Indonesia tanah air beta

I have browsed some sites today, and yeah, my perception about my Indonesia has not yet changed. It is still the same city, with same people who are unoriginal.

I love Indonesian films; thus I am very happy to see that Indonesian films are now waking up. One of my dreams is to be involved in, at least, one Indonesian film production.

However, it is a pity, that some Indonesian films do not have their own culture. They rather copy “the culture” from western films, even worse they literally copy the idea. Like film “Eiffle, I’m in love”, it is very Western. Why Paris? because it is romantic? Why not “Bandung, I’m in love” or “Bali, I’m in love”. I like Lombok, Bali, or Jogjakarta; they are romantic cities, too. And why high, modern, expansive house showed in the film? Why not just a normal house, in a normal area, with normal car and normal amount of ‘pembantu’ (I remember there were three servants cleaning the girl’s room. Is that NORMAL?). Why a driver picking up from Airport in Paris? Why not taking a public transport? That’s the beauty of Paris: bus, subway, or maybe taxis. Fiuh,.. I am tired of asking these ‘why’s’.

It is what I have written above – pretending to be modern. Why do we not proud to be Indonesian? Why do we have to follow what the Western people do in fashion, hair, beauty or music? Look at Indonesian public figures. They are wearing SWEATER or COAT or WINTER SCARF!! Maybe some of you do not know that Indonesia is usually hot and humid, around 30 C; or if you remember, one of Indonesian song, was an imitation of Boyz II Men’s song.

How about Indonesian soap? They are just waste of money: similar, crying-baby, commercial stories with endless commercial breaks because they want as many sponsors as possible. The story? It just wants to make you cry. It is always about a good person against a bad person. A good person, that is always too good, has no mistake, no sins; and the ‘bad guy’ that is always too bad, too mean that you, yourself, want to punch him or her in the face. It is also always about money, heritage, being rich. Even worse, lately, I noticed, many mystical touches appear in many Indonesian sinetrons. Where is God in every story? Oh,.. God is either be a ‘bad guy’, sitting on Heaven, who extremely punishes His children when they disobey His commands (karma, takdir); or a Figure everyone will turn on to when they face problems, attacked by evils.

Where is a good God, a loving God that provides everyone’s needs? Ah,.. I think people might forget that nowadays. People will prefer to go to the psychic people, or hm,.. probably fairy will come and save me tonight.

Ah,.. I miss ‘si Unyil’ or ‘Semar and Gareng’ or serials like ‘keluarga cemara’.

How about Indonesian commercial breaks? Numerous commercial breaks. Yes, indeed. What do we see on TV? Only whitening and slimming products! WHY want to be white? My Dutch friends went to Indonesia last summer, and they wanted to get tanned. Me? I love being tanned. Why slimming products? Indonesian girl is TINY. I am size 10 (European size is 34/36) and when I went back to Indonesia, everybody, male and female, said “oh, Nia,.. you look chubbier. You are a bit fat, aren’t you?”

I am sorry to conclude so quickly, but it is how Indonesian people define ‘beautiful’: white skin, VERY skinny, and, additional requirement, has a long hair. I do have none of them: I love being tanned (tho I am now white), NOT skinny, and love short hair (tho, now, I am very lazy to go to the hairdresser. My hair is getting longer and longer.)”

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

So,..
Enough of criticizing. I am now will giving some compliments to Indonesian films or cultures.

I like Janji Joni. Despite the handsome Niko :P, the storyline is cool! The movie captures many details that communicate Indonesian cultures. It didn’t skip the areas near the rails, or the stinky-rivers in Jakarta. It didn’t only show cute girls with a 2cms-foundation and red lipstick. Or Mengejar Matahari, a story of four boys living in Jakarta ghetto. I love this film, I think with the same reason: originality.

I honestly have missed a lot of Indonesian films; yet I encourage you, my friends who are now in the Netherlands: be different! When we get back to Indonesia (for me, it is soon), we have to bring something different, new perception, new way of thinking, to the people. Especially, you girls,.. be confident! We are beautiful! Whoever we are, and however we are. You don’t have to be white to be beautiful! For my Indonesian friends, be creative and sensitive. Do not just swallow what the media feeds you. For the film-maker (I dedicate this article to you, Andhika and the gank), be creative and original. Sometimes, copying is needed to stimulate your creativity, but do not let anything kill your creativity. I will join you as soon as I get back!

Love letter - story about a letter from a 'Secret Pal'

In November 1980, Linda's eight-year-old son, Andy, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After he returned home from his first hospital stay, he was welcomed with dozens of cards and letters from friends and relatives.

"No matter how bad he felt before the mailman arrived," Linda remembered, "he always felt better afterward." Inevitably, however, the flood of cards and letters tapered off. So did Andy's cheerful spirit. Concerned, Linda mailed him a note she wrote herself and signed it "Your secret pal." Andy perked up. After that, Linda never let a day go by without putting another cheerful message in the mail for her little boy.

After sending Andy letters for nearly a month, Linda found him one day drawing a picture of two unicorns. It was for his "secret pal," he said. After putting Andy to bed that night, Linda picked up the drawing. At the bottom, he had written "P.S. Mom, I love you."

He had known all along who was sending him the letters! But that didn't matter--what mattered was that they made him happy and lifted his spirits. Andy's precious life ended less than four years later; he died on August 31, 1984.

"Although I had two other wonderful children," Linda remembered, "the grief and pain of losing Andy was unbearable. I felt my life was over because his was over." Sorting through her son's belongings, she found a shoebox in his closet. Inside the box was his address book listing all the friends he'd made at a "cancer camp" not long before he died. The address book gave Linda the idea that Andy would have liked her to be a "secret pal" to his sick friends the way she'd been to him.

She decided to send one card to each child in Andy's book. Before she'd gotten through the list, one twelve-year-old boy wrote to thank her. In his letter he told her, "I didn't think anyone knew I was alive." Those words made Linda realize someone else was hurting besides herself. She cried bitterly, not for herself or for Andy this time, but for the lonely, scared child who needed to know someone cared.

Just after responding to that boy's letter, she received a similar note from another child on Andy's list. That was it. She had found her calling, a purpose that gave passion and meaning to her life. She vowed then to write to any child who needed her until they stopped writing her back.

Her cards and letters were brief, positive, and always personalized. The children responded continually and their parents did too, each thanking her for renewing life in their child. Linda got friends and neighbors to help with her mission, and an organization of letter writers began to form.

Today, over ten years after Linda wrote her first letter to a child she'd never met, Love Letters, Inc., sends out more than 60,000 pieces of mail a year. Thirty-five volunteers collectively contribute 400 hours for each weekly mailing. Working out of temporary, donated space, the group survives from week to week on donations of stamps, money, and office supplies from the community and groups like the Rotary Club and Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Excerpted/Adapted from Unstoppable
Copyright 1998 by Cynthia Kersey
www.unstoppable.net

Nia's note: I listened this story on the last Sunday service. I liked it very much. The morale of this story is that you can ALWAYS mean something to the people surround you. One chap shared a story, too, during the service. He gave a cool illustration: people are going out from a church. On the exit door, there is board hanging, saying: "you are entering a mission field". Thus, friends, when you leave your house, your office, your neigbourhood, your car to enter your univeristy, your office; you are entering a mission field, YOUR mission field. Be salt and light for your friends!


source: http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2005/12/love-letters.asp

Surprise, surprise from my inbox!

More than 3 million drug users in Indonesia

About 3.2 million people or 1.5 percent of Indonesia's total population are drug users, Indonesian Police chief Gen. Sutanto said.

Of the drug users, 56 percent are drug addicts using hypodermic needles and the number of drug abuse cases tends to increase every year, he said at the coordination meeting of the National Narcotics Board (BNN) in Jakarta on February 22.

The number of drug trafficking and abuse cases rose to 15,000 in 2005 from 3,600 in 2001, he said. Over the period the number of suspects in drug trafficking and abuse cases also rose to 20,000 in 2005 from 5,000 in 2001, he added.

According to the BNN, on average 15,000 people in the country died of drug abuse per year.

The Indonesian government has imposed tough punishments, including death sentences for drug traffickers, in order to deter drug use.--Enditem

source: http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?
LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=33&NEWS_ID=187731

Homesick

Lately, I have felt a tremendous homesick feeling. I just wanna be home, as soon as possible. A friend of mine mentioned ‘winter depression’. Hm.. it could be it. I probably miss the sunshine, or even worse, I miss every single element in Indonesia. I miss my parents, my siblings, and of course I miss the one whose the picture I posted in my Friendster, heheh just for fun!

Anyway,.. since I am now sad,.. not only because of missing home, but because of many things going on in my head,.. I came up with a list of things I miss from Indonesia

1. The sound of birds and all my dad’s pets when I woke up.
2. My silly dog, Jack that usually wanders around doing nothing but being lazy.
3. Becak!!!
4. The warmth of Surabaya (I am sure I will complain again by the time I get there)
5. The smell of food in my house after 11 o’clock
6. Sneaking to the dining room, secretly eating some of the food that is already available in the table.
7. Teasing my sister, Joan, sometimes seeing her upset because of me is a great fun! Hehehehh
8. Teasing my brother, Adrian, I love this part a lot! It has been my part-time job for 16 years,.. heheheh :P
9. Calling my friends and chatting for hours (it used to make my dad angry,.. especially during my high-school time)
10. Going out with Bang Tepy, in the night, eating out somewhere,.. not in a fancy restaurant, but a very cheap stall, alias ngemperr!!
11. Playing boardgames with my family, or with Bang Tepy, or play something silly with Joan and Bang Tepy.
12. Being on the back of motorcycle (it is very sad that my mom didn’t allow me to ride a motorbike).
13. Ordering food from abang-abang in front of my house,.. nasi goreng, tahu tek-tek, wedang ronde, bakmi goreng, pangsit mie, batagor,…! Slurup,… yum yum!!!
14. Going shopping with my mom,.. to pasar atum! Heheheh,…
15. Being sweat and smelly :P
16. Having black-out,.. electricity
17. Watching silly soap-series,.. sinetron
18. Dining with family… watching quizzes, series, or news
19. Doing nothing but relaxing,.. do not think about health insurance, paying rent, transportation, cleaning house, paying school fee,… thus just spend my time reading book,…
20. Swimming outdoor,….. get tanned
21. Cooking,… baking,….

I still can think more and more,… fewh,.. it just makes me wanna be home. Now,.. I have Michael Bubble’s song, Home, playing in my head. Oh,.. I wanna go home.

Suddenly cry

I was sitting behind the computer, sipping my morning coffee, while I was preparing my presentation for tomorrow (in Agilent). As a background music, I have chosen UCB Radio UK online streaming.

Suddenly, the broadcaster announced the next song; she recommended to listen to the lyric carefully. Thus, I googled the lyrics,..

When I found it,... I suddenly cried,..
just cried,.... I am a very visual person,.. thus I try to imagine this text,...to imagine that this situation happens in the real life.

Read this following lyric. sorry I cannot get you the music.

When God Ran - Phillips, Craig & Dean

VERSE(1):
Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time – the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

VERSE(2):
The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

CHORUS:
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

Don't you thing it is a great honor,.. a uncountable blessing,...
knowing that God has ran,.. or ran, or is running to us.
He has been waiting for us. Imagine, we in his arms, and he says,..
"my son's come home again"

Yes, it is enough

After what I went through lately, I just couldn't help to realize, and again thank Him for what He has given to me. Last weekend, I came across the video of this song.

It made me, once again, realize that what I have NOW is MORE than enough. The fact that Jesus died on the cross for me, or the fact that He loves me unconditionally,.. is more than enough.

Enough - Chris Tomlin

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
worth living for
And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

You're my sacrifice
Of greatest price
And still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King
You are everything
And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can see
You are more than enough for me

to watch the video, go to: http://www.youtube.com/?v=iT_R3F54LQw

Kindergarten of God

Thousand motivations [1000 Motivations] It was my project group name. Funny, huh?

Thus, in short, my latest project was about analyzing corporate event, as a used of internal communication, in a company. We were very lucky that we could co-operate with Agilent the Netherlands. Agilent is engineering and measurement company, which used to be part of Hewlett Packard.

This project is done together with German students from University of Duisburg, thus in my group, there were three German students.

Okay,.. I would not tell you what the result of our analysis was or the process of the project group; however I will give you my testimony about how God has been very good of me; how He takes care of me.

My project group was named 1000 Motivation because the reward of this project was thousand euros. It was not about winning or losing but about group process, the report and also the presentation. My group was actually very late in finding a company for the case study. Others had found companies far before we did. One group worked together with P&G, another with BMW Mini and the rest were doing the project with cooperation of well-known companies. Thank God, He led our group to find a company, right on time (although according to me, we were waaay too late).

In the beginning, we were very driven to work in this project to get the 1000 Euro (and I think, it was the reason behind the failure of finding a company,… because we were more into the money than in to the project). However, after finding the company and getting started with analysis of the case study, we forgot the money. We were very busy. I think it was two or three weeks before the deadline, the sleepless-night period had started. (I thank you all who have accompanied me, or prayed for me during that period).

On the presentation day, everything was okay. The analysis came up very good, even the manager of Agilent who came on that day was impressed.

As you may probably guess, my group won the reward.

Seriously, I didn’t expect it AT ALL. Our “competitors” were very good, too; for instance BMW Mini, it was cool. They were like the real consultants. When our group was called, I was calculating the money for this project, being busy with myself, in the corner of the presentation room.

Another surprise was that I was chosen to win the best performance during this project. Seriously, I was speechless. For this award, I felt I did not deserve. There were many other students who were more dedicated to this project than I was.

Thus, I went home that day, with an amount of money in my wallet. I was cycling home, and then suddenly tears came up in my eyes. Lately, I have been moaning and moaning, again and again. Once again, God showed me, His glory, His mercy, His grace. He is everything to me.

Do you know what the most amazing thing in this happening is? When I counted the amount of money I received together with the amount of money I have left, it was the exact amount of money I needed at that time to pay my rent. Amazing!!!

Thus, God gives us our daily bread, not our weekly bread, monthly bread, or yearly bread. He provides what we need daily. In the Bible says (Lamentations 3:22-23) "…, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Dear friends, do not be worry about anything, as I am now learning not to. I am now, back again, in God’s kindergarten, learning how to NOT worry. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Most importantly, St. Paul also added “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Phil 6: 34).

Thus, Join me in God’s kindergarten class Not being worried. See you then!