...it's just what I think and experience...

The Interesting Facts About Indonesia!

Strangely, once I was asked in Germany where Indonesia is. I frowned and wondered how come on earth there’s someone who didn’t know where a country called Indonesia. Since Singapore is a lot more popular than Indonesia, I merely blurted out that Indonesia is below Singapore and it’s a much larger than Singapore. Afterwards, he just nodded and said, “Oh...I didn’t know that!”

Up to now, I am still wondering if there’s anybody does not have any idea about Indonesia, at least Bali (though some people always think that Bali is a country, not part of Indonesia).

Amid the outstanding diversity and thousands of uniqueness, Indonesia should be a popular country. These are some facts that will amaze you about my beloved country:

Indonesia is the world largest archipelagic country consisting of 17.504 islands (including the 9.634 islands that have not been named and 6.000 islands are uninhabited). So still have chance to buy an island here, lol!
Borneo, Sumatra, and Papua are the three of the largest islands in the world. Wow!
Indonesia is the largest maritime country in the world with water covering an area of 93 thousands km2 and the length of the coast is about 81 thousand km2 or almost 25% the length of the beach in the world. That would be ashamed if any Indonesian cannot swim. C’mon..we have the largest swimming pool!!
Java Island is the most populous island in the world where about 60% is almost the population of Indonesia (about 130 million inhabitants) lives on the island which covers only 7% of the entire territory of Indonesia. Don't worry we still have lots of oxygen to breath in Java!
Indonesia is a country with the largest tribes in the world. There are more than 740 tribes / ethnic groups, where in Papua alone there were 270 tribes. FYI, my tribe is Bugis in South Sulawesi.
Indonesia has the largest regional languages; 583 languages and dialects of the 67 main languages used by various tribes in Indonesia. And I can only speak two of them!
Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world. The number of Moslems in Indonesia around 216 million people or 88% of the population of Indonesia. Also has the largest number of mosques. But please note that we are not a nest of terrorist!
Buddhist monument (temple) in the world is the temple of Borobudur in Central Java with a height of 42 meters (10 levels) and long relief of more than 1 km. Believe me, it's stunning!

Budha in Borobudur Temple

A country where Phitecanthropus Erectus, the early men from 1.8 million years ago, was discovered. This is our ancestor’s home!
A state that the first born after World War II in 1945. Indonesia is listed as the 70 oldest country in the world. Merdekaa!!!
Indonesia is the first country (until now only one) that ever came out of the United Nations (UN) on the date January 7, 1965. RI rejoined the United Nations in 1966. We do have guts!
Indonesian badminton team is the top winner of Thomas Cup, which is about 13 times (the first time was in 1958 and the last was in 2002). But now China is running so fats behind us!
Indonesia is the main producer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the world and supplies the world demand of LNG about 20%. Still wondering why the price of LPG in here is rather expensive!
Indonesia is ranked first in some agriculture products, such as clove, nutmeg, rubber, and crude palm oil. It proves that our soil is so fertile.
Indonesia is the larger exporter of plywood, which is about 80% in the world market. I hope it does not cause deforestation!
Coral reef in Indonesia is the richest (18% of world total). Come to Indonesia if you wanna see it!
Indonesia has the world's largest shark species which is 150 species! I have experienced swimming with a shark!

Swimming with sharks

The largest orchids biodiversity in the world: six thousand species of orchids, rangingfrom the largest (or Grammatophyllum speciosum Tiger Orchid) to the smallest(Taeniophyllum, which no leaves), including the Black Orchid which is a rare and found only in Papua. It reminds me with Anaconda movie: the black orchid!
Indonesia has the largest mangrove forest in the world. This plantation is beneficial to prevent the erosion of sea water. The fruit can even be made as a cake.
Ancient animals are still alive: Komodo can be found only in Komodo island in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Komodo is the biggest lizard in the world. It can reach 3 meter in length and 90 kg in weigth. It should have been one of 7 Wonder Heritages.

Komodo

In Sumatra we have Rafflesia Arnoldi, the largest flower in the world. When the flowers bloom, it can reach 1 meter diameter. Why did Rafflesia Arnodly find it? We found it first before he came here.
Indonesia has the smallest primate in the world, the Pygmy Tarsier (Tarsius Pumilus) which has only 10 cm length. This primate looks like monkey and lives in the tree in Sulawesi. It must be so cute!
About the snake, Indonesia has the longest snake in the world: Phyton Reticulates, 49 feet (14,94 meters). I think he eats people! That’s why….!
As Indonesia has a large sea area, Indonesia has the world smallest fish found recently in the muddy swamps of Sumatra. It’s only 7,9 mm long as adult or about the size of mosquitoes. Uniquely, the fish body is transparent and has no bones in the head. Lest finding Nemo!
Lastly Indonesian people are the second biggest Facebook users in the world (34 million users) after USA. It’s part of our daily routine already!

Those are just some wonderful facts about Indonesia. But actually have more!

Whatever people say about Indonesia, whether it’s bad or good, I still proud of Indonesia and being Indonesian.

Happy independence day, Indonesia!

So, still have no idea about Indonesia???

Source: click here

A Story from ISU 2011

I passed a group of student, I heard they excitingly talked about ISU, and soon I googled it: What is ISU?

As usual, I came to Google! I’d like to find what ISU is, a program offered by my university. I know that I can have information about it by asking to my uni staffs. Yet, sometimes Google is more truthful.

I put the key words – ISU- and these are what I found: Illinois State University, International Space University, Iowa State University, International Salvage Union, and many more. I knew that those are not what they talked about. That time, Google failed to satisfy my curiosity.

In fact the depiction of ISU was well explained in a slip of paper sticked on an information board in my campus. ISU (stands for International Summer University) is a 3-week joint program, started from July 11^th to 29^th, organized by my uni (MM UGM) with WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. The theme of this program is Consumer Behavior and Marketing Research.

I found that the program was thrilling and interesting. Having three weeks program and activities with 20 Austrians would be a great flee from my classes. Since then on, I decided to apply and I was accepted (after proving that I can definitely perform traditional dance!). Even more, I was assigned as the group coordinator for my Indonesian fellows. Challenging!

ISU 2011 Participants

The program was not only about sitting down in class and discussing a particular topic with the professor, but we also had company visit, store check in a giant retail shop, cultural evening, field survey, and free fun program.

Most of the time in the class, we worked in a group. Honestly saying, it’s not that effortless to work with people who have dissimilar culture although it’s not the first time for me and I could easily get along with them. Too many things need to be compromised. Yet I reckoned that it was a part of the lesson in intercultural learning on how I should be more adaptable in any activities and situation.

Some session in the class was the tedious part of this program. I guessed wrongly as I thought that there wouldn’t be so much assignment during ISU. That’s why I said that it would be a nice escape from my classes as I didn’t need to attend my class for three weeks. Yet someway it was fine since I could and know many things in the class, such as: the fact that the Austrian students also “Facebooking” during the class (I thought this habit only infects the Indonesian students), putting a frame in flip chart is somehow important (is it?), cockroach is not cute for the Austrians (actually for some Indonesian too), a prejudice that Indonesian eats sushi, snotting in the class is okay for the Austrian, and so on.

For the interesting program during ISU, I should say that the cultural evening is the utmost, where we all performed our own culture. From Indonesian side, we had prepared it for about a month. So, no wonder if we were very relieved afterwards. It was perfect! All the performers did their best. I myself performed Bambu Gila dance (Crazy Bamboo) dance which is one of cultural sacraments from Maluku. And kudos for the Austrian too! They prepared some nice dishes – which I forget how they call it - and a game “Who wants to be a chocolate millionaire”. Even now I still can feel the excitement of everyone during the night. Thumbs up for everyone!

And the saddest part??? Perhaps the farewell! Three-week might sound very short, but during the time we really had great time together. We did enjoy some tiresome session in the class together, party and dance on the floor together, had excursion together, and dinner together. What we missed was only "sleep" together! Lol :))

Overall, the program was well organized and everyone was great companion during three weeks. I have no regret to join this program except I should write 3 papers and do 4 presentations as the consequence to leave my classes (D*mn!!). But it’s really nothing compare with the experience I get!

Here, we shared a moment until the end of the program and we will keep sharing until we meet again. Therefore, it’s not yet “good bye” but “see you later” in another part of the world.

"Why cant we get all the people together in the world that we really like and the just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. The we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos (Charles M. Schulz)"

Happy Jakarta Phobia

The celebration was just over! Jakarta is now 484 years old… Just like usual, Jakarta’s anniversary celebration on June 22 is always a time to praise and to grumble everything about it. For some people, Jakarta is such a man-made hell, but the others find that they are still enthralled with millions of Jakarta’s happiness promises.

(Old Potrait of National Museum)

I can freshly recall my memory when I was a kid. Jakarta was my dream city! I was very enthusiastic when my sister told me about Jakarta as she went there for holiday. Monas, Ancol, Dunia Fantasi, and other captivating sites in Jakarta were my lullaby almost every nite. Even worse, every time I was sitting on my drawing class in kindergarten, National Museum (Monas) was the only-single object that I drew. Nothing else!

But that’s my past nice childhood story of Jakarta. At the moment, I am not a big fan of this capital city anymore! Frankly speaking, I am suffering from “Jakarta Phobia”

I don’t know when exactly I get this phobia. My first experience I step my feet on Jakarta’s land was not that thrilling as I expected. It was in 2007 when I represented my uni to a competition in there. It seemed like my childhood dreams about Jakarta had fade out. No more excitement to see Monas and other things in every corner of Jakarta.

I have been to this city for less than 10 times so far with maximum 3 days visit. I always feel not comfortable and safe when I walk and talk to people. Trapped in traffic jam for couple of hours is just like torturing myself. Threats of crimes are always in my mind whenever I go around the city. Creepy! I feel so odd every time I am there. That’s why I am so reluctant if I have to go to Jakarta.

I guess that I am affected a lot by tons of media information about Jakarta. Every single TV station, newspaper, radio, or even online media reported about dark side of Jakarta; murder case, stressful traffic jam, devastating flood, pollution, and etc. Who can stand for that?

My biggest fear right now is when I have to buzz off from Jogja and move to Jakarta for working or pursuing my career there. It isn’t deniable that most of blue-chip company is located in Jakarta. Thus, if I still want to work for prominent company or NGO, I have to compel myself live there with all the consequences. Yet I do hope that my entire life won’t end up there tho!

Therefore I wish Jakarta can transform into my dream city again where people live in harmony, no frustrating jam and pollution, and contentment can be experienced every day. Also, I wish that my Jakarta phobia does no longer exist!

Does anybody experience the same thing with me???

Anyway, happy anniversary, Jakarta!

Tips and Tricks: Not to Fall Asleep in the Class

Sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture, sometimes, causes a boredom and sleepiness, moreover if the lecture is so damn uninteresting and dull. Yet sometime, because of a long night of partying, studying, dating, or being plain old tired, we usually fall asleep during the class.

I always experience this case; feel extremely sleepy in almost every single class I have!

My earliest class starts at sharply 7 am. Then, 10 am and 13.30 respectively. So, no wonder if occasionally I miss my morning class due to oversleeping. Even if I can successfully make it, sleepiness is hardly to avoid in the class. Often times, I find my chair and desk to be just right for a quick extra slumber and siesta during the lecture.

As my preventive action, sipping a cup of coffee in the morning is quite helpful. But again, it sometimes keeps me awake and fresh, but sometimes not. Maybe the coffee is not strong enough or whatever, have no idea…! But it’s rather hard to have coffee time in the morning before my 7a.m class, moreover if I fail to get up early.

Also, I always prevent myself to have a heavy breakfast or over eat before the class as it can just make me want to curl up like a cat and sleep all day in the class. Two slice of fried banana is my favorite breakfast before going to uni.

If my eyes cannot be compromised, most of the time, I always ask my friends who sit next to me to punch or tap my shoulder if I fall asleep little bit deep and take an adventure in dreamland. Yet it sometimes works, but sometimes not. They just take the opportunity to punch and to hurt me!

Another thing that I usually do when I am in the class is grabbing my cell phone and start facebooking! But you really need to be smart to deceive your teacher/lecturer with this. Prentending to take a note with neck bent and head over the chest is a good way to keep liking, commenting, and updating status in facebook! I find that this is the best way so far to divert your mind from sleeping. Yet we need to be careful and formulate good strategies designed to keep the lecturer from catching you hitting the daytime hay.

Need more tips? Here I wrap up some ideas from my friends through facebook on how not to fall asleep in the class. You might find some helpful tips, but you might think that the rest is just crap. You can sort it out by yourself. Here you go….!!!

Ask questionsss!! A looooottt of question. For instance, ask to urself "Siapa saya? Dimana saya? Kalian siapa? Apa yg saya lakukan?" (Dhian Ardhini Hapsari)
Make a conversation to another student in the class... *lol (Pambudi Wardhani)
Just learn 2 sleep with ur eyes open then... it helps some times... ƗƗɐƗƗɐƗƗɐ"̮... (Aisa Winnie)
I just sleep..........^^^^^*thats the best way ever(for me) (Jasmine Minji Eom)
Promise that if you fall asleep in the class, you will treat Muhtad Fadli. It’s easy, right? (Muhtad Fadli)
Nonton bokep 5 detik! awas kalo nagih! wakakak.... (Watch porn for 5 sec!) (Metta Dian)
Coffee!!!! (Torsten de Vries)
Every 20 mins, change your seat position or ask question to your lecture (Indra Yudanto)
Drink some energy drink.. it won't let you sleep (Helen Avel))
Put knife on your neck,hhi (Ifti Wulansari)
I have just the best tip.... simply dont go to your class and enjoy your sleep in your bed.....hahahhahaha :P (Panos Katsiadramis)
Slap your own face... hardly.. i did it, really... (Arif Rahman)

Interesting tips, right?

Watching porn video for 5 seconds -advised by Metta Dian- sounds brilliant idea though with a high risk. Or, as suggested by Ifti Wulansari about putting knife on your neck so you won’t bend your neck down and sleep. You guys have to try them out and prove that it works.

For those who have other tips, please feel free to add more….!!!! And for those who have the same problem with me, Happy Trying !!!

2nd Jogja Rally Motorbike

Got three-day perfect holiday in the middle of class boredom, I and two of my classmates participated in 2^nd Jogja Rally Motorbike organized by Jogja CoushSurfer. Uh, it was really an amazing race!

Basically the rally was a sort of treasure hunt or travel quiz that was designed a bit more for fun for everyone, rather than just as a competition targeting one grand winner. The rally was based around a set of clues/questions about interesting things (place, food, goods, etc) that we can do or see in Yogyakarta. Points are allocated for every answer based on how difficult the clue is to solve of how far you have to travel to solve it. It’s ranged between 10 up to 1000. The crazier the team, the more points we get.

The team should consist of local people and foreigners. There were two Australian (Alex and Bridget) in my team and one Indonesian that’s my classmate, Diah! Eh, but actually we got extra team mates (Ari and Yani), the sons of Alex and Bridget ;) We named our team “Dragon Keraton” that depicted spirit of Yogya traveler (that’s just my assumption though).

We started the race at 07.30 am and ended before dark. The race was riddled with lots of mysterious clue. Even for the finish meeting, we just got a clue “before dark in kuak-kuak (duck sound)” No idea about the exact time and venue!

The rally quiz was about 100 questions and commands. It was clustered into place to visit, foods, Yogya gallery, museum, etc. As we expected before, there were some ridiculous things that we should do, such as find a durian favor condom and the used one for extra point, drinking cobra blood, taking picture (or even kiss) the policeman, kiss the owner of guded seller, and so on! Also, the organizer supplied a photo of a particular slightly obscure landmark in Yogyakarta with one of the organizers standing in front of it in a silly pose. We might get 5 points if we could identify where the place is, 20 points if we go there and take a photo with one of our team in the picture, 30 points if the whole team is in the picture, and extra points if you could exactly replicate the photo or do something super silly there.

The super silly things my team did were: dancing and singing in front of Vredeburg main gate, dancing and singing with the street singer in a food vendor in Malioboro, invited people to make JOGJA letter by their bodies, Alex kissed two policemen, Diah kissed a guded owner, occupied the kitchen of Mirota Batik resto on the 3^rd floor, Bridget sold some stuff in the traditional market, and many more. No wonder that in the judging session, our team was awarded The Craziest Team in the rally. Hooorrraaaay!!!!

(Alex, Yani, and Ari on the becak! 20 points for this)

Another silly thing in the rally was about the judge. There were 3 judges and they were all bribable with SEX, ALCOHOL, MONEY, and MANY THINGS. Hahahhaa…!!! They said that this is Indonesia, so that's the common rule! Therefore, in end of the race there was some other prize for the most persistent team in bribing the judges.

This rally made my day! I hope I can participate in the 3^rd Jogja Motor Bike Rally next year ;)

For the other photos, you can click this