Museums Jazz Up The Arts

Catch me if you can: Former president director of PT Hardaya Inti Plantations, Totok Lestiyo (center, wearing white shirt), runs away from the onslaught of journalists after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned him in Jakarta on Wednesday. Totok was questioned as a suspect in a graft case related to the issuance of a utility permit for a Buol plantation. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama, source)

Hello, sweeties! How are you guys doing this week? Hope everything is okay with you. My plan to write more? That will have to wait until next week, or when I have the time, because the sky suddenly opened and poured works, lots of works to be done this week.

Anyway, here are several events to entertain you this weekend:

-- Museum Week: Aug. 27-Sept. 1. Atrium Senayan City. Presenting Jakarta's leading museums with performances, games and more.

-- Art Exhibition: Ada Apa Jakarta (What's Up Jakarta). Until Aug. 29. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya 73

-- Indonesian Jazz Festival 2013. Aug. 30-31. Istora Senayan. Featuring Idang Rasjidi, Ireng Maulana, Gugun & The Blues Shelter.

Have an artful weekend:).

Some Work Desk Tips For Productive Office Hours

Source

Since my new job requires me to stay long hours at the office, this illustration comes handy and is right on time:).

A Change Of Career

Hello, my lovelies! I'm writing this post from the sixth floor of my new office. Wait, did I just write "new office"? Yes, I have a new job, alhamdulillah :).

After working in journalism for 9.5 years, I finally tendered my resignation at the end of last July. I got a job offer in an office that has regular work hours (I can now have days off on Saturdays and Sundays, just like normal people. Yes, I was not normal back then) and after many sleepless nights to think it over, I said "yes, I do" and signed the contract.

The new office is not a media company, it's actually part of a ministry (couldn't tell much for now), but my position still allows me to be connected with the journalists. I'm excited!

The regular work hour will definitely be a novel idea for I've become so used to leaving home at 8:30 a.m. and coming home at 9 or 10 p.m. It will take some adjustment but I have so many plans in my head. I want to take Russian course in the evening, just after the work hour. I want to spend the weekend baking cakes with M. I want to take as many weekend trips with the backpacker community friends. Since my new office is located right next to Setiabudi One, which has a gym, I also have a plan to take a gym membership and check out the guys live a healthy life. Ahem.

On the other hand, it was a bittersweet farewell with the world that I like, the world that has become part of my 20s. But I realize that now I'm in my 30s, I should take a step back, evaluate and plan for my future endeavor. I have to move on.

Someone asked me if I was happy to leave and if I hated the office. I said yes, I was happy to leave, but I didn't hate the office. How could I hate a workplace that had given me so much experiences, opportunities and good memories? There were times when the office became an awful place to stay, but I didn't leave the office back then. I stayed to prove to myself that I could do it. However, there is a line between proving myself and being a martyr. I have proven that I am that much worthy for the job, I don't want to become a martyr, and so I chose another path. It's not to say that I give up, but it's to see if I can do other things outside of journalism and to use the skills I have gained in another field.

Another friend asked if the pay was good (the real question was,"So you get the double digit salary in the new office?" Double digit salary means >/=Rp 10 millions) and I just had to laugh. I've worked in several companies that offered different salaries and benefits, but for me, the best workplace I had worked at was actually a small company that gave the smallest salary. But since it was a small company, office politic was barely there and everyone got along peacefully. I left that office because I wanted to learn new thing in new workplace, but it was still the office that gave peace of mind. Nothing beats the power of peace of mind. And peace of mind is my priority at the moment.

He also asked if I was certain to leave the comfort zone, with all the allowances and other benefits from the last office. I said, I was not certain at all, nothing was ever certain in this life. But if there is something I've learned in the last decade, then it would be "be faithful to yourself, not the company".

Anyway, despite the career change, the love for the written words and journalism is still within me. So don't you worry, my dear friends and readers, I will continue to post here:). Here's to a great start of the career change and future word-loaded posts. Cheers!

It's Stars Meet Sumo This Weekend

A Rick Hanes guitar, manufactured in Sidoarjo, East Java, has been crowned as Guitar of the Year 2012 by English guitar-review website guitar-planet.co.uk. The winning guitar beat brands such as Gibson and Fender to the top spot. Rick Hanes produces only 100 guitars a month and charge up to Rp 25 million per instrument. Photos and text JG/Arief Priyono. Link (The photo and the post are not connected, but those guitars look lovely, don't they? Say a girl who always has a soft spot for string instruments)

Hello, my lovelies. Here are several events for this weekend:

-- Movie Screening: The Bombardment. Aug. 24. Erasmus Huis. 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

-- Sport: Sumo Tournament. Aug. 24-25. Istora Senayan Jakarta. Log on to sumojakarta2013.com for more information.

-- Festival: Astronomy Festival. Aug. 24-Sept. 21. National Monument (Monas). Check astronomyfestival.com.

Have an exciting weekend!

Tall Ship

High sailing: Naval Academy cadets stand in formation on the yards of the foremast of the Dewaruci, a barque tall ship, prior to setting sail from Koarmatim Ujung dockyard in Surabaya, East Java. At least 98 cadets are joining on the Dewaruci’s voyage to Australia to receive training in sailing and astronomical techniques. (Antara, link)

I Love The Costumes Of 'Love Phobia'

Hello Jakartans, have you gotten NET on your TV? If you like Korean movies, just go and do the auto tuning to find the TV channel because it screens Korean movies every Saturday and Sunday nights.

My most recent crush is Love Phobia, a love drama about A-ri (played by Byeon Ju-yeon as a child and Kang Hye-jung as adult) and Jo-kang (Park Geon-tae and Cho Seung-woo). One day, A-ri, a girl wearing a yellow raincoat, shows up at Jo-kang's school. While the other students are frightened of her quirky nature, Jo-kang has a crush on her. But just as they are getting closer, A-ri disappears.

They reconnect ten years later. But A-ri disappears after they share a kiss. They meet again five years later, only to let him knows that she is going to America. The next day, Jo-kang drops A-ri at the airport, but they later meet again in the most unexpected place.

Can I just marry a man like Jo-kang, who never stops loving his woman, believes in every word she says and loves her for who she is (despite how quirky she is)? 

On the other hand, I love the costumes A-ri character is wearing in this movie. Her staple outfits are long skirt, long-sleeved shirt and flats/sneakers. All in neutral colors and looks really comfortable. I can just add a headscarf to her choice of clothes and then ready to go.

Still photos found here

I made this 'Love Phobia' set on Polyvore

What To Expect When Talking To My Dear Folks

Now that Ramadhan is over, we can start talking about other people again. On their good traits, I hope :). I know most of you don't mind reading about my folks, so here are some of my parents' good traits.

1. The Freebies Hunter
Situation: I was observing D's T-shirts and found them already in bad condition
Me: Dad, your T-shirts are already fading. Let's go buy new ones for you. On me.
D: No, they are still good. I don't need new ones.
A few days later, I was coming home with a free T-shirt.
Me: I have this free T-shirt. But I guess you don't need new ones. Just give it to someone who needs it.
D: I'd like to have it. Thank you.
Me: -_-

2. The Cheapskate
Situation: It's Sunday morning and I want to treat M&D for breakfast
Me: Let's go out and eat Bubur Ayam Kebumen (Kebumen-style chicken porridge).
D: I don't feel like it.
Me: It's on me.
D: Okay.
Me: Are you coming, M? Or would you like something from the eatery?
M: No, thanks
Me: They also have baked macaroni.
M: Okay. But only one, please.
Me: ^-^

3.  The Style Critics
Situation: I was ready to go to office, wearing oversized denim shirt, deep blue headscarf and...gold-threaded floral-patterned black trousers.
M: Are you going to office like that? (with horror expression)
Me: Yes.
M: For the love of God, please don't let the trousers see the light of day.
Me: What's wrong with it? Everyone complimented it the last time I wore it. BEE said these were so cool and Fith said the same.
M: They were mocking you. They don't know what style really means.
Me: -_-"
(Below is the picture of me wearing said trousers. Let me know if you're with M or with my fashion forward friends)
 

This is why I would never be a fashion blogger. And yes, you're free to laugh :D

4. The Unexpected Answer
Situation: a couple of friends visited D after he had recovered from pneumothorax.
Guest: So, do you still take medicines until today? (to D)
M: Oh no, just vitamin.
D: Well, I take pills. Blue ones.
M: -_-