere else ( I did it one time in Bali). I admitted that driving one is rather too dangerous for me. But, I've talked to motorists and have actually discussed many things with anyone who drive both motorcyles as well as cars.You could argue with me that anyone knows that Motorcyles should queue just like any other vehicles on the roads. They are not supposed to use the other side of the lanes for their own benefits, thus could possibly lead to jeopardizing the lives of the people from the other side of the lane. A strict law needs to be enforced to guide and rule out these I-would-say killer motorists. They are willing to do or to take anything in order to get to their destinations.

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: The WORLD CUP, Soccer Game, of 2006 FRENZY----is OVER

DATE: 07/13/2006 06:44:36 AM
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BODY:

Ahhhh--Those days, The days where everyone just looked forward to the television in almost every single night. The days where every morning you would either see smile (because someone/some people just won bets, for example) or see gloomy faces (because someone/some people just lost bets, for example). The days where after office hours, people started to figure out who's winning what, the score, the voor----the first time I learned about this word, (call me an idiot, but I never bet on soccer game or any other games--aaight ;))----and where to gather and watch the game. The days, where for meeee, to see the roads were empty!!!!! because everybody took their time to come to work and I could get up late and not being scold about it----(especially when my boss was betting and watching the game until he could see the sun)---

Ahhh----those days are gone---

Now--back to normal life. Everything is too normal now. Scary----at 8 am, the roads were all blocked side to side, between side mirror and the motorcycles----

and again---me, in my car, trying to race my way to the office, just to make sure that my boss is not there yet---

oopsss---i forgot, he's still on vacation --hahahahahah---

VIVA ITALY!!!! ROck On BUFFON! ----(Je suis desolee Zidane---mais, j'ai prefere L'italienne---)

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Wedding and jeasn

DATE: 07/25/2006 07:03:36 AM
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BODY:

If there's one more thing about people's attitude or culture that I JUST don't get it is the fact that for SOME people, going to a wedding is equal to going to a MALL. I don't understand why people would wear JEANS to a WEDDING.

This isn't about personal preferences in personal taste of fashion or the liberty to wear whatever that clothes that you want to wear. This is about common sense and the etiquette and a whole other nine yards about culture---whether that be a western culture or our own lovely culture of Indonesia.

You just DON'T wear JEANS to a wedding!

We were all taught ever since we were kids that whenever there was an occassion --birthday, religious events, or family cultural gatherings ---we had to look tidy, neat and especially look at our best. Perhaps, jeans was not exactly available to some of us back then---but hardly, unless our parents just bought us new pair of denim pants or denim dress---, we were always forced to wear something frilly (for girls), party outfit as some of us might referred to today's term or even back then. In fact, for us Indonesians, if we ever pay attention to our own roots, whenever there's a cultural event, we are strongly encouraged to wear our ethnic clothes. As a matter of fact, they are not just ORDINARY ethnic clothes or outfits, but they are especially made or especially created from the past in order to preserved the beauty or the essence of the party/ceremony. In other words, they are created in order to RESPECT the event and the host of the event.

Now, we are all taught that WEDDINGs or MARRIAGE ceremony is a sacred event, regardless from what culture or background you are coming from. At the end of the day, the ceremony is always good and full of celebration. Respectfully, when you're celebrating that means you have fun with it, you're having a blast, you're partying! When you're partying, you try to look at your best. What I mean by BEST does not limit it down to wear the most expensive clothes you'll ever wear. But, it's about looking to suit the event that you're going to. In that way, you're respecting the host, you're showing an attitude that you're also celebrating and thanking the host for the party that they throw to you.

When you go to a wedding in Indonesia, you're not required to wear Kebaya. But, MOST people know that you have to dress respectfully by wearing dresses (for women) or Suits (for men) for the very least.

But, to wear jeans is the same thing with mocking the host at whatever reason you're trying to prove. No matter how pretty or handsome or how cool or rich the person is. But, if you don't know what to wear to a certain event. All I can say is that I feel sorry for you and you better find a personal help! If you don't think this is a serious thing---then, you better start thinking about it---until, there's a rule written out in the mind of the society that from that moment on,the new trend of the wedding's dress code would be a pair of jeans and a frilly shirt --for us women (but even if that's happening, I think it would more like a denim dress---rather )

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Liberty to express opinions
DATE: 07/25/2006 07:15:41 AM
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BODY:

Every single souls in this planet should have the freedom to express their opinions whenever and wherever they want! EVEN IF, the person say the same thing over and over again or the person goes ROUND and ROUND just to come to a single sentence conclusion.

Whatever it is or however they do it-----it all comes back down to one thing----

THEY ALL WANT TO BE HEARD!!!

I want to be heard! therefore I refuse to calm down until my opinions are expressed---whether you like it or not!!!

and--DON"T YOU DARE TO CUT ME OFF WHEN TALKING!!!!

(the lines on this blog are dedicated to my RESPECTFUL Superior in which I humbly admired and HATE at the same time----)

--due to the sensitiveness of the subject of this blog and the risk of the offensiveness to those who read, i apologize for the inconvenience--

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE:

DATE: 08/06/2006 07:00:48 PM
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BODY:

One more thing to say about me--hehehehe---

THE WATER FEMALE DOG

She is quite terrifically beautiful, with a slight air of aloofness that says it all. She is the hardest of the Dogs to know & is more aware of her pedigree than the other element dogs. She can be aggressive but not vicious or malevolent. Her bark is worse than her bite. As a friend she is as loyal as all dogs but it is not easy getting close to her. She has an instinctive internalized spirit of self-preservation which she rarely lets down & unless she has researched you, chances are she will keep you at arms length but break through & she will overwhelm you with affection.

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AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: The signs on the busses---

DATE: 12/01/2006 04:14:19 AM
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BODY:

I must admit that the past few weeks, I haven't been at my high moment. Not that it has been for the past few months either. I feel like i'm sliding downward - worse, it's a spiral one. It's a downward trend in which I am not allowed to fall down instantly, but I have to be able to taste the very tiny inch of the reason i must fall.I couldn't think of anything else to face but to just stand still, be brave and making face of " BRING IT ON! ", or " COME WHAT MAY" or something similar to that. I feel like I have been bombarded with so many turbulences in all aspects of life ----work, relationship, financial, family, even LIFE itself! I got so frustrated to the idea that I am just bound to be a failure ----soon, in the process..or has it come to an end yet??

Little did I know that all the things I have been feeling inside actually came out quite clearly reflected upon my face. I'm an ignorant person who pretty much have no plans of minding someone else's business. Although, I don't mean to say that people mind my business in a negative way, but I found that people do pay attention to my well being-----even if the person is only as close as a superior and an office boy at work. But, my point is that whatever that is happenning to me right now, people can basically tell because in an indirect way, i , somehow, share it with them, the people I interact the most on a daily basis -- and that, I think, worries them.

Guess what?.. It worries me too.

Slowly, I start to notice that I basically am not alone. Alone, in a sense, that I finally see where I stand among them. A colleague of mine gave me a wake up call, a simple sentence which i found to be a good compliment, but never thought he would say it. It gave me the strength to get back on my feet to do my job again. Not because it's a compliment, more so, i take it as a challenge. A bestfriend of mine, never, even once, to discourage me from going after an out-of-reach man, and yet, she gets me going to prove that I'm a better woman. My parents, especially my father, have not said a single word about failure --- the words are always about a light at the end of the tunnel (with no another train coming from the other side for sure :))--- I lost one thing because i'm going to get another thing --- I failed one thing because I'm going to excel on another thing --- I experienced pain because i'm going to feel the joyful sensation of something else--- so on so forth..

So, one day, I woke up thinking , " Hey, life is a bitch!, I might be a sorry bitch, but i'm a lucky bitch :D! --- My life is not great at this point, but guess what, it's not a total loss! --- I can fall down, but I make sure i'm having a blast when i fall down, so when I go back up, I know that falling down is not always that bad! it can rock!....."

I went to work that day. Stuck in the same old traffic jam at Warung Buncit, the same old motor riots on the road, and the same war mentality ---but, what gives me the most attention were the signs behind the busses!...

(Obviously, everybody in Jakarta knew, that somehow, drivers for gung-ho-ready- to- rumble- busses like METRO MINI, or KOPAJA like to write phrases using stickers at the rear window. The phrases are somewhat short and to certain extend, meaningless. It wonders people, why they wrote or chose to write those phrases with no clear intention)

2 busses passed by my car. At the rear window, the first one said, " Jangan stress! Dong " ( don't stress--) with a bold and orangish color at the word " STRESS", while the rest were in smaller writings with positionings close to one another. The next one, then, said " Tersenyum kembali " (smile again) with a better positioning and look from the outside.

What are the odds? Were the drivers knew about what or how I felt at the time? Or They were all just a mere coincidence? or something else? you'll be the judge. But, I was indeed smiling at the time. My life is ain't that great at the moment. But, I was smiling and it's a Great feeling to be able to smile again!

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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: ibe
EMAIL: ibe@mrafnb.co.id
IP: 202.153.240.111
URL: http://www.friendster.com/7468850
DATE: 01/19/2007 09:27:34 AM
eh nok nih ada beberapa kalimat lucu yg suka ada di belakang kopaja, metro, truk dll..mudah mudahan menghibur!


"TABAH MENANTI"

"Mabok bae"

"Ku Nanti Jandamu"

NEW FEAR THE ME IS 3 --> Nyupir demi istri

AN 3 DIS

!!! SEKARANG BAYAR, BESOK GRATIS !!!

""Ber 2 1 7 an"

CAN'T ARE ROCK --> Ken Arok

MER - 123 - LUCK --> Mertua Galak

THONK HE LOVE --> Thonk khilaf

"Anda butuh waktu,kami butuh uang"

"Naik Gratis,Turun Bayar"

"Ma2ku 1/3 dis"

THE ME anak IS 3

Jagalah jandamu --> jagalah jarak anda???

"JANGAN DINIKAHI BILA SEGEL RUSAK"

"be are the kill us all come fuck" -->Biar dekil
asal
kompak

SO FEAR SHE N THINK ---> Sopir Sinting

BE YOUNG CARE ROCK ---> Biang Kerok

Alone By Must ---> Alon bae Mas

CINTAMU TAK SEMURNI BENSINKU

CINTAMU TAK SETULUS CINTA EMAK GW

Ja 500 Let --> Jago Pelet

Moe K Sue Fear 1/3 Rong --> Muka Supir seperti garong

SPONGE DONG

BURONAN MERTUA

"on any book an plumb pleasant"

"BERSATU DI PANGKALAN BERSAING DI
JALANAN"

**Bercinta di Bis Berpisah di Terminal**

"STREET FIGHTER"

PUTUS CINTA... sudah biasa...
PUTUS ROKOK... merana...
PUTUS REM... matilah kita...

Cintaku Berat Di Bensin

MAN 7 jur ---> mantu jujur

JUM'AT KELABU ---> Trayek Ps. Jumat - Pd. Labu

Mencari nafkah demi desah

JANDA BARU NENEN ---> Trayek Juanda - Ps.Baru - Senen

JANDA 1/3 DIS

Do Now .. Casino ... In Draw ... War Cop DKI

"bukan salah ibu mengandung.. .salah bapak nggak pake sarung"

LONG STREET OF MEMORY

"Ora Sama Bin Lain"

"besar di rantau, tua di jalan"

"tak sehina yang kau duga"

"Q-Cay Was here" trus dibawahnya ditulis
"kasian deh lo wasir.. ke dokter aja"

"UCOK= Uang Cukup Ongkos Kurang"

"Lupa namanya, ingat rasanya"

"Enak tapi dosa"

"Istri goyang suami basah"

"pergi karena tugas ... pulang karena beras.. "

"rejekiku dari silitmu" --> tulisan di truk sedot tinja

MATSIBISHA

cinta di tolak dukun terbahak

Fuck Here Miss Kind!!! --> Fakir Miskin

"goyang pantura"

Pulang malu, tak pulang rindu..

--------
AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Signs of FEAR

DATE: 01/25/2007 08:11:58 AM
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BODY:

Lately, I've been thinking hard. How...how on earth can we control all of these growing motorcycles in the city? I thought of a few ideas to begin with, in which I mostly borrowed from The US.

For one, we could try to install cameras in every intersections in the city, excluding, however, major intersections where police officers are likely to stay. But then, I realized, with the heavy level of theft and also destructive behaviors to public facilities, most cameras will be gone or broken within a shorter period of time. Not to mention, even if the police managed to install many using complicated methods to securing these cameras, they would probably be lost in tracking of who to after and where they go or stay. Especially since most people are using different address for their plates and driving license altogether, It would be difficult to track these violators. Of course, on the other hand, the final basic question would be, do they have the money to support this program? My humble ordinary sense says, even if they do, most will end up in someone else's pocket.

Okay,then, I thought again, how about SIGNS? Of course, it would be too simple to think of only JUST ordinary signs. There are many signs on the street. But, as I've observed, with the bulky, cool-looking, yet seemed to be expensive, helmets, they have seemed to limit the capacity for these bikers to see and to, at the end, take the time to comprehend the meaning behind the signs already there.

So, what would these proposed signs be like?

I think, these signs have to be those that would create the most uncomfortable feelings in people, and also, at the end, it would create some paranoia and fear of the images in them. Then, that would be one of the most effective tools worth to try.

Why?

This is what I believe. Indonesian people are always full of trends. The social, family-oriented, strong networking system, and the upbringing in the society bring out best of pretty much anything that has gone from one mouth to another. The more people are talking, using or are doing it, the more will follow. The basic reason is simple, people don't want to be left out----because it's after all, the trend!

No wonder, telenovelas, celebrity gossip shows, among other things often become the hype of the season or generation in which everyone who does not know means they don't belong in that social group or category.

So then, one of the first steps is to create the trend. My proposal is to create the trends of fear.

It is still in my humble mind that Indonesia, known as one of the biggest moslem countries in the world, are so attached to the mystical world. This fact confuses me a lot. It appears that It got a bit too much for some uneducated Indonesians to handle. They have the believe that if they ever break any rules, they might be punished with bad karma. That, at the end, they might be punished with odd things, in the superstitious world--that will lead them to dire effect of the mystical world---

Well, in that case, why don't we use that sense of fear to a good use instead?

No, I'm NOT trying to say that we have to create some black magic spells for people to obey (althought that would be cool actually hehehe)

But, instead, we should create signs that could easily hit their bottom fears and at the same time, effectively, would create strong sense of paranoaia in their minds. These signs would have gruesome images, an after effect of an accident, for example, or wordings of exactly HOW MUCH money they have to be punished with, the writing of the number of days they can sit behind bars. The signs need to be made particularly visible to the eyes, and impressive enough to the mind and finally, it would leave enough marks on their hearts and feelings.

After that, these signs need to be located at effective, strategic spots, such as the intersections, or as a start, where most accidents tend to occur. The size of the signs cannot be smaller than any political campaigns billboards. In fact, it either the same or bigger.( I mean, after all, if these politicians really do care about their "people", they must not complain, and if necessary, we should make them pay for these signs). Generally, the best spot would be one of those areas where people stop for traffic lights.

I don't think this strategy has never been done before in any other countries. But, it sure has never been done here, in our beloved JAKARTA, and elsewhere in Indonesia. Why? Go figure. It can be about anything. Has people ever thought of it? well, if you're among one of those who think about it, then that's good! we should get together and write more about it! (haha). Maybe, some people did think about it, but don't know how to start on it.

But, hey, here's a start------

If we can contribute to our city, and perhaps, to our country, by starting the trend---good positive one that is---then, whatever it is, let's not wait. We have only a few moment to live by. Any second we halt on the process, could mean higher potential of people get into accidents and then, get killed.

Nothing of such a genius idea here...just someone to can't seem to hold the idea in her head. If any, let it out my friend....:)

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---------
AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: I'm proud to be IBC *Indonesian Born Chinese*

DATE: 03/05/2007 07:26:42 PM
-----
BODY:

..A writing below, something that I quoted from my so-called "Indonesian-Chinese Born" friend...

im proud to be IBC *Indonesian Born Chinese* :DPs. sebelom baca jgn ada yg tersingung...diilhami aja...supaya lu bisa petik pengalaman menarik disiniuntuk masa depan Kami datang dalam kemiskinan, anda sudah tiba sejak nenek moyang anda berada.

Kami duduk dibawah terik matahari menunggu dagangan kami, disaat anda meminta bagian anda untuk uang "keamanan" Kami bersepeda berjualan bakpao disaat anda sedang menikmati mie ayam langganan anda didekat rumah.

Kami menghitung saving dan expense keluarga kami, disaat anda menghitung apa yang bisa anda belanjakan dengan uang anda.

Kami berusaha mencari apa yang bisa kami jadikan uang, ketika anda sedang berusaha mencari apa yang bisa dijadikan barang.

Kami berusaha berhubungan dengan orang- orang yg memiliki kekuasaan agar kami bisa lancar mencari makan, ketika anda sedang menikmati hidangan makan malam anda dimeja.

Kami menaruh resiko atas pinjaman2 dengan bunga bank yang tinggi, disaat anda sedang berpuas diri akan pekerjaan rutin anda.

Kami rela makan nasi 1 kali sehari demi masa depan, disaat anda menuntut makan 3 kali sehari.

Kami menabung dan rela menggunakan pakaian ala kadarnya disaat anda menggunakan pakaian yang apik buatan levi's

....40 tahun berlalu....

Kami menikmati apa yang telah kami perjuangkan, disaat anda berkata "china sialan, nguasain negara gueee"

Kami menikmati liburan setiap tahun ke luar negeri, melihat indahnya alam ciptaan Tuhan bersama keluarga disaat anda ribut akan kenaikan harga sembako.

Kami bersyukur atas hasil kerja keras kami disaat anda sedang mengutuk negeri ini.

Kami berjalan menyisir pantai, melihat tenggelamnya matahari dikepulauan hawaii ketika anda melihat matahari tenggelam dari jendela kantor anda.

Kami melakukan pesta perpisahan keluarga karena ada anggota keluarga kami yang pergi menuntutilmu di negeri orang, ketika anda sedang pusing memikirkan bagaimana menyekolahkan anak anda.

Kami bercerita tentang bagaimana indahnya hidup ini,ketika anda bercerita tentang pahitnya hidup saat ini.

Kami berpikir makan apa besok, ketika anda berpikir apa besok makan.

Saat kami menikmati puncak kesuksesan, anda menyalahkan kami atas kemiskinan keluarga anda.

Saat kami masuk ke pintu ruang pabrik kami, anda datang meminta bagian atas apa yang telah kami perjuangkan Kami tahu kami hanya pendatang,tapi kami tahu bagaimana membuat kami menjadilebih berarti di mata bangsa2 lain.

..Nothing else to comment but I salute them. My friends.

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--------
AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Indonesia and Sesame Street

DATE: 05/22/2007 09:49:48 PM
-----
BODY:

I can't seem to find a better title for my blog to highlight the recent news i picked from The Jakarta Post, on Wednesday May 23rd. My option is either to choose between "Indonesia goes Sesame Street " OR " Sesame Street goes Indonesia". The first one sounds incorrect, since I heard no sound of the government ever want to be consider going globally by being portrayed in "sesame street", a puppet show often aired as educational program in The US. Then, the latter part sounds more like the way it should be. However, I decided to be neutral instead and pick the title above,"Indonesia and Sesame Street" just to point out the relation between the two..

At the same time, I can't seem to decide whether I should cheer about Sesame Street having to have Indonesian puppets -- not wayang, not "UNYIL, not gatotkaca--- but stuffed dolls depicting Indonesian names and hair color being in a typical Indonesian setting, OR should I be disappointed, instead, at the way the country is being introduced via Sesame Street.

On a first thought, it was exciting to hear the good news. A popular show that was first aired in 1969 is one of the most successful shows in television history. The show is broadcasted in about 120 countries, including Indonesia for some time, and is co-produced in about a dozen nations, including Egypt, Japan and South Africa (The Agence France Presse).

I even remember growing up watching the show and often excited to see piggy, kermit, and the boy on the bottle to come around at my place almost every day.

So, to have a boy puppet called "Momon", a girl puppet called " Putri", the banana-munching orangutan called "tantan" and also a baby Sumatran Rhino called "Jabrik" in a worldwide show like that is quite most welcome. That could mean a boost to the PR (public relation) of Indonesia as a country with a reputation - good one that is.

I almost have no reason not to be happy. After all, It's a national pride. I am still one of the Indonesians who get excitingly silly about hearing the name "Indonesia" to ever be mentioned especially in Hollywood movies (never mind the context) or other foreign tv shows.

Imagine the benefits of having "Indonesia" being mentioned in more than 120 countries and perhaps, more.,

With the presence of ORANGUTAN and a RHINOCEROS in Sesame Street, we should be very proud that finally their existence is being introduced to the world as wildlifes coming FROM Indonesia, and NOT Malaysia as it has often been understood globally.

For those who are lucky enough to go abroad, they wouldn't have to face the sarcastic truth and shock of foreign ignorance on the other side of the earth. They don't have to face people asking where in the world Indonesia is, as it was quoted to me a few years ago' " is that s;mewhere in Africa?", OR to answer a question of a race' " so--are you an Asian? or what? " ---(the correct answer would be we're Asian, just in case you're wondering. But of course, you can argue that we could also be a Malay or a Micronesian or a Polynesian or....hmmm..wait, i'm not quite sure).

However, even if there would be a street called "jalan sesama" where these characters would live and then they would actually sing in bahasa Indonesia, they are set to live in a village, instead of a neighborhood complex. The village will have electricity polls with low hanging cables instead of urban lampposts and a billboard just how it often appear in most sesame street shows. The reason behind the setting idea is to promote the "gotong-royong" awareness or culture that it is no longer available in the city, and yet still remain intact at large in the rural areas.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with this portrayal. One can argue that there's a whole lot of truth in that fact. We have more villages than cities. Why embarrased to admit?

However, despite the long lost and debated culture of "gotong -royong" from the city neigborhood, having to picture Indonesia based on a village setting as an introduction to a global tv show, aimed to much younger children, would create a perception that the country is highly underdeveloped and primitive. It is possible that children, from many parts of the world, would think and grow understanding that Indonesia is always about the third-world country. The country is still highly untapped, lack of any investments and the breakthrough technology of the much sounded global world.


Are we that? or Do we want to be perceived as such? I don't think so.

We might not be able to avoid the truth. But, to admit the truth is to understand and to learn how we can make the village into a village of prosperity and wealth. Not, instead, to promote the village as it is, irregardless of the old wisdom that has been somehow embedded in our lives. Yes, "gotong-royong" must be preserved, obviously. But they must exist inside, on each individual, for it to be cultivated and labelled as a culture of this country.

If India, as an example and comparison, a country still battling with poverty in much of its underdeveloped areas, can be the no.2 country in Asia, after China, to boost its economy. Then why can't we be perceived as a stabilized country with many plans to tackle internal issues in order to boost its welfare and economy?

Maybe, then, the children watching the "sesame street" can grow up thinking that once they become adults, they might want to live in Indonesia --- just like how some of Indonesians grow up thinking that they want to live in The US or other developed countries.

We, obviously, have a lot of work to do to prove the world that we cannot be ignored. Sometimes, one way to do it is to cooperate through an international media so that the world can have a better look on us. Though, it may bear risk of being intervened as well as interfered, not to mention being slowly influenced, but it is necessary to take the risk that is still under our control.

While Sesame Street might be a breakthrough step to promote Indonesia, we should anticipate the consequences given and the necessary step to deal with it.

I support the program and I have no intention to halt the program what-so-ever. But, until I've seen how the show will develop, i hope the men/women behind the show know exactly how to guide Momon, Putri, Tantan and Jabrik to represent Indonesian interest best at heart. Because, at the end of the day, it will be about me and the country that I represent.
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--------
AUTHOR: Denok
TITLE: Dear BANG YOS!...-Pondok Indah- BUSway

DATE: 09/04/2007 12:48:04 AM
-----
BODY:
Dear BAng Yos aka Governor Sutiyoso,

I really don't know how you govern the city. I have no comment on how you settle your businesses. Most importantly, I don't know much about your points or your goals anymore.
But, when you've decided to build subway lane through Pondok Indah, I will have a voice in it, and a strong one that is...

and guess what, I am READY to fight against this plan.

I don't live in Pondok Indah, nor my family has the capacity to live like those in Pondok Indah. In fact, I am one of those who travel through Pondok Indah almost on my daily basis, to feed my family and to support the business of Jakarta (oh yes---i literally do).
I am among those who will sit in the car, hoping that the traffic will move faster, hoping that the word 'traffic" will never even exist on my daily life. I am one who still wonder why on earth the Pondok Indah residences choose to live in Pondok Indah (despite the fact that they can afford it and that they have provided many employments to the residences surround the area) when the streets are well jammed and packed. But, I have no pity on the state of their wealth or their activities.

But, let me tell you why I oppose it, and maybe you'll remember why many think that you're one of the best governors of Jakarta.

It's the trees----always the trees, sir. The busway plan will have to DEMOLISHED, DISINTEGRATE the actual and only "JALUR HIJAU" that still exist in the area. The " JALUR HIJAU" that stretches between the Intersection all the way to the Simprug Area - or maybe more---(if you don't know how long it is, i invite you to have a drive in the morning or evening when the street is at its most packed).

For who?
For those residences who CHOSE to live in the CIputat area??
For those, as i quoted you from the Jakarta Post 4/9/2007, "Those Opposing the busway idea must be the rich. But I will prioritize the intests of the majority over the minority of Pondok Indah" ?
For those you believe will benefit you---?

Guess what,
Pondok Indah is one of the areas that is still LESS JAMMED compared to the rest of other main roads--fatmaway, Prapanca, WArung Buncit---
who did you refer to as "the minority of POndok Indah"?????
are those in the Ciputat area? --are you saying they're not rich. Try to demolished some of the trees there if they don't fight you until the very last breath.
Ciputat area is not even your territory
I'm not against those who live in Ciputat----but aren't you giving a favor to those who, then again, CHOSE to live there, ONLY?
BESIDES, the majority everywhere (should you refer to those with no cars) are driving motorbikes anyway!! why don't you do something to urge the AUTHORITIES to deal with the traffic problems and the manner of how these motorbikes are driving?????---(fyi, these people are no longer RESPECTING the people walking on the pedestrians---have you even seen "ibu-ibu diserempet karena tidak mau minggir di trotoar?????????") - even a little child can see how cruel that is.
Oh hold on, i know why, because there's no profit come out from REGULATING these bikers huh?!

Have you ever heard anyone complain about how jammed the traffic at Pondok Indah is?
if yes, WHY NOT BUILD A HIGHWAY OVER IT then? or a MONO rail above it?

and what did you exactly meant by the rich?????---I am not rich---oops, wrong, you're right, i'm rich in every way that I can, even if that means, i still need to be stuck in the traffic and not flying over a helicopter instead. But, I AM AGAINTS YOUR PLAN TO BUILD SUBWAY sir---ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU"RE DEMOLISHING THE TREES.

What about them trees?, as I've also quoted from the Head of the city's Transportation agency Nurachman quoted from The Jakarta Post 4/9/2007 " We will not destroy the trees, we can REPLANT the trees anyway if we CUT them down"

My dear Bang Yos, anyone in just about anyone knows for real that the trees WILL NEVER be REPLANT-because THEY HAVE BEEN CUT. NO trees cut, can ever be replant ---I think i owe my Biology teacher on this for graciously teaching me the essence of natures.

Of course, In my problem-solving minds, i would suggest that you MOVE the trees, take them at their cores and move elsewhere.
But, you're not going to to do that aren't you? because for a simple reason, moving the trees is not part of the BUDGETING, and not to mention you're going to find an investor who's willing to fund the activity --(again?) BESIDES, you did ask your self----"mau dipindah kemana?"

For a fact, You've never even replace the trees cut in THAMRIN. Boy...the road are so wide now. Good. You've just replaced the life of 10 people from lung cancer and breathing problems, with the effort to bring better access to 10 more people to be in the city.

(sir, did i not remember you've pledged to reduce the number of outside visitors to the city?)

I really don't know what's your problem. But, I tell you my problem is. The city that i call everywhere as MY HOMETOWN, has been infected by a cancer called the "city's program to overcome the traffic".

I don't think you're trying to cure it.
I think you're trying to sell more "drugs", to the cancer problems, so people can believe that the "drugs" will cure the cancer----whereas it's just going to prolong the life of the cancer, so people can have a few more years to live.

Am i being too harsh, sir?
I don't think so. I don't talk much. But, I do this for the things I love.
Among those, would be the sake of my family, my future family, my friends, the people I adore, my city, and the trees who've kept me breathing.

not all of us can just move out to the mountainous area when the city got clogged. Not all of us afford the privillege of living abroad, should there be no more trees in this very own town--
and I'm sure, you'd understand as much as what I believe in order to protect the people that we love.


Love,
DENOK

p.s: I can be reached at anytime you need me. at all times, i'd make sure i'm available for it. :)
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