My Stuff Puff!

The Ex-Bedroom

2012-02-02T22:20:00.000-08:00

These three days, I've been busy arranging a new bedroom. It's a birthday gift from mom and dad. My new room smells and feels similar to my ex-bedroom at the eighth floor of Yildiz Teknik Universitesi dorm, Turkey.

When I lay down on my bed in the middle of the night, I can really hear the sound of the main road behind my house from the window above me. There, I can also feel the cool wind sneaking through, then the typical smell of paint on the wall bursts. It smells similar to the dorm's bedroom which had just been built soon as I arrived at the campus. Such condition truly reminds me of my old bedroom somewhere far far away...

I was the first one who lived in that new bedroom dorm. That time I also stayed with three room mates: Fanny, Tuba (Turkey), and Hafiza (Afghanistan). I still remember that I was the latest person who fell asleep at the room most of the time. Even Fanny was once surprised when she woke up in the middle of the night and caught my silhouette with long hair facing the bedroom window. She thought I was a ghost.

During the time when I stayed up late, my eyes always couldn't stop seeing the amazing view of Istanbul City! There’s a kind of peace and feeling which made me relaxed while I was seeing that view, especially when I missed home so badly.

The smell of the 'new' room, the cool air that I could really feel on my face and skin, the sounds of the busy city, without silly klaxons of course, are so memorable.

I miss my ex-bed near the window. I miss Yildiz Campus. I miss Istanbul.

P.S. I lost my photo of the view because my laptop was stolen a year ago. Fortunately, Fanny have one. The dormitory from outside and the night view photos belong to Fanny Fajarianti.

Exchange Singkat di Negeri Sakura (Bagian II)

2012-01-29T03:55:00.001-08:00

Hari Ketiga

Datanglah hari yang sangat menantang: mendaki Fujiyama, gunung tertinggi di Jepang.

Saya menyiapkan segala perlengkapan dalam ransel, satu-satunya tas yang dibawa selama program berlangsung. Hasilnya, memang irit tentengan, tapi rasanya berat sekali. Usut punya usut barang yang memakan tempat adalah jaket parasut tebal untuk pendakian ini. Jaket tersebut mustahil saya tinggalkan mengingat saya tak kuat dingin. Suhu di atas Gunung Fuji bisa mencapai di bawah sepuluh derajat celsius. Dengan bobot yang hampir mencapai tujuh kilogram, saya memanggulnya selama perjalanan dari rumah ke meeting point di Universitas Keio.

Dari Keio, kami berangkat dengan bus. Perjalanan menuju villa di sekitar Gunung Fuji memakan waktu enam jam.

Dalam bus, di depan saya ada dua orang peserta dari Denmark yang sepanjang perjalanan tak henti-hentinya berbicara dalam Bahasa Dansk. Sulit sekali untuk nimbrung pembicaraan mereka. Di belakang tempat duduk saya ada Keshet dari Israel dan peserta Vietnam bernama Anh. Keshet orangnya suka ngomong dan sangat bersemangat dengan beragam barang ‘unik’ yang ia temukan di toko-toko sekitar Shinjuku. Salah satunya adalah kaleng berwarna merah muda bergambar anime girl berpakaian seksi. Dia curiga itu adalah sex toys dan mengaku sudah membeli mainan itu untuk rekan kerja lelakinya di Israel.

Saya sendiri duduk dengan Vlad, peserta dari Estonia, yang ternyata sangat hobi membuat film. Makanya, dia sering membawa handycam-nya kemana-mana. Kebetulan, saya suka film dan punya latar belakang penyiaran sehingga kami nyambung dalam membicarakan banyak hal. Mulai dari ide-idenya membuat film horor yang belum kesampaian dibuat sampai bercerita tentang film non-mainstream favorit. Salah satu kesamaan kami adalah suka berimajinasi dan memiliki banyak ide, namun sulit sekali untuk merealisasikannya. Saya pun curiga dan bertanya, “are you an Aquarius?” Dia terkejut dan menjawab, “yes! How do you know?” Dia memang tipikal cowok Aquarius.

Sesampainya di villa, kami mendapat jatah kamar. Saya sekamar dengan para panitia saja. Seharusnya peserta dari Filandia menjadi room mate saya, tapi dia batal berangkat ke Jepang.

Kamar kami cukup luas dengan pemandangan danau di depannya. Lantainya beralaskan tatami dengan lemari pintu yang sering muncul di kartun-kartun seperti Doraemon. Alas tidurnya pun berupa kasur lipat, mirip kasur yang digunakan Nobita di kamarnya. Sayang, tak ada waktu untuk bersantai karena kami hanya diberi waktu setengah jam untuk menyeleksi barang-barang bawaan. Meski saya sudah mengeliminasi banyak barang, ranselnya tetap saja berat. Perasaan saya mulai nggak enak. Sialnya lagi, setelah memperhatikan alas kaki yang digunakan peserta lain dan panitia, sepatu saya ternyata sangat tidak pas untuk mendaki gunung. Soalnya, saya hanya memakai running shoes. Padahal, akan jauh lebih aman bila pendaki menggunakan sepatu dengan alas yang tebal dan bergerigi.

Lamanya perjalanan dari villa menuju stasiun pertama Gunung Fuji adalah satu jam. Sesampainya di sana, seluruh pendaki dari Keio University berfoto bersama dan saling bersenda gurau. Khususnya, Keshet dan Viola yang bilang kalau mereka mau menjadi "the lazy group" yang jalannya santai selama pendakian. Saya pun direkrut untuk menjadi bagian ‘kelompok pemalas’ ini.

Awalnya, sih, ketawa-ketawa dan ngomongin orang sambil mendaki. Tapi, lama-kelamaan tanjakan semakin berat dan sedikit peserta yang berkata-kata soalnya capek berbicara sambil menanjak. Khususnya, setelah kami melewati bagian yang dikelilingi banyak pepohonan dengan jalan bebatuan. Semakin ke atas, jalanan makin tidak menarik. Kami berjalan menapaki tanah cokelat yang kering, sebelah kiri jurang, dan sebelah kanan gundukan pasir hitam pula. Sedikit sekali tanaman hijau di atas gunung ini selama musim panas.

Sebentar-sebentar si Keshet mengajak istirahat dan hanya saya yang ditarik; peserta lain menolak untuk rehat. Soalnya, kebanyakan peserta cewek berasal dari Eropa dan mereka sudah sering naik-turun gunung di negaranya. Sebut saja peserta perempuan dari Swedia, Swiss, dan Denmark. Mulanya, sekedar menemani, tapi lama-lama saya memang merasa perlu istirahat setiap sepuluh hingga lima belas menit sekali. Saking terkurasnya energi, cola dan cemilan manis seperti cokelat dan biskuit sudah kami habiskan. Di tengah perjalanan, kami berdua bertemu Rolf, peserta dari Jerman. Dia juga memilih berjalan lambat karena memiliki masalah serupa dengan kami, yaitu pusing, mual, kekurangan oksigen, dan darah rendah.

Suhu badan pun tak menentu. Kalau saya menambah lapisan pakaian dengan sweater, badan menjadi gerah karena banyak bergerak. Sementara jika melepaskannya, saya malah kedinginan.

Medan pendakian tambah menegangkan. Tak hanya kemiringan jalan yang semakin curam, kami mesti mendaki bebatuan dengan sedikit tancapan besi yang biasa dijadikan tumpuan. Karena takut menggelinding, saya pun mendaki dengan agak merangkak. Pergelangan kaki saya sampai pegal karena beberapa kali nyaris terpeleset dari batu-batu itu. Saya bergerak sangat pelan dan hati-hati karena takut jatuh. Maklum, saya bertandang ke Jepang tanpa asuransi jiwa apapun.

Di tengah pendakian berbatu itu, Keshet terkilir; kakinya keseleo dan sedikit luka. Sambil mendaki saya terus-terusan menyebut nama Sang Pencipta dengan harapan diberi perlindungan. Ingin lari dari pendakian ini sudah tak mungkin. Saat itu kami sudah berjalan kaki lebih dari empat jam. Hal yang memotivasi saya untuk lanjut adalah sugesti “I have no choices and I have to face it!” Oh, juga para lanjut usia dan anak kecil Jepang yang dengan gagah mampu menyanggupi berbagai rintangan tersebut.

Entah itu sudah di stasiun ke berapa dan hari mulai gelap. Rasanya agak kesal ketika saya membutuhkan toilet. Pasalnya, biaya buang air kecil dan besar di sana adalah seratus yen yang mana kalau dirupiahkan menjadi sekitar sepuluh ribu!

Untuk mengisi energi, saya menghabiskan sisa-sisa onigiri isi umeboshi dan rendang dari Indonesia yang diberikan Kikue-san. Panitia yang mendampingi kami tak pernah absen menyemprotkan tabung oksigen ke hidung saya. Terdengar lemah, namun memang itulah pengalaman pertama saya mendaki gunung.

Dari stasiun ketujuh menuju stasiun kedelapan, kami harus menggunakan senter kepala. Salahnya lagi, head light yang saya miliki terlalu ketat di kepala. Saya menjadi lebih pusing dengan lapisan ciput, kerudung, di tambah senter kepala. Karena tak kuat, senter kepala itu malah menjadi senter tangan yang saya tenteng-tenteng selama perjalanan. Beban ransel juga semakin berat, mungkin karena kekurangan energi, yang membuat saya berjalan membungkuk untuk menyeimbangkan diri dengan kemiringan lereng. Terkadang saya duduk di atas bebatuan untuk istirahat. Sesekali Ryusuke, pendamping setia selama pendakian, mengarahkan kembali tabung oksigen ke hidung saya.

Langit sudah gelap dan saat itu sepertinya sudah jam tujuh malam. Lampu-lampu pondok tempat peristirahatan kami mulai terlihat. Tandanya, tanjakan berpasir yang kami lalui ketika itu adalah medan ‘pertempuran’ terakhir untuk mencapai stasiun ke delapan. Kesalahan fatal menggunakan running shoes sangat terasa di sana. Sering kali saya terpeleset dan meluncur tak keruan karena pasir di tanjakan itu. Belum lagi, rasa sakit kepala yang terus-terusan kambuh. Ryusuke pun mendekat, menawarkan dirinya untuk memanggul ransel berat yang saya tanggung sejak di bawah sana. Setelah berkali-kali menolak untuk dibantu, akhirnya saya menyerah dan membiarkan Ryusuke memanggul ransel itu. Saya pun menjadi lebih fokus menyeimbangkan diri di lereng berpasir hingga sampai ke tempat tujuan sementara.

Kami tiba di pondokan sekitar jam delapan malam. Bisa ditebak, saya, Keshet, Rolf, dan satu teman seperjuangan lain dari Vietnam, Anh, adalah kelompok terkahir yang tiba di stasiun ke delapan itu. Ketika sampai, para pendaki sudah terlelap di tempat tidur bertingkat yang panjangnya memenuhi ujung ke ujung ruangan. Saya pribadi menyebutnya tempat tidur massal. Mereka tidur bersebelahan tanpa sekat apapun.

Sebelum tidur kami bertiga yang didampingi Ketua IIR Tsubasa hendak menyantap makan malam. Saya bersyukur membawa dua bungkus mi instan yang dapat diseduh di gelas. Soalnya, hidangan makan malam kali itu adalah kari babi. Cobaannya lagi, segelas kecil air panas dihargai seratus yen. Mungkin karena kasihan, Rolf bersedia membelikan saya satu gelas.

Ritual lain sebelum beristirahat pastinya mencuci muka, gosok gigi, dan buang air kecil. Khusus untuk saya, aktivitas tambahannya adalah mencopot lensa kontak. Untuk menggunakan fasilitas sink dan toilet ‘alam’ di pondokan, biayanya juga seratus yen. Karena memang alami, kami bertiga mati-matian menahan bau pesing yang menyeruak di dalam sana. Bilik-biliknya hanya menyediakan tisu, tanpa air. Pantas!

Menjelang tidur, Keshet dan Rolf berdebat soal keberangkatan jam dua pagi untuk melanjutkan perjalanan ke puncak gunung. Rolf meyakinkan saya untuk lanjut karena sangat memperhitungkan perjalanan yang telah dilalui. Di lain sisi, Keshet memengaruhi untuk tetap tinggal di sana hingga subuh. Katanya, jangan memaksakan diri bila kondisi fisik lemah dan matahari terbit tetap bisa dilihat di stasiun kedelapan. Perdebatan itu sempat membuat saya bingung bukan kepalang. “I will decide later, after I wake up at two,” saya berkata sambil menarik selimut.

Hampir semua orang sudah terlelap dan saya agak kedinginan. Saya mengambil balsem otot dari dalam tas dan mengoleskannya ke punggung juga sisi kepala. Aroma balsam tercium oleh hidung Rolf. “Is that tiger balm?” ia bertanya. Saya menanyakan balik soal benda itu dan Rolf menjelaskan tiger balm adalah sejenis balsem otot dari Cina. Ia kemudian meminta beberapa colek untuk menghangatkan badannya dan kembali berkata, “you should really go to the top tomorrow.”

Saya kembali merebahkan diri, di antara Keshet dan Rolf. Rasanya agak aneh tidur bersama orang asing. Memang itulah cara hidup pendaki di Jepang ketika di persinggahan. Mata sudah dipejamkan, tapi pikiran melayang entah ke mana. Saya masih bingung harus ikut atau tidak karena pendapat kedua orang ini sama-sama benar. Tidur menjadi tambah sulit ketika dengkuran cowok di sebelah saya memecah keheningan malam.

Suara gedebak-gedebuk kaki para pendaki yang siap menuju puncak membangunkan saya sekitar jam dua pagi. Entah kenapa saya langsung mantap memutuskan untuk tidak ikut serta dalam pendakian menuju puncak Gunung Fuji. Alasannya, mungkin, saya teringat akan peralatan pendakian yang kurang menunjang. Lalu saya ucapkan “good luck” kepada Rolf dan ia pergi dengan rombongan pendaki Keio University lainnya. Lama-kelamaan orang dalam ruangan itu hampir habis, tinggal saya dan Keshet yang akhirnya melanjutkan tidur. Dari tempat tidur tingkat satu kami pindah ke atasnya untuk memperoleh ruang gerak yang lebih luas lagi.

Jam empat pagi Keshet membangunkan saya. Marcel, peserta dari Belanda, dan Tsubasa sudah ada di belakang tempat saya tidur. Sambil melongok ke bawah, saya menyuruh mereka, termasuk Keshet, untuk ke luar terlebih dulu karena perlu membenahi kerudung.

Di luar, langit sudah agak terang dan saat itu jam setengah lima pagi. Mulanya, matahari mengintip dari balik awan. Lama-kelamaan sang surya meninggi. Saya baru merasakan manfaat dari jaket parasut hijau yang memberatkan ransel selama ini. Hawa di atas sana dingin sekali, sekitar tujuh derajat celsius, kata Tsubasa. Ada perasaan bangga dan sedikit kecewa ketika melihat penanda ketinggian di pagar pembatas. Kami berada di ketinggian 3200 meter dari 3776 meter. Itu berarti, sebenarnya saya hanya perlu mendaki 576 meter lagi untuk mencapai puncak! Tapi, tak apalah, safety first, bukan?

Sekitar setengah enam pagi, kami mulai menuruni Gunung Fuji. Tidak ada beban sama sekali ketika menuruni lereng gunung yang licin dan agak curam ini. Hal terpenting yang mesti saya lakukan adalah menyeimbangkan badan sambil mengerem-ngerem kaki agar tidak jatuh. Kalau kemarin pendakian menuju stasiun ke delapan memakan waktu delapan jam, penurunan gunung mencapai stasiun pertama ini hanya berlangsung kira-kira dua setengah jam! Waktu ini semakin tak terasa sambil berbincang-bincang dengan Marcel. Kami membicarakan banyak hal tentang negara masing-masing, dari isu kemanusiaan sampai lingkungan.

Saya memang menjadi bagian dari kelompok terakhir dalam pendakian. Namun, saya bersama Keshet dan Marcel akhirnya menjadi kelompok pertama yang mencapai titik awal pendakian kami di Gunung Fuji.

This would be the first and the last mountain-climbing experience in my life.

Bersambung...

Exchange Singkat di Negeri Sakura (Bagian I)

2012-01-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

Menjadi mahasiswa adalah masa yang penuh dengan kesempatan emas. Hal ini mengacu pada keberhasilan saya dalam mewujudkan mimpi masa kecil untuk pergi ke Jepang! Modal utamanya, masih berstatus mahasiswa.

Tokyo terkenal sebagai kota dengan biaya hidup tertinggi di dunia. Bagaimana tidak, ibukota Jepang ini memiliki ekonomi metropolitan terbesar dan merupakan satu dari tiga pusat keuangan global. Belum lagi, nilai yen terus meningkat tiap tahunnya. Lantas, mungkinkah saya yang mahasiswa dari kelas menengah ini mampu berkelana ke sana? Soal yang mesti dipikirkan matang-matang, tak hanya biaya hidup selama berlibur, tetapi juga uang transportasi pulang-pergi yang pastinya mahal.

Untungnya, sekitar April 2011 saya menemukan kesempatan untuk ikut serta dalam “Summer Program”, yaitu pertukaran mahasiswa selama enam belas hari di Tokyo. Penyelenggaranya adalah mahasiswa S1 Keio University. Mereka tergabung dalam Institute of International Relations, organisasi kampus yang menekuni seluk beluk hubungan internasional. Informasi ini saya peroleh dari milis organisasi serupa di Jakarta, yaitu Indonesian Student Association For International Studies (ISAFIS). Bedanya, ISAFIS bukan bagian universitas manapun.

Saya semakin bersemangat untuk berpartisipasi setelah membaca deskripsi Summer Program yang juga dikenal sebagai Tokyo International Week ini. Soalnya, panitia acara akan menanggung hampir semua kebutuhan penting para peserta selama berlangsungnya program, mulai dari akomodasi, makan, sampai transportasi. Peserta hanya diharuskan menanggung beban pribadi seperti transportasi dari dan ke Tokyo serta uang saku. Saya semakin merasa beruntung karena ayah yang pernah bekerja di perusahaan penerbangan ternama masih memiliki jatah terbang murah dengan maskapai tersebut. Artinya, uang yang perlu saya kumpulkan hanya untuk membayar sepuluh persen harga tiket, visa, dan jajan-jajan di sana. Whoo!

Sekitar sebulan kemudian, si panitia mengubungi via e-mail dan memberi tahu kabar baik bahwa saya lolos seleksi. Nah, tahap berikutnya adalah aplikasi visa ke Kedutaan Besar Jepang. Beberapa minggu setelahnya, panitia mengirimkan dokumen yang menjamin keberangkatan saya untuk kelengkapan visa. Dokumen ini dikenal dengan certificate of eligibility. Beruntungnya lagi, visa tersebut akhirnya digratiskan karena surat keterangan anggota dari ISAFIS yang telah saya lampirkan. Menjadi mahasiswa memang istimewa!

Pada 5 Agustus 2011 malam, saya pun berangkat ke Jepang dengan canggung lantaran kali itu pertama kalinya terbang sendirian ke luar negeri.

H-1 Program

Keesokan paginya saya tiba di Bandara Narita dan telah ditunggu oleh sekitar enam orang panitia, di antaranya sepasang Ketua dan Wakil IIR serta Summer Program, koresponden peserta sebelum keberangkatan, juga seorang penanggung jawab peserta. Yuka Kaneko adalah penanggung jawab diri saya selama program berlangsung.

Setelah berkenalan, Yuka mengantarkan saya dari bandara hingga ke rumah keluarga angkat naik kereta commuter line. Inilah saatnya untuk saling mengenal satu sama lain dan bercerita karena waktu tempuh yang cukup lama. Perjalanan memakan waktu kurang lebih satu jam untuk mencapai stasiun terdekat dengan rumah Keluarga Kiuchi, the host family.

Di Stasiun Koenji, saya bertemu dengan Mamoru-san, si ayah angkat. Kemudian kami bertiga berjalan kaki menuju rumahnya. Waktu tempuhnya lima belas menit, bila menyesuaikan dengan kecepatan berjalan rata-rata orang Jepang. Lain lagi jika berjalan santai layaknya orang Indonesia. Jalanannya sangat variatif. Pertama-tama kami menusuri pertokoan di bawah jembatan rel kereta baru masuk ke kawasan perumahan dengan gang bercabang-cabang.

Sampai di rumah Keluarga Kiuchi, pakaian saya basah dengan peluh karena berjalan cepat dalam udara lembab dan cuaca panas. Sekedar informasi, musim panas di Jepang, khususnya Tokyo, membuat orang mudah berkeringat sekalipun di dalam rumah.

Kikue-san, ibu angkat saya menyambut kami dan telah menyiapkan makan siang. Hidangannya sandwich keju dan sedikit olesan pisang. Minumannya, ocha dingin atau es teh pahit khas Jepang. Pahit karena tehnya dicampur lagi dengan sepuluh macam herba. Kami pun menyantap makan siang sambill mengobrol untuk pertama kalinya, diiringi musik klasik yang diputar di komputer persis di belakang meja makan.

Malam harinya, pasangan Kiuchi dan anaknya, Saki-chan, mengajak saya berjalan-jalan di sekitar Koenji untuk menikmati suasana Festival Tanabata dan makan malam di restoran sushi. Warga sekitar bersepeda santai, sebagian besar berjalan-jalan dengan yukata, dan jajan-jajan di pasar malam. Saya sendiri juga jajan, memutuskan untuk membeli empat bungkus Chocobi untuk adik-adik di rumah. Namun, akhirnya Mamoru-san memaksa untuk membelikannya untuk saya.

Hari Pertama

Hari pertama program memang agak menegangkan sekaligus menggairahkan. Soalnya, di upacara pembuka setiap peserta harus mempresentasikan negara dan universitasnya di depan para hadirin: peserta, keluarga angkat, dan panitia Summer Program yang jumlahnya nyaris mencapai seratus orang. Lalu, tiap peserta tentunya akan berusaha saling berkenalan, berharap agar mereka dapat diterima dengan baik. Mungkin kekhawatiran ini, atau memang ‘keabsenan pikiran’, yang membuat saya lupa menggoreng dan membawa kerupuk ke opening ceremony. Tadinya, kerupuk ini hendak saya jadikan ‘perwakilan’ Indonesia di meja-meja para peserta. Apa boleh buat, hal itu baru teringat ketika kami sudah di kereta dan hampir sampai di lokasi acara. Keluarga angkat saya sampai tak bisa berkata-kata lagi selain, “ah...! You forget that?” Namun, panitia maklum dan tidak keberatan.

Acara pun dimulai dengan beberapa ice-breaking games di setiap meja. Lalu, kata-kata sambutan dan berbagai penjelasan rangkaian program disampaikan setiap penanggung jawab acara. Sampailah pada sesi presentasi yang mana tiap peserta dijatah untuk bicara selama lima menit. Saya sendiri memperkenalkan sedikit tentang Indonesia, Jakarta (termasuk soal kemacetannya), dan substansi utama yang diharapkan, yakni universitas dan organisasi mahasiswa yang diwakilkan. Setelah urusan public speaking beres, saya kembali ke tempat duduk dan menyimak presentasi peserta dari negara lain. Sesekali saya curi-curi pandang ke cemilan multinasional di meja kami. Saat itu, saya sedang berpuasa Ramadhan dan ibu angkat berbaik hati membungkuskan beberapa buah agar saya dapat menikmatinya sesudah buka puasa.

Upacara pembuka pun selesai dan kami, para peserta dari Belanda, Ceko, Denmark, Estonia, Indonesia, Israel, Jerman, Swedia, Swiss, dan Vietnam, saling berkenalan. Ketua Program dan Ketua IIR juga kembali menjelaskan program di hari-hari berikutnya dan membuka sesi tanya jawab.

Agenda selanjutnya, makan malam dan minum-minum bersama peserta dan panitia. Namun, karena saat itu masih sore, kami berjalan-jalan sebentar ke Tokyo Dome, stadion base ball terkenal di sana. Setelah langit agak gelap, barulah semuanya beranjak menuju restoran tempat kami berkumpul untuk merayakan perkenalan ini.

Nggak asyiknya puasa sendiri, di saat orang-orang lahap makan, saya hanya bisa mengobrol sembari dihibur panitia yang menghitung mundur waktu. Sesekali saya digoda cowok Denmark soal ketetapan hati untuk meneruskan puasa. Bahkan, peserta dari Jerman yang mengaku Atheist menunjukkan keheranannya soal alasan saya 'kuat' beragama. Ada-ada saja, memang, tapi itulah esensi mengikuti program pertukaran mahasiswa. Dari sinilah, saya belajar soal perbedaan-perbedaan yang lebih ekstrem lagi dan berusaha untuk mengerti serta menghargainya. Kegilaan orang Jepang ketika menenggak alkohol juga masuk hitungan. Dengan wajah memerah, mereka suka sekali berceloteh sambil teriak-teriak kalau sedang mabuk. Sebaliknya, para panitia pun berusaha memahami kondisi saya yang anti makan berbagai bentuk makanan babi. Mereka selalu memberi tahu makanan mana yang with dan no pork.

Hari Kedua

Transportation day adalah agenda kami hari itu. Peserta terbagi ke dalam kelompok-kelompok untuk menyelesaikan misi harian. Setiap kelompok terdiri atas dua orang peserta yang didampingi kira-kira sepuluh orang panitia. Tujuannya tentu agar kami tidak tersasar dan fokus pada misi utama.

Bersama Yuka dan beberapa anak buahnya, saya berkumpul di Shibuya, tepatnya di depan patung Hachiko. Kemudian panitia membagikan booklet yang menjelaskan tahapan-tahapan penyelesaian misi. Kami diminta untuk berkunjung ke beberapa tempat dan mengambil gambar berbagai hal ikonik di sana. Untuk menjangkau lokasi tersebut, peserta harus menggunakan transportasi umum yang disyaratkan pada booklet. Siapa cepat, mereka yang menang. Jadi, peserta harus mampu berstrategi agar dapat menyelesaikan semua misi secepat mungkin.

Kami pun naik commuter line, metro subway, dan bus kota. Tempat dikunjungi tim saya dengan transportasi umum, antara lain Roppongi Hills yang terkenal dengan pusat perkantoran, pemerintahan, dan hiburan malam bergengsi, 'gudang'-nya elektronik murah juga atribut anime Akihabara, serta kuil turistis Asakusa.

Misi-misi yang mesti kami penuhi, antara lain

mengambil gambar Tokyo Tower dari gedung stasiun TV Jepang di Roppongi Hills,
berfoto dengan tokoh kartun Jepang di tempat yang sama,
mencoba purikura atau photo box khas Jepang dengan kostum di Akihabara (AKB),
berfoto dengan otaku, para anime geek,
mengambil gambar suasana pertokoan di Asakusa, dan lainnya.

Lucunya, justru panitialah yang ‘menyamar’ menjadi otaku di Akihabara dan saya menyadari itu.

Di AKB, banyak pelajar Tokyo yang bermain di game center atau sekedar bernasis ria di purikura. Sst... photo box ini terbilang canggih, lho! Soalnya, subjek foto bisa memberi beragam sentuhan pada hasil foto. Misalnya, pembesaran atau pengecilan bagian-bagian di wajah seperti mata dan pipi serta mempermulus kulit. Mereka juga bisa menghias foto dengan atribut huruf dan emoticon yang tersedia lengkap. Jika pelanggan ingin memperoleh soft copy-nya, mereka tinggal cantumkan alamat e-mail dan foto pilihan segera dikirim ke sana.

Akiba, nama lain Akihabara, juga terkenal dengan para gadis kawaii-nya yang suka berpenampilan a la cosplay. Tak heran, perempuan berkostum maido ada dimana-mana. Biasanya, mereka membagikan brosur kepada pejalan kaki di sepanjang pertokoan Akiba.

Satu informasi penting lagi, girl band nomor satu di Jepang, AKB48, markasnya di sini, lho!

Akihabara menjadi tempat favorit hari itu karena mengingatkan saya akan masa-masa SMP dulu. Ketika masih remaja, saya memang sedang gemar-gemarnya bermain game dan mengikuti perkembangan animasi Jepang.

Dari Akiba, kami beranjak ke Asakusa. Di Kuil Asakusa, kami agak terburu-buru karena dikejar waktu berkumpul. Namun, saya menyempatkan diri untuk melempar koin dan (berlagak) berdoa, sekedar ingin menyelami budaya orang Jepang. Natsuki, salah satu panitia yang begitu perhatian, menawarkan untuk mengambil kertas ramalan. Saya pikir, coba saja sekedar untuk iseng. Alhasil, saya mendapat ramalan nomor tujuh yang dikenal sebagai kesialan terburuk. Natuski langsung menenangkan saya dan bilang, untuk menghalangi kesialan itu, saya mesti mengikatkan kertas tersebut di kawat penawar dengan tangan kiri. Lantas saya langsung teringat dengan program pendakian Gunung Fuji keesokan harinya. "Jangan-jangan..." pikir saya. Apalagi, sebelum berangkat ke Jepang, saya menonton film Frozen dengan pacar. Apakah nasib saya juga akan mirip dengan mereka yang ada di dalam film itu? Duh!

Sebenarnya ada lagi misi yang tidak sempat kami selesaikan karena waktu yang terbatas. Kami salah strategi karena terlalu lama menunggu giliran berfoto di Akihabara.

Kami pun menjadi salah satu kelompok terakhir yang berkumpul di gedung pusat pemerintahan Tokyo di Roppongi Hills.

Dari sana, kami beranjak ke Shinjuku untuk membeli keperluan untuk mendaki Gunung Fuji. Setelah itu, Yuka mengantar saya sampai ke Stasiun Koenji dan dijemput oleh Saki bersama sepeda keranjangnya. Sesampainya di rumah Keluarga Kiuchi, Saki membuatkan peta agar ke depannya saya dapat berjalan sendiri dari stasiun ke rumah.

Bersambung...

Vintage-ness of Malta Vintage

2012-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hello! Me and sister are planning to establish an online business which focuses on vintage and ethnic fashion. Why? Just because we both love Vintage and Ethnic stuff! We believe that doing things that we love will result good business, we hope so :)

Then, where did these goods come from? They came from a warehouse around Jakarta, that I won't tell you where 'cuz you might find out and carry off our business. Well, I'm kidding for sure :p

These clothes were picked carefully based on our sense of vintagious taste.

We also consider the comfort while you wear those, since we're currently having transition season.

This motive reminds us to the stuff of the tribes around Latin America that we're keen on. Don't you think so? This kind of dress is my favorite and would be a recommended choice for you who wear headscarf like me. A nice outfit for outdoor activities in sunny, even rainy day. Have it only for IDR 40.000! Available for M and L sizes.

This floral dress is cuteness. Still a good outfit for outside activities. This dress will make you look slimmer with the ties on both front and back sides. Good choice for girls with headscarf 'cuz it makes you look lovely. Grab its cuteness with IDR 50.000! M and L girls, this dress is yours.

Who said wearing long skirt for hijabers will make them look too modest? This floral skirt will make them stylish to the max! Plus, we provide size for XL girls. So XL girls, this skirt is only for you! Have it soon, we only have 1 stock for IDR 40.000.

So, if you have same taste as ours and interested, SMS to 085711315716 (Febi) or just simply leave a comment below to ask questions.

I will show you more fancy skirts and dresses on the next post. Psst, it's not only for hijabers, so keep updated!

Thanks for my sister for voluntarily being the model: Cindy Mutia Annur

An Oasis in Indonesian Belly Dance Phenomenon

2012-01-08T09:30:00.001-08:00

“Belly dance is a Middle Eastern folkloric dance. There are many types of belly dance. The one that we would usually dance for an audience is called raks sharki, where the music is composed specifically for the dancer,” said Christine Yaven, an Indonesian belly dancer, to Jakarta Globe.

Belly dance is getting well-known Indonesia, specifically in big cities such as Jakarta. Nowadays belly dance teachings can be found in fitness centers and belly dance clubs. Belly dance performance also can be seen in wedding parties, restaurants, even nightclubs.

There is a ‘common’ judgment towards belly dance in society. Belly dance is known as an erotic dance which for some people, it is a taboo thing to watch. Not only the movements, how belly dancers dress also has created such comment. Performing in public only with bra and skirt is seen unethical for Indonesians who hold onto Eastern culture. It’s hard for them to understand the cultural aspects in this dance; they only see it from the sensuality.

Another judgment also arises such as from the media. Coverage about belly dance or its classes have got more spaces on some TV features or female magazines.

“Belly dancing is promoted in the media as a weight loss thing, that you’ll flatten your stomach and become slimmer. But that’s not the case. Belly dancing will help you gain body confidence and better flexibility and posture, but it’s not a dance to lose weight,” said Indonesia’s Belly Dance Icon Christine Yaven on Jakarta Globe.

In the middle of the controversy about belly dance, Christine is present to break the hegemony.

“My goal is to show Indonesian people what true, artistic belly dancing is, and to show them that belly dancing isn’t for slim girls only. It’s the curves that make it beautiful,” she said.

She has been establishing Bellydance Jakarta, a belly dance school, since 2006. Not only raks sharki, she also teaches Egyptian folkloric dances such as Saidi, Balady, etc. Sometimes she shares knowledge and know-how about Arabic musical instruments to her students as well. To sum up, she is passionate in teaching Middle Eastern culture, especially belly dance.

Christine doesn’t have Arabic blood; she is a mixture of Indonesian-Chinese and Taiwanese. She had fallen in love with belly dance, though. It was ten years ago when she was completing her master’s degree in Australia. Her passion in this dance had brought her to the World’s Middle Eastern dancers such as Hadia, Tamalyn Dallal, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Raqia Hassan, Jillina, and many more. She was their student.

Moving back to Jakarta, she decided to fix 'what-had-gone-wrong' in Indonesian belly dance communities.

Christine tries to risen a prestigious image about belly dance; she wants to make it seen as an elegant dance. Finally, she could make belly dance performed in the city’s theaters like the historical Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta’s Building of Arts) and Umar Ismail Theater which are known for their “High Culture” arts.

With Bellydance Jakarta, she tries to give Indonesian women an avenue for them to express themselves through this dance which, she said, anyone could do. “And I am helping people build confidence and believe in themselves without being cheap, slutty and acrobatic. That was the only reason why my mother lets me do this. She can see what I am trying to build,” said Christine.

Besides, Christine wants to make Bellydance Jakarta becomes a community. That was why she named it like that instead of using personal name for her school’s title. “Yes, I am the founder but I want it to grow and have a long life, taken over by the next generation. I might not always live in Indonesia but the community will always live, even if I am not here.”

Source:

Some quotations are from Jakarta Globe

Christine with fan-veils photo belongs to Bellydance Jakarta

Modest to Impress

2012-01-07T23:06:00.000-08:00

“Hijab” in Indonesia is now not only covering your body to put faith on Islamic rules. Recent years, I have seen many Muslim women making various creations with their headscarves. They don’t want headscarves and modesty in dressing limit them to be stylish. This vision has made many Muslim women, mostly young, want to put on veils as well as decent outfits in more interesting ways.

Indonesia is known as the largest Muslim-populated country in the world. Such fact doesn’t mean it is an Islamic country with Sharia or religious law, though. Thus, there is no strict rules generally from both official and society to demand a woman to wear headscarf in daily life.

However, many Indonesian Muslimah or female Muslims now have a high concern on dressing with headscarves and closed outfit. I have observed that comparing with the time before 2000s, the number of women with headscarves recently is much growing in Indonesia, including young people. Even some of them try to change the perception about limitation for a woman when she is devoted to wear headscarf. By having more creations in wearing closed outfits, they can do so and these ladies call themselves as hijabers.

Moreover, communities and events related to this phenomenon have existed since then, especially in big cities like Jakarta. Like November last year, a group of young female Muslim people founded “Hijabers Community”.

A member of this community, Jenahara, said that they wanted to make this community became a medium to share tips and experience related to hijab. “Sometimes people out there think veiled-ladies have monoton styles. Though actually it is not. There are so many girls in headscarves who are still looking good. But everything should be based on Islamic rules,” Jenahara said on Hijabers Community’s official video.

This hijabers phenomenon also has created a new potential market in fashion. More boutiques and online shopping exist to serve Muslim ladies’ demands towards stylish modest fashion.

The Muslimah Beauty Contest

Another breaking-the-perception-effort is the Indonesian female Muslim beauty pageant.

Most of beauty pageants in Indonesia avoid the use of any religion symbolics on their participants. Besides, they really much require a ‘visible’ physical beauty.

”Muslimah Beauty” is the first online beauty contest for Muslimah in Indonesia, even the world (source: Kompas.com). The winner of this competition will be the female Muslim fashion ambassador representing Indonesia. Eka Shanty, the director of Indonesia Islamic Fashion Consortium which organized 2011 Muslimah Beauty, expressed her expectation towards this event. "I hope in the future this contest can go international, just like Miss Universe. However, the difference is the participants appear with modest Muslim wear, only showing their face and hands. This initiative hopefully can encourage the existence of similar contest in other countries especially countries of Organization of the Islamic Cooperation," said Eki on Kompas.com.

Not Just a ‘Fashion’

Meanwhile, my friend Alia Nadira, who is not in headscarf, has her own interpretation about the hijabers.

“I think this hijabers phenomenon gives positive effects especially for female Muslims who wear headscarves. Most of us often worry about wearing headscarves with reasoning that we are then not able to look pretty, cool, and so on. It’s because so far, the headscarf styles are not variative, thought as old-fahioned, and monoton. But now, the rise of hijabers give a new perception especially for young ladies who are energetic and always in mood to look stylish. However, I hope the philosopfy of the hijab itself won’t lose and be merely just for ‘fashion’,” said Alia who is now starting a magazine project about Muslimah fashion.

To watch Hijabers Communit’s official video about who they are, you can follow this link.

"The Hijabers" photos taken and edited by: Cyntia Monica Fabella

References: Kompas Female, Hijabers Community

Ideal Concepts For Jakarta’s None

2012-01-07T21:19:00.000-08:00

Abang None Jakarta are couples of Jakarta’s young ambassadors for tourism. Their job is promoting tourist attractions of the capital city to other provinces in Indonesia even abroad. Sometimes they also work as “the symbols of Jakarta” for ceremonial activities held by the government.

Every year, five regions in Jakarta hold their own selection partcipated by more than 200 youth. In my region, West Jakarta, this year there were 303 competitors and I was one of them (source: bataviase.co.id).

At first, I thought Abang None Jakarta was not more than a beauty peagant because it has similar process to such kind, let’s say, Miss Indonesia. The committees would pay much attention on how the contestants look and behave. Also, there were physical standards used for the scoring from weight to height.

I wasn’t right though actually I wasn’t a hundred percent wrong as well.

I had no interests in joining this competition. What I only liked from Abang None selection was the colorful outfits also known as the traditional dress of Betawi, Jakarta’s natives.

Time went by and little by little I was getting curious about it. I have some friends who are Abang and None. They had influenced me with their challenging and precious experience while being involved in that contest, which was not only about having chance to grasp more information related to Jakarta.

“At first, I wasn’t a girl who could look pretty and neat. And when I joined this competition I was forced to be like that. At least, during the quarantine process, I should look neat and such. For me, it was a great learning,” said Griya Ratri Putri who was the finalist of Eastern Jakarta None in 2010.

“And Abang None is different with other beauty peagants which mostly require appearance as the prior thing like we should be pretty, white, tall, slim, and have a long hair. But in Abang None, things prioritized are our brains, manners, and so on,” she continued.

Well, her statement quite motivated me to join the selection.

The ‘Ideal’ Concept of a None

To be selected as a None you should have three kinds of these ‘universal’ competences for such contest: brain, behavior, and beauty (3b’s). That’s what I learned from Western Jakarta Abang None selection.

Unfortunately, my beauty score was low compared to other contestants. That’s what the committee showed when she told me that I passed the first selection process. It was physical, self-introduction, and presentation test. “You looked uglier with make up,” she said. “And the judges didn’t like your outfit.”

Physically, I also didn’t match the standards. It required at least 165 centimeters for None with a proportional body. Based on my observation, most of None have thin or skinny bodies. FYI, my body has been curvy for years and my height was only 160 centimeters.

I was kind of appreciating the results. Just like Griya said, it really showed this competition didn’t prioritize how I looked but the skills I had, instead. Moreover, most of my rivals knew how to put on make up and dress well. I think they were physically the best of the best in town, model-looked-a-like, and I was quite intimidated with that. Such feeling reminded me of another friend’s statement about this competition.

“My self-esteem and confidence were really tested. When I first came to Abang None contest, there were lots of pretty girls. That was the biggest challenge which I had to face in the beginning,” said 2010 Southern Jakarta None Dwi Tunjung Sari.

Because me and mom couldn’t put on a nice make up, I asked my aunt who had a salon to have it done for the next stage. It was better because I didn’t receive any critics about it. Still, the jury criticized my outfit. “Nevermind,” I thought. In fact, I could pass the second selection process, the interview, which really demanded knowledge, communication skill, and confidence on every competitor.

My confidence was a bit boosted when I came for the final round. I looked at the girls around me; no one wore headscarf except me. None with hijab is rare, especially in West Jakarta region. I personally haven’t seen them yet. Besides, I was the shortest and the curviest competitor for None there.

The third stage was the decision. From twenty semi-finalists None, the judges as well as the committees would only take fifteen of us. The 3b’s should be balanced and it would consider who the finalists were.

So, what did we do? We were divided into groups and each of them had a focus group discussion in front of the judges with various topics. I generally understood the topic given. My friend, who was also competed as Abang, said I had presented smart ideas.

Not only for ideas, the judges also gave scores for our appearance and manner as a None, though.

As the result, I failed and I know why. During the selection process, I felt like I was not really into a None behavior which is known as gentle, feminine, and soft-speaker. Even I have my own interpretation about this figure.

I think how None should behave shows that she is weak and ‘should be protected’. Such judgement based on the philosophy about Abang None manners itself, including how they should stand and greet the audience. For example, how they walk or stand side by side doesn’t show equality. Abang or the guy should stand a bit forward than the None. He also has to be on her right side. Such ‘rules’ show that Abang leads and protects the None. Well, I don’t like that because it is patriarchy.

Finally, it was not only about the brain; all components should be balanced. Eventhough you’ve got intelligence, you won’t be choosen unless you fullfil a None’s behavioral and physical requirements. Then it’s all back again into beauty and feminine manner thought as ‘ideal’ for most of peagants.

I hope this ‘strict’ selection process will result strong and empowered figures of None Jakarta.

The Lessons

My experience in Abang None competition teaches me how to love and appreciate myself unconditionally. Although I’m curvy and ‘too simple’ as a girl, I really don’t mind! I even proud of myself that I can have my beauty naturally. The most important thing is just being myself without faking it at all; self-comfort is a must.

I wrote this article for last year’s The SunFlower Post. Andrea, a best friend from Mexico, asked me to share about my participation in 2011 Abang None Jakarta competition. Unfortunately, our project is being suspended and some of my writings cannot be published for a while. But I will publish them on my blog. Waiting forward for your comments!

Photos:

2011 Abang & None of West Jakarta (Twitter)

"Just straightly walk away then" (credit: Fanny Fajarianti, at construction area of Yildiz Teknik Universitesi, Istanbul)

A Half of Bali in Four Days

2011-09-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

My family went to Bali while most people were having Eid ul-Fitr celebration.The vacation was intentionally designed to celebrate dad’s visit to Indonesia so we could have a quality time together.

My dad has worked at UAE for two years in an aviation company. Previously, he had worked for Garuda Indonesia Airways for 20 years. That’s why we could easily travel to some places with aeroplanes with 90% discount or even free tickets. It’s a privilege for him because of his 20 years dedication, maybe. In short, I’d like to tell you that we are not a rich family who can spend millions of rupiahs only for vacation. Moreover, our family members are six persons.

But anyway, apart from that wealthiness of my family, I’m gonna share my Bali trip with this post to introduce another face of Indonesia to my friends, especially foreign friends.

Actually I’ve been to Bali several times since I was a kid. However, I didn’t put much concern whenever traveling to new places. I just followed my family, did what they were doing, and never questioning the places I had visited. I know it was such a waste. Now, I’m trying to appreciate every little chance I have had by sharing it to people. This is what I’ve learned from traveling abroad for the first time (read my TURKEY! post).

My trip was short, only four and a half days. I arranged some days’ program with references from the internet. Here are the places I visited in that limited time.

Day 1

I arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport at about 9.30 am. Then we just stayed at the hotel until 4 pm. The next hour we went to Kuta Beach in front of Discovery Shopping Mall to watch sunset.

The beach was boring for me because it was so crowded. Even it was crowded by the local tourists, not foreigners. I just saw a few foreigners there and they were not with their swimsuits.

When I visited this beach five years ago, at least, there were not so many people and the water was more transparent. It’s convincing to say that the beach is currently too open for public (hell yeah) and I could easily associate it with Ancol Beach in Jakarta, which for me, known as the worst beach for the crowd and cleanliness. I didn’t like the sand and the water either. It’s of course not a beach of paradise.

Then, could I appreciate something from Kuta Beach? Okay, the best things were the sunset and the orange sky in the evening. Very romantic and peaceful... There, you could have such feelings when you notice the sun goes down slowly then gone.

My eyes were also caught in a chilling out place called 27 Oceans. It’s a place where you can have early dinner, BBQ, swim around, or just sit back and relax to enjoy sunset at Kuta Beach. Hm... how nice! Having the sun disappeared, we just walked around Kartika Plasa Street. There were lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and other entertainment places along the way. Both right and left sides of the sidewalks were rarely empty. When I walked down, I felt that I was in another country; foreigners flooded the ways.

Finally, our feet stopped at Kuta Square where many shops, fast food restaurants, and department store stood side by side. I found various Balinese souvenirs there. Of course more expensive than the ones I found at traditional markets.

Day 2

The theme of that day was visiting sacred places in Bali. So, we traveled to the heart of this island, staying away from crowd and beaches. We went up to the hill to observe so many things! From visiting sacred cave, forest, and hot spring, to observing the making process of Luwak Coffee which is concerned as the most expensive coffee in the world.

It was a quite long journey: we started moving at 10.30 am from Kuta and arrived at the first destination around 1 pm.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Arriving at this place, I went down to the lower ground to see the ritual places for Hindu-Buddhist; it was a combination of both cultures. I saw a kind of “hot spring” which, I guess, used by the followers for bathing to clean themselves from sins. Near the hotspring, a big cave yawned at us. It really looked like “Barong”, I guess. Barong is the king of spirits in Balinese Hindu mythology also known as the symbol of goodness.

Based on my conversation with the local, the cave was built in 11th century during Udayana Kingdom, while in Wikipedia it was in 9th. Goa Gajah was used for hermitage, isolating the followers from the outside world, trying to make themselves closer with three Hindu Gods: Brahma, Syiwa, and Whisnu. They also fasted for around 40 days, including sleeping inside of that sacred cave.

Around this place, there was also Hindu temple, the typical one for most sacred and holy places in Bali.

I have just known UNESCO World Heritage Centre added this site on its Tentative List on October 19, 1995 in the Cultural category.

Monkey Forest

Wanna know how it feels to be in a jungle? Well, you could go to Monkey Forest in Padangtegal, Ubud. The place was really tropical and natural, with many large green canopies protecting us from the sunlight.

When we walked down to the forest, many monkeys were running around us. It was like a monkey village, from baby monkeys to the granddads of the monkeys. There were also lazy ass monkeys laying on the ground while others were doing things like the human does. So funny how I saw they reacted.

When I went to certain parts of the forest, I found springs, tribal monkey statues, and a Hindu temple surrounded by monkey statues (again). So, this wasn’t just a forest. It was, what the organizer called as, “the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.”

Monkey is an important animal in Balinese culture which could be seen in Ramayana as well as Kecak dance and their history, statues, cravings, and legends.

Tegalalang

Next stop was a beautiful terracing place called Tegalalang. In Indonesia, it’s common to plant rice in terracing system, especially in Bali. Tegalalang is one of the most famous places for beautiful rice field sceneries in Bali. Even such place often become a setting for artistic film making such as Eat Pray Love and Anggun’s video clip. But I’m not sure if they shot the scene in Tegalalang; it could be in another part of Bali.

How could we enjoy the terracing scenery in Tegalalang? There are some options.

· If you don’t mind spending much money and have much time, you can have a meal at the restaurant with the bamboo huts attached to the hill. With a traditional eating manner, you can enjoy the yellow-green rice fields in front of you surrounded by tropical trees. FYI, sitting on the ground and eating with bare hands are one of Indonesian traditional eating manners.

· If you’re trying to spend cheap, you can just order a cup of coffee in a small warung kopi or coffee shop of the locals. The place wasn’t so comfy but comparing with the amazing view you could have, it's no problem, I guess.

· If you don’t wanna spend money at all and are in hurry for other destinations, you can just go down and stop in the same level of the restaurant. Grab a camera; take some pictures there!

Be careful with the local merchants around there. If you don’t really want to buy any stuff they offer, don’t stare at those and never ask the prices. Unless, they will haunt you even until you are about to enter your car; they will hold your car door and try to bargain until you buy one or some! It could be stressful so be careful.

Kopi Luwak at Alambali Agriculture

I heard this coffee was getting popular recently so I convinced my family to go there. I was so curious with the coffee making process because I also heard it was 'unique'.

Only for about 2 kilometers from the terracing view, we arrived at a agrotourism place which farmed many plants such as spices, herbs, vanilla, chocolates, and of course coffee, including Luwak Coffee.

Fortunately, we arrived at the right place for Luwak Coffee observation. The staff were so friendly (compared to other Balinese waitresses). They served us with free five cups of hot coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. Beause we were served nicely, we ordered one cup of Luwak Coffee for 50.000 rupiahs. It was a cup, a normal cup. And if you wanna buy per kilogram, you have to pay for 2.4 million rupiahs.

Taste? I’m not a good coffee observer; all I remember was it was more sour than other coffee I ever tasted. But the staff said a good coffee observer would know the difference and what made it so special. “It is a strong coffee,” he said. Too bad, my mom put some sugar to our Luwak Coffee so it didn’t make any specific sense to me...

So what makes this coffee special?

Luwak in Balinese means weasel and the basic process of this coffee is on its feces. The farmers usually ‘harvest’ the best coffee beans in the forest by feeding them to the weasels. These animals had the best instinct in choosing the best of the best coffee beans. After the feeding, the digestion of the beans in luwak’s stomach also takes important role. Like there’s a chemical process or something like that which makes a good coffee. Then, the farmers will take the feces as the result and do more complex process.

In the home industry, the farmer will dry the feces. To reach the hygene, he will boil the feces until the beans can be found. Finally, the farmer dries the beans again and heat them on a crock made of clay. Plus, there is also refining process with traditional tools to make the coffee beans become powder. It's wrapped and Luwak Coffee is ready for trading.

Brew the coffee and enjoy one of the healthiest coffee ever (because it has the least caffeine).

Tirta Empul Hot Spring

Bathing in a holy pond together with fishes and queuing Hindus waiting for sacred fountain splash would be an interesting idea when we were in Tirta Empul. However, we came too late; it was 5 pm already. So, we just observed what happened there. A bit crowded place because people were praying for an important ritual: the moon prayer. The smells of myrrh, the sound of the ringing bell from the priest, the spoken verses... Such atmosphere made our evening felt so religious.

We also visited Hindu temples next to the hot spring where some people prayed with their offerings around.

Day 3

This day’s theme was the beach tour. We visited various famous beaches in southern part of Bali. However, we unintentionally went to another ‘monkey forest’ and this one was wilder! But, before that let’s clear our minds with some cultural stuff.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana

I found parts of Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue spread at this place and they were not placed in one area; some of them were put far to each other. I saw the hands of GWK outside of the attraction while the head of Wisnu (the man) and Garuda (the bird) were inside. Wisnu statue is 22 meters height and the most favorite icon for tourist to take pictures with.Then, what is this place?

GWK actually has been built since a long time ago. My parents said it was during our second president period. However, the project is delayed due to the lack of funding. This work was intended to make GWK as the highest statue in the world (100 meters). Unfortunately, the dream has not been realized until now.

Besides statues, you can also see Barong and Kecak dance performance there. We only watched Barong dance in last minutes....

Uluwatu Temple

An iconic temple because it is located on the top of the cliff. Right under it, I found a pretty view of blue sea with its waves hitting cliffs and rocks around. It was in the mid of afternoon so the sky was complementary for the beauty.

On the other side, beware of the wild monkeys! They were wilder than the monkeys in Ubud because the Uluwatu Temple’s environment was really dry. My Balinese friend’s mother told me probably that was the reason they acted so wild; it’s hard to gain food easily with such condition. The monkeys could rip off your stuff easily with its agility. From the entrance, we recognized warnings such as not to bring plastic bags and food, not to wear jewelries, not to hold your electronic devices, etc. And my sis almost lost her sandals because two monkeys tried to eat hers.

Uluwatu Beach

Near Uluwatu Temple, there is a home for the surfers: Uluwatu Beach. Once I arrived here, the local asked my dad to pay for the parking fee. Then, we had to went down with lots of stairs including the craggy ones while imagining how tough it would be to get back. Plus, the area was not so convincing. It has narrow ways with small shops and restaurants, not very touristic. Local tourist were just a few; the place was dominated by foreigners with surfing boards.

However, the journey was worthy. After the final stairs, I was surrounded by big rocks. I walked until I found the shore. More and more surfers came with their boards and swam in that cool water. The tourists were fewer compared with other beaches; that's why I liked it!

I didn't go swimming. I just had my feet wet and felt them got buried in the rough white sand.

Because we were hungry, we folded a cloth and had nasi bungkus (wrapped rice) with Padangnese food that we have bought for lunch. I think we were the only one who did so and it was a nice experience.

After lunch, me and sis explored another part of the beach, hidden by a big holey rock. There I decided, it was my most favorite beach in Bali!

Dreamland Beach (New Kuta Beach)

I didn't get bored at all when we were at Uluwatu Beach. But I noticed, we had to leave as soon as possible before it got dark. It's because we still have two more beaches to visit: Dreamland and Jimbaran!

Not so far from Uluwatu, we ride our car to Pecatu Resort. Pecatu was actually still underconstruction to develop itself as a residence, golf field, and resort, I guess. But the beach could be enjoyed by anyone.

The "no entrance fee" at the gate excited us. We were happier until then our skepticism rose again 'cuz we saw so many cars inside, parked almost at every part of the lots. And yeah, we had to pay again for 15.000 rupiahs per car.

Entering the beach, I was suddenly reminded by the view of Kuta Beach. The noise... the crowd... This one was better, tho, because of the clearer sand. I also loved the waves... They were twisting all time also 'friendly' for you who would like to surf or to be lazy on your board, waiting for your hips got pushed by the waves. In other words, this beach could arouse you easily to have your body wet and swim!

Dreamland Beach could be a nice place for you who wanna have some fun with family also for you who dislike swimming alone. Even if you don't feel like going to swim, you can still relax by having a nice view of the beach with cliffs on its edge. Some old ladies will come to you to offer cheap foot massage. And if you come in the evening, you can enjoy the sunset with western dance music as the background.

Jimbaran Beach

It's already dark when we left Dreamland and our next stop would be Jimbaran Beach. I've heard for years this place is famous for its dining atmosphere and seafood. Even my dad told me that ex-prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin, made Jimbaran as his favorite spot to dine at. Expensive? Yup, expensive but it depends on what and how much food you order.

My sight was impressed by the view when I first time stepped out to the outdoor dining place of Manega Cafe, one of the seafood resto at Jimbaran. Under the croisant moon, there were many comforting sounds: sound of the shore, sound of the table-to-table band, sound of people chattering in good mood... There, I and my family sat on a table with a candle light; every table has it own candle light. Not only that, thousands of lights were surrounding us. The lights at the restaurants, on trees, on the airplanes passing by, and of course the city lights around the sea :)

Now I'm gonna tell you the details...

Price: 300.000 rupiahs

For: 1 roasted fish, 1/2 kilos of roasted prawn, a plate of fried squids, 1 plate of cah kangkung, 1 bakul (big bowl) of rice, a plate of tropical fruits/person, 2 hot tea and 3 ice tea

Taste: good (still doesn't beat my favorite seafood resto near my house)

Fullness: definitely

The unpleasant things from this dinner were we had to wait for 1 hour to have our order and the unfriendly waiters! We understood that they had been working from 8 am to late night. Plus, there were 'too many' orders in every hour, I guess. Just imagine, this resto averagely have income about 100 million rupiahs per day! That was what my dad told us from his conversation with the waiter. As you see, it's kinda famous resto at Jimbaran which was recommended by my Balinese friend.

After I finished dinner, me and sis went down to enjoy the sea view and the lights around us. This was a thing you could also do when you're there. Just sit on the shore, having a light or serious conversation with your partner.

This moment is usually enjoyed by the participants of Indonesia International Week on their last program. There, they usually share their feelings and say promises as well as goodbyes. Last but not least, it will be ended by a big hug among the organizers and particpants. What a heart-touching ambiance!

Legian Street

Not only a street with lots of shops and massage places, Legian is also famous for its nightlife!

The clubs were 'competing' to attract more visitors. I could know it from the boom of their sound systems, trying to be the loudest. It’s so noisy while passing the street, indeed! Various music were played by the DJs of each club, from techno, rock, to raggae...

I also saw people with alcoholic beverages on their hands, some of them also smoked weed (my dad said so). We were also surprised by a female foreigner who was unconcious on the street, like really that weak!

Well, it’s a nightlife of a 'free' life. I didn’t know much about this street because I was only in the car, observing people :p

Oh, there was also a monument for the victims of the 2nd Bali Bombing.

Day 4

Bali Bird and Reptile Park

Previously, I only saw peacock on TV or pictures. This bird surprised me and my sister when we had just come in to Bali Bird Park. It was walking freely, without chains or cuffs. This place offered us an intimate interaction with the birds, I thought. Although, most of birds were caged and hiding, well I can say this place is one of the most interactive (a kind of) zoos I ever visited (another would be Safari Park). There you could see various birds performance from morning 'till evening. That time I got a chance to see "Basic Instincts" performance where I could see birds like colorful macau birds and eagles flying above my head. I also got a chance to be a volunteer to feed those trained eagles, with a tray on my head. The spot of the performance was nice, anyway. Green fields, blue and sunny sky, also tribal lounge music made a good combination ;)

Bali Bird Park was a nice spot to take pictures. You could take picture with the uncaged birds freely. There were also artificial forests based on certain parts of Indonesia (e.g. Borneo, Papua, Sumatera, Sulawesi, and so on).

Next to BBP was Reptile Park. It was less crowded and quiet. I found glasses of snakes hiding or not moving any inches on their branches. There were also lower grounds where I could see the most dangerous crocodiles from Australia, and they were not tamed yet. They were big! Maybe bigger than my body. The most interesting thing about crocodiles was they freezed as if they’re statues, even I doubt they were real because of that. The guide told us it’s a crocodile’s nature not to move after it ate. Its color also had same color as wooden so it could act tricky to catch its target. I gained some new knowledge there!

Our tour wasn't boring 'cuz there was a friendly tour guide who took us to every species and explained things about them.

An interesting experience because I could take photos with big lizard and iguana. Ah, the 20 kilos turtoise as well, like I really held it. Also, for the first time in my life, I saw the most dangerous snakes and KOMODO!

Cening Bagus

Not far from BBP, there was a center for Indonesian and Balinese souvenirs with cheap prices. No need to bargain because the values were worthy. Recommended for you who are lazy to get sweat shopping souvenirs at traditional markets. The place was so comfy with a big space, air conditioner, and cozy Balinese lounge music!

Day 4 1/2

Legian Beach

"Swimming prohibitted" sign greeted us. We put our stuff under an umbrella right in front of that sign. Me and my siblings ran towards the shore, letting our half bodies got wet. Sometimes the small waves surprised us 'cuz it pushed us hard and could pulled us out hard as well. My little sis was crying 'cuz she almost got pulled by the sea. Thank God she held my another sister's hand. She was shocked for a while.

The area we were playing at was dangerous, indeed. The waves were big and could make anyone drown by the hit. A nice stuff for surfing?

Coming back to the umbrella, my dad said we had to leave to another part of the beach so we could play safely. However I preferred staying, watching the view of Legian Beach and of course our belongings.

Not more that 5 minutes I had been laying under the shade, an ibu-ibu (old lady) came to me, offering me some stuff from bracelets, nail arts service, to foot massage. She kept 'forcing' me to have things. I tried to reject but I didn't wanna be rude either. Then I thought it's not so bad to have a foot and back massage. At first, she offered massage service for 50.000 rupiahs for 20 minutes. Finally, we agreed 20 minutes for 20.000 rupiahs and I guess I would have made it much worthier if I had said 15.000 rupiahs. In fact, she wasn't really into the massage. I know good and bad massage because I love massage. It was just too soft and lazy for a massage....

Ding! It was 11 am already. More and more foreigners were laying down without umbrella. The weather was getting better with more and more sun shines! A good time to make your skins get tanned...or burnt?

O’ Late!

Day 5 was my last day in Bali. So, after we finished playing at the beach, we just went to the hotel straightly in hurry! Legian Beach made us complacent so much until we forgot our scheduled time to leave.

I wish I could have more time to explore more amazing places in Bali like Bedugul, Mount Batur, Lovina, Candisasa, and so on. Maybe next year. Anyone would like to accompany me?

Reference:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/299/ (Goa Gajah)

A Perfect Closing for July

2011-07-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

At the end of July 2011, I've experienced some interesting, inspiring, yet heart-touching events.

First was Shereen's Hafla (bellydance party) which happened on July 30th. Shereen is known as Bellydancer of the Universe 2011 and from Czechoslovakia. Bellydance Jakarta, the dance school where I belong to, organized this belly dance party. Myself contributed as the crew and performer. I also helped the event publication before the day.

I was kind of multitasking and it's a busy evening, indeed. I've missed lots of performances 'cuz I had to handle the ticketing desk. Imagine, 104 tix were sold for a hafla held in a small resto like Amigos Restaurant in Bellagio Mall Kuningan. Note that the number didn't include the students and 'free of charge' guests. Even, some people watched belly dance from outside of the resto because they were running out of tables. However, the crowd was awesome.

Shereen was the guest star in the hafla. Too bad I missed some parts of Shereen's dances as well because I was always changing my costumes during the prime time. She had hypnotized me with the rest, tho. What I loved from Shereen's performance that time: her dancing style which was so Egyptian, her lovable and interactive attitude (especially her smile), her grace while dancing, and costumes! Now let's talk about her costumes which have totally inspired me.

Shereen and Her Costumes

Shereen was dancing twice in different "Balady" costumes. FYI, "Balady" is usually worn for folkloric Egyptian dances.

The pink costume which she also wore in Cairo Festival, Budapest

The first one was in pink and the last was in blue, my favorite. The unique thing about Shereen's costumes, they were so closed for belly dance outfit and I loved that. There, I found a 'field of experience' between me and Shereen while dancing this dance: we didn't like 'showing off'.

Before taking a picture with her, I had a quick conversation with Shereen. It had answered most of what I'd been wondering that time. After some compliments about her performance, I asked things about her costumes like why hers were so different. "I don't like wearing two pieces costumes (bra and skirt), it's like being half naked," she said.

I also told her I loved them and wondered where they were from. Shereen said most of the costumes were self-designed. In Europe, it's hard to find such costumes with good quality, even if some shops have them, they must be very expensive.

The last performance's costume

Not only her beauty, talent, and curvy body, I also love her will in dancing on more 'polite' costumes. That makes me respect and adore her as a belly dancer. She inspires me to always wear my Balady dress while dancing.

Me & Shereen after the hafla

A Rose from Semarang

The next day (31/7) I received a surprise. It happened after I did tarawih prayer. Before that, I was having a fight with my boyfriend. We didn't talk for four days because we both were stubborn couple. I'm not gonna tell you what our problem was, but I'll tell you my bf is an unromantic type. He can't sing, can't play any instruments, and always make a joke for rag things. Well, he is a humorous kind of person. Until that day, those perception changed.

He was in Semarang when we fought; he has just finished his graduation ceremony. He told me he's going home later because of waiting for graduation responsibilities and documents. In fact, July 31st morning he ride his motorbike along way 600 kilometers to Jakarta, bringing a pink rose.

Not only the distance, his struggle also made me crushed. It's my first time to hear he was involved in a 'real' fight and it was with another biker. Fortunately, people around arbitrated them and he's got a bloody scratch on his face as a 'souvenir'.

As soon as he arrived home, he came to my house to bring the flower as a symbol of apology and love...

During the 'cold war', I was sure he wasn't my Mr. Right anymore and said it was over. So, this pink rose is so precious. It has answered all the doubts which have been haunted my mind these days. It really shows he loves me.

I wonder how I can keep its beauty until forever. Can I plant it?

Source:

Shereen's costumes from Facebook

Hit the Cane at the Wrong Time!

2011-06-23T00:51:00.000-07:00

The 'Saidi' performance I told you before finally happened. I had a really high expectation towards this dance. First, it's because I looove Saidi. I've been dreaming to perform this dance since a year ago, when I first time watched Saidi performance by Bellydance Jakarta. That was before my involvement there.

Second, I would perform it for Bahebbik Jakarta (I Love You Jakarta), an event officially presented by BDJ and Gedung Kesenian Jakarta for Jakarta Anniversary Festival IX. So, you can see it's a prestigious event.

To be honest, I've been preparing our Saidi performance since a couple of months before, from learning the cane techniques, its energetic movements, to the costumes and the props...

Some seniors and my teacher also made a compliment about my Saidi performance so that I was quite confident.

Until then, a bad thing screwed up.

I made a stupid mistake on the stage. My mood was good when the curtains opened. I felt like I was ready to entertain the visitors. However, suddenly, my mind was like losing control, I felt unconscious. I don't know why.

Me with the black dress

My cane hit the floor when others' didn't. I was the only one who did so and it lasted for 2 sec, I guess. The visitors' reactions noticed me. With fast respond, I tried to catch up at the right track, putting a wide smile on my face to pretend that nothing had happened. I bet everybody knew that I missed the choreography, except my mom, sis, and aunt who said they didn't see any wrongs.

My eyes met Miss Mia Badib's. I whispered 'sorry' and she said 'it's okay' while we're dancing on our own circles.

Miss Mia in a pink Balady dress & me (right)

I couldn't stop smiling to hide my nerve. Everything was fine until the end of the choreography.

I found Miss Christine Yaven at the right wing of the stage. I said sorry again. She said 'no problem' and smiled.

At the backstage, I kept blaming on myself. My feeling and mood was messed-up. Those frustrations lasted until my 2nd dance or the finale, even until NOW. I still feel like an idiot. Before I slept last night or after I woke up this morning or when I'm typing this story, I'm always reminded by that incident. A couple of hours ago, I cried, minutes by minutes. You think I'm too much, but it's how I feel. High expectation would be the answer why.

Though lots of supports has come to me, especially from BDJ seniors, I still can't get over it. But I'm trying. I should be grateful to be a part of BDJ professional dancers for Bahebbik Jakarta :')

Photos of Christine Yaven

I Met MGMT! Whoo!

2011-04-23T02:29:00.000-07:00

"Oh God, please let me meet Ben and Andrew."

Believe it or not, I met them last month, exactly on the day when their concert happened in Jakarta.

I was so disappointed when I knew I didn't have chance to join and 'to win' @UrbaniteAsia's MGMT meet and greet competition. First, because I had missed their three quizzes. Second, the 4th quiz was 'complicated' when I had an initiative to join. That time, I thought how life was sooo unfair :'(

Plus, shit happened. The night before their gig, I came home with exhaustment because ak.'sa.ra (and its partners, of course) broke its promise to make tickets exchange available and it was just a tiring day! I was thinking about canceling me and sis' plan to stalk MGMT at the airport. But the the next morning, my sis woke me up, she looked so excited to go to the airport. I was like, "hey, I even haven't prepared anything!" All I know was MGMT did their gig at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the night before they arrived in JKT.

However, finally, I got up, turned on my PC, and started searching for information. Then I did what my friend ever told me about stalking the flight; I opened Angkasa Pura's web. They had got nothing on there. Damn. After that, I opened KL's airport and got information that there were some flights going to Soekarno Hatta Jakarta in the morning which probably arrived on 9-10 am. I checked the time. O-ow, it's 7 am already. We nodded and I asked my sis to be ready quick! Thank God, my mom also did support us. She gave us 150k rupiahs for the transportation.

To save the money, I decided to take the city bus until Mal Ciputra Jakarta and took a taxi there. And damn, this taxi lied! It had "tarif bawah" notification but the argo changed so fast like horse! The driver made the car moved so slow in the highway as well! Even he pretended to make the car driven to the wrong way which made me asked him to stop there and found the way by ourselves.

Terminal D or E?

We finally arrived at the international arrival terminal, Terminal D, quite 'on time'. I checked the flight arrival board and found some flights from Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia, and Malaysia Airlines were coming in the same time soon. The terminals were also different: some at Terminal D and some at Terminal E. I asked some officers whether we could track the passangers from there, pretending that I was a 'miscommed' friend. Too bad, none of them give any solutions.

So, we divided ourselves: Cindy at E while me at D. While at D, I had a suspicion: those girls acted weird just like us! Maybe they're chasing for MGMT as well. "Who knows," I thought. I just waited in patience at Terminal D. And this security beside me kept asking silly questions like 'where do you live', 'whom you're about to pick up', and bla bla. Crowd to crowd of people had stopped coming out from the gate and he told me it's impossible that 'my friends' would arrive in this gate. He made me call my sis, asking how it was going. She said the there's no crowd at all there and she asked whether she should come to my place. I said, "no! Just wait there and see what will happen. If MGMT is showing up, tell them, 'please wait until my sis come 'cuz she really wants to take a photo with you'. While waiting, just take some photos with them. Got it?"

Look who's coming...

The girls on my right side also looked worried that made myself asking them, "are you waiting for MGMT as well?" Guess what, they said YES and we're all waiting together. Until then, some officers came with lots of heavy 'suitcases' on trolleys which I thought they must be the cases for musical instruments. I vaguely saw some "MGMT" stickers on them. The feeling they're coming became stronger when one of the officers mumbled, "MGMT." And I asked the girls, "I think they're coming!" I called my sis to come quick to Terminal D. "They're coming, they're coming!" I said on the phone. We shrilled slowly and in nerve, waiting them to show up. We waited for a couple of minutes but they hadn't shown up. I called my sis again. "Okay, okay, I'm running right now and nervous!" she said with panting breath.

Behind the gate, I could realize he's the one I know in MGMT. Oh, Matt Asti, MGMT's bassist. We're being hysterical, calmly. And my sis arrived on time when Andrew showed up; she also became hysterical. When they walked toward us, I was the first one who came to him. "Can we take a photo with you?" Andrew said, "sure!" I asked a girl to help me with the capture.

Damn it’s blurred (-_-)

Kinda regret 'cuz I haven't set up the camera (sigh). Then my sis asked him about his Formspring experience which Andrew didn't remember and he signed her 'stuff' (a printed paper which contained her Formspring experience with him). While signing, I asked, "where is Ben?" He said he didn't know, he was at the back. The signing thingy was done and I saw Ben; I came to him. A conversation happened.

Me: hi, Ben! Can I have your signature?

Ben: sure

(I pulled my little notebook and marker from my bag)

Ben: (signing)

Me: can you write 'for Febi'?

Ben: okay

(signing)

Ben: for who again?

Me: Febi

(I saw he wrote "for Fabi")

Me: no, no... not "Fabi" but "Febi", F-E-B-I

Ben: F-E-B-I (mumbled)

(gave the book and the marker to me)

From Ben <3

Me: thank you. Now, can I take a picture with you?

Ben: okay

me (up) and sis (down) with Ben Goldwasser

Me: anyway, how's your flight?

Ben: it was tiring, we didn't have enough sleep

Me: you guys should have a rest...

Ben: we will (smiling)

(I was staring at him)

Me: I'm so happy to meet you!

Ben: I know

Me: can I....? (offering my right hand. I was about asking, 'can I have a handshake?' but it didn't come out.)

Ben: (offering his hand) sure!

(shaking hands)

And these lyrics jingled on my mind...

"We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue"
The Handshake - MGMT

Me: See you tonight!

Ben walked away with his trolley. I checked the photos on my digicam again. Oh no! Our photo with Andrew was blurred. I saw Andrew was about to leave, about to get out of there. And suddenly my lips called out Andrew. "Can I have a photo of you again? It was blurred," I said. His manager stopped me and said, "we have to go." And I said, "please?" Andrew's face a bit pissed off 'cuz I know he didn't look well. His manager also looked 'unfriendly'. But finally, he took a photo of us.

Look at his tissue ;(

While I was saying thank you, Andrew walked away and just showed his hand on the air (even not waving) which means "I have to go now."

I was a bit sad 'cuz Andrew's final reaction wasn't as good as Ben's :( It's okay, tho; I could finally meet MGMT.

"See you tonight!" I said to Matt Asti who was the latest person leaving that area.

And after this mission accomplishment, I had a very good time enjoying the "Beatfest". It doesn't matter I wasn't at the very front row.

My sis couldn't come 'cuz she's still 15.

The Whitest Boy Alive

The crowd (pics by MGMT)

We really had a good time! ;)

Source: two pics on the top are from darkins.net, vinylandvodka.com

Saidi

2011-04-23T00:13:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I attended Miss Christine's class at Belly Dance Jakarta and we've practiced quite hard for two hours. She taught us some techniques for our choreo. We also practiced the previous basic lessons: the hip drop as well as the side kick and OMG! I am frustrated 'cuz I never can do it properly. She looked so messed up when I didn't perform any progress :'(

At the end of our class, she said, "I'm disappointed with your techniques." Oh no! And I feel like a 'beginner' again. Well, yes I'm in Beginner level but I've been doing belly dance since 2009. What a shame! Even hip drop and side kick are soooo basic in belly dance...

Anyway, the good news is Miss Christine agreed that I would be in "Saidi" group; I'm gonna perform this cane dance in June. Yippie! So excited 'cuz it's been my dream to perform this dance. I just think it really suits my characteristic: energetic, flirty, and has modest outfits. FYI, in Egypt, Saidi is a 'war' dance and also danced by men. I've seen Saidi dances on YouTube and my favorite is from Mahmoud Reda Troupe. This troupe is famous for its folkloric Egyptian dances like Balady and such. Sounds old but I love 'em.

click here to watch Mahmoud Reda's dance

click here to watch Ansuya

For the more modern Saidi, I like Ansuya's Luxor Baladna. She looks so expert in it ;)

Start from now on, I promise my self to practice more and more. Like Sinar Dunia notebook always states on the bottom of its page: "practice makes perfect".

Source: facebook.com, nour-orientaldance.com, hkbellydancefestival.com, sarabi.es, raks.blogia.com, seijaneumyerart.com

LOOKLET ADDICT IS BACK!

2011-04-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

Today my curiosity came out, wondering what happened to my Looklet. Then I found some people liked my work (well, I'm not an expert in here). This is one of them, titled: "Hippie Baby".

inspirations: I made it a week ago when a friend told me that my music taste was like the hipsters'. So, I tried to find out what the hipsters were like. Based on my observation, they loved to wear 70's or 80's fashion, let's say retro outfits. My friend also mentioned my favorite band MGMT was the band of the hipsters. Okay, this hipster thingy reminded me of Andrew Vanwyngarden's (how funny I wrote it "Ben Vanwyngarden" a sec ago LOL) hippie look. "Why don't I try create look like him? Hm, maybe a combination of hippie-hipster," I thought.

The curiosity didn't stop there; I was curious to create some looks. Guess what, I was hanging out on this site from 6 pm to 8.30 pm! And this one is my favorite, the "tribal belly dance".

inspirations: for this one, my inspiration was Rachel Brice, a famous tribal belly dancer from San Fransisco, United States. I would say she's the icon of American tribal belly dance. I adore her :)

As for the items I put on this model's body...

Too bad, Looklet didn't provide many Middle-Eastern costumes and accessories. Hm, maybe I was just too lazy to explore more?

And why gloves? I've seen some belly dancers wore gloves. Like this one.

An Egyptian belly dancer, Hadia. She was my teacher's teacher.

Source: my Looklet page, blogspot.com, tumblr.com, gildedserpent.com (Hadia)

I Wanna Be Like MOM!

2011-04-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

Last night, Kartini’s Day reminded me of Mom. How sometimes I act ignorant to her, ignoring her care.

April 21st morning, she called me but I didn’t answer ‘cuz I made my mobile phone kept ‘silent’, one of the problems which mom always complains about. In the afternoon, she called me again, asking where I was. It was so noisy around that made me wished to make the conversation lasted just for a while. Finally, it was finished and I continued working on my stuff.

The more I feel grown up, the more I miss my conversation with mom and appreciate her. I spend most of my time with lots of activities either academic or ‘extraculicular’ because I want to develop my potential. Thus, it would be useful for my future carrier, and I want a bright carier to make her and dad proud of me.

with mommy on my 18th birthday

Dad Should be Proud of Mom

Just like most of other girls feel towards their moms, my mom is a hero for me; she’s a SUPER WOMAN. I know it probably sounds cliche but well, it’s TRUE. Here, I would tell you a bit about my family.

Mom takes care of everything alone here. Dad has been working at United Arab Emirates for two years and only comes back twice a year. They usually communicate with Skype once to twice a week. Mom should wake up late at night to stand by in front of the computer, waiting for my dad online, and the conversation is usually done in hours later like 3 or 4 am.

In daily life, in the morning, mom prepares things for my younger and youngest sister. After that, she takes my younger sis to school, comes back, and gets ready for work. Then, working time bla bla bla and sometimes she ‘cheats’ some time as she can to visit our home for a moment, making sure that everything and everybody is alright. Then, she goes back again to her office. She turns home at 6 and thank God, she doesn’t have to feel the awful traffic of Jakarta ‘cuz she gets home by ojek.

In the evening, she just stays at her bedroom, taking care and playing with my lil’ sis and bro. My teenager sis usually just stays at her own room most of the time for studying, browsing, chatting with her friends on the phone, and so on. See, how the more she feels grown up, the more she misses her conversation with mom and be apathetic.

my lil' sis and bro :)

Apart from the daily activities, she handles financial problems alone. Moreover, if the family members have problems, she will be ready anytime to help and to handle, and sometimes without being asked. Even for trivial things... like she sometimes makes intiative to go to my kost just for taking my dirty clothes home :( And whenever she arrives at my kost, all she wants to do is cleaning my room even after I have repeatedly said she didn’t have to do that!

There are many other things as well like accompanying me to Blok M whenever I need some urgent clothes (‘cheating’ some time from her working hours), accompanying me when I have serious things to submit... I still can remember how she patiently accompanied me when I had to re-submit university entrance test forms because of my carelessness. Then, taking me to places where I have some businesses at, helping me to get the donations easier so that I could go to Turkey, going to Depok (West Java) from kebon Jeruk (West Jakarta) just to take me home after the thievery incident at my kost... Such things are not commonly happened to a busy working moms.

The point is she always be here by myself, doing the best she can, when I need help even if she had to leave her working hours. On the other hand, she had to be consistent with her work ‘cuz its salary is the main source for her to feed our family.

she treats me stuff I love <3

So many things that I can’t mention one by one about her goodness here. In fact, for me, she’s a SUPER MOM; dad should be proud of her; and I hope I can be like mom when I am a mother :)

HAPPY KARTINI’S DAY ♥

Sutlac, Kofte, and Oryantal Dans

2011-01-16T02:42:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna share about my passion in Middle-Eastern culture (again). Whoa, okay that's the main theme. Specifically, I'm gonna reveal things related to my recent oryantal dans life and food named Kofte and Sutlac.

About my belly dance life...
Today I've just received photos of mine during Belly Dance Jakarta's recital last November. It was BDJ's 5th birthday and yeah, congratulations! It was my 1st performance as well 'cuz you know, I've just joined this well-known Middle-Eastern dance center in September 2010.

For the second time, I performed at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ). The 1st one was for Ananda Sukarlan and Chendra Panatan, I was the poet for their play and the 2nd was for BDJ's recital. And, I performed modern belly dance with veil with this combination of purple-blue costumes. I wore Turkish cap as well :)

How was the performance? Hm, to be honest, before I reviewed the video of my class performance, I was a bit confident that I performed well 'cuz I could remember and performed the choreography all out. But when I watched the video today, I'm not so satisfied. We were lack of team work... I mean, we didn't move in same way :( Moreover, I was on the worst stage spot (the lighting was soo bad right there). Last but not least, I really looked so hyperactive! My class mates danced so soft while I danced too energetic (I guess). Okay, I try to think positive: maybe, energetic is my personality when dancing? I don't know, audience judges...

Guess where I was?!

Now, forget about the dance; let's move to the food!

The names I mentioned before were Turkish food. Sutlac is my favorite Turkish dessert when I was in Turkey and Kofte is a food that I had not tried before. So, I asked my mom and sis to go to a Turkish restaurant at Kemang named Anatolia. I wanted to fulfil my yearning of Sutlac. It was so odd if I just ordered dessert, so I also ordered Kofte for appetizer (no main course 'cuz the price is so expensive for me. LOL).

Okay, let me explain in brief about Sutlac and Kofte. Sutlac is also known as rice pudding. It's the mixture of milk and rice. The know-how to make it is like this: boil rice with water then add milk. After that, keep it cool. That simple. Rabia's sister told me how to make it and I tried, but I failed :( And when I came to Anatolia, I'd just known Sutlac should also be put in oven with firewood.

For me, Sutlac which I tasted in Taksim Square is the best! Anatolia's sutlac is good, better than my Sutlac. But, it's not better than Taksim's Sutlac.

Sutlac

And...Kofte. Hm, if I have to compare this with Indonesian food, I will choose Bakso Goreng. Kofte's shape is similar to Bakso Goreng. Kofte is also known as Turkish meat ball. The difference are the spices used and the rice inside (as we know, we don't have rice in Bakso). However, in Anatolia I oredered chicken Kofte 'cuz I like chicken better than beef.

In short, Kofte and Sutlac are the nice ones to try for Turkish food. Try! :)

Kofte