all games?

Its funny how things work in this country. You can officially say anything in the forefront and then do the exact opposite in reality…yet the system somehow does not have a way to catch you.

Just the other day I was driving through Kuningan, behind the Swiss Embassy and to my surprise this ‘newspaper guy’ was offering the infamous Indonesian Playboy magazine in the streets (and this was around 11am). As he passed in front of my car I tried to take a closer look; he noticed and approached, trying to convince me it was indeed the original copy (he showed the backside, which matched some pictures a college friend sent through a mailing list).

He then came by my window. I noticed this guy was not your average street retailer, plus...he was only carrying that one magazine. Having trained spotting unlawful cigarette distributions and promotions I automatically knew this guy was sponsored if not working for that particular magazine company. So I rolled down my window...

Me: ‘why is that sold in the streets?’
Him: ‘but the magazine is okay, kok’
Me: ‘well, I’m just surprised, that’s all’. ‘you’re not a magazine seller are you?’
Him: (smiling…and shaking his head, acting timid’
Guess what...he passed but as I was about to roll up my window, he turned back...and said ‘You know, the magazine is actually okay, really...’
Me: ‘Okay, but I’m just a bit surprised its being sold in the street that’s all.

A middle class guy trying to look like a junky, carrying two copies of one same magazine, and promoting the magazine by convincing people that the content is alright.
You’re average red light retailer, or...simply a PR?

The magazine's content is not what I'd like to emphasize here.
But in case you're wondering...no, I am not in favor of that magazine, in case anyone was wondering. And I definitely do not appreciate the looseness and permissiveness of our society’s system. Freedom of speech is not freedom of no responsibility whatsoever. Noticed how after censors on TV commercials were lifted (around 1999 was it?), a huge surge of weird and disgusting commercials came on TV? That’s not a democratic society, that’s a community heading towards a mental breakdown.

So, in a world like ours (Indonesia), where anything says goes; can be found statements that or either not backed up by facts or are complete opposite of the truth.
And what annoys me the most is that these conducts can just stroll along like nothing really matters. Maybe it doesn’t to some, but it does to me. Darn!

-moenlite-

PS: for those of you who can read Indonesian, notice that in the linked article (and also in another article, which I haven't been able to relocate) the Magazine's chief editor states that street retailing is outside of their hands.....by what I saw, I think that's total cr*p.

submissions and stuff

Finally, I submitted the article I’ve (seemed to have) been working on for eons with my professor, to this particular journal home. Alhamdulillah...
Yes, it definitely feels good.

Wish us luck on the review process :)

-moenlite-
[looking forward to her insya Allah yet-to-be next publication ;)]

*picture

in between two worlds...

It’s funny how you see a world from the outside
to then realize that you too are now handed its script.
And at that moment you wonder whether your ‘objectiveness’ is objective at all
And whether you too would give up all that you have, all that you’ve dreamed of, just to be sure...
And you now know what it feels to be like them...
And so here you are trapped between two worlds...
One full of dreams, and one full of hopes...
And when you look in the mirror and see a reflection of their nature,
You now do not mind,
Cause now you know how it feels to that one on the other side...

-moenlite-
[please God grant her unwavering health...]

what fruits of technology?

Funny how one becomes dependent on tools like mobiles, atm cards, etc. What happened to the good ol’days where one could live without these fruits of technology?
I guess the good ol’days gave turned in to the good present days that have enabled us such easiness...well, that is unless you forgot to bring them along...:P

Yes,...its only when you experience it, that you actually appreciate what you have.

I had an appointment with a new friend, and we arranged that I picked her up in my old office, so that we can go to this coffee shop to chat on various interesting issues. Well, as planned...10 minutes before I arrived at the building I was to call her so that she can come down to the entrance. Now, once I realized that I left my miraculous ‘magic wand’ I figured I had to park somewhere near and actually walk down to the building...then I realized I don’t know her number (yes, technology eases our memory, and leaves it stored into a small box), so...good thing that I know my mom’s number (well, I could have relied on that cellphone of mine now, couldn’t I? :), and could call her from this old office of mine; I'm blessed to able to rely on a my mom for such 'emergencies' (yes, I ofcourse sensed her shaking her head in disbelief, that she can have such a forgetful daughter....but I always think that's what makes me so lovable...I'm sure she agrees ;).

Well, that issue was solved, and off we went for dinner and some coffee...yes, life is good. Coffee and good conversation drew the night into a nice conclusion :)

bon nuit,
-moenlite-

*picture

Jogjakarta

Inspired by this website: "No blog, no photo, no links today."

looking out my window

Once in a while life seems to be playing tricks on you. One day you’re on top of the world, the next day suddenly it feels like a truck had just came and ran over you.
And being a twentysomething certainly doesn’t help make things better. You either feel your making decisions based on too-much-information or you simply lack the required knowledge and realize later that what you did should have been a totally different way.

What was I trying to say before babbling? Yes, life.

This year has certainly been an overrated version of life of a middle class girl(slash)woman who takes what ever life throws at her.
Yes, it has certainly thrown a bunch of different things at me recently, and its pitch was like no other. There were pains, heartbreaks, anger, joy, relief, confusion...all mumbled into one whole being, stretched out on different days. Days that I thought would never pass...days that never showed what its tomorrow would have in-store. And at last, days of joy.

Yes, my current state is happiness and relief. And when one is happy, its always much easier to write :)

I’m on a plane from my hometown, to a city that I’ve always been wanting to go. And the travel authorization just came out like that. The purpose? Well, that’s to be mentioned in another post ;)

All I’d like to say right now is...even though things may seem like hay wired threads that run back and forth without que, I’m sure from the front view...my life's 'portrait' ain’t that bad.

Cheers to all you kindred spirits out there.
All I can say is, please don’t lose faith...ever,

Adios,
-moenlite-

being female

I first passed by these words a few years back, and now I'd like to share it here.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

..one old love
she can imagine
going back to...
and one who reminds
her how far she has come...

..enough money within her
control to move out and
rent a place of her own
even if she never wants
to or needs to...

..something perfect to wear if
the employer or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...

..a youth she's content
to leave behind...

..a past juicy enough that
she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age...

..a set of screwdrivers,
cordless drill, and a black
lace bra...

..one friend who always makes
her laugh... and one who lets
her cry...

..a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone
else in her family..

..eight matching plates, wine
glasses with stems, and a recipe
for a meal that will make her
guests feel honored..

..a feeling of control over
her destiny...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

..how to fall in love without
losing herself...

..how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend
without ruining the friendship...
and how to change a tire...

..when to try harder...
and when to walk away...

..that she can't change
the length of her calves,
the width of her hips,
or the nature of her parents...

..that her childhood may not
have been perfect...
but its over...

..what she would and wouldn't
do for love or more...

..how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it...

..whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't
take it personally...

..where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

..what she can and can't
accomplish in a day..
a month...and a year...

..why they say
life begins at 30...


yes, very true indeed...
-moenlite-
[looking back and wondering...]

on a night like this

Had a nice small family reunion when I was home last week. Wasn’t really planned for actually, yes...things just seemed to fall into place.

My eldest brother and family was in town, my second brother arrived in time (his wife is still in Jakarta at the moment, finishing her masters), unfortunately my third brother had to miss this, but luckily his wife and son have not yet flown out so they were there. Plus...my cousin and her family was unexpectedly there (though reason being an unfortunate one_her father in law passed away, God rest his soul_their presence was truly a long awaited one); and of course my other cousins and uncle and aunts in Jakarta that I truly miss and love to meet every time I get a chance to.

The night was lovely.
If one were to noticed closely, they'd realize that those present were actually a mix of both my mom and dad’s side, without really being able to tell the difference. Even I had always assumed it was all one big family and not a combination of two. When I was younger I had assumed this was because both my parents come from the same place, and had sort of known each other’s family. But come to think of it, the more I noticed that even as my family expanded (with 'new' family members originating from various places), that blend was still there. And I truly feel grateful for that. No *this is from my mom’s side, I’m closer to them*-*this is from my dad’s side, I’m closer to them* kind of issues. Thank God :)
Well, I hope its not too ambitious to wish that I can someday pass that on to my future generation, who knows :)

-moenlite-
[still sensing the delicious nasi uduk and dishes from that night...hmmmm :)]

growing up

Maturity is to be able to bear injustice without trying to get even....

My dear cousin passed on these words to me a few days ago, when we happened to meet under unexpected circumstances. These were just the words I needed to hear I guess.

No, it’s not about anyone I’ve ever mentioned here. But, yes I believe I have been injustice-d several times by the same persons recently, at least these recent ones were the hardest hits. And it wasn’t pretty. I know that some would just cut their friendship loose, since of course there are other much nicer people worth befriending with in this world. But it wasn’t that easy, this situation was a bit sticky, plus...the ugly part already took place.

So, I took that last shot on ‘maturity’, without loosing my pride, and wrote those long awaited words to come through. Short and simple.

And I felt good, mission completed. Now whatever response I get, is out my hands, and definitely not worth thinking about.
And at least now I know better. Yes, believe me, I’ve learnt my lesson.

-moenlite-
[listening to those tunes...]

*picture, by Jan Cook