Archive for the 'Hometown' Category

Mudik

Thea September 25th, 2008

My satisfaction with the mass transportation in Indonesia is never fulfilled. Again, this year I am disappointed as I can’t go home to Jogja with the nice-affordable mode.

It’s commonly known that nearing to Eidl Mubarak, there’s a huge surge of people commuting from Jakarta to other cities. People are more than willing to take any risk, despite conditions such as poor facilities or increasing fares, as long as they can go home for celebrating Eidl Mubarak at their hometown. Unfortunately, the condition of transportation modes remains similar year by year. No improvements at all. No enhancement on the number, quality or access to get it. Even, recent years, mudik with motorcycle has been becoming a trend. Why? One of the reason as it’s cheap than taking buses or trains or planes. Meanwhile, motorcycle is basically not designed to transport people within far distance. Moreover, it’s less safer than anykind of mode.

Three years ago, the first year I worked at Jakarta, I stood in line for getting one ticket to go home to Jogja. That was my first ritual of mudik, anyway. i queued for almost two hours and started it since dawn just left, 5:30 in the morning to be precise. By the time I was getting near to the locket, I had to be discontent as it’s announced that the executive ticket was sold out. The one left was business class. I had no choice. And I got one business ticket, but only for a short period as I shortly sold it to a friend. My mum didn’t allow me to take the business class. ” It was too dangerous for a woman like you” She said.

The broker or middlemen, to my opinion, are very powerful in this “critical” moment. Can you find any reason why a locket which was just open about three minutes but could sell all tikcets quota?? It’s insane and ridiculous. It really happened when my friend queued for executive train ticket at Gambir early last month. That’s why I was so so so pessimistic if I can have one no matter effrorts I did, except buying with the broker itself:D. Don’t you think they cheat with the insiders:))??

This afternoon, my husband left me earlier to Jogja with Ayik, Ajik and Herman. They drive car and need to be at Jogja soon. Dad will embark from Bandung and pick Mummy at Cirebon. Both of them will take a car cruising the north coast route (pantura) in the peak moment. Tomorrow, in the evening, I’ll go with plane, whose fare is doubled than usual:((. Soon, we’ll meet at Jogja.

Anyway…”selamat mudik” everybody:)

The Address

Thea August 31st, 2008

I just realized that we mistyped the address in our wedding invitation.

As the akad nikah was held in my house, we also put my address in the invitation. Without checking and rechecking, we wrote KM 14.5.

It caused a problem then when my office colleagues from Jakarta intended my akad instead of the reception (because they didn’t get ticket for going back to Jakarta). They lost when they went straight to KM 14.5. As consequence, in the last minutes before being called to meet my husband, I still picked up phone call from some of my friends who lost somewhere between KM 14.5 and KM 10.5, where my house is situated. I am so sorry Pal:D.

Then I found out that my house was situated on Jalan Adisucipto Km 10.5 not in 14.5 as I assumed before. I never paid attention where it was actually because it’s our new house and we moved there not more that 1.5 years ago. Before settling at the current house, we stayed at our old house at Jalan Gejayan. As my Dad moved to Bandung, then our family no longer entitled to stay at that house. Then my parents built a new house on a land which they had bought years before.

Our old house was far smaller than the new one. Yet it had a very large yard with green grass and was located in the heart of city. We could go everywhere easily. Ogi loved to sit in the red chair at the veranda while enjoying the breeze from big trees surrounding my old house.

However, I also love the new one. It’s bigger and more than enough to accommodate almost all of my relatives who attended my wedding last August. It.s very near with the airport so Ogi and I didn’t have to rush when catching our flight to Bali:). The neighborhood is very lovely and humble. Their hospitality is a true example of togetherness, which I found rare at big city.

Suddenly…I miss my house:(

see also at www.ogithea.com

Bakmi Pele

Thea July 24th, 2008

My coming to Bakmi Pele isn’t only about eating. For me it’s also about enjoying the heart of Jogja, in the night nuance, feeling the breeze whispering near my ears.

Bakmi Pele, located in the north alun-alun Jogjakarta, is one of the culinary places that you must visit once at Jogja. Recently, I’ve been always devoting my time to have a plate of fried noodle when I go home to Jogja. The fried noodle served there is Javanese style. We call it Bakmi Jowo. Using endog bebek (egg of duck) and ayam kampung, to my opinion, Bakmi Pele is the embodiment of original recipe of noodle. I always love noodle, Bakmi Pele is one of my fave.

If I may suggest you, try to sit with lesehan style, instead of on chair. There, you can sit while overlooking the large field, known as Alun-alun. Then, order a glass of hot tea or wedang ronde and take your time while you can, before a portion of fried noodle coming in front of you.

The last time I went there, I took it not as the ritual of ordinary eating, instead of commemoration of my being in that lovable city. And for you who has a chance to spend moment there, please enjoy the noodle, your time at Jogja, while seeing the slight buzzing of the city. And for me, it’s always nice.

Earn Living at Jogja; I Wish I Can

Thea May 7th, 2008

Working at a big company at Jakarta indoubtedly offers me many challenges, experiences and benefits at once. Hence, I am so grateful to have this opportunity. Eversince I joined this company two years ago, I have been trying to utilize every opportunity while keeping wishing that I can work at Jogja sometimes. I remember two years ago, I was so reluctant working in this big city. However, destiny brought me here.

I have several considerations why I still insist staying at Jogja and earning living there. First, Jogja is very nice city, less far hectic than Jakarta and friendly. Then, I plan to stay there with a new family and raise children at a city in where you can find schools and universities with good facilities.

Okay, I’m going to marry and manage that within specified time I wish I can be assigned working in Jogja-based office. I know it will be tough. Moreover, now I am appointed to be the new coordinator of two new areas at once. Nevertheless, I never stop wishing. Thank God, my husband to-be understands my position and he agrees to accompany me at Jakarta. Lucky me!!!

Two days ago, I chatted with him, talking about our plan in the future. I told him much about my new job, how good I can adopt with it and how can I cope the difficulties I face. At the end, the topic about job terminated, again, at our future life. Surprisingly he told me…

Hun, it’s all up to you. I will stay with you at Jakarta until you feel okay moving at Jogja and satisfied with your work here.

See..tell me how can’t I say that I couldn’t be luckier. Thanks dear:)

Afternoon at Boulevard

Thea February 11th, 2008

Last Friday, I went the UGM boulevard, stopping by at a teh botol vendor. Then, I ordered two bottles of tea which then accompanied by fried Tempura as friends of mine who was spending nice afternoon at my ex-college, Gadjah Mada University.

The atmosphere was nice. The weather was friendly as well. Not too hot. I saw several students who were exercising Capoera. They were very active, I thought. Afterward, I remembered the time when I was used to visit that place, the neighborhood of boulevard. A place which reminds me of many memories:). I really love it.

It’s almost four years I have left it. It was four years ago when I officially left my campus. Though, the distance couldn’t pull the memory in my mind out. Next month if I am at Jogja, I will be there to feel all of them again:). Afternoon at Boulevard

I Am Dreaming of Jogja

Thea November 28th, 2007

The title above was also the status appearing in my ym box this eveening. It invited some people to ask me why I was so. Astri even suggested me to go home to Jogja, where my heart lies as always.  

I miss being there. Maybe it sounds cliche. In fact that was really I am feeling. Among many things that I have to deal with right now, especially for the UNFCCC preparation, I thought I deserved a time to escape. Then last week, I went to Jogja. I planned to take a leave in the Monday so i could have three days. However, it wasn’t approved by my boss,hiksss. And if I feel such bussy things really stick on me very much, I only can dream I can have more time for leisure. And Jogja is place where I am dreaming to be at.

Many times i visited Bali, but i barely had time to enjoy it. Just like last week, I could only spare one day for sight seeing and meeting my best friend, Titi. And i didi it exactly before I had to leave for Jakarta. My friends always say how lucky I am to have a chance to visit many cities in Indonesia. While within my heart I say how lucky I could be there for vacation and not for work. I need vacation, indeed.

Next month, InsyaAllah, i will be at Jogja again. And now, I have to work again.

Allah, thanks for this work. I can actualize myself:)

 

 

The Time Went so Slowly at Imogiri

Thea October 18th, 2007

Because we were confused where to spend one of my night in Jogja, Ogi offered me to try Sate Klatak in Imogiri. I did agree then we went there after Magrib. I often heard about Sate Klatak and I was so curious to get known its taste which is said so delicious.

The chilling wind accompanied our motorcycle-trip there. The weather in Jogja was getting chiller in the night. It’s just a compensation of the hot exposure sunlight you got in the day.

After a three-forth hour trip, we arrived at Pasar Imogiri. The hectic and crowded market turned to be a tranquil place where many vendors sold the famous Sate Klatak.

What is Sate Klatak? Sate Klatak is one of the various sate in Indonesia, sate or satay is made of meat or chicken, stuck with pin and burnt on ember. It’s served with sauce made of nut or tempe (soya been cake) or other ingredients. Sate Madura, sate Padang, or sate ambal is short of Indonesian culinary heritage. While sate klatak is made of mutton, soaked in special ingredients and stuck with a special pin from steel which makes the mutton well cooked in and out side. It’s specialty from Imogiri, a place which is also popular as the royal cemetery.

Then we greeted one of the vendors. I ordered two portions of sate. Before us, there were many buyers who already sat and ordered. With minimum lighting, we tried to figure out the place to sit. We sat with crossed-leg. While waiting for the sate, I wondered why there was no one who offered us drinks. I saw a woman who was making drinks. Maybe she’s the one who made the beverage for us. Then I went to her and asked if she sold the drink. “Yes”, she answered.

Not long after that a glass of hot tea and hot lemon drink came. But the sate hadn’t been served yet. I added a portion of tongseng in our order. Waiting for the sate and tongseng, Ogi and I looked at the vendor. We noticed that he did everything slowly. We were always asking why he didn’t slice the mutton at home. Why there was only one wood stove while he had to prepare two kinds of course, sate and tongseng. Why he didn’t apply job division? Why didn’t he only burn the mutton or cook the tongseng and others helped his to do other things? Indeed, the time went so slowly at Imogiri. Ogi said to me” It’s Jogja people”.

Two portions of sate and a portion of tongseng were served in front of us, finally. I was always curious with the sate. Then I tried it. Hmm…I agreed with my friend said about sate klatak:

The less, the more.

Sate was served with no sauce. But it really made the original taste of mutton revealed. No addition yet caused the taste very rich. The mutton was soft and sometimes we could taste the fatty flavor.

We were finished with our orders and our tummy was full. More people came and ordered the sate. I assumed most of them are Jogja people who worked in other cities and at that time they went home for celebrating Eid Ul Fitr. They came with their family, probably simply to memorize the flavor of sate klatak which made them missed all the time. And of course, just like them, I will go there next time I visit this lovely city.   

 

 

The God of Happiness

Thea October 18th, 2007

The source of happiness is not figures in my saving account. For me, the god of happiness is seeing my parents, spending time with relatives or hanging out with friends.

Seven days in Jogja of course isn’t enough for me. Though I could have my moments with my family, go out with friends and go around my new neighborhood, it’s still insufficient. I think I must have a longer time even though I don’t know how many days more I need.

I took moment by moment this Eid Ul Fitr thoroughly. I really enjoyed the time I spent with my lovely parents was. We worked on together the mess in our home when Lik Sus, our maid, went home to Wates. I could have a chance to profound my cooking knowledge. My Mum taught me how to cook rendang, Padang food which I always wanted to master at. And Ogi said it was delicious. Merci mon cher.

Then I realized how important the friendship I have. My friends are my power source. Last Tuesday, my friends and I gathered at Jimbaran restaurant. We were there to celebrate the birthday of Wipi, Nora and Ririn. Just like when we met many times before, this gathering was also decorated with laughs and jokes. Unbelievable, it’s been seven years we’ve been together. Now, we have our won story, go through our own journey. As my friend says, eventually we have our own life. Ririn who met her halve in KKN. While other friends ended up with broken relationship with their KKN-friends-turned lover, Ririn and Ipunk stay together till now. Arif, who will go to Brazil and plans to marry my best friend, Wippie. Indi who’s still chasing her dream. And me, what about me? I am still looking what I can do in the future.

I am glad. I am happy. I was recharged and now full of power. The god of happiness of mine, I have already met it.

 

 

 

 

I Am Looking for Hiro Nakamura

Thea October 10th, 2007

For you who watch Heroes serial, you must be familiar with the character of Hiro Nakamura. As the other characters, he has special extraordinary ability, which is believed can safe the world from the vicious power. In short, with his teleporting specialty, he can move to other place instantaneously, without traveling through space.

It will be much easier for me if I have such power like his now. I don’t have to buy ticket to go home. I must not call Garuda Call Center to ensure my availability among other passengers who are also in the waiting list. Or my friends no need to queue for hours to get train ticket. Just by holding them, I can bring them to Jogja as quickly as winking our eyes. Fast and simple.

I wish I could have such ability and therefore I would go to Jogja whenever I want or visit other places wherever I wish. Undoubtedly, it would cut my monthly expense to go home. Every month, I must spend at least 500 thousand for going Jogja and so does Ogi.

Well..well…I only can wish. Maybe it’s because I watch it too much. By the way, it’s time to GCC again.

 

 

Two Days Left

Thea October 9th, 2007

Two days left before entering Eid ul Fitr. How is the situation in my office? It’s set on holiday mood. No kidding! We can’t resist the temptation to stretch our bodies longer. And when we look on to the pile of document and check the emails in our inbox, oh no, it’s such a burden that we must bring along day.

For me, two days means speeding up my deadline. I have to make sure that all of our roaming partners have implemented all our GT SMSCs (sorry guys, it must take your time as there were too many to implement). Then, contacting our roaming partners and rescheduling the testing should be on the list due to the more than a week of ineffective days. Some of my friends will spend all of their leaves. But I will keep some of them just in case I need it next time.

I will go home October 11, 2007 with the 6-pm flight to Jogja. However, now I am still checking my availability to reschedule my flight. Therefore, I am always calling the call center to get an update from them. Let’s see if my silver card member will work on this because I am with more than 90 passengers who want to fly earlier.

Hmm..i hope I can get it

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