one’s life outline

This article may contain violence and sexual contents that may disturb some people. This article is merely a personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of people mentioned. The writer recommends that this article be read by people above the age of 13 and any persons younger should be advised by a parent/guardian.

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It’s been a while since I wrote. It’s 11:11pm and I should be studying but the desire and need to get this out is overwhelming. I am also breaking my rule on going on an FS hiatus.

This is a very unique society we live in. Going back to history, there was a point where women were nothing more than objects. Having one meant a social and economic burden. Sons preferred on different privileges in the society including education. We (meaning women) were nothing more than objects to fulfill mens’ dreams from sex to child bearing. Then the sexual revolution occurred. Independent writers, philosophers and thinkers started expressing their concerns regarding this. Slowly but surely, women were seen of (almost) equal worth than men. We were granted access to education and workforces. In today’s modern (and western in particular) society women are treated equally then men, granted the same rights. NZ is the first country to grant women to vote in the election.

Despite of the progress in the society, I personally feel that women have never been granted the freedom from attacks both physical and sexual, either directly or indirectly. We are seen as the weaker ones from the two sexes, and this fact is exploited. To many, women are to be exploited for their sexual appeals, still seen as object of sexual pleasure and release.

To many societies, rape is still seen as the result of the female mistake: ‘Her skirt was too short’, ‘She was too suggestive’, and many more. Was it ever suggested that the male party was simply too horny? or too drunk perhaps? have there been other external factors that were outside the control of the female party?

I spent the weekend watching ‘The Last King of Scotland’, ‘The Blood Diamond’ and ‘The Constant Garderner’.. What do they have in common?? Well, they are all based in Africa and for all that matters to me, they pretty much rerflect the political conditions in Africa now and then..

I don’t know how and when this started but now I have a strong passion for politics, culture and society in Africa. For some weird unknown reasons, I have the strongest desire to work in Africa.. Well not necessarily work, but I wish to make a contribution to Africa, no matter how insignificant that may be.. And I am not talking about Pretoria or Johannasburg (is this how it’s spelt??). No, I’m talking about rural sub-saharan villages in Africa.. Away from any sort of civilisation and modernity.. Try to change and affect the lives of those torn away from loved ones by conflict or war.. Wow, suddenly I sound like a hard-core idealist..

I don’t care about the position I will hold if I do get the chance to live (and work) in Africa. I can be a cleaner for WFP, for all I care.. Or I could even be wearing a UNICEF cap.. Aming.. Oh what a dream I have..

Oh well, just a thought

I saw this documentary on BBC this morning. "The Climate Watch". It rather has some interesting things I had never known existed. As the title suggests, this documentary is about watching the climate and how it had changed in the last few decades.

Well, for once, it suggests that the layer of carbon had already happened, it is part of the natural cycle.But according to some really fancy equipment situated on a mountain in Hawaii (I really can’t recall the name of the equipment nor the name of the mountain). The levels of carbon dioxide we are seeing in our life time, is far beyond the natural cycle. I’m paraphrasing here: the layers of carbon dioxide is the produce of human activities. Mankind has changed the earth; changed it for the worse.. Ok, I know that there is nothing new about this information. Although the next information in the documentary left me almost speechless.

Well, it is a common knowledge that rainforests are the ‘lungs’ of the earth. Yes it is. While it helps reduces carbon dioxide, it is also the highest producer of carbon (actually maybe I misheard it, not entirely sure, but can someone clarify this for me??). But there is something more serious happening to rainforests other than massive deforestation. *sigh*, and all this time I thought deforestation was the worst that can happen; apparently not. The worst thing happening to tropical rainforests other than deforestation is that the older, higher trees are dying; and all because of drought. Yep, drought. Usually the older the trees, the harder it is to actually have them chopped down. But with them dying, it may mean less branches, less leaves, less chlorophyll for photosynthesis, less absorbtion of carbon dioxide, the thicker the layer, the worse the global warming.. This was a shocking fact.

I may not be the best writer around, but I was left spechless at the end of the documentary. Maybe it is time to stop and think our contribution to worsen global warming. I often leace my room with my lamp still on. Since the thickening of the carbon layer is the result of human activiy, it may be time we change it. If we have the ability to change mother earth for the worse, I believe we also possess the ability to affect another kind of change. A change for the better

Ok, so the title says it all. This post is about the relevation that Albus Dumbledore, from the Harry Potter series is gay. However, it is to be noted that what ever is said in this post is nothing but my personal opinion and not necessarily those of Rowling or Warner Bros (Wow, my very first disclaimer!!!)

Ok these thoughts occur to me yesterday, while I was reading (for the third time) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in hopes to find the clue. Well, I had nothing better to do since all my exams are finished and I was bored to death.

Anyways, I got to the point where Harry walked into the Common Room and kissed Ginny. Then a big question mark popped up inside my head. Well, isn’t Harry, and the rest of the male population of Harry Potter, very very very unhormonal (if that’s even a word. I hope you get the meaning). Is not that I am comfortable with any sexual acts happening in the book, especially with a childrens’ books, but it all sounds abit too unrealistic to me. Biologically speaking of course. Boys, no offence to any boys who happen to be reading this, at that age usually have a strong attraction to the opposite sex, and so do girl. But the difference is that (don’t mean to get all political or feminist here), boys have the tendency to be more aggressive than girls. I know know about anyone who’s reading this, but I’ve had male friends when I was at the age of 16, and they all seemed (well no all but at least more than half of them) a lot more hormone driven than Harry, Ron or even Seamus or Dean (not including Neville here for personal reasons). I’m guessing that the reason behind that was the fact that the targetted readers are young readers.. But even if it was the adult’s version (yes, I happen to be reading that version), they’re still very very not hormone driven.. I’m not trying to get all sexual here, but if Rowling wanted to put a bit more of biological reality into the characters she’s writing, she might have as well but a bit of that biological fact..

Ok, enough with Harry, boys and hormones and on with Dumbledore. I had been wondering ever since I found out about the article about his sexuality, why is it that Rowling had chosen to reveal his sexuality after the series had ended. Was it the fact that the series itself had been a huge controversy? Getting harsh reaction from both the Vatican and strong conservative religious schools worldwide? Was it the simple fact that the headmaster of a school was gay? Would it draw suspicion from the readers that object that the headmaster of a school be gay and the possibility of being surrounded by boys and become a pedophile (though I highly doubt that was the case with Dumbledore here)? Avoiding further controversies or merely protecting profits? Ahhhh… questions keep popping up in my head..

This is going to be my last post on Dumbledore’s sexuality.. Damn my brain and its endless trains of questions!!!

I know I know, I said that I was on hiatus due to the need to study for the end of year exams.. But this simply had to be written..

To those who adore Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), Rowling claim that he was gay!!!!!! And that his true love was Gildenward (is this how you spell it?? can’t be bothered looking up in the book).. Thus the reason why Dumbledore never had any relationships with women or anyone for that reason… I honestly would never have thought of that. Apparently a young girl had pointed out a clue about Dumbledore’s sexuality from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.. If anyone is actually reading this post, did you actually manage to catch this clue?? I’m so reading the book again after the exams..

Rowling confirmed this fact in NY (I think) when a young audience asked her who Dumbledore’s true love was.. She bluntly said "Dumbledore is gay" and was met with both gasps and applause.. hahaha. What would your reaction be?? Mine: raised eyebrows. She also says that true love can blind you (or sth along those lines.. cant exacly recall)..

Surprise right????

You can check out the whole story on Yahoo!News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/ap_on_en_ot/books_harry_potter

Let me know what you think.. If you happen to read this by any chance

Sekarang 1 NZD = US 76.26c

Wow, but this volatility scares me!!

The RBNZ may raise the interest rates again … tsk tsk tsk

Huhu… studying on a sunday.. i have a very very lame weekend. studying econ140 on macroeconomics nonetheless!!!!

Cant wait for next weekend to come!!!!!!!!

This is just something I have long planned to write but getting things done is hard to do..

Well, to begin with, as a citizen of Indonesia living in a world of free speech, I just wish to express my deepest and most sincere disgust to a few members of MPR who were here in NZ a few weeks ago with the notion of socialising the amendments of the national Constitution. I believe it is nothing but BULLSHIT!!!!! Yep B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T.

The discussion that had started late at night resulted in NOTHING. I had learnt NOTHING and I trully believed that I could have used my time better studying for ECON140. I trully believe that all they wanted to do was sightsee NZ. I trully wonder how much exactly had the trip cost the taxpayer. What opportunity costs had been forgone for the trip of 5 members and a staff??

There are a few things that totally annoy me other than the economic costs. Other than the fact that hardly anyone participated in the ‘discussion’, they were not ashamed of doing it!!! How ashamed I am to be represented by those people who I truly believe are not of my best interest as an Indonesian. My father asked the question of why some member smoke although the non-smoking sign was put up. And all they simply said was, and I quote (somehow stuch with me):" That’s the miniature of Indonesia". On the one hand, it is good that AT LEAST they don’t deny it. But on the other, I start to question whether something is actually DONE about it. Have you ever wondered what signals it sends to the generation?? To me, it sends that members of parliament are above the rules. If young kids (yes, young and naive kids who have no clue about politics, Constitutions, law and always ask ‘why’) see this broadcasted on TV and wouldn’t that give the impression that as a member of parliament it is legitimate to disobey simple rules such as ‘do not smoke’? it would be tempting wouldn’t it to be immune to the law and simply abuse the power trusted upon you?? Something should be done.. and FAST..

Speaking of certain codes of ethics, we have all seen that members of parliament sleeping during some meetings. Never thought I would see it live.. But I DID. A.M. Fatwa, was sleeping 2/3 of the meeting and the other 1/3 was spend else where other than the discussion room. He didn’t even answer a single question. How can a leader be sleeping in the middle of a meeting that he claimed to be the main reason he is in NZ??? It totally escapes my mind. If anyone might have a simple, rational explanation for this, please do let me know. I’m in some serious need of an explanation. I totally understand that he might be tired after the long trip and the 5 hour jet-lag. Totally understandable and humane. But shouldn’t he at least have the decency to wait until he gets back to the hotel, and show us, the taxpayer, that the trip was well worth it?? That it wasn’t just for sleeping in a fancy hotel??

The second thing that really really bugs me is that they request the most demanding task. Yep I spend days listening to my dad complain about it. A week or so before their arrival, the called the Ambassador (I was present when the phone call was made) demanding to meet the speaker of the Parliament. They demand it as if the embassy has power over the Parliament. Hello!! This is just an embassy not some institution that has ANY control over the Parliament. We may have the phone number, addresses but no control. They can’t just come in, walk like they own the place and demand any thing! There are protocols and ground rules to be followed!As politicians, shouldn’t they at least know that schedules can’t be just changed because some foreign members of parliament demanded it? Not only does it create job for the embassy staff (yes, poor dad), it embarasses the whole nation in front of NZ. It’s not as if Indonesia has a good reputation here, with Papua hot on the menu.

If anyone reading this is an Indonesian taxpayer, I do wish to know what you think. I may be mistaken, but this trip’s costs far ouweigh its advantages.

-an indonesian who’s ashamed of her representatives in MPR-

Oh well, ‘the indonesian girl from fcom’. Yes, that’s my new ‘name’ for my fellow fcom morning stream lecture thanks to Dr. Gilbertson.

He was talking about the potential of NZers doing trade in Indonesia. Before that he demanded that every international student stated their country of origin. Being the proud indonesian that I am, I clearly told the whole class that I was an Indonesian.

Apparently, Dr.Gilbertson remembered that I was an Indonesian and called me to stand next to him infront of the class. And while he started talking ’she may be your key partner to doing business in indonesia’ and so on. By the end of the day, almost everyone in my fcom lecture stared calling me ‘the indonesian girl’. And thus the story of my new nickname

Emang kayanya cerita ini dah agak2 basi. Tp saya baru baca sebuah artikel online (lupa artikelnya boleh nemu dimana, dah keburu keluar).

Saya mengutip kata2 Pak Sutiyoso:"Yang terjadi kali ini adalah banjir siklus lima tahunan." Saya pun mulai bertanya2, apa benar ini siklus banjir lima tahun. Saya pun memeriksa statistik Indonesia dan ternyata tidak ada. Apa betul ini disebabkan sebuah siklus yang terjadi setiap lima tahun?

Kalo pun ini merupakan siklus lima tahun, bukankah seharusnya pemerintah mampu mengambil tindakan pencegahan untuk meminimalisir apa yang akan terjadi. Mengurangi kerugian yang dialami masyarakat Jakarta dan sekitarnya. Or at least memberitahukan kepada masyarakat yang daerahnya berpotensi terkena banjir. Tapi yang membuat saya terheran2, masyarakat yang dirugikan secara materi, psikis maupun sosial, sepertinya diam saja. Tp setelah dipikir2, mungkin juga ini siklus 5 tahunan. Setiap lima tahun akan ada Gubernur baru yang berarti hilangnya penghijauan dan daerah resapan air… tsk tsk tsk. Sudah daerah resapan air makin menghilang, kanal2 yang tidak dirawat, hasilnya ya banjir. Surprise surprise…Next time ada pemilihan Gubernur baru, ayo kita pilih Gubernur yang rumahnya banjir!!

Namun, tampaknya banjir yang melanda ibu kota kita ini tidak menyadarkan para pejabat kita, mulai dari Presiden ke bawah.. Setiap ada bencana banjir yang melanda Jakarta, para pejabat kita yang ‘tercinta’ selalu rapat di ruang berAC yang tentu saja TIDAK BANJIR  dan yang mereka lakukan hanyalah berkata this should be done and that should be done.Let’s face it NOTHING IS DONE!!! Setelah rapat mereka akan menginap di tempat yang nyaman yang lagi lagi TIDAK BANJIR dengan alasan agar mereka bisa berpikir dengan nyaman. But are they even thinking AT ALL??? Saya akan berkata jujur, kalo saya sebagai manusia, pulang dari sebuah rapat, saya tidak akan berpikir melainkan langsung tidur. Setelah itu, banjir pun reda, rapat mengenai penanggulangan banjir dan tata ruang kota berhenti dan *jeng jeng* tahun depan BANJIR LAGI!!! Kaget, heran? Seharusnya kita sudah hapal dengan siklus bodoh ini. And we still act surprised.

Seakan2 komen aneh Sutiyoso belum cukup, Bapak Mentri PU Joko Kirmanto yang mengutip Menristek kita "return period  kali ini 30 tahun",  and adding a little strange twist "Bulan purnama menjadi salah satu penyebab"

Kalo dilihat2 ya, banjir Jakarta lebih kepada moral hazzard bangsa ini. Disintegrasi dan inkompetensi pejabat DKI dan penanggung jawab akhir Gubernur DKI Jakarta. Berapa kali sudah Perda Tata ruang dirubah? Masterplan Djayakarta pas jaman Belanda dulu tampaknya berhasil mengatur pengairan Jakarta, kini diacak2. Dan siapa yang harus membayar derita ini? Warga Jakarta. Para2 pembayar pajar. How ironic!!!

Ketika hari cerah, para ‘pemimpin’ kita melanglang buana bagaikan raja di negeri dongeng yang makmur sentosa, menghambur2kan uang rakyat, salah prioritas,salah penanggulangan, keliru penggunaan.Siapa yang mengurusi kanal? Memberantas daerah peresapan air? Siapa yang menjatuhkan sanksi apabila ada yang membuang sampah sembarangan?Jawabannya? TIDAK ADA!!

Dan sekarang? Gambar2 Jakarta yang tenggelam tidak hanya tampil di stasiun TV lokal, gambar2 tersebut sudah disiarkan LIVE di CNN/BBC/FOX.Sebuah karikatur yang kontras:Jakarta bajir sama seperti kampung Indian di pinggiran Amazone. Ini menggambarkan seolah2 para tidak mampu mengurus kota seperti Jakarta. And what’s next? Lagi2 kita menengadahkan tangan meminta bantuan. Lagi2 utang. Sebuah efek domino yang tak akan pernah selesai diakibatkan beberapa oknum yang benar2 inkompeten!!!

Lantas ini salah siapa?Salah Tuhan atau salah kebobrokan dan ketidakbecusan aparat kita?

Kita yang berada di luar Jakarta hanya dapat berdoa agar masyarakat Jakarta diberi ketabahn menjalani derita ini. Keep the spirit!!