How Indonesian managed to stay one step backward...

I have just recently finished my diversity and communication class. Although in some particular California University this class translates to gibberish nonsense about your personal work experience or family related issues for about 4 hours straight each class, still I've managed to get some piece of education from it.

During the class, we talked about how diversity affects our life and workplace environment. Diversity as in gender, age, race, ethnicity even sexual orientations. We also learn that each and every individuals are created equal, but they used different ways to communicate and uses variety of norms and custom different from others. This point itself that signifies diversity amongst our equal-ness.

We are diverse because we are different, but still in America our rights as legal civilians are protected through the first amendment, which is the Freedom of speech, due process of law and the Freedom of religion.

Freedom of speech dictates our liberty as civilians to voiced our opinion, and be heard, except for obscenity.

Due process of law states that no man shall be deemed punishment unless proven guilty under the court of law.

Freedom of religion states that each and everyone of us are free to hold our beliefs and religion practices no matter who is the god, and who's your santa, and whether you celebrate your own Christmas in July.

Now the interesting part is we've had a discussion regarding "labeling." Labeling refers to nicknames to a particular ethnic group or race according to the common stereotype.

Stereotype is a form of common belief (normally negative) which is represented by a particular individual person or organization belong to a specific ethnic or culture. Such as Asian people cannot drive, or black people like watermelons and fried chicken, and other negative thoughts about a particular race or ethnic groups caused by misconceptions.

And one of the thing that interests me is the fact that the term "oriental" is not being used anymore (politically incorrect) because it has negative effects, we prefer the term Asian now.

There was a debate, that oriental can still be referred to things (in materials) such as oriental rugs or carpet, oriental exotic foods, however to refer to a person's ethnicity we are using Asians now.

I occasionally surf the web to Indonesian community forums and noticed some of the language barriers which is being used within the forums.


One of the comments posted on this picture by a user:
"tob dah walau oriental.... ma nyozzzzz"
translation: "Even though she's ORIENTAL, the picture is great"

Dude, you call this oriental.

Oriental Chinese Food.


Oriental Persian rug (From Persia)

But you don't call Ayumi Hamasaki "ORIENTAL"

She's not oriental, she's Asian....

But you don't call a human being "oriental" ok? By doing so you degrade your own intellect and your whole mindset. I can't possibly think why Indonesians youth are so good in terms of using technology by internet, and doing demos and strike on equal rights; but they failed to see the difference between "human beings" and "things."

This is also what is sad being Indonesians, some of the education system that we've got is still derived from old colonial in the 1950's era, which is obsolete and require changes. This is why Indonesians are still facing racial issues and ethnicity problems, because the youth itself refuse to embrace diversity, so what if I have lighter skin and smaller eyes? Does it bothers you so much that you have to call me oriental? (while we are still under the same nation, born in the same country, btw)

I think, human quality should be defined by their character and work habits, instead of mere physical differences and ethnic background. Proof that Indonesians still got plenty of things to catch up in order to become a better nation.

Seeking future husband, at any cost....

Have you heard of IndonesianCupid dot com ??...
There are some new trends nowadays in online dating, even Indonesians got it's own online mail order bride system.

You see, here's the reason why: The so called Indonesian prospective male resources, are so low, these brides are willing to find their future husband elsewhere.

You think looking at [poskota] website every freaking day doesn't get you depressed? Then there must have been something wrong with you, every news headlines is often started with [a husband stab, killed, torture, (and put whatever criminal act you can imagine here) their wives or their spouse].


Indo chicks refuse to service Indo males like they used to...

Now you tell me that is not depressing. As a matter of fact the quality of "Sumber daya manusia" or human resources in Indo's are so low, graduates are not getting paid according to their qualifications, now is that what you are looking for in your future husband, an uncertain living paycheck to paycheck?

This is where the technology come in, the trends in online dating websites such as cupid, friendster, e-harmony, apparently excites the Indonesian populations, thus new sites such as Indonesian Cupid was born, more tailored to Indonesian brides who are hungry seeking a prospective husband, or in this case a sugar daddy.

I've found some really hilarious profiles around this site, complete with some "Engrish" mishaps.

Take Sari, for example her member profile reads:
Member Overview: Funny, friendship, sexy, short skirt, salon, yoga, gym, independent, and loyality in anything

[I dunno how do you define, salon, yoga and gym as your description, and don't forget her loyalty in "anything" including your money.]



Petronella, said: I am just simple person, trustworthy, romantic and kind at heart. I am easygoing but i do take things seroiusly. Being honest and romantic, i think that's one of my feminity side.

[Serioiusly, how do you take a person who serioiusly didn't serioiusly spell check her profile serioiusly? She also have feminity side... ]



Veronica says: i interested much with european guy,and wish i could have one of them to be my partner in life............

[Do I hear Ka-Ching! in European Euros?]





Christina said: I am warm , simple and faithful, romantic and honest, to the point. I dont like liar and coward. I like photography, read and write essay. If u want 2 know me more.

[All I want to know more is, when did the last time u shaved those lush vegetated armpits?]



I called Ragunan, just to make sure this one is not a posting mistake, the result was still inconclusive as they refused to comment...







You can check out the whole gang at IndonesianCupid... I'm not saying that these women are bad... But if you're desperate enough to sell yourself online with messed up profile like that, something's definetely wrong with you.

The not so sweet highschool love experience.

Yes, high school is the sweetest deal of a lifetime (for some of us)... Imagine you trying to defend your manhood-ness by getting beaten up by the bullies on a daily basis, while die trying to score at least a "holding hand moments" with some of the hot chicks in the class.

On a daily basis we've got at least 10-15 Kilos of packing to carry around starting from our textbook, our catetan books, our pencil case (yes we do carry those metal weird pencil case) and for some of us thats geekier, we have heavy duty pencil case with numbers that you can push from 1-5, and its looks like it could transform into a robot.


And occasionally we've got our P.E (Pendidikan Jasmani) outfit from the day before, that we forgot to took out because we were too busy playing Sega. It's smells like nirvana already....

But here's were it gets good, at least if you are the lucky ones who were born designated under the tittle "generation X", at that time high school was pretty sweet. Pretty sweet keeping in mind that it would be your last chance to have fun, before you get married after high school and open a kelontong shop right beside the house of your momma. After that, it's just downhill from there (that is the Indonesian dreams, btw)

For some of us, the luckier ones, we've get to experience another four years of glory, by having our parents finance our education further outside the country such as U.S.A or China. During these times we re-experience high school again, only this time complete with a set of nice wheels trademarked BMW's or Mercedes (or Hondas too, but the v6 ones). We go to party once a week, but we go study lest then twice a month. All this before we have to go home, assume the position as the son of the kelontong shop owner, get married and then it's just downhill from there.

retarder say:

The reason why High School in Indos were one of the most memorable moments were caused by we our innocence (at least some of us), and we've experience the heights of our life, because we started to feel the "fling" of attraction between the opposite sex. While we also get in touch with our wild and experimental side, such as smoking and bolos activities.

In other words, its puberty.

I remembered at that time I was being in love with so many different girls in the school, it feels as if eating dim sum every freakin' day, whole variety.

I've had a crush on this girl, Fenny is her name, and she ain't got no last name (I dunno why). She was normal, regular but something about her makes me wanna boink hold her hands and stuff. Then I consult with one of my best friend, Markus. Sure enough he told me to go for it.

One night, after sneaking and took my dad's early model Motorola Startac cellphone to call her and ask her to be my Girl, she told me that Markus had asked her the same thing an hour earlier, and that she accepted his proposal....

Me and Markus never talks since then.... And my dad beat the shit out of me for running his cellphone bill up.

Another crush, was this tall girl named Yenti, and for sure she ain't got no last name (I dunno why either). All I know is that she lived in Taman Cibodas (area of Tangerang) her dad has a kelontong shop, and boy is she freakin' cute.

I told my mom about the story of Yenti, and sure enough she told me that she will use some "white magic" to persuade her to like me, she told me to get her picture, her birthday and such, after that I just left it at that to leave my mom do the "mumbo jumbo."

Two weeks later, when I confess my affection to Yenti, she told me that a geek from the next door class (Herman) had done the same thing earlier, and that her friends are pressuring her to accept his proposal.

That day, I challenged Herman to a duel. Our gang meet up after school (just like a hordes of orcs in an online warcraft battle battling humans) and we start a ruckus in a moving angkot (public bus). Herman got a big meatball-like bump on his head, I think my friend Jenggot busted his eye glassess, while Dongo managed to gave him a wedgie. The next day, Yenti told me she felt bad for Herman, so she went ahead and accept his proposal, apparently my moms mumbo jumbo never works....

The last story talks about a simple girl named Maria Selvie Christian (don't ask me where the name came from) This cute girl loves to write poems and eat relaxa candies. Well, I honestly think that we have something good going on here!!!

One time when we have a study group after school, I proposed that the team should come to my place for study (which is faaaarrr from school). around 4 p.m everybody else but Jenggot and Maria left my place and went home. Maria fell asleep and it would be just terrible of me to wake her up.

When Maria woke up, it was a bit late for a gal to take the angkot and went home on her own, my mom offered a lift, but she refuses saying she wanted to stay the night. After dinner we talked and exchange stories, me and Jenggot slept outside while Maria stayed inside my room...

Around 12 a.m, Maria's parents came and knocked on my door, waking everyone up, they were furious thinking that I have did something bad to their daughter. What else can I tell them, we have no landline phone! With no apologies whatsoever after the intrusion, they left without saying a word (To this day I still can't understand how Maria's dad could carry the mom, Maria, and two kids on a motorcycle). It looks like a midnight circus act to me....

The next day, the assistant principal approach me, he told me the "hold on on sex and marriages" lecture (apparently because Maria's parents reported this incident to the school). I told him I was misunderstood, but Otong wouldn't hear me. Everybody in the school knows about our story, Maria refused to be with me.... Now I wish I've had boink hold her hands that night.

Yes, high school moments could be sweet, however the love story can be retarded as ever... Especially when you're always misunderstood.

Damn biyatches .... I just wanted to see some boobs :P
High school love... can be devastating ...

I am not Proud to be an Indonesian....

Funny pic of the day:
Taken from Fry's Woodland Hills

I think Fry's electronics should consider raising their "employment" standards, it would be embarrassing if one of the biggest electronic chain-store in California doesn't even know that their employee(s) cannot spell "compatible"

My friend told me, as from the perspective of a pure Indonesian descent, "Are you proud being an Indonesian? "

And then I replied, "Whoa... wait, proud as in negative way, like we do so much "tawuran" when we're kids we practically graduated with "preman" degree; or proud as in positive way, like we've got nothing to be proud of kind of proud?"

Yes indeed, I can't even say that I am proud being an Indonesian...
And I am a nationalist bastard by the way (in somewhat retarded way.)

• Our house was displaying the flag during 17 Agustusan--maybe a week or so before we put it back in the storage for the next year's celebration.
  
  
• I remember all my civics basic including Pancasila, and at least a few things from the UUD '45, Cuz if we don't we would get bad grades for our PMP lesson (At that time it was called Pendidikan Moral Pancasila) instead of PPKN (Pendidikan Pancasila dan Kewarganegaraan)
  
  
• I never burn any form of Indonesian Flag, or any flag from any country in that matter, although I did wipe my runny nose once with the flag, and the whole class picket team was pissed at me for a week after that.
  
  
• As much as I remembered, I have taken only a few "bolos" activity from Monday "Wajib Upacara" even if that means headaches caused by the mix of fragrance related odor from some boys that are not wearing deodorant whilst having their puberty (and some girls who has special bau ketiak also). Mix with the heat of the tropical sun, just great!
  
  
• I pay taxes, above the PPN (Pajak Pendapatan Negara) I also paid the preman taxes, pengamen taxes, amal jari'yah taxes, amal mesjid taxes, amal pengemis taxes, and numerous other taxes imposed on me for no reason .
  
  
• I've been to mesjid, I was acting like an idiot trying to convince the Protestan people that I understand the "Tongue Language," I've been donating to Catholic church ever since I was in kindergarten, and I followed my grandpa when he was praying in the Buddhist temple (even though I don't what the heck he's doing).
  
  
• I support KB (Keluarga Berencana) although as it seems that my neighbors, keep having baby every year like rabbits. (They said "banyak anak banyak rejeki")
  

Nope, can't still think of any positive way of proud being an Indonesian. If you've read the news lately you will find that Taufik Ismail wrote a book about being an Indonesian.

Kamis 1 Maret 2007,

Dalam banyak hal, negeri kita adalah negeri yang terpuruk. Bukan cuma hari ini, tetapi boleh dibilang sejak satu dekade terakhir. Sampai-sampai sastrawan Taufik Ismail menulis sebuah buku renungan berjudul ‘Malu Aku Jadi Orang Indonesia.

In his book, Ismail highlights some of the most problematic dilemma within Indonesians.

• We never stop fighting, between religions, between race, between students, between everything. Every time you open the news, everything starts with the word dibacok, dirampok or dianiaya.
  
  
• Our corruption index is amongst the worst one in the world. For cryin' out loud, it is as if corruption is our nation's largest heritage.
  
  
• We used to be very good at bulutangkis, but heck we are only good in two things anyway, mass fighting (tawuran) and bulutangkis, but now we find out that we are defeated in bulutangkis by our neighboring nations. In soccer, we are so busy fighting after every match, the main highlights is the fight, instead of the match.
  
  
• Mati listrik (emergency outage) and banjir are still considered as natural disaster (bencana alam) by most Indonesians, especially in metropolitan areas.
  
  
• Our public healthcare system is so bad, we practically have to to traditional shaman (dukun) for everything we have, starting from rheumatic, encok, even patah kaki, patah hati and sakit gigi even patah kepala. (The fact is, most Indonesians can't afford healthcare).
  
  
• We were one of the few nations who owns our own satellite in the 60's, now we have sell ours and rent one from Singapura.
  
  
• Kemacetan is so bad, you practically wish you have a winged bajaj, and turbo-prop VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) equipped becak.
  

Is there anything left to be proud of, what about persatuan and kesatuan? What about our unity as once a very strong and powerful nation?

For me, I'm felt sad being an Indonesian, I do not acknowledge the word proud. Hopefully in a few decades, my kids can be proud of their heritage.

If Ismail is embarrased, there is definitely something wrong with our nation.