--Mobile rang in the morning showing Indonesia area number...--
Telling a shocking news about a friend, a junior of mine.
"Shock" was really an understatement because this guy was so young (only 26/28?), good looking, smart, had beautiful wive and daughter... to be taken away from life so unexpectedly really made the saying "Jodoh dan maut ada di tangan Tuhan" rang loud once again in my ears...
--Conversation with a Japanese friend in her car on the way to Ogikubo--
She told me that the influenza had made her stay in bed for a week. Not able to do anything. And this person is the kind of person who has her graduate studies, her baito almost everyday in the week (weekdays AND weekend), sometimes two baitos in the same day.
I told her, "I told you so! You're working too hard! Should relax!"
She agreed and told me this good saying from a famous person in Japan (some minister of something that I cannot recollect):
「人間ってちゃんと食べないと寝ないと全てはだめになるよ～」
（＝We have to eat and sleep properly in order to live properly)
--Conversation at Inokashira Park while watching at Japanese koi (gold fish) in the lake--
「でかいねえ～」
= wow, it's really huge
「本当だ！でかいねえ」
= you're right, it is!
「こういう大きさになるまではどれぐらいかかるんだろうね？二年かなぁ？」
= i wonder how many years did it took to get this big? two years, perhaps?
「いや、もっとじゃないの？こいってどれぐらい生けるんだろうね？」
= i don't think so, probably more. i wonder how long does koi can live?
「どっちのこい？」
= which one? **in Japanese, "koi" can means gold fish and love.
（大笑）
= LOL
And speaking about life or living, I felt as if I just threw up my half of life into the toilet through out this morning. After about three hours of going back and forth the bathroom, I finnaly can sleep again around 6 o-clock... soooo tired... Hence, from this morning I realized that I have grew alergic to crab... **sigh...
Showing posts with label Blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog. Show all posts
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
Quotations
Got this two great quotations from two dramas I am watching...
Love Shuffle
"あなたは同情を、愛情に間違っているんじゃない？"
今日も晴れ、異常なし
"あなたは、ただこの島を狭くするんじゃないんですか？”
okay, back to work!!
PS. possibly there are some mistakes due to my limited japanese...
あればすみません～
Love Shuffle
"あなたは同情を、愛情に間違っているんじゃない？"
今日も晴れ、異常なし
"あなたは、ただこの島を狭くするんじゃないんですか？”
okay, back to work!!
PS. possibly there are some mistakes due to my limited japanese...
あればすみません～
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, October 24, 2008
Unrepaired
What I found funny with this country is, despite the whole great system of preserving the earth, such as complicated system for disposing your trash (burnable, not burnable, pet bottle, and so on), big car/electronic companies promoting and selling their new ECO products, convenient recycle shop within bus reach...
...they seemed to lack of simple affordable shoe repair shops!!
Ridiculous, right??!!
I went first time to repair my geta (wooden japanese summer sandal), it's rubber sole had grew thin so I went to replace it with a new one. I thought, it will only cost me like 500 yen or something, but NOOO... it will cost me 2000 something yen! The repairman even suggested me to buy a new geta, which is kind of unnecessary because the upper part of the thing still doing fine (a bit dirty, yes, but fine)... I just needed new rubber sole.
Frustrated, I took the geta when I went home to Bekasi, and ouila! The problem was fixed with just merely 20,000 rupiahs (with good quality of sole).
The second time, when my new shoe's rubber sole (I know, ironic isn't it?---it being new and all) had broken off, I rushed to the nearest shoes repair shop and found out that they will charge me about 1500 yen to glue (glue not sew) them back, but cannot guarantee they will stay that way, especially after rainy days. I immediately withdrew cause the shoe themselves only cost me around the same amount.
I resolved by going to 100 yen shop and bought permanent glue. Haven't try putting on the shoe again, but don't really have high hopes.
The third time, and I think this was the one time that really made me wrote this entry, was the time when I realized that my beloved brown boots has shown bits of it fighting the force of nature. I read/heard somewhere that Japan's shoe repair shops have the service to cover the bruised leather of your shoes, they called it "cleaning".
So I went to ask, not with high hopes of course, after all we humans learned from our experiences. And how that experiences proved themselves worthy! The guy said it will probably cost me about 9000 yen to have that kind of service!!
No more wondering now why they like to buy new shoes better, rather than preserving the old and comfortable ones. Hence, the whole consumerism way of living...
Really really sad, I think though. I can imagine the piling of old/not so old/still wearable shoes in the garbage dump in every cities of Japan.
Anyway, I settled the last problem with buying brown shoe polish. Cannot really fix the deep bruises on my boots, but it cover them a bit... give them character, if I can say for myself...
***deep sighs...
...they seemed to lack of simple affordable shoe repair shops!!
Ridiculous, right??!!
I went first time to repair my geta (wooden japanese summer sandal), it's rubber sole had grew thin so I went to replace it with a new one. I thought, it will only cost me like 500 yen or something, but NOOO... it will cost me 2000 something yen! The repairman even suggested me to buy a new geta, which is kind of unnecessary because the upper part of the thing still doing fine (a bit dirty, yes, but fine)... I just needed new rubber sole.
Frustrated, I took the geta when I went home to Bekasi, and ouila! The problem was fixed with just merely 20,000 rupiahs (with good quality of sole).
The second time, when my new shoe's rubber sole (I know, ironic isn't it?---it being new and all) had broken off, I rushed to the nearest shoes repair shop and found out that they will charge me about 1500 yen to glue (glue not sew) them back, but cannot guarantee they will stay that way, especially after rainy days. I immediately withdrew cause the shoe themselves only cost me around the same amount. I resolved by going to 100 yen shop and bought permanent glue. Haven't try putting on the shoe again, but don't really have high hopes.
The third time, and I think this was the one time that really made me wrote this entry, was the time when I realized that my beloved brown boots has shown bits of it fighting the force of nature. I read/heard somewhere that Japan's shoe repair shops have the service to cover the bruised leather of your shoes, they called it "cleaning".
So I went to ask, not with high hopes of course, after all we humans learned from our experiences. And how that experiences proved themselves worthy! The guy said it will probably cost me about 9000 yen to have that kind of service!!
No more wondering now why they like to buy new shoes better, rather than preserving the old and comfortable ones. Hence, the whole consumerism way of living...
Really really sad, I think though. I can imagine the piling of old/not so old/still wearable shoes in the garbage dump in every cities of Japan.
Anyway, I settled the last problem with buying brown shoe polish. Cannot really fix the deep bruises on my boots, but it cover them a bit... give them character, if I can say for myself...
***deep sighs...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Repeated Blunders
...metaphorically speaking or not so metaphorically speaking poems...
No, you cannot expect to arrive in time when you just estimated how much time do you need to reach campus, without calculating WHEN is the train's arrival time...
No, you cannot finish reading 6 chapters and one long doctorate thesis article in just two or just a bit more hours in the middle of one tiring night...
And two spoons with that, please, said you.
And still you were surprised to find yourself sharing one big banana chocolate sundae with the other person? And still think that you will escape the consequences?
BLAHH!! Get real, girl!!
YES, you should let somebody else roll the dice sometimes...
having initiative is great and all, but please, relax and show some patience, sweetie...
capek dehhhh....
No, you cannot expect to arrive in time when you just estimated how much time do you need to reach campus, without calculating WHEN is the train's arrival time...
No, you cannot finish reading 6 chapters and one long doctorate thesis article in just two or just a bit more hours in the middle of one tiring night...
And two spoons with that, please, said you.
And still you were surprised to find yourself sharing one big banana chocolate sundae with the other person? And still think that you will escape the consequences?
BLAHH!! Get real, girl!!
YES, you should let somebody else roll the dice sometimes...
having initiative is great and all, but please, relax and show some patience, sweetie...
capek dehhhh....
Friday, September 05, 2008
F4 ala Harry Potter
Hehehe... iseng sebenernya, tapi suka banget sama gambar ini di web post sebelumnya (HelloQuizzy).
Trus kalo dipikir2, ibunya HP kok kayak Tsukushi-nya Hana Yori Dango ya?
Dikelilingi 4 cowok ganteng... eh, not so sure about Pettigrew, though ;-p
AAARRGGGHHH, Sirius gantengggg!
(apa sihhhh?? ;-p)
Trus kalo dipikir2, ibunya HP kok kayak Tsukushi-nya Hana Yori Dango ya?
Dikelilingi 4 cowok ganteng... eh, not so sure about Pettigrew, though ;-p
AAARRGGGHHH, Sirius gantengggg!
(apa sihhhh?? ;-p)
The Harry Potter Husband Test
Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...
Mrs. Weasley Twin
Your perfect HP man is Fred and/or George Weasley.
Laughter is important to you. You want a guy who's never boring, who can always put a smile on your face, and who can pull the best of pranks and never get caught. Or possibly two such guys. Because let's face it, they're pretty much a two-fer. You get one, you get both. Even if one of them's only a friend, he'll still be around so much you'll feel like you're married to him, too. Sure, they may not seem like the most mature guys in the world, in a traditional sense, but just ask them about their business plan. When they drive you nuts by relentlessly testing their latest inventions on you, you can console youself with that huge stack of cash and dragon-leather jacket. Besides, you know you're powerless against those stereo smiles.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Jakarta: Neoliberal Capital City
A good read from alumni fisip ui mailing list, concerning a very serious topic on Jakarta. Felt so true and made me worried. Will ever improvement come?
________________________________________________________________
Friends, the following is a brief essay summarized the fall of our Capital City into the hands of those market fundamentalists ( or you might prefer to read it
________________________________________________________________
Friends, the following is a brief essay summarized the fall of our Capital City into the hands of those market fundamentalists ( or you might prefer to read it
as a short description on how a city is build with a brutal and full blown neoliberalism prescriptions)
Jakarta: Neoliberal Capital City (or the Capital City of Neoliberalism)
While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.
(Original Title)Jakarta: In Need of Improvements
by Andre Vitchek
Worldpress.org contributing editor
July 26, 2007
Today, high-rises dot the skyline, hundreds of thousands of vehicles belch fumes on congested traffic arteries and super-malls have become the cultural centers of gravity in Jakarta , the fourth largest city in the world. In between towering super-structures, humble kampongs house the majority of the city dwellers, who often have no access to basic sanitation, running water or waste management.
While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.
Most Jakartans have never left Indonesia , so they cannot compare their capital with Kuala Lumpur or Singapore ; with Hanoi or Bangkok . Comparative statistics and reports hardly make it into the local media. Despite the fact that the Indonesian capital is for many
foreign visitors a 'hell on earth,' the local media describes Jakarta as "modern," "cosmopolitan, " and "a sprawling metropolis."
Newcomers are often puzzled by Jakarta 's lack of public amenities. Bangkok , not exactly known as a user-friendly city, still has several beautiful parks. Even cash-strapped Port Moresby , capital of Papua New Guinea , boasts wide promenades, playgrounds, long stretches of beach and sea walks. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur compete with each other in building wide sidewalks, green areas as well as cultural establishments. Manila , another city without a glowing reputation for its public amenities, has succeeded in constructing an impressive sea promenade dotted with countless cafes and entertainment venues while preserving its World Heri tage Site at In tramuros. Hanoi repaved its
wide sidewalks and turned a park around Huan-Kiem Lake into an open-air sculpture museum.
But in Jakarta , there is a fee for everything. Many green spaces have been converted to golf courses for the exclusive use of the rich. The approximately one square kilometer of Monas seems to be the only real public area in a city of more than 10 million. Despite being a maritime city, Jakarta has been separated from the sea, with the only focal point being Ancol, with a tiny, mostly decrepit walkway along the dirty beach dotted with private businesses.
Even to take a walk in Ancol, a family of four has to spend approximately $4.50 (40,000 Indonesian Rupiahs) in entrance fees, something unthinkable anywhere else in the world. The few tiny public parks which survived privatization are in desperate condition and mostly unsafe to use.
There are no sidewalks in the entire city, if one applies international standards to the word "sidewalk." Almost anywhere in the world (with the striking exception of some cities in the United State , like Houston and Los Angeles ) the cities themselves belong to pedestrians. Cars are increasingly discouraged from travelling in the city centres. Wide sidewalks are understood to be the most ecological, healthy and efficient forms of short-distance public transportation in areas with high concentrations of people.
In Jakarta , there are hardly any benches for people to sit and relax, and no free drinking water fountains or public toilets. It is these small, but important, 'details' that are symbols of urban life anywhere else in the world.
Most world cities, including those in the region, want to be visited and remembered for their culture. Singapore is managing to change its 'shop-till-you- drop' image to that of the centre of Southeast Asian arts. The monumental Esplanade Theatre has reshaped the skyline, offering first-rate international concerts in classical music, opera, ballet, and also featuring performances from some of the leading contemporary artists from the region. Many performances are subsidized and are either free or cheap, relative to the high incomes in the city-state.
Kuala Lumpurspent $100 million on its philharmonic concert hall, which is located right under the Petronas Towers , among the tallest buildings in the world. This impressive and prestigious concert hall hosts local orchestra companies as well top international perfor mers. The city is currently spending further millions to refurbish its museums and galleries, from the National Museum to the National Art Gallery .
Hanoiis proud of its culture and arts, which are promoted as its major attraction millions of visitors flock into the city to visit countless galleries stocked with canvases, which can be easily described as some of the best in Southeast Asia . Its beautifully restored Opera House regularly offers Western and Asian music treats.
Bangkok 's colossal temples and palaces coexist with extremely cosmopolitan fare international theater and film festivals, countless performances, jazz clubs with local and foreign artists on the bill, as well as authentic culinary delights from all corners of the world. When it comes to music, live performances and nightlife, there is no city in Southeast Asia as vibrant as Manila .
Now back to Jakarta . Those who have ever visited the city's 'public libraries' or National Archives building will know the difference. No wonder; in Indonesia education, culture and arts are not considered to be 'profitable' (with the exception of pop music), and are therefore made absolutely irrelevant. The country spends the third lowest amount in the world on education (according to The Economist, only1.2 percent of its GDP) after Equatorial Guinea and Ecuador (there the situation is now rapidly improving with the new progressive government).
Museums in Jakarta are in appalling condition, offering absolutely no important international exhibitions. They look like they fell on the city from a different era and no wonder the Dutch built almost all of them. Not only are their collections poorly kept, but they lack elements of modernity there are no elegant cafes, museum shops, bookstores or even public archives. It appears that the individuals running them are without vision and creativity. However, even if they did have inspired ideas, there would be no funding to carry them out.
It seems that Jakarta has no city planners, only private developers that have no respect for the majority of its inhabitants who are poor (the great majority, no matter what the understated and manipulated government statistics say). The city abandoned itself to the private sector, which now controls almost everything, from residential housing to what were once public areas.
While Singapore decades ago, and Kuala Lumpur recently, managed to fully eradicate poor, unsanitary and depressing kampongs from their urban areas, Jakarta is unable or unwilling to offer its citizens subsidized, affordable housing equipped with running water, electricity, a sewage system, wastewater treatment facilities, playgrounds, parks, sidewalks and a mass public transportation system.
Rich Singapore aside, Kuala Lumpur with only 2 million inhabitants boasts one metroline (Putra Line), one monorail, several efficient Star LRT lines, suburban tr ain links and high-speed rail system connecting the city with its new capital Putrajaya. The "Rapid" system counts on hundreds of modern, clean and air-conditioned buses. Transit is subsidized; a bus ticket on "Rapid" costs only $.60 (2 Malaysian Ringgits) for unlimited day use on the same line. Heavily discounted daily and monthly passes are also available.
Bangkok contracted German firm Siemens to build two long "Sky Train" lines and one me tr o line. It is also utilizing its river and channels as both public transportation and as a tourist attraction. Despite this enormous progress, the Bangkok city administration claims that it is building an additional 50 miles (80 kilometers) of tracks for these systems in order to convince citizens to leave their cars at home and use public transportation. Polluting pre-historic buses are being banned from Hanoi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and gradually from Bangkok . Jakarta , thanks to corruption and phlegmatic officials, is in its own league even in this field.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting, in its reports covering quality of life, places Jakarta repeatedly on the level of poor African and South Asian cities, below metropolises like Nairobi and Medellin.
Considering that it is in the league with some of the poorest capitals of the world, Jakarta is not cheap. According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting 2006 Survey, Jakarta ranked as the 48th most expensive city in the world for expatriate employees, well above Berlin (72nd), Melbourne (74th) and Washington D.C. (83rd). And if it is expensive for expa tr iates, how is it for local people with a GDP per capita below $1,000?
Curiously, Jakartans are silent. They have become inured to appalling air quality just as they have gotten used to the sight of children begging, even selling themselves at the major intersections; to entire communities living under elevated highways and in slums on the shores of canals turned into toxic waste dumps; to the hours-long commutes; to floods and rats.
But if there is to be any hope, the truth has to eventually be told, and the sooner the better. Only a realistic and brutal diagnosis can lead to treatment and a cure. As painful as the truth can be, it is always better than self-deceptions and lies. Jakarta has fallen decades behind capitals in the neighbouring countries in aesthetics, housing, urban planning, standard of living, quality of life, health, education, culture, transportation, food quality and hygiene. It has to swallow its pride and learn from Kuala Lumpur , Singapore , Brisbane and even in some instances from its poorer neighbours like Port Moresby , Manila and Hanoi .
Comparative statistics have to be transparent and widely available. Citizens have to learn how to ask questions again, and how to demand answers and accountability. Only if they understand to what depths their city has sunk can there be any hope of change. "We have to watch out," said a concerned Malaysian filmmaker during New Year's Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur . " Malaysia suddenly has too many problems. If we are not careful, Kuala Lumpur could end up in 20 or 30 years like Jakarta !"
Could this statement be reversed? Can Jakarta find the strength and solidarity to mobilize in time catch up with Kuala Lumpur ? Can decency overcome greed? Can corruption be eradicated and replaced by creativity? Can private villas shrink in size and green spaces, public housing, playgrounds, libraries, schools and hospitals expand?
--
I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us . . . (John Lenon)
Dedy N.Hidayat
Tel. +62 21 3156941 Fax. +62 21 3907404
http://dedynhidayat .blogspot. com
http://picasaweb. google.com/ dedynhidayat
__._,_.___
by Andre Vitchek
Worldpress.org contributing editor
July 26, 2007
Today, high-rises dot the skyline, hundreds of thousands of vehicles belch fumes on congested traffic arteries and super-malls have become the cultural centers of gravity in Jakarta , the fourth largest city in the world. In between towering super-structures, humble kampongs house the majority of the city dwellers, who often have no access to basic sanitation, running water or waste management.
While almost all major capitals in the Southeast Asian region are investing heavily in public transportation, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and cultural institutions like museums, concert halls and convention centers, Jakarta remains brutally and determinately 'pro-market' profit-driven and openly indifferent to the plight of a majority of its citizens who are poor.
Most Jakartans have never left Indonesia , so they cannot compare their capital with Kuala Lumpur or Singapore ; with Hanoi or Bangkok . Comparative statistics and reports hardly make it into the local media. Despite the fact that the Indonesian capital is for many
foreign visitors a 'hell on earth,' the local media describes Jakarta as "modern," "cosmopolitan, " and "a sprawling metropolis."
Newcomers are often puzzled by Jakarta 's lack of public amenities. Bangkok , not exactly known as a user-friendly city, still has several beautiful parks. Even cash-strapped Port Moresby , capital of Papua New Guinea , boasts wide promenades, playgrounds, long stretches of beach and sea walks. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur compete with each other in building wide sidewalks, green areas as well as cultural establishments. Manila , another city without a glowing reputation for its public amenities, has succeeded in constructing an impressive sea promenade dotted with countless cafes and entertainment venues while preserving its World Heri tage Site at In tramuros. Hanoi repaved its
wide sidewalks and turned a park around Huan-Kiem Lake into an open-air sculpture museum.
But in Jakarta , there is a fee for everything. Many green spaces have been converted to golf courses for the exclusive use of the rich. The approximately one square kilometer of Monas seems to be the only real public area in a city of more than 10 million. Despite being a maritime city, Jakarta has been separated from the sea, with the only focal point being Ancol, with a tiny, mostly decrepit walkway along the dirty beach dotted with private businesses.
Even to take a walk in Ancol, a family of four has to spend approximately $4.50 (40,000 Indonesian Rupiahs) in entrance fees, something unthinkable anywhere else in the world. The few tiny public parks which survived privatization are in desperate condition and mostly unsafe to use.
There are no sidewalks in the entire city, if one applies international standards to the word "sidewalk." Almost anywhere in the world (with the striking exception of some cities in the United State , like Houston and Los Angeles ) the cities themselves belong to pedestrians. Cars are increasingly discouraged from travelling in the city centres. Wide sidewalks are understood to be the most ecological, healthy and efficient forms of short-distance public transportation in areas with high concentrations of people.
In Jakarta , there are hardly any benches for people to sit and relax, and no free drinking water fountains or public toilets. It is these small, but important, 'details' that are symbols of urban life anywhere else in the world.
Most world cities, including those in the region, want to be visited and remembered for their culture. Singapore is managing to change its 'shop-till-you- drop' image to that of the centre of Southeast Asian arts. The monumental Esplanade Theatre has reshaped the skyline, offering first-rate international concerts in classical music, opera, ballet, and also featuring performances from some of the leading contemporary artists from the region. Many performances are subsidized and are either free or cheap, relative to the high incomes in the city-state.
Kuala Lumpurspent $100 million on its philharmonic concert hall, which is located right under the Petronas Towers , among the tallest buildings in the world. This impressive and prestigious concert hall hosts local orchestra companies as well top international perfor mers. The city is currently spending further millions to refurbish its museums and galleries, from the National Museum to the National Art Gallery .
Hanoiis proud of its culture and arts, which are promoted as its major attraction millions of visitors flock into the city to visit countless galleries stocked with canvases, which can be easily described as some of the best in Southeast Asia . Its beautifully restored Opera House regularly offers Western and Asian music treats.
Bangkok 's colossal temples and palaces coexist with extremely cosmopolitan fare international theater and film festivals, countless performances, jazz clubs with local and foreign artists on the bill, as well as authentic culinary delights from all corners of the world. When it comes to music, live performances and nightlife, there is no city in Southeast Asia as vibrant as Manila .
Now back to Jakarta . Those who have ever visited the city's 'public libraries' or National Archives building will know the difference. No wonder; in Indonesia education, culture and arts are not considered to be 'profitable' (with the exception of pop music), and are therefore made absolutely irrelevant. The country spends the third lowest amount in the world on education (according to The Economist, only1.2 percent of its GDP) after Equatorial Guinea and Ecuador (there the situation is now rapidly improving with the new progressive government).
Museums in Jakarta are in appalling condition, offering absolutely no important international exhibitions. They look like they fell on the city from a different era and no wonder the Dutch built almost all of them. Not only are their collections poorly kept, but they lack elements of modernity there are no elegant cafes, museum shops, bookstores or even public archives. It appears that the individuals running them are without vision and creativity. However, even if they did have inspired ideas, there would be no funding to carry them out.
It seems that Jakarta has no city planners, only private developers that have no respect for the majority of its inhabitants who are poor (the great majority, no matter what the understated and manipulated government statistics say). The city abandoned itself to the private sector, which now controls almost everything, from residential housing to what were once public areas.
While Singapore decades ago, and Kuala Lumpur recently, managed to fully eradicate poor, unsanitary and depressing kampongs from their urban areas, Jakarta is unable or unwilling to offer its citizens subsidized, affordable housing equipped with running water, electricity, a sewage system, wastewater treatment facilities, playgrounds, parks, sidewalks and a mass public transportation system.
Rich Singapore aside, Kuala Lumpur with only 2 million inhabitants boasts one metroline (Putra Line), one monorail, several efficient Star LRT lines, suburban tr ain links and high-speed rail system connecting the city with its new capital Putrajaya. The "Rapid" system counts on hundreds of modern, clean and air-conditioned buses. Transit is subsidized; a bus ticket on "Rapid" costs only $.60 (2 Malaysian Ringgits) for unlimited day use on the same line. Heavily discounted daily and monthly passes are also available.
Bangkok contracted German firm Siemens to build two long "Sky Train" lines and one me tr o line. It is also utilizing its river and channels as both public transportation and as a tourist attraction. Despite this enormous progress, the Bangkok city administration claims that it is building an additional 50 miles (80 kilometers) of tracks for these systems in order to convince citizens to leave their cars at home and use public transportation. Polluting pre-historic buses are being banned from Hanoi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and gradually from Bangkok . Jakarta , thanks to corruption and phlegmatic officials, is in its own league even in this field.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting, in its reports covering quality of life, places Jakarta repeatedly on the level of poor African and South Asian cities, below metropolises like Nairobi and Medellin.
Considering that it is in the league with some of the poorest capitals of the world, Jakarta is not cheap. According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting 2006 Survey, Jakarta ranked as the 48th most expensive city in the world for expatriate employees, well above Berlin (72nd), Melbourne (74th) and Washington D.C. (83rd). And if it is expensive for expa tr iates, how is it for local people with a GDP per capita below $1,000?
Curiously, Jakartans are silent. They have become inured to appalling air quality just as they have gotten used to the sight of children begging, even selling themselves at the major intersections; to entire communities living under elevated highways and in slums on the shores of canals turned into toxic waste dumps; to the hours-long commutes; to floods and rats.
But if there is to be any hope, the truth has to eventually be told, and the sooner the better. Only a realistic and brutal diagnosis can lead to treatment and a cure. As painful as the truth can be, it is always better than self-deceptions and lies. Jakarta has fallen decades behind capitals in the neighbouring countries in aesthetics, housing, urban planning, standard of living, quality of life, health, education, culture, transportation, food quality and hygiene. It has to swallow its pride and learn from Kuala Lumpur , Singapore , Brisbane and even in some instances from its poorer neighbours like Port Moresby , Manila and Hanoi .
Comparative statistics have to be transparent and widely available. Citizens have to learn how to ask questions again, and how to demand answers and accountability. Only if they understand to what depths their city has sunk can there be any hope of change. "We have to watch out," said a concerned Malaysian filmmaker during New Year's Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur . " Malaysia suddenly has too many problems. If we are not careful, Kuala Lumpur could end up in 20 or 30 years like Jakarta !"
Could this statement be reversed? Can Jakarta find the strength and solidarity to mobilize in time catch up with Kuala Lumpur ? Can decency overcome greed? Can corruption be eradicated and replaced by creativity? Can private villas shrink in size and green spaces, public housing, playgrounds, libraries, schools and hospitals expand?
--
I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us . . . (John Lenon)
Dedy N.Hidayat
Tel. +62 21 3156941 Fax. +62 21 3907404
http://dedynhidayat .blogspot. com
http://picasaweb. google.com/ dedynhidayat
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Gundam Problem
Today laughed a lot cause every little things. Gosh, 面白かったなぁ。。。
First was because of the little rascals I have to handle on Arai-san's ABC Asobi. Quiet fun, but certainly drained a lot of energy. Guess the numbers at my head are starting to get to me, hm? Hehehe...
Anyway this conversation, kept ringing in my head:
私： じゃ、動物園の名前何にする？
りさ：(shook her head)
えいじ：さっき言ったじゃん、雲の上の動物園！
私：いいねえ～
りさ：へ～でも、ちょっとファンタジーっぽいね。。。
私：そう？私だったらファンタジー好きけど。。。ハリーポッターとか。。。りさちゃんは？
りさ：好きじゃない。
私：(in deep shock, but able to smile)
りさ：あたしは技術の方が好き！
私：へえ～、すごいね！(but inside, the harry potter otaku in me suffered ;-p)
Anyway afterwards, me and Am went to Yodobashi-Kichijouji. I finally decided to spend my money for good use
(to fight the battle with heat), while my companion went for her own quest on finding and contemplating on air purifier and gundam collection. Somehow the memory of looking for Tomica rushed back into mind. Those collectible items otaku really can get to you...
Hence, we browse around a bit in the 5th floor and decided, just to be quick, to ask for the man in charge. We were being well handled by a guy who showed up later on, looking rather like an otaku himself hehehe, where he easily lead us to the 1/60 and 1/100 scale size gundam's GN-001 collection. Once again, I was amazed by the detail of the works BANDAI did.
Am hesitated after looking the box of the 1/60 and the five boxes of 1/100 she intended to buy. "Dina, there's no way I'm going to carry all that all the way to Thai," she said, and I strongly agreed. So we went back to the 4th floor, where she finally decided to buy the air purifier.
The funny thing was, she ended up talking about her Gundam problem to the guy who help her with the paper work on sending of the air purifier. Funny (yes, I said the word twice on purpose) how the guy's face really look serious in giving solutions for sending the collection. It's as if he had face the same problem before. And his comments grew funnier, as the very friendly guy lead us to the Pelican express counter.
(when we explain about Am's problem in bringing home all the boxes):
そうですね、ガンダムは難しいですね。
(when we asked about whether there will be enough cushion in the box to keep the collection save): 大丈夫だと思いますけどね、ガンダムグアールドがありますので。。。
(when we said that the box of the collection didn't look thick enough to protect the stuffs inside): そうですね、心配ですね、ガンダムのボックスがちょっとうすいので。。。 ガンダムは強いですけどね。。。
I think what got me most was his face when saying all those comments: straight serious face.
I couldn't help unleashing a BIG laugh afterwards right at the Pelican counter, and continue laughing when remembering when we were walking back to Kichijouji station. Oh well... 
First was because of the little rascals I have to handle on Arai-san's ABC Asobi. Quiet fun, but certainly drained a lot of energy. Guess the numbers at my head are starting to get to me, hm? Hehehe...
Anyway this conversation, kept ringing in my head:
私： じゃ、動物園の名前何にする？
りさ：(shook her head)
えいじ：さっき言ったじゃん、雲の上の動物園！
私：いいねえ～
りさ：へ～でも、ちょっとファンタジーっぽいね。。。
私：そう？私だったらファンタジー好きけど。。。ハリーポッターとか。。。りさちゃんは？
りさ：好きじゃない。
私：(in deep shock, but able to smile)
りさ：あたしは技術の方が好き！
私：へえ～、すごいね！(but inside, the harry potter otaku in me suffered ;-p)
Anyway afterwards, me and Am went to Yodobashi-Kichijouji. I finally decided to spend my money for good use
(to fight the battle with heat), while my companion went for her own quest on finding and contemplating on air purifier and gundam collection. Somehow the memory of looking for Tomica rushed back into mind. Those collectible items otaku really can get to you...Hence, we browse around a bit in the 5th floor and decided, just to be quick, to ask for the man in charge. We were being well handled by a guy who showed up later on, looking rather like an otaku himself hehehe, where he easily lead us to the 1/60 and 1/100 scale size gundam's GN-001 collection. Once again, I was amazed by the detail of the works BANDAI did.
Am hesitated after looking the box of the 1/60 and the five boxes of 1/100 she intended to buy. "Dina, there's no way I'm going to carry all that all the way to Thai," she said, and I strongly agreed. So we went back to the 4th floor, where she finally decided to buy the air purifier.
The funny thing was, she ended up talking about her Gundam problem to the guy who help her with the paper work on sending of the air purifier. Funny (yes, I said the word twice on purpose) how the guy's face really look serious in giving solutions for sending the collection. It's as if he had face the same problem before. And his comments grew funnier, as the very friendly guy lead us to the Pelican express counter.
(when we explain about Am's problem in bringing home all the boxes):
そうですね、ガンダムは難しいですね。
(when we asked about whether there will be enough cushion in the box to keep the collection save): 大丈夫だと思いますけどね、ガンダムグアールドがありますので。。。
(when we said that the box of the collection didn't look thick enough to protect the stuffs inside): そうですね、心配ですね、ガンダムのボックスがちょっとうすいので。。。 ガンダムは強いですけどね。。。
I think what got me most was his face when saying all those comments: straight serious face.
I couldn't help unleashing a BIG laugh afterwards right at the Pelican counter, and continue laughing when remembering when we were walking back to Kichijouji station. Oh well... Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Dekichatta HokHokBen
I shouldnt be doing this, at this time, at this hour... tapi ya sudah lah, nulis beginian emang lebih enak daripada nulis proposal penelitian...
Jadi, di suatu hari, well dua hari yang lalu lebih tepatnya, diriku berniat bikin sapi paprika lada hitam. Masukin bawang putih, masukin bawang bombay, masukin daging sapi... garam, lada, lada hitam... pas dah terasa okeh, masukin deh paprika...
Tunggu punya tunggu, kok penampakan masakan itu jadi kelihatan familiar... Hmmm, masakan apa ya yg kayak gini. Then it came!!!
Ohhh, iya, mirip masakan HokHokBen kegemarannya mbak vera, adek gue dan nyokap gue. Ya udah dehhh, tangan tau2 dah masukin gula dan soyu...
Tadaaaa!!!
Akhirnya alih2 bikin sapi paprika lada hitam, malah jadi teriyaki (eh bener gak ya ini namanya?). Lumayan juga... emang dasar selalu hatsumei kalo lagi masak ;-p
Jadi ingin menunjukkannya ke nyokap! Hehehe, maybe on next time I come home...
Oh ya, tentunya laen kali yaaa, kalo emang mau bikin teriyaki, bawang putihnya dikit ajah, atau mungkin gak usah kanaa? (kayak bikin kare jepang)...
Abisssss....
Astagahhh, gue ngapain sihhh??
Jadi, di suatu hari, well dua hari yang lalu lebih tepatnya, diriku berniat bikin sapi paprika lada hitam. Masukin bawang putih, masukin bawang bombay, masukin daging sapi... garam, lada, lada hitam... pas dah terasa okeh, masukin deh paprika...
Tunggu punya tunggu, kok penampakan masakan itu jadi kelihatan familiar... Hmmm, masakan apa ya yg kayak gini. Then it came!!!
Ohhh, iya, mirip masakan HokHokBen kegemarannya mbak vera, adek gue dan nyokap gue. Ya udah dehhh, tangan tau2 dah masukin gula dan soyu...
Tadaaaa!!!
Akhirnya alih2 bikin sapi paprika lada hitam, malah jadi teriyaki (eh bener gak ya ini namanya?). Lumayan juga... emang dasar selalu hatsumei kalo lagi masak ;-p
Jadi ingin menunjukkannya ke nyokap! Hehehe, maybe on next time I come home...
Oh ya, tentunya laen kali yaaa, kalo emang mau bikin teriyaki, bawang putihnya dikit ajah, atau mungkin gak usah kanaa? (kayak bikin kare jepang)...
Abisssss....
Astagahhh, gue ngapain sihhh??
Monday, June 23, 2008
Rikkyo Daigaku
Went to Rikkyo Daigaku, Ikebukuro campus, last weekend for a conference. Didn't know beforehand that they are also called St. Paul's University (kept wondering why they sell other university goods, instead of their own). A glance will took us to see an old European buildings complex...
Just a bit further inside, you will find a campus cafeteria that has this beautiful architecture. Very much like an old hall, and very much reminding me of Harry Potter's Hogwarts dining hall...
So cool...
(too bad I didn't had the courage to took pictures there... hehehe)
But here's one of the main gate clock.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Adek yang Baek
Having read this comic strip kinda reminded me of my own little sis, and those days when everything she do will get my constant disapproval... hehehe kasian juga ya dia...
miyan he, dongsaeng a, chigem bogo shippo...
PS. Can't read the text cause it's too small? Try clicking the strip.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Nostalgia Ismail Marzuki
Gara-gara nyari lagu Manuk Dadali dan Bengawan Solo, ehhh... malah kangen dan bernostalgia denger lagu2 keroncong perjuangan, favoritnya Eyangkong hihihihihi...
Ahhh, jadi ingat siang2 pas pulang sekolah, matahari terik, udara kering, tas berat berisi buku2 teks dan catatan, pengen cepet2 sampe rumah dan minum sirup jeruk ABC pake es. Pas beberapa langkah deket dari rumah Curug, sayup2 sudah terdengar alunan lagu keroncong, favorit Eyangkong. Entah kenapa, setiap kali aku sampai di depan pintu dan melepas sepatu, yang mengalir pasti lagu Putri Solo.
Setelah dipikir2 lagu2 itu enak2 dan dengan mudah tertanam dalam kepala, termasuk syairnya. Secara gak sadar, kayaknya diriku sebagian besar. Lalu ternyata sebagian besar favoritku adalah ciptaan Ismail Marzuki: Juwita Malam, Saputangan dari Bandung Selatan. Trus juga Jembatan Merah-nya Gesang... lalu juga Rindu Lukisan, Sepasang Mata Bola...
Hmmm, kira2 karena pengaruh Eyang atau pendidikan Seni Musik saat SD ya, yg bikin perbendaharaan lagu2 keroncongku lumayan luas? Generasi yang lebih muda familier gak ya, ama2 lagu2 kayak gini? Sayang juga kalo hilang begitu saja...
Ahhh, jadi ingat siang2 pas pulang sekolah, matahari terik, udara kering, tas berat berisi buku2 teks dan catatan, pengen cepet2 sampe rumah dan minum sirup jeruk ABC pake es. Pas beberapa langkah deket dari rumah Curug, sayup2 sudah terdengar alunan lagu keroncong, favorit Eyangkong. Entah kenapa, setiap kali aku sampai di depan pintu dan melepas sepatu, yang mengalir pasti lagu Putri Solo.
Setelah dipikir2 lagu2 itu enak2 dan dengan mudah tertanam dalam kepala, termasuk syairnya. Secara gak sadar, kayaknya diriku sebagian besar. Lalu ternyata sebagian besar favoritku adalah ciptaan Ismail Marzuki: Juwita Malam, Saputangan dari Bandung Selatan. Trus juga Jembatan Merah-nya Gesang... lalu juga Rindu Lukisan, Sepasang Mata Bola...
Hmmm, kira2 karena pengaruh Eyang atau pendidikan Seni Musik saat SD ya, yg bikin perbendaharaan lagu2 keroncongku lumayan luas? Generasi yang lebih muda familier gak ya, ama2 lagu2 kayak gini? Sayang juga kalo hilang begitu saja...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Meeting Pamuk
Okay, totally admitting that I also have a "bule complex" now.
What I meant by "bule complex" is the feeling of bubbly excitement, sheer joy, and the "norak"ness of wanting to speak or have a Caucasians autograph and picture, one of the glorious heritage from having been colonized for hundred of years by the West. Hehehe...
Though of course, I cannot myself escaped from the paradox, of writing my entry in english--the tool of modern colonization, some would say--in most of the time.
But whatever... I don't care what this emotion is properly called, after all the definition of "bule" itself can be a different debate of identity for Turkish people, with their problem of being part Asian in culture and space, aka continent wise, but wanting to join the EU, etc.
But... HUAAAAA... I can still cry because of excitement! I really, with my own two eyes, with my own mouth, saw and talked to Orhan Pamuk. THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER for LITERATURE: ORHAN PAMUK!!!!
Of course, I already bought two of his book (My Name is Red and Snow), and shamefully admit that I haven't finished reading both, just started actually... And when I said I talked to Pamuk, I meant was by saying "It was really a nice talk" to him and got his smile as a reply. But who cares, right?!? I got his picture and autograph in one of my books...
Anyway, the talk didn't only revolved around his books, but went into other more vast discussion about politic and humanity. One of the touching moment for me was when he said:
"Globalization does made our way of thinking similar in some ways, and this made us struggling for identity, for roots in our own country/culture. But if we're not careful we will be trap in our own bordered consciousness... about how this thing is Turkish and how that thing is Japanese, and so on... we must go back to the general humanity, the notion of all of us being from the same race: human being, with the same pain and joy. Because that is what we are."
...not exactly that of course, more or less, with much emphasize on the less perhaps, cause that's all my level of understanding could gave me
Bottom line, once again so very felt blessed by being here in Tokyo at this moment. ROCK ONN!!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Perfection
the inability to understand
the hardness of comprehending
the absent of beautiful child in arms
the absent of handsome amour by side
the lost of love again and again
the futile resistance of coming of age
loneliness inside full crowd
uttering empty laughs
sad and bitter smiles
frustration following frustration
at that very time try remembering
the eyes that can see
the chance of living long time dream
the ability to compose words
should all of that be enough?
why should one ask more?
why should one ask for perfection?
is it one's greed? is it one's ambition?
always and always asking for perfection
but what for, really?
do one really need perfection?
one simply cannot be perfect if imperfection still deeply intact in one's bosom
but then again what is perfection?
what is perfection in these eyes of me, an imperfect being?
the hardness of comprehending
the absent of beautiful child in arms
the absent of handsome amour by side
the lost of love again and again
the futile resistance of coming of age
loneliness inside full crowd
uttering empty laughs
sad and bitter smiles
frustration following frustration
at that very time try remembering
the eyes that can see
the chance of living long time dream
the ability to compose words
should all of that be enough?
why should one ask more?
why should one ask for perfection?
is it one's greed? is it one's ambition?
always and always asking for perfection
but what for, really?
do one really need perfection?
one simply cannot be perfect if imperfection still deeply intact in one's bosom
but then again what is perfection?
what is perfection in these eyes of me, an imperfect being?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
small TRIUMPH
today i conquered the so-called "from 1000 pieces of zannen there's only one piece of atari"get your free veggie juice coupon!!!!
so there is justice in this world!
I actually shouted "uso??!!??" out loud the the west campus cafeteria... and got glances of wondering eyes from my surrounding...
but i didn't care, cause i have TRIUMPHANT!
YEAHHH!!!
PS. the juice tasted funny, but the triumph tasted oh so sweet...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Moving In and Out
Fiuuhh, kangen juga nulis entry di blog setelah sekian lama absen. The first weeks of March definitely have been busy.
3 Maret: menginjakkan kaki ke Jepang lagi, kecapean jadinya pas sampe di kaikan sekitar jam 9an pagi, tepar ampe sore tanpa makan siang. Untungnya pas malem, ada yang berbaek hati memberi makan orang yang papa ini... hehe.. ごちそうさま～美味しかったし。。。
4 Maret: beres2 barang karena mau pindahan, tenkyu banget buat para elves baek hati yang ramah dan tidak sombong serta rajin menabung (??) yang sudah datang dan membantu... 皆、大好き~ 
5 Maret: hari pengangkutan barang2 ke Ogikubo. Sepanjang perjalanan diceramahi si bapak Akabou dengan ketidakpuasannya terhadap berbagai klien yang pernah dia bantu. Beberapa nama yang sepertinya kukenal pun bermunculan, sebagai contoh klien yang baik dan buruk. "Baik, Pak! Nggak, Pak!" adalah jawaban paling aman for the entire conversation... Serasa lagi diomelin kepala sekolah dehhhh... hehehehe... Hari ini dibantu lagi ama para elves, 本当に助かったよ、皆！大感謝！ Anty juga masak enak, jadinya rasa capek agak terlupakan, thanks, roomie!
6 Maret: balik ke kaikan buat general cleaning ^.^ untungggggg aja, lumayan sering bersihin kamar (deuuu... ngaku2, hahahaha), jadinya operasi pembersihan hanya memakan waktu sekitar 2 jaman. Dan hasilnya: **CLINGGGG** iklan krim pembersihnya Ulfa aja kalah dehhh... (berlebihan). Pokoknya si Bapak yang sangat kibishii dan tiap hari bermuka asem itu ampe memuji, "Good job!" katanya
7 Maret: Sejak sehari sebelumnya dah coba jalan ke beberapa recycle shop bareng Anty, tapi belum ketemu yang menggoyahkan hati. Ehhh, hari ini kakaknya Yamazaki Sensei dateng menjenguk rumah dan pas ditanya alamat recycle shop yang dia tahu bagus, dia malah ngajakin langsung ke sana detik itu juga. Kaget sihhh, tapi seneng juga (pake gaya ngomong ala iklan Dove *apa seeeh, Din?*), jadinya hari itu manut pergi. Alhamdulillah, ketemu meja belajar yang sreg (cieee... yang mau belajar).
8 Maret: Diriku ditinggal sendirian, ditinggal pulkam Anty, untuk mengisi kekosongan kalbu, diriku pergi lagi ke NEWS recycle shop itu. Ehhh, dapet tempat tidur dan coat hanger deh...
Anyway, supaya entry ini gak jadi diari beneran, to cut the story short, I have been shopping for home stuffs ever since. Dan agak kecanduan jadinya. Serem juga kalo dipikir, betapa definisi kenyamanan buat seseorang bisa berkembang secepat itu.
Maksudnya? Begini lhoo...
Contoh: I was going to settle with simple layers of futon dan meja kecil buat belajar sambil duduk di bawah. Tapi ternyata setelah terbiasa di kaikan, selama setahun tidur di bed dan belajar di meja belajar, ada sesuatu yang kurang kalau kebutuhan2 (yang sebenarnya sekunder) itu tidak terpenuhi. Trus... astagah!! Didn't notice this before, tapi ternyata diriku sangat suka benda2 kecil buat menghias ruangan... Dan terbelilah segala korden, taplak renda, keranjang/mangkok kecil buat penghias ruangan, yang kalo dipikir2, "Taelaaa, gaya bener sih lo, Din. Gak penting kaleee..."
Jadi entry ini adalah semacam pengakuan dosa betapa diriku sudah menjadi budak budaya konsumtif! Hiks hiks... jangan2 emang dah jadi borjuis
**Planning on going to Seiyu (again) tomorrow, to buy lace curtain pole while writing...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
A Dose of Peppermint Patty
Peppermint Patty says:
"Yes. Ma'am, I finished my research paper
"If I may say, I did a good job!
"When would you like to have me hand it in?
"Last year?"
(someone who's still with her research paper, and hoping that she can get it over with before next year...)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)