Long Live Life

AAR rocks the independence day!

2009-08-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

What an amazing night. Thank you, boys. And Tyson, thanks for being super attractive onstage :).

Long time no see

2009-08-12T01:53:00.001-07:00

Hey Little World! Long time no see!

Now it's time to bring back the soul of a devoted fan-girl!

*Oh how I love being one*

Coffin Joe should be kidnapped. I'm gonna lock him like Rapunzel harharhar.

Ahem!

2009-06-06T21:19:00.001-07:00

He's the reason why I am reading Little Dorrit right now xD.

the quiz from Dini xD

2009-05-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

Take the Quiz here!

I thought I would be Catherine!

Nyanyian sendu di kala hujan

2009-04-30T03:16:00.000-07:00

Aku ingin liburan
Bersama teman-teman
Bertemu cowok tampan
Lalu makan-makan
sampe kenyang

*nyanyian gak jelas anak stres*

Pengen kabuuuuuurrr.

me back yeah

2009-04-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

I haven’t updated this journal for more than a week since I wasn’t feeling good. I was having a slight fever and I was coughing hard. But what really annoyed me was my body was aching! It’s like every muscle in my body was being knocked by a hammer. Okay, that sounds hyperbolic but you get my point right? I wasn’t really productive last week, but thank God I feel much much better now. Thank you, doctor! But I’m still not in the mood to go back to work, honestly T______T.

Well, what else can you do when you can only lay on your bed? Reading for sure! I managed to finish two novels, Shirley by Charlotte Bronte and The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens. Both are quite good, I think. Sadly, that novel from Dickens isn’t finished yet so until now the readers are left with this question “Who killed Edwin Drood?”. Right now I am reading Dragonrider by Cornelia Funke and The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. The film of The Age of Innocence is really good and sensual, and I also catch the sensuality in the novel. And isn’t Newland Archer a very sexy name?

Oh, this Mr. Archer is also super sexy :9

Thank you, Ima!

2009-04-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

Ganteng. Period.

Jadi ya, karena dorongan dari saudari Ima, saya akan mempertahankan unsur-unsur fan-girling dari blog ini. So who said fan-girling is stupid XD?

An intellectual post? Nah.

2009-04-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish I could make this blog a bit more intellectual. But nah, I already have Goodreads on LJ for that. So let's fill this blog with happy happy joy joy posts and lots of excellent pictures!

Buat yang suka buka blog ini di kantor, hati-hati kalau ada foto yang ehm, terlalu asoy. Like this one:

I think guys look sexy in Victorian suits :9.

Humbert Humbert

2009-04-04T23:52:00.000-07:00

Kalo Humbert Humbert-nya seganteng Jeremy Irons kok saya tak merasa keberatan untuk jadi Lolita .... Kids, don't follow me. This is such a bad example for you all X(. Don't let an old man abuse you no matter how handsome and gorgeous he is!

Salute to Granny

2009-03-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

Yah, memang saya seringkali kesal dengan nenek saya. Tapi kemarin saya kagum dengan beliau. Walaupun sudah berumur 80 tahun, beliau masih ingin ikut serta dalam pemilu. Beliau ingin memilih di TPS padahal jalan saja sudah susah.
Malu rasanya. Kita-kita yang insya Allah masih diberi waktu lebih lama untuk melihat Indonesia di masa depan kok kalah.

Where were you?

2009-03-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

So where were you guys when I was still in my ugly duckling phase?
And seeing me now, you finally came? How silly you boys are.

No, you boy will never know how you make me feel

2009-03-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

Just listened to the new album from Franz Ferdinand. And somehow I think that Mr. Kapranos and I could be a perfect couple. I don't know why but I always think like that. Maybe because we have many things in common? *atau mungkin gue aja yang nyama-nyamain hehehe*

2009-03-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

Oh my my, Marcus, how you have grown!

*lagi-lagi post tidak begitu penting*

Life after graduation

2009-02-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

Haven't updated this for quite a long time because I am quite busy. Somehow I thank God for that. So, life after graduation? How is it? Some of you might ask that. So far, it's been good. I've been applying to some publishing companies, and while waiting for responds, currently I am working at Erlangga as a proofreader. Not only proofreading actually since my task are also editing materials and designing books. The later is very interesting because I can do some sketches here and there :)
I really really thank God for the life that I am living right now.

Oh, currently I am in lust with this guy:

ps: Bu Mel told me to take my doctoral degree abroad. To tell you the truth, I want it so bad. England or USA would be great, but I am interested in studying in Wales. Oh well, for now, I will be working hard to earn some money :)

The new Tintin?

2009-01-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

This boy is going to be Tintin? Perfect.
Note to Mr. Jackson: Keep Tintin asexual, will you?

Great people, great minds

2009-01-24T06:06:00.001-08:00

I was thinking about this last night before I got to sleep, about authors who have influenced me personally or intellectually. So, I am making a list about five authors who have shaped the way I think. Check the list, and I also want to know yours, if you have one.

1.George Orwell
Basically, reading Orwell’s works has opened my mind. It grows the critical side of me. Period. And I deeply thank Mr. Nicky Wire for introducing me to George Orwell *bows*.

2.Aquarini Priyatna Prabasmoro
From all the feminists’ writing that I have read, I feel most connected with Mrs. Prabasmoro’s writings. Maybe because she writes in local perspectives it feels so familiar. I love how she shares her personal experience and relates it with the feminist thoughts. FYI, she’s a lecturer in Unpad.

3. Edward Said
Mr. Said surely has opened this unexpected door of the relation between the west and the east. With his phenomenal book, Orientalism, Said has dug out that power relation between the west and the east in some western novels. His point is representation of the west and the east most of the time is political. But instead of keeping the border line between the east and the west, his writings suggest the union between the so-called separated worlds.

4. Roald Dahl
If you think children’s books should be non-violent, read Dahl’s works! However, behind the ‘violence’, Dahl spreads this idea of love in his unique way.

5. Oscar Wilde
My first encounter with gay novel is when I read The Picture of Dorian Gray. And since then my interest in gay-themed novels has been improving. Not only that, Wilde’s idea about good books and bad books is something that I truly believe until now. Morality sometimes has nothing to do with the quality of art.

Childish fans

2009-01-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

Some Ben Whishaw's fans pissed me off. I joined this Brideshead Revisited community on LJ. I like the members because they know how to balance the academical and the fan-girling stuffs. Yet when the film came out, some of the film fans joined the community. I was fine with that. It is okay if after watching the film, they start to read the book and perhaps watch the miniseries. What really annoys me is they cannot respect the older members who do not like the film. These new members do not express their opinion in a good and respectable manner.
Well me, I don't hate the film, really. I even think Ben Whishaw and Matthew Goode look damn pretty together. I just feel that the film kinda betrays the novel, by changing some of the essential ideas of the book. Like, in the book Venice is a vital place for Sebastian and Charles’ improving friendship and by putting Julia in Venice, Julian Jarrold totally took a far different road. Many Brideshead’s fans do not like that road that he took. I can understand it perfectly.
And Ben’s acting, I stated that I was impressed by his acting in some scenes. Yet I was annoyed by how he portrayed Sebastian as a gay sterotypically, especially his gestures. Some of the members agreed with me. Some said they’re quite satisfied with Ben’s acting. Yet some of new members, I believe are Ben Whishaw’s hardcore fans, said that we the so-called purists should have been more open-minded to the film. They also said that since the story’s much different, Ben also had to try to build the new Sebastian different than Anthony Andrews. (My question is, if the story is that different, then why they must use the name Brideshead Revisited? Make a new story of your own then!)
They get me wrong. It doesn't mean Ben has to be like Anthony Andrews (who is brilliant, I must admit it). Of course Ben has his own style of acting, which I appreciate. But Ben is too busy being a pathetic Sebastian he forgets the care free side of Sebastian. That's all I really wanna say, but these hardcore fans take it too personally. How shallow and dull and childish. Just because I despise Ben's acting in Brideshead Revisited it doesn't mean I loathe him all the time!
Well, my point is respect different thoughts! You don't have to agree with us the so-called-purists, but please express your ideas politely, will you?

The Fall

2009-01-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

Narasi dalam The Fall bermula dari satu kata, yaitu ‘jatuh’. Seorang gadis kecil bernama Alexandria (yang diperankan dengan sangat sangat baik oleh Catinca) harus dirawat di rumah sakit setelah jatuh dari pohon. Roy (aktor teater Lee Pace) juga jatuh ketika sedang bekerja sebagai stuntman. Pertemuan Roy dan Alexandria pun diawali dengan jatuhnya surat Alexandria ke tangan Roy secara tidak sengaja.

Setelah bertemu dengan Alexandria, Roy kemudian merencanakan sesuatu untuk membuat hidupnya lebih ‘baik’. Ia memanfaatkan sebuah dongeng hasil imajinasinya mengenai gerombolan bandit sebagai alat negosiasi dengan Alexandria. Dengan terus bercerita, Roy berharap Alexandria bisa melakukan apa yang ia minta.

Inti cerita The Fall memang adalah perjuangan hidup Roy, akan tetapi dongeng Roy berperan penting dalam film ini. Dongeng tersebut menjadi pengikat antara Roy dan Alexandria. Dongeng itu juga yang membuat narasi film terus bergulir. Yang menarik adalah dongeng dalam The Fall juga berkorelasi dengan kehidupan nyata, seperti yang bisa anda saksikan sendiri.

Dari segi visualisasi, jika mata bisa merasakan orgasme, The Fall akan membuat anda merasakan sensasi tersebut. Dari segi latar tempat, pemilihan wilayah-wilayah yang terkesan magis seperti India, Argentina dan Bali adalah keputusan yang tepat. Selain indah, tempat-tempat tersebut membangun atmosfer surealis sekaligus mencekam, seiring dengan perkembangan dongeng Roy yang semakin suram. Dan, semua tempat indah tersebut benar-benar hadir di bumi, bukan sekadar efek komputer.

Membicarakan The Fall, tentu saja saya harus menyinggung aspek kostum. Malah kostum-lah yang membuat saya tertarik untuk menonton The Fall. Bandit-bandit dalam dongeng Roy tidak berpakaian lusuh dan kumal. Mereka tampil anggun, agung dan juga gagah dengan caranya sendiri-sendiri. Rancangan kostum yang benar-benar maksimal.
Tapi kemudian, apalah arti sinematografi dan kostum yang bagus tanpa akting yang memukau? Untungnya, The Fall juga kuat dari segi akting. Catinca berperan sangat alamiah. Tarsem membiarkan kepolosan Catinca muncul begitu saja di kamera, seperti menguap dan menggaruk-garuk hidung. Bukan hanya mengekspos kepolosan Catinca, Tarsem juga berhasil mengeluarkan ekspresi sedih Catinca yang wajar. Tidak termehek-mehek tetapi tetap menyentuh. Penampilan Lee Pace sebagai Roy dan bos bandit juga patut diacungi jempol. Pengalaman Pace sebagai aktor panggung memberinya kemampuan berakting ‘sok dramatis’ sebagai bos bandit dan kewajaran ekspresi laki-laki yang putus asa sebagai Roy. Chemistry di antara Roy dan Alexandria terbangun dengan sangat baik. Kasih sayang yang tak (atau belum sempat) terucapkan di antara keduanya terasa sekali.

Menonton The Fall membawa saya pada makna betapa cerita berperan penting dalam kehidupan manusia. Bahwa manusia tidak akan bisa terlepas dari cerita. Mungkin kita harus merenungi kata-kata Muriel Rukeyser berikut ini: ‘The universe is made of stories, not atoms’.

Impressed, touched and blown away

2009-01-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

The Fall really blew me away. I will write a review about it soon.

Birthday wish

2009-01-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, my birthday is still three months to go. However, I already do know what I want for my birthday (read this, friends, this is very important). I want killer shoes like those above. Buy this for me and I swear I will give you the warmest hug ever. I even will give you my sweetest kisses :).

Wanna steal her wardrobe

2008-12-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

I never pay much attention to modelling world. But this girl's style ... I love it a lot. Irina always looks chic effortlessly.

My city screams

2008-12-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

Kotaku menjerit
tersiksa pekatnya ruang dan tertindih gelapnya lorong
Kotaku memberontak
hantui derasnya langkah dan telusuri sesaknya kata

T__________T

2008-12-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

Ternyata tesis masih harus direvisi lagi. Padahal sudah pengen istirahat.
Mau nangis rasanya.

Golput = haram?

2008-12-14T02:16:00.000-08:00

Ketua MPR mengusulkan fatwa haram untuk golput. Satu kata: konyol.
Jujur saja, saya juga tidak setuju dengan aksi golput karena seharusnya mereka memanfaatkan hak untuk bersuara yang telah diberikan kepada mereka. Di negara-negara lain, terkadang warganya tidak diberi kebebasan untuk memilih.
Tapi, biar bagaimana pun, pilihan kaum golput harus dihormati. Keberadaan mereka bisa menjadi bahan pertimbangan para politikus untuk berdemokrasi dengan lebih baik. Yang lebih penting, untuk lebih memikirkan kepentingan rakyat. Seseorang mungkin tidak mau memilih satu dari sekian banyak partai karena ia menganggap tidak ada satu partai pun yang bisa mengakomodir kebutuhan rakyat. Itu adalah pilihan politik mereka dan suka atau tidak, harus dihargai.
Membawa hal ini ke ranah haram dan halal bukanlah solusi yang tepat untuk memotivasi para golput ini untuk memilih. Seharusnya para politikus mencari tahu mengapa para golput tidak mau memilih dan memperbaiki diri berdasarkan penyelidikan tersebut.

2 jomblo bodoh dan sengsara

2008-12-05T23:35:00.000-08:00

Pembicaraan antara oknum A dan oknum R berikut dipicu oleh pernyataan oknum M yang ini 'Lucu kali ya kalo kalian berdua nikah.'

'Wah, lo harus nungguin gue sukses dulu.'
'Iya lah, lo harus punya rumah dulu.'
'Rumah sih gampang. Ntar gue bikin rumah bambu.'
'Musim hujan gini rumah bambu?'
'Ya kalo dingin tinggal pake api unggun.'
'Kebakaran dong, bodoh!'
'Coba dulu lo gak nolak gue ya.'
'Gimana mau nolak, lo aja gak pernah bilang suka ke gue. Gimana gue bisa tau.'

Bodoh dan sengsara tapi menyenangkan.

Think thank #1

2008-12-03T20:16:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I write just because I want to write. I want to express what's on my mind and in my heart. But sometimes I write because I want people to read it.
Does it mean I have betrayed the essence of being a writer?

I am touched

2008-12-01T02:33:00.000-08:00

Sewaktu hendak memfotokopi untuk sidang pra-tesis, mas-mas fotokopi berkata,
'Wah udah tesis aja? Beneran nih, mba?'
'Hahaha, iya beneran lah, mas.'
'Wah hebat, kayaknya baru aja skripsi, eh sekarang udah tesis. Sukses terus ya, mba.'
Entah kenapa mendengar dukungan itu saya terharu.

Let's see the boys!

2008-11-27T21:27:00.000-08:00

So, where should I see them?
Gadis' birthday party?
MTV concert?
Or Traxcoustic?

Tesis vulgar

2008-11-25T06:15:00.000-08:00

Salah satu halangan dalam menulis tesis adalah tiba-tiba rasa tidak pede muncul. Takut salah nulis, takut salah analisis, takut diketawain.
Kalau sudah begitu, saya langsung membongkar-bongkar tugas lama saya (yang nilainya memuaskan, kalo yang kurang memuaskan ya gak saya lihat. Ntar bikin tambah down lagi). Melihat tugas-tugas lama, rasa percaya diri saya langsung kembali. Saya yakin saya punya kemampuan untuk menganalisis dan menulis.
Alhamdulillah, bab 1 sampai 4 udah kelar. Semoga disetujuin bu Mel, amin!

Dulu Andrei (yak, teman saya yang lidahnya pintar sekali berjumpalitan) pernah berkomentar skripsi saya harus disensor karena terlalu vulgar. Nah, jadi pengen tau apa komentar dia setelah membaca tesis saya. Kayaknya sih bakal dibilang vulgar lagi.

Oh iya, masih ingat notebook biru muda yang saya beli beberapa bulan lalu? Notebook itu akan saya jadikan jurnal buku. Jadi setelah membaca buku, saya akan menulis tanggapan saya mengenai buku tersebut di notebook itu.
Yes, akhirnya ada juga gunanya mengeluarkan uang IDR 12,500!

Writing my brain out

2008-11-22T02:37:00.000-08:00

Beberapa hari terakhir ini, waktu banyak tersita untuk menulis. Tiap hari di depan laptop terus. Bosen? Jelas, tapi harus ada pengorbanan untuk mendapatkan hasil. You onyl get what you give.
Melelahkan memang, tapi baru kali ini merasa seluruh daya otak terpakai. Gue merasa lebih utuh menjadi manusia.

Saya dan perempuan

2008-11-18T06:19:00.000-08:00

Seorang teman (yang mungkin juga sedang membaca blog ini) pernah berkata bahwa cita-citanya dalah menjadi ibu rumah tangga yang baik. Mungkin banyak yang mencibir mendengarnya karena ibu rumah tangga lekat dengan imej perempuan yang tidak punya pendidikan tinggi dan keahlian untuk berkarir di luar rumah.
Saya sendiri mengagumi cita-cita teman saya tersebut. Menjadi ibu rumah tangga itu tidak gampang, sudah sangat jelas. Seorang ibu rumah tangga harus mempunyai keahlian dalam berbagai bidang: keuangan (dalam mengatur pengeluaran sehari-hari), kesehatan (dalam mengatur pola makan keluarga) dan psikologi (dalam mengasuh anak yang banyak maunya).
Entah kenapa sampai saat ini banyak orang masih meremehkan posisi ibu rumah tangga.

Seorang feminis bernama Shulah Firestone mengatakan bahwa biologi perempuan (dalam kaitannya dengan proses melahirkan) bersifat membatasi. Muncul-lah ide teknologi reproduksi sehingga perempuan tidak harus susah-susah mengandung selama sembilan bulan.
Saya cenderung berpikir untuk merayakan tubuh saya sebagai perempuan. Tuhan memberikan rahim bagi perempuan sebagai hal yang istimewa (walau terkadang masyarakat patriarkal menjadikannya alasan untuk mendomestifikasi perempuan). Anatomi bukanlah musibah apabila kita menyadari potensinya dan mengendalikannya dengan penuh kesadaran.
Tapi tentu saja, pada akhirnya menjadi ibu adalah suatu pilihan karena tiap perempuan berhak mengatur sistem reproduksinya sendiri.

New glasses

2008-11-16T05:41:00.000-08:00

Pulang pake kacamata baru dengan penuh kebanggaan.
Sang ibu berkomentar:
'Bagus,kayak Dewi Persik!'

Nah, itu pujian atau bukan ya?

Again, mixed up

2008-11-12T07:28:00.000-08:00

My feeling is a bit mixed up again.

Bu Mel said I could continue working on my thesis. I have to do some revision, of course, which is okay.

Just had a great night out with Yoan and Galuh.

But why do I still feel empty?

Sial.

Ala ABG

2008-11-10T06:17:00.001-08:00

Beginilah kalo sekarang saya masih ABG:

HaLo KanG AldA yG gAnTeNK, 'pa kAbArnyA nEhH? DeNgEr2 uDh puNyA PCR yA? wAh aQ paTaH hAtI dOnG hiKs HikS.
TaPi gPP kOk, kaNg. Aq teTeP ciNta Ama aKaNg. Luph yA!

Ew.

A mixed post

2008-11-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

My brain is a bit mixed up. Everything is scattered around, so I'm afraid I'll update my journal only in points:

*I think this feminine quality inside me is starting to come out. I no longer drool for sneakers and t-shirts. In fact, right now I am craving for skirts, dresses and pumps. Is it the effect of almost reaching the number 25? I can't tell.

*When I heard the news that Obama won the election, I was deeply crying (happy tears of course). It's so touching. Imagine how Martin Luther King would feel if he's still alive. I got high hopes for Mr. Obama, so don't disappoint us, Sir.

*Just bought myself a 2009 organizer cos with an organizer, somehow I feel safer. The Starbucks' organizer that Ochie bought is super extra cute, but it's not on my budget, too bad :(.

*Submitted the first and second chapter of my thesis to Bu Mel today. Bu Mel is very meticulous, so it kinda worries me. I hope she'll give a good respond after reading my writing.

*I'm going to check my digestive system again tomorrow. I hope there's nothing serious. To be honest, I am a bit worried :(.

*Friends, if you could kidnap Alda Changcut for me, I swear I'll be your best friend forever! I don't exactly know why I fall for this guy *sigh*.

And how are you, friends? Everything is okay, I hope :D.

Just a thought

2008-11-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Kalau Hawa tidak memakan buah itu, maka mungkin umat manusia masih akan tinggal di taman Firdaus. Dan mereka hanya akan bisa bersenang-senang dan tidak akan pernah belajar arti kehidupan.
Jadi, salahkah Hawa?

His Dark Materials Trilogy

2008-10-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Membaca trilogi His Dark Materials adalah pengalaman yang mengesankan. Dengan cerdas, Phillip Pullman membawa pembaca ke sebuah dunia di mana jiwa manusia hidup di luar tubuh, beruang es mempunyai kerajaan di kutub, zeppelin adalah kendaraan tercanggih dan para penyihir melintasi langit. Terdengar campur aduk? Ya memang, tapi hal itulah yang membedakan dunia Lyra dengan dunia-dunia fantasi lainnya seperti dunia Narnia atau Lord of The Rings. Dunia (atau tepatnya dunia-dunia) dalam His Dark Materials pada akhirnya akan bercampur aduk dan batas ruang pun akan luntur.
His Dark Materials bukanlah fantasi biasa, karena di dalamnya, fisika dan agama menjadi topik yang signifikan dan pemicu bergulirnya cerita. Lebih spesifik, pemberontakan terhadap Otoritas yang dianggap telah sewenang-wenang. Isu inilah yang menjadi alasan beberapa kaum agamawan menganggap His Dark Materials
menyebarkan kebencian terhadap agama tertentu. Saya sendiri merasa tulisan Pullman tidak bertendensi untuk menyampaikan hal tersebut, melainkan menyodorkan suatu perspektif baru tentang agama. Pullman memberi suatu interpretasi baru tentang agama, utamanya isu Dosa Asal dan Adam dan Hawa. Poin ini mengingatkan saya akan anime Evangelion.
His Dark Materials diperkuat oleh tokoh-tokoh dengan karakter yang berkesan. Lyra adalah heroine yang tidak sempurna tapi juga sempurna. Will adalah pejuang sejati yang patut disayang. Mrs. Coulter yang menawan sekaligus mematikan. Kemudian Lord Asriel, si pemberontak terhadap Otoritas, adalah laki-laki dingin dengan ambisi besar. Belum lagi Iorek, Serafina dan Lee Scoresby. Karakter adalah unsur penting dalam fiksi, dan Pullman menciptakan tokoh-tokoh dengan cermat sehingga setiap tokoh mewarnai dunia His Dark Materials dengan kuas dan caranya sendiri. Banyak sekali yang bisa dikatakan mengenai His Dark Materials, baik dari segi hiburannya maupun dari segi filosofis.
Kalau harus disimpulkan, His Dark Materials adalah salah satu fantasi terbaik yang pernah saya baca. Menegangkan, penuh kesan dan inspiratif.

Sayangnya, adaptasi Golden Compass bisa dikatakan mengecewakan. Dibandingkan The Subtle Knife dan Amber Spyglass, memang Golden Compass adalah yang paling ringan. Namun, tetap saja Golden Compass mempunyai kompleksitas yang menjadi unsur utama trilogi ini. Filmnya sendiri hanya menangkap petualangan Lyra menyelamatkan Roger dan menyisihkan unsur-unsur yang sensitif, seperti unsur agama. Target film ini tentu saja adalah anak-anak sehingga cerita dibuat menjadi lebih sederhana (dan akhir bahagia!). Saya sendiri menyayangkan karena banyak sekali pemikiran yang menarik dalam trilogi His Dark Materials yang bisa digali.
Yang membuat film ini sedikit kuat adalah akting Nicole Kidman sebagai Mrs Coulter. Rambut pirangnya bukan masalah (di buku Mrs Coulter berambut hitam kelam) karena Kidman dengan elegan menampilkan Mrs Coulter yang anggun tapi berbisa. Daniel Craig juga cocok menjadi Lord Asriel dengan wajahnya yang dingin tersebut,
Namun porsi kemunculan yang sedikit tidak memberikannya kesempatan untuk mengeksplorasi karakter Lord Asriel. Pada akhirnya, pantaskah Golden Compass ditonton? Tidak begitu.

5 Facts

2008-10-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Anggun, and since I have this little dose of narcissism in my soul, I am very happy to do this. So, here it is, 5 facts about me:

1. I am a huge fan of comics!
Basically I like all kinds of comic, but I grew up reading mangas. My drawing style is very manga too. My favourite comics: currently Fullmetal Alchemist, Bleach and anything by Ai Morinaga.

2. I HATE topeng monyet a lot
To me, it's an animal cruelty because the monkeys are forced to walk in two feet while naturally they use their four feet. Everytime I see topeng monyet, I feel extremely disgusted.

3. I always got an A for grammar classes
I told you I am narcisstic, didn't I? Even though I did well at grammar, I think my vocab is kinda poor.

4. I am interested in Welsh culture
One of my dreams is to go to Welsh and study the language. Isn't it cool to be the first Welsh expert in Indonesia?

5. I consider myself quite multicultural
I have a Manadonese face yet a Javanese name, I was born in Balikpapan, I have spent my childhood in four cities in three islands, and now I live in Jakarta.

I don't tag particular people. Anyone can do this. But I'd like to read 5 facts about Dini *being curious*.

Gendeng

2008-10-26T00:20:00.000-07:00

Minggu pagi. Habis sarapan bubur, mandi, terus siap di depan TV, nungguin Voltus V di Global TV.

Eh tapi tiba-tiba ada berita yang memuakkan.

Seorang kyai bernama Syekh Puji menikahi anak usia 12 tahun. Kyai pedofil sinting. Dari gerak-geriknya aja keliatan tuh kyai sinting. Anak usia 12 tahun itu seharusnya masih di sekolah, menikmati masa muda! Bukannya harus melayani nafsu laki-laki bejat kayak anda! MUI jelas menentang karena itu namanya pelecehan anak di bawah umur, tapi gilanya ya ada yang setuju-setuju aja. Tuan pemilik restoran Wong Solo. Aduh bapak pemilik restoran gak laku, ini bukan masalah poligami yang lagi dibahas. Ini jelas-jelas pelecehan seksual anak di bawah umur!

Urgh, semoga Polisi dan MUI melakukan sesuatu terhadap kyai gendeng itu.

HELP ME PLEASE

2008-10-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Dearest friends, as you all may know, I am in the process of writing my postgraduate thesis. And through this post, I'd like to ask for your help. Please please answer these two questions, I'd be very very thankful :)

1. Do you know any novel that talks about transgender besides Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides?
I am analyzing Breakfast on Pluto by Patrick McCabe but I am afraid if I only use one novel, my thesis won't reach 80 pages. So I am looking for another corpus.

2. What do you guys want to know about transgender issue?
I am focusing on identity issue, but this topic is still very broad (you know, identity is really complex actually). I have discussed about the relation of subjectivity and body, also how relation and interaction to other people build Patrick's identity. Any more idea?

Thank thank you very much for your help. I really really appreciate it.

Truly yours, Ayu xx.

Oh by the way, Dini, when can we meet and swap books?

Ayo ayo milih

2008-10-20T07:20:00.001-07:00

Melihat gegap-gempita Pemilu di Amerika sono, gue jadi merasa gue harus menjadi pemilih yang lebih baik dan bijak tahun 2009 nanti. Pas pemilu lalu, gue gak terlalu memperhatikan visi dan misi baik partai maupun capresnya. Insya Allah, untuk pemilu tahun depan gue akan lebih meluangkan waktu untuk memperhatikan masing-masing partai.
Jujur aja, iklan Partai Gerindra berhasil memikat hati gue lho. Tapi untuk memilih jangan berdasarkan hati aja kan? Otak juga harus jalan. Gak mudah memang, tapi selama kita masih diberi hak untuk memilih, kenapa gak digunakan dengan sebaik-baiknya? Ngeri aja kan kalo beberapa tahun ke depan ada yang namanya diktator yang gak memperhatikan pendapat rakyat.
Silahkan sebut gue sok nasionalis, tapi setidaknya gue gak hanya berkomentar tapi insya Allah akan ambil bagian untuk membangun keadaan yang lebih baik.

Lapar mata

2008-10-17T00:43:00.001-07:00

Beginilah manusia yang bawaannya gatal kalau melihat alat tulis lucu. Waktu lagi nyari kertas kado di Hero Bintaro, mata gue menemukan notebook berwarna-warni nan menawan dengan harga cuma IDR 14,900. Eh akhirnya malah beli satu yang warnanya biru muda. Kertas kadonya? Gak dapet hahaha. Gak tahu juga sih notebook ini khusus buat apa. Yah siapa tahu dari notebook ini akan lahir naskah film yang bakal mendapat Citra, atau cerpen yang memperoleh Khatulistiwa Award atau esei ilmiah yang bisa mengubah dunia.
Siapa yang tau kan ya kan ya kan? Yang penting terpuaskan dulu keinginan beli barang lucu :D.

The Kills kills (corny I know)

2008-10-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is my current obsession: The Kills. A duo consisting of VV aka Alison Mosshart and Hotel aka Jamie Hince (Yes, he's Kate Moss' ex).
This duo is just weird. They said they're not a couple but seeing them in videos and onstage, you can feel the chemistry between them.
VV, oh I bet many guys think she is sexy. And Hotel ... ooh my my, middle aged man is burning hot, indeed XD.

Anyways, my old man told me that if I could finish my thesis this year I could buy anything I want. Why does it sound like bribing? And I feel like an elementary student ... Well, maybe he's just trying to motivate me.

Tesis oh tesis

2008-10-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Akhir-akhir ini penulisan tesis terhambat. Keadaannya jauh berbeda waktu nulis skripsi. Waktu itu, batas akhirnya masih sebulan tapi gue udah selesai dan tinggal nunggu sidang. Pokoknya lancar-car-car. Sekarang kenapa ya? Apa gara-gara:
1. Topiknya gak gitu suka?
Gue suka novel gay, novel anak, novel zaman Edwardian dan Victorian. Gue suka tema-tema homoseksualitas, gender, maskulinitas dan kelas. Yang sekarang ... ada topik gendernya juga sih tapi kok ngerasa gak gitu nyambung ya chemistry-nya? Atau gara-gara gak ada cowok cakepnya di Breakfast on Pluto? Patrick Braden kan gak bisa dibilang cakep, cantik sih iya ....
2. Kondisi kesehatan yang turun-naik?
Ini memang sedikit mengganggu tapi George Orwell waktu nulis 1984 aja sakit-sakitan, jadi seharusnya gue gak boleh cengeng!Hah *slapping my own head*!
3. Kebanyakan main?
Iya sih ... karena jarang ketemu temen di kampus, pelampisannya ke jalan-jalan dan jajan terus sama Yoan. Awwww, harus ngurangin yang satu ini kayaknya.
4. Emang dasarnya males?
OH NO WAY. Gimana mau selesai tahun ini kalo leyeh-leyeh terus?! Kalo mau maju harus usaha, nona!
5. Ngerasa dibebanin?
Well, my sis got problem with her proposal and lecturer she stopped her study. Jadinya secara gak langsung, daddy puts such high expectation on me. Tapi kan yang mau kuliah S2 itu kan gue? Bokap gak pernah maksa! Terus kenapa harus dijadikan beban?

Terus kenapa dong tesisnya gak maju-maju? ARGHHHHHH. Yah pokoknya sekarang usaha dulu lah ya. Kalo ngeluh terus ya gak selesai-selesai, dummy.
AYO DUKUNG SAYA BIAR SAYA SEMANGAT LAGI!

Ben and Matthew

2008-10-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Being a fan of Jeremy Irons' and Anthony Andrews' acting in Brideshead Revisited tv series, I kinda loathed the idea of the film adaptation. Especially when I read they have shifted the focus of the story to the affair between Charles and Julia.
But then seeing some of the film pics, I must say I kinda change my mind. Ben Whishaw and Matthew Goode really look sweet together *sighs*. I have to watch the film even if it's released only in Blitz (which is quite far from where I live). I need to see two pretty guys together. I won't give a damn about Julia. She can do anything while I enjoy my Sebs and Charles *grins*.
And .... there will be a kissing scene between Ben and Matt, which actually isn't there in the book. Awww, another reason why I have to go and see the film! *tersenyum mupeng*

In lurv with these songs:

1. The Age of Understatement - The Last Shadow Puppets
Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys has another band that surely beats the Monkeys!

2. Ion Square - Bloc Party
More upbeat track from Bloc Party but still deeply pierces your heart T___T.

3. Spiralling - Keane
Keane goes more poppish? Who cares if they still sound superb?

4. That's No Way To Tell A Lie - James Dean Bradfield
Nicky Wire making a solo album? That's a big mistake. But JDB making one? That won't be a mistake at all.

5. Last Day of Magic - The Kills
My fav boy/girl duo that look and sound so good together I wish they're a real couple.

6. Valentine - Delays
From their second album a few years ago, this song still sounds verrry pretty.

7. Do The Panic - Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet goes Strokes. Hey IT IS GEWD.

8. Everything I Build - The Stills
One of my fav bands. I believe Oceans Will Rise will steal my heart, just like Without Feathers did.

9. Canadian Girl - The Walkmen
Still sounding non-radio-friendly but somehow you know they're a great band.

10. Dream A Little Dream of Me - The Courteeners
Many musicians have sung this song, including The Beautiful South and Terry Hall/Marijne Van Der Vlugt, but The Courteeners' version will still soothe you.

Dressing like a lady

2008-10-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

Sekali-sekali jadi feminin.

Twilight Fever

2008-09-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

There's this debate going on about Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I do not understand since I haven't read the book. And I must say I have no intention to read it since I'm not into Vampire-worshipping stuffs.
Anywayyy, one of my Goodreads friend said that he liked Twilight for its literary quality. I only said to him cynically 'Oh really?'. I once tried to read a few pages of it at a bookstore and I have to say that flowery language does not always equate literary quality. There are many other elements like characters and characterization, plots, and the unity of all elements.
Okay, people could read whatever they like. It's up to them, and I shouldn't be bothered. Tapi gak usah lebay lah ya ...

A Young Man with Great Expectations

2008-09-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

It is quite surprising that Julian Jarrod (as the director) did not use the famous first line of the novel: ‘My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my christian name Phillip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip.’. However, instead of the absence of that line, I do enjoy this BBC adaptation. Some characters are erased, surely, but generally it does not ruin the main plot.

Ioan Gruffud’s acting is okay even though I won’t say it is special. One thing for sure is, he is HOT HOT HOT, especially when he’s doing the blacksmith work. What I like about Ioan being Pip is that he got this rough look, so even though Pip has turned into a gentleman wearing expensive suits, you still can sense that Kent-quality of his. I also think that Ioan could show Pip’s unique relationship with Estella and Abel Magwitch. Different from Ethan Hawke’s version of Pip who looks very obsessed with Estella, Ioan’s Pip is calmer when he shows he loves Estella ‘against reason, against promise, against peace, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement there could be’. Aahh, Pip, why don’t you just forget Estella and share your love to Herbert Pocket? *grins devilishly*

Oh, talking about Herbert Pocket played by Daniel Evans, he is so cute! Watching it, I was like ‘Oh come on, Pip, you have a cute and kind friend like Herbert, just kick Estella out of your mind!’ LOL LOL. I mean, in the old version of Great Expectations, Herbert always looks a bit ... dumb. But this version of Herbert, oh my, I wanna have one Herbert in my house, please!

I must say I like this version of Miss Havisham. She doesn’t look wacky at all, but we all could see how broken her heart is. And those cold blue eyes of the actress, they are just perfect.

And Estella, I could have one word: COLD.

Oh that boy who plays as little Pip is also very cute and can act well. He looks like Ioan as well.

So, some of my fav scenes are:
-When Pip kisses Estella softly on the cheek after having a dinner with Miss Havisham’s cousins. When Ioan’s lips touching her cheek ... I think I wanna have one sweet kiss like that.
-When Abel Magwitch comes to Pip’s apartment and reveals the truth. Pip’s expression makes you as shocked as he is.
-The ending scene (which is different from the book), Pip plays card with Estella again in Satin House, referring to their childhood. Estella and Pip may not be getting married and having a happy happy joy joy family, but somehow from that scene, you know that they’re unseparable now.

A year ago, Sindro was obsessed with BBC’s Bleak House, and now, maybe that kind of feeling on Great Expectations is growing in me. I am just in lurrrv with it.

Grmbl

2008-09-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

Percuma aja bikin UU Pornografi dan Pornoaksi sekeras apapun kalo otak cowok-cowok mesum gak diatur.
Sebenarnya pengen lebih banyak ngomongin masalah ini, tapi nanti buntut-buntutnya kita yang menentang dianggap gak bermoral.
Urgh.

Right or wrong, I cannot decide

2008-09-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

Kadang-kadang terlalu banyak baca malah bikin jadi bingung. Jadi bingung menentukan mana yang benar dan mana yang salah. Kepala jadi terlalu dipenuhi informasi dan filter-nya belum cukup kuat untuk menyaring. Kadang-kadang pengen bisa jadi orang yang berpikiran sederhana aja dan gak mikirin hal-hal besar yang sebenarnya bukan urusan gue.

A friend, huh?

2008-09-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

Katanya temen tapi dateng kalo lagi butuh aja.
Katanya temen tapi kalo disms gak pernah bales. Lebih milih untuk bales sms selingkuhan.
Jujur gue kecewa banget.

The way of the world

2008-09-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Everyday I witness some things happen and some things just don't.
Sometimes our plans go on smoothly, sometimes they just don't.
I'm trying to believe that there must be reasons for everything.
God has its own plan. And I'm trying to believe that.

Oom Jeremy

2008-09-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

I have a huge crush on this old-but-hot actor. This is weird, eh, he's exactly as old as my dad. Yet he ages gracefully, that's why he still looks hot. I first saw his acting in Brideshead Revisited TV series, and the first thing that captured me most is, what else, his voice. A very deep and sexy voice.
Then I found out that he's the voice behind Scar. I remember when I was around ten I used to play Lion King OST a lot. Oh wow, he's already appeared in my life since 1994 without me noticing it.
Honestly, I haven't watched all of his films (well some of his films are uncanny, and I'm not really into that kind of film), but I gotta say that he's super serious in playing all his characters. Okay, Dungeons and Dragons is a bad choice for his career, but remember he once won an Oscar for Revearsal of Fortune.
And he also plays Humbert Humbert in Lolita, one of the best fictional characters. I don't mind being his Lolita XD. He might be not as handsome as Robert Redford, but as an actor, his face brings more benefit for he can be a protagonist/antagonist character. Yet somehow he plays better as an antagonist ...
Ahh, Oom Jeremy, the only word to describe you is gorgeous.

Which Narnia Character Are You?

2008-09-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Which Narnia Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

LUCY? IS IT REAL, GOD?

Ibu-ibu muda

2008-09-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

Suatu hari, mumpung anaknya lagi keluar rumah, si ibu menyuruh anaknya berbelanja di supermarket. Si anak sih seneng-seneng aja, jadi bisa ambil banyak cemilan tanpa harus mengeluarkan duit :D.Mampirlah si anak di sebuah supermarket. Begitu pulang si ibu ketawa-tiwi.
'Enak ya belanja, udah kayak ibu-ibu muda.'si ibu berkata.
'Iya, kayak baru kawin. Terus suaminya Miller.'
'Ah, ngayal kamu.' jawab si ibu.
Entah kenapa si ibu kok tidak pernah senang kalo si anak membayangkan married sama Miller. Si ibu doyannya Indra Bruggman sih. Bu, si Indra aja belum pasti suka sama cewek ...

Quiz from Sindro

2008-09-01T23:54:00.000-07:00

Who was the last person to call you baby?
. I think nobody ever called me that.

Do you secretly like someone?
.Yes, I do. A guy in a campus that I rarely meet.

Any plans for tonight?
. Type down the data for my thesis.

If you could have anything right now, what would it be?
. A boyfriend hahaha. How desperate I am.

Now, what lyrics do you like so much?
. From Yeah Yeah Yeah's Y Control 'I wish I could buy back the woman you stole.'

Is there someone you really love in your heart?
. I am a lover so I love many people.

Do you like being kissed when you are asleep?
. Yes,it'll be a pretty view even though I cannot see it.

Who last talked to you on the phone?
. My dad, asking me whether we're running out of bread.

What does your shout out mean?
. Which shout ot?

What's the name of the song in your profile?
. Gak ada tuh.

Say something totally random about yourself?
. I have a crush on Kiki Farrell, yihaw.

Was the last book you read?
. House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones.

Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?
. Verrry cute!*mulai berimajinasi*

A big poofy dress or a short party dress?
. Neither. I cannot imagine myself wearing those two dresses ...

Do you text message a lot?
. Pastinya. I mostly use my mobilephone for that.

Do you like to hold hands?
. Yes, but not with all people.

What is the youngest you would date?
. Two years younger than me *maksudnya Kiki Farrel*

What is the oldest you would date?
. I don't mind dating Jeremy Irons hahaha. My parents will mind though ...

Do you like making eye contact?
. No. That kinda scares me.

Do you freak out if you miss your favorite show?
. Sometimes :D.

What is your middle name?
. Don't have any ...

Ever been to the beach at night?
. I don't think I have ...

Does your best friend have a friendster?
. Yes.

Do you sing in the car?
. Sometimes.

When was the last time you were happy?
. Yesterday, when meeting my college friends.

What do you want more than anything?
. Currently I want to finish my thesis soon.

What were you doing before this?
. Typing for my LJ.

Have you ever talked about marriage with someone before?
. I talk about marriage with Luly a lot :)

How did you celebrate your last birthday?
. Yoan came to house and we had a chit-chat. Very ordinary, eh?

How did you meet the person you're dating?
.I AM SINGLE.

How did you do in high school?
.I did well I got PMDK *sombong benerrrr*

How did you get the shirt you're wearing?
. It's an old one, I forget.

How often do you see the person you're into?
. When I am online?

How old will you be at your next birthday?
. 25. At that age, my mom's already married ...

What is the most important part of your life?
. My beloved people.

What always makes you feel better when you’re upset?
. Sayuti aka my cat.

What are you worried about?
. My thesis!

Have you ever liked someone while you had a boyfriend?
. Hahahahaha, of course.

Have you ever had your heart broken?
. OF COURSE.

Have you ever done something outrageously dumb?
. Kayaknya gak pernah ... I am too careful to take a leap.

Have you ever been back stabbed by a friend?
. Yes, but I at that time I didn't really care about that.

Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
. Yes.

Who was the last person you saw?
. My sis.

Who was the last person you texted?
. Yoan.

Who was the last person to call you?
. My dad.

Who is the last person who texted you?
. Sherien.

Where does your best friend(s)live?
. Jakarta and Semarang.

Where did you last go?
. Campus.

Where is your favorite place to be?
. Currently Montaro at Bintaro Sector 9.

Do you ever wish you were someone else?
. Yes I do.

Do you know the muffin man?
. He sounds yummy.

Does the future scare you?
. To quote Bloc Party 'We're all scared of the future.'

Why are you best friends with your best friend(s)?
. Because she's always there whether it's rainy or sunny.

Why did you get a friendster?
. Because Sindi told me to.

Why did your parents give you the name you have?
. I dunno.

Why are you doing this survey?
.Because I like filling survey, I tell you.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
. To transport myself anywhere I want.

If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you?
. I wanna go back to my highschool time and say things I should have said to him.

The Holy Month

2008-08-31T02:18:00.000-07:00

My sis said that I could pick one CD that I like and she'll buy it for me. So I chose Athlete's new CD. Woohoo, thanks, sis! Just some books too in Gramedia: Gwyneth Rees’ Cosmo and The Magic Sneeze and John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things. As always, I don't know when I can read them ...

And Dini, I am re-reading Prince of Tea :D. It makes me wanna have my own tea prince. Of course the one as hot as Assam *drools*. But he's too hot it's dangerous, don't you think? What I like about this manga is the characters are so lovable and for high school kids, they're natural. They live the ordinary life of high school students. Reading it makes me wanna go back to high school and enjoy the days. Gah, I feel really old talking about it. Oh, I'm also thinking to make a fan-art of Prince of Tea. I'll put it in this blog if it's already done.

Buat yang berpuasa, selamat berpuasa ya. Semoga Ramadhannya lebih lancar dan bermakna. Daku juga minta maaf apabila pernah menyakiti hati teman-temanku tersayang (my mouth sometimes can be so cruel, I know). Bae-bae ya puasanya. Cheers! Untuk Runi, selamat menjadi PO Buka Bersama. We're counting on you!

Instead of doing my thesis, I did this ..

2008-08-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

PUT YOUR ITUNES OR MEDIA PLAYER ON SHUFFLE AND ANSWER:

Opening credits: Cold Cool Moon - Guillemots (It's too mellow to start something, methink)

Waking Up: Fuckoff Is Not The Only Thing You Have to Show - CSS (A very challenging song to start a day)

Average Day: DOn't Look Down - Guillemots (Okay, whatever happens don't look down. Got the message)

First Date: Something from Digital Ash - Bright Eyes (Riksa gave me the copy of the cd without giving the songlist, blame him. But the song
is not romantic at all, it even contains the word 'die'. Ouch)

Falling In Love: Battleships - Travis (Omaigod, my love shouldn't be a battleship!)

Love Scene: Write What You Know - Stars (Somehow my love scenes never have a perfect soundtrack *sighs*)

Fight Scene: Gold - Mando Diao (THIS SONG SOULD HAVE BEEN FOR LOVE SCENE GODDAMIT. Oh wait, maybe it will make the scene look ironic)

Breaking up: This is Radio Clash - The Clash (What so breaking up about this song?)

Getting Back Together: Nothing Lasts Forever - Echo and The Bunnymen (MY RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT LAST FOREVER T_____T)

Secret Love: Red Receiver - Sons and Daughters (Errr ....no comment)

Life's Okay: Walk Away - Franz Ferdinand (Life's not okay when someone I love walk away from my life ...)

Mental Breakdown: Now I'm All Over The Shop - Maximo Park (It doesn't suit at all DOH)

Driving: Next Exit - Interpol (A song about having a journey, now it's perfect!)

Learning A Lesson: To Get To Sleep - British Sea Power (How can I learn a lesson when all I do is sleep?)

Deep Thought: Japan is An Island - The Spinto Band (*senyum gak ngerti*)

Flash Back: Bankrobber - The Clash (*guling-guling ketawa karena jawabannya makin gak karuan*)

Happy Dance: Exitlude - The Killers (There's nothing happy about it, Mr. Flowers)

Regretting: Reunion - Stars (There's nothing to regret about a reunion, actually)

Long Night Alone: The Pioneers - Bloc Party (?????)

Death Scene: Shoot The Runner - Kasabian (Kalo ada yang ditembak berarti ada yang mati. Oh I see now)

Closing Credits: Signal and Sign - Maximo Park (Sumpah gak cocok banget buat jadi penutup ... )

Life, yes it is

2008-08-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

I just opened another bank account. I decided to to do that since I noticed that I'd been using my debit card a lot. I am quite a shopper so it's a tough job for me to save some money. Therefore, this new bank account will be used only for saving money. I'm not gonna use the ATM card, I promise myself. Somehow I become more concerned with financial issues right now. Well price keeps on rising every year, right, so save some money for the rainy days!

When I was reading Fullmetal Alchemist manga, my sis asked me 'Which Homunculus fits you most?'. In the story, Homunculus is a human-like creature made by an Alchemist and they're named after Seven Deadly Sins. I was about to say Gluttony, since I eat a lot, but then I answered, 'Envy'. Yeah, I admit that my heart is full of envy. I envy my sis' mega brain. I envy my bro's dilligence. I envy Merry's courage and so on and so on. I can make a list of people that I am jealous with. Yes, I envy a lot of people, and sometimes the feeling hurts myself. But then again, I start to think maybe I can turn this envy into something positive. Something that can support me instead of torturing me.
Maybe by envying someone, I can motivate myself to be a better person everyday. And maybe there won't be heartache anymore.

The Bliss of Capitalism

2008-08-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning, I woke up in such a bad mood (Yoan said maybe it's PMS). A family member really pissed me off, and I didn't have any enthusiasm to continue working on my thesis. So I texted my bestest buddy and my shopping mate, Yoan. Hearing my boredom, she asked me to go out with her. So we did go out. We went to this kinda new mall in Serpong, Summarecon Mall Serpong. We actually got lost, but we made it! We finally found the mall, yaiy! And oh wow, I never thought that I would be so happy going to a mall. Even though the outside appearance was so-so, The inside was great, many things to see and eat. And it's not intimidating at all. Sometimes too luxurious malls intimadate me, hate them, grawl. Back to SMS (yes, that's what we usually call it), it has Starbucks, Coffee Bean and other mouth-watering restaurants that I have never seen in other malls. The food court is incredibly comfy and not crowded, Yoan and I could sit there all day long :). Oh, there's also Gramedia there so you can browse for books as well. I was impressed by the mall, and I would like to go there again and hang out with my buddies. Ahhh ... the bliss of capitalism.

Surprise, surprise, I bought myself a dress. Actually I was looking for nothing, but when I saw this pretty dress and 30% discount ... I couldn't resist the temptation. Maybe finally the feminine side of me is trying to come out.

Let's have some breakfast on Pluto

2008-08-21T00:19:00.000-07:00

So yeah, I'm currently focusing on my new proposal, and I have read Breakfast on Pluto again and again. A tough reading process since it has an unusual way of delivering the story (but the more complicated the novel, more things to analyze, isn't it?). To help me analyze the novel, I am looking for some papers about the representation of transgender in literature. Yet I cannot find them :(. I do not understand why it is not easy to find at least one essay about it. I'd be really really grateful if anybody can help me.

Bu Runi, I've burned the songs for you. Do you prefer I send it to your house or we could meet somewhere?

And oh, always adore this song.

Bawaannya pengen nangis terus kalo denger lagu ini ...

Sloth and Gluttony

2008-08-19T06:50:00.001-07:00

September is coming, and I haven't finished my new proposal (I changed my topic so I need to write a new one). Two weeks to go, oh God. That is why I'll be off from LJ for a while and focus on my proposal. But I'll try to keep updating this blog :). And somehow currently I feel more comfortable writing in this blog. That's a compliment for you, my blogger friends :D.
Anyway, my topic generally is identity in Breakfast on Pluto by Patrick McCabe. I just wrote down some infos about Irish Literature and I found that my knowledge of it is very shallow. I almost know nothing about it.We didn't learn about Irish literature back then, did we, friends? Well I can understand that since most of our lecturers graduated from American universities.

Inspired by miss Ochie, somehow I wanna try learning something in which I've been always interested but I never have the guts to learn. I want to learn more about how to write a flm-script! In cinema study class, I studied how to analyze a film, but now I want to be involved the production side. Maybe I'll find a book about script-writing. Besides writing my thesis all the time will be quote boring, right? And I do not want to get stressed out.

I WANT DIMSUM SO BAD. Oh my gluttony side is just taking control of me.

By the way, Dini, have you read Urasawa Naoki's mangas? They're superb, highly recommended.

A Hope

2008-08-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

I currently enjoy being in my dad's library upstairs. Not that I like being surrounded by his books (law and politics, not for me), but here I can peacefully type or read without being disturbed by my granny's fuziness or the tock-tock sound of my dad playing chest. Also, the music storage on the PC that I'm using right now beats my beloved Rhys. I often find good songs that I never heard before in this PC :D. Anyway, how did you guys spend the independence day? Mine was nothing special,but I am happy to see that many people are still enthusiastic celebrating it. At least they could be happy during this harsh time :D.

63 years old and there's still discrimination on women. I just found a copy of Jurnal Perempuan on my dad's bookshelf, and the main topic is women in conflict areas like Aceh and Ambon. It's truly heartbreaking. In an area where they're supposed to be practicing syariah, sexual harrasment on women happened a lot, and sometimes they blame the women. Typically patriarchal, isn't it? They (not only men, but also women!) blame the victims for wearing sexy clothes. Memangnya orang pake baju seksi lantas boleh diperkosa? Memangnya kalo cowok terangsang oleh perempuan berbaju seksi lantas mereka berhak memperkosa? How shallow and dull their mind is! One more example about our patriarchal society is given by a young actor namely BAIM WONG. He said he wanted a wife that he could educate. Basically, this is what he said, 'I don't care whether he's younger or older than me. The important thing is she should listen to me, her husband. Even though I am wrong, she should follow me.' OH MY GOD, I really wanna slap him hard.

Surely, there are still many things that we need to do to make this country a better place to live. Not just complaining while you never ever really feel the downside. Sucks.

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

2008-08-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

Awww, 63 years old. Still quite young for a country, I think. Well, there's always a hope to make everything better :).
So, what does nationalism mean to you? To me, it's the courage to stand up tall after falling down.
I wanna hear yours.

Not to be proud of

2008-08-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda good at turning a friend into a foe.
It's not something to be proud of, actually. But sometimes you have to do that when you do not feel comfortable anymore with a person.

Quiz taken from Laila

2008-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

ARE YOU:

1. Perfect?
No, besides perfection for human beings is borrrrrinnng.

2. Tall?
I am taller than most of my friends.

3. In your pajamas?
Never wear any pajamas nowadays.

4. Left handed
Yes, for some things.

FAVORITE:

1. Number
I like number 2, dunno why.

2. Color
Blue.

3. Food
I like many kinds of food :D. But generally Sundanese and Japanese.

4. Place
My room, bookstores, record shop and coffee shop.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

Q: What was the first thing you did this morning?
Going to the bathroom.

Q: Do you have anything bothering you now?
Yes, my thesis. Oh God no.

Q: What's the last movie you watched in theaters?
The Dark Knight, and it's grand.

Q: Where is the last place you went?
Sushi Tei.

Q: Do you smile often?
I think I smile everyday. That is quite healthy.

Q: Do you wish upon stars?
No, but I pray.

Q: Are you a friendly person?
I could be if I want to.

Q: Best friend or worst enemy?
My current enemy is my ex best friend.

Q: Where did you sleep last night?
I wanted to go to Christian Bale's bed last nite but then his wife was already there *sigh*

Q: Why did you sleep there?
I slept on my own bed because ... that's the only place to go.

Q: When was the last time you cried?
A few weeks ago.

Q: Who was your last thought before going to sleep?
I was thinking about how talented Heath Ledger was.

MORE QUESTIONS:

010. Hair color?
Should have been black.

011. Long or short?
Medium.

013. Sweats or Jeans?
Jeans.

014. Phone or Camera?
Phone.

015. Health freak?
A bit, especially after suffering from this vertigo.

016. Drink or Smoke?
None.

019. Piercings?
My tongue. Kidding.

020. Tattoos?
Nope, and never intent to.

021. Righty or lefty?
Each hand has its own function.

FIRSTS :

023. First piercing?
I cannot remember.

024. First best friend?
Ajeng.

025. First award?
Pengajian competition, if I am not mistaken.

026. First love?
This boy named Andis. I was ten years old.

027. First pet?
Two dogs when I was still living in Balikpapan. Some idiots stole them though.

028. First big vacation?
Hmm ... when I was a kid I once went to this little Island in Kalimantan where there were lots of monkeys.

CURRENTLY :

049. Eating?
Chicken nugget.

050. Drinking?
Tea.

052. I'm about to?
Download some videos.

053. Listening to?
The Killers.

054. Plans today?
Do the translation job.

055. Waiting for?
Another chance to watch The Dark Knight again.

WHICH IS BETTER WITH GIRL/BOY?

068. Lips or eyes?
Eyes.

070. Shorter or taller?
Taller, at least ten cms than me.

072. Romantic or spontaneous?
Spontaneous.

073. Nice stomach or nice arms?
Neither, nice personality I prefer.

074. Sensitive or loud?
Sensitive. Most artists are sensitive, aren't they.

075. Hook-up or relationship?
Relationship.

HAVE YOU EVER :

079. Drank bubbles?
Soap bubble? No. I am not that jobless.

080. Lost glasses/contacts?
So far, no.

81. Ran away from home?
Hopefully no.

084. Broken someone's heart?
Oh well, I have.

085. Been arrested?
NO!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

090. Miracles?
Yes. Everything can happen if the big boss wants to.

091. Love at first sight?
Sometimes.

093. Santa Claus?
Hahaha. No.

094. Sex on the FIRST DATE?
Oh no, can you wait?

095. Kiss on the FIRST DATE?
No.

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:

097. Is there one person you want to be with right now?
Yes. Don't want to mention it.

098. Are you seriously happy with where you live now?
My house is comfy but sometimes I am thinking to move to Bintaro.

099. Do you believe in God?
What do you think?

Oh simple things, where have you gone?

2008-08-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

I was telling everyone that this new blog would be filled with creative works. However, it ends up as a place to express my fan-girlism again.
Hahaha I don't give a fook. I'll just write what I wanna write.

Expensive things equal happiness. It's not really correct, right? Sometimes you can get happiness through simple things.
And that is why I try to write down simple things that could make me happy:
1. Playing with my cats
2. Drinking a cup of hot tea in the morning
3. Reading beautiful lines in a novel
4. Taking a bath with warm water
5. Watching bands' home video
6. Seeing Miller's face :D
7. Using Biore's black porepack and seeing the result after that
8. Watching Ruben Onsu on telly (he is just so funny!)
9. Reading Gogirl magazine (yes this is my guilty pleasure)
10.Touching my mom's belly
And what's yours? share it with me.

Why oh why?

2008-08-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Mengapa oh mengapa kalian di post sebelumnya mengomentari Lee Ryan tapi tidak cowok di sampingnya? He's far more delicious!

Saya suka oh saya suka

2008-08-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

Lee Ryan? Saya mah lebih suka cowok di sampingnya *kedip-kedip manja* (atau cacingan?)

The Picture of Dorian Gray

2008-08-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I want to say it out loud: The Picture of Dorian Gray is my favourite book ever. Thanks to Mr. Doherty for introducing me to this book. Oscar Wilde is famous for his wit, and in this book he successfully showed that talent of him through Lord Henry character who keeps on questioning the essence of beauty. The beauty in The Picture of Dorian Gray is, of course, Dorian Gray himself, one of the best fictional characters ever created. With his beauty, the super good-looking Dorian captured the heart of many people, either men or women.

But wait, as a decadent novel, it does not mean The Picture of Dorian Gray is a propaganda of a certain lifestyle. In fact, without patronizing Wilde tells us the winner of the everlasting battle between beauty and morality. All I need from a good book is in The Picture of Dorian Gray: unforgettable characters, an unexpected plot, and beautiful language. And I am glad that during my undergraduate days I have shared my love for this novel to some of my friends. Now, I am longing to read that write-back novel by Will Self entitled Dorian. Anyone knows where to find it?

View all my reviews.

Alkisah Ibu dan Anak ...

2008-07-31T20:37:00.000-07:00

#1 JELEK

Suatu hari, sebuah TV menayangkan wawancawa vokalis band favoritnya si anak.
Ketika si anak dengan mata berbinar-binar (dan sedikit ngeces) menatap layar TV yang dipenuhi wajah ganteng sang vokalis,si ibu dengan dingin berucap "Jelek."

Sebuah tombak panjang dan tajam menghunjam hati si anak. Lelaki pujaannya dibilang jelek!

Teganya kau, bu T_________T.

#2 DALAM MIMPI SAJA

Suatu hari, si ibu yang kasihan melihat nasib jomblo si anak berucap, "Cari pacar dong, nak."
Sebelum si anak menjawab, si ibu kembali berkata,"Jangan bilang kamu nunggu kakakmu dapat pacar duluan."
Si anak hanya cengar-cengir.
Si ibu pun bertanya, "Emangnya dari sekian teman yang kamu ceritain, gak ada yang kamu taksir?"
Beberapa nama terlintas di kepala si anak, tapi si anak kemudian menjawab dengan penuh nafsu, "Ada. Miller."

(Miller aka Muhammad Suhaimi, aktor Malaysia yang mencari duit di Indonesia Terkenal lewat sinetron Azizah.)

Si Ibu berucap, dengan nada mengejek, "In your dream."

Kenapa si ibu tidak mau ya anaknya pacaran sama artis? *menghela nafas*

A letter that will never be sent

2008-07-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

Dearest Mr.Feldman,
where have you been? I want to hit you so much for making me really worried.
Been busy with music, or with your girlfriend? I must admit that I do miss you.
I miss your support when I am down. I miss our conversation about music.
I miss everything that I know about you.
I am writing this letter not with a hope to make you mine again.
I just want to tell you that I am here and deeply missing you.

With love, Ayu.

First post and I already complain

2008-07-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

I start to think that blogging has become an exbihition of lifestyle. I gradually become tired following them all. Not that I despise them personally, I just loathe them posts (about buying this, about hanging out there). It is just not my daily cup of tea. Call this idealism, but I need to read and write something more about creativity and self-expression. Or to be frank, I am exhausted reading and keeping up with them. That is why I make a new blog. I need to rejuvenate my way of writing and expressing thoughts. I do hope with this blog my writing will be more imaginative, fascinating and fresh.

Cheers.