Hectic Traffic

Recently I found myself struggling hard in the midst of stiff, packed traffic. Though I may disagree with my own behavior, apparently I burst out dirty words to some wicked, disobedient drivers or motor riders. Did they do that on purpose, cutting my lane or horning loudly to push me to step on the accelerator deeper? Or did they merely trying to hit me to the edge? Maybe, they do not have time but to make or receive phonecalls behind the steer?

These days, driving in Jakarta could be considered as ‘rough’ or perhaps ‘intimidating’, especially in busy hours. You deal with people rushing towards their workplace with their mind spinning, thinking about what they should do once they sit on their cubicle. Tasks are on waiting list, bosses are making pressures, customers and clients need to be pleased. While kids at home were just showing their test mark which may not satisfying for some parents, or spouses demanded for insatiable requests, or bills awaiting to be paid, or more reasons that might not want to escape from their mind until they are settled.

But driving needs concentration. Driving requires paying attention. Most of all, driving are a matter of transporting to some other place safely. Do you know how much people cost to make crash test? Up to a million dollar, they say. So it’s a pity not to make the best use of the sophisticated breaking system or any other diligent technology since you rarely use it, isn’t it? (So never blame public transportation for taking over your way … they seem to be not familiar with brakes!)

Most of all, driving is about ethics. In Jakarta traffic, or perhaps in any other big cities, you may find sluggish drivers on the fast lane. When you set your sign lamp to take over them, they habitually hit the accelerator deeper, as a sign of not wanting to be overtaken. Or they may not know that it suppose to be one at a time when queuing, so no need to be rush, afraid of not getting the turn, and eventually being so assertive to other driver. I make myself to be used to raise my hands to drivers who slow down politely to give me a turn. It’s simply ethics.

Therefore, when you need to be tested for your patience and tolerance, try driving in Jakarta.

The Enemy

Name the environment’s worst and meanest enemy. Not catastrophical force majeures, not even time. Yes, it’s human.

I have been watching quite numbers of children animation. Some of them conveyed conservation issues very nicely, should you remember Wall-E, Tarzan, Jungle Book, Spirit the Stallion, Pocahontas, Brother Bear, Ice Age, Avatar (well, it’s a teen movie, actually), and so forth. The latest, which I watched just recently, has put across a message on how human could behave maliciously to anything that stands between them and their intention. And that is not merely fictious.

It is stupid for both becoming the most magnificent creature and the meanest living machine of all times at the same time, I’ll say. You were unquestionably bestowed a gift from the very beginning, and being so ferocious means that you are not thankful to the Giver.

But that’s human. They may not have instincts to hunt preys, but somehow the ability to create magnificent mass-destructor, as a result of being diligent yet stifling, is very much the same. Nowadays human are hunters for their surroundings, even for their own race. They seem to try to “fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” in such a really meaningful ways. Subdue, dominate and … destroy.

How very heartbraking.

Couldn’t we human be more tender to any other creature in this planet?

Octopus's Garden

I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus's garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
In an octopus's garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus's garden near a cave
We would sing and dance around
because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden with you
in an octopus's garden with you
in an octopus's garden with you


Do you know this song? It was performed by The Beatles, the famous oldies group to whom I admire the music lately. I mean, very late, just recently. Somehow it took only one time for me to hear this song and then adore it ever since. I’m not much of their fan, to be honest, different with my husband who is a fanatic to this English band. But this music is fascinating.

No wonder I was surprised to know that the singer of the song was Ringo Starr. I thought it was John or Paul who used to write and sing songs for The Beatles. I was aware that this distinctive band was very talented which allowed every one of its personnel to sing and play instruments in turn. But, once again, I could not believe that this was the drummer’s voice. He even wrote this song himself. Moreover, the music is fun and enjoyable. Complete with the bubbling sound that Ringo made by blowing in a glass of water.

The thing I like most about this song is that it seems like the text represents a matter that is so simple it could almost been categorized as ‘not important’. Why would you have to tell a story about dancing and singing and being happy in a nowhere with an octopus as a host?

However, I love it. Being under the sea, in a deepest darkest part of an ocean, with nobody ever give a bug, only few aqcuaintance are permitted to join, and nobody to tell what to do, sound so promising! To be secluded to minding our own business, deep sea seems to be the best place. The world sometimes is way too crowd, just as the mind, when it finds its pace to speed with numbers of problems that linger until solved. Will be more to be dealt with, when people are making judgement for what should be done ideally …

I like sea. It always give me long and profound contemplation. It is mystifying. I also like octopus. Though they seem ugly, they are stated as highly clever, perhaps the most intelligent of all invertebrates. Both are combined perfectly in the movie ‘Pirates of The Carribean’, should you remember a scene when a gigantic creature shattered and consumed a mighty ship. Might you recall, yes, it’s an octopus, called Kraken if I’m not mistaken.

So, would you like to be the eight-handed’s guest? I would be happy to!

Defining 'enough'

Have you ever define ‘enough’ for yourself?

According to my reliable Oxford dictionary, it means ‘to do something / for doing something to a satisfactory degree; sufficiently’. OK, let’s stop for this definition. Well, it may sound too theoretical, so I believe that any of you would be keen on having your own meaning. I mean, in financial terms of course.

Human has basic needs. Soon as they are fulfilled, human tend to satisfy more of their necessities. Food, clothes, place to stay, sleep, sex (hey, that’s not my definition, that’s Maslow’s), excretion, breathing, are among them. Then, when we are able to search and invent, we are consuming various type of food with more delightful taste and mild textures, wearing luxurious-fabricated clothes, or living in a humongous habitat that resembles a manor. The problem is, to some people, these could be considered as heaven and wish a whole lifetime to gain them. Otherwise, to other people, they mean to include some more to their wealth by allowing any way possible.

How many do you get each month? Do you feel like having enough of it? Or do you wish to gain extra for your account? I am disturbed with people who claim other people’s belonging, money for example, to be used by themselves to extent their wealthiness to some degree. The Indonesian Minister of Finance herself has proclaimed that despite how high she could raise her subordinates’ wages, there will be no guarantee that they will avoid themselves to having extras by corrupting. To them, probably there are no limitations. They recognize no ‘enough’ whatsoever.

So how do we describe this omnipresence predicament? The seven deadly sins, a classification appeared early on Christianites era, define one of them is greedy. Others are wrath, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony – according to the final version. At Wikipedia, greed is defined as a very excessive or rapacious desire and pursuit of wealth, status and power. Consequentially when wealth arises, so will status and power. Anything is entitled to be possessed. So does other people’s or something that is not meant to be theirs.

Were not we taught at school for this morality highlight? I hardly believe so. Back to the old times, we were obliged to take ‘Penataran P4’ whenever we begin to swoop into new educational level. Though it might not be taught directly, greed was to be sure among the subject. However, I wish I could reread my Pancasila Morale Education (PMP) book these days …

I assume that it is important to determine the word ‘enough’ since early education. Requesting for more and more and always being fulfilled might increase the possibility to be greedy. It might be not easy for kids to hold their passion to have everything they want, but I’ll say, parents should illustrate them how to be grateful and thankful for everything they have possess. I myself, am still in process of defining my own definition of enough. Should you mean financially, I must sincerely confess that I desire more. Yet I am learning to define my limitations and realize my own strength …

Few weeks ago I was at one of the most prominent shopping center in Jakarta, known for its inexpensive but qualified products and a heaven for wholesalers. It is now as well a bliss for expatriates, for which I saw them gleefully bring two, three, four or more plastic bags and without complaining walked along narrow aisles, bumped other people’s body from one store to another, covered with sweat (yes sometimes the air conditioner doesn’t work), even if they were well-informed that the thing they have or they will purchase might not be the original one.

The shopping center is always packed with people. I think that’s why merchants always make an effort to maximize their presence, be it in quite sizable store or simply a small booth or yet a table at a counter. Owners typically put writings in way to make customers be alert for what they sell. What made me astounded, and constantly do, was some notes put at the edge of a table or on the wall:

Hair removal
Armpit whitener
Eyebrows grower
Teeth whitener
Bust firmer
Blemish removal

I hardly understand that they could provide numbers of instant solutions within a table. That’s the first one. Second, how many people are attracted and eventually come to buy one (or even all) of the products? Third, do they really work? (Let’s leave this question unanswered. I’m not keen to try, unless you have, then you may kindly tell me).

But what tickles more is, everybody will surely recognize that all of the products tend to be consumed by women. Are we that desperate to have all the listed problems solved? Me, for instance. Should I am offered to buy one, I would might be interested to pay for eyebrows grower (since they really do not have their identity there, clinging above my eyes). However I will think once, twice, third times and so forth, and we will be brought back the third question: do they REALLY work? What if they have more side effect than you have ever imagine, like your eyebrows be dismissed forever? Yes, women are demanded to look appropriate. But seems that you have not done enough just whitening your face (it’s recently common to think that white skin is perfectly beautiful, even though I disagree), your teeth, and today: your armpit as well. How many times will you raise your arm and display the armpit to the public just to have them say that it is indeed smooth and flawless?

Then again, for some ladies, hair is meant to grow only on top of your head, not at the other part of the body. I can recall on how women feel necessary to remove all the unwanted. Isn’t it hilarious to discover that, like me, some will make it grow in another place, while taking it away at the other area? Well, I don’t think that we will easily restructure what has been made by God.

Next time remind me to come to one of the counter to ask for the price, and where the products are formulated. I really want to find out.

Times for My Children

I am amazed on how people said they are timely managed, but somehow a vast percentage of their life is spent at their workplace …
These days, you may find people rushing towards their workplace on early dawn as normal. Then, they who stepped inside their house back from work at nearly midnight is also natural.
I don’t blame them should they be single. Don’t be offended, but I was too at the top of my less-worried time when I have not yet been married. The only thing that I must carefully cope with was my mom’s singing, worried that I did an incompatible work for a girl.
The deep concern goes to the family heads: father and mother. In the name of career, they sometimes unconsciously having too much time at their office, or on duty, and leaving their children at home with grandparents or even only nannies or maids. When the siblings did not make it at their early competence that they should be, or at school, simply blame them, or worse, the nannies. Should they know how the household workers treat their children, I’m sure they will reconsider many many times.
Don’t think that will work, I suppose. Somehow I myself had to deal with the very hard things when I decided not to continue sitting on my desk at my division, which means I had to wave my hands to steady income and welcoming the uncertainty for future, just to dedicate more love to both my son and daughter. I’ve been through profound contemplation, tears and smolders, not that I should not have another job with time flexibility, but the anxiousness of getting unstable financial gets my nerve. Not to mention, I am a person with energy which stiffs when there is nothing to do. At the office, I have directions for what to do, but at home, I could arrange any doings I want, and at the same time I could hardly think of what to do!
Now, some children I know are very happy to be piled with toys and gifts and speak joustly that their parents really need to go to work to keep them rewarded. How they brag about their wealth is truly remarkable. I also read some children’s comments on the media on how do they wish to possess the newest gadget and persuade their parents complete with their tears and cries, even if they are merely still wearing their red short uniform.
I just wish that life would be simpler. However, I do hope that I could recompense more to my children, aside from toys and leasures, but the time on which I could always be free to hug, cuddle, kiss, caress, put them on my lap, play planes and superman, not anytime I want, but anytime they want, and anytime they need. I don’t feel like losing their crucial growth as they don’t intend to call upon any other people for help when I can be there, lending a hand. Nobody could be the best parent, as none will assure that they have the perfect children raising method, but I at least would like to have the nearly best.

(Still) Farewell, Pak ...

Tepat hari ini, 27 Januari 2010, adalah persis seminggu berpulangnya salah satu orang besar di tempat kerja saya dulu. Dia adalah sang big boss yang menentukan jalannya sebuah konglomerasi besar di Indonesia ...

Nggak ada yang menyangka, lho. Beliau ini sakit hanya sekitar 5 hari, dan sempat dibawa ke salah satu rumah sakit besar di Singapura. Tapi apa mau dikata, Tuhan menentukan lain. Semua kaget. Semua menghela napas. Termasuk saya yang hanya berstatus mantan karyawan.

Saya mendapat runtut ceritanya yang cukup detil, mulai dari beliau merasa kurang enak badan, masuk rumah sakit, trombosit drop, unconscious, dibawa ke negeri singa, sampai pagi2 lewat blackberry message saya dapat kabar kalau beliau sudah nggak ada.

Cepet bener ya, pikir saya. Dan mau nggak mau saya ikut nangis. Padahal di kantor itu dulu jarak jabatan saya dengan beliau ini jauh. Bukannya nggak pernah ketemu atau berhubungan, tapi saya bukan yang tiap hari harus lapor kepada beliau. Cuma yang saya ingat, bulan2 ini adalah bulan2 dimana saya dan tim proyek anu harus mewawancara dan memotret beliau. Orang yang low profile, baik, dan perhatian dengan orang2 disekitarnya. Nangis? Iya lho. Saya sempat nangis, apalagi sambil baca runtutan cerita dari seorang teman baik yang ikut mengurus kepulangan jenazah dan persemayamannya. Jadi biarpun siapalah saya ini, saya putuskan untuk datang memberi penghormatan terakhir.

Waktu melayat, saya cukup mumet memikirkan bagaimana parkirnya di sekitar rumah duka dan pelayat sudah tentu tumplek blek disana. Bisa masuk nggak sih? Nanti salaman sama siapa? Jadi datangnya rada malam. Nyatanya masih banyak orang, mungkin karena besok paginya jenazah sudah akan dimakamkan. Jangan tanya karangan bunga, buanyak betul! Pelayat datang dan pergi, buku tamu mungkin sudah ganti berapa kali. Semuanya sama, nggak ada yang percaya. Semua bilang beliau pergi terlalu cepat. Nah, katanya 'kan orang baik memang seringkali 'dipanggil pulang' duluan. Jadi apa kita2 yang masih hidup ini nggak baik? Heh heh heh, nda tau ya ...

Makin sedih waktu saya lihat foto Bapak di atas jenazah. Foto itu diambil bulan Februari tahun lalu, dan saya sendiri yang masih in charge. Yaampun, si Bapak, kok sekarang tahu2 sudah nggak ada ... rasanya miris banget. Begitulah hidup ya, segala sesuatu ada waktunya.

Pagi hari besoknya, iklan dukacita seperti jor-joran mengisi halaman media massa. Lagi2 saya sedih, karena foto2nya sebagian diambil saat saya yang punya 'gawe' ...

Tapi lucunya, salah satu bekas rekanan kantor saya yang juga teman baik saya sempat dengan panik menelepon saya demi klarifikasi berita duka ini. "Yaampuuuuun si Bapak ... kita belum sempat interview lho buat bikin laporan!" katanya ... hahahaha ...

Sampai hari ini pun cerita2 tentang doa bersama mengenang Bapak, masih masuk di blackberry message saya. Menunjukkan betapa beliau begitu dicintai banyak orang dan kepergiannya bikin banyak orang kehilangan. Beliau bukan milik keluarganya saja, tapi juga milik komunitas besar disekitarnya ...

Farewell Pak, we will miss you ...