The Brouhaha On Indonesian Election. Is It Over Yet?

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I didin't have time to blog much about the presidential election that took place on July 9, but boy, what a divisive election it had been!

This year, there were only two presidential candidates and both tried their best to win over the people's hearts. Each had their own strategies; one was more about 'if you choose me, I'll make Indonesia number #1 in all sectors', while the other one was a bit like 'help me and together we can build Indonesia'. The first was like a superhero/panacea, while the second was more about empowerment.

This year, the media bravely put their hearts on the sleeves. And I'm not only talking about TVs, which have always been gravitating to their favorite candidate. The newspaper also jumped into the band wagon! I was shocked when I read this editorial.

Let's not forget how much social media played major roles in this year's election. Both candidates had their fair share of supporters in Facebook, Twitter or Path. Almost everyone I know showed their preference toward their favorite candidates. There was a period when I just didn't open social media because there were too much news/black campaign/rumors.

I may be not opening social media, but I couldn't escape from the topic. Everywhere, either on the way to office, in the market or during reunion (!), I could hear conversations about the election. The opening line would go like this: "So, who are you rooting for? Prabowo or Jokowi?"  

One month of campaign was certainly too long because people already knew which candidate they would vote. Families and friends got into heated argument just because they had different opinion on the candidates. At some point, the situation was a bit tense because both candidates suspected the other of cheating the election process. It was a good thing that the process happened during Ramadhan, at least people kinda hold their emotion. It is so relieving that the election was over in a peaceful manner.

However, the losing candidate was still not happy about the result and decided to file the case to the Constitutional Court. I hope everything ends well for everybody. I just want to be able to work and live peacefully, regardless of the president.

Let's Start The Free Writing

Wow, it's already August! A year ago on this month I started working for this climate change trust fund, how fast does time fly. Now that I've been working for almost a year in this office (the one year celebration will be on 19 August), I can say that I'm feeling comfortable enough with the tasks and responsibilities at hand.

I love the regular work hour, the regular days off every Saturday-Sunday-other national holidays and the working atmosphere in this organization.  It's a whole new world for me, compared to journalism. But I must confess, while I don't miss the news room, I do miss writing.

Now that I don't have to write news in English every day, I kinda worry that I would forget how to write and express ideas in English. After all, English is not my mother language, not a national language of Indonesia and obviously, not a language that I use in the office.

Then I remember a trick. When I got accepted in TJaP, I got three months in house training to boost the English writing ability. One of the sessions was Free Writing, during which we were told to write every thing that passed our mind in one hour.

Pak Harry, our English mentor, says that the writing does not have to be structured like news, but it should really follow the train of thoughts. He says that the writing may seem odd at first, with one sentence and the next having no connection, jumping from one idea to another and that is normal, because that is how the mind works for most people. But, he added, once we got the hang of it, our brain would know how to organize the sentences coherently.

This will be of great help during the news writing, of course. I'm thinking to apply it to retain my English writing. I'd try this Free Writing twice a week this month, every Tuesday and Thursday. If I still like it after one month, then perhaps I'll extend the time period. Besides, this will force me to write posts for this blogs, something that is different from the 30 days of blogging challenge. 

Wish me luck!

Tokyo Belly

Now that Ramadhan has left us, let's resume to food posting :). Since my office is nearby Setiabudi One, I often frequent the small mall for lunch or dinner. One of the restaurants that I've visited a couple of times is Tokyo Belly.

It serves mostly Japanese food, but there is also Korean bibimbap and curry rice. My favorite so far is the tempura ramen.

If you want to come to the outlet in Setiabudi One, it's best to arrive at 11.30 a.m. because once the clock strikes 12 p.m., the mall will be flooded with hungry wolves workers.

 A cute cup of ocha

Tempura ramen

 Seafood bibimbap

Tokyo Belly ramen

Bibimbap

Salmon mentai sushi

 Curry rice

A Short Post Before A Long Holiday

Today is the last day of work in July as my office will follow the communal leave regulation for civil servant (another side of working for a project under Bappenas). I will come back to office on Aug. 4.

I've said it before and will reiterate it again: next week will be the best time to explore Jakarta as millions leave the capital city and head to hometowns.

If you are staying in the city for Idul Fitri, here are several activities that may interest you:

Family Film Festival, at @america, Pacific Place, 29 July, 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
While the city is empty, it may be the best time to push the pedals. Here are five tracks you can try, or you can also record yours here :)


Eid Mubarak.
May the blessing of Allah be with you.

Baby Pil

Baby boy: Pil (left), named after the presidential election (pilpres) held on the day of his birth, weighs about 100 kilograms and stands about 1 meter tall. His mother, Waisa (right), was in labor for three hours. (JP/Theresia Sufa, link)

Malaysian Plane Crashed In Ukraine

Plane crash: A picture taken on Thursday, shows wreckages of the Malaysian airliner carrying 295 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Pro-Russian rebels fighting central Kiev authorities claimed on Thursday that the Malaysian airline that crashed in Ukraine had been shot down by a Ukrainian jet. (AFP/Dominique Faget, The Jakarta Post)

 

 A firefighter stands as flames burst amongst the wreckages of the malaysian airliner carrying 298 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine, on July 17, 2014.© AFP (Kyiv Post)

I haven't forgotten the news on the missing MH370 in March this year and then another sad news came from the Malaysia Airlines. May all passengers rest in peace.

 

What saddens me more is what has happened in Ukraine. Two years ago, Ukraine was a relatively safe country to visit and to fly over its sky. I left the Borderland with a piece of my heart staying there. May all Ukrainians be in safety and sovereignty. 

A Farewell To Boss :)

Boss NPM's last day was today. So to give him a proper farewell, let's write something funny to remember him by :D.

1. The Workaholic Boss
Situation: We were excited to exercise our political rights for the presidential election on July 9 (and the holiday, of course. Ha!). But there was one person who was not happy about it.
Boss NPM: So we're going to have a day off on July 9?
Colleague #1: Yes, it's a national holiday.
Boss NPM: But we can cast the vote in the morning and then come to office in the afternoon.
Colleague #2: It's a regulation, Pak. We can't break regulation.
Boss NPM: So we're going to have a day off?
All colleagues: *Returning to our own cubicles in silence*

2. The One Who Is Mentally Healthy (Or So, We Hope)
Situation: During a 3-day workshop
Boss NPM: I'm not feeling well today. My throat is sore, my eyes are aching.
PFC: But your soul is well? (In other words: Are you healthy psychologically?)
Boss NPM: *Between angry and trying to hold his laugh*

3. The Serial Meeting Organizer
Situation: He usually discussed some issues on Communication with me, because I'm one of those assistants without officer :P.
Boss NPM: Tifa, please come to my room right now and bring your laptop with you.
Me: Yes, Sir.
(A few minutes later, I asked an issue that he couldn't answer and he would call related department.)
Boss NPM: Could someone from Finance department come to my room right now?
(And then the Finance person asked another issue, and the Boss had to call another person, of course.)
Boss NPM: Jack, come to my room now. I want to ask you something.
(In the end, the whole staffs would come to his room and we would move the meeting to the meeting room.)

4. The Forgetful Boss
Situation: I got a message from my colleague that Boss NPM asked me to contact a person for an event.
Me: You want me to contact Ms. A?
Boss NPM: Yes, she's a forestry expert who works in the 5th floor.
Me: Ok, who has her number? Because I don't.
Boss NPM: Well, I have her number.
Me: Okay. May I have it?
Boss NPM: Wait a minute, I've called her last Friday. She said she couldn't come to the event.
Me: -_- "

5. The Boss Who Is Always Panic Whenever His Employee Is Taking Leave    
Situation: I was taking a leave. This conversation was reported by my colleague, who was taking care everything during my leave.
Boss NPM: Is there anything urgent? Are you overwhelmed with work? I will ask Tifa to return to office ASAP.
Colleague: I don't think so. Everything is OK.
(However, he did call me when I was checking in at the airport.)
Boss NPM: Hello, where are you at the moment?
Me: I'm at Sultan Hasanuddin airport, in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
Boss NPM: When are you coming back to Jakarta?
Me: Well, in about five hours, I suppose. I'm in the middle of checking-in.
Boss NPM: When are you coming back to office?
Me: The day after tomorrow. Because tomorrow is still my day off.
Boss NPM: Can you come tomorrow? Just for half day. There's a meeting in Bogor at 2 p.m. that needs your presence, it's about the visit to Madura.
Me: Argh. Okay, half day it is.
(P.S. This is also happening whenever other employees taking leave)

Despite his antics, he is a kind boss who is ready to help out whenever I stuck in a rut. Boss NPM, thank you for everything and good luck on your future endeavor :).