The Journey | First Decade of 21st Century (Part II)

For those who just read this posting, please read the previous one as being the first part of this story:
http://yniethejourney.blogspot.com/2009/12/ynie-journey-of-first-decade-in-21st.html

Year 2008

I can say that 2008 is one of the biggest years of my entire life. It was happened to be significantly changing my life and of course, like the other years, I had a lots of up and down moments during the year. So, 2008 had changed my life, or I should say, I change my own world.

First half year of 2008 was pretty hectic for me as that was my final semester in university. At the same time, I was trying to find an office job that might help me to gain work experience related with my study (as I thought that would boost up the value of my resume). So, I managed to get an office job with low pay while I also had to work in another place to keep maintaining my financial condition. Even more, I started to do a regular visit to a chiropractic. Shortly speaking, my days had been fully packed and I had no day-off for the whole semester.

At the same time, I lost someone that I thought to be one of my best friends or the closest person within my entire life. I decided that I should have moved on and walked away. Still, I was devastated at some points until I suddenly got that 'call'. It was like a 'call' from my heart telling me that I should change; my personality, attitudes, character, and many more. My mind told me to keep walking and trying to find the real meaning of my whole life.

In fact, 2008 suddenly became the year when everyone around me telling these words exactly the same,
"You can do everything you want, Yenny. You have such power and whatever you wanna do, you can do it. We believe in you and we put a trust on you". And they were my mom, my best friend, my just-meet friend, my just-know-each-other friend and many more.

Honestly, I was amazed of what people had thought about me and about my power. It seemed that they would expect me to be able to change the world. In fact, their thinking had encouraged me to keep being a better person from time to time.

So once I decided to change my life to the better, I decided to go somewhere new, with someone new in somewhat new situation. It was when I went to Christchurch to join an 'Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference 2009' that was held by one of Buddhist youth organisation in Sydney.

After being 'enlightened' to make a change, I managed to visit this certain temple located at Sydney city (and I thought people usually start to be more religious when they devastated, etc). It was then I found out this event that was being organised by the organisation. Without second or thousand thinking, I decided to give it a go.

So there I was, in the middle of New Zealand, accompanied by totally new people (as I knew no-one before) in somewhat called buddhist youth conference. Shortly speaking, it wasn't as religious as it sounds, still, I learned a lot from this new experience. Not only in perspective of religion, but also in perspective about life generally in the eyes of common people.

Can you find me?

Few months after coming back from Christchurch, I graduated from university. Finally, after being at school for 15 years, I could finish off everything. It was a huge relief that I had done them all, yet I started to get confused for what should I do for the next step coming into the real life. Luckily, I managed to get a full-time job just before I graduated, so I was 'safe' in terms of career while I was also waiting for my Permanent Residence visa.

Snapshot of my pretty face (noticed my father was behind me, busy recording everything in his lovely handicam)

Obviously, that was the happiest moment during the year. While I was totally glad for finishing uni and get to work full time straight after, I also gained some weight as a result of not being stress at all (note: gain weight is one of my life goals as I was keep being skinny and I really hate when people called me 'an iron board').


But nothing last forever, including happiness. Soon after the graduation, most of my friends left Sydney for good. They came back to their hometown to run their parents' business. I felt so miserable as I thought I would be stay alone here in Sydney.

 Before everyone left Sydney

Not long after missing friends, I found out that my closest friend had finally replaced me with someone else. Plus, I found that my grandmother passed away on 5 December 2008. I wasn't close to her, still, it was totally hurt to imagine that I couldn't see her anymore.

Year 2009

Apart from losing people around, I do realise that I still had to keep moving on in this world. So, I kept making my self busy by joining several events held by the buddhist youth organisation. I was involved in managing some of those events and it was good. Good because I got new experiences and meet new people; good for distracting my mind and body so that I didn't get overwhelmed of feeling lonely.

Also, I started to realise that I've still got many other friends in Sydney. So, we also hang out for few times and I could say that they are really good people whom you might want to consider as good friends for your entire life. 

My paintball team (note: I don't think I will have another game)

More importantly, I finally found someone.

I didn't expect to finally getting along with this person as initially, to be truly honest to you guys, this person was totally annoying.

I mean, seriously, if I could make a wish and day dreaming of who would by my prince (as what girl usually think of, so I use 'prince'), I would never ever think of this kind of guy.

Shortly speaking, he liked to make me annoyed and we liked to fight each other. But who would know what exactly can happen tommorow and who are you going to meet exactly in the future? Noone. And so do I.

So, I ended up being in a relationship with him. And to make a simple short summary, he is a 3B for me, 'Big Brother, Best Friend and Best Man'.

Simply because I couldn't see him only in a romance story, yet he is rather my spiritual friend and I can see that he will walk by my side, no matter what kind of relationship we will end up to.

But he's still annoying till now.

Anyway, I also have got more journeys in 2009 that I had posted a couple months ago. If you are interested, please read the following link:
http://yniethejourney.blogspot.com/2009/10/udah-atau-belum.html

So that's about it. A brief summary of my journey during the first decade of 21st century. A part of my whole life that is significantly important for me being a teenager up to being a young adult. Now, if I want to make a deep reflection of these last 10 years, I could see that I was totally blessed and I couldn't stop being amazed of the dynamic of life. It is just so unpredictable, but human still can do something. As the saying goes, 'By doing good, you'll get the good'.

Now I couldn't wait to start another 10 years of journey and find myself somewhere in somewhat new life experience.

The Journey | First Decade of 21st Century (Part I)

2009 is ending and 2010 is coming soon.

It's not only about a new Year but a new Decade of 21st century indeed.

So, what have I done so far and what's happening within the first decade of 21st century? Let's see what I still have in my memories.

Year 2000

It all started in 2000. When the new millennium arrived, I still remember the 'chaos' around the world, talking rigorously of what would happen to this world upon the new millennium. In my memory, gold and silver colours were in fashion and the world seemed to get ready to the arrival of other species from other planets (or probably it's only me watching too much TV or movies). Also, I imagined that the traffic would be up on the sky, the cars would be flying around and traffic lights hanging around the sky. Now, when I'm thinking it back, I'm sure that it's only my exaggerated imagination.

Then, for my own life, I just started my junior high school. It was my first year back then and I thought I was still being a very naive girl and looked quite nerdy with the 'Dora-style' hair, thick-glasses, and very skinny body. Perhaps, in Simpson's, I will be a kind of Milhouse's best friend.


Year 2001

I still can clearly remember what was happening in the second half year of 2001. That time, I was in the third year of junior high school and my elder sisters were taking Mandarin private course. Back then, I was totally not interested to join them, but my parents told me to try for one or two times joining the class and see what would happen. So what really happened was I always fell asleep (coz the class was held in the evening, around 7-9pm).

Then, something truly happened. It was when Meteor Garden series firstly aired in Taiwan. So my sisters managed to get the Mandarin course in a language centre and this time, I joined along (it's not that I had been interested, but I thought I wanna do some stuff for afternoon school activities). Then one day, my friend told our teacher that she had this Mandarin DVD (of course it's pirated) of Taiwanese TV Series. So, our teacher allowed me to watch it for few minutes before class ended and those few minutes had actually changed my life.

It changed my life to the extent of my interest and my skill in Mandarin. I was suddenly getting very interested of watching these TV series, and along with it, I managed to get significantly higher grades in my Mandarin course. So, from 50/60 marks that I usually got for the test, I suddenly could easily achieve 90/100 marks. Haha!

And that was lasting for one year as my dad said that he was lazy to pick me up from Mandarin course, and so was I to keep 'maintaining' the course (and now I've got some kind of regret as I'm quite deaf for Mandarin while people are increasingly using it, d-a-m-n).

Year 2002

At the end of 2001, my second elder sister came to Australia for continuing her tertiary study. While I am 7-years apart from my eldest sister, I didn't have a close relationship with her. Yet, as there were only two of us, slowly but sure, we were getting close. As the saying goes, 'If something happens (esp. bad times), the family should be united'.

Then the big flood came to my hometown.

In 2002, Jakarta, especially in Kelapa Gading where my home is located, got a big flood. It wasn't a natural disaster, in my opinion, but it's rather human's fault. While we should had been concern with the environment, people just care about building more shopping centres and the more luxury, the bigger, the better (like what they thought). The good side is, I could feel the other people's feelings when they are facing disaster. And it's really a disaster, not something that you can play around like kids having fun with rain drops.

After the big flood, while the water could reach 1-2 metres high

Year 2003

Hmm...I don't think I have a particular memory. It was my first year (followed by second year) of high school. I was getting less nerdy with contact lenses, longer hair (good bye Dora), yet still became a shorty skinny girl. At first, I couldn't believe myself wearing grey skirt, as it means that I was in the highest school level. Still, what's the difference? I was still less interesting girl and even became a sharp and mean girl (that's what I thought of my self back then).

I still remember that I could hit the boys with a very sharp ruler (as it was made from metal) and I accidentally cut his hand (slightly). I was feeling guilty but I thought if I want people to respect me, I need to be fierce as I'm only a small and weak girl.

During the second half year of 2003, I wore braces for the first time. The reason why I did that, I forgot. Probably this is one of the attempts to get my self more attractive as a girl? (as I didn't think that I'm girly enough compared to my peers). I still remember the first few days I wearing the braces. I was totally quiet, only said some necessary words and my friends said that world suddenly became peaceful (huh!).

Anyway, I'm sorry guys for not being able to post any photos for each year. It's because I lost all my files the other day when I formatted the computer, so I'd lost all of my old pics. 


Year 2004

This year could be one of the most non-significant years within my first decade of 21st century. Let's see.

I was in my second year (to final year) of high school. What I can remember is the high school life which was full of exams, assignments, pressure from teachers, etc. But, it was getting better when I started the final year. Dunno why, but I think the toughest year in high school (or junior high) is the second year. While in the final year students are forced to study very very hard to pass the national final examinations, we, as students, do not want to waste our last moments in high school (means having more fun and getting slacked).

So then, my lazy study period begun. I admitted that I had been quite slacked, fallen asleep in class, copying my friend's notes afterwards, and asked for permissions for going back home earlier (i.e.: having appointment with dentist, attending university's information day, etc).

Year 2005

While I was quite slacking, I was totally aware of the importance of the final of final examinations. I was studying hard for that and got the fruit of my efforts eventually. Becoming one of the best students in my high school was one of the greatest and proudest achievements I have got so far (but it was high school after all, now, I don't think I can ever get it anymore).

And I graduated from high school. Yeah!

It was happy and sad moment at the same time. Happy as I was finally free from the obligations of going to school (now I prefer that obligation). Sad as I had to leave my friends and I was sure that we would never be the same anymore.

Then, on 26 September 2005, I arrived in Sydney. I was excited and afraid at the same time. I was excited to be in overseas and I was afraid of facing different life in Sydney. But I promised my self that I would work hard, either in study or working, so that I can survive in Sydney.Within the first month, I successfully got a job, first-time job as a casual crew member at fast-food restaurant, Hungry Jack's.

I remember my first days, still naive and totally unconfident. It wasn't easy though, being an international student and had to work at the same time. That time, I thought I would spend my whole life in Sydney only for studying hard (so that I could get high marks, as I initially thought) and working (so that I could finance myself living in Sydney). I thought I would never get a social life like the other students.

But later on, I proved my self that I was wrong.

Year 2006

It was my first time moving out in Sydney. Because of one situation that I couldn't specifically mention here, I and my sister had to find another place to live. And we eventually managed to live in one of my sister's friend place. It was an apartment where we share the rooms just like the other international people do in Sydney.


But there was a special thing, as I had to live with a dog.

Back then, I was totally afraid with a dog. Then, my sister's friend had a small dog (Maltese kind) and he was very cute. I didn't like him at the first time as he kept barking on me and my sister. But her friend said that means the dog was actually happy seeing us ( I didn't believe it though, I thought he was a naughty and dangerous dog). Yet, we had no choice and I finally had to live in the same room with this dog. And I loved him since after.

Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, the dog had to be given to someone else. I really missed him even 'till now but I'm sure he's living very happily now.

By the way, I have another memory from 2006. In June 2006, I and my sisters, joined a 5-days tour to Hong Kong and China (Shenzhen). It was my first trip to those places and we got a chance to visit Hong Kong Disneyland that was just opened for few months.

@ Hong Kong Disneyland (while we were still quite skinny)

@ Madame Tussaud's Museum (noticed I was still wearing braces)

Year 2007

Another big flood happened in Jakarta. I didn't plan to come back to Indo during summer holiday (Dec 2006 - Feb 2007), yet, my mom told me that there was a specialist (for my certain health condition) that I might need to give a visit to. So, after having the exam of summer course, I managed to come back for 3 weeks. I still remember that time in Indo, my family looked pretty awful and messy. Then, I realised how people need to be tough when they face a disaster. Still, the good side is, I could feel my family bonding got tighter.

Unexpectedly, during 2007, I had been returning back to Indo for 3 times (i.e.: every semester holiday). It was because my second elder sister got married on December 2007.

Three sisters with our cousins

Also, during the second half-year 2007, I spent more times hanging out with friends. While previously I just studied and worked hard, I realised that I still need a social life to get my life balance. Of course, it will affect my financial balance.

But I wasn't regret it at all as I got more values than money. Like going to Snowy Mountain and tried skiing and kept falling down the hills for several times.

*to be continued*

Trend Bunuh Diri di Akhir Tahun 2009

Heboh bunuh diri.

Dalam seminggu terakhir, ternyata di Jakarta lagi gempar dengan berita bunuh diri. Dari dua berita yang gw baca, kejadian bunuh diri terjadi di kawasan Jakarta Utara, salah satunya di daerah tempat tinggal gw, Kelapa Gading. Dan uniknya lagi, kedua korban bunuh diri tersebut melompat dari lantai 11 gedung apartemen dan sebuah pusat perbelanjaan di Jakarta Utara.

Wah, coba kalo Detective Conan atau Sinichi Kudo ada di dunia nyata. Pastinya mereka ga bakal puas dengan hasil autopsi polisi yang menyatakan bahwa kedua korban ini adalah murni korban bunuh diri.

Kalau tertarik baca berita lengkapnya, bisa coba liat beberapa link di bawah ini:

http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/12/14/23082435/gadis.12.tahun.lompat.dari.apartemen.city.home.

http://www.indosiar.com/patroli/83280/pria-bunuh-diri-di-mangga-dua-square

----------Breaking News-----------

Lagi nonton Oprah Winfrey - Christmas at The White House. Jadi termotivasi dengan pernyataan Obama,

"People are not looking back. Now what I'm looking for is what will we be in next 2 or 3 years. If I make right decision, this country will be a better place"

Do you believe that by aiming to be a better person will make this world to be a better place? I do.

Quote of The Day

"Continue even when it is hard to go on,  

难行能行， 

Release even when it is hard to let go, 

难舍能舍， 

Endure even when it is hard to bear,  

难 为能为 

This is how we build our character."  

才能升化自我的人格。

~Master Zheng Yan 

 证 严法师

He said: 'Wo ming bai'

China is ruling the world.

True or false?

Apparently, nowadays in a business world, China has become one of the most popular topics to be discussed among the experts of economy, finance or even politicians. Why?

You might have been aware that US is facing one of its largest economic downturns since 2008, which spreading the global financial crisis during 2009. While US is in its lowest side, China's economy seems to be growing rapidly. It sounds like Chinese are very welcome to foreign investments, 'What you want us to do, we can do it for you.'

No surprise, most of people can afford to buy Louis Vuitton handbags and any other luxury goods (if you know what I mean).

Or else, I've also heard that US had actually made some borrowings from China in order to help its economy recovery. Regardless it is true or not, the fact that China is growing more powerful seems to be undeniable.

In fact, I have another story that might prove the China economic growth has significantly affected people's wealth worldwide (apart from 90% products are 'Made in China').

One day, I called my friend who was busy looking for a job to fill-in his summer holiday (anyway, he should get a job due to his study requirement, so you name it, it's called internship).

Me: So, how's your job hunting?

Him: Yeah, I got an interview last couple of days ago. But...

Me: But what?

Him: Well, I think I'll tell you the whole story. The interview was going really well until he (the interviewer) asked me this question, 'Btw, you can speak Chinese, can't you?'

Me: Then, what did you say?

Him: So I thought, after all going so good, will I lose this opportunity just because I can't speak Chinese? Then, I said, 'Of course I can.'

Me: Oh no! Don't you tell me that you can't speak Chinese *LOL*

Him: I learned it when I was in high school. But you know, it's merely like 'Ni hao etc'. But, there's another question...

Me: What could be worse than that?

Him: Well, apparently I did some research about this company. But then, he informed me that I might have been sent to China for doing this job.

Me: *can't stop laughing* Oh. That's worse.

Him: Yeah, you tell me. You know what, before this thing happened, I've never thought that learning Chinese will become so important for my life. That by knowing how to speak Chinese will actually increase my chance of getting jobs. But now, I guess I need to get that language course.


In the following week, he got his second interview. This time, he would be interviewed by the manager who comes from China.

Me: So, how was it?

Him: At first, he started speaking Chinese and what I could only hear is, 'Ni hao ma?'

Me: Then, what did you say?

Him: I told him the truth and gave some bullshit to increase my chance of getting the job. I said to him that although I can't speak Chinese, he should see my qualifications and consider my skills instead. And he said that I'm quite brave to tell him all those things and he'll let me know by next week if I get the job or not.

Me: Not bad answers. *LOL* Sorry that I'm laughing, but honestly, I feel like I wanna 'cry' when I imagined your situation, it was hilarious. He was right, you're really brave to tell that lie at the first stage.

Him: Oh man, don't remind me again. I'm really crying you know...

Me: Hahahahaha...Oopss..sorry :p

Him: Btw, wanna join me for Chinese course next year?

So guys, I think you know the morale story. When it comes to job, make sure you can speak the language they require, or, if you wanna get more opportunities, it won't be a waste if you start learning Chinese from now on.

Coz who knows what will happen. There might be the time when 'Wo ming bai' replaces 'I understand.'

Btw, I'm getting addicted to Jay Chou's song 'Fa Ru Xue'. I guess, my karmic condition tells me to accept my self-truth that I'm totally Chinese.

Jaman SMA Emang Paling Seru!

Arrrgghh.....Gue kangen!

Haduh, abis liat foto2 temen2 SMA, gw jadi kangen banget ama mereka.

Gw jadi inget jaman SMA yang hepi bareng, stres bareng (gr2 ulangan tiap hari), gila bareng, jajan bareng, dihukum bareng, dijemur di depan tiang bendera bareng, bolos bareng, maen bola bareng (rame2 ama cowo juga), ke desa bareng, ulangan bareng di tangga sekolah, sampe akhirnya lulus bareng...

Parah. Gw bener2 kangen abis.

No offense, tapi di antara semua kenangan jaman sekolah, gw ngerasa jaman SMA tuh yang paling indah deh. Bukan indah secara harfiah, tapi jaman susah-senengnya itu bener2 ga bisa digantiin ama jaman yg laen.

Kenapa ya? Biasanya orang2 juga suka ngmg gt.

Well, mgkn kalo jaman SD, kita masih terlalu kecil, jadi banyak orang yg udah lupa ama kenangan2 waktu SD. Kalo jaman SMP sih jamannya ABG. Jaman yg lagi sok2 gaul dan suka ikut2an trend terbaru ato suka lomba2an cari pacar. Jadi mgkn banyak kenangan yang agak2 cupu.

Tapi kalo jaman SMA beda cerita. Jaman yang lagi pengen nikmatin masa2 terakhir sekolah, tapi sayangnya guru2 ga setuju sama hal itu, jadilah jaman SMA menjadi jaman penuh dengan penderitaan secara batin (akibat dijejelin ulangan tiap hari plus tekanan nilai yang pas buat lulus).

Nah, justru karena penuh penderitaan ini, kita2 anak SMA jadi lebih suka 'melanggar' aturan2 maen sekolah. Karena kita pengen cari hiburan sekaligus pengen nikmatin masa2 terakhir sekolah (kapan lagi liat tampang guru yg bete sama murid ato tingkah laku mereka wkt lagi ngehukum murid?)

Haaah...anyway, jaman SMA udah lewat.

~miss you, guys!

Sekarang jamannya menghadapi dunia nyata yang lebih seru lagi! Karena kita bisa bebas ngelakuin apa aja. Tapi inget, resiko ditanggung sendiri.

Be Wise by Getting Married

Ok. This is gonna be the last time for me talking about my friends' wedding.

Double strike.

Setelah gw shock berat kemaren mendengar berita bahwa adik kelas gw married, hari ini gw di-expose dengan berita temen gw (seangkatan), dua2nya, bakal merit hari Minggu ini.
Barusan gw kepo ngecek Facebook dan ngeliat foto2 prewedz mereka.

...

Oke. I think I should accept the fact that I'm getting old.

Getting old because everyone around me is suddenly getting married.

...

Nope. Wrong hypothesis. I think I should accept the fact of human's life-cycle.

Born-baby-child-teenager-youth-adult-married-old-die.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that marriage is wrong. I'm not saying that by getting married in my age is not right either.

In fact, I am really happy for the couples. I'm also getting excited regardless of my shock and exaggerated reactions.

I guess I just need to accept the reality of life.

While I'm planning ahead of something adventurous for my own life next year, so are the other people (by stepping into the next level of life).

While I'm thinking hard of what should I do to live this life at the fullest, so are the other people (by taking greater risk and commitment within this life).

While I'm thinking hard to do something meaningful in this life, so are the other people (by taking chance to create a new family on their own).

In fact, I'm not different than the others.

Perhaps, at this stage of life, I'm just walking on a different path of life.

Nevertheless, to be honest, I was a bit emotional (aka: terharu) when I looked at their pre-wedding photos. I just never expected that they will take this next stage of life sooner. I guess, what my friend said about our next reunion will come true.

'Next time we're having a reunion, there should have been someone bring along their babies' ('Till we meet again, friends. We'll see what it will be).

Anyway, I have some nice quotes today. In fact, this comes from my junior schoolmate that has just become a wifey today :)

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” ~ Buddha

There's no such thing as the perfect guy.
And there's no such thing as the perfect girl.
But only a less than perfect guy
And a less than perfect girl can make...
A perfect love.

Rasa Sayange: Indonesia or Malaysia?

I know it sounds very very B-A-S-I.

But I accidentally found a music video of Ah Niu, a Malaysian singer, of which 'Rasa Sayange' was included in the song.




I know you know that I know what you know.

That Rasa Sayange is supposed to be one of Indonesian ethnic songs.

Then, what the hell is going on here?

It really makes me want to say some words that I'm always avoiding to burst out of my mouth *wtf* (oke, I'm not saying it now, I'm just writing it down here).

Really, really, really annoying.

But well, I dunno the real truth whether this song is originated from which part of which country.

Still, I feel this is really really really annoying.

Freakin me or Everyone's married now?

It's Friday night!

and I'm already at home on 7pm.

Yah, sekali2 jadi anak penurut, pulang rumah sebelum gelap. Jadilah gw balik dari city sekitar jam 6 sore dan daripada gw ketiduran di train, iseng2 gw ngetwit and ngecek facebook dulu.

Sampai akhirnya gw ngeliat updated postingan dari ade kelas gw ke ade kelas gw yg lain (note: dua2nya gw kenal, mksdnya ga cuma sekedar tau, tapi kenal dan temenan).

Dan ketika gw ngebaca postingan itu, gw langsung punya 3 reaksi:

1. Mata membelalak (tapi ga gede2 banget berhubung gw sipit),
2. Mulut ternganga,
3. Kaleng kopi yang lagi gw pegang nyaris tumpah.

Dan itu semua karena...

My junior schoolmate is getting married today! (note: junior from my high school)

O-M-G.

Seriously, honestly, and totally....

I'm shocked.

Dia yang gw kenal sebagai cewe yang kocak, gokil, cuek, dan ga feminin, bakal married hari ini (bahkan mgkn detik gw lagi nulis ini post, jgn2 dia lagi 'ijab kabul' ato resepsi kali).

Oh noooo...!!! I miss my kodok! (it's her nickname by the way)

Even siapapun yang kepo ttg hal ini di facebook ato di mana pun juga, ga bakal bisa ngeliat foto2 narsis berdua, ato yg lagi sok2 romantis ala ABG, ato apapun juga.

Dok, you are totally crazy this time!

*oke yenny, relax, breath in, breath out*

Kontras.

Beberapa hari terakhir ini, gw lagi ngerencanain suatu perjalanan hidup yg somehow witty and adventurous at the end of 2010. Gw udah kebayang mo ngeliat sisi lain dunia, mo ketemu orang2 yg sama anehnya kyk gue, dan mengalami hal2 yang dulunya gw benci tapi skrg jadi tertarik banget.

Pokoknya gw ngebayangin diri gw akan melakukan sesuatu yang baru, yang bakal menambah warna dalam hidup gw (yg pasti bukan marriage, if you think that is something new for me to be experienced next year). 

Dan sekarang gw jadi ngerasa aneh beneran. Karena kyknya dunia di sekitar gw mikirnya beda. Marriage seems to be the most favourite life-experience that everyone should try (before 2012 perhaps?).

Oh crap. It doesn't sound right.

Hari ini Gila!

Hari ini gw menemukan beberapa hal menarik:

1. Temen kerja gw, orang Cina, ikutan demonstrasi menentang Dalai Lama yang dikabarkan pengen misahin Tibet dari Cina.

Tadi pagi dia bilang ke gw, 'Today I'll protest Dalai Lama,'
yang kedengerannya di kuping gw, 'I'll prostrate'.

Fyi, prostrate itu salah satu gesture religius yang biasanya dilakukan oleh umat kepada pemuka agama atau Tuhan.

Nah, jadi gw pikir dia mau menunjukkan rasa hormat ke Dalai Lama, bukan pengen demo. Dan karena gw salah satu umat Buddha, jadilah gw excited dan bilang, 'Oh really! I'm coming with you.' Trus dia bilang, 'Really? Do you wanna join me protesting?', barulah gw sadar kalo dia itu justru menentang Dalai Lama, bukan salah satu pengikut Dalai Lama. Gubrakkk!

Apart from that, kita oke2 aja sih. Meskipun kesannya agak sensitif (karena berhubungan dengan agama), tapi kita ga ngebahas pertentangan ini lebih lanjut. Bahkan, waktu dia balik dari demo, dia nyodorin kertas2 ke gw yg isinya pernyataan dari Dalai Lama. Dia bilang, dia setuju dengan Dalai Lama yang menyatakan kalo dia ga bermaksud memisahkan Tibet dari Cina, tapi dia cuma pengen Tibet punya hak autonomi yang lebih besar.

Well, personally, gw pernah baca sekilas sejarah Tibet. Dan, gw pikir sih memang lebih baik Tibet berpisah dari Cina. Mungkin karena sistem politik Cina yang komunis yang membuat gue ngerasa 'enggan' melihat negeri yang kering kerontang tapi sangat religius seperti Tibet berada di bawah kekuasaan Cina.

Tapi, namanya juga sebuah negara kecil (dulunya). Jadi ga heran deh 'kalah suara' sama Cina yang gedenya minta ampun. Apalagi sekarang Cina udah hampir nyaingin US dalam perekonomian. Untuk masalah ini, gw cukup salut sama Cina, tapi untuk komunisme yang masih dianut, gw ga setuju.

2. Tadi pas gw balik kerja, train-nya rame abis!

Bener2 serasa kyk ikan sarden. Padahal biasanya kalo udah jam 6-an lewat, train ga mestinya penuh2 banget. Seinget gw, peak hours itu berlangsung sekitar 5-6pm. Ga tau kenapa, tadi train yang gw naekin penuh banget. Ditambah....

3. Paling males dengerin musik yang disetel kenceng2 di Iphone, padahal orangnya udah pake handset.

Bingung gw, mestinya dia udah bisa denger lagunya kan. Ngapain juga sih volumenya mesti disetel sampe maksimum? Itu merusak gendang telinga sendiri kali. Ckckck...

4. Tadi gw cek Facebook, ketemu nama orang 'Bahagia'.

Wah, lucu juga nih. Ada ga ya orang yg namanya 'Ketawa' atau 'Senang' atau 'Sumringah'? (kalo yg terakhir, mungkin orang Jawa)

5. Ga sengaja ngeliat kaki orang yang bersepatu boot, dan mikir koq kakinya buluan ya?

Dan ternyata pas nengok ke atas (mukanya), emang cowo yang pake tuh boots. Buset deh, gw yang ketinggalan jaman ato emg dia yang pengen jadi kyk cewe ya? At least, pake celana panjang kali, biar bulu2nya ga keliatan mencuat2 keluar gitu.

Moral Stories of 2009 Journey

Pelajaran moral tahun 2009 yang bakal gw carry-forward buat taon depan:

1. Berani! Sometimes you just do what you need to do without thinking anything.

2. Menerima orang apa adanya. Karena setiap orang adalah manusia biasa. Mereka bisa melakukan kesalahan tapi bukan berarti mereka bukan orang baik.

3. Menerima diri sendiri apa adanya. This is the hardest part. Mesti bisa nerima kenyataan tentang diri sendiri, baik sifat yg suka moody, badan pendek, tampang cina sipit, mulut bawel, dll.

P.S: Forgive the recent postings of my random thoughts. This is because of the-end-of-year reflection syndrome.

Tweet: Hello, December!

Hot topic today in Twitter: ‘Hello, Desember!’

Yes. Everyone is welcoming December, the last month of the year 2009.

And so am I.

Btw, I think I should tell you guys about this important thing.

I finally joined Twitter.

Oke. Gw ngaku sekarang kalo gw akhirnya join Twitter. Setelah pernah berpikir secara skeptis tentang kehadiran Twitter yang kesannya ngikutin Facebook, setelah pernah ngerasa ‘get enough’ with these online networking sites and thought Facebook’s gonna be the last one for me, akhirnya gw nge-Twit juga.

Tapi sekarang gw sadar sih kalo Twitter itu beda sama Facebook ato sejenisnya. Twitter lebih kyk mini blog, di mana loe bisa nulis apa yang lagi loe pikirin ato loe alamin tanpa perlu panjang2 cerita. I know Facebook can do it, but for me personally, I kinda dislike Facebook these days coz it seems that everyone around the world is watching your current status, your profile, your photos, etc.

Even sometimes, people do need privacy.

Then, make the story short, I prefer twitting rather than facebook-ing.

Anyway, back to the topic of the day, ‘Welcome to December!’

Apa rencana kalian di bulan terakhir taon 2009 ini? Are you guys feeling excited for this month?

Apapun itu, mumpung masih taon 2009, mendingan buru2 beresin hal2 yang mesti dilakuin ato dikelarin. Bahkan kalo perlu, buang hal2 yang ga penting utk dibawa2 ke taon 2010.

Istilah komputer, delete application2 ato file2 yang ga penting, ga pernah dibuka, even ga sadar pernah exist di komputer. Jadi tar kalo taon 2010, Windows 8 tiba2 keluar, ato Google Gold tiba2 diluncurin, kalian masih punya banyak storage.

So guys, what are you waiting for? Think of what you wanna do for the last time in 2009 and get rid of what you think is rubbish in 2009!

Chop2! Time’s ticking…