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Walk At Your Own Risk!

25 Jan posted by

The early Monday news haunt me till this very minute.

9 innocent lives gone taken by one drunk, driver’s license-less and a meth head girl on Sunday morning in Jakarta.

Image from: Kompas

The driver and her 3 friends survived but those 9 lives are forever gone.

This has became a national headlines today and I feel sick down to my stomach.

Let me tell you, here, you ride the filthy public buses you’ll get groped by perverts, you ride the train you will get squeezed like sardines. You ride public mini-vans and you get raped! Now it’s not even safe to walk down the street? How sad has this city become is beyond me. This is just a daily part of commuting in Jakarta, a picture I took riding the all female train.

First of all, like I had blog before, sidewalks in Jakarta is pretty much nonexistent! They are either uneven, with dangerous pot holes, cracked or just pretty much occupied with those street vendors or covered with motorbikes trying to escape the congested traffic.

Now let’s talk about drivers courtesy in general here. Guess what, it’s pretty much nonexistent too.

As someone who doesn’t drive here, I’ve heard my father vented out about how rude people can get once they are behind the wheels here, be it two wheeled or four wheeled ones.

Road courtesy is nonexistent. Driver’s education? Nonexistent!

No wonder a lot of Indonesian drivers failed their tests if they attempt to get driver license abroad.

Do you even know how freaking easy it is to get a driver’s license here? Just bribe and voila! You can now drive and put everyone else’s lives at risk by having no ideas how to drive safely. The whole system is beyond broken and maybe that’s why I refused to drive here.

What pissed me and so many millions other Indonesians are the facts that this girl would only face 4 to 12 years in prison for what she did. Really? It’s a freaking DUI for God’s sakes. Is that how cheap the price of one’s life in my country? Among the victims were a 7 months pregnant lady. Killed with the baby inside! She went all Grand Theft Auto on these people and will just get a slap in the hand for it?!

This is so outrageous and make such a huge mockery out of our justice system. Personally, I think this girl should be handcuffed right away not tweeting and playing around with her Blackberry at the crime scene like shown on TV. From what I read, she had the time to locked her Twitter account just before she got arrested. There is no word to describe how disgusting that is. She should pay for what she did and spend the rest of her lives behind bars to think of those innocent lives taken by her stupidity!

So yeah, I guess in Jakarta walking now need to come with a warning label! Walk at your own risk.

What’s DUI laws are in your country? 

8 Comments
Filed Under: Jakarta Livin'

2011 In A Flashback

28 Dec posted by

The writing prompt from Mama Kat’s this week is just too good to pass. What better ways to get ready for the new year than taking a little flash back to see what happened in 2011 on my blog who has been in near comatose moments because juggling a full time job and single motherhood is just not easy.

Let’s get started, shall we?

1. January:

Last January was a huge milestone for my boy. He started preschool! I had mixed feelings about this. One part of me is quite sad to let him go into the world – albeit it’s just a preschool but he never been to one before so it’s a huge steps for all of us. One part of me is excited for him to see him learning new things and making friends.

2. February:

Read above, and see why my blog was in comatose? I didn’t post a single darn thing for the entire month.

3. March:

By the end of March my brothers and my son went to Bangkok to cash in on that Photo Contest winning prize that I won back in late 2010. It was one of the best vacations I ever had. Not only because we went there for free but from being treated like a star at The Holiday Inn Bangkok. It was purely one vacay I will never forget.

Walking Down The Steps

4. April:

After my marriage ended and seeing how so many marriages especially ones that involves a Western man fell to pieces while they are living and working in Indonesia, I just can’t help but pouring my thoughts into the ‘Why’s  and I love the feedbacks I’m getting from friends who is in a mix marriage and others who had went through divorce.

5. May:

With my crazy work load back then, I only managed to pushed one post out and it was a V-log. Yes, my first ever video blog.

6. June:

This was a hard month for all of my family. We lost my mother’s sister to breast cancer then followed by the passing of my Grandmother just three days later.

7. July:

My favorite post has to be the one where I wrote about the hardship and joy of flying solo as a single mom.

8. August:

Being a single mom is not easy and sometimes people just need to be reminded of what not to ask us single moms. This post might be very handy for Indonesian people who can be pretty nosy.

9. September:

Hitting the publish button was so hard for this one post. Waves of pain swept over me as I typed how I faced my final curtains but the fear of writing about something so very personal was quickly changed into relief – as if I am letting go of my anger. The outpouring supports I got truly lift up my spirit so thank you my dearest friends who read and commented. This post was picked by Fadra from All Things Fadra for her Top 20 Blogmas Posts to Make You Feel. Thanks Fadra!

I cheated, I have to favorite post this month, it was actually from Mama Kat’s writing prompts: Where I’m From.

10. October:

After one reader’s comment on my post about misconceptions about secretaries , I had some doubtful moments about my writing and asked how to handle criticism. Blogging in a language that is not my native language has been more comfortable for me but it is a learning process. If I were to read my ancient diaries written in English, I’m sure I would cringe from the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

11. November:

My post to celebrate The World Moms Blog first anniversary was a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. The same reasons why I came up with my tagline Scoops From Two Cultures, One Heart.

12. December:

My son turned 5 years old on December 7, 2011. I reflect back on what a joy having a son really is about.

In welcoming 2012, what are your favorite posts from 2011? Why don’t you join this week’s writing prompts over at Mama Kat’s

39 Comments
Filed Under: Musings

Falling in Love Again

27 Dec posted by

With my old camera that is…

Since I was alone for Christmas because my son was over at his Dad’s, I decided to go ahead with my friend to watch the Grand Prix Marching Band Indonesia 2011 held on Christmas Eve here in Jakarta. She coaxed me saying I could take some really cool pictures.

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For the records, I knew nothing about marching band and never watch them exclusively.

We got to the big stadium and got front row seats where I quickly took some pictures. After lunch break we went back inside and it was packed! We had to kiss our seats goodbye and stand by the edge. Were difficult taking pictures so I went down, positioned myself right next to this guy who carried the big white lens. His big camera and lenses made me feel so small hah but what the heck, I was determined to take lots of pictures.

I was blown away by these marching bands performances. Before, I would think “Ah, so what they’re just bunch of kids playing musical instruments.” But what I didn’t know was, they are pretty much theatricals, there are storylines even characters brought to life with the music pieces they are playing. It was so much fun.

My two favorite marching bands were from BCK Duri their theme was Harry Potter. So brilliantly done and the music they played were out of this world.

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Here’s an amateur video of their performance I found on YouTube.

The other favorite was from Pupuk Kaltim (Bontang PKT) – which by the way is already a household name for Marching Band in Indonesia. How on earth they made the sounds came out to be in perfect stereo is beyond me.

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And here’s another YouTube video of their performance:

After the loud day at the stadium – I went to one of the newly opened mall where my family was then headed home.

It is our family tradition here that on Christmas Eve and New Year Eve to have my uncle + his family also my aunt and her family to come over just before midnight. With my mother being the eldest, they always gathered here. We would be praying before midnight followed by midnight meals. Yes, we would eat! Then my mom would call her mother who is in another town.

We stayed up late on Christmas Eve not to open presents but to pray and just be together. Granted, everyone was in mad dash to wake up the next day and get to church for our 10am service.

Before having the families over I decided to play around with my camera some more. Object of experiment? Bokeh lights. Using the Christmas tree and some props I came up with these shots. Of course me being the worst critique of myself, I wasn’t very satisfied with them but for a first try some actually came pretty good. What do you think?

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So that is how I spent my Christmas Eve, falling back in love with my old camera. How did you spent yours?

PS: You can check out the rest of the pictures on my Flickr page.
13 Comments
Filed Under: Photoblog, Uncategorized

On Loneliness

15 Dec posted by
Alone

‘Tis the season to be merry…

Not lonely

Yet here I am, typing this with loneliness about to leak from the rim of my sanity.

Just when I thought I’ve already have so much to juggle, such a busy life as a single mom I can’t seem to shake these feelings off. Yes, I am surrounded with my big crazy loving family layered with lots of awesome friends – which I am so thankful for but there’s a suppressed feeling of loneliness that I’ve been shoving aside for ages.

And when it leaks, I am a hot mess!

After rebuilding my life all over again, I’ve been trying so damn hard to stay strong and independent, trying to create positive focuses in my life to lift the spirit. Infidelities really did some damaged on my part that honestly I’m still working on.

So yes, I feel loneliness chewing me inside.

Why Not Dating Again?

 
“You’re still young…there’s still plenty of chances out there for you. Plenty of fish in the sea!” one dear friend encouraged me when I lamented about my bleak dating history.

Plenty of fish in the sea alright! But not in this part of the sea.

Why?

Maybe because I am not like everyone else…well I know I’m not like everyone else but if you should ask me my ‘man-wish-list’ then without being racist or anything I would put Caucasian on my list.  For the past 14 years I haven’t date any Asian men. I did date Indonesian guys before but it didn’t work out, obviously.  Growing up surrounded by Caucasians and from liberal parents also being in the States for awhile, I think I’m more attracted to those who are open minded, self sufficient man who can appreciate an opinionated woman without fears of me stepping on their ego.  Maybe if I meet an Indonesian guy with these traits or have the same experience we’ll be compatible but I haven’t meet one so far. Hmm…I see a future post discussing more about why – maybe one day I will.

Young, nice bloke in Jakarta is a rare breed.

See now why it’s so difficult for me to date here?

Online dating? Meh! I tried that. Doesn’t work for me. I tried one dating service once and guess what all my ‘matches’ are not located anywhere near Jakarta.

I had unfortunately turned into a skeptic when it comes to long distance relationship.

Fighting It No More

 
After my last date – which dated back to six months ago, I decided to step back from the dating world. It’s really exhausting and I feel like my dating skills are rusting. From the ‘why didn’t he call?’ to the many other questions that left me felt too tired to play the field.

Yet at these times of the year when happy faces of whole families being plastered from Christmas cards to Christmasy ads, I can’t restrain these feelings.

I miss being with someone who can see me way pass my boobs size. Seriously, I guess I just miss the companionship of being in a relationship. That’s all and especially around the holidays times.

And I have come to a conclusion that it’s OK to feel this way. That it’s normal. That it just means I’m only human. I just can’t let these loneliness drag me down deeper than it already is. That I should instead enjoy the freedom of being single and continue working on myself first and foremost.

Even when I know I’m not ready for anything serious right now it wouldn’t hurt to have someone to hold my hand other than my 5 years old.

Are you a single mom? How do you deal with loneliness especially around Holidays?

Picture from Dreamstime.
16 Comments
Filed Under: Single Life

Happy Feet 2 – A Movie Night

13 Dec posted by
MovieNightInvitation

“Blogger?” asked the friendly girl by the counter with Di Kota Kita sign all over it yesterday after I mentioned my name.

“Yes.” I replied with a big smile on my face. Wow, first time in public that I’m not someone’s secretary, or someone’s mother. I am a blogger and there’s no shame in saying it out loud. Wait, actually I felt proud.

So Di Kota Kita invited me to attend their “Movie Night” event that took place yesterday. My invitation is good for two people.

When I first got the email I was stoked and so wanted to take my little boy. Unfortunately, the movie was scheduled to start at 7:30, only 30 minutes before my boy’s bedtime. Maybe next time Di Kota Kita will have kid movie events like this on a weekend.

At first, I was going to come with my best friend who is also a cool Mommy of two. We laughed at the thoughts of two mommies going to watch Happy Feet 2 without our kiddos. But poor girl she didn’t feel too good yesterday so she had to pass (hope you’d feel better soon, girl!). Fortunately, another girl was able to make it.

I arrived at Grand Indonesia a little early so instead of going straight up to the 8th floor where Blitz Megaplex is located, I scoured the bookstore.

After introducing myself and being given my two tickets, I was immediately asked if I’d like my photo taken by their standby photographer. Politely I told him I’m still waiting for Sabrina, my friend.

One suggestion for Di Kota Kita, your Sales Promotion Girl maybe should be more involves in directing the people on where to go after people receive their tickets. I did asked her and she nicely pointed it out, but as an ex Sales Promotion Girl way back in my college years, we should be proactive and provide the information before a customer ask. Just a suggestion.

A little after 7pm my friend finally made it – the rain and Monday rush hour spared her! We quickly got in front of the photo backdrop and had our pictures taken as you can see here. We both got two printed pictures with cute little frame.

Armed with pop-corns and drinks we made our way into Auditorium 5 where the movie will start.

Di Kota Kita team had arranged plenty of games and quizzes loaded with prizes for their customers. There was a dance competition with Justin Timberlake’s Bringing Sexy Back – which by the way was won by an older man – and caused everyone to clap and laugh. The prices given out was pretty neat coming from Martha Tilaaar Spa, JF Lazartique salon, King Foto, Bakmi Naga, Bakso Cakman, Mothercare Indonesia, etc. There were also some door prizes to lucky winners. One Indonesian celebrity also made an appearance at the event with her two adorable children, Novita Angie.

The Happy Feet 2 movie itself was pretty good. Their animation is so friggin real I feel like I could grab the snowflakes and touch it. Imagine watching this in 3D? WOW! The story line was plain but what got me going were the soundtracks. Being a huge fan of Pink, knowing she’s doing the voice over already got me curious but to listen to her songs was an OMG moment. The only one song that I didn’t really enjoy was when Mumble’s little boy sang to the elephant seal – maybe because it was an opera kind of song.

After the movie ended, Sabrina and I went to grab some late dinner followed by our always silly and fun photo sessions by the Christmas decorated entrance to Grand Indonesia mall.

Overall, it was a great evening. Thanks Di Kota Kita for inviting me and my friend. Hopefully next movie event will be more fun and preferably not on a working day – but that’s just my suggestion.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Di Kota Kita. I was given a free invitation to the movie but all opinion expressed are my own and following my PR policy.

5 Comments
Filed Under: Advertorial

Di Kota Kita – A Spa Treatment Review

8 Dec posted by
Marta Tilaar Spa Kelapa Gading

Due to a lot reasons, I failed to use the spa vouchers I bought from Di Kota Kita – a discount coupons website that I had reviewed awhile ago.

Not realizing the vouchers are about to expired, I called their Customer Service and asked if the vouchers can be redeemed by other people since it has my name on it. Again, Di Kota Kita’s Customer Service delivers as they quickly assured me that yes I can give those vouchers to anyone I wish to.

So I gave their vouchers to my best friend who unfortunately doesn’t blog but she fills me in with her experience.

She picked the Marta Tilaar Spa close to her office in Kelapa Gading area.

One of the terms of using the vouchers are, one must make a reservation at the Spa minimum 24 hours prior to their desire date. The whole process was a breeze according to my friend. She just called the spa, mentioning that she got some vouchers from Di Kota Kita that she would like to use. It was business as usual. There was no hassle in cashing in the vouchers.

The whole experience in overall was pretty good according to my friend. Although it was too bad the vouchers are only good for one treatment and cannot be combined. My friend had a hair spa, and a massage.

When asked if she’s happy with the service from Di Kota Kita she said she’s satisfy and would probably buy some vouchers for herself in the future. The only drawback was the Marta Tilaar spa closest to her house was closed from renovation but she understands that was a force majeure condition.

I still have some balance left my account at Di Kota Kita so I might surprise you with another review of using their vouchers – this time with my own experience. With their daily deals update, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too long before I purchase another vouchers.

Disclaimer:
I received the vouchers for free from Di Kota Kita. However, all opinions expressed are solely my own and based on my friend’s experience. Review made and published has followed my PR Statement.

2 Comments
Filed Under: Advertorial
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