"Forgiven but Not Forgotten"
Kata-kata "bijaksana" diatas, bila diartikan dalam bahasa Indonesia yang baik dan benar bisa jadi berbunyi "kau kumaafkan tapi kesalahanmu takkan kulupakan". Dan sepertinya kebanyakan dari kita benar-benar mencamkan hal itu. Kalau ada orang yang pernah berbuat salah, pasti kita akan mengingatnya walaupun diri kita memaafkan orang itu. Kalau kata orang, buat jaga-jaga supaya orang itu ga bikin kita sebel lagi. Hayo..siapa diantara kita yang berprinsip demikian?? *malu-malu unjuk tangan sendiri*.
Tapi rupayanya, pemahaman itu hanya bersifat individual. Hanya dipraktekkan oleh pribadi-pribadi tertentu. Tidak pernah diterapkan secara kolektif, paling tidak oleh bangsaku ini, Indonesia. Maksudnya????
Mari kita tengok beberapa kasus berikut..
1. Kasus Susno Duadji yang jadi musuh publik saat pertempuran dengan Bibit - Chandra babak 1 berlangsung. Saat itu ia jadi musuh bersama publik. Tapi keadaan berubah total ketika babak ke2 berlangsung dimana Susno malah seolah jadi korban kepolisian. Publik berpihak padanya. hhhhmmm....
2. Oh Pak Harto.. siapa ya yang mengusulkan (alm) Pak Harto menjadi pahlawan nasional? Sudah lupakah kita akan apa yang kita sendiri lakukan satu dekade lalu??
3. Lumpur Lapindo masih mencuat ke muka bumi dan Abu Rizal Bakri masih melenggang menjadi pejabat negeri tercinta. Ini kenapa ya??
4. Sudah lupakah kita betapa dulu kita mendukung Bibit dan Chandra? Kemana dukungan itu sekarang mereka sudah diturunkan dan kasusnya akan segera diproses? Mungkin kita sedang sibuk dengan banjir
5. Banjir oh banjir...macet oh macet.. kata-kata itu sungguh dekat dengan kota Jakarta. Tapi pernahkan kita belajar? Setiap tahun, pelajaran yang kita ambil masih sama dan senada. Sistem drainase yang buruk, jalanan yang tidak sebanding dengan laju pertumbuhan kendaraan, dan ruang publik yang menyempit. Tapi adakah kita belajar? Adakah kita bergerak untuk tidak membeli motor dan mobil? Adakah kita bergerak untuk tidak membuang sampah sembarangan? Adakah pemerintah tergerak untuk membersihkan sampah yang selalu tampak jelas? Begitu musim berganti kemarau dan tidak ada air yang masuk ke rumah, kita semua lupa.
Iya.. kita semua lupa. Lupa oleh permasalahan lama yang tidak pernah selesai. Lupa bahwa tugas kita belum selesai. Atau sengaja lupakah kita? Atau memang kita terlena untuk diajak lupa saja?
Lupa memang penyakit manusia kok. Bagian tidak terpisahkan dari manusia. Bukan manusia namanya kalau tidak lupa. Tapi maukah kelupaan kita akan hal penting dan kealpaan kita itu terus menerus membuat kita menderita di masa mendatang? Ambil contoh banjir, kenikmatan hidup tanpa banjir hanya 6 bulan, tapi kealpaan kita untuk membereskan masalah banjir itu membuat kita sengsara 6 bulan kemudian. Bila kita terus menerus lupa, bukankah kita akan terus menderita? Kita seperti di lingkaran setan yang tidak pernah berujung pangkal dan berakhir.
Bangsaku yang sungguh pemaaf.. dan juga pelupa.
Yuk.. kita jangan jadi bangsa yang pelupa. Kita boleh jadi bangsa yang pemaaf karena memaafkan itu menunjukkan kita berbesar hati. Tapi jangan lupa.. Itu awal dari segala bencana. Bila kita tahu sistem drainase kita buruk, bahwa mobil sudah terlalu banyak, bahwa lapindo harus terus diurus, atau kasus century harus terus diusut, mari jangan lupa dan terbelokkan.
Mari membangun sistem drainase yang baik. Mari sisingkan lengan dan berjuang untuk tidak membuang sampah sembarangan. Mari kita menjadi media yang baik dan menyiarkan hal yang sebenernya, sesuatu yang tidak membuat kita lupa akan kesalahan masa lalu. Kalau memang membuat subway tidak dimungkinkan untuk mengatasi kemacetan (beneran ga mungkin ya?), bisa kan kita ga naik mobil pribadi terus? atau ada yang tergerak untuk membuat trotar dan memfungsikannya dengan baik?
Kalau kita sebagai individu bisa menjadi orang yang pemaaf tapi tidak pelupa, kenapa sebagai bangsa kita tidak bisa? Ayo!!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
For the one I said goodbye to
Karashima Midori – Silent Eve
Lyrics: Karashima Midori
Music: Karashima Midori
Pure white snow falls as everyone stands still
My heart remembers where it wants to be
I could gather up all the love in the world
But why aren’t you here on this special night?
When I chose to say goodbye it was never for your sake
The scared and flickering candle just filled me with sadness
The rule that we must remain ‘friends’ makes it such a difficult game
I won’t ever come between the two of you again
The truth is everyone wants to be kind
Nevertheless, people cannot be angels
I haven’t looked away but my memories still fade
The changing seasons turn each page
When I chose to say goodbye it was never your fault
The flowers and cards are all a Merry Christmas for me
Rather than smile and call you a ‘friend,’ please let me cry by myself now
Until the day I grab my dream again, it will forever be a silent night
Until the day I grab my dream again, it will forever be a silent night
copyrights: http://www.quartet4.net/?p=99
******
Actually, I never leave your side
I always pray for you
and wish that I one day I can be with you again
So, until the day I meet you again
It will forever be silent nights
Ini bukan soal tampang, bung!! Ini soal cerita..
"Masyarakat Indonesia itu memang suka yang multikulturalisme kali ya. Ngerti ga ngerti bahasanya, asal tampang ganteng. Langsung sikat"
Itu dia komentar salah satu aktris Indonesia waktu ditanya soal kesuksesan drama Korea di Indonesia. Komentar yang bisa dibilang bodoh. Pertama, karena enggak ngerti arti kata multikulturalisme. Jelas kata itu ga ada sangkut pautnya kita suka tampang ganteng ato enggak. Kedua, emak gw aja bisa langsung nyaut "pantesan aja itu anak2 muda yang ngerasa dirinya cakep langsung jadi artis. modal tampang ga bisa akting. mentang-mentang kalo artis dipikir langsung tajir. mending juga liat Emak naik haji. bermutu biar ga ada yang cakep. bagus lagi muatan islaminya".
You got it, Mom!!!
Berhubung diri sendiri penggemar sinetron asia yang produsennya entah dari Cina, Korea atau Jepang, tak kasih tau ya kenapa drama-drama mereka booming di Indonesia. Tentu aja dibanding dengan sinetron Indonesia.
1. Jumlah episodenya ga panjang.
Jepang dengan kejam cuma membatasi sekitar 10-15 episode. Cerita panjang cuma ada di taiga drama alias film drama sejarah yang jumlahnya bisa diitung pakai jari tiap tahun.
Korea membagi sinetronnya menjadi 3. Drama pagi yang kurang ajar panjangnya sekitar 100an meski patut dicatat itu durasinya cuma setengah jam. Drama kolosal yang berkisar antara 60-70 episode, kayak Dae Jang Geum. Trus sinetron prime time yang slotnya masih dibagi jadi dua. Sinetron yang slotnya berkisar angkat 30 dan 20an.
2. Tampang emang penting, tapi cerita juga ga kalah penting.
Jangan salahin tampang artis luar yang emang keren untuk menjustifikasi sinetron indonesia yang melempem. kalau dilihat artis jaman sekarang, gw akuin kok kalo tampang artis kita oke punya. Gw selalu kekeuh menganggap Zumi Zola, Darius Sinatrya, Tora Sudiro ama Nicolas Saputra itu cakep. Artis cewek kita juga begitu kok. Banyak yang cakep, seperti penuturan adek dan temen2 cowok gw. Bedanya, itu sinetron Indonesia suka ngelantur ceritanya. Mari kita ambil contoh Tersanjung dan Cinta Fitri. Itu dua sinetron booming banget di awal penayangannya. tapi begitu serial itu dipanjangin ampe hitungan tak terhingga, langsung deh keok. Alasannya sederhana aja, penonton udah males nonton karena ceritanya emang udah ga jelas. Udah ngelantur kemana-mana dan terkesan dibuat buat. Penuh intrik dan penderitaan tak berkesudahan, persis realita penduduk Indonesia. Kita nonton drama kan pengen dapet hiburan, bukan gambaran semu yang aneh bin ajaib. Cobalah sinetron kita ga pake acara dipanjang-panjangin, pasti booming.
Jadiiii... Yang penting itu bukan cuma tampang doang, bung! Cerita dan jumlah episode juga sangat membantu. Biarpun sinetron kita bertabur bintang cakep, kalo ceritanya ga jelas, ga dilirik juga. Makanya, drama korea atau jepang bisa mencuri perhatian masyarakat. Jangan salahkan kimbum, rain ato lee minho kalo mereka cakep juga. hahahaahaha..
Anyway, kita masih hebat juga kok. Tayangan di tv kita masih ada yang bermutu dan film yang tayang di bioskop juga masih oke.
1. Yang menyentuh hati itu pasti booming, tapi sayang kadang tak berarti rating
Tengoklah acara upin ipin yg lagi heboh itu. Setelah melihat ponakan sendiri cinta mati ma upin ipin, akhirnya niat juga nonton itu program. Ternyata bagus! pesan moralnya ada dan ide nya sangat kreatif. Itu yang disebut drama multikultural ketika tokoh-tokoh di dalamnya diceritakan berasal dari etnis yang berbeda. Kita punya??? Jelas ada!! Kita punya kok tontonan bermutu macam upin ipin. Tengoklah Kick Andy, Bolang, ato si Unyil. Beruntunglah ketiganya masih menyambangi layar kita. Jadi kita masih ada tontonan yang menghibur di kala semua sinetron kita lagi ga bener.
2. Sinetron boleh keok, tapi film Indonesia sangat berjaya!
Pas pulang ke solo, kaget ngeliat layar bioskop disini nyatanya diisi oleh film Indonesia. Tidak hanya di satu layar, tapi hampir di semua layar. Sebutlah kemarin itu ada Sang Pencerah dan Laskar Merah Putih. Sebelumnya, ada Laskar Pelangi, Merah Putih, Garuda di Dadaku, Emak ingin Naik Haji, Naga Bonar (jadi) 2, Ayat-ayat Cinta, dan masih banyak lagi. Hebat kan kita?? Kalau dilihat, emang ada yang cakep gitu maen disitu? Yah, di pelem Merah Putih emang iya. Tapi lainnya? Mereka menang di alur cerita yang bagus dan membumi.
Ada perasaan senang dan bangga melihat film anak negeri menjadi tuan rumah di negeri sendiri. Semoga sinetron kita juga begitu dan tidak melulu menyalahkan mereka si artis luar yang bertampang oke sebagai kambing hitam kemerosotan kualitas sinetron kita. Ayo, bikin sinetron yang sederhana dan menyentuh. Kayak si Doel jamannya masih ada Benyamin atau Keluarga Cemara, atau Losmen-nya Pak Broto. Aku rindu sinetron-sinetron itu...
Itu dia komentar salah satu aktris Indonesia waktu ditanya soal kesuksesan drama Korea di Indonesia. Komentar yang bisa dibilang bodoh. Pertama, karena enggak ngerti arti kata multikulturalisme. Jelas kata itu ga ada sangkut pautnya kita suka tampang ganteng ato enggak. Kedua, emak gw aja bisa langsung nyaut "pantesan aja itu anak2 muda yang ngerasa dirinya cakep langsung jadi artis. modal tampang ga bisa akting. mentang-mentang kalo artis dipikir langsung tajir. mending juga liat Emak naik haji. bermutu biar ga ada yang cakep. bagus lagi muatan islaminya".
You got it, Mom!!!
Berhubung diri sendiri penggemar sinetron asia yang produsennya entah dari Cina, Korea atau Jepang, tak kasih tau ya kenapa drama-drama mereka booming di Indonesia. Tentu aja dibanding dengan sinetron Indonesia.
1. Jumlah episodenya ga panjang.
Jepang dengan kejam cuma membatasi sekitar 10-15 episode. Cerita panjang cuma ada di taiga drama alias film drama sejarah yang jumlahnya bisa diitung pakai jari tiap tahun.
Korea membagi sinetronnya menjadi 3. Drama pagi yang kurang ajar panjangnya sekitar 100an meski patut dicatat itu durasinya cuma setengah jam. Drama kolosal yang berkisar antara 60-70 episode, kayak Dae Jang Geum. Trus sinetron prime time yang slotnya masih dibagi jadi dua. Sinetron yang slotnya berkisar angkat 30 dan 20an.
2. Tampang emang penting, tapi cerita juga ga kalah penting.
Jangan salahin tampang artis luar yang emang keren untuk menjustifikasi sinetron indonesia yang melempem. kalau dilihat artis jaman sekarang, gw akuin kok kalo tampang artis kita oke punya. Gw selalu kekeuh menganggap Zumi Zola, Darius Sinatrya, Tora Sudiro ama Nicolas Saputra itu cakep. Artis cewek kita juga begitu kok. Banyak yang cakep, seperti penuturan adek dan temen2 cowok gw. Bedanya, itu sinetron Indonesia suka ngelantur ceritanya. Mari kita ambil contoh Tersanjung dan Cinta Fitri. Itu dua sinetron booming banget di awal penayangannya. tapi begitu serial itu dipanjangin ampe hitungan tak terhingga, langsung deh keok. Alasannya sederhana aja, penonton udah males nonton karena ceritanya emang udah ga jelas. Udah ngelantur kemana-mana dan terkesan dibuat buat. Penuh intrik dan penderitaan tak berkesudahan, persis realita penduduk Indonesia. Kita nonton drama kan pengen dapet hiburan, bukan gambaran semu yang aneh bin ajaib. Cobalah sinetron kita ga pake acara dipanjang-panjangin, pasti booming.
Jadiiii... Yang penting itu bukan cuma tampang doang, bung! Cerita dan jumlah episode juga sangat membantu. Biarpun sinetron kita bertabur bintang cakep, kalo ceritanya ga jelas, ga dilirik juga. Makanya, drama korea atau jepang bisa mencuri perhatian masyarakat. Jangan salahkan kimbum, rain ato lee minho kalo mereka cakep juga. hahahaahaha..
Anyway, kita masih hebat juga kok. Tayangan di tv kita masih ada yang bermutu dan film yang tayang di bioskop juga masih oke.
1. Yang menyentuh hati itu pasti booming, tapi sayang kadang tak berarti rating
Tengoklah acara upin ipin yg lagi heboh itu. Setelah melihat ponakan sendiri cinta mati ma upin ipin, akhirnya niat juga nonton itu program. Ternyata bagus! pesan moralnya ada dan ide nya sangat kreatif. Itu yang disebut drama multikultural ketika tokoh-tokoh di dalamnya diceritakan berasal dari etnis yang berbeda. Kita punya??? Jelas ada!! Kita punya kok tontonan bermutu macam upin ipin. Tengoklah Kick Andy, Bolang, ato si Unyil. Beruntunglah ketiganya masih menyambangi layar kita. Jadi kita masih ada tontonan yang menghibur di kala semua sinetron kita lagi ga bener.
2. Sinetron boleh keok, tapi film Indonesia sangat berjaya!
Pas pulang ke solo, kaget ngeliat layar bioskop disini nyatanya diisi oleh film Indonesia. Tidak hanya di satu layar, tapi hampir di semua layar. Sebutlah kemarin itu ada Sang Pencerah dan Laskar Merah Putih. Sebelumnya, ada Laskar Pelangi, Merah Putih, Garuda di Dadaku, Emak ingin Naik Haji, Naga Bonar (jadi) 2, Ayat-ayat Cinta, dan masih banyak lagi. Hebat kan kita?? Kalau dilihat, emang ada yang cakep gitu maen disitu? Yah, di pelem Merah Putih emang iya. Tapi lainnya? Mereka menang di alur cerita yang bagus dan membumi.
Ada perasaan senang dan bangga melihat film anak negeri menjadi tuan rumah di negeri sendiri. Semoga sinetron kita juga begitu dan tidak melulu menyalahkan mereka si artis luar yang bertampang oke sebagai kambing hitam kemerosotan kualitas sinetron kita. Ayo, bikin sinetron yang sederhana dan menyentuh. Kayak si Doel jamannya masih ada Benyamin atau Keluarga Cemara, atau Losmen-nya Pak Broto. Aku rindu sinetron-sinetron itu...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
To Travel in Indonesia (Air Edition)
Travelling never as compelling as challenging as in indonesia. It is always a pleasant experience for sure, wondering the beautiful country. Many places to visit, many mountains to climb, and many journey to enjoy.
But when it comes to the transportation system, welcome to the world of multiple painkiller. You need a dozen painkiller to reduce the pain in your back, hand, head, stomach, and most importantly your heart. Let me tell you why you need such a medication, this time when you travel by air.
First, the domestic flight is usually late. Ranging from half an hour to unlimited. Make sure to bring a book, mp3 player, or a partner to talk to.
Second, people loves to dislike queing. As long as they can check in first, they will do anything. Suck!
Third, baggage stuff. Becareful not to say yes when someone offer you to wrap your bag. It is truly a protection system, yes. But notice that wrapping system is better for long-range flight which acquire you a transit somewhere in the journey. For example, if you travel to batam or any other part in indonesia outside java island from small airport like in solo or Yogyakarta, you will most likely make transit in Jakarta. Or vice versa. But for one direct flight with a range of an hour, better keep it wrap with yellow band. You can find the counter near check in desk, usually.
And notice that wrapping system is not obligatory. It is your choice! Just make sure that your bag is securely locked, here and there.
Fourth, if you are travelling with heavy luggage, you can always ask for a porter help. It just that you need to pay them a good fee.
Fifth, if you are a kind of people who easy to get hungry, make sure to have something to eat before the flight. Most domestic flight doesn't have in flight food service.
Sixth, be open and kind hearted. usually you gonna meet a person you already know or the person next to you will become your friend after the end of the flight. So much Indonesian.
Seventh, never turn on your phone literally a second after the plane touch down. It is forbidden! As the navigation system is still working. But Indonesian never seems to learn that.. So be patient when you heard a welcome sound of cellphone or even sound of incoming calls from many other passengers. Tell them the truth, if you wish. I told many already, but no one seems to care. Well, just start from ourself then.
Okay then.. I guess that's it for today. Good day and have a pleasant journey, everybody ^_^
But when it comes to the transportation system, welcome to the world of multiple painkiller. You need a dozen painkiller to reduce the pain in your back, hand, head, stomach, and most importantly your heart. Let me tell you why you need such a medication, this time when you travel by air.
First, the domestic flight is usually late. Ranging from half an hour to unlimited. Make sure to bring a book, mp3 player, or a partner to talk to.
Second, people loves to dislike queing. As long as they can check in first, they will do anything. Suck!
Third, baggage stuff. Becareful not to say yes when someone offer you to wrap your bag. It is truly a protection system, yes. But notice that wrapping system is better for long-range flight which acquire you a transit somewhere in the journey. For example, if you travel to batam or any other part in indonesia outside java island from small airport like in solo or Yogyakarta, you will most likely make transit in Jakarta. Or vice versa. But for one direct flight with a range of an hour, better keep it wrap with yellow band. You can find the counter near check in desk, usually.
And notice that wrapping system is not obligatory. It is your choice! Just make sure that your bag is securely locked, here and there.
Fourth, if you are travelling with heavy luggage, you can always ask for a porter help. It just that you need to pay them a good fee.
Fifth, if you are a kind of people who easy to get hungry, make sure to have something to eat before the flight. Most domestic flight doesn't have in flight food service.
Sixth, be open and kind hearted. usually you gonna meet a person you already know or the person next to you will become your friend after the end of the flight. So much Indonesian.
Seventh, never turn on your phone literally a second after the plane touch down. It is forbidden! As the navigation system is still working. But Indonesian never seems to learn that.. So be patient when you heard a welcome sound of cellphone or even sound of incoming calls from many other passengers. Tell them the truth, if you wish. I told many already, but no one seems to care. Well, just start from ourself then.
Okay then.. I guess that's it for today. Good day and have a pleasant journey, everybody ^_^
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Pak Tua itu Ternyata Adalah...
Aku diam di tempat, engkau berjalan
Aku berjalan, engkau berlari
Aku berlari, engkau terbang
Aku ikut terbang, engkau menghilang
Tiba-tiba engkau muncul begitu saja
di hadapan
Tersenyum simpul kayaknya monalisa
Tapi engkau bertopang tongkat
berkuasa!
Wahai kau yang mengikutiku, apa maumu?
Tidak tahukah kau siapa aku?
Dengan angkuh Pak Tua itu bertanya
Wahai Pak Tua, tahukah engkau?
Kataku lemah
Aku mengejarmu karena engkaulah yang kupunya
Satu-satunya yang kupunya
Diantara semua hal yang dicipta di dunia
Engkaulah yang paling berharga
Engkaulah penyimpan semua rahasia
Engkaulah sang pemberi tanda
Tapi mengapa engkau seolah tak mau tahu aku?
Meninggalkan aku?
Pak Tua itu tertawa keras
Sambil sekenanya berkata padaku
Aku ada sebelum engkau ada
Aku berjalan sebelum engkau sanggup berdiri
Tapi ketahuilah
Aku bukan pemberi tahu rahasia
Bukan pula penunjuk jalan
Jika kau masih juga tak tahu siapa aku
Kaulah yang nestapa
Karena akulah sang waktu
Dan waktu adalah waktu
Aku berjalan, engkau berlari
Aku berlari, engkau terbang
Aku ikut terbang, engkau menghilang
Tiba-tiba engkau muncul begitu saja
di hadapan
Tersenyum simpul kayaknya monalisa
Tapi engkau bertopang tongkat
berkuasa!
Wahai kau yang mengikutiku, apa maumu?
Tidak tahukah kau siapa aku?
Dengan angkuh Pak Tua itu bertanya
Wahai Pak Tua, tahukah engkau?
Kataku lemah
Aku mengejarmu karena engkaulah yang kupunya
Satu-satunya yang kupunya
Diantara semua hal yang dicipta di dunia
Engkaulah yang paling berharga
Engkaulah penyimpan semua rahasia
Engkaulah sang pemberi tanda
Tapi mengapa engkau seolah tak mau tahu aku?
Meninggalkan aku?
Pak Tua itu tertawa keras
Sambil sekenanya berkata padaku
Aku ada sebelum engkau ada
Aku berjalan sebelum engkau sanggup berdiri
Tapi ketahuilah
Aku bukan pemberi tahu rahasia
Bukan pula penunjuk jalan
Jika kau masih juga tak tahu siapa aku
Kaulah yang nestapa
Karena akulah sang waktu
Dan waktu adalah waktu
A note for the future: to be the water or to become a Japanese
For the past few months, all i have been thinking is what my future would be. To return to Indonesia or not was simply a choice, but I choose to pick the idea. I was so afraid of the future as if the bleak future awaits at the end of the corder. While the truth is, no one knows what the future holds.
Walking toward the future is like walking in a long dark tunnel. Without any light, any map, or any sign that there is a way out. We might carry some candles, but we don't have the match or lighter. We are in a complete total darkness. Sometimes, we just wish that we could turn on the light and run faster.
But a friend reminds me this morning, that we have an alternative on how to move forward. Not by turning the light on the candle, but to make a new tunnel! yes, a new tunnel for ourself. Don't follow the path that has been laid out, make our own path.
So much his word, it reminds me of what Ibu Dewi once told us. "Dont act like water, try to become a Japanese". What does that means? Water usually will go along the streamline. Its shape will follow what it hits. If it hits a tree, then it will follow the shape of the tree trunk. If it hits the table, it will follow as well. But try to become a Japanese. It means that you dig the mountain, make a new tunnel for a new road or railway. Or to make a highway under water, like one in Odaiba, Tokyo.
Be brave and be bold. Quoting a friend," you need no candle, you need a hoe (cangkul)"
Yoooosshh.. Gambarou!
p.s. I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to a dear friend for giving me a time of peace when she said, "returning to Indonesia is not a bad idea. It feels like a bouncing ball. Indeed, you bounce to the bottom but the ball bounce back to the air even higher than before. So don't be afraid. You are coming back to Indonesia only to raise higher". Your word saved me.. Thank you..
Kyoto, 3 September 2010
Walking toward the future is like walking in a long dark tunnel. Without any light, any map, or any sign that there is a way out. We might carry some candles, but we don't have the match or lighter. We are in a complete total darkness. Sometimes, we just wish that we could turn on the light and run faster.
But a friend reminds me this morning, that we have an alternative on how to move forward. Not by turning the light on the candle, but to make a new tunnel! yes, a new tunnel for ourself. Don't follow the path that has been laid out, make our own path.
So much his word, it reminds me of what Ibu Dewi once told us. "Dont act like water, try to become a Japanese". What does that means? Water usually will go along the streamline. Its shape will follow what it hits. If it hits a tree, then it will follow the shape of the tree trunk. If it hits the table, it will follow as well. But try to become a Japanese. It means that you dig the mountain, make a new tunnel for a new road or railway. Or to make a highway under water, like one in Odaiba, Tokyo.
Be brave and be bold. Quoting a friend," you need no candle, you need a hoe (cangkul)"
Yoooosshh.. Gambarou!
p.s. I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to a dear friend for giving me a time of peace when she said, "returning to Indonesia is not a bad idea. It feels like a bouncing ball. Indeed, you bounce to the bottom but the ball bounce back to the air even higher than before. So don't be afraid. You are coming back to Indonesia only to raise higher". Your word saved me.. Thank you..
Kyoto, 3 September 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Recollecting Japan: the Autumn Ohara Story
Kyoto is such a beauty when it comes to Autumn season. Make sure to be there around November and you can see the bright yellow, orange and red maple leaves glancing in front of your face. There are many places to visit but my recommendation fall to several places, including Ohara, Shugakuin Imperial Village, Nijo Street (its just beautiful in autumn), and Arashiyama - Kameoka route on train. Today, though, I am sharing you my Ohara story. Ohara is on rural town located in the mountains of northern Kyoto. It took an hour or so from Kyoto. The easiest way to get there is by catching a bus from Denmachiyanagi station, in front of its Eizan line sta. Traveling by bus up to the mountain brings pleasure as well, with the red scenery all through the mountain.
It was two years ago the first time I visit. I was there with Nancy and Gilly, only to catch up with Hisashi and the rest of IR friends later the day. We headed to Sanzenin, a temple beautiful for its autumn garden. Like a kid having a new toy, I was strolling the small alley up to Sanzenin with my mouth open. Taking pictures after pictures. Played with dried maple leaves, making a scene as if I was in the some romantic H(B)ollywood movie. LOL. Just asked Nancy how creepy I was that day, bothering her for picture request only because she had a professional camera. hehehehe...
We headed to Sanzenin and later to Nanzenin temple, two main attractions of Ohara. Sanzenin's garden view in Autum in splendid! You just want to sit down and not wanting to leave. But trust me, the interesting story lies just beside Nanzenin. There is a small tea house, just small and modest enough for you to skip it. But at that time, Hisashi told us that he was there and we can meet him there. So we decided to come in and found that he could not be found anywhere! But the blessing is just around the corner. There, we heard of a story of the lost samurai from the caretaker of the house, right after we finished our tea drinking.
During the chaotic time leading to Meiji Restoration, Kyoto was the center of revolt and change. Samurai clans from Chosu, Satsuma and Tosa lead the revolution to re-enact the Emperor as the supreme leader of Japan and thus replacing the already-weak shogunate. The clash between pro-Shogunate and pro-Imperial forces is generally called the Boshin War and the battle occured in Kyoto is best known as Fushimi Battle (鳥羽・伏見の戦い).The battle itself started on 27 January 1868. It occured all over Kyoto, but for me to learn it later, the tragic story also happened in Ohara.
During the series of battle in downtown Kyoto, pro-Tokugawa forces experienced many defeat. Many of the samurais were forced to flee Kyoto and some of them headed to Ohara. There, they again cornered by the pro-imperial forces that later resulted in many of them committed suicide, locally known as Seppuku or internationally known as hara-kiri. In this small compound in wide Sanzein temple, 370 people committed seppuku. According to the caretaker, the battle was so fierce and large in scale that it made the corpses in Ohara left unburied properly for many days after the mass seppuku. As the result, it left the mark of human body in the floor of the house after a series of cleaning. We can still see the trace of eyes and nose mark in the floor. To pay the respect to the descend, it was decided to pull the floor for the roof instead. So, if you point your eyes to the roof along the hallway, you can still see the trace even its quite difficult for untrained eyes (and a bit of scared soul) like myself. So, if you ever had a chance to visit Kyoto in Autumn, have some spare time to visit Ohara and witness yourself the beauty of this mountain side and the telling story of Fushimi battle.
Why Ritsumeikan?
Throughout the year, many asked me why I decided to study in Ritsumeikan University at the first place. And each time, I gave the same answer. I choose Ritsumeikan because of its name.
In Japanese, Ritsumeikan University is written as follows: 立命館大学. Take the word "Ritsumeikan" only and you will have 3 characters:
1. 立 from the word 立てる (tateru) which means to achieve, to establish.
2. 命 (inochi, いのち) means 'life'
3. 館 (kan) means 'place'
In combination, it literally means "a place to establish one's destiny."
So what it has to do with my decision? There are many other schools which bear meaningful names and big reputation. Why should I finally choose to enter Ritsumeikan? It started from a simple conversation with Ayu when we both in deep confusion of what to do in our life. We both had graduated and worked for some time. But deep inside, we both want to continue our study. We tried to apply for some scholarships but all failed in vain. We both almost gave up and asked to each other, "what will be our future destiny actually?".
In the midst of that confusion, I stumbled upon an announcement of Priority Graduate Program launched by Ritsumeikan University. The university offered a special program for foreign student to study at Ritsumeikan University under Monbukagakusho scholarship. The successful candidate will get a chance to earn master degree through Global Cooperate Program at Department of International Relations. I was scheming the page and decided to read the history of the university. Then, at the end of the page, it says "Ritsumeikan thus means the 'place to establish one's destiny'."
I was startled for a while and soon remembered the conversation I had earlier with Ayu. A place to establish one's destiny. Can I establish my destiny there? As soon as I grasped the meaning, I decided to apply for the program. I tried my best to complete all the requirements and send it in time. Deep down inside, I was hoping I made the right decision and got accepted. The answer came few months later, I was accepted in the university. A university that called it self as a place for its students to established their destiny.
Here I am, two years later, finally at the brink of completing two years master program at Ritsumei. So much had been going in two years. So much I bet I will never able to put every single thing in word. Ritsumei gave me a chance to spread my wings wider, to establish my foundation deeper, and to build my house more beautiful. I had many chance to learn new things, learn new culture. To have a teacher and fellow die hard-er that gave me a sense of family. To have part time job that enables me to see the beauty of teaching. To have an internship that might help me to build my future dream career. To live in Kyoto, one of the most beautiful city in universe, a place now I can call home. But most importantly, to have fellow kenkyushitsu-ers and lounge buddy with whom I share joyful, crazy and wonderful moments together.
Here in Ritsumei, I am living life and creating destiny. And so can you..
Kyoto, 6 September 2010
In Japanese, Ritsumeikan University is written as follows: 立命館大学. Take the word "Ritsumeikan" only and you will have 3 characters:
1. 立 from the word 立てる (tateru) which means to achieve, to establish.
2. 命 (inochi, いのち) means 'life'
3. 館 (kan) means 'place'
In combination, it literally means "a place to establish one's destiny."
So what it has to do with my decision? There are many other schools which bear meaningful names and big reputation. Why should I finally choose to enter Ritsumeikan? It started from a simple conversation with Ayu when we both in deep confusion of what to do in our life. We both had graduated and worked for some time. But deep inside, we both want to continue our study. We tried to apply for some scholarships but all failed in vain. We both almost gave up and asked to each other, "what will be our future destiny actually?".
In the midst of that confusion, I stumbled upon an announcement of Priority Graduate Program launched by Ritsumeikan University. The university offered a special program for foreign student to study at Ritsumeikan University under Monbukagakusho scholarship. The successful candidate will get a chance to earn master degree through Global Cooperate Program at Department of International Relations. I was scheming the page and decided to read the history of the university. Then, at the end of the page, it says "Ritsumeikan thus means the 'place to establish one's destiny'."
I was startled for a while and soon remembered the conversation I had earlier with Ayu. A place to establish one's destiny. Can I establish my destiny there? As soon as I grasped the meaning, I decided to apply for the program. I tried my best to complete all the requirements and send it in time. Deep down inside, I was hoping I made the right decision and got accepted. The answer came few months later, I was accepted in the university. A university that called it self as a place for its students to established their destiny.
Here I am, two years later, finally at the brink of completing two years master program at Ritsumei. So much had been going in two years. So much I bet I will never able to put every single thing in word. Ritsumei gave me a chance to spread my wings wider, to establish my foundation deeper, and to build my house more beautiful. I had many chance to learn new things, learn new culture. To have a teacher and fellow die hard-er that gave me a sense of family. To have part time job that enables me to see the beauty of teaching. To have an internship that might help me to build my future dream career. To live in Kyoto, one of the most beautiful city in universe, a place now I can call home. But most importantly, to have fellow kenkyushitsu-ers and lounge buddy with whom I share joyful, crazy and wonderful moments together.
Here in Ritsumei, I am living life and creating destiny. And so can you..
Kyoto, 6 September 2010
Bintang Kecil di Langit Gelap
Hari ini hujan
Hujan lebat sekali sedari pagi
Kuberlari menembus badai
Tanpa menengok kanan dan kiri
Ketika kaki mulai lunglai berjalan pulang
Kumenengadah ke kegelapan malam
Angin masih dingin mendera
Dan langit memang gelap gulita
Tapi lihat!
Sebuah bintang kecil berpendar disana
Di langit gelap
Sayang ia sendirian
Berpendar ia sendirian
Bahkan ketika sang rembulan enggan menyapa
Ia tetap bersinar disana
Namun sungguh, ia nampak kesepian
Wahai bintang kecil di gelap malam
Maafkan aku..
Aku tak punya sayap untuk terbang padamu
Memelukmu
Ada seorang bijak berkata padaku tadi
Pasangan kita adalah sayap kita yang sejati
Sayap yang memberi kita kekuatan
Untuk terbang ke angkasa
Tunggu aku bintang kecil
Sampai kutemukan ia si belahan hati
Kan kujemput engkau di langit malam
Kupeluk engkau dan kubawa pulang
Kyoto, 8 September 2010
Hujan lebat sekali sedari pagi
Kuberlari menembus badai
Tanpa menengok kanan dan kiri
Ketika kaki mulai lunglai berjalan pulang
Kumenengadah ke kegelapan malam
Angin masih dingin mendera
Dan langit memang gelap gulita
Tapi lihat!
Sebuah bintang kecil berpendar disana
Di langit gelap
Sayang ia sendirian
Berpendar ia sendirian
Bahkan ketika sang rembulan enggan menyapa
Ia tetap bersinar disana
Namun sungguh, ia nampak kesepian
Wahai bintang kecil di gelap malam
Maafkan aku..
Aku tak punya sayap untuk terbang padamu
Memelukmu
Ada seorang bijak berkata padaku tadi
Pasangan kita adalah sayap kita yang sejati
Sayap yang memberi kita kekuatan
Untuk terbang ke angkasa
Tunggu aku bintang kecil
Sampai kutemukan ia si belahan hati
Kan kujemput engkau di langit malam
Kupeluk engkau dan kubawa pulang
Kyoto, 8 September 2010
Dia
Kutinggalkan ia separuh jiwaku
yang lama melengkapi cintaku
memeluk segala asaku
Aku tidak pernah ingin meninggalkan ia
tidak pula ingin menjauh dari ia
inginku selalu bersama ia
Ia sang penunjuk arahku
utara, selatan, barat dan timurku
Ia sang peniti waktuku
kala pagi, siang, sore dan malamku
Tapi aku harus berpihak pada waktu
berpihak pula pada hatiku
saat keduanya bertitah padaku
aku harus melepaskan sayap patahku
Aku pergi, wahai matahari
menjauh darimu, wahai bulan
meniti jalan lain, wahai bintang
merajut asa kedepan, wahai kejora
Sampai kita bertemu lagi
di kehidupan ini
atau mendatang
wahai, cinta
yang lama melengkapi cintaku
memeluk segala asaku
Aku tidak pernah ingin meninggalkan ia
tidak pula ingin menjauh dari ia
inginku selalu bersama ia
Ia sang penunjuk arahku
utara, selatan, barat dan timurku
Ia sang peniti waktuku
kala pagi, siang, sore dan malamku
Tapi aku harus berpihak pada waktu
berpihak pula pada hatiku
saat keduanya bertitah padaku
aku harus melepaskan sayap patahku
Aku pergi, wahai matahari
menjauh darimu, wahai bulan
meniti jalan lain, wahai bintang
merajut asa kedepan, wahai kejora
Sampai kita bertemu lagi
di kehidupan ini
atau mendatang
wahai, cinta
Demi sebuah musim yang bersemu merah
Catatan akhir di Kyoto,
seindah sinar rembulan di musim gugur,
secantik semburat lembayung di musim semi,
seelok warna senja di musim panas,
seputih hamparan salju di musim dingin,
Dan catatan awal di Solo,
seenak makan selat solo sambil becanda
selezat makan tengkleng kambing di bawah gapura
senikmat minum es buah di tengah terik mentari
semantap makan sate sambil mengobrol diatas tikar lusuh
Bedanya?
Disana aku menikmati musim yang indah dan cinta yang mekar
Disini aku menikmati makanan yang lezat dan hidup yang menantang
Viva HIDUP
seindah sinar rembulan di musim gugur,
secantik semburat lembayung di musim semi,
seelok warna senja di musim panas,
seputih hamparan salju di musim dingin,
Dan catatan awal di Solo,
seenak makan selat solo sambil becanda
selezat makan tengkleng kambing di bawah gapura
senikmat minum es buah di tengah terik mentari
semantap makan sate sambil mengobrol diatas tikar lusuh
Bedanya?
Disana aku menikmati musim yang indah dan cinta yang mekar
Disini aku menikmati makanan yang lezat dan hidup yang menantang
Viva HIDUP
Setitik Hikmah dari "Sang Pencerah", Agama itu Hati dan Akal
Semenjak pulang ke Indonesia, aku memilih untuk menonton serangkaian film karya anak negeri sendiri. Disamping promosi teman-teman sedari aku di Jepang, serangkaian review yang kubaca di internet menarik minatku. Maraton itu diawali dengan film "emak ingin naik haji", dilanjut dengan "garuda di dadaku", "merah putih", dan terakhir "sang pencerah". Dan ada sesuatu yang terasa spesial dengan film "Sang Pencerah" yang baru saja kutonton malam ini.
Sang Pencerah bertutur mengenai perjalanan KH Ahmad Dahlan dalam meluruskan praktik agama Islam di Indonesia pada awal abad 20. Terlahir dengan nama Muhammad Darwisy, KH Ahmad Dahlan memulai perjalanannya dengan melakukan haji di kala usianya baru 15 tahun. Haji itu dilanjutkan dengan belajar agama Islam selama 5 tahun. Sepulangnya ia ke Indonesia, ia melanjutkan dakwahnya dengan menjadi khatib Masjid Besar Yogyakarta. Namun, ketidaksepakatan atas arah kiblat dimana KH Ahmad Dahlan memberikan arah yang baru mengakhiri karirnya sebagai khatib. Hampir saja ia berputus asa ketika langgarnya di rusak setelah perseteruan itu. Namun, dorongan kakak perempuannya membuatnya tetap tinggal di Yogyakarta untuk melanjutkan dakwah. Setelah itu, berbagai upaya ia lakukan dalam meluruskan praktek Islam yang kala itu masih kental dengan nilai-nilai mistik atau budaya kejawen. Upaya-upaya itu akhirnya bermuara pada pembentukan Muhammadiyah sebagai organisasi sosial yang bergerak di bidang pendidikan. Pendidikan adalah kunci dari upayanya mencapai apa yang temaktub dalam Surah Ali Imran 4, melalakukan amar ma'ruf nahi munkar.
Dibesarkan dalam lingkungan Muhammadiyah sedari kecil, film ini cukup mengguncang aku. Sungguh dangkal pengetahuanku mengenai lingkungan sosial tempat aku dibesarkan. Dalam benakku selama ini, Muhammadiyah lebih pada mengajarkan nilai-nilai mendalami Islam secara lebih modern, tidak terikat dan sangat toleran. Menjadi bagian dari Muhammadiyah berarti mempraktekkan Islam dari akal. Memakai hati terlalu banyak akan terjembab dalam ekstrimisme agamis yang sayangnya selalu aku salah artikan dengan budaya manut ulama seperti dalam budaya NU. Kembali, aku terjebak dalam lingkaran setan perseteruan NU - Muhammadiyah yang sudah menjadi rahasia umum.
Film ini seolah mengingatkan aku kembali bahwa agama itu dipraktekkan dengan dua hal, akal dan hati. Momentum itu datang saat adegan dimana KH Ahmad Dahlan mengajar untuk pertama kalinya di sekolah Belanda. Saat itu, ucapan salamnya dibalas dengan kentut oleh salah satu murid keturunan Belanda. Dihadapkan dengan situasi tersebut, Kyai Dahlan bertanya kepada semua muridnya siapa yang mau kentut lagi. Saat tak satupun muridnya menjawab, ia lantas menjelaskan betapa besarnya nikmat kita bisa kentut. Kalau kita tidak kentut sementara perut kita terus diisi dengan gas, maka niscaya perut kita akan meledak. Untunglah, Tuhan sayang pada manusia. Sehingga diberikan-Nya setiap manusia alat pembuangan agar ia bisa kentut dan buang hajat. Dengan itu, manusia bisa makan atau minum sepuasnya. Sungguh besar kasih sayang-Nya pada manusia, alat pembuangan itu diberikan secara gratis.
Segratis udara yang kita hirup. Filosofi yang sama yang diajarkan oleh ibu bertahun-tahun lalu. Kala itu, aku dirawat di rumah sakit karena asma yang muncul setelah aku dikagetkan dengan letusan balon gas di taman. Sebuah trauma yang harus kuakui masih bersisa hingga hidupku yang setua ini. Saat dirawat, ibu tiba-tiba bertanya padaku apakah aku tahu betapa banyak uang yang harus dibayar untuk tiap tabung udara yang kugunakan untuk menopang hidup selama di rumah sakit. Saat itu ibu bilang, untuk satu tabung udara, ibu membayar sekitar 15 ribu rupiah. Berarti sudah 60 ribu dikeluarkannya untuk 4 tabung udara selama seminggu aku dirawat. Lantas ibu bertanya, pernahkah aku bayangkan betapa besarnya uang yang harus kita bayar untuk semua udara yang sudah kita hirup agar tetap hidup.
Dan filosofi gratis itu muncul kembali. Untungnya, Tuhan sayang pada manusia. Diberikannya udara itu gratis. Gratis tanpa ada pungutan biaya apapun. Gratis pula alat-alat pernapasan yang kita miliki. Jadi kita tidak perlu membayar apapun untuk bernapas dan hidup. "Oleh karena itu dek, berterimakasihlah terus pada Allah. Allah yang sudah memberikan udara gratis. Cobalah sholat yang bener, ngaji yang bener. Itu bisa jadi ungkapan terimakasihmu pada Allah", pesan ibu kala itu. Sebuah pesan yang hingga kini selalu menjadi pengingat bagiku bahwa agama itu memang butuh elemen hati dan akal dalam menjalaninya.
Cari kebenaran itu melalui akal, baru percayai dan lakukan. Kita menemukan alasan kita sendiri untuk melakukan ajaran agama, sebuah hal yang sebetulnya susah mengingat banyak hal dalam agama yang terkadang harus diakhirkan dengan kata "itu sudah ketentuan dari sana-Nya". Seperti kenapa kita tidak boleh makan babi misalnya. Semoga segala yang gratis itu terus menjadi pengingat kita.
Sang Pencerah bertutur mengenai perjalanan KH Ahmad Dahlan dalam meluruskan praktik agama Islam di Indonesia pada awal abad 20. Terlahir dengan nama Muhammad Darwisy, KH Ahmad Dahlan memulai perjalanannya dengan melakukan haji di kala usianya baru 15 tahun. Haji itu dilanjutkan dengan belajar agama Islam selama 5 tahun. Sepulangnya ia ke Indonesia, ia melanjutkan dakwahnya dengan menjadi khatib Masjid Besar Yogyakarta. Namun, ketidaksepakatan atas arah kiblat dimana KH Ahmad Dahlan memberikan arah yang baru mengakhiri karirnya sebagai khatib. Hampir saja ia berputus asa ketika langgarnya di rusak setelah perseteruan itu. Namun, dorongan kakak perempuannya membuatnya tetap tinggal di Yogyakarta untuk melanjutkan dakwah. Setelah itu, berbagai upaya ia lakukan dalam meluruskan praktek Islam yang kala itu masih kental dengan nilai-nilai mistik atau budaya kejawen. Upaya-upaya itu akhirnya bermuara pada pembentukan Muhammadiyah sebagai organisasi sosial yang bergerak di bidang pendidikan. Pendidikan adalah kunci dari upayanya mencapai apa yang temaktub dalam Surah Ali Imran 4, melalakukan amar ma'ruf nahi munkar.
Dibesarkan dalam lingkungan Muhammadiyah sedari kecil, film ini cukup mengguncang aku. Sungguh dangkal pengetahuanku mengenai lingkungan sosial tempat aku dibesarkan. Dalam benakku selama ini, Muhammadiyah lebih pada mengajarkan nilai-nilai mendalami Islam secara lebih modern, tidak terikat dan sangat toleran. Menjadi bagian dari Muhammadiyah berarti mempraktekkan Islam dari akal. Memakai hati terlalu banyak akan terjembab dalam ekstrimisme agamis yang sayangnya selalu aku salah artikan dengan budaya manut ulama seperti dalam budaya NU. Kembali, aku terjebak dalam lingkaran setan perseteruan NU - Muhammadiyah yang sudah menjadi rahasia umum.
Film ini seolah mengingatkan aku kembali bahwa agama itu dipraktekkan dengan dua hal, akal dan hati. Momentum itu datang saat adegan dimana KH Ahmad Dahlan mengajar untuk pertama kalinya di sekolah Belanda. Saat itu, ucapan salamnya dibalas dengan kentut oleh salah satu murid keturunan Belanda. Dihadapkan dengan situasi tersebut, Kyai Dahlan bertanya kepada semua muridnya siapa yang mau kentut lagi. Saat tak satupun muridnya menjawab, ia lantas menjelaskan betapa besarnya nikmat kita bisa kentut. Kalau kita tidak kentut sementara perut kita terus diisi dengan gas, maka niscaya perut kita akan meledak. Untunglah, Tuhan sayang pada manusia. Sehingga diberikan-Nya setiap manusia alat pembuangan agar ia bisa kentut dan buang hajat. Dengan itu, manusia bisa makan atau minum sepuasnya. Sungguh besar kasih sayang-Nya pada manusia, alat pembuangan itu diberikan secara gratis.
Segratis udara yang kita hirup. Filosofi yang sama yang diajarkan oleh ibu bertahun-tahun lalu. Kala itu, aku dirawat di rumah sakit karena asma yang muncul setelah aku dikagetkan dengan letusan balon gas di taman. Sebuah trauma yang harus kuakui masih bersisa hingga hidupku yang setua ini. Saat dirawat, ibu tiba-tiba bertanya padaku apakah aku tahu betapa banyak uang yang harus dibayar untuk tiap tabung udara yang kugunakan untuk menopang hidup selama di rumah sakit. Saat itu ibu bilang, untuk satu tabung udara, ibu membayar sekitar 15 ribu rupiah. Berarti sudah 60 ribu dikeluarkannya untuk 4 tabung udara selama seminggu aku dirawat. Lantas ibu bertanya, pernahkah aku bayangkan betapa besarnya uang yang harus kita bayar untuk semua udara yang sudah kita hirup agar tetap hidup.
Dan filosofi gratis itu muncul kembali. Untungnya, Tuhan sayang pada manusia. Diberikannya udara itu gratis. Gratis tanpa ada pungutan biaya apapun. Gratis pula alat-alat pernapasan yang kita miliki. Jadi kita tidak perlu membayar apapun untuk bernapas dan hidup. "Oleh karena itu dek, berterimakasihlah terus pada Allah. Allah yang sudah memberikan udara gratis. Cobalah sholat yang bener, ngaji yang bener. Itu bisa jadi ungkapan terimakasihmu pada Allah", pesan ibu kala itu. Sebuah pesan yang hingga kini selalu menjadi pengingat bagiku bahwa agama itu memang butuh elemen hati dan akal dalam menjalaninya.
Cari kebenaran itu melalui akal, baru percayai dan lakukan. Kita menemukan alasan kita sendiri untuk melakukan ajaran agama, sebuah hal yang sebetulnya susah mengingat banyak hal dalam agama yang terkadang harus diakhirkan dengan kata "itu sudah ketentuan dari sana-Nya". Seperti kenapa kita tidak boleh makan babi misalnya. Semoga segala yang gratis itu terus menjadi pengingat kita.
Indonesia: a supermarket of disasters, a theater of jokes, a country of anomaly (part 1- social media)
What you cannot find in another country, you can find it in Indonesia. Not only certain thing, but almost everything. But, what you can easily find in another country, you might find it hard to see in Indonesia.
Recent social media survey on twitter and facebook reveals that Indonesia comfortably sit as world's third biggest user of facebook and tweet producers. In general, it looks like Indonesia is a technologically savvy community that can put themselves as equal as US and Japan. You might also imagine Indonesian carrying their smartphone everywhere, from bathroom to boardroom. But i guess, imagination can be misleading, sometimes..
If you are an Indonesian or ever visit Indonesia then live like normal Indonesian do, you might find it strange how Indonesian could somehow project themselves as very savvy in technology when living savvy with public transportation means you are bound to loose your magic phone. You can only become savvy when you are at home, office, school or supermall. Well, I might not be in Indonesia for 2 years now, but the last time I came back home, that’s how things went. When I was in supermall, there were blackberry everywhere. Everyone seems to have one. pip..pip..pip.. Even when they have their friends around, the hip and hop in facebook and twitter is still as important. Especially nowadays, Jakarta people could be proud for having their own social media called ‘koprol’ (if you ever heard about it) that allows you to find friends whereever you are. Specially in big mall, the only place you can go for spending time and money.
Let say compare to Japan. If you ride a train or bus, there are one rule that you have to follow. To make yourself comfortable, try to do one of these things: sleep, listen to your mp3, playing games, read books, or doing something with your phone. Other than doing that, you are doomed! You cannot standing or sitting idly or asking people to talk like in Indonesia. That is just so no no! So, the most easily spotted activity, phone! Or even better, one can listen to their mp3 while holding phone at one hand and gamebox at the other. Why they do that? because it is safe to do so. Public transportation is a safe place to do whatever you like including showing off your latest most advanced gadget. Plus, the internet in Japan is way freaking fast. me? sleep ;p
Then, why we are in that hot spot of worlds’ third twitter and facebook users? do we really that savvy and hip? Thanks to cheap smartphone widely distributed nowadays, it is understandable. But who are the user? how is the demographic mapping? do people from small city or rural area outside java even knows what twitter is all about? could it be that the real users (for twitter, as for facebook i guess the number is a lot bigger) just several hundred but they tweet like hundred everyday? most likely to be that case.
Then suddenly I remember one day after North Korea huge defeat 7-0 to Portugal in World Cup. I told a friend, If world cup allows such a game, Indonesia should be allowed to join world cup too!. He just answered, “nope, because there are hundreds of thousands of children still suffer from diarrhea (due to bad environment and hygiene)”. spot on! So, while we are having this problems (let me list: disasters, corruption, porn video scandal, health malpractice, FPI, etc), how do we stand in the highspot of newest technology trend? while we are in number 3 for facebook and twitter, we are also in the top spot for being the most corrupt countries in the world. what an anomaly (>.<)
I know we cannot stop using facebook and twitter. It is useless since for me, they are now Indonesian new version of “warung kopi/coffee shop” where people can connect and talk to each other. Indonesian is just social people by heart. The question is, can we use it in a smarter way? for the better of others too? If not, then the anomaly of social media habit in Indonesia will always be an anomaly.
One thing about facebook and twitter, or friendster, or hi5, or multiply, or whatever is that by using them, we make people far from us closer but drive people close from us further. you choose ;p
originally written on 2 July 2010
Recent social media survey on twitter and facebook reveals that Indonesia comfortably sit as world's third biggest user of facebook and tweet producers. In general, it looks like Indonesia is a technologically savvy community that can put themselves as equal as US and Japan. You might also imagine Indonesian carrying their smartphone everywhere, from bathroom to boardroom. But i guess, imagination can be misleading, sometimes..
If you are an Indonesian or ever visit Indonesia then live like normal Indonesian do, you might find it strange how Indonesian could somehow project themselves as very savvy in technology when living savvy with public transportation means you are bound to loose your magic phone. You can only become savvy when you are at home, office, school or supermall. Well, I might not be in Indonesia for 2 years now, but the last time I came back home, that’s how things went. When I was in supermall, there were blackberry everywhere. Everyone seems to have one. pip..pip..pip.. Even when they have their friends around, the hip and hop in facebook and twitter is still as important. Especially nowadays, Jakarta people could be proud for having their own social media called ‘koprol’ (if you ever heard about it) that allows you to find friends whereever you are. Specially in big mall, the only place you can go for spending time and money.
Let say compare to Japan. If you ride a train or bus, there are one rule that you have to follow. To make yourself comfortable, try to do one of these things: sleep, listen to your mp3, playing games, read books, or doing something with your phone. Other than doing that, you are doomed! You cannot standing or sitting idly or asking people to talk like in Indonesia. That is just so no no! So, the most easily spotted activity, phone! Or even better, one can listen to their mp3 while holding phone at one hand and gamebox at the other. Why they do that? because it is safe to do so. Public transportation is a safe place to do whatever you like including showing off your latest most advanced gadget. Plus, the internet in Japan is way freaking fast. me? sleep ;p
Then, why we are in that hot spot of worlds’ third twitter and facebook users? do we really that savvy and hip? Thanks to cheap smartphone widely distributed nowadays, it is understandable. But who are the user? how is the demographic mapping? do people from small city or rural area outside java even knows what twitter is all about? could it be that the real users (for twitter, as for facebook i guess the number is a lot bigger) just several hundred but they tweet like hundred everyday? most likely to be that case.
Then suddenly I remember one day after North Korea huge defeat 7-0 to Portugal in World Cup. I told a friend, If world cup allows such a game, Indonesia should be allowed to join world cup too!. He just answered, “nope, because there are hundreds of thousands of children still suffer from diarrhea (due to bad environment and hygiene)”. spot on! So, while we are having this problems (let me list: disasters, corruption, porn video scandal, health malpractice, FPI, etc), how do we stand in the highspot of newest technology trend? while we are in number 3 for facebook and twitter, we are also in the top spot for being the most corrupt countries in the world. what an anomaly (>.<)
I know we cannot stop using facebook and twitter. It is useless since for me, they are now Indonesian new version of “warung kopi/coffee shop” where people can connect and talk to each other. Indonesian is just social people by heart. The question is, can we use it in a smarter way? for the better of others too? If not, then the anomaly of social media habit in Indonesia will always be an anomaly.
One thing about facebook and twitter, or friendster, or hi5, or multiply, or whatever is that by using them, we make people far from us closer but drive people close from us further. you choose ;p
originally written on 2 July 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
A Note for The Future: When the pain doesn't feel as painful as before
Have you ever felt that your wish is about to end when you fail to enter your dream school?
Have you ever felt that your dream is about to end when you fail to get a scholarship?
Have you ever felt that your future is about to crumble when you fail job interviews?
Have you ever felt that your lovelife is about to break down when your love is one sided?
Have you ever felt that your life is about to end when everything seems to go wrong?
been there, done that!
It felt freaking painful not to enter the dream school
It was so disappointing not to get a scholarship
It was sad to fail job applications and interviews
It was heart-breaking to know our love is one sided
and it felt like a shit when everything seems to go wrong
But....
History repeat itself
Time returns.. Jidai Mawaru...
When the same thing happen again
the pain, the sadness, the dissapointment
doesn't feel as painful as before again
because we learn and we grow
we become stronger..
To experience and to learn
that is my ultimate recipe to face life
Have you ever felt that your dream is about to end when you fail to get a scholarship?
Have you ever felt that your future is about to crumble when you fail job interviews?
Have you ever felt that your lovelife is about to break down when your love is one sided?
Have you ever felt that your life is about to end when everything seems to go wrong?
been there, done that!
It felt freaking painful not to enter the dream school
It was so disappointing not to get a scholarship
It was sad to fail job applications and interviews
It was heart-breaking to know our love is one sided
and it felt like a shit when everything seems to go wrong
But....
History repeat itself
Time returns.. Jidai Mawaru...
When the same thing happen again
the pain, the sadness, the dissapointment
doesn't feel as painful as before again
because we learn and we grow
we become stronger..
To experience and to learn
that is my ultimate recipe to face life
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