A Fresh Blog Entry

Hi everybody,

I am back now. Sorry for not posting anything but my life is full of stories which I will share in some up-coming posting.

Glad to meet you again.

Which Car Would I Be?

What Car Would You Be?
	You would be a Stretch Hummer. You are as big and bold as they come. You get what you want, when you want, and you can run over old ladies without even knowing it.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Indonesian Touring Car Championship 2007

This was a great event! It's all about speed and accuracy with strong determination. I went for Indonesian Touring Car Championship last Sunday (2nd September 2007) and had a good times with all my friends from Toyota. Nevertheless, the race was awesome and fun to watch. Mezzo Toyota Team Indonesia won the title in the championship event competing with Honda Indonesia and Suzuki Swift Team.

Zwartboek (Black Book)

A good movie to see. It remains me another movie like The Pianist where it's all about the War which we have already known before. This movie is my recommendation to watch this week. I must say Carice Van Houten is a promising young actress and she proved it by filming this movie. Read more about Zwartboek here.

I give 5 stars rating for this movie. It's really impressive and heuristic.

How about younger generation in your country?

This is a nice reading on a review of younger generation in America. Question is: How about the young Indonesian workers nowadays? How about in your country?

Have a nice reading..

Audi


Are Younger Employees More Immature Today than They Were a Generation Ago?
Part 2 of a Special Series on What Happened to the American Work Ethic

by Glenn Shepard

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up. I had a toy razor and used Dad's shaving cream to pretend to shave. I remember using my grandfather' s Cross pen in a coloring book and being told, "This is not a toy." Fancy pens were for grown-ups, so that's what I wanted to use. When I was in my twenties and asked for a Mont Blanc one Christmas, my Dad was overwhelmed with pride. It was like a right of passage and signaled to him that I had matured sufficiently to appreciate the finer things in life.

Little girls in my generation couldn't wait to grow up either. They would get into trouble for wearing their mother's, lipstick, shoes and clothes. When a little girl was big enough to get her ears pierced like Mom's, she had arrived.

We were all anxious to graduate high school and leave for college. Then we were anxious to graduate college and start our lives as adults. I bought my first home at age 22, and then a larger one that same year when I decided that Nashville was where I wanted to stay. Members of my generation who didn't attend college also valued independence. Some went straight to work after high school so they could get their own "bachelor pad", while others married and started a family.

No matter what paths we chose, we couldn't wait to take on the world because we valued independence and self-reliance. Today there is an ever-growing population of young adults who are in no hurry to leave home because they value convenience over independence. Sociologists have labeled them as "adult-lescents, " "thresholders, " and part of the "Peter Pan Syndrome". This shift in out culture has become so prevalent that it served as the plot line of the 2006 movie "Failure to Launch", which portrayed an overgrown thirty-something Matthew McConaughey who wouldn't leave home.

Even those who leave for college aren't graduating. Lingering has become such a problem that universities are almost to the point of bribing students to get out in four years. Four-year degrees now take six to eight years in many states. The University of Texas spent $22 million on a program to entice students to graduate in four years, while Illinois is guaranteeing freshman their tuition won't increase as long as they finish in four years.

And why would they want to leave? Instead of living in crowded dorms, students today are living in luxury apartments while running up credit card bills for beer and pizza, spending spring break in Mexico, and Christmas in Europe. They're living so far beyond their means that in 2002, 19% of all people who filed for bankruptcy were college students.

As social chairman of the Georgia Tech chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity in the early eighties, I hauled more than a few kegs. We lived on beer, pizza and chili dogs from The Varsity in Atlanta for four years. But we also lived on campus in military style dorms, walked to class, and graduated in four years. College was a stepping stone to adulthood, not a permanent way of life.

When hiring a twenty-something or thirty-something today, it's no longer safe to assume they're an adult. The first thing I want to know is whether they live with their parents.

Some will email nasty messages to Rebecca and say I'm being prejudicial because their 34-year-old son still lives with them and they think it's okay. They're right about one thing. I AM prejudicial.

Why? Because when employment is not a necessity to eat, people can – and will – quit their jobs on a whim. This is why annual turnover rate for fast food restaurants that employ teenagers is regularly 200 – 300%.

I'll take a self supporting, independent 24-year-old who HAS to work to support themselves and their families over a 34-year-old whose income is 100% discretionary any day of the week.

Moral of the story: You can't rely on age anymore to determine a job applicant's maturity level. Look deeper.

I Got Simpsonized!

That's right! Now, I'm one of them... this is awesome.. Get yours here.

Happy

It's not difficult.

To keep a woman happy, a man only needs to be:
1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organiser
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
27. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate

WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:

44. give her compliments regularly
45. love shopping
46. be honest
47. be very rich
48. not stress her out
49. not look at other girls

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:

50. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
51. give her lots of time, especially time for herself
52. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:

53. Never to forget:
* birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes

Now compare with these :

HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY!!! :
1. Give him lots of SEX
2. Feed him well
3. Let him have the remote control
4. Leave him in peace.

Words of Wisdom From 2nd Richest Man on Earth!

I'm blessed to read my friend's email about Warren Buffet. God, I want to follow his ways...

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity. Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:
1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha, which he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules. Rule number 1: do not lose any of your share holder's money. Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch Television.
8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.

His advice to young people: "Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and Remember:
A. Money doesn't create man but it is the man who created money.
B. Live your lives, as simple as you are.
C. Don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good.
D. Don't go on brand name; just wear those things in which u feel comfortable.
E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really in need rather.
F. After all it's your life then why gives chance to others to rule our life."

Be Careful To Drive in Indonesia!

That's true. Based on the information from a local news report by a local television station (Trans 7), the numbers of people who died by accidents in Indonesia a year is 307,000 victims which means it's bigger than the number of US soldiers died in Iraq. (82 people died everyday by accident in Indonesia)

This is really a warning to Indonesia government and all the policemen. I think Indonesian people only know to ride the car but not to drive a car. It's a crictic but it's based on the actual numbers. Do we need more victims? Traffic in Jakarta and other cities in Jakarta are the true examples.

The AFC Asian Cup 2007

Indonesia (2) vs. Bahrain (1)

It was a splendid fantastic game by the both teams. Every team had played at its own level and the crowds were fanatic! I must say Indonesia has improved its game performance on the first game tonight and has also gained public's trust from the result of tonight's game. Nevertheless, Bahrain is not an easy opponent since Bahrain beated Indonesia to 3-1 in 2004 in Qatar.

Now, can Indonesia remain strong and good for the next games against Saudi Arabia and of course the host of World Cup 2002, the South Korean team? That's something exiciting to see. By the way, from the AFC Asian Cup 2007, we can see that all the South East Asian teams are no longer underdog teams, these has been proved the results of the games by Vietnam and Thailand. They are also great teams to watch.

Another Retro GT

Nice and smooth. I caught this retro car a couple of months ago but didn't managed to get to know the car. So, finally I have the picture. I would admit the paint job and the details of Toyota Racing Development are excellent and awesome. Nice car.

Beat The Odds With The Favor of God!

I like the email which I read 2 days ago and would like to share with you my fellow blog readers. It's an encouragement email and it's good to read. Be blessed with the reading below. God bless you.

Ruth 2:2
2So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favour." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."


Do you look at yourself and see only lack in the natural? Do you say, "I don't have a good education", "I am poor", "I am too old" or "I am a divorcee"? I have good news for you. As a blood-bought believer and child of God, you have the supernatural favour of God!

In the Bible, Ruth was a poor Moabite widow who went with her mother-in-law to live in Bethlehem, a Jewish town where the inhabitants considered Moabites outcasts. But she did not wallow in self-pity and moan about being a poor widow of the wrong race in the
wrong place. Instead, she believed that God would favour her and she declared, "I will find favour in the field I glean."

In the natural, Ruth had everything going against her. But because she trusted in the favour of God, she not only became the wife of Bethlehem's richest man when Boaz married her, she also became the great-grandmother of David and had her name included in the genealogy
of Jesus Christ even though she was not a Jewess! That is what God's supernatural favour did for her. That is the kind of blessing God's supernatural favour can give you.

A church member shared how, due to unforeseen circumstances, she was late for a job interview. But she confessed God's favour on her before the interview and miraculously, the interviewers shortlisted her for a second interview.

There were about 40 applicants with the right experience. And though she lacked the relevant experience, by the favour of God, she got the job which came with better pay and a car allowance which fully subsidised her car loan. Her new company was even willing to pay for
her petrol and handphone expenses — all because she believed and confessed that she had the favour of God!

Do not look at what you do not have in the natural and see lack. Trust in the favour of God and you will see blessings your natural abilities cannot bring in!

The Fast and Furious - Tokyo Drift The Game

Awesome. This game is trully for a Drift addict like me. By the way, you can also try the old skool Toyota Trueno and Levin with speed more than 218 mph/ hours. This is crazy, in the game I finished the race with only Toyota Trueno '86 by beating down Nissan Skyline'07 in Destination Battle game. I am addicted with Drifting.

How to Know if You're in Love

When you are together with that
special someone, you pretend to ignore
that person. But when that special
someone is not around, you might look
around to find them.
At that moment, YOU ARE IN LOVE.

Although there is someone else who
always makes you laugh, your eyes and
attention might go only to that
special someone.
Then, YOU ARE IN LOVE.

Although that special someone was
supposed to have called you long back,
to let you know of their safe arrival,
your phone is quiet. You are
desperately waiting for the call!
At that moment, YOU ARE IN LOVE.

If you are much more excited for one
short e-mail from that special someone
than other many long e-mails,
YOU ARE IN LOVE.

When you find yourself as one who
cannot erase all the emails or SMS
messages in your phone because of one
message from that special someone,
YOU ARE IN LOVE.

When you get a couple of free movie
tickets, you would not hesitate to
think of that special someone.
Then, YOU ARE IN LOVE.

You keep telling yourself, "that
special someone is just a
friend, but
you realize that you can not avoid
that person's special attraction. At
that moment, YOU ARE IN LOVE.

While you are reading this, if someone
appears in your mind, then YOU ARE IN
LOVE with that person...

The Transformers

I am going to watch it today. Can't wait to see the Optimus Prime.

This is the original poster of The Transformers in the '80s. It's really classic and old skool!

Drifting Lesson

Check my first Drifting Lesson I took last week.. needs to improve more on steering..

Click To Play

See You in The Office!

This morning, I took a ride with my retro car and challenged myself to beat my boss's car. It's quite exciting though and we happened to bump to each others many times.

By the end, we both parked at the same office and shaked hand as a gentlemen' agreement. Feel good to beat the speed!

New Habit In The Morning

I'm addicted to speeding. I admit it. I take it as a theraphy and meditation on my way to work every morning. The problem is I don't know how to control it or how to reduce the habit. Everytime I want to stop speeding, I'm always tempted to challenge myself with other car. When will this stop? Only God knows..

David Beckham's on vacation with his family in Indonesia

That's what I heard this morning from a local radio station. David Beckham flew from Singapore to Yogyakarta by a private jet plane for a vacation. According to the newspaper, he arrived in Yogyakarta airport at 19.30pm with his family.

Not to sure about the rest of the story, but this is a surprising news. Welcome to Indonesia, Beckham!

Summer Movies 2007

We don't really have that in Indonesia since it is always summer throughout the year. I saw Fantastic Four 2: The Rise of Silver Surfer last week and found that the movie it's interesting to introduce Silver Surfer with the comic fans. I myself read Silver Surfer comic several years ago when I was in university. The Fantastic Four movie took so long time in the beginning of the movie, particularly with the story of the wedding plan from Reeds and Sue. It's kinda boring to see the plot in the beginning and watch Silver Surfer into the action only in the middle of story. My curiosity is still not answered in the movie. Actually I was wondering if I could see Galactus in the movie which is the most powerful villain in the world of Marvel comics. Will he appear in Fantastic Four 3? (I don't know and would love to see Galactus instead of only Doctor Doom)

The next movie I watched last week was also Ocean Thirteen. This movie was itchy since it's like the complementary story from Ocean Eleven and Twelve. Nothing much you can see if you want to see action plots. But if you are looking for a great plan coordination from Danny and the team, check the movie. It's worthed to see the movie. I like the movie from the beginning until the end of the story. Awesome!

Here's my list of summer movies this year.

1. Transformers The Movie.
2. Fantastic Four 2: Rise of The Silver Surfer.
3. Ocean Thirteen.
4. Pirates of The Carribien: At World's End.
5. Shrek The Third.
6. Perfect Stranger.
7. Mr.Brooks.
8. Live Free or Die Hard.
9. Sicko.
10. Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix.

I have seen 5 of them from the list, need to watch the other five. Enjoy!

Retro Car Touring in Sentul Circuit (Indonesia)

Congratulation for my friend Denny Pribadi for the winner of 3rd round Retro Touring Car Championship 2007 in Sentul Indonesia... Bravo!

He's going to be a daddy!

That's right.. Stephen, my Kenyan best friend in Singapore is going to be a daddy really soon! I'm so happy to hear and read his emails. Congratulation, Bro! Let's uncle Audi come to see Stephen Junior this November. Happy to hear that...

Are you on the list?

I finally watched all the 23 series completely. It felt good to know what's the end of the first volume. These movies had taken me nuts since couple of weeks. Once I tried to dip-in with the stories, I got more courious to watch the movie. I'm sure a lot of people have the same experiences with being extraordinary in any kind of circumstances. The thing I found very good with the movie that all the episodes in these series are related and somehow connected each other between all the characters from the story line. I don't have any particular favoritte of the story characters but I like Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere) very much in her own style in episode and by the way, we have the same birthday together. When I browsed more on the official TV show's website, I found that they have a unique online game to seek which character from the show has got more similarilies with your own character. Go check it out here if you're curious to know more about it. Mine is Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar).

Nice Retro

Cool retro from Datsun (Nissan). This one is also a legend.. Great for drifting and sprinter. Nice one!

Another inspiration for Japanese Vintage Retro.. This one is more vintage than Levin/ DX... (year 1075)

CRC Photo Shooting

It's raining and it was a short notice. Corolla Retro Club (CRC) Jakarta invited all the members for a photo shooting from a MOTOR magazine (automotive magazine) in Indonesia. When it came to a hobby, people came with commitment to come. I can't wait to see my car in the magazine really soon! Bravo Toyota Corolla Retro Club!

Blast From The Past!

I feel good to see my retro Japanese car, 1983 Corolla Levin (DX) in Permaisuri.com, a local auto mobile styling community on the web. Nice one to read all the comments and feedbacks. Take a look here.

The Strawberry House

Had a chance to visit a strawberry garden and open-door restaurant during recent holiday road trip to Bandung, West Java. A very nice concept for a restaurant where you can get everything from strawberry fruit. You can also pick your own strawberry and put into a yummy youghourt milk shake. It's also a good place to hang out with your family, loved ones and friends. Got to go there again!

Bandung Road Trip

Got 3 days on weekend and decided to take a short trip to Bandung. Felt good to meet good old friends and spent time with family members.

Tried to use my skills to play Angklung, a traditional bamboo music equipment from West Java, and got fun to play an old school children folk song.

Back From The Past..

Not so long time ago.. a good picture post it again.

Top 10 Indonesian Hottest Women

Wondering who's on the list? Check them all here. (My pick will be Bunga Citra Lestari, she's damn Hot!)

Weekend List?

Weekend is sneaking in the corner. Time to free yourself from all the problems. Have a good weekend, folks!

My weekend escape list:
1. Watching Oscar movies...
2. Front Row seat to watch "Rossa" at MU Cafe.
3. Tune-up and polish my retro-vintage car
4. Rendevous with partners in crimes..
5. Gym "fat-burning" maximum exercise.
6. Finish my race at Need For Speed Carbon.
7. Retro-touring with all the vintage cars.
8. Sleep, sleep and more sleep...

Adios! Cheers for the beers.

"Adventure is not outside a man: it is within" (David Grayson)

Keeping The Old Skool Alive!

Yap! Good to know the tradition running alive. I got these pictures from my buddy and quickly checked on the internet. (Thanks, God!) Because I always try to find any related pictures with Toyota Levin/DX in the web but usually found nothing but stupid pictures. I got to admit these pictures inspiring me to complete my renovation project with my old skool retro Toyota DX. I still don't have the update picture with my car, but soon I will post it. Promise! (All the pictures belong to www.teamtoyminator.org)

Play with Dirt? Not a Problem!

Ford Ranger 4x4 is built for any tough road conditions. It can help you to drive in any extreme road conditions and stay strong! Visiting Chevron in its mining location in Indonesia was a great visit. Understading the operational location trully made me understand how it feel like to be out there.
This was when Rico, one of a professional offroader demonstrated how to handle a small cliff in a muddy pool. You're supposed to drive your 4x4 car with only using 4L transmission and 1 manual shift when you start your engine. It's not easy when you don't know but very fun when you finally understand about it.

Being a trully off-roader is a not an easy job. It's dirty, it's tough and it's challenging. That's all I can say from my recent visit to Pekanbaru in Central Sumatera island. It's a short trip but it's all good and I could learn to drive a pick-up 4x4 Ford Ranger truck in extreme road conditions. I wouldn't think I could handle the truck to beat with the muddy roads and sands. I think it's scary at first but when I could deal with it, it became very much fun and enjoyable. One thing I could learn from this event was, when you drive a car, you suppose to control the car, not the opposite thing and when you drive any offroad conditions, when you think it's not safe to drive, you better not take the road. I would really love to participate again and join another offroad gatherings.

Good Old Cousin!

My cousin Tasya was leaving for Germany. Good luck and best wishes for her plan to continue a career in music. It was a great farewell party in Jakarta!

Jakarta Underwater City

It's terrible to know that Jakarta has been flooded with water for the last three days. It really makes transportation channels and roads closed anywhere in town. I had to stay on the road for more than 6 hours just to wait the road open after the water fulfilled the road on Friday night after office hours. It was really tiring and made driving became very exhausting. The government has not yet accomplished a good achievement to manage an adhoc plan for responding floods anywhere in Jakarta city. People became very worried that they would not be able to run their normal activities anymore since flood has strucked them completely. I decided to stay home today since I could see many people got stucked in their cars when they insisted going to the office or other places. It's scary and I would not do it. Would rather stay at home and indulge myself at a Spa nearby.

Hit The Green!

I was in Hawaii. No kidding... Hawaii in Indonesia. I am sure you're confused by now, but what I mean that I was spending good times just like in Hawaii during one of golf event I joined yesterday. All the ambience of the place was like in Hawaii and feeling very cooling with the golf environment. Well, it was not in any beach location but it's nearby a river so I looks like somewhere in paradise.

My first participation in a golf tournament and I needed to learn more to play and understand the game. It was really an interesting game to try and needed a lot of time to get patience. It's not only about swing and handicaps. It was all about focus and concentration. By the end, these four ladies accompanied me to have fun with their dance and had some drinks to hang out for. Mahalo!

Japanese Retro Cars in Jakarta

The first annual gathering for Japanese Retro Car enthusiasts was held in Jakarta. It was a great exposure to showcase your vintage car and shared among other drivers. For me, it was a moment of gathering with other people who had the same hobby and interest, which is rebuilding long lasting nostalgic vehicle. I was quite surprised to see that a lot of people actually came for the event with only short of time announcement and was only delivered by short messages. It brought a great impact to understand that there are people who love vintage Japanese old skool cars. The great thing about the event was a lot of people care for the vintage cars and we learned each others how to improve the cars in performance and styling details. Not to forget, it was live and recorded on local television station for car television program. The best thing about it was the feeling you got when you drove your car in a long march and it was an awesome feeling. I mean it.

Adrenalin Test Drive!

I love driving a car and put the car to the test. It's my hobby to play around with the car and get to know everything about a car.

From my name, it has already been indicating an official trademark of a car brand and I used to work in Toyota and now working with Wunderman in Ford. Even I used to work with my boss Mr.Honda and Mr.Suzuki in Japan. How's that?

It seems everything is all about wheels and engines from Japanese to American cars.

Test-driving a car has never been so exciting as this one. Imagine yourself drive around 140km/hour and you get yourself dirty by drifting in sandy road and climbing up until you get the car ready to jump start into a water pool. That's right. That's all the event at Senayan today's afternoon. I am happy this event successful and could able to attract people from other motorshow event at the same time.

Actually, driving a car in Jakarta busy roads is already an adrenalin experience because you need to get strong and patience to drive from one place to another. You will meet and see a lot of traffic jams with impatient drivers, a huge number of commuters riding motorbikes and scooters, and also not to forget poor road conditions. I am telling you that when you deal those things everyday, you will get stress more and more and definately getting tired.

At such conditions, you a need a car with strong performances and fun to drive engine. You definately need both two because sometimes you need to get rest as well on the road.

Today's test drive is part of my job at Ford. I love to see the enthusiams from potential customers and SUV lovers in Jakarta. They really want to get their ass in those seats to experience the adrenalin test drive. If you're not strong enough, don't expect yourself to enjoy the experience. Just unleash yourself more. Have fun!

Stay In Shape

It's not a new year's resolution for this year. In fact I have been starting my work-out program since last October 2006. The result? I lost 10kg and 10kg more to come.

It's always difficult to find a good place to exercise if you're kinda busy and staying in Jakarta. Your challenge is not only your hectic schedules but also traffic jams anywhere at anytime. The solution? You got to make your time to work out your body to stay fit and healthy.

I have a lot of dilemma when I decided to join this gym & fitness center in south Jakarta shopping area. Not only time spent to come to exercise but also location wise from my office and my home. But it's fair, it's new, it's has an international reputation and experienced Personal Trainers. How about the facilities? Awesome! No doubt it's modern and very sophisticated with friendly use machines and equipments.

So, I need to burn more calories to achieve my goal to get that good looking bodyshape. I will.

The Revolutionary Phone?

I am sure a lot of news and informations now being published to review this revolutionary phone. They named it Iphone and it comes with latest technology from Apple which is wide-screen Ipod, revolutionary phone with fresh interfaces on making and receiving phone calls as well as messaging features, and not to forget internet connectivity with Wifi and EDGE technology.

The new feature I like most from this gadget is the feature of Multi-Touch feature. It's one step ahead technology ahead from scrolling down with normal mouse control. It gives you easy control to choose any songs or picture on your finger directly like scrolling folders. It's awesome.

However, the thing I don't like about this phone that it doesn't come with 3G technology. Well, it's not really urgent and necessary but it would be good if it comes along with the phone.. I can't wait to buy the phone when it's available.

A Good Inspiration Story!

All of us need a good story now and then....

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year t! he Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo." He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo see.

"I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots"

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"
"How high should I rise" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise" He asked in return.
"As high as it can" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never give up.

(Thank you for the story, Dewi!)

Bandung Road Trip

Travelling to Bandung is always fun and will never get bored. One of the reason is to have a good breakfast on Dago boulevard at 8am in the morning. It a local porridge restaurant and always full everytime I come to Bandung on Sunday morning. Take a look on this tasty Chicken Porridge in the picture. Yuummmyy!!!!

If you're interested, visit Mang Ono's food stall at Dago boulevard in Bandung city in Indonesia. It tastes different! I promise!

Joyful Wedding Month

This is the month of wedding! Surprisingly to kick-start the year 2007, I have so many wedding invitations from good friends. One of the wedding ceremony I attended was Nanda and Matt's wedding last Friday at Shangrilla hotel in Jakarta. It was a huge and luxurious wedding with a lot of delicious food and beverage and a very detailed Javanese tradition wedding.

But forget about the wedding itself, my happiness came from Nanda's wedding invitation. I am happy that she finally made up her decision to get married with Matt. I know the beginning of their relationship in Singapore back in year 2002. We're very good friends and we shared stories and friendships together among three of us. They faced a lot of critics and pressures from both families and was impossible for them to unite as a married couple.

Having attended some wedding ceremonies last week, I have to admit that getting married is only for once and for only last time. I found some cases that recently wedding is only for fun. It's so embarrasing to find out that any of these days' wedding become very vurnable and a lot of people splitted out in divorcies in short time after the wedding itself. Hope one day I can commit myself to my loved one and commit to become a good husband to her.

Rack The Table, please!

It's bit out of date picture.. It's where we had fun playing pool together... See you next time, Rien!

The Comeback in 2006

Music Background: Ali in The Jungle (by The Hours)

"It's not how you start it, it's how you finish. And it's not where you're from, it's where you're at. Everybody gets knocked down, everybody gets knocked down. How quickly you gonna get up? How quickly you gonna get up? Just how are you gonna get up like Ali in the Jungle, like Nelson in the jail, like Samson on the mountain. With doubts like that, they're bounded to fail....

....it's not where you're but it's where you're going. Where're you going? and it's not about the things you've done but it's what's you're doing now. What're you doing now? ....

Just how you gonna get up.... the greatest comeback since Lazarus.."


It's my last posting for this year and want to share with you the reason why I want to post it. I recently like to hear the song above and I tend to like the song every much. I like the message within the song which is the about the Comeback. The song is pretty much like my life in the year 2006. If you follow my blog stories from beginning of the year there're a lot of things changing and come and go. Well, I'm not going to discuss about it again (even you can read it below) and the above song really meant a lot of for me. This year I got knocked down by few problems and by God's grace and power I managed to come back with more blessing conditions. It's true. It's about how you gonna get up and it's the most challenging part.

It's a learning year for me. Year 2006 is the year where good things come to an end for me and I managed to get back in the track stronger and better.. I believe year 2007 will be a blessing and greater than previous years. Happy New Year everyones...!!!

Japanese Retro Cars in Jakarta

I became addicted with Japanese Retro Cars. Indeed, I am already a big fan and now can't believe what I love them very much. Remember about my vintage retro car - a red stripped white line Toyota KF70 or well known as Toyota DX Levin? Having inspired by local automotive reports about Japanese Retro Cars, I decided to visit a local workshop to get to know and see directly about various modification for retro cars.

This afternoon, I met Sulaiman who has successfully transformed and modified his Nissan BlueBird 1973 to roam on the street again. I don't have the picture of the car with me but I tell you that he changed the engine of the car with Mitsubishi's 1994 engine and managed successful to increase the horsepower from 1,200cc to 1,990cc. His car is a legend in Jakarta and many people want to test drive for daily driving or drifting in circuit.

Anyway, the point is that I had time to discuss the next step of body detailing modification with my Toyota K70 DX Levin and to order vintage body kits. Wanna see? Next week I will show you...

Deck The Hall

It's Christmas and we sung Christmas songs in the church this evening. Introducing "ANDANTE DEO Choir" for you guys out there.

I just joined the choir 2 months ago and it's been really good moments to sing Christmas songs with them. We practically rehearsed our Christmas songs every Sunday evening and we're satisfied that we performed well tonight.

It's been quite a while for me not to join a church choir since I was in university several years ago. Time to sing a song again! Can you find me?

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

From home to home, heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth & joy of Christmas bring us closer to each others. Have a blessed Christmas, everyones!

Ford - Make Every Day Exciting?

I am not moving to a new job again. Some people just can't understand why I change my email address. However, since I'm working with Wunderman there's a lot of new learning experience I took as working as consultant in an international communication and consumer-focused agency. Having completed few recent job request with UNICEF, Accenture and Citibank, finally I landed to Ford Motor in Indonesia. It's really exciting as I have been familiar with automotive industry ever since I was with Toyota in my early employment stages. It's like a nostalgic road to work closely again with an automotive company. This time it's a company with great positive effort to grow its market in Indonesia. Ford is still very new and has just been expanding its business in Indonesia for the last 2 years with great accomplishments to enter the big 10 leaders and beating up Nissan and Renault from No.10 to No.8. This is good in terms of a new player in a very competitive market as Indonesia. I would say it's a challenge to bring Ford to become the most potential car maker in Indonesia for the next 5 years from now. At the moment Toyota, Suzuki and Mitsubishi are still main leaders followed by Daimler Chrysler and Honda. But I'm sure it's going to change in the next coming years as the market will be very competitive to beat up each others. (picture left to right: Rien-Camelia-Theresia-Lina-Dian-Audi)

 

Jakarta is a land of malls

Since Indonesia became a target of foreign retailers, around 100 malls have sprung up around the capital. Meanwhile, traditional markets should be managed by the private sector. Now, I want you to go to a mall in any major city in Indonesia. Who would believe that this nation is in the middle of an economic crisis? Just take a look at the growth of modern and sparkling shopping centers, especially in Jakarta city or suburban living area, the capital known as ''the window on Indonesia." Unfortunately, in global terms, Indonesia is still a poor nation with a per capita income of US$1,300. According to a study by the International financial institute UBS, released in August, we are at the bottom of the list of the 70 countries surveyed in terms of purchasing power. If that is the case, why are malls growing like mushrooms in the rainy season? The answer could well lie with the lifestyle of the majority of Indonesia (Jakarta) people who are consumptive, but who do not want to be seen as ''extravagant.'' As the world's fourth most populous nation, the market here is very tempting in my perspective. Another factor is the glaring disparity in incomes. According to a survey conducted by Merrill Lynch, one third of the rich people in Singapore come from Indonesia! Malls like those in Singapore's Orchard Road are full of shoppers from Indonesia. So the point is the retail giants thought, if that is the case, why not open luxury malls in Jakarta to cater for the rich people's desire to shop? One important concern is how the growth of modern shopping centers does not wipe the small retailers and traditionals markets. The number of modern retailers today has reached three times more than traditional retailers - a reversal of figures since 1985. Therefore, the government needs to be more resolute. With almost 13 million traders dependent for their livelihoods on more than 13,000 traditional markets, mishandling the situation could lead to social chaos in my opinion. One important solution solution would be to require modern retailers to participate in the development of and build mutually beneficial synergies with small and medium traders, cooperatives and traditional markets. That's what I think. What do you think?

Blogmailr is a new way of blogging?

Blogmailr is a new way of blogging? That's right. This is really cool. I don't have to wait for long time to blog anymore. I can blog anywhere I want at anytime by using my personal notebook at home or office or my pda at anywhere. This is a new progressive step for an open blogging environment. Awesome! Wanna check more? Find out at http://www.blogmailr.com (PS. I wrote this posting from my email account in the office)

Jakarta Sling Short Festival (Independent Short Movie Festival)

That's right! The first Jakarta Slingshortfest is the pioneering regional short film festival in South East Asia, based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The jakarta slingshortfest is an independent short film festival with a South East Asian regional competition. This festival will be held on November 21-26, 2006 in several venues in Jakarta. The idea of this name came up from ‘slingshot’; a children’s traditional weapon/toy in many places around the world. We slipped an ‘r’ in the middle of ‘shot’ to allow the representation of ‘short film’. Just like this weaponry game used by the ‘mischievous’, this festival is a ‘sling shot’ for short films with the ‘mischievous’ young spirit of the South East Asian filmmakers and an international level discourse. The competition is open and free for all citizens of South East Asian nation’s citizen who want to submit a/some film(s) for the preview. It is organized by Teater Utan Kayu (TUK) – an independent cultural institute in Jakarta – and receives financial support from the Prince Claus Foundation. (click here for more)

I can't wait to watch all the movies! I'm sure it's gonna be fun and adventurous!

Lovely Indeed!

This picture is so beautiful. I got from an email which told me it was taken by NASA and described as the Eye of God.

I am not a kind of person who believe a hoax by reading the email saying that if I forward the email to at least 20 addresses I would experience amazing changes in my life. I got tired with such kind of bullies.

However, I do believe God creates universe so beautifully for us to enjoy. Such for example is this beautiful picture. Won't you agree? 

Coffee Anyone?

I took a picture during my trip to Shanghai to attend a friend of mine's wedding. It looked like a familiar place. Coffee anyone?

 

Fatmawati General Hospital

Yesterday I went to RS Fatmawati, a government's public hospital, 'coz I couldn't help to hold the pain within my right ear anymore and couldn't sleep at all the whole night. This happened because I got an ear infection and it's really painfull. It's my second visit to the hospital since 1996 when I had a car accident in front of the hospital around Fatmawati boulevard.

I remember that on the day I had the accident, I walked alone from the accident site where the other friends tried to save their life from the smoke coming out from the broken car. I walked down the road with bloods tearing from my forehead and my high school shirt was torn out and dirty. It was surprising for me that when I arrived in the hospital they suspected that I had just finished school fighting with other juvenille. Anyway, on that day itself, I couldn't believe that I managed to escape from the deathly accident which had me and the other three friends in the car hit the road pavements and rolled three times after avoiding an old woman doubtly trying to walk across the street on a slippery intersection. It was deathly and a lot of people saw the accident on that day.

Anyway, back to the story about yesterday, I decided to meet a doctor and asked for some painkiller medicines. I realized to come to a goverment's public hospital in Indonesia sometimes mean you must bear a very long time queeing in a line since it's very slow and not very responsive customer service and it was very unorganized. There was no clear direction where I must go to see the doctor and the process it's very damn-slow. But something really strucked my attention when I wanted to take my medicines in the drug store in the hospital. I wasn't aware before that my mom with my brother was talking to an old woman whom cuddling a very cute young girl. She asked what had happened to the girl since she looked like only swinging her head many times to the sofa where she sat in. The young girl didn't move a lot and only moving her head many times. A very nice young girl with a very nice nose, but unfortunately must take a very intensive care because she has a strong deathly virus in her body. She couldn't walk nor see other people because of the virus. In fact the doctor said it was what they called as a "Cat Virus" since it attacked usually a pregnant woman and it happened to the young girl's mother when she got pregnant. The grandmother told us that when she was a baby it was even worst since she could not move anything within her body and it looked like her body shrinken and got smaller.

The young girl is now 3 years old. It means that she has been enduring and taking the virus within her body for 3 years. From that time, she has been progressing a lot improvements in her body where she is now able to stretch her arms and legs normally and also move her head upwards. She is a very nice young girl and she just happens to have an unfortunate sickness. The hospital team said that she needed to be taken to intensive care at any times because they needed to monitor her heatlh condition. The thing is that she comes from a very poor family. Her mom is only a kindergarden teacher and her dad had left her ever since her dad knew she had this kind of abnormal body condition. I curse her dad of being inresponsible to take care her mom and herself. I felt like want to help that little young girl and her mom said it's even enough for her to know that I care for her daughter. Her mom is really a strong woman. Living in Jakarta with that kind of condition must be very hard for her and her family without a husband especially to take care a little young girl with that special condition. I offered her anything I could do to help her and her little daughter and she said thank you for being very kind.

I left the hospital with one thing in mind that sometimes it's very fortunate for me to have a normal body condition and I must be thankful to Lord that I could do a lot of thing with a normal body. I imagined myself with that young little girl whom could not do anything with her physical body. It must be very painful for her and even to take a long process of intensive medical care with a lot of body operations and medicines. Poor little girl, she should have been out there playing around with other children not staying in hospital. I want to pray for her and her family. May God bless her and always take care of her. Amen.

Men's Best Friend!

True... it's always be a dog.. no matter what.. His name is Gunner and he is 2 years old. He is a Golden Retriver and loves to chew anything on the floor. (Be carefull with your shoes when he's around you)

He's always happy to see me coming with any finger food and try to ask me to play with him with his barking. That's the thing I like about this dog, no matter how hard the day I'm dealing with, it always become nothing when I play with this young boy. Oh gee.. you always make me happy. Isn't he lovely?

 

Let's Make A Deal!

Here you go, Mom! Put your big smile and we want to see you live on TV... (My mom, the red one in the middle, has just been called for an audition of a new popular TV show called "Super Deal 2 Milyar" - an adoptation of "Let's Make A Deal" TV Quiz Show in US)

Surprisingly, my mom made up a team of 10 ladies to come with her and everyones were surprised to know that they would be seen on TV. They prepared more than 2 weeks to make a team's song and dance to distinguish themselves with other teams. Bravo, Mom!

 

Landscape

Thank you for Tabby who always make me blessed with her encouraging articles. This one below is an inspirational one for me today.. Be blessed everyones..

Your life's like a landscape and God has the brush.
The work is in progress, He's not in a rush.
Each stroke has a purpose, nothing's by chance.
To see all His wisdom takes more than a glance.
Notice the sunbeams that shine on the dew --
Even the clouds can't keep them from view.
Look at the pathway that turns at the hill --
Its course will reveal what's next in His will.
The stream that's flowing with water so blue
Is bringing down blessings meant just for you.

The trees that are planted close to the stream
Will bring forth more fruit than you've ever seen.
The bird in the nest with mouth opened wide
Is just a reminder that God will provide.
Now look at the sheep in the meadow that's near
And notice the Shepherd that keeps them from fear.
He's brought them to pastures which give forth the best,
That cool and refresh, and keep them in rest.
The eagle above, that soars o'er the gale
Is God's way of saying, "My strength will not fail."
That part of the painting which now seems unclear
Will take on new meaning with each passing year.
So trust God to work in His own perfect way
And rejoice in the beauty He's painting today.

And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you,
will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day
when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6 NLT

When Do You Make Your Mom Happy?

I spent a day with my mom to come to a shopping place in northern area in Jakarta called "Mangga Dua" (in English meant for a place called Two Manggos). Well I don't know why they call it that way, but for sure it took around 2 hours to go there from my place in Serpong and also 3 hours to come back. It's crazy! If you stay in Indonesia the total hour is equal to a long ride return from Jakarta - Bandung - Jakarta.

I felt like my body so exhausted for driving that long and the thing I don't like most that people tend to drive very careless and stupid on the road in Jakarta. Not to mention, these days there are so many road construction to build-up "BUS WAY" (just like in Taipei) where it definately causes many traffics all over Jakarta area. Crazy! You almost don't move your vehicle at all and it moves only every 5 minutes. People need to learn to appreciate other drivers on the road and absolutely the numbers of commuters and bikers need to be reduced. It's like chaos driving in Jakarta. You need more extra careful to drive you ride.

Well, it's been a while I have not visited this shopping place and it changes a lot, especially the people who come there. I spent about 25 minutes only to find a parking lot and it's all full. They need more parking lots for sure. More people to come to this shopping place, including people from other places outside Jakarta. I saw a car coming from Sumatra Island to come to Mangga Dua today. Imagine, it's even damn longer to drive car from Sumatra Island to come to Mangga Dua in Jakarta. Btw, I can see the car coming from Sumatra from its plate numbers.

The best thing about today, I could help my mother to find her shoes that has a suitable color match with her bag and her bloouse. I think it's worthed to make her happy even though we went almost 3 shopping buildings, more than 35 stores and not to forget parking till level 6. At the end, she is so happy and excited and feel very satisfied to come there. The worst thing I don't like about today is the traffic jam and I also got lost on the way back home which took us more than 2 hours to stay on the road. Crazy! I just want to go to sleep now...

 

The Singapore Girls

They can make you crazy about them. Seriously, they're smart, beautiful and well-travelled. It's also fun to play with them. Thinking that I miss something I used to like most in Singapore. By the way, serving passangers above the air is not an easy job. I found that from the girl who used to sharing with me a lot of things of her flight experiences.

I still can't stop myself to think about them. This young man must go to Singapore again by soon as possible. See you girls!

Here's My Pimp Ready to Ride!

I felt in love with this lady!

Citra Pariwara 2006

We didn't win the Best Agency Award for Citra Pariwara 2006 event in Indonesia. But we're proud that we made it to create a big buzz on the event, eventough we're still very young in Indonesia. Our UNICEF poster managed to get a full attention from all the international judges. Next year we will get the number one position!

PS. Citra Pariwara is the biggest award event in advertising industry in Indonesia.

Light A Candle for The Innocent Victims of Online Child Abuse

It's a small thing you can do to spread the word. Click here to light-up a candle.

Dangdut Hit The Road!

I'm not really keen in Dangdut Music in Indonesia. Surely because I seldom listen to them since I was away from Indonesia for quite sometimes. But, these days I really like Dangdut, especially because I just recently watched the movie "Mendadak Dangdut" (translation: Suddenly Dangdut!)

What is Dangdut? According to Wikipedia, Dangdut is a genre of Indonesian popular music which is partly derived from Arab, Indian, and Malay folk music. It developed beginning in the 1970s among working class Muslim youth, but especially since the late 1990s has reached a broader following in Indonesia. A dangdut band usually consists of a lead singer backed by a band of four to eight musicians. The term has been expanded from the 'desert-like-style' music, to now broadened to embrace other musical styles. Modern dangdut incorporates influences from latin, house, hip hop, R&B, and even classical music.

Most major cities, especially on Java, have one or more venues that have a dangdut show several times per week. The concerts of major dangdut stars are also broadcast on television; in 2003 singer Inul Daratista became the subject of much controversy and criticism from conservatives over her suggestive style of dancing (erotic dance) during televised shows. MyIndo.com reported in 2003 that Project Pop, an Indonesian Nu metal band released a humorous tribute to dangdut titled Dangdut Is The Music Of My Country.

Some dangdut singers include: Rhoma Irama (King of Dangdut / Most popular singer since 1970s),Elvy Sukaesih (Queen of Dangdut / Most popular singer since 1970s), Evie Tamala, Mansyur Syah, A. Rafiq, Dewi Yull, Fahmy Shahab, Meggy Z, Camelia Malik. Because the popularity of the genre, some movies and TV show are made on Dangdut theme such as Rhoma Irama's movies and the recent one is Rudy Soedjarwo's "Mendadak Dangdut" (translation: Suddenly Dangdut!)

The movie is very simple from the story board. It tells you about Petris (Titi Kamal), an alternative rock modern up-coming artist in Indonesia who accidently got troubled with Coccaine smuggling on her way back home with her sister Yulia (Kinaryosih). They were being set-up by Yulia's boyfriend who ran away when the police caught them with the Coccaine in Petris's car. Being fugitives, they ran away to a small traditional village (or called "Kampoeng") to escape from the police.

The most interesting part of the movie starts when they stay in Kampoeng. It will lead the audiences with Petris's new career as a Dangdut Local Superstar which she would never expect nor hope for. There is a chemistry in the movie that show the audiences about the conflict in emotion in Petris's mind and emotionally need to accept the new job to save her life and her sister too! By the way, the soundtracks of the movie are really cool and funny! I think it's ear-catchy to hear and you would never get bored to hear many many times.. (click here to listen)

Well, I really got a good time to watch this movie. I think it's a new fresh Dangdut movie that successfully takes the audiences to laugh from beginning to the end. Good job for Rudy Soedjarwo to make this movie! Bravo Dangdut... Let's JOGET!!!! (let's dance*)

Light Up The Night!

A recent visit to see all the Disney characters in "Disney Lantern Festival 2006" in Senayan, Jakarta. It was really nice to see all the giant lanterns from one story to another story.

My curiousity is only what would happen if the rain comes?

Cheers. 

Fight The Child Prostitution!

Act Now! Before it's too late to regret. The children's future is in your hand! Make a donation and speak louder to stop Child Prostitution...

Have you done your role?

Peace.

Thinking to Change? My Best is Yet To Come

It's around 2 hours before midnight. Here I am, now sitting back in my room to start thinking to what had gone throughout my life for 27 years so far. There's been so many stories to tell and to share with laughters and cries. I am thinking about what I have learnt these couple of months. I just encountered another test of life without any idea that it would happen to me. (If you read my blog earlier, you will understand - you still can read about it below this posting)

Taking back all what I have experienced all my life, I remember a message I used to listen through my podcast downloaded from City Harvest Church website (delivered by Kong Hee) that the greatest tragedy in life is not about death. It is about a life that never reaches its fullest potential. What is potential? Potential is what you are yet to do. You are more than what you have done. It is not about what you have done, but it is what you can do next.

Imagine if you drive a sport car in a highway where you can speed-up the engine with no speed limit. (e.g Autobahn in Germany) You can drive all the way without worrying that you will exceed the speed limit. Now, in Singapore (if I can compare) I remember that the maximum speed in highway is only 80km/hour. Imagine if a person that is used to drive at that speed limit has an opportunity to drive in the highway like Autobahn. It is not about that he or she would be free to drive like crazy, but the question is that how if he or she is not accustomed to drive that fast? It would be like driving slowly where as all the cars like trucks would ring their horns to ask the driver to speed up and drive faster. It is because he or she has never had a chance to drive very fast, even though he or she drives a sport car like Porsche or Lamborghini. Now if he or she can drive a bit faster than he or she used to drive and take over other cars, there is always be another fast car that take his or her way because it is faster than his or her car neglecting that his or her car is absolutely faster than their cars. Why? Because he or she doesn't use the car until the maximum speed from the capacity of the engine. Are you following me?

Now, that is the same thing happen to me. No matter what I have achieved in my life for 27 years, if I die tomorrow, what I would regret is not about the death itself. It would be what I have not yet achieved or (I would say like this) what if I could be more fruitful for another 27 years to come by maximazing my potential that I have within on my capacity to achieve it. That would be my dissapointment. How if I could do more other great adventures or invent or create a new innovation for another years to come, but I didn't have that opportunity because my life were finished by the year 27 years old and yet I didn't even know that I could that. I am not saying I am going to die (Common guys, it's only an illustration) but my point is that how many times do you realize that you can actually do other great job or experience that you can do within yourself but you don't even realize you have that potentials.

A year ago I had a good career in Singapore's No.1 Spa Company and yet I didn't expect that I would move to Indonesia a year after that and would lost a job that I dream on and became living without a job and was looking for a job a month ago. I knew I decide to leave my comfort zone to challenge myself to move to Indonesia where most people said it is not a good place to work and eventually I also experienced something I didn't prepare and started it over from beginning. I almost even regretted that I took the decision to come to Indonesia.

Well, that's what before and now I realize God gives me another new "experience" for me to help me to be stronger in my life. I realize also that God gives me this new power for me to experience something I thought I could not make it and I did it. I settled it down and make a new change! I have that ability, an ability to wake-up (or generate new strength from my problem and my weakness in a situation where people see no hope in general) I have it, it's with me now and it is another potential I have that I discovered throughout my experience. Isn't that amazing how God allows me to experience that kind of moment to teach me (or deliver a message to me) that I have that potential? I am still grateful for God to up-grade me to another life aspect in my life.

I would never know what would happen in my life tomorrow, a week after this, a month later or even a year from now, because I don't know what God has in His plan for my life. All I know that no matter what kind of situation I would encounter, I know that God is with me and He would now let me down or dissapointed because He would be there for me when I need Him most. He is always the same and never changes at all at anytime. His plan is never failed.

Last but not least, I would never know what would happen tomorrow with me when I wake-up in the morning. I know I would grow old older than now and yet have another year in my age, but I believe that God has set another year to come with great things in His plan. Whether it's a rainy day or sunshine day, I believe that He never leaves me alone. With Him at my side, I have the opportunity to discover my potential I could achieve and believe that I could do more and much better in my life. Praise to God!

There Always Remains An Opportunity To Make A New Start

Though it may not seem so when you first encounter a serious blow, you can never lose two of the most important assets you have. These are the power of your mind and your freedom to use it. Once you have turned them to understanding what laid you low, you can begin forming new plans. You may not have the money you once had; you may lack the allies you had cultivated. But you still have the benefit of a universe that eventually rewards honest effort, as well as gaining the experience of mistakes you will never make again.

I lost my job last month. I know, it was shocking and I still could not believe it. I didn't know it all came to a decision that I had to move on from L'Oreal in Indonesia. One thing I know from now on that L'Oreal is not as good as I used to imagine before. They are not professional and reliable as I thought. All my efforts to join L'Oreal was not even acknowledged by the company and it all came back to attack my position.

It all started that when I first came to Indonesia I knew I was joining L'Oreal for a position in Biotherm brand which I had prepared along time ago when I was in Singapore. It was also the reason why I decided to move back to Indonesia. But when I came to Indonesia, L'Oreal changed the employment agreement to request me to work in Lancome brand, more specifically with cosmetics and perfume products. This was without any negotiation and discussion before. I took the decision because I knew it was urgent and I had to help the company at that time. But after a while, after I had managed to complete some of my very important projects in L'Oreal, I requested to join back the Biotherm brand. It was my proposal and based on consideration that I would be more confident to work in the brand which I believe that had been familiar with my work. But as the result, I only got a response that my request was unapplicable and the position for Biotherm was no longer available.

Shockingly, I requested for an explanation and asked whether I could work in another brands in L'Oreal since they have more than 13 brands. The management returned me another response by saying that it was impossible and they only provided me with an option that I could leave the company before my probation ended. I was knocked off and completely dissapointed because I didn't ask to resign from my job but the company asked me to leave? Where in the world was the logical thinking? It was very unfair and not even considered as a proper decision conducted by a big multinational company such as L'Oreal. I went through a lot of discussions and negotiations to claim my rights and seek for a help. Not only lost time and money, also had I suffered big mental and pschological pain from the decision. I was down, I admit and had lost my motivation to get back to work.

Fortunately, I discussed about my problem with my friends and a lot of them offered me a help to get back to work. I was strengthen in believing that I still can work in a better place. Finally, I decided to work in Wunderman, a world class's consumer-focused and direct marketing consulting firm, in Indonesia office. I learnt a lot from my crisis time and it didn't make me fall, it only made me stronger that I could work much better in a better company.

Remember, no matter where you are now, whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. I take that from my experience last month. Believe!

The Definition of "Maneater"

Nelly Furtado got a new hot song called Maneater. I really got a complete buzzed with her song. Check out the lyrics..

"(ref.)
Maneater, make you work hard..
Make you spend hard
Make you want all, of her love..
She is a maneater
Make you buy cars
Make you cut cards
Make you fall real hard in love
She is a Maneater, make you work hard..
Make you spend hard
Make you want all, of her love..
She is a Maneater
Make you buy cars
Make you cut cards
Wish you never ever met her at all..."

Hypnotic2 Blue Fashion Bikini Party at Red Square

Something to share from Hypnotic2 Blue Party at Red Square last Saturday. I was there to watch the models groomed by Shu Uemura Team for the Bikini Fashion Show. Nice ones! The models are awesome and it warmed out the place. Got to admit, not so many parties like this in Jakarta. To bring more fun to the party, I took along some of good old partners in crime that make the party hillarious to come.

Learn to Be Happy.. Get A Real Life!

Just sharing a good reflection piece delivered by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quinden, about things that really matter in life.


Lilies Of The Field -- By Anna Quindlen

I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree; there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk, or your life on a bus, or in a car, or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank account but your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is a cold comfort on a winter night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've gotten back the test results and they're not so good.

Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my profession stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the center of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends, and they to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cutout. But I call them on the phone, and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, or at best mediocre at my job, if those other things were not true. You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are.

So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house.

Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast?

Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over Seaside Heights, a life in which you stop and watch how a red tailed hawk circles over the water or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger.

Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted.

Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beers and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough. It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the color of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and
utterly.

And I tried to do that,in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the backyard with the sun on your face. Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived......

Have you seen the X-Men 3 The Movie? This was a scene deleted from the casting previously. I don't know where the guy with red costume caming from.

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The Term 666

The people at this website have torn the symbol "666", along with Chapter Thirteen of the Book of Revelation, and also a multitude of other verses of related Scripture apart, for the purpose of determining exactly what the term "666" means, and you will be totally amazed at what they found. Just take a look here.

What's Your DNA Personality?

Mine is ATTENTIVE DIRECTOR. Having visited Jane's blog, I figured out that I need to check mine as well. I am very concerned about this since I like to find out who I am in most recent times. The result is ATTENTIVE DIRECTOR. Well, it's said that if I want to be different, I have to occasionally let myself dream a little more, even if it doesn't seem practical or efficient. Click here to find out more about the result.

Do you want to try yourself? Don't be shy to experience by yourself here.

Meet The Most Anti Marketing Expert in Indonesia

That's right. His name is Kafi Kurnia. He is an inspirational coach and trainer in the world of marketing in Indonesia. He has been involved in many marketing projects with various multinational and local companies in Indonesial. I met him for the first time 3 years ago in Jakarta during my business trip visit where he conducted Sales Training for Dyna Salesforce when I used to work with Toyota. He is very down to earth and result oriented with clear thinking to see another perspective of marketing. It's a great opportunity to meet him in Jakarta.

 

AIESEC Gathering 2006 in Jakarta

Meeting with old friends is always a good opportunity. I didn't expect to meet up with friends that have been gone for very long time after my last participation with AIESEC in Indonesia. It's always fun to share laughters and stories when we met up again. Here's a picture for tonight's AIESEC Gathering Event 2006 in Club Rasuna in Jakarta. Picture Left to Right: Andhie - Ardyansyah (Dacil) - Esti - Hisma - Myself - Haris
PS: Old habit's dying hard, we love to exchange business cards!

 

Anti Marketing - The Other Perspective of Marketing?

I was invited by Dacil and AIESEC Local Committee of Universitas Indonesia to attend the marketing seminar "Revealing The Other Side of Marketing", delivered by Kafi Kurnia who claimed to be the most anti theory of Marketing in Indonesia on his book "Anti Marketing". The event itself was the communication event (PR Event) from AIESEC Universitas Indonesia to gather and bring crowds to AIESEC community. I had an opportunity to meet up with friends who had been gone since many years. Meeting with them is like to refresh the memory of being proud as an AIESECer from Indonesia.

Tonight, Kafi Kurnia described briefly about his comment on "Anti Marketing" from the perspective of how to generate curiousity from customers that will create a motivation for customer to buy the product/ try the service. Kafi Kurnia mentioned that Product, Price, Promotion and Location as most likely the common marketing jargon in many books of marketing. He told to the audiences that they are now longer powerful to generate traffics/ sales. It's not all about budget or how much money you have to say the big bang message of your product/ service in the competition against your competitors. You can always play it soft by whispering the product/ service to your customers instead of yelling hard on it.

By the end of his presentation, Kafi Kurnia mentioned that Anti Marketing is all about anti everything in normal marketing perspective. But in a way, it is still a strategy for marketing anything in any cases to bring more sales/ traffics to your brand.

How good are you in music? (Part 2)

Taking Indi's comment as a feedback in my previous posting, the question would relate to the knowledge of music which you understand from the picture. Finally, here is the answer for 75 names of musicians which killing me to find out what they are actually described in the picture. If you can't see it clearly you may click the picture for a wider view.

How good are you in Music?

This is wicked, very cool indeed! If you can find 50 names of musicians/ bands/ artists in the painting (picture), you deserve to get the title "The Real Music Lover". However it was said that there are 75 names of musicians/ bands/ artists in the picture. As a clue: On the Right Corner Below, there is a calendar which a specific date is highlighted in GREEN. There you can say it's GREENDAY. On the Left Corner Below, there is a bunch of flowers with guns. There you can say it's GUNS N ROSES.

Now how many do you get? I have already listed more than 30 names. Can you get more?

Working with L'Oreal

It is exactly 2 months and a week as I have been joining the French group company, L'Oreal. I can believe time is running fast and I have been posted in two different brands. I am happy to know that joining the company I can have a chance to see beautiful people everyday.

Working with L'Oreal is very challenging. I would even say you need to work fast, easy to adopt new things and get along with the products no matter what your sex is. You need to understand the customers from their perspective and create a good strategy to become the market leader. Above all, working with L'Oreal is a new 360 degree experience where the job is not about the job, it's all about attitude.

Is This What You Call Interactive Marketing?

I know. It's very bad to post the media advertisement which content of sexual materials and some of you may say it pornographic advertisement. But my point is that the marketing world is so dinamic which sometimes pushes you to think creative than usual. Imagine what you think from the video at the first time. What you might think is a sexual video from one of those online pornographic websites. But it's actually selling clothing which you wear at night when you go to sleep. Well, you can still watch the video here. I am not going to post the video that long in my blog. Very very seductive and dangerous! Thanks for everyones who contributed the feedbacks.

World Cup KickOff

World Cup KickOff is all you will ever need for knowing all the match details for the upcoming World Cup 2006. Whether you use your mobile phone, MS Outlook, Apple iCal or Mozilla Calendar, you can download and keep all the fixtures you are interested in so you will never miss a single game! Just download the calendar file and install it on your favoured software following the instructions on the left.

You can even personalise the matches you want using the filters below. Either choose all teams, single groups or individual teams. You can also get the times for your local timezone.

Check this out http://www.worldcupkickoff.com/

Proud Being Man

Hey guys.....I guess after reading the following, you will be very proud of yourselves, no? And ladies......what do you think??

IF YOU HAVE EVER WONDERED WHY MEN LIE?.

One day, while a woodcutter was cutting a branch of a tree above a river, his axe fell into the river. When he cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, "Why are you crying?"
The woodcutter replied that his axe has fallen into water, and he needed the axe to make his living. The Lord went down in the water and reappeared with a golden axe.
"Is this your axe?" the Lord asked.
The woodcutter replied, "No."
The Lord again went down and came up with a silver axe. "Is this your axe?" the Lord asked.
Again, the woodcutter replied, "No."
The Lord went down again and came up with an iron axe."Is this your axe?" the Lord asked.
"Yes", he replied.

The Lord was pleased with the man's honesty and gave him all three axes to keep, and the woodcutter went home happy.

Some time later the woodcutter was walking with his wife along the riverbank, and his wife fell into the river. When he cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked him, "Why are you crying?"
"Oh Lord, my wife has fallen into the water!"
The Lord went down into the water and came up with Angelina Jolie. "Is this your wife?" the Lord asked.
"Yes," cried the woodcutter.
The Lord was furious. "You lied! That is an untruth!"

The woodcutter fell to his knees and cried, "Oh, forgive me, Lord. It is misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to Angelina Jolie, You would have come up with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Then if I also said 'no' to her, you would have come up with my wife. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I am a poor man, and am not able to take care of all three wives, and I love my wife such that I don't want her to share me with anyone, so THAT'S why I said yes to Angelina Jolie."

The moral of this story is:
Whenever a man lies, it is for a good and honourable reason, and for the benefit of others.. MOSTLY his wife!

That's our story, and we're sticking to it..

Pele Puma Edition

This is my most favoritte toys this week. I can't help myself to get one pair of this gorgeous sneakers. We are going to rock the dance floor tonite! I must give a rest to my other sneakers, this one is HOT!

 

Which Color Is Your Personality?

I never really like to bring "homework" on weekend. Unfortunately I have to do that since working in Jakarta time is becoming a real main concern to fight for. You really have no time to finish your job in the office. (yeah.. right!)

I've been working with cosmetics these days. Now I must select colors I am going to order really soon. It's really fun to work with color of lipsticks. You become smart to know which one is the color most preferred by women. I know somehow these lipsticks will be sticked on the women lips. Taste of pleasure or guilty?

THE RIGHT SORT OF ACTIONS REQUIRE NO EMBELLISHMENT OF WORDS

One of the most commom mistakes is making excuses to explain why we do not succeed. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people in the world - those who do not succeed - are excuse makers. They try to explain their action, or inaction, with words. When you succeed, accept the congratulations of others with good grace; when you fail, take the responsibility for your actions, learn from your mistakes, and move on to more constructive things. When your actions are appropriate in every circumstance, you will never feel the need to explain them with words. Your actions will say all that needs to be said.

These days I feel I am going to the period of fast moving forward in my company. There's no time to delay, result is the absolute factor for success. In the other hand I have to sacrifice my leisure time to blog and chatting online. Well, this is the real place when I leave my comfort zone. Total training ground to achieve higher results.

Count That Day Lost Whose Descending Sun Finds You With No Good Deeds Done

It is well known among those who make it a practice to help others that doing a service for another benefits the giver as much as -- if not more than -- the receiver. When you do a good deed for someone else, you become a better person. The positive effect that your good deed has upon you will endure long after it is forgoten by the recipient. Good deeds need not be large or costly. The greatest gifts are gifts of your time and yourself. A kind word or small courtesy will be remembered and appreciated.

PRESS RELEASE: Mocca to Meet Friends in Bandung

Jakarta – 26 April 2006 – Five weeks after its official launch of Mocca Friends Club, it is now time for the band to meet and greet their loyal fans with the support of local pop radio station in Bandung.

Mocca hopes to continue the momentum it has gained since the full launch of Mocca Friends Club (www.mymocca.com) five weeks ago. On Friday, 28 April 2006 beginning at 8:00pm onwards, the band will host a fan base party called “Pop on the Air”. Hundreds of fan club members are expected to gather at Plaza Dago in Bandung, an Indonesian city of 2.2 million people, to share their love for the homegrown band Mocca.

In collaboration with OZ 103.1 FM, the city’s major pop radio station, the band will perform on an outdoor stage complete with live-radio broadcast for one full hour. This show is also an event for the band to release its second podcast episode of the Mocca Wonderland series. A wireless internet hotspot around the venue is expected to be used by fans to immediately download the podcast episode from the website. The band also plans to give away free albums to a dozen lucky fans.

Mocca’s premiere podcast episode, an MP3-based 20-minute talk show, has been downloaded and listened to by hundreds of international fans in only less than four weeks. Mocca’s fan base management partner in Singapore, Vice Versa (www.theviceversa.com), reported that 25% of the listeners had shared the podcast audio files to at least five close friends in their circles. Contrary to conventional copyright norms, Mocca has chosen more friendly gesture; it has encouraged fans to share the files to as many people as possible, thus enabling the band to multiply the musical message across physical and international boundaries in virtually no time.

In general, Mocca Friends Club membership has attracted music lovers in Southeast Asian countries as well as those in parts of Europe. Since 17 March 2006, Mocca’s website has recorded at least 3,000 unique visitors worldwide, which translates to a total of 15,600 hits. As far as fan metrics are concerned, Vice Versa reported that more than 90% percent of Mocca fans are below 25 years of age. Surprisingly, 72% of Mocca fans are found to be male, residing in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.

When We (Men) Care About Soccer!

Extremely important advice and recommendations to be passed on to wives, girlfriends, fiancés, mothers, sisters, daughters, etc. (to all women of this world) These rules are to be communicated prior to the World Cup in June/July this year...

List Of Rules.

1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.

2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye).

3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month.

4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor....it wont happen.

5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.

6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or "don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.

7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying "one" game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together".

8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.

9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that require my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.

10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash.

11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the channel to something we can all watch??", the reply will be: "Refer to Rule #2 of this list".

12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank God the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words, because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish League, Premier League, etc etc.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Regards,

Men of the World

PS. We will also pay close attention to the Final Match of Champions League between Arsenal and Barcelona. During the matches, we will not sleep earlier either, so please don't wake up us too early in the morning!

Don't Forget Every Small Things

I know. I should always remember to give Tanja a birthday present. Yodhi remained me again yesterday tha I missed out something with Tanja.

Picture Left to Right:
Indi-Yodhi-Tanja-Mieke-Audi

 

Intervention by Cosmic Baseball Bat Phenomenon

This article below is a wonderful thought I got today. I think it's nice to share with all of you. I, myself, left my comfort zone for another challenge in my life. It touches my deep mind of thinking. Take a time to read, folks!

PS. Thank you, Peggy for sharing this wise thought of the day..

AFRAID TO MAKE CHOICES?

Each of us has the power of emotional choice and we can create permanent change in OURSELVES ... at any age. Let’s look at some of the reasons why we’re afraid to make the very choices that could change our lives.

Renowned psychologist Barbara DeAngeles, Ph.D., says to imagine that we are standing atop a mountain ... a mountain called our “comfort zone”. It represents the way we’re used to living, risks we take, etc. It’s not called our comfort zone because it’s always comfortable, but because it’s always FAMILIAR.

Across a ravine from our mountain is another mountain. Atop that one is everything we want: a better relationship, more freedom, more success, more prosperity, that new job. We say to ourselves, “I know I need to jump, I know it’s time. I’m ready....” Then we stop. Why? Because of FEAR.

First, there’s the fear of failing, or not being able to do it, or making a mistake. Sometimes the greatest mistakes in life come from procrastination or from taking no action at all.

After fear of failure, the second thing that keeps us from changing is fear of the unknown. At least our current circumstances, as painful or unsatisfying as they may be, are familiar. It’s almost like we’ve said, “I’d rather suffer with what I have today than to change because at least I know what to expect.”

The third thing that stops us from leaping from our present mountain to a new one is the fear of leaving old and familiar ways behind. For right there next to us on our mountain top are a bunch of suitcases ... our emotional baggage. Baggage that represents old anger or resentment we haven’t let go of, childhood patterns that we haven’t changed and so forth. Sometimes we’re not alone on the mountain. Maybe there’s our partner, or family, or friends. We tell them “Come on jump, I’m ready to change” and they reply,

“No, you go ahead, I like it right here where I am.” Then we have to make a decision between keeping them company or leaving them behind and growing for ourselves. It’s very painful to choose between our own growth and keeping somebody we love company.

The fourth fear that people have for making changes in their life is the fear of letting go and losing control. Letting go may feel scary, but it’s SO much easier than holding on to a familiar, yet painful way of life that no longer serves us.

Most of us have a high tolerance for emotional pain. We wait until a crisis or drama happens to finally take action. We wait until the pressure is overwhelming, and THEN we get counseling, join a workshop, start exercising or whatever.

If you had a lot of pain or drama in your childhood like I did, you may have a high tolerance of emotional pain because you became used to it while growing up. When we grow up in a home with alcoholism or constant fighting, or if our parents were unhappy and there was a lot of tension, we get accustomed to that kind of tension in our own lives. Therefore, we may not fully acknowledge being in pain.

Dr. DeAngeles explains that sometimes when we’re standing on our mountain and not leaping, though we know we need to, and our tolerance for emotional pain is high, we get a swift kick from “Beyond” saying —- “You know, they’re never going to take action unless I give them a push!”

That’s when our partner comes home and says, “Honey, this relationship just isn’t working, I’m leaving.” Or maybe we’re in a job we know isn’t right, but we haven’t gotten around to quitting, and one day, all of a sudden, our boss sits us down and says, “You’re fired.”

I call this phenomenon an “Intervention by a Cosmic Baseball Bat."

When in your life has something interceded and forced you to act, even when you were holding back? Maybe it was a car accident that made you lie in bed and re-examine your life, or an illness that forced you to re-evaluate how you take care of yourself. Why not compose a list of these occurrences ... contemplate what happened and see what thoughts come to you.

Next month we will explore specific tools for going beyond fear in "Actions Speak Louder than Fears." Until then, remember what the English poet John Milton wrote so long ago ...

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven out of Hell and a hell of Heaven...”

Chelle (Pronounced 'Shay') Thompson

Who Took My Chicken Wings?

Eva.. nice to have this picture! It remains me of our last days in Singapore. Can't believe it almost already a month from my last farewell celebration. Damn.. I'm starting to miss all the parties there...

Anyway, here's the picture of BBQ party in birthday celebration of my dear friend Steffen who decided to become a frontier that provided a tour guide service by driving an old German Mercedes war truck to go from German to India by land. Imagine that!

 

Happy Birthday, Earth!

Today I realize that I haven't done a lot to celebrate Earth Day. Have you? What have you done to celebrate earth day? I guess the most important question for me is what the meaning of Earth that impact my life in the future? I realize that sometimes I still forget to turn-off the light when I leave a room or a house, watching TV all night till I got sleeping in a sofa, printing many useless papers at the office because a stupid mistake when I click the "print" command in my computer, and so on and so on.

I don't know how the earth will become in the future. One thing I realize that the earth is changing everyday and it keeps on moving. If we don't do something to safe the earth, our next generation will suffer more than what we have today. I wouldn't imagine how the air in Jakarta will become in the next 10 years if everyones still don't care to control the polution from their cars or motorcycles. To me, it's all about respect to what we have got from staying in this earth. Respect starts from myself or yourself. It's a life-style you should pay more attention.

The Celebration of Indonesian Women!

I attended an event named "Executive Night 2006" organized by DEWI Magazine, an upper class women magazine about modern life-style living in Indonesia, last Thursday night (20/04) as invited by Rika, my Beauty Editor friend introduced in Singapore 2 months ago. By the way, Lancome was part of the event as Lancome provided Make-up Make Over Service to all the candidates at the event as part of partnership. It was also hosted by Nico Siahaan and Tika Panggabean, two most familiar MCs in Indonesia at the moment, and celebrated by an appreciation night for 3 most famous Indonesian young designers voted by the magazine readers.

It was wonderful night to witness 10 successful executive women who are at the moment leading in their careers as to they achieved all the outstanding measurement by their professional objectives and results in Indonesia. When I came to this event I never thought that I would get familiar with all the candidates and knew that all the 10 candidates were excellent in their professionalism and careers.

Herewith below the list:

1. Tina Prabowo, Senior Manager, PT Amway Indonesia.

2. Lia S.Sunario, General Manager, Young & Rubicam Wunderman.

3. Rifda Antharina, Managing Director, PT Panamax.

4. Rita Hutabarat, Assistant Vice President and Department Head, Food & Technology, PT Charoen Portland, Indonesia.

5. Yuliana Agung, CEO, PT Frontier.

6. Shanti Shamdasani, Country Manager Indonesia, US Asean Business Council Inc.

7. Riani S Budiharsana, Director, PT Indospirit Natura.

8. Andriani Sukmoro, Human Resources Director, American Express Bank Ltd.

9. Yurisa Martanti, Notarist.

10. Dewita Restati, Consultant, Medusa Dental Clinic.

These leading executive ladies remained me of all the efforts and goals of Mrs. Kartini, the first Indonesian woman hero during colonialism era that strived to open an opportunity for women in Indonesia to become successful and equal with men at that time, within a more sophisticated and modern time frame than before. It was very interesting to find out each individuals' characters and personalities during the night when they were all asked 2 different questions in general. The two main questions were to ask their opinions on recent Indonesian Government' decision with pornography issues and the increasing numbers of divorcy within young couples and families, in particular celebrities and public figures in Indonesia.

I must admit, each of them had different opinions and must answers for 2 questions. None of their answers were wrong from any different perspectives. At the end of the show, the audiences must nominate the most popular candidate by voting from ballots. The winner was Rita Hutabarat that achieved higher voting numbers from all the candidates. By the way, according to her confession she told everyones at the event that she used to sell jackfruits when she was trying to finish her experiment about the fruit. She is also brilliant with her research about the nutrition of "TEMPE", a traditional Indonesian side dish cake made from fermented soyabean, that delivered her to her highest achievement in international forum. What a trully brilliant and outstanding woman she is! I would say everyones were the winners at the event. Awesome!

Hey, Good Looking!

This is the place where I spent most of times from the last one week. After slightly moved to another roles and responsibilities in my new office, I decided to come down to see the retail operations in several shopping centers in Jakarta. Surprised to know that many international brands in cosmetics industry have arrived in Jakarta with a lot of innovations and marketing strategies.

In one week, I have been observing traffics, sales , customer services for each beauty counters in different places in Jakarta. It's good to know that some customers are beauty savvy in term of knowing what the best for their make-up. Colors and price are still the big factor for them to decide buying the make-up line-ups.

I believe that being a good looking person is all what women in the world looking for. Welcome to the world of beauty and being a good looking person. Check out more here.

Going Home to Indonesia

Jakarta is all about survival. Finally, I arrived in Jakarta and got used with the life style. I can't believe sometimes to realize that I am working here. It's all about adopting a new life style. It takes 2 hours for me to get to the office and going back home. It's really tiring and definatelly not a good option. Aside from that, I just slightly move to another role and responsibility in the office. Surprisingly, it happened on my first day in the office. I don't know what happen next. I just get myself a grip and try to do best to achieve my goals.

PS. I am so happy that finally I get an internet connection after being off-line for a while.

Bangkok Holiday

Just come back from Bangkok and got a long fever with very sick health condition. Doctor gave me a lot of medicines to make get well.

Next week I would start my new professional career in Jakarta. I can't wait to start it. This would be my last blogging for this month since I would not be in touch by internet until next week.

It is a hard week but I had a lot of fun with my parents in Bangkok after 6 years ago I visited Bangkok. The city is still the same as Jakarta in Indonesia. Too bad I could not get "Anti-Thaksin" T-Shirt during the long march happened to be seen with me when I was in Bangkok. But it was a nice trip and I had a lot of fun there.

BBQ Farewell Dinner

Thank you for everyones who made up their minds to come down to my BBQ Farewell Dinner last Sunday evening. I really appreciated the last time to catch-up with every friends. In person, I would like to address my deep appreciation to my friend Sandy, Tony and Dian. Without you guys I don't think we could have the dinner. (I am going to miss you guys)

Picture: (Left to Right)
1st Row (Upper): Adam-Marko-Wolfgang-Christ-Tanja-Anne-Fadzil
2nd Row (Middle): Esther-Ionut-Weihan-Mikaela-Dian-Audi-Sandy-Tabby-Dewi-Tony-Fida-Didit
3rd Row (Lower): Eva-Diana-Tisa-Zul-Alvin-Fahmi-Furqan-Frans
(Not in the picture: Lars-Andrea-Patrick-Ira-Elvin-Jessica-Vega)

PS. They really made it to make me wet by throwing me to the swimming pool. Thanks, Tabby!

Never Wrestle With A Pig

Drawing upon forty years of experience from his own sports and celebrity management practice, Mark H. McCormack is back with common-sense advice aimed at business owners and would-be CEOs. McCormack's tips include:

* End your day on time
* People who say they can keep a secret usually can't
* It pays to overestimate your competition
* The best ideas cannot be stolen
* Know when to say "It's none of your business"
* Get paid for thinking rather than doing
* Time in front of the customer is the best time of all
* Be wary of unanimous agreement
* Not every budget deserves your respect
* Learn the art of picking up the check

In ninety brief chapters that range in topic from getting ahead to staying competitive, McCormack makes clear that doing business in today's climate still involves the same basic elements of human interaction-intelligence, creativity, and efficiency-that have always meant the difference between success and failure.

I fall in love with the book everyday. I have to admit, I don't get bored or tired to keep on reading the book everyday ever since I bought it 3 years ago. It really is a great book to teach you about surviving and establishing a good career and business within a strong determination. A must have book for everyone. Never Wrestle With A Pig?.. because you get dirty, and only the pig enjoys it!

Click here to find out more about the book.