9 July 2014: Not Merely INKY Little Finger

As we all supposed to know, last Wednesday was a totally historical day for us, Indonesian. We got the chance to directly choose our future leader. Our so called president (and the vice, of course). The one we elected to preside over our country, our nation, the chief executive or the head of state of  our beloved Republic of Indonesia. So to speak, Indonesia is a majestic archipelago; thousands of islands lie within, hundreds of distinct native ethnicity and languages. Indonesia has gone through some riotous time; when natural disasters, separatism, corruption, chaos, tumultuous era, in which our beloved reformation heroes have struggled to bring down the authoritarian regime, -- and intervals regarded as a distinct evolutionary or developmental phase in our economic growth.

To a stated extent, common partake oneness has been established, determined by Bahasa Indonesia as our national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within major Muslim population. Recalling back to our country's own motto from our great great founding fathers, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), endow the diversity that molds us. Molds Indonesia. The question is, is it still remaining? Poverty remains widespread, scarcely, scattered. Despite its rapid growing economy, the conspicuous disparity between the haves and the have-nots spreads pervasively. This is the reason why I insisted to take part in once in a half decade party. The Presidential Election. It is our rights as a citizen to give a vote for our nation's future (although seemingly quite apathetic before..)

LOL, wait a sec, I've never been so chatty about my country so far. Well, that's a point. Here's the thing. I landed in BSD safe and sound on Sunday morning, July 6th, 2014 (the day when the govt closed the A5 form registration). Bringing a (it's a major mistake!) C6 form to Pak RETE house, I asked my friend to join me, to confirm to the Pak RETE if we could give our votes. Pak RETE, came in, with some bugger on his eyes. He said it's OK to bring the form and used our local identity card (though the govt said it was an E-- electronic ID card, shame on you!) and pointed TPS 29 (the place we gave our vote). I asked him back, to reassure that we could REALLY vote, "do we need to bring A5 form, sir?" He answered me confidently, "Nope, just bring this form and your copied ID, go directly to TPS 29). Hearing that pleasing answer, I stepped out his house merrily.

Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

around 09.45, Sect. I.2, BSD City, Southern Tangerang.

I walked to TPS 29 which was located just 100 m from my boarding house. those bratty pakde(s) welcomed us. They asked for our A5 forms. I said I didn't have it, but Pak RETE told me to go to this TPS. One of the pakde confronted me and laughed at me when I he asked me the name of that Pak RETE. OH HOLY SHOO. I went to another TPS. Same thing happened. Another TPS. Deja vu. Great. One of the Pakde in TPS 31 suggested that I had to go to the nearest district council to register my A5 form. I got various doubtful info from some of my friends living outta town.

10.15, Rawabuntu District Council. 3 km away from my b'house.

The doors were closed. So did the windows. Some motorcycles were parked outside. I noticed one of them are Pak RETE's. My friend seemed unsure that they were open. I urged myself to the entry door. HAHAHA. "Don't you dare to give a shit. I know they are inside. Let's go." I said to my friend. They were indeed inside. Pak RETE too. I avowed solemnly. Seeking any good news from him. But you know what's his answer? "Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I had just been woken up. I didn't fully aware of what form you brought." WHAT THE HEY HO. IT'S TOO LATE. I went back home frustrated.

12.00 Sect. I.2, BSD City, Southern Tangerang.

I went back to TPS 31. I saw people queued. They were arguing about the citizen's rights to give the vote. The Pakde(s) from TPS refused to budge and insisted that we couldn't give the vote. It's only for the local IDs. Shortly, I turned back and rode my motorcycle, trying to find another TPS.

12.30 Sect XIV-Victor Pamulang.

Not EVEN SINGLE TPS accepted my ID card.

12.45 Sect. XII, around St. John Catholic School

a great amount of people queued in front of a TPS. we approached that TPS, hoping they could accept our IDs. 30 mins waiting...........................................................................................................

We spoke to one of the Pakde, told him the long way story about that day, and... That Pakde asked us to give our IDs and all we had to do was wait. GOOD HEAVENS! Finally, moderate and open minded people, I thought.

01.27 Sect. XII, around St. John Catholic School

I HAVE VOTED!

and this.. this isn't merely inky little finger. it's a worth-struggle and accountable little finger. big and immense responsibility behind these little fingers.

Why It Has to be "A Cup of Trembling"?

It was back in 2011 when I decided to change my blog's address into acupoftrembling.blogspot.com. As I recalled, I was in my favorite-class-everrr, which was American Culture and Literature, conducted by Pak Kirk Branch. I have always had and always will have an immense interest towards literature and artworks, that's why I never skipped any single meeting of these lit classes (well, wait, did I? LOL). To quote one of The Beatles' song, Across the Universe,

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai Guru Deva OM~

this stanza depicts the circumstance I endured when I was attending Amlit's lectures. Coming empty-headed, going out fully-loaded and enriched with various knowledge transferred thru the discussions. Each discussion we had every week was capable enough in arousing our interest or curiosity towards each topic or story or poem. Well, this Tuesday 4-6 pm class was at first terrorize me. Why is that so? What the hey ho! I never had Pak Kirk's class before, besides, the other students enrolled in this class were typically having 'brutal' study track records and on their state of being held in high esteem and honour. One Tuesday, we were having a fascinating discussion on a short story by James Baldwin entitled "Sonny's Blues" (1957). You can download the pdf version of Sonny's Blues here. We were deciphering the closing part of it.

Sonny's Blues is a story written in the first-person singular narrative style. The story opens with the narrator, who reads about his younger brother named Sonny who has been caught in a heroin bust. The narrator then goes about his day; he is a teacher at a school in Harlem. However, he cannot get his mind off Sonny. He thinks about all the boys in his class, who don’t have bright futures and are most likely doing drugs, just like Sonny. After school, he meets a friend of Sonny’s, who tells him that they will lock him up and make him detox, but eventually he will be let out and be all alone.

I got a very vivid and open-ended interpretation from here:

At the very end of the story, the narrator has come to watch Sonny play piano at a nightclub, and it seems that he finally sees how talented his brother is. But more importantly, he also seems to see that music is a part of Sonny. It's something he has to have in his life in order to function. As a gesture of this new understanding, the narrator sends Sonny a drink, which he places above him on the piano as he plays. This creates a striking image for the narrator: "For me, then, as they began to play again, it glowed and shook above my brother's head like the very cup of trembling" (239).

The "cup of trembling" is a biblical reference from the Book of Isaiah 51:22 

Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again.

Scholars and critics tend to interpret this passage as God's expression of forgiveness and humankind's opportunity for redemption – God has essentially removed the temptation that initially created his anger. For this reason literary critics often read the ending of "Sonny's Blues" as a symbol of Sonny's redemption. 

After hearing and trying to decode this message infused, I felt like I was going under a spell. It shed a light on me then finally I started blogging again and changed my blog's address into this cup of trembling thingy. Referring to this allusion, I got the illusion of getting myself redeemed and was removed from something perilous. Speaking of which, I don't want to just feel the ambiance of this allusion, to drown in the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas, but also to create, post, and savor feasible ideas of perfection brings forth in imperfections. 

AMERICAN CULTURE AND LITERATURE YEAR 2011 FULL CASTS:

  

from left to right:
Adit (big guy wearing stripes shirt)
One of the SoE's Three Musketeers. (sorry, I forget your name, pal.....)
Mas 2006ers. (I also forget his name :D)
Ogie (black jacket)
Ligar (grey tees and stripes jacket)
ADI PRATAMA, meeen! (stripes shirt)
Kokoh 2006ers. (lali, aku laliii)
Pak Kirk Branch
The always happy and cheerful, the famous George (bald, skinhead)
The joyful noise! Wida (hands on cheek)
Partner in crime, Antonia (chubby!)
Christian (Nike jacket)

the crouchings, left to right:
The Man of the Match! Offin
Dewi
The Scholar! Ikka (flowery shirt)
Dian
Butet
Cutest friend! Konjel (blue flannel)
MEH! Nyssa :)))))))

down on their knees, left to right:
2007ers
mba 2006ers
The popular gal, Yuandhita:)))

Traveling 101: Trippy Trip to University of Indonesia

le maiden voyage of happ(y)ness in between. :)

courtesy of

victorpuguh.blogspot.com

pa' okky 

Super Sunny Sunday

March 30th, 2014 

Serpong Peacefully Earth (BSD-red, ini maksa banget, hahaha) - Universitas Studiorum Indonesiensis

Southern Tangerang Terror (what the hey ho?), Banten - Depok, West Java

tareexx jankreex~

how happy is the blameless vestal lot... *Alexander Pope~

mumma and dadda! #oopsie #peaceout :P

sweet braces ;)

"I'm counting to three," said the camera. "THREE! That wasn't me, I swear to God." *tripod crossed* LOL.

the girl in skyblue shirt, wait, is that Mau-Dy Ayun, Nda? MEHEHE *YOU WISH* 

levitation, first trial. 

levitation, second trial.

levitation, third trial.

silly lil thing that we are~~~

you gotta be kidding meeehhh~

all credits belong to pa' victor!
:D

audrey :)

@Antoniatztztz :)

mba Try :)

michelle :)

pa' victor :)

eron :)

pa' kris :)

pa' bayu :)

audrey, me, and antonia :)

me moi being narcissistic #1 8')

me moi being narcissistic #2 8')

kapan kita kemana? :)))))))))

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted and each wish resign'd." -- The Poem "Eloisa to Abelard" by Alexander Pope.

The quote I picked was actually about a story of tragic love affair, where forgetfulness became the heroine's only comfort. I don't take it way too serious. Those lines were my favorite ones ever since I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. We're forgetting by we forgot. At least it could lessen our burdens. :)

Dari Coelho, Lewat Brida.. #2

T: Jadi, kalau begitu, apa gunanya mencari jawaban?

J: Kita tidak mencari jawaban. Kita menerima, lalu hidup menjadi lebih intens, lebih bercahaya, karena kita memahami setiap menit, setiap langkah yang kita ambil, memiliki arti yang lebih dalam dari sekedar diri kita sendiri. Kita menyadari di suatu tempat dalam ruang dan waktu, pertanyaan ini sesungguhnya memiliki jawaban. Kita menyadari bahwa memang ada alasan untuk keberadaan kita di sini, dan bagi kita, itu sudah cukup.

would you be the reason WHY I smile?

my so called uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead. pervasive misleading.

"What a bloody nuisance."

Can't agree more, Daria.

Traveling 101: Trippy Trip to Bandoengsche

Been drowning here and there by the piles of students' werk, finally I could step into this undeniably sweet escapism.

 

Couple weeks ago, I got the chance to visit the absobloodylootely indiest city in Indonesia, BANDOENGSCHE (((so far, AFAIK, IMHO))) I've been waiting like forever for those days to come. Me and my truly amazing friends @Antoniatztztz and @cicuph have planned to stay in Bandung for 3 days and two nights. T'was a some-sorta backpacker trip, so we have sorted places we'd like to pay a brief visit without paying too much. hahaha. Since @cicuph lives in Bandung, we took an advantage of getting her as a for-free tour guide *fingers crossed~

First thing we did before we sailed there was finding a hostel or motel to stay, at affordable price, of course.We ended up at Samudra Hotel. It's located on Cihampelas 274. We spent IDR 340k for 3 days 2 nights. The room's quite neat and clean for an un-air-conditionered one (Bandung is already freezing cold in the morning and at night). The rate included 2 breakfast set for 2 days. We were cautious openly distrustful and unwilling to confide what hotel we stayed in. Why? Because we saw lotsa young love birds came in back and forth. I was kinda (((kepo))) so I took a long fixed look at their ring fingers, intending to see a ring, but there's nothing. So the telly apparently got it right. Moral degradation. Present generation. It might be you, might be me. Blimey.

The place to sleep: CHECK.

How to get there  : RANDOM.

Up until the night before we off to Bandung, we haven't booked the travel agent who supposed to bring us there. Oh crap. We dashed into the nearest travel agent and no more seats left. great. Out of nowhere, I got an omen. The only hope. We finally reached the other travel agent. Thank goodness there were two seats left, but they were at the very back and would go at the very late schedule, we said no probs and nailed it. This cost us to pay more, tho. But that's fine, the thing was, how to get these ass off to Bandung! YEA.

Day #1

it took us 3 hours from BSD to Bandung. we arrived there around 7 pm. bloody starving. after met up with @cicuph, @Antoniatztztz and I decided to find something to eat, checked in at the hotel, and walked to Ciwalk, which is supposed to be walked around. 

Day #2

We woke up quite early that day. @omuniuum was the scheduled place to drop by. It was a small shop sells various books, records from indie artist and singers, and also indie bands' merchs. @Antoniatztztz was the one who urged us to go there. She said she wanted to buy some CDs for her partner. What kinda partner? Don't ask me any further. It's absurd. Strikingly absurd. LOL.

Actually, I didn't have any plan to buy something here, but the stuffs are SPARKLES. So I decided to buy a @bottlesmoker tees for IDR 125k. 

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT THE T-SHIRT (LITERALLY) 

GIGA LOL!

Done with the shopping thingy, we took the angkot to Braga. As we all know, Bandung is widely-known as the place where amounts of Dutch colonial architectural buildings began and flourished; particularly the tropical Art Deco architectural style. Braga street's so astounding and overwhelmingly impressive. 

The deprivation for food seemingly came and stroke back, so we hurried ourselves to Warung Misbar. An eating place which fosters a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere designated in an oldschool-like movie theater. It supplies us traditional Sundanese food, tastes quite good and at a good price too. We were welcomed by gigantic vintage movie posters at the facade and inside, right in the middle, there's a giant screen played vintage movies and surrounded by giant posters of legendary actors and actresses.

IT'S TIME TO HAVE OUR FAITH RECHARGED. :))

@ St. Laurentius Church, Sukajadi.

Next destination was Paris Van Java mall. I didn't take many pictures in here. It's just normal TOFF-Class shopping avenue. I stepped into this popular shoe-store, tried the boots and took off, hahaha.

We waited for another angkot to take us to Dipatiukur street but it didn't appear for long. Walking is not an option but we were starving to death. we were about to have a munch of the famous and scrumptious Surabi Bandung. it is indeed extremely pleasing to the sense of taste.

We have another appointment with another friend, Surya, or Mas Sur, I recalled. After having our mouth and tummy fully loaded, we headed to Gasibu.

On our way back home to the hotel, we encounter an unpleasant moment in which we were involved in an unexpectedly car accident. Our car hit another car and Mas Sur had to pay for the damage. Uh I'm terribly sorry for that...

Day #3
Gasibu in the morning. Everyone's there. I couldn't barely breathe. Unfortunately I didn't make it. I didn't go to the most popular flea market around Indonesia, GEDEBAGE :((((((((
But I got this, for only IDR 30k.

Batagor KirCon was our lunch menu that day. IDR 15k you got 3 jumbo batagor. Magnifying.

The last destination...
Cimuncang, where @cicuph resides.

I think I need to get another inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy for the sake of my mental's health. LOL.