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

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

Walking Through A Thousand Gates

In the memoirs of a geisha, little sayuri met a grown up man who gave her a handkerchief and an ice. She immediately captured by his charm. She then run to Fushimi Inari, where she pass through a thousand gate and make her wish to later become a geisha and to meet the man again. The thousand red gate is Fushimi Inari's own.

Recollecting Japan: Jidai Matsuri 2008

For the past 2 years, I have been trough many in Japan. Many festivals celebrated, great number of friends bonded, and lots of memories shared. Recollecting Japan is my simple attempt to relive the good memory of living life in Japan. Enjoy (｡◕‿‿◕｡★)

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According to uncle Wiki, Jidai Matsuri (時代祭) or Festival of the Ages is a traditional festival in Kyoto to celebrate the the rich history of the nations. Jidai Matsuri is one of three most celebrated festival in Kyoto, along side Gion Matsuri and Aoi Matsuri. Among the three, Jidai was the youngest to be held, although it dated back in 1895. It roots in the devastating situation when the Emperor Meiji left Kyoto to govern the nation from new capital, Tokyo in 1868. For centuries, Kyoto had been Japan's capital where Emperor resided. But, the post was suddenly vacant leaving Kyoto half of its soul. To remember the glory of the nations, Jidai Matsuri was held.

Jidai Matsuri is essentially a parade of costume of traditional Japanese Era. From the era of Kammu Emperor to Edo period. All are being presented in glory (You can see some of the picture in my photos collections). And it held annually on October 22 each year.

For a person who just set foot in Japan, I was extremely exited to see Jidai Matsuri. I was asking many friends to join me and whoala... there were 8 of us joining the parade. Hisashi, Gilly, Mas Meidi, Thyda, Keo, Irene, Kisi, and myself. We choose to go directly there around 12.30, being afraid of not getting a good spot to watch. The place to see, in front of Kyoto Shiyakuso. Good spot, recommended! but make sure to come a little bit earlier than 1.

We were so exited to see it, let alone after we knew that Miss Universe might join the parade. I still wonder to this day, though, how did we get that information. hahahaha... But, dream was not always to be satisfied. Rain welcomed us earlier than the parade! all wet! Thanks God, Hisashi finally bought big umbrella for us to stay safe under. So the parade proceeded and we all saw it. Under the rain ;p

One after another, we were presented by people wearing different costume from different age. Start from Kammu time, Kamakura, Heian, and Edo. It was exiting and entertaining to see the development of tradition and their court clothes over time. How the women transform from elegant long black hair in layers of clothes in Heian period to a simpler Kimono court we saw today. The transformation of man's clothes are pretty interesting too. From ballooning pants in Heian period to long loose man's kimono in sword in Samurai period. Not to mention their hairstyle too.

Still under the rain, I felt an upsurge of excitement in learning more about Japanese culture. So great this single country that it can preserve thousands of years culture and make a good recollection of memories of it. I wish I can see one day a parade in Indonesia that depicts the great culture of the country. In one single parade. For our children to learn the richness of Indonesian culture and for foreigner to see a complete picture of Indonesian rich costumes and culture.

Stars

For each shooting star I saw
I wished you are not my shooting star
Never be my shooting star
As shooting star is beautiful but fade fast

I want you to be my everlasting star
To shine through my whole life
To be with me coloring the sky
My partner for life

2010 Asakusa Samba Festival

You need no ticket to Rio de Jeneiro to experience the joy of Samba Carnival
cause Japan has one of its own!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Asakusa Samba festival.

wait at the edge of love

For the love I have cherished my whole life
I sadly have to let it go
For the love I have kept all this long
I finally have to release it free

For the world is small
For the world is same
For the world is safe

That fate is persistent
Keeping in the same distance
Like the moon s hining down the river
Reflected in the water so clear

For the love is wounded
For the love is broken
For the love is sad

I bid my farewell in the nightsky
Claiming for the freedom long gone
Gone for good
To the top of the fountain

For you who come next
For you who knock the next
For you who come late

I am coming for you instead
Knocking on your windowless door
But you run away
My hand cannot reach out to you

For the world is round
For the fate is persistent
For the destiny is repeating

I wait for you
Inside my heart
For who you are
I am waiting

Yokohama, 27 August 2010

welcome home, my twin soul

Hai dear one..

What are you doing there?
Just standing there and smile..
Come..come inside...
I have been waiting for you
for long...

Where have you been?
That is one question I want to ask you
Have you been well?
Cause my heart keep missing its home
Till the day you come knock the door

So now that you are here
Don't be shy..
I welcome you with smile and love
as you complete me
as you are my twin soul

It is you, my twin soul
that I have loved all these long


Kyoto, 18 August 2010