Gifts for being 25!

Wow, I am now 25 years old! So old, isn't it? But I feel blessed. I have a good life, good friends, and...  there are some people who gave me presents. Who doesn't like gifts?

#Handmade pouch/pencil case
I got this from Liesbeth, she made it for me. I could use it for a pencil case or for the cosmetic pouch. It looks small but can be filled anything! Perfect! Currently, I use this to store my beauty essentials, like powder, mascara, mirror, lip balm, lipstick, and eyebrow pencil.

#Look Who's Back by Timur Vermes
Before I received this gift, I knew this book from a friend, she liked it so much, and she said it is really funny. And suddenly I got this from Roland, a friend in Budapest. He said he had to order this book from UK and sent it to Budapest, and he sent this book to Belgium. I haven't finished this book, I already read the half, and yes it is funny! You should read this too!

#Book Voucher
I think everybody already knows I really like to read books. Nicole gave me a voucher that I could use in a bookshop. I haven't decided yet which books I will buy with this voucher, I am planning to buy The Girl in the Spider's Web. Is it good?

#Brompton
I already had a crush with Brompton long time ago, and I never think that I would have one. But, someone gave me as my birthday present. And it arrived today! I am over the moon right now :)

Jakarta Hitching Race 2011 : Susahnya mencari tebengan di Jakarta (Bagian III-Tamat)

Wah kebetulan nih, sponsor kami kan Seven Eleven, "Bagaimana kalau kita nongkrong dulu di sevel?" usul saya kepada rekan-rekan. Padahal kami tahu, kami sedang diburu-buru deadline.

Yah nggak ada salahnya kalau kami nge-gaul dulu lah di sevel dengan memanfaatkan voucher dari sponsor :)

setengah jam kami santai-santai di Sevel, kami memutuskan untuk memulai perjalanan.

Coke yang dibawa pulang Uthe tiba-tiba meledak dari dalam wadahnya, alhasil tas Uthe terpaksa basah semua seperti daun dan ranting (inget lagu "tik tik tik bunyi hujan", hahaha). Akhirnya, waktu kami agak terbuang untuk membersihkan tasnya Uthe.

Namun, di situlah kekuatan keajaiban bekerja. Di tengah jalan raya Tebet, kami meminta belas kasihan warga Jakarta untuk memberikan kami tumpangan.

Dua puluh menit berlalu, hingga tiba-tiba ada sebuah mobil sedan berhenti, dan segera kami kejar.

"Permisi pak, apakah kami boleh menumpang? Bapak mau ke mana?" tanya saya ketika jendela dibuka. Ternyata di dalamnya pengendaranya adalah seorang bapak-bapak yang sudah ngaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat tua!

"Cikini," jawab si pengendara tua itu.

Sontak, hatiku membuncah girang bukan kepalang. "Wah kebetulan sekali pak, kami mau ke Cikini. Apakah kami boleh menumpang?" pinta saya dengan antusias, dengan memasang senyum 100 watt,

dan begitulah kami, dengan manis duduk di mobil sedan yang ber-AC itu. Ini adalah mobil tertutup kedua yang berhasil kami dapatkan.

Apalagi arah kami sama dengan pengendara mobil, belum lagi, bapak Ramli (itulah namanya) juga akan melewati TIM (tempat kami berhenti). bagaimana kami tidak super duper beruntung? memang Tuhan telah mengatur segalanya untuk kami.

Ya, Jakarta Macet sore hari, kala itu sudaj pukul 15.30. Kami (lebih tepatnya hanya saya) yang berbincang-bincang dengan bapak Ramli itu. Karena cara saya duduk di depan, dan dua teman saya duduk di belakang, belum lagi cara berbicara bapak Ramli yang agak susah dipahami, karena seperti orang berkumur-kumur. Setelah berbincang-bincang dengan beliau, saya mengenal sedikit tentang beliau, misalnya ibunya beliau tinggal di Cikini umur ibunya sudah 99 thn, beliau sendiri umurnya sudah 60an tahun, adiknya bapak Ramli seorang dokter yang tinggal di Cikini Raya 3. Bapak Ramli ini seorang wartawan, ya mantan wartawan. Ingatannya termasuk sangat kuat. walaupun jalannya sudah bungkuk-bungkuk.

Kalau di Jakarta ini masih ada 100 orang seperti beliau, saya rasa Jakarta akan aman sentosa :)

Perhentian keempat: Komunitas Backpacker Dunia

Ya, kami diturunkan di depan Taman Ismail Marzuki, di sana sudah ada Komunitas Backpacker Dunia yang menanti kami. Tantangan berikutnya adalah pose aneh di depan spanduk Soekarno, inilah hasilnya :)

Setelah selesai dengan pose aneh, mereka menyodorkan amplop berisi perhentian kelima, yaitu Museum Proklamasi. Sebelum ke sana, Uthe izin salat dulu di TIM, akhirnya kami menunggu di depan parkiran.

Saat sedang menunggu, salah satu anggota Komunitas Backpacker Dunia menghampiri kami dan memberitahukan bahwa kami tidak perlu Museum Proklamasi karena lomba sudah mau ditutup, kami hanya perlu bergegas ke Sarinah.

Setelah Uthe selesai salat, kami pun berangkat ke Sarinah, awalnya kami ingin segera naik angkot, namun kami memilih untuk mencari tumpangan. Kebetulan, di depan TIM ada sebuah mobil yang menunggu majikannya, hanya ada supir di dalamnya.

Kami memberanikan diri untuk bertanya, "permisi pak, apakah kami boleh menumpang sampai sarinah?"

sontak ekspresi si supir kaget, dan dia menunjuk seseorang di belakang kami. Ternyata bossnya datang, saat kami lihat wajah bosnya, si Ino berseru "Eh elo!" yang artinya, mereka saling kenal.

Jadi, singkat cerita, tumpangan terakhir kami ini adalah mobil ketiga yang ber-AC, dan salah satu kebetulan bahwa kami bertemu seseorang yang dari kami kenal :)

si Matthew temen Parkournya Ino ini mengantarkan kami hingga samping gedung Sarinah,

berkat pertolongannya, kami menjadi tim juara keenam dari 36 kelompok. Sesampainya di Sarinah kami mendapat baju dari Hard Rock FM dan disuruh pose foto.

Setelah berfoto-foto di Sarinah lantai 8, depan stasiun radio, tim kami bertemu tim-tim lain yang juga dari Jakarta Barat, dan kami hendak pergi ke Kampung Petualang, di GOR BULUNGAN, dengan cerewet dan riang gembira namun lelah, kami bertukar pengalaman sepanjang jalan menuju GOR Bulungan, sumpah kegiatan ini benar-benar menyenangkan.

Sesampainya di Kampung Petualang, penampilan kami udah lecek kayak kertas diremes-remes, lepek, kucel, dekil, bau knalpot, lengket, ah total deh semua penderitaan. Salah dari sekian keluhan yang saya rasakan adalah rasa haus, soalnya, dari tadi siang persediaan cadangan minuman saya sudah habis, alhasil tenggorokan kering kerontang butuh minuman yang dingin-dingin atau yang segar-segar. WAH kebetulan banget, di meja registrasi panitianya sedang ceria membagikan minuman secara cuma-cuma. Kami disuguhi minuman dari sponsor, ada Coca Cola dan NU Green Tea. Mantap benar!!! Saya pilih NU Green Tea yang Less Sugar,

dan hasilnya mantap juga. Yang tadinya saya lemes karena dehidrasi dan kecapean, setelah minum NU Green Tea saya jadi semangat lagi! Semangat buat melanjutkan aktifitas berikutnya. Bergeser dari meja registrasi, kami mengunjungi beberapa stand, seperti GreePeace, Tembang Pribumi, BaliBackpacker, dll. dan kami bertemu tim dari Jakarta selain barat, kami bertukar cerita, cerita, dan cerita. Sambil ngobrol-ngobrol ngalur ngidul dengan topik yang sangat random, dan ditemani sebotol NU Green Tea, dan yang kalo habis boleh ambil lagi (hehehe, ketauan rakus) malam itu kami benar-benar sangat senang. Kami jadi lupa kalau kami itu sebenarnya lelah.

Hingga jam 9 malam, saya dan beberapa kawan-kawan terpaksa pulang karena tak tahan dengan lengket dan kantuk dan lelah.

inilah ekspresi kami di detik-detik terakhir sebelum naik bus Transjakarta :)

Jakarta Hitching Race 2011 : Susahnya mencari tebengan di Jakarta (Bagian II)

sebelum menulis catper tentang Ujung Genteng dan Cikaso, saya akan menamatkan catperJakarta Hitching Race 2011 ini.

Perhentian Ketiga: Tembang Pribumi

Posisi saat itu kami masih di Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta, Jakarta Barat. Setelah membaca clue berikutnya, yaitu sebuah lokasi komunitas musik tradisional di Jl. Kavling Polri C, Jelambar, Jakarta Barat, dengan sigap ketua tim, si Ino, menuntun kami untuk berjalan kaki ke arah Stasiun Kota. Kata Ino, di sana arahnya mobil-mobil ke arah Jelambar. Kami perempuan sih nurut aja.

Di seberang St. Kota, kami memberhentikan sebuah mobil pick-up yang ternyata mau berbagi dengan kami :)

hahaha ternyata supirnya malu buat foto bareng aku, hahaha :) (sebenarnya sih doi takut difoto, karena katanya takut kena masalah sama bosnya), baiklah, kami tidak memaksa.

setelah naik mobil bapak yang aku lupa siapa namanya, kami diturunkan di depan pos polisi Jl. Jelambar, daerah Duta Mas (kalo saya tidak salah ingat).

Berhubung di depan ada pos polisi, dengan PD kami langsung ketok-ketok pintu kantor polisi tersebut, muncullah seorang polisi lengkap dengan busananya, kami bertanya di mana letak Kavling Polri Blok C, dan bapak itu malah memberikan kami petunjuk yang sangat rumit.

akhirnya, kami memutuskan untuk mencari tebengan di depan pos polisi tersebut. Selang berapa menit, di tengah panas dan debu, ada sebuah mobil pickup yang menawarkan jasa tumpangan gratis. Tanpa pikir dua kali, kami segera bergegas menaiki mobil tersebut.

Saya dan Uthe duduk di depan, dan ketua tim, Ino, di belakang.

Dan ternyataaaa supir ke empat ini baik banget, dia mau nganterin kami sampai ke depan Jl. Kavling Polri blok C, padahal arah awalnya bukan mau ke sana. Sumpah baik sekali orang ini.

Akhirnya, kami diturunkan di depan gang persis. Dari situ, kami harus mencari sebuah rumah dengan ciri-ciri memiliki komunitas musik tradisional. Hal itu tidak mudah, karena Jl. Kavling Polri Blok C itu adalah sebuah perumahan hunian, jadi tidak ada tanda-tanda spesifikasi khusus yang mencerminkan rumah itu adalah milik sebuah komunita, sampai..,

ya sampai kami mendengar ada alunan musik dari sebuah rumah! ya, dan ternyata benar.Tembang Pribumi. Ya, itulah pos perhentian ketiga kami. Tantangannya adalah memainkan alat musik gamelan bali dengan kompak. Setiap anggota harus memilih salah satu alat, dan dimainkan secara bebarengan.

Asal kalian tahu saja ya, bakal saya di bidang musik itu 0 besar, alias gak ada bakat musik sama sekali. alhasil, ya, alunan musik yang dimainkan Ino dan Uthe terpaksa rusak gara-gara saya. Maaf ya kawan.

Biarpun karya dadakan kami ini benar-benar hancur total, Komunitas Tembang Pribumi ini sangat baik hati, mereka mau memberikan tanda tangan di passport kita. Setelah itu kami bisa deh berfoto bareng dengan mereka.

Dari Tembang Pribumi, kami mendapat petunjung berikutnya, yaitu:

Apa?? Cikini?? sumpah, di tengah kelelahan dan keputusasaan kami, petunjuk berikutnya semakin membuat kami tertantang. Cikini! ini adalah area yang berlawanan arah dengan Jelambar, atau dengan kata lain, jauh, jauh banget dari Jelambar tempat kami berdiri saat itu.

Belum lagi ditambah, kompleks perumahan yang kami lewati sangat jarang dilalui mobil-mobil, alhasil kami terpaksa jalan hingga jalan raya.

Tiba-tiba ada sebuah mobil pick-up biru melintas di depan kami, akhirnya kami kejar mobil itu hingga kami diperbolehkan menumpang hingga depan perempatan (yah, lumayan hemat tenaga :)) walaupun hanya sebentar tetap saja sebuah rezeki yang tak dapat ditolak.

Lihat deh muka supirnya saat kami bagikan voucher Sevel "biar makin gaul bang!" pesan kami :)

kami diturunkan di depan sebuah jalan antah berantah, dari sana kami segera mencari tumpangan lain. Setelah agak berjalan lama, kami mendapatkan sebuah tumpangan dari mobil carry, ini adalah mobil tertutup pertama yang berhasil kami dapatkan. Alamaaak susahnya mendapatkan mobil pribadi seperti ini.

Sayangnya, mobil ini tidak terlalu dapat membantu, karena mobil ini mengarah ke grogol, sedangkan kami hendak menuju Cikini. Kami terpaksa diturunkan di pinggir jalan yang saya tidak ingat namanya. Yang jelas, di seberang jalan raya itu adalah jalan masuk menuju tol Tebet dan Kuningan. Kami bertiga berdiskusi sebentar, mengatur strategi, kami memilih untuk mencari tebengan di depan jalan masuk tol, dengan harapan akan diangkut hingga ke Tebet. Masalah dari Tebet ke Cikini, akan dibicarakan setelah kami sampai Tebet. Begitulah pemikiran kami pada saat itu.

Mencari tumpangan di depan pintu masuk tol itu sungguh luar biasa sulitnya, semua pengendara melihat kami, tanpa memberikan tumpangan. Ada satu mobil pribadi menawari kami tumpangan, sayangnya arah mobil tersebut ke Cikampek. yah T_T sama saja bohong...

Akhirnya, dari sejumlah mobil-mobil yang sombong itu, kami mendapatkan sebuah tumpangan dari mobil box. Supirnya mukanya jutek banget, tapi dia baik mau memberikan kami tumpangan. Selama perjalanan bapaknya tidak banyak bicara. Hingga akhirnya kami diturunkan di depan Seven Eleven Tebet.

Catper tentang nongkrong di Sevel dan titik terakhir, mari klik sini.

Jakarta Hitching Race 2011 : Sukarnya mencari tebengan di Jakarta (Bagian I)

inilah perlombaan pertama yang ada di Jakarta, atau lebih tepatnya di Indonesia.

Apa itu "Jakarta Hitching Race"?

Suatu permainan balapan dengan 3/2 orang peserta dalam satu tim. Setiap tim harus berhasil mencapai ke beberapa perhentian. Uniknya terletak pada cara untuk mencapai ke perhentian itu, setiap tim diwajibkan menumpang kendaraan pribadi (mobil). Perhentian yang dituju tersebut merupakan situs-situs unik perwakilan dari komunitas-komunitas di Indonesia, perusahaan dan tempat-tempat menarik atau bersejarah.

Mau tahu peraturannya lebih lanjut? Mari klik di sini.

Acara ini merupakan rangkaian acara dari CouchSurfing Indonesia Festive, dalam rangka memperingati ulang tahun yang keenam.

Dalam tulisan ini, saya ingin berbagi pengalaman unik dan mengesankan selama mengikuti "Jakarta Hitching Race" ini.

Saya sudah mendengar gaung acara ini jauh-jauh hari sebelum acara ini dilaksanakan. Walaupun saya juga tertarik untuk ikut, namun ada beberapa hal yang membuat saya ragu untuk bergabung dengan acara ini, seperti malas, tidak ada waktu, ada acara lain, dll. Kemudian, ada satu teman Prancis saya, namanya Alice, dia sangat antusias ingin ikut berpartisipasi dalam acara ini. Saya memang sibuk akhir-akhir ini, mulai dari rapat dan acara-acara lain, sehingga akhirnya saya memutuskan di H-1 untuk bergabung dan mendaftarkan diri. voila! Saya menjadi bagian tim Kawah Putih, bersama dua peserta lain yang dipilih random.

Starting Point

Starting point merupakan titik permulaan lomba. Titik ini tersebar dalam empat bagian sesuai lokasi regional Jakarta, yaitu Jakarta Barat, Jakarta Timur, Jakarta Utara, dan Jakarta Selatan. Pembagian titik ini ditentukan berdasarkan lokasi peserta. Saya berangkat pukul 8.10 menuju Museum Fatahillah, karena di sana adalah starting point untuk regu Jakarta Barat. Sesampainya di sana, saya kira sudah banyak orang yang berkumpul, ternyata zooooonkkkkka.k.a nggak ada siapa-siapa.

Setelah agak celingak-celinguk, akhirnya satu per satu peserta lomba mulai berdatangan. Mood langsung kembali naik :) Saya dapat kenalan baru, haha-hihi. Tidak berapa lama, teman sekelompok saya datang. Kelompok kami terdiri dari dua perempuan, satu laki-laki. Kami belum pernah bertemu sebelumnya, namun dalam sekejap kami langsung akrab, itulah hebatnya anak-anak CS, begitu bertemu langsung bisa akrab.

Acara ini agak sedikit ngaret, harusnya dimulai pukul 09.00, namun pelaksanaannya dimulai pukul 10.00. Di depan Museum Fatahilah ini, ada komunitas Historia Indonesia yang membagikan sejarah singkat mengenai sejarah Museum Fatahilah. Banyak fakta-fakta sejarah menarik yang tidak saya dapatkan di buku pelajaran SMA. Saya menjadi semakin bangga dengan sejarah masa lampau. Mendengarkan penjelasan dari Komunitas Historia Indonesia membuat saya menyadari sebenarnya saya ini termasuk dari sejumlah orang yang belum banyak mengenal budaya dan sejarahnya sendiri. Saya sering mengajak bule-bule ke Museum Fatahillah, namun saya hanya menjelaskan sangat ringkas, bahwa museum ini dulunya sebagai kantor pemerintahan. Hanya itu! astaga! betapa saya berhutang cerita pada teman-teman bule yang pernah saya ajak ke museum ini. Saya harus bercerita lebih banyak mengenai museum ini ketika saya mengajak turis-turis lain. Jadi, PR tambahan buat saya: Harus membaca banyak buku-buku sejarah.

Sebelum kami menuju perhentian kedua, kami dibekali passport hitching, gunanya sebagai

barang bukti bahwa kelompok kita telah melalui perhentian-perhentian yang ditentukan. Dipassport hitching race ada kolom visa, yang harus diisi dengan biodata supir yang memberikan kita tumpangan. Kami juga dibekali peta Jakarta yang tulisannya alamaaaaakkk bikin mata jereng. Selain peta, kami diberi souvenir dari sponsor lomba, seperti voucher, kalender, handuk, pin, dll. Lihat deh sponsornya, banyak banget kan? sumpah ini hebat banget. Kalau nggak ada sponsor, nggak mungkin deh peserta dan drivernya dapet banyak merchandise

Perhentian Kedua: Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta, Makam Souw Beng Kong, Kapitan Tionghoa VOC

Dari Kota Tua kami lari menuju Jl. Pinangsia, mencari tumpangan. Tumpangan pertama kami cegat di

depan Plaza Pinangsia, sebuah mobil pick-up yang akan menuju Lintedeves. Kami turun di Lintedeves. Eh... ternyata kami salah strategi! kami pikir Hotel Jayakarta berada di Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta, ternyata kami salah :( ah.. jadi kami harus berjalan panjang menyisiri jalan apalah itu namanya, hingga kami bertemu mobil pick-up lainnya yang mau menampung kami. Tunggu. tunggu, apa? sepertinya saya menjelaskannya dengan mudah. Enak saja, untuk mendapatkan mobil pick-up saja kami sudah menempuh jalan kaki di siang terik yang cukup panas dan jalanan berdebu, belum lagi tatapan sinis pengendara mobil-mobil ber-AC yang tidak menganggap niat baik kami.

Tumpangan kedua kami menurunkan kami di sebuah persimpangan jalan, karena berbeda arah, Untuk menuju Jl. Jayakarta Gang Taruna kami harus berjalan kaki mencari gang yang hanya dapat dilalui motor. Tidak semudah itu mencari gang Taruna, karena kecilnya gang tersebut kami sempat kelewatan beberapa meter. Dan, sampailah kami di perhentian kedua. Makam Souw Beng Kong, mantan Kapitan Tionghoa VOC. Di perhentian ini kami hanya cukup memotret ikan mati yang ada di depan makam.

Setelah passport ditandatangani oleh Aki si penjaga perhentian kedua, kami langsung membaca amplop yang disodorkan. Yah, the next destination is Jl. Jelambar, Kavling Polri Blok C, Komunitas Tembang Pribumi.

Penasaran kisah saya selanjutnya? mari baca bagian kedua perjalanan hitching race ini.

Ucapan selamat ulang tahun di usia ke-20

Io sono felice perche oggi il mia compleano.

Terima kasih Tuhan atas segalanya yang telah Kau berikan selama hidup ini.

Saya bahagia karena telah menginjak usia ke-20 tahun. Itu artinya saya sudah bukan lagi remaja atau anak-anak. Saya harus dapat lebih bertanggung jawab, dewasa, dan serius dalam menjalani kehidupan ini.

Tahun ini tidak seperti tahun sebelumnya, tahun ini saya menerima sedikit ucapan selamat ulang tahun. Ini bukan berarti saya menginginkan semua orang mengingat ulang tahun saya.

Ulang tahun bagi saya tidak terlalu penting digembar-gemborkan, toh itu hanya perayaan atas bertambahnya umur. Dan cukup saya dan Tuhan saja yang merayakan itu.

Saya sengaja, sebisa mungkin, menyembunyikan tanggal lahir saya di Facebook, email, dan jejaring lainnya. Alasan pertama adalah saya ingin melihat berapa banyak orang-orang yang peduli dengan saya. Ternyata, hari ini saya bisa melihat, siapa yang peduli dan siapa yang tidak. Peduli dan tidak itu bukanlah soal. Saya hanya ingin mengetahuinya.

Hipotesa saya saat ini, media komunikasi virtual seperti facebook dll itu hanya memberikan pertemanan semu. Teman-teman yang hampir saya jumpai setiap hari pun juga hanyalah pertemanan semu. Hanya segelintir orang-orang yang mengingat ulang tahun saya tanpa bantuan internet. dan saya sungguh salut dengan mereka. Sisanya, hanya mengetahui ulang tahun saya berasal dari internet. Saya juga mengerti, saya bukan siapa-siapa di kehidupan mereka, jadi saya juga tidak menuntut mereka untuk hafal dengan tanggal lahir saya, Ini sungguh tidak penting. Ini juga menjadi salah satu alasan mengapa untuk beberapa waktu ini saya akan menonaktifkan Facebook saya.

Saya ucapkan terima kasih pada sahabat-sahabat yang mengucapkan selamat ulang tahun dari lubuk hati yang terdalam. Suatu saat, ketika mungkin saya mengalami cobaan yang sangat berat, saya tahu harus kemana saya meminta bantuan.

Untuk teman-teman yang mengingat saya karena saya ini hanya sebatas teman di mata kalian, mungkin selama ini saya kurang berlaku baik terhadap kalian. mungkin juga kita belum cukup mengenal. semoga siapa pun yang membaca tulisan ini, ingin menjadi bagian dari sahabat yang dapat memberikan saya tangan ketika saya akan menemui maut.

Saya berjanji akan menjadi teman kalian dengan totalitas penuh.

Telinga saya bersedia mendengarkan keluh kesah kalian. Tangan saya terbuka untuk mengulurkan bantuan. Jangan sungkan-sungkan meminta tolong kepada saya.

Entah kenapa, saya sangat bahagia hari ini. Saya masih memiliki sahabat-sahabat yang sayang dengan saya. Mungkin kami jarang bertemu, tapi perasaan itu masih terus ada.

Saya bahagia karena saya dan mama memiliki malam yang indah hari ini.

dengan hidangan sirloan steak dan tenderloin steak di Jonny's Steak @Hayam Wuruk.

begitulah akhir hari pertama saya di usia ke-20.

terima kasih Tuhan.

Alfi

gypsyholic's project in 2011: Swapping postcards to the worldwide.

Holla pals, wherever you are!

Facebook, Twitter, MSN, Skype, YM!, augmented reality - we live and travel in a world of instant information and sore thumbs. This year is a good time to pause and revisit

that ol’ travel chestnut: the postcard.

What started a century ago as a craze of keepsakes (recipients cherished them as much as travellers sending them cherished their actual experiences) has lost out to wi-fi, text messaging. A shame.

Sending a postcard leads to all sorts of local life commonly missed - stationery shops, post offices, funny stamps - as well as the art of actually writing with a pen.

I don't know what the meaning of the postcard for you, but for me, sending and getting a postcard is so fascinating!

This year I start to send a postcard to strangers.

I write random quotes, random thoughts, I write everything..

And I'm excited with my project!

PS: If you read this post, and want a postcard from me, just let me know, send me your address.

I'll send you a tiny greeting card from Indonesia. Promise. :)

warm regards,

gypsyholic

Tutoring without salary? Why not? The Poverty isnt big problem for kids to get a better education.

Hello pals,

Last Friday, I got a call from my church. They offered me to teach kids every Saturday morning. It is one of social projects of the church. They give a class for kids who are from disadvantaged families background. Its class is for free. Every kid can join this class. everyone.

Without thinking anymore,I grabbed the chance. I said, "Okay."

I don't know why I answered yes. Maybe, because I think, God sends me to the kids. I want to do something good in my life. If I have better education, so why they don't?

besides, I want to share my knowledge with them. They deserve a good education.

I hate if the poverty is the biggest problem to reach a better education.

So, last Saturday, I join to the class. There was 12 students. 11 boys and 1 girl. Mostly, they from 2nd--5th grade.

Oh ya, I was not alone, there were 2 tutors as volunteers, like me. :)

We taught them English, Math, and other subjects.

Tutoring is always fun. I learn a lot from the kids.

I also found a pathetic fact from one of my kids. It was from Dewi. When I taught English to her, she gave me a flat face.

I asked her, "Got it?"

she nodded. but I know SHE LIED, she didn't understand what I was saying.

So, I asked her, "What is your problem in English?"

she didn't answer me.

anyway, all the conversation I did with Bahasa, not in English.

I gave her some words in English, such: walk, get up, breakfast, dinner, etc. I asked her again whether she understand the words or not.

and she shook her head.

And then, I asked "If you find difficult words in your textbook, what do you do with it? how do you search the word's meaning?"

Her answer was, "skip it"

ugh.. I lil bit shock. Then, I asked her again, "Do you have dictionary?"

she said, "Nope"

"Bang!!!" something shoot my head.

I need time to face it. It is reality,I have 12 dictionaries in any languages, but the girl who sat beside me has none.

In the end of class, I gave her a tips to remember difficult words in English, "Dewi, if you find difficult words, you need to underline it, then you check the meaning from the dictionary in library, or ask your friends. If you already find the meaning, write down the meaning besides the difficult word, So when you study again at home it easily for you to remember. Understand?"

her flat face was gone, and she smiled. I smile. I'm happy. :)

Life is not always about money. Sometimes you need to make your life to be more valuable. In my way, I do it by spending my time for social projects.

be smart, be good, and be better. :)

Looking at the ceiling, looking at my day

Staring at the ceiling. I do it every night. On the ceiling I project my day. Sometimes it was good, sometimes it was bad, but it is always over. I look at my day at the ceiling and think about what I have learned or what I have done. Sometimes a lot, most of the time nothing. It does not matter. It is over anyway.

Looking at the ceiling, looking at my day, I never think about tomorrow. On my ceiling tomorrow does not exist. And I hope it never will.

Looking at the ceiling, looking at my day, I never think about yesterday. On my ceiling every day plays only once. I would like it to stay that way.

The ceiling helps me put things in perspective, just one day at a time. I have goals, things I want to accomplish in the future, but I can’t think about that when I am looking at my ceiling. There is not future on my ceiling, there is just today.

While staring at the ceiling there is just today.

Dad, I promise to make you smile at me.

Dear Dad,

its me again.Your lovely daughter. Am I bothering you?

I wish Jesus allows you to check your email. :)

Whats up there? Is there any news in heaven? ;)

its been long time I didn't write a letter for you. I miss you.

Well, lately I posted some sad stories about my day, I don't want to talk about my shit life, such this post. I'll zipped my mouth to tell my crappy pain. You no need to know about this.

sometimes bad, sometimes good. I try to forget my bad day, and I always keep my good days in memories.

I wrote this for telling you that I'm fine. You no need to worry. You no need to come at my mom's dream (BTW, why you never come to my dream?).

I realize the most beautiful days were when you was alive.

Since you left us, many great things that have happened in my life.

Such: getting scholarships for my studies, and they help my mom a lot in our financial.

I got scholarships since I was in elementary school. First was from church, and second was from the school itself.

I get a good education. I studied in Catholic private school (1st--9th grade) and fortunately I got the scholarship from church (as you know private school is more expensive than public school), then when I was in high school I moved to public school, and thanks to Jesus, I graduated from a high school which is one of the best public school in Jakarta, because my high school have standardized as International school.

(or at least my high school was being runner up for the cleanest high school in Indonesia at 2007)

after graduated from high school, I applied a scholarship. and praise to the Lord, yeah I got it! I received a scholarship from the best university in our country, yes, Dad, its University of Indonesia.

Do you know how much I had to pay per semester? only Rp200.000 whilst the others pay for Rp2.000.000 or more. Oya, this semester I also got a government scholarship, but the money isn't delivered to my account bank yet. Well, I'm not smart, but I'm still trying hard to get there.

Dad, I have many fabulous friends. Many of them come from high society, they are kind to me. They do not discriminate me because of my financial status, or because of I'm a Indonesian (most of my friends are Indo-Chinese). Yeah, I rarely hang out with them, but doesn't mean I lost contact with them. When I had my free time, I usually hang out, dinner, or whatever.

Dad, you no need to think about our financial, fortunately, My mom and I do not run short of money at all. We always get enough sustenance.

I can earn my money by myself. My first job was being a young journalist for a local newspaper. I met famous people, I interviewed them, and it was awesome, and unforgettable moment.

this picture was taken when I interviewed Mellisa Karim, an actress.

after resigned from that newspaper, I'm selling pirated DVDs by online, and I'm also selling them at my campus. Its profit can use to buy new novel (as you know your wife is quite stingy about money ) Sometimes, I'm also be a tutor for kids, teaching math or any kind of subjects.

Dad, do you know how I'm excited to go abroad? Have I told you before? In 2007 I won writing competition, and I got free ticket for visiting schools in Singapore. How cool that was.

Dad, you know live with that--if i could I say--a rich family, they introduced me to the luxurious life. They taught me about branded stuffs such as how to distinguish between the original Louis Vuitton or the fake one. Sometimes, They brought me to many superb-deluxe-restaurants. Occasionally, they also give me branded stuffs such GAP, Guess, Zara, Mango, etc. (if you see me wearing Mango, it must be come from anyone else, not paid from my pocket. )

Yes, actually the Boss and her family could be kind to us. and in other time they could be very grumpy. I don't care, as long as I'm happy.

Dad, Are you tired reading my awful confessions? Okay, from what I was written I just wanna make sure that I'm really fine. period.

I'll reach my goals, bring my mom and myself to a better life, leaving at that house soon. When the moment it comes, you will smile at me from up there , and being proud of me.

Love, kisses, and hugs,

your daughter,

Alfi.

the reasons why I can't go out more often at night time.

Dear friends,

I'm sorry if I often do not attend your party or events.

I'm sorry if I often reject any important meetings.

Or, I'm sorry if I often suddenly cancel our appointment in the last second.

I'm so sorry. I don't meant them.

I have some explanations behind those all.

first, I live in that house. not my house-- my mom's boss. My mom and I are living with the boss and her family. Yes, I'm a servant since I understood what kind of my mom's job is.

I can't go out from that house in the night time. Actually, I can go out sometimes, but I have the limit late hours which is 9.pm no more.

Maybe this reason doesn't make sense for you. But, it works for me.

We're living with that family almost 17 years, and as my exchange I need to serve my life to the Boss. Sounds like slavery? yes, it is!

So, if you want to ask me out, the first thing you have to think about are the time and the date, I'm available at noon, because i have reason to go to campus (so I can see you after class) :)

if weekend, probably I can't, My mom's boss is busy with church-thing, so she needs my helps.

the good news is if my mom's boss isn't at that house (going to abroad) Naaahh.. I can see you anytime, I can go out late :)

but, it rarely happen. :(

Oya, one more reason why I often suddenly cancel my appointment in the last second:

The boss often suddenly asks me to do something which I can't reject (yeah, just because I don't want to hear any complaints from her).

For example, I was ready to go out for important meeting with my campus friends (we're doing project at campus) , but while I was stepping my foots out of the door, she yelled my name, "Alfiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, please blablabalablabla.... would you?"

and, yeah, I remember I'm just a servant, so I was back inside that house. "Yes, Madam. Is there anything I can help?" ask me with politely.

enough for this confession, I don't hate my life, I'm trying to live in it. I also try to step out from this situation, I'll reach my dreams. soon. yes, soon.

I'm not complaining. I'm grateful. I know behind this all, there is good things for me. I believe God never sleeps. And mother Marry always listens to my pray. Amen.

regards,

Alfi

Bloody hell, why do I have to be so sensitive?

This morning, I just got grumbling because of my mom’s boss. She yelled at me because she wasn’t satisfied with my service. Look, she would lunch, and I served her as well, but when she looked in the kitchen, there was a kettle of chicken soup which was not at the table.

She thinks I’m a lazy person, because maybe she assumes that I don’t want to serve her. I explained her, “Madam, the chicken soup isn’t ready yet. It’s still boiling.” – But it looked like she doesn’t want to understand.

I don’t know what she was thinking about me. My mom and I have worked with this madam for almost 17 years – so do I. We’re living in the same house, for my whole life she’s been giving me a place to stay.

And after that , I felt sad. I didn’t like the way she shouted at me, it was like I’m stupid. (Yes I’m stupid, so what???) I know for the first time I’m only a servant to her, nothing more. But, one thing I would love to say loudly in front of her face was, “I’m a HUMAN, I HAVE FEELINGS”.

Many times I saw her get mad at my mom. I felt sad. I know my mom also did stupid things which made her angry. But we’re still human.

Okay, I admit, sometimes I’m lazy, but if you’re disappointed with my service or acts, please tell me the decent way.

Well, maybe that incident wasn’t that serious. Maybe I’m too serious and sensitive. Yeah, that’s my lacking characteristic. I didn’t complain when she was angry at me. I can’t complain. She’s my boss, I deserved it.

Why is my life so messed up? I don’t feel I’m alive. No freedom. I’ll tell you why in private. (Just in case you want to know)

So, for this moment, I just want to run away from this house and the boss and her family, get graduated soon, get a decent job, living in my ‘home’. I WANT TO BE FREE. Could I?

I really can’t wait for the moment when I step out of my life from this house.

Saturday night I prefer to served the Lord than saying a goodbye

does the title make you think I'm a religion person?

Oh, please don't think like that. I'm just try to be a useful person.

Today was sooooo sad.

yesterday, I said to my friend who tomorrow will back to his country, "after I'm done with the charity thing I'll come to your farewell"

but, I broke my word. I felt bad because I couldn't make it.

I felt disgusted.

So, whats happen?

yesterday, my mom promised I could go after 5.pm and the charity event will be ended around 5.

BUT IT WAS A LIE.

This morning, I heard my mom talked to the phone that charity event will be over at 10pm. What the heck?? when I heard about this, I still believe I could go out after 5pm. But I couldn't.

And, the crap was happen. At 5.pm, this kitchen still chaos. My mom was cooking, and I couldn't leave her alone. Before you are confused what I'm talked about, I'll give my explanation what we were doing: the church held a charity event for 150 old folks (69--90 years old). And as you maybe already know, my mom is a chef, so she got order from the church to make meals for the old folks. She cooked for dinner which start at 7.30pm.

when at 5.pm the meals still not ready yet, it means I couldn't go out from the kitchen. My tears was going down because I will broke my promise, and my mom knew it, and she said I may let go off--with her sarcasm tone--(it means: I cant go)

hell yeah, life is about choice, and for million times I've been on dilemma situation.

and while stopping my tears goes down,

I thought harder. and I found answer for my self:

Even my mom give me permit for go to the my friend farewell, I decided not to come at his farewell.

why?

first, my mom had 150 portion of meals and she worked with two person, included me. If I go, my mom will worked more harder, and I couldn't see my mom looks tired. I couldn't be egoist.

Second, this meals for old folks, and this event for charity, and this event held by church, SO this event had concrete goals. When I decided not to go out, I thought about God. Maybe sounds like religious type which I'm not. But I think the old folks more need the meals from us than I attend to someone dinner. In this case, I consider being useful person for many old folks who really need meals was much worth it.

So, I texted my friend who had the farewell, I told him I cant make it. and he understand it.

I back to work, preparing the meals until 8.pm. I was so happy when knew the old folks enjoy the meals, they said "it delicious", I was sooooo proud of my mom and all our works today, its worth in the end. Oya, I forget, menu for today was Soto Sapi, Perkedel, and Telor rebus.

They were happy, my mom and me are happy, we made many people happy. Oh, thanks God for today. You make my day, even I missed another event.

Eventhough now I'm very tired after work for charity, but I did it for many people, So I can't complain.

I never really good in goodbye.

and about my friend who will leave my country, I think I should not sad. Everything has its goodbye. Okay, I admit I'm sad because I can't see his face for the last time, but I try to let it go. If there is any chance, and I believe there are many chances out there, we will meet together again, somewhere, sometime. God knows it. :)

PS: anyway, to make my feeling better, while writing this blog I eat a box of chocolate from my auntie. Ohh,, I love chocolate, it makes my feeling happier. :)

what the heck with me??

I dont know whats wrong with me now.

I feel awfully awkward. coward. whatever.

I'm a hyphophrenia--a vague sad feeling without reason. And I cant help myself.

and I believe I'm a schizophrenia. Do not offense!!

Tonight, someone invited me to his farewell, and I couldnt make it. and I was so sad.

why? okay, the answer is about my mom. She is not at home right now, so I have to stay at home all the time.

Lately, I've been hard to reach.. I've been too long on my own, I have private world, when I can be alone.

i want running away from this life. get wild and drunk!! Fuck people, fuck life. I'm tired being a nice person. I just want to be me!!! Fuck this shit!!

I just so fucking depressed, i just can seem to get out this slump. If I could just get over this hump, but i need something to pull me out this dump.