Sahur (Late Supper or Early Breakfast?)

What is the definitions of Sahur in English? I am not that sure :( is it Early Breakfast or Late Supper? It does not matter anyway, me and some of my friends (Amri, Uq, Andhyka and D "Man With Perversion Mind") went out this morning 30/09/07 to have a Sahur together, it was definetely a fun times, but it was also a so very exhaustion time, because the fact that we had to get up at 2.30 in the morning and drove, and find a local restaurant to have a sahur.

Originally we wanted to have some local food like "Sari Laut" or Local Seafood, but we found out that most of them are just "run out" or you can say sold out, regarding their food, so we had no choice but to go to the Maccas or McD... when we got there, the place were so full with people, mostly teenagers, who were having sahur aswell.. it was a fun time though, we poked jokes, made fun with each other, and we enjoyed the "junk meal" we had..

After having Sahur, we went to the Losari Beach. there were just abundant of people, most of them teenagers obviously; we forgot the fact that this was a Sunday morning, so no kidding. the place was full with them. it was a nice time, though would love to have a sahur with my buddies again.. next time, we better have a decent plan before we go out.. for sure.!

July-August Department of Foreign Affairs Internships (Part II)

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. people have always said that it’s not easy living in Jakarta, it is ridiculously hard. Living in Jakarta is either make you or break you. It’s going to make you should you choose to have a motivation of hard work and focus on whatever you are doing, and it is going to break you if you are lazy and do not have a constant focus on whatever you are doing.

I have elaborated my experience working on a daily basis at Deplu before, now let me share a little glimpse of myself living in Jakarta for two months. Before the day I decided to take this program of Internship, being away from home and to live in a completely new surroundings was definitely a concern for me. But as they say, a man will have to eventually stand up for himself, so, not only that I decided to take it to get the internship subject done, i too want to experience living on my own, and find out if I really tough enough to live in this mean city, ultimately.

The first three weeks was definitely a challenge, because I found it so very difficult to be enrolled as an intern at Deplu, but at the end of third week, I was finally accepted. And I have said it, it was all a blast, being an intern at Deplu, I enjoyed every minute of it. But on the other hand, i have never felt a sense of loneliness in my life, I know that is absolutely the consequences of living too far apart from family and friends, but I think I have managed to control it. It was ironic by the way, because I had a partner living with me, but it did not matter, because I felt like I was all by myself. Well, a visit of friends from Makassar like Dea, Citra, who were there for a vaca, and Uq, Aldy, Cucan, Achie, who visited Jakarta to collect more sources and materials for their researches, Yido and Ridjat, who were also friends from IR Hasanuddin Univ, who were also got enrolled at Deplu, and the fact that the hilarious Ruli also visited, and decided to live with me at the last week, was an absolute fresh air. But aside of those, it was an absolute mind-torturing, it was a mental challenge, and it was a frustration not having someone to cling into.

I have always had focus on my mind that I was in Jakarta to get this internship done, focus on it, period. And also, how am I going to gain experiences, make friends with co-workers, who are so unbelievably competent and smart… ultimately, I was there to learn first and foremost. So it annoyed me, when there was someone who did not give it the a real focus at this, who focus it all on how to get as much fun as possibly could, instead of focusing on this internship, it was so obnoxious that at one point I felt like I have had it. I was so disappointed that I felt like myself is the only team-member. Well eventually, I just put it in my mind, that I didn’t have to give shit about another one’s problem. Just go have fun as much as you possibly could, after all, I found out that it was really down to you and yourself.

So, finally, it was an amazing time working at Deplu, To Pak Muis, thanks for helping me get enrolled to be an intern, Pak Budimansyah, chief of Sub-Directorate Visa at Deplu for his kindness and support and the huge opportunity you have given me to be working in the sub-directorate that you lead, Pak Eddy, he’s a great person who have always helped me and encouraged me, and he really was, like a parent of mine. Pak Basuki, Mas Jimi, Mas Prima, and Mas Jopkie, thank you for all the laughter and fun you all brought, you have all always cheered me up, and last but absolutely not least, to Senor Kurniawan, who always share experiences to me, always open for discussions with me, thank you so much for the Spanish lesson.. Muchas Gracias Por Todos, and thank you for the call the other day.. Working at Deplu, it was, a blast. I will look forward to be working with you all again in the future.. Thank you so much, and God Bless you all…

Heroes .. Season 2 .. When ...?

Heroes, a phenomenal tv series.. The show just made me absolutely adhered to my tv screen this year.. This was awesome, I never thought of a drama series about superhuman abilities, and they made a plot, story of each character.. under the shade of the tagline of .. "Save The Cheerleader, Save The World..." Four thumbs and toes up..! and now they are going back for the second season, well, I am sure most of them are back! Hiro, Peter, Niki, Micah, Parkman, Shuresh, Nathan, Claire etc., they are all amazing!... And for sure, there are going to be new characters aswell, so if they are creating new characters, what kind of superpower would you want them to have?? would you suggest one, come on, there gotta be Heroes fans in here!... I would want.. a male character with a superpower ability to speak animal languages hehehe or a female character with a superpower ability to move so fast that eyes can't even catch seeing it.. heheh what about you???

Tribute To Fellow Graduated Dictator'03

Dictator’03 is the name of the class of 2003 of the International Relations department, faculty of Social and Politic Science, Hasanuddin Univ. Dictator’03 had 49 students. I am one of the student, and I must admit, I met some unbelievably amazing people and I developed the best friendship I have ever built with all of my fellow Dictators. I am so very very proud, to be one of those 49 people, in the shade of the name Dictator 03.

It has been four years already, and we all enjoyed the every single time we had been through, despite all of the bickering, tensions, and stress of the study, it was all amazing four years. However, this year, our fellow Dictators have been dramatically reduced due to some of them decided that it was time to get graduated, for the sake of the next chapter of their life, and not being stucked for another period of semester being in Int’l Relations study. Well, I wish, and I know that they are going to be successful on the next step of their life, whether, they’re going working at the professional work environment, working from 9 to 5 maybe, or, decided to get married. Well, all of them are amazing and they’re going to be awesome I know they are. So here we go, I’ll just mention them, my beloved brothers and sisters who already graduated this year, and I just want to say in advance, that I love you all, you were the best, and I will never ever forget the fact that you were always on my mind, and also, in my heart.

Harnita Rahman. She’s one of the littlest persons in the Dictator 03, however don’t let her fool you, she’s maybe the littlest person, but she has an enormous amount of brain weight. She’s a little screeching in her voice hehehe but that’s what I love about her. She has the most down-to-earth personality, and she was the first of 49 Dictators who graduated, March this year, so I have the biggest respect for her. Nitha, if you read this, I want to say thank you for being my friend, thanks for being my sister, and we have many things in common, we’re from the same ethnic background, we’re from the town of Bone… hehehhee..

Nining Pratiwi. Ok this one, she had a rough time at the beginning of our first semester, at the Ospek, or the orientation program for new students, because the fact that she’s not a native Makassar, she’s from the capital city. Hehehe, this one, just like Nitha, has a more-than-average pitch of voice, but that’s what I like about her aswell hehehe. The thing that I admire the most from her, that the time of her in Makassar for the past 4 years, she was not only here to accomplish her study, but she also grew up as a woman. Nining, we had an amazing time when I was in Jakarta in August this year, and I hope, that that was not going to be my last time seeing you. Love you, sister.

Yandri Mono. Everytime I hear the name of this guy, he cracks me up. I could never ever forget the fact that he told everyone in a forum at the beginning of our first semester, that the reason he chose IR to be his discipline study is because the fact that it is only take short distance from his place to get to. Hahahaha. Well, for sure, do not judge a book from its cover. It begun from a hilarious answer of his, and now, he announce that he’s being the first guy of Dictator to be graduated. Well, good on you then, bro!

Nur Isma Ansari.. well, this is one of the best friends of mine in Dictator’03. There are just loads about her and I wish I could write all of them. She’s ridiculous, she’s hilarious, she’s smart as hell, and the thing that I always admire about her, is that she has a charisma, a charm about her. I don’t know about how to judge whether a person have a charisma or not, but this girl, I admit that I see a charisma in her. what made me come up with that kind of assessment about her? I don’t know. Unexplainable. That’s just the way she is. Well, she has a list of Ex-es.. hahaha.. and she one time asked me to translate her love letter to one of her Ex-es into English. Hahahhaha.. she’s now working for a Non-Governmental Organization, not sure what it is called, but I know that she’s going to be excelled on that path should she choose it. Isma, baby, love you to death, you’re the best, never forget me when you’re ‘Become’. One last word: work it out more on your English,babe!

WaOde Syarifah Kasmia. I must tell ya, Dictator’03 is known for its colorful people. This one for example. Hahaha. She’s not very articulated the way she speaks.. hahaha. Often times she stumbles on a word that she can not pronounce. Well, I would not say that as a negative of her, because that’s what makes her unique. She’s also from the capital, like Nining. Recently, she’s linked to one of my highschool fellow, and, well congratulations for that. Hehehehe. I heard that you’re going to go back to the capital.. Sharee… I’ll miss the laugh, the awkwardness of your voice. You’re going back… but your sister? Not just yet, right? She’s still here right? Hahahhaa.. just want to say, you’re amazing, you’re lovely, you are what you are. A unique kind of girl.

Edy Syumardi Syamsu. Ok.. Where do I begin… I think from most my fellow Dictators, I often times got into a confrontation with this one.. I don’t know why hehehe.. well, back then, maybe I was still a precautious little monster myself, and I did not know what I was doing, but when I see this one in a manner of his “metrosexual personality”, that’s just.. hahahhaa.. Edy, bro.. how’s the 3-million-rupiah shoes are doing? They’re doing amazing right? Better take care of em good, buddy… and do not drive your car recklessly..

Tenri Ajeng. this is one of the luckiest girl. She’s married to an American Idol finalist this year named Chris Richardson. Hahaha. Jeng, he’s going to get back home from tour very soon, so prepare those extra energy you have saved for the last three months, girl. Give your best shot to the super-exhausted husband of yours. He’s been through a lot of cities in three months, for gods sakes! Hahahha. Ok. Ajeng, I just admire her for her wide knowledge of the entertainment industries. Hahaha. Whenever I meet her, there’s only one thing: laugh. But she’s also one of the most sensitive personality. She knows what she stood for, and she can’t stand associating with something that she does not feel good about. Ajeng, you’re an amazing girl, do not let anyone tell you otherwise, and always held your head high, my sister from another mother. Hahahha remember that line?

Muthia Pratiwi. Whenever I meet or hear about this girl, I feel like goosebumps for some reason. I sometimes afraid of her so-called authoritative personality. Later on, I know something. That’s is somekind of like-mother-like-daughter thing. Hahaha.. just kidding, Muthe. But yes, I must admit, everytime I get any text-message from you, I feel a sense of fear. I don’t know. It’s just something bad is going to happen to me. Hahahhaha. Just kidding again. Well she’s amazing, and she’s also smart. Back then, I always have her helped me with my homeworks, she’s nice, she’s cute, but it can turn to an exact opposite once you get her started. Hehehe. So, her long time boyfriend, Sadat, he surprised me on how well he sings, but no way, he would not beat me, so name a new competition, Mute, come on, Bring it on! Hehehe She’s a primary school teacher, which I find it so amusing, hahaha.. what are those little kids going to get through, for gods sake. hahahaha hope you’re succeed in your life, Te. And I’m expecting a wedding invitation soon ok? that’s a sincere wish from your brother here.

Ok, that’s where this ends. I am sorry for the rest of Dictators who already graduated, I can not mention you one-by-one, I am so tired of typing now hehee. Just never forget that, all those times we had spent.. the memoirs I will never ever forget till I die. Love you all.

July-August Department of Foreign Affairs Internships

July – August this year. Yes, I had spent those two months living on my own for the first time at a completely new surrounding, being in a new place, a new bigger city. It is simply called, Jakarta. I was there for a reason, I went to Deplu, or Departemen Luar Negeri or Department of Foreign Affairs for an internship program, a program coordinated by the International Relations Department at Hasanuddin University, the university where I study.

It was definitely a challenge for me mentally, because the fact that I have absolutely zero knowledge about how to work on a daily basis at Deplu, and where is the exact position that I am going to be placed at, and frankly, I knew nothing about it. But all of my anxiety was all gone in an instant at the first day of the internship.

I was placed at the Directorate of Consular Affairs at Deplu (or the so-called the public service directorate); Sub-Directorate of Visa to be exact. The first step into the office, I was literally, petrified, because, the folks were like, so mature and experienced, and they looked like they were so very competent people, and me? I am an utter- you know, rookie. But one thing that I had in mind, that partially of myself being here, was also a representation of the institution that sent me, and ultimately, they were going to determine, at the end of the day of my interns, whether I earn a satisfactory job or not, and they are going to determine whether I get the score of A, B, or God, no, it would be a total failure if I earn a C in this program. So, in order to accomplish the highest score, which is A, the last thing I wanted to do is to let those folks know that I had no idea what I was about to get myself into. Hehehehe… however the folks are so friendly, they were so generous, they were always sincerely willing to help me.. They did not treat me as if I was an utter- moron, they knew that I was there to learn, I was there to gain experiences, working at the place where I would want to work, in the future after I graduated.

So, I learned fast, hehehe.. well, I mean it.. the Sub-Directorate of Visa basically manages the visa of the foreigners who are about to travel to any parts of the country of Indonesia. however in this particular case, the foreigners specifically refer to those who are the holders of the Diplomatic Passports and Service Passports. For those who arrange a visit to Indonesia as a tourist and, substantially, the holders of Ordinary Passports, they will have to deal with the folks at Directorate of Immigration at the Departement of Laws and Human Rights.

It's fun as hell! I would love to do it again!... This has been an amazing expierience!....

To be Continued…