


Teman-teman dari GERAKKAN INDONESIA berbagi tentang gerakan stop mengeluh dan berbuat sesuatu positif untuk Indonesia yang lebih baik. Visi GERAKKAN INDONESIA: menggerakkan insan Indonesia utk memiliki pemikiran,ucapan,prilaku positif,dan mengeratkan persatuan dan kesatuan. Tanggal 4/8/2012 GERAKKAN INDONESIA mengajak kita untuk mengikuti event DAPUR CINTA yang akan membagikan makanan berbuka untuk 1000 orang dhuafa+warga manula panti wreda. DAPUR CINTA juga akan melibatkan Gwen Winarno,Rinrin Marikna,Farah Quinn, Arimbi Nimpuno untuk turut memasak dan distribusikan makanan ke 20 titik yang tersebar di area Jabodetabek. Ikut yuk! http://www.gerakkanindonesia.com/?page_id=28
That is what one of the boys spending all day scrubing the floor beside Elizabeth Gilbert said. He was lecturing her earnestly on how to best perform her work there. I found this on page 131 and it resonated with me at once.
Doesn’t it sound so heavenly, pleasing apart from any scepticism sneaking in after that? To these human beings with weary souls, his words hit the bull’s eye.
We’re tired of doing the best we can as there’s no immediate appreciation or tangible instant acknowledgment for our hard work. And we either slowly or at once reconsider why we must give the best when even the mediocre is fine, acceptable? Lowering down the standards and then what? What a disastrous way of thinking…
Mediocrity and monotony DO suck. I rest my case.
There are too many ironies in this country. Indonesia is a country well known for its abundant natural resources and dubbed as “Ring of Fire”, where two lines of volcanoes meet with each other. Merapi, Krakatau are a few that I guess the most widely known by modern, historic humanity. And in the past, we had Tambora. With a lot of volcanoes here, the soil fertility is naturally undoubtable. You can grow literally almost any plants on Indonesia’s earth.
But the reality is quite different. We Indonesians are importing too many commodities, including foods that we can grow on our own. Some can’t get the point why the government doesn’t react on the twisted, logically faulty policies in food defense. And combined with proper computer science, they took a bold, somehow illegal and reckless action: hacking the agricultural department official site.
A local online site (Surya Online) published a ridiculously titled article: “Situs Deptan Dihack Pecinta Tempe” (Agricultural Dept Site Hacked by Tempeh Lovers). Now I know that one cannot look down on these tempeh lovers with “tempeh mentality” ( tempeh is unjustly associated with weak spirit, low enthusiasm or passion here). Sure if they managed to hack a govt site, that simply showed how shrewd they’ve become, mostly because of tempeh regular consumption.
The hacking itself happened with good, even noble, reason. If you’re not aware of what has been a custom in Indonesia market, I tell you that every Ramadhan, Idul Fitri and Christmas, the prices (especially the basic necessities) are always soaring high. Market operation, which is frequently used as the last resort, clearly doesn’t solve any issues.
And as I heard from my landlady tonight, she just bought a certain pack of tempeh from her favorite seller. “So it’s true those tempeh and tahu (tofu) sellers are on strike??” I asked her while she was ironing clothes. “Yes, it’s been 2 days without tempeh and tahu, and I’m kinda missing them,” Erna, my landlady, replied. She detailed later, the tempeh and tahu sellers were on strike, they simply left their stalls at Mencos (it’s a local low class traditional market located near where she and I live now) occupied by other sellers. And tonight the tempeh and tahu seller came over, selling the same pack of tempeh IDR 6000. Two days ago before the strike, it was usually sold IDR 5000. “Let’s look at the bright side, to say the least. We only have to pay one more thousand rupiahs. Everyone I think still can afford to get themselves one piece of tempeh on the plate.” While I was saying that, I was praying there’d be more money those marginalized folks can make on daily basis. It’s saddening to be perfectly honest to say such a thing. I knew it was not ok for the families with very low income, but really how can I do about this? 😦
And as you can read below (this is the screenshot of the homepage of the hacked site), the hacker wrote some annoying sentences in purpose. This is what the hacker stated:
SILENCE!! Cuk (*slang Javanese word widely used by speakers around East Java)
Sir, this country has a lot of agricultural experts. Erudite scholars and professors at universities and IPB (=Bogor Agricultural and Farming Institute) are many. The president (= Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) himself is a graduate of IPB, better we don’t rely too much on import. (*We) can’t figure out the reason why we have to import soybean, cassava, fruits, rice, and salt (*Indonesia has too long coastal lines and too much sea water to waste just like that). Don’t we just change the name of this department into “Importing Ministry of Indonesian Republic“. Is it now the time to get your money back? (*This is very much relevant to the prevalent political system that resembles trading and commerce, and dirty intrigues in the authority circle)
Sucks to be grassroots, the last time chilli price hiked, we didn’t mind. Every commodity price is being raised, and still we’re OK. We only have tempeh and tahu left , and what now? It does suck.. what to eat then?
But the root of the problem, as I figure it out, doesn’t only lie in the government side. People in this country need also to learn they’re contributing as well to this calamity. Just don’t let this happen by picking that more pricey domestic fruit that tastes so-so over imported, cheaper fruit that makes you want more and more. Or start sending our sons and daughters to agricultural and farming schools
Ditto mark (“) is a mark that show you write immediately under a word in a list to show that the same word is repeated. Whereas, ditto is a spoken informal word used to say that you have exactly the same exactly the same opinion as someone else; e.g. ‘I hated Lady Gaga.’ ‘Ditto.’ Ditto is used to say that what is true of one thing is also true of another, as in Where should she go? Mississippi?? Too hot. Ditto Alabama.
So you now know what this very phrase is supposed to mean. It isn’t a scientific terminology invented by a Harvard scholar, which is why you’re not likely to find it out anywhere else. I just coined this by chance as I glanced at some pages of the cumbersome dictionary I have had since years ago.
As far as I’m concerned, “ditto syndrome” is roughly defined as living in an unmindful way. It’s like you’re flying an airplane, but you just turn the auto pilot on and then you pray in silence for the safety of entire passengers and crew. You or I or anyone on earth may be suffering from the syndrome once we succumb to the daily grind which is so mundane, monotonous.
I am not accusing of, or talking about someone else behind his or her back. This is a state I am experiencing this very moment. Doing what I am told to do on a daily basis. It’s when you can only think of and do the similar routine day by day. Still remember that white-furred rodent named hamster and its spinning wheel? I feel like one. Pathetic? Perhaps…
And one solution that I learn to this ditto syndrome is that we have to try writing. Seriously, keeping a journal or a blog puts my mind on its normal track. I can stop thinking hard and fast like an overworked machine-like humanoid worker on one corner of that dark, dusty plant of Foxconn. I become more humane when writing. I’m reborn every time I write things I feel I want to on this blog. It is not a big deal to have a huge readership or not as long as I can find that sensation. The sensation of pouring down these thoughts and feelings, doing what I like, without the urge of professionalism. And screw coherence, cohesiveness or grammar rules! I am giving it a rest tonight.
So? How about you? Are you now suffering from ditto syndrome as well? Have your say. Share some meaningful lines in the comment box below, folks!
Though I’m a moslem myself, I think this quotation (which I assume is taken from the Christian Bible) would serve as a good reminder for every moslem fasting today:
WHEN YOU FAST … Do not look somber as the HYPOCRITES do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, “
“So that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your FATHER, WHO IS UNSEEN; and your FATHER, who sees what is done in SECRET, will reward you.”
Too often we see people work less efficiently in Ramadhan. And I am fully against this. It seems like fasting is the understandable excuse for the worsening productivity but alas, that’s such a lame excuse for devoted moslems to have.
Because devotion simply strengthens...
I am one of his fans, not a huge one though. RA Kosasih was the one who produced these epic comic strips. And I still clearly remember the distinct smell of the brownish comic strips pages, some were dog-earred and torn here and there. But the pictures, the scenes, the dialogs were still too captivating to miss. Mahabharata and Ramayana, I remember how these Javanese-Indian folk tales were told by Kosasih through meticulous description in his black and white comic strips.
So this widely acknowledged artist died at 93 of heart attack on Tuesday (24/7/2012) at 1 am on Cempaka Putih 3 Rempoa, Ciputat, Tangerang, Indonesia. He was mostly known for his superhero comic strips titled Sri Asih. Sure his masterpieces can be equalled to Marvel comic strips.
Sweta Kartika, a young artist interested in following Kosasih’s path as a comic strips, told how humble the man was to him. Kartika met Kosasih to ask for Kosasih’s permission to launch a comic character based on Sri Asih. The young man said it was part of his tribute and salute to the legendary comic artist, who didn’t look down on the current style of comic strips made by younger, new artists.
I didn’t know Kosasih in person , nor did we ever meet. But I must thank him for the comic strips he wrote in his meaningful life time. Because they brought me to a better understanding of my own ancestors, cultures, values, and so on.
This is Ramadhan and I’d like to share the translation of 6th verse of Hud Chapter in Al Qur’an.
“There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on Allah: He knows the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: all is in a clear Record”
Another quote I find interesting tonight is this:
“… we might shrink from certain actions in life out of misunderstanding the true nature of what is before us. With patience and learning, we can usually move forward with a renewed sense of freedom born of knowledge”(Mark Stephens’ Teaching Yoga, 106)
And the last is one I creatively modified from an Indonesian motivator and career coach, Renee Canoneo.
Renee’s: “If you have money, don’t buy things. Buy experience”
Mine: “When you have money, don’t but things. Buy experience, knowledge and, even better, wisdom”
The Indonesian creative industry is blooming, and gaming is one of the most promising. As more and more games with foreign languages on the interface should be localized, translators’ service is needed.
“International social media sites targetting Indonesia require translators’ service. Hence the demand of such a profession is high,” stated Indra Blanquita Danudiningrat, a sworn translator and a linguist to Hilda Sabri Sulistyo, a journalist of Bisnis Indonesia.
Recently there are more variations of games played on social media, Internet-based media, or even other celular devices.
The increasingly numerous number of players in the Indonesian gaming market triggers higher demand of games with Bahasa Indonesia on the interface. This explains why there are pools of opportunities for translators in Indonesia to focus on games translation niche.
“Aside from games translation opportunities, the development of creative industry also taps another stream of opportunities due to the higher demand in Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions business (MICE business),” added Indra.
Linguists or interpreters are required in almost every international conferences and seminars. Last year after Indonesia served as the ASEAN leader and host to various international conferences, it is revealed that there are high prospects in this MICE industry.
Sadly, translator as a profession has not received wide acknowledgment of people yet so translators need to work hard on getting this. It is such an anomaly as the profession started to come into existence since the country regained independence.
“Translators’ service is badly needed but it is not admitted as one of profession types here. That’s why we translators find it difficult to apply for credit to banks,” Indra reasoned.(Translated from the Bisnis.com)
In Indonesia, energy efficieny issue is one of the most prominent, urgent ones to deal with. Having more than 240 million people thoughout its vast archipelago, Indonesia is facing a serious threat in terms of energy resources. The country has a lot of potential renewable energy resources, but it takes much time to fully develop the technology necessary for meeting the increasingly soaring demand of energy. That brings us to the significance of energy efficiency.
According to WorldEnergy.org, energy efficiency (in particular electricity use) offers two benefits:
Bringing this in mind, Indonesian Government represented by Direktorat Energi Baru Terbarukan dan Konservasi Energi (Energy Conservation and Renewable New Energy Directorate) , Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy) in collaboration with Danish Government formed an initiative called ” Energy Efficiency and Conservation Clearing House Indonesia” (EECCHI).
On last Saturday (14/7/2012) in Es Teler 77 Restaurant on Aditywarman Jakarta, EECCHI launched an activity to support efficiency energy campaign in households and schools named “Home and School Energy Champion 2012”. The contest are planned to take place in 6 months (March- August 2012). The contest involves 9 schools in Jakarta and more than 200 households in Jakarta and the greater area. The most energy efficient school and household from March to August 2012 will be rewarded. And the energy efficiency efforts apllied should not compromise the convenience and productivity of the participants.
Besides the main energy efficiency competition, the students of 9 schools involved in Home and School Energy Champion (HSEC) 2012 will also take part in a series of monthly challenges. The monthly challenges comprises 6 contests and have been held since Marh 2012. Every month there is a new challenge to offer. In March 2012, the committee challenged students to draw the best energy-efficiency-themed pictures. The next were jingle writing competition and radio ads challenge, both in April and May 2012 respectively. In its fourth month, EECCHI held Video-Making Challenge with “Energy Efficiency to Save Future Generation” as the theme.
In the video challenge, the students were requested to make videos relevant to the theme with duration not longer than 5 minutes. To help participants in producing the best videos, Danny Ambarita (a cinematographer of Cinemaworks) taught them how to produce a proper video in a brief seminar on Video Production.
The schools participating in the competition were Madania School, SMP Al Muslim, Global Jaya International School, dan Santa Laurensia. There were 19 videos received, all of which were produced by students aged from 13 to 16 years young.
The assessment was based on the 5 main factors: : (1) Creativity; (2) Attractiveness; (3) Data Validity; (4) Production; and (5) Relevance to Energy Efficiency and Energy Awareness.
The jury were:
Mogens Krighaar (Pakar Efisiensi Energi dan Team Leader EINCOPS)
Danny Ambarita (Sinematografer Cinemaworkz)
Bryan Stone (Produser Cinemaworkz)
There were 10 best videos chosen and uploaded on YouTube, with the winner getting the most likes on Enrgy Champion Facebook page. And here are the winners:
Favorite winners
Video titled “Man in the Mirror” by Shula Soegih Arto and Katya W. (Global Jaya International School)
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions winners were picked based on Creativity, Data Validity, Production, Attractiveness, and Relevance to Energy Efficiency and Energy Awareness.
Honorable Mentions went to:
Second Runner-up (entitled to IDR 2 M)
Video “Explanation on Energy Efficiency” by The Wingman Calls ( I.G.N Taksu Wijaya, Randy Steven, and Bintang Berbudi from Madania School)
First Runner-up (entitled to IDR 4 M)
Video “Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Future” by The N3 Cubic Production (Najla Sekariyanti, Hana Fairuzia, and Nabila Rudiono from Global Jaya International School)
Winner (entitled to IDR 6 M)
Video “The Future on Our Fingertips” by Future Engineers ( Jovanka Gusman, Maisha Rachmat, Nia Sarinastiti, and Sekar Sanding from Madania School)
Writing your own obituary sounds insane enough. Some say it”s like writing a piece of suicide note. But no, I beg to differ. There’s no way you can liken a self-obituary to a suicide note. While a suicide note is written in desperation, a self-obituary is written for the sake of living the life to its fullest, its best. That’s like your roadmap of life, blueprint, grand design for your whole life time. Thinking of yourself as other people puts you into a better perspective of the life you are now living. I have no idea how my life will be like in the future but let me tell you what I had in my mind. It might seem eerie at first to imagine it’s going to be read at your funeral but why bother thinking of that? It will happen someday, sooner or later. So whenever you’re losing direction as to where to move or take the next step, think of this grand design, your obituary. It’ll light up yourself a bit in some way. As for me, I think I have a life that is worth telling to my offspring someday. It’s not one to be ashamed of but the one to rejoice. In the meantime, some parts are left blank for God to fill in.
My Obituary
Kudus – Akhlis Purnomo … (age), died … (date), at … (place) in …. (city) following … (cause of death).
He leaves beloved family, parents and three younger sisters, a bunch of college mates, an d a few coworkers. Some of whom are particularly close off and on duty.
Born and raised in Kudus, the son of S*** and S****, he was a fervent student of life, leading a peaceful life in an idyllic home adjacent to Bogor Botanical Garden.
In his early years, Mr. Purnomo would learn writing and waving indonesia national flags. He enjoyed studying, writing and reading thanks to both of his parents who are dedicated teachers and educators. He loved English since the 4th grade. As a graduate of SD Muhammadiyah I Kudus, he attended SMPN I and SMAN I Kudus, both of which are the most prestigious public schools in town. This studious young man, later went on his lifetime academic pursuit: foreign languages. English had been his favorite subject since elementary school days, which explained why he chose English Literature during undergraduate and postgraduate program.
Throughout his career journey, Mr. Purnomo had dedicated his life time to language realm. He taught English in his early days of postgraduate student at Diponegoro University Semarang.
Having been interested in living an independent life, he moved to Jakarta in 2010 right after his decision to retire as a tutor at UMK and leave it all for a translator job. He ended up not only becoming a translator but also a reporter, a social media worker responsible for a low-profile renowned entrepreneur.
His passion for yoga and environment led him to a series of charity movements, communities, etc. For years, he learned and practiced yoga and responsible, mindful way of life for social yoga club, where he ran into a lot of life-changing friendships and teachings.
An avid earth lover, he was known for his love of walking, gardens, open green space and woods.
Bein a religious, spiritual yet open-minded person, he believed ini God and proved to be a devoted follower.
That said, his most memorable quote would be: “If I have nothing else in this life, then at least I’ve got 2 mats: a praying mat and a yoga mat”.