The Fifth Passport Renewal Or How To Renew Passport In 2019

Hello, lovelies!

As my passport will expire in June 2019, I decided to renew it this month. Upon hearing my plan, a friend asked if I had a plan to travel somewhere, and to that question, I replied,"I have been having passport since I was 15 years old. It has become a habit for me to renew my passport, because it seems I would always need it."

At 15, I went to Austria to visit my uncle and his family who were assigned there. At 20, my class in uni went on a field trip to Singapore (just imagine the riot that took place when 100 young people went together? Lol). 

At 24, I was working for a small media company, and one day the boss decided to send a young reporter on an assignment abroad (destination: Shanghai). Guess what? Of all 7 young reporters, only I had a valid passport. As my colleagues said, I am such a lucky bastard (ha!). After the incident, all young reporters made their passports. Since then, I also made a mental note to always renew the passport because I would never know when I would need it.

The tiring part of renewing passport is to learn the new procedure. Every five years, or perhaps less, the procedure is changed. Sometimes the change was for the good, other times was bad. I have been trying to renew my passport by myself, so I know the struggle. 

Ok, enough with intro, here was how I renew the passport in January 2019:

1. There is a new regulation for passport renewal, in which passport applicants can no longer queue directly, they have to book the date and time through the official "Antrian Paspor (Passport Queue)" application. So I downloaded the application from Play Store (I think it's also available in iOS). However, when I downloaded it, it was in the middle of some failed update. I tried the web link: https://antrian.imigrasi.go.id/ 

I signed in with Google account. It was quite easy, just followed the instruction, picked the immigration office you'd like to come to (all immigration offices are already online), the date and the hour. Et voila, you will get a QR code. I screenshot the code.

2. On the date that I have chosen, I arrived early at the immigration office. I still had to fill in the hard copy form, which I found ambiguous. I mean, why would we have to fill the hard copy form if there is an app to queue? But ok, this is all work in progress.

After filling in the form, I queued to submit the form to the officers and attach copies of ID card, family card, birth certificate and the old passport. I also brought the original papers as the officers would check them. 

While the registration is already done online, applicants still have to do some paper works. Oh well, it's work in progress I suppose.

A new regulation says that if you want to renew (you already have passport), you only have to attach ID card and old passport. I still brought all documents though, because in Indonesia, we would never know, so just in case...

The banner that says all you need is love...rrr, I mean, a copy of e-KTP and old passport if you only want to renew

Tips on copied papers: each document is  copied on an A4-sized paper, no need to cut the paper. Any failure to meet the requirement would result in having to re-copy the papers at the cooperative (one paper = Rp 1,000)

3. After all documents are checked, the officer told me to take another queue: the interview, finger scan and photo session. The queue was tedious, but once you face the officer and everything is according to the regulation, the procedure was smooth.

The officer handed me another paper with QR code for the payment process in the bank or post offices. I ran outside to pay at the mobile post office, but it was already 4 pm, and it was closed. 

4. So I went to the bank the next day. The payment was easy, no need to key in password. I signed a paper the teller gave me and then the teller said,"It's done." I was like,"huh?"

5. Three days later, I received an SMS that I can pick up my new passport the next day. Oh joy, oh joy.

Tadaaa!

Ok, now that I have a new passport, perhaps it is high time to plan for some short getaway. Any suggestion?

Tangent: Just for laugh, here is a #5YearsChallenge of my passport photo. The left photo is from 2014, the right is from 2019 obviously. It's either I'm getting better at applying make up or the new camera at the immigration office has the beautification feature, lol. Whichever that is, I am happy with the result as this is the first ID photo where I look normal. On other IDs, I look as if I was either sleepy or drunk.

#RestingBitchFaceGameGoingStrong

Conversation With Work Colleague Via Skype/WhatsApp

As I've told you before, my work colleagues are based in other Southeast Asia countries. For daily report, I usually work with Pat and Jonah (from the Philippines) and when I cover for my Indonesian colleague, I work with Tyrone (also from the Philippines). For the weekly report, I work with Hazel, Sandra and Zahidah (from Singapore, although I think Zahidah is Malaysian as she understand Bahasa and proofreads my report, because Bahasa and Melayu are both similar and also different LOL), while for the bi-weekly report I work with Lordan (from the Philippines) and Sylvia (from Singapore).

Of all work colleagues, Pat is the closest colleague as I communicate with her on a daily basis. So far we already connected via Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Perhaps, Instagram is next.

Although Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines geographically share borders and similar cultures, we don't speak the same language, so English come to the rescue. It could be very tricky, because English is not our mother tongue and written words always sound too direct/harsh compared to spoken words. But so far, we manage to get along as we focus more on how to get the work done.

Anyway, here are some snippets that I had with my colleague:

#1. Let's Blame Tim Cook

Situation: I submitted the report a bit late because Tim Cook made a critical statement the day before, which resulted in many news links, and those should be included in the report

Me: Sorry I am late today, so many news on Tim Cook

Pat: Yeah, me too, let's blame Tim Cook

#2. Which One Is More Important?

Me: Which one is more important: me being on time in submitting report or me doing the translation correctly?

Pat: Well, actually both

Me: I knew you're going to say that

#3. Don't Tell Them That

Pat: Good timing today, Tifa.

Me: Yeah, I follow your advice to drop everything when the clock strikes 10.45 am.

Pat: Yup, the same tip I told Michael. But don't tell them I said that.

#4. Secret MacBook Sorority

Situation: when our boss told Pat and I to buy a Windows laptop (we both use MacBook Pro), because she believed the Mac slowed us

Pat: I can't afford to buy another laptop, we just have to show them that we can finish the report on time

Me: Just wondering, how many MacBook users are there in the office?

Pat: I think there are only three people using MacBook: you, me and Joni

Me: Wow, we should make an alliance

I really hope that one day I can meet this office's work colleagues in person. 

Interjections in Bahasa Indonesia

I'm not exactly a Bahasa expert, but I've been wanting to make a post on interjection since the first time I started blogging here. Not really sure if this will be useful to learn Bahasa, I just think interjection has some interesting words to know. And if you can use it correctly in a sentence, you're officially a Bahasa speaker hehehe. Seriously, interjection is very tricky, because if you use the wrong interjection, the sentence would have different nuance/meaning.

A friend of mine married a Dutch guy, who has been trying so hard to master the proper way of using interjection. But each time he combines an interjection into the sentence, I have hard times to keep my face straight. I forgot some of the funniest ones he said, would update this post when I remembered.

For a start, let's try with these interjection words. I think I will combine English and Bahasa to show how they are used in the sentence. Here they go...

Nah

- An interjection to show deduction.

For example: Nah, that's why I took the major | Nah, this is my work of art

Nah+kan
- Nah can also be combined with kan (another interjection to emphasize on something) or stand alone to emphasize on deduction, with the closest meaning to:"See, I told you."
For example:
A: You can't use the toilet, it's under renovation
B: Let me see (after trying to open the toilet door with no avail) Yeah, you're right
A: Nah kan
Note from the editor, who is me : Nah only go together with kan, you can't use Nah deh/Nah sih/Nah dong. I mean you can use those, but language-wise, they are just not meant to be.

Deh
- Deh is an interjection to express agreement/submission, usually when one party exercises forces on the other party. When you say Deh, you don't really agree/submit, you just say it to stop argument
For example:
A: Let's go to the park! Let's go there now!
B: Okay, deh.

- Deh could also express suggestion
For example: Come here, deh | Don't make pouty lips, deh, you look awful

Sih
- Sih can express agreement to another party's statement, in a resigned way. Sih is a bit similar to Deh, but Sih has a sense of agreement to the other party's opinion
For example:
A: You need to set goals for your self improvement
B: Yes, sih
Now if you say "Yes, deh" on that context, the sentence is still correct. However, it will imply that you make the goals to make the other person happy, while in a "Yes, sih" reply you realize that you're doing it for your own good.

Dong
- Dong can mean 'of course'
For example:
A: Wow, you're good at this subject
B: Yes, dong
- Or just to emphasize on something
A: Do you want ice cream or chocolate?
B: Chocolate, dong

Lah
- In Indonesia, Lah can be used in the same context of Dong
Yes, lah.
Chocolate, lah.
Lah is also found in Singapore, Malaysia and (most likely) Brunei because it is a Melayu word and the four countries share the same root, but since I'm not a native of those countries, let me just stop right here.

I hope this post can shed some light on how to properly use the Indonesian interjection. I would love to read your opinion on interjection usage. Feel free to drop comment below if you find something that need correction/alteration or if you want me to write on other topic on Bahasa. 

On Eyes, Onde-Onde, Shopping, And Being A Germ With M&D

Hello, lovelies! I hope you and loved ones are in good health. Here are some updates on M&D because I know some people find them adorable.

#1. Look Into My Eyes
Situation: after D went to have his eyes checked by the ophthalmologist
Me: D, what did the doctor say?
D: Well, she said,"good afternoon, sir, please sit down."
Me: And then?
D: She also told me to look into her eyes. So I look at her and we locked our eyes...
Me: D? What was the result of the check up?
D: Oh, not much. I have to come again on Jan. 12.

#2. The Case of Missing Onde-Onde, part 1
Situation: I bought three onde-onde (original, cheese and black sticky rice)
M: Why did you buy it?
Me: You don't want them? It's ok, I'll eat them tomorrow.
The next morning...
Me: Where are those onde-onde?
M: Errr...they are rolling?
D: Yup, rolling outside of this house
Me: -_-

#3. The Case of Missing Onde-Onde, part 2
Me: So what was it like?
D: Well, I tried the white one, I think it was cheese? And another one, maybe mung bean?
Me: Only two? I bought three
D: I only ate two
Me & D: (looking at M)
M: Errr...the third one already rolled before the other two did?

#4. The Mom Principle In Spending
Situation: during a fierce haggling in Thamrin City
Vendor: If you buy five, one will be priced at Rp 45,000
M: I'll just take two, I can always come here anytime.
Me: But M, taking Go-Car to ThamCit is expensive
M: Hmm, you've got a point there, child (talking to me). Now, could you show me the other color? (turning to vendor)
Me: (ouch, I must have said something wrong)

#5. The Germ That Is Always Be Missed
Situation: I was knocking on my parents' bedroom door before leaving the house
M: Come in
D: Oh dear, why do you always interrupt us, just like a germ
Me: Ok, I'm about to go out anyway (without skipping a beat)
D: What? Where are you going? Don't come home late
Me: But you said I was like a germ

On The Struggles To Build Confidence

Last year, a colleague suddenly gave me a call to discuss about her desire to find another job. She wanted to find another career path but she was unsure what she could do outside of her current job. Being the organized person when it comes to strategies and life hacks, I told her that I made a SWOT table before deciding to deviate from my previous career path. 

"I can't even figure out my Strengths. I can only see my Weaknesses. I'm not as confident as you," she said.

Want to hear a secret? Ever since I was a child, I have this low confidence level. I am the only child, so I don't get compared to my sibling. Instead, I get compared with my cousins. Most (if not all) of my cousins are on the extrovert spectrum and considered a success in my parents' standards. They look prettier, they have more friends, they have permanent jobs, and they married young.

I am still developing my confidence muscle, it's a daily workout. But I am definitely more confident nowadays then in my younger years. Looking back, I could say that confidence requires a lot of hardwork. Here, let me break down the stages and hopefully I don't bore you with the details.

I was so quiet and hated public attention in my elementary school years, that M suggested I took Balinese dancing course. The dancing club performed in Taman Mini once a year. I was not an outstanding dancer, but I learned that I could dance in public, after months of practice that is. It has planted a seed of confidence.

When I was 12 years old, I got bad scores and did not the national test for elementary students. As a result, I had to enroll in a private junior high school, not the state school. In Jakarta during the 1990s, if you enrolled in private schools, there were two possibilities: (1) you're rich, or (2) you're stupid and couldn't pass the national test.

It was during my first year in junior high school that I learned English for the first time. I had a bad result in my first English exam. Then my parents found an English course opening near my home and enrolled me there. I learned so hard that my test scores leveled up, my teacher noticed my improvement and gave me enough encouragement. Thanks to this, I braved myself to participate in an English competition held by the English course. It was a small competition, I won second prize. What I congratulated myself at that time was my decision to take part in the competition in the first place. I learned that a little encouragement could go a long way, so I've been trying to give lots of encouragement, instead of harsh critics.

In high school, I learned more about English grammars and had been dreaming to take English (or any other foreign language) as a major in university. But my parents insisted that I took Engineering. I was devastated. I consulted several teachers on this issue, and some suggested I took Architecture, whose syllabus has elements of art and history (which I liked and was good at in high school). Once I set up the target, I also set up strategies to achieve it. I studied day and night, took several tryout tests to see the possible test results (those had been ugly), and dived back to the textbooks again. Alhamdulillah, I passed the test with enough score to enroll as an Architecture student.

During the university years, I taught myself to do freehand sketching because it is a requirement as an Architecture student. I looked at how my friends did it, pored over the sketches in textbooks, even tried copying them. I would never be as good as my gifted friends, but at least it was enough to gain the degree. Now I knew my hands could sketch, with years of practice.

After I graduated, I applied to various offices, either architect bureaus or other sectors. But I didn't land any job for one year. It was really a low point of confidence, when you saw all friends and cousins getting a job. A silver lining from this year was that I came to so many work interviews and learned to be presentable. I would wore the suit that made me comfortable and confident, prepared the answers (I even practiced in front of a mirror) and came to the place earlier. I landed a job as a journalist, and that opened a whole new chapter in my confidence building journey.

The first person I interviewed was the Foreign Affairs Ministry's spokesperson at that time, Marty Natalegawa, who later became the Indonesian Ambassador for UK and Ireland and then the Foreign Affairs Minister. He was leaving the conference room quickly and I had to sprint a bit to approach him, politely introduced myself, gave him my name card and asked for an in-depth interview. His face beamed up when he read my card. He asked his secretary to set up interview time in the next few days.

It was during the interview that Pak Marty told me that he used to work as a proofreader at my workplace. I was so lucky that I got him as my first assignment, because his kindness helped building my confidence. But seriously, if I didn't run after him, I wouldn't know that he (and many other news sources) could be approached as long as we clearly and politely stated our questions.

Since then, I met many political leaders, decision makers and celebrities, people whom I could only see on the TV screen. But the most important was I met so many people that I started to forget about my clumsiness, focus on them and the task at hand. Confidence building in this phase was more about how I got the job done and then doing it all again on repeat the next day. It's more like survival tips.

After almost a decade in journalism, I decided to change my career. I was confused on what I could do outside of journalism. As I said in the beginning of this post, I made a SWOT table to see where my strengths and weaknesses were, and this is something anyone can do by updating the curriculum vitae (CV). Just put in everything you have done in the CV: education background, work experience, community organization/volunteer works, and you would see a pattern repeating.  For example, you have been in charge for a certain role or topic. That should be your strengths. Own them up, and show them with a style.

For people who have worked in one workplace for years, building the confidence to jump ship may look as a daunting prospect. Start with small steps, such as send one application a month, then two applications in the next month, and so on. Once you receive invitations to work interview, the confidence level would rise up.

Another factor that can improve confidence is dressing up for the occasion. I don't have many outfits, but I have the basic ones for job interview, to meet important officials/clients, and to attend events/parties. Besides wearing the right outfit, a perfect lipstick could help boost confidence.

I am also blessed with friends who always encourage me to take the opportunities and support me with all information on any job opening. Sometimes you need other people to show what you're good at.

To sum this post up, confidence is not something we are always born with. We have to develop the confidence muscle within us by practice, by lots of time spent on studying, by trying and failing, by taking the small steps and the quantum leaps, and by praying to the Almighty.

To everyone who is building their confidence, my tips would be to remember the target you want to achieve and start from there. May God grant us the confidence we need. Good luck to us all.

P.S. A wonderful tips on confidence by Mindy Kaling

I Am Finally Using Home Internet

After having been working at home or at cafes last year, I decided to gift myself with home Internet at the end of 2018. Another reason was Bolt, which has become my Internet provider, was closed down on Dec. 28 because it had yet to pay the radio frequency fee. Seriousy, why didn't Bolt pay it? 

When I read the news on the morning of Dec. 28, I just knew I had to find replacement that could go on before the end of the year because I still had to work on Dec. 31 *cry on corner. I decided to subscribe to Indihome.

Priced at Rp 363,000 per month for 10 Mbps Internet, basic TV cable service and 100 free local+intercity phone call, it's definitely not the cheapest Internet package at the moment. I chose it for the following reasons:
1. Indihome's fiber optic network is available in my neighborhood
2. Indihome is a subsidiary of state telecommunication company Telkom

Unlike other people who set home Internet for entertainment, I use home Internet for serious work. I would need a reliable service provider so I can work at peace. I think that if something happens to Indihome, the government would do maximum efforts to maintain its operation.

So far the service has been outstanding. I registered for service on Dec. 28, received phonecall for survey request on Dec. 29 and had it installed at home on Dec. 30. I was able to work at home at peace since Dec. 31. With home Internet, M&D can also enjoy the WiFi for WhatsApp. I don't have to buy data package for them anymore. I hope I can be a better blogger with the new home Internet.

However, since my neighborhood area sometimes experience blackout, I still need a backup. I plan to switch my Bolt modem to Smartfren, so M&D can use it if they leave home. All these sound like a battlefield strategy, but hey, if you live in Indonesia, you must always have plan B, C, D up to Z.

Are you using home Internet in Indonesia? What do you use and why do you choose that?

Here's To A Year Of Clear Communication And Fun Activities

As far as I remember, in the first week of a year I usually post a comic from Rose is Rose or Peanuts on resolution of the year. While I seldom looked back on those resolutions, the year seemed to run just as I wished. For example, in early 2018 I posted a comic with the title of "Better Person, Less Drama". Indeed, the 2018 had been a drama-less year, although I could not say anything on becoming a better person.

For 2019, I think I will use this one for the year's resolution. Except for the kissing part (unless done with the halal ones hehehe), I think these resolutions are good to try :).

From the IG account of @bymariandrew