On Aging According To Our Age

Aging is  both terrifying and exciting, isn't it? There is an unspoken rule that one should be wiser as they turn older, but it is not always the case. Everyone grows in their own pace. There is no guide book on becoming wise. On the other hand, aging will take place in real time.

As the signs of aging is upon us -- wrinkle, sun spots, grey hairs, and discolored skin tone -- many would focus on the outer appearance, which is also important to take care by the way, but mostly forget to take care the inner self. What would our soul need as it gets older? And while kids look forward to be adult, why do people afraid to be old?

I will be 38 years old in one month and still have two more years before I reach the ripe age of 40, so I intend to gather as much information on that particular age. In Islam, the age of 40 gets a special mention in Al Qur'an, on Al Ahqaf, verse 15 to be precise.

The verse says;"We instructed the human being to treat his parents kindly. His mother bore him laboriously and gave birth to him laboriously. Carrying him and weaning him takes thirty months. Then, when he reaches maturity and reaches the age of forty he says,"My Lord, enable me to give thanks for Your blessings which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the good deeds that please You, and grant me righteous descendants. I have repented to you and I am one of the Muslims." 

From the verse, I can conclude four things that we should do upon reaching 40 years old:
(1) Be grateful for every blessing that Allah have bestowed upon us
(2) Do good deeds that please Allah
(3) Have descendants, if Allah wills it
(4) Repent for all the wrongs we have done in the past years

With my birthday to come in about a month, I have been giving some time contemplating on life. You may as well prepare yourself to read more philosophical posts in this space in the next month.

Do you have any advice on how to become a wise and graceful 40-year-old? Please share :).

Burgreens Tebet

Healthy lifestyle has been on the rise in the past 10 years, giving ways to eateries that support healthy lifestyle, such as Burgreens, a restaurant chain that serves healthy, plant-based dishes made from locally-sourced produces. There is a Burgreen outlet in Tebet, so I decided to have a dish (or two) with my colleagues.

Located on the third floor of a small building, the restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining area. On the first floor is the organic vegetable shop, while the second floor houses a shop that focuses on healthy ingredients (think chia seed, flax seed, rosella tea).

The walkway to the top

At first, we called the restaurant to ask for a delivery, and they said they could deliver. But then, when we called for the second time, a few hours later, they told us they were a bit overwhelmed and asked if we could just come.

Indoor interior

Information on healthy diet plan

Outdoor dining area

Despite being completely plant-based, the dishes taste great. I had a bowl of mushroom soup, because I felt a bit under the weather, while my colleagues had Mini Quattro (the mini versions of Burgreens' four veggie burgers: Mighty Mushroom, Beans 'n Cheese, Spinach Chickpeas, and Caspian Mungbean) and the Mighty Mushroom (the real size, mushroom patty on a wholewheat bun served with chips).

Price-wise, they are pricey, yes. But if you want to invest on health, this can be one of the options, besides regular exercise and having a positive outlook on life in general.

Burgreens has so far three outlets: Pacific Place, Dharmawangsa, and Tebet. Although I have yet to commit myself to the vegetarian lifestyle, this eatery has stolen my heart and I would definitely try the other dishes in the menu if I happen to pass any Burgreens.

Courtesy During The Technology-supported Communication

Mobilephone has eased both verbal and written communications with other people. But it seems that in this era of modern technology, many people has forgotten the courtesy and often make mistakes in the field of communication.

Here are most recurring phone/Whatsapp conversations happening to me on any regular day. These could be annoying, but I found them quite funny and entertaining due to the exact similar communication patterns.

Wrong Name

Situation: Even though I have left the journalism world more than four years ago, my email inbox is  still receiving invitations for press events. Some even reach out through my mobilephone, but they got my name wrong...

#1 Misspelled Name

PR person of a company/brand: Hello, Mbak Tofa. This is so-and-so from so-and-so company. We'd like to invite you to...

Me: (cutting him/her quickly) My name is not Tofa. You must be dialing/contacting the wrong number.

PR: Oh, I'm so sorry.

I know it's just one letter wrong, but everyone should check and recheck names before placing a phonecall/text message.

#2 Totally Different Name

PR person of a company/brand: Hello, Mbak Aulia. This is so-and-so from so-and-so company. We'd like to invite you to...
Me: (cutting him/her quickly) I'm not Aulia. Sorry, wrong number.
PR: Oh, I am sorry for this mistake. But you're working for TJaP, right? (Note from the editor: please note that the PR didn't ask my name)
Me: I resigned in 2013.
PR: Can you share with us the name of your replacement? (Note from the editor: Why would I give it to someone who does not even care to ask my name?)
Me: I'm sorry, I don't know. I've heard that the person has resigned too. You can call the office, if you like.
PR: Are you still working in a media company, Mbak? (Note from the editor: Even if I am still working in the media, I don't think I'd like to come to an event that is handled by people who still haven't asked my name)
Me: No, I'm now working in a non profit sector.
PR: Ok, thank you, Mbak.

Guess what? The very same PR person has messaged me again several times after that, starting the conversation with the very same opening line and wrong name. I am seriously questioning the quality of the company now. Who the hell is Aulia and why is that name put under my mobilephone number?

Wrong Time To Call
Situation: I totally understand that some professions require them to phone other people. But there are also people who need concentration during work, and a phonecall is just the ingredient to ruin it.
Telemarketer: Hello, Ibu. We're from Bank ABC and we'd like to inform you on our latest...
Me: I'm sorry, I'm still at work. Can you call again at 12 pm, during lunch time?
Telemarketer: Oh, alright.
And then at 2 pm, my phone rang...
Telemarketer: Hello, Ibu. We're from Bank ABC...
Me: (cutting him/her quickly) I told you to call at 12 pm, right?
Telemarketer: Errr yes, I could not call you at that moment.
Me: Then I could not receive this phone call, I'm already back at work.

Wrong Attitude
Situation: When a person is being pushy, you just know that you should end the conversation then and there.
Telemarketer: Hello, Ibu. We're from Bank ABC and we'd like to inform you on our non-collateral loans.
Me: I'm sorry, but I'm not interested.
Telemarketer: How do you know that you don't need it? I haven't even explained it (in an angry tone)
Me: I just knew it. Ok, thanks for calling, good bye.

What are your pet peeves in daily communication's mishaps?