Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Attending the World Internet Mega Summit in Singapore

it's been such a tiring, yet rewarding week in Singapore. Despite the fact that I spent lots of * money* for this trip, still I enjoyed the fact that I learned and got a lot out of it. It's been an insightful days and hopefully really made and pushed me to do more to make my dreams come true.

Loved the fact that I was among the lucky one who could attend the mega summit.:)

More than those....I think I love my wife and daughter soooo much.
I called her everyday ...and I bought them some gifts that I hope would really make them happy.

I cannot wait to meet and be with them agaain.

Changi Airport, Singapore
while waiting for the departure to Jakarta.

Ya Alloh terima kasih atas segala nikmat yang selalu Engkau berikan padaku dan keluarga kami.

I do enjoy these days.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

15 ways stores trick you into spending


Ever notice how you can go to a store to pick up just one thing and then, by the time you get to the check stand, you have five or six things in your cart and a bigger bill than you had anticipated?

This happens over and over because department stores use an array of techniques (grocery stores use many of the same tactics) to get you to pick up these items. By itself, each technique isn't very strong -- it's the use of them in combination that is powerful.

Here's a list of 15 of the best tricks. After the list, watch for 10 ways to combat these techniques so you can get in and out of stores with your finances intact.

1. Shopping carts. Most department-store customers enter the store intending to buy only an item or two, but the shopping carts are right there by the entrance and, oh, wouldn't it be convenient to have it so I can lean on it a bit while walking around and to put my stuff in it?
The cart has a huge bin compared with the size of most items for sale in the store, making it psychologically easy to toss in an item you don't need -- after all, there's room for plenty more, right?

2. Desirable departments are far away from the entrance. Most of the items I go to a department store to buy, such as light bulbs and laundry detergent, are located many, many aisles from the entrance. This means I spend my time walking by a lot of consumer goods on my way to find the item I want.
Because these consumer goods are effectively marketed to me, there's a good likelihood that I'll spy something that I don't necessarily need and toss it in the cart.

3. The toy section is far, far, far away from the entrance. Naturally, if I take my son to the store, he wants to visit the toy section. He gets excited and starts shouting "Ball! Ball!" to me when we go in because he remembers the enormous plastic balls in the toy section.
I tell him that if he's good, we'll go look at the balls, and at the end of the trip, we usually make our way over there. What do we see? Lots of children in that area, which means that there are parents that follow their children.

4. Impulse-oriented items are near the checkouts. Stores stock the latest DVD releases and "froth" magazines there, along with overpriced beverages and candy.
Why? Because people leaving the store are thirsty, and they're going to be standing in line for a bit, which is the perfect place to hook them with some entertainment options.



5. The most expensive versions of a product are the ones at eye level. Take a look sometime at the arrangement of different choices for a particular product, such as laundry detergent. Almost every time, the most expensive options per unit are placed at eye level, so you see them first when you enter an aisle. The bulk options and better deals are usually on the bottom shelves.

6. Items that aren't on sale are sometimes placed as though they are on sale, without using the word "sale." I noticed this over and over with diapers; the department store would display a rack of them with a huge sign above them displaying the price, but it would be the same price I paid for them a week ago. Unsurprisingly, the diapers displayed like that were always the most expensive kind.

7. Commodity items, such as socks, are surrounded by noncommodity items, such as shirts and jeans. If I'm looking to buy some socks, I have to traverse through a number of racks full of different types of clothing in the clothing section just to reach them.
Why? If my mind is already open to the idea of buying clothes, I would be more likely to look at other clothing items.

8. Slickly packaged items alternate with less slickly packaged items. Look carefully at an aisle of, say, potato chips. The ones with the bright and slick packaging are generally more expensive, which isn't surprising.

But notice that there usually isn't a section of just inexpensive chips -- in most stores, they're sandwiched between more-expensive items. If there is a section of just inexpensive items, they're down by your feet (think about the inexpensive bagged cereals at your local supermarket).

9. Stop, stop, stop. You add items to your cart only if you stop, right? So stores are designed to maximize the number of stops you have to make: aisles in which only two carts can fit, colorful and attractive layouts, escalators and, my favorite of all, sample vendors. Even if it's not conscious to you, every time you stop moving in a store, you increase your chances of putting something into your cart.

10. Staple items are placed in the middle of aisles, nonessential and overpriced items near the end. Why? If you enter an aisle to get a "staple" item (i.e., a high-traffic item), you have to go by the other items twice -- once on the way in and once on the way out. That gives these items two chances to make their pitch at you.

11. Prices are chosen to make comparison math difficult. Instead of selling the 100-ounce detergent for $6 and the 200-ounce detergent for $11 (making it easier to figure out the better deal), they sell the 100-ounce for $5.99 and the 200-ounce for $10.89.
Hey, look, they're basically the same, right, because five is half of 10? Uh, no.

12. Stuff in bins isn't always a bargain. Higher-end stores will sometimes put items in "bins" to emulate the bargains found at cheaper stores, but the prices are still quite high. They just use the visual cue of a "bargain store" to make you think it is a bargain.

13. High-markup items are made to look prestigious. If you see something in a glass case that has lots of space around it, your gut reaction is to believe that it is valuable and prestigious to own, and for many people it can be as attractive as a light to a moth. The truth is that these items typically have tremendous markup -- you're literally just buying an idea, not a product.

14. The most profitable department is usually the first one you run into. Ever noticed that at Younkers, JC Penney, Kohl's and such stores, the cosmetic department is front and center? That's because it's very profitable, and by putting it in a place where people walk by time and time again, customers are more prone to making a purchase on an item with a very big markup.

15. Restrooms and customer services are usually right by the exit or as far from the exit as possible. Why? If you need to use either one in the middle of a shopping journey, you have to walk by a lot of merchandise to reach the needed service, thus increasing your chances for an impulse buy.

This article was written by the founder of The Simple Dollar, a blog offering a peek at his recovery from near bankruptcy



Sunday, May 06, 2007

Spidey's in Town

I think Spiderman 3 is somewhat like a roller coaster in a slow motion. Wait!...it's in its positive sense. What I mean by a roller coaster was that...I was drawn into the confusion one after another and then...Hopla....I was glued to accept the fact that those confusions were nonetheless no other than coincidental.
they were meant and bound to be so.

...I loved it. Yet, I loved the Spiderman 2 better. This third installment feels like nothing more than stuffing too much on Spidey who could've been more human...should he not be concocted with so many subplots in his life:)...

Well, I wonder whether the comics do have these subplots.

Fortunately, I love the wits, the jokes, and the sneak-in scenes where funny conversations did still occur in midst of perils..:)

The Daily Bugle's boss....hmm....my o my....he still got his cartoon-like attitude at his best.
oh...Peter...the way you changed your look when you're consumed with that thing called symbiote (?) hmmm...really did get into me. I had to bite my tounge to see you act like that.

hmm...well, funny enough...but a little bit loathing. or...maybe this is what it's all about.

Peter Parker..a.k.a. Spiderman (hmm or should it be the other way around?) still captured my heart.

I love this movie. For sure, no matter what...

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Spidey's in town!

............................Gosh..oh gosh....Spidey's in town.
Guess, I get to pack my stuffs and meet 'im.
Never thought that I would have a chance to see him in the first two days of its screening.
Way to go....cineplex21. Indeed, you spoil us all...or at least, me?
I think...I got to finish all of my must-do work as of today so that I could skip and see him in person:) hahaha

Most anticipated movies this May







goosssshhhh oh goooooooooooosssshhh.







Guess, I have to prepare my time and credit card to go and see these coming mostest hottest flicks. All comes this May.
Can you imagine that?
I cant' believe it myself. The films are all worth-anticipating. Just waiting for the friendly neighbor--Spidey, the charming Captain Jack Sparrow, the ex-cute now-turned-gorgeous Harry Potter, and the green Ogre---Shrek.....was enough to spice up my day...:)
Just can't wait to embrace them all:)

Fun with Dick and Jane


Just recently watched this movie. Turned out to be quite amusing. Not-that-bad movie to watch and enjoy. Two scenes really got my attention:


the first one

was the one with Jim Carrey being apprehended by the US-Mexico border police. Alas, he just dropped his wallet just when the police raid a group of supposedly immigrants where --once again alas--Jim carrey was there. He couldn't prove his Identity as an American. To top if off, he just had a bump on his lips that he barely speak American accent English...which surely led the police to assume that he must be one of the supposedly illegal Mexicans.

Trying hard to convince the police that he was indeed an American, he had a chance to hand in his handphone to the police asking him to call home...just in time when Jim's son answered the phone by saying, "HOLA?"

the second one

was the closing minutes when Jim or Dick and his wife, Jane, were driving their newly purchased car after being able to get their money back........

on the road..they met one of their colleagues who shouted that the had been hired at a new energy company named: ENRON.

what?

I was flabbergasted and churned my tummy to see the movie ends just like that.!!!

what a nice ending:)
love it.

Revised Curriculum for Korean Dept.

Today, I had to rush to campus just to finish the final touch to our newly designed curriculum for the next semester. It has been such an exhausting week since we had to finish the curriculum by today.

Indeed...it was a grandiously tedious work. 'Tis was.

Never had it occurred to my mind that designing things as important as curriculum would be such a time-consuming job.

I felt so relieved to have it done and finished.Hopefully, we won't find any more things to do.:) chuckles..and dream on, Suray.

"Hadiah"

My students in EAP Encompass program gave my daughter a present. They wrapped a cute bear doll in a pink wrapping paper.

Eyra turned out to love this gift as soon as she saw it. She cuddled it and tugged it into bed. Even, she named it 'Hadiah" simply because I told her that it was a hadiah 'gift'. Well, the point is....that she loves it very much.

Monday, April 30, 2007

EAP Encompass Fiesta

Fiesta? hmm not quite..since we just call it a 'meeting over lunch' in a not-so-ordinary place i.e. Hartz chicken.
It came to my mind...or well....it popped out of my mind that it would be the final class for Encompassers. I never thought that it would end this soon. So, it just occurred to me that I had to do something for these colleagues in the class. I wanted to have a so-called 'not-that-farewell class but rather-a-lunch class with my students.

so we ended up in Hartz Chicken...talked over stuffs we did for the last seven weeks.
I learnt and did enjoy being in their company. Indeed...most of them were lively and enthusiastic students who really wanted to pursue things and grab chances in their future.
that's where I started to notice that they have armed themselves with lots of things on their mind.
so...to keep things going and so as not to keep them from trying...I always try to make them believe that they can do IT.

I got a nice doll specially wrapped in a colored paper....just for my daughter Eyra.
They prepared this...and that made me to conclude that they must've been such thoughtful students...
otherwise..they wouldn't have done so.

I did enjoy teaching and spending my time with them.

ANRIers, UIers, Makassareans, UGMers and more...:)

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Revising the proposals of EAP ENCOMPASS students

Revising again, Suray?
hmmm....what a job. But, I like it, though. The fact that I volunteered myself or should I say..offering myself to help them rewrite the proposal was initially and simply out of my passion in writing and sharing ideas.

Then, today..I just found out that the duedate for submitting the proposal is tomorrow. that means...I only have one day to revise 6 or 7 proposals)))):) great!

I thought it wasn't due until next week or so. hmmm...oh well...they're really pulling my legs this time. but..hey..let see what I can do with these.

I thought I lost my bike's key

Last night, I was somewhat fooled by my own mistake and the security guard in campus:)
It was raining so hard that I had to put on my raincoa--as usual. I came to campus at around 7.30 p.m.--an ample time for me to prepare for my class.

Since it was raining hard, I didn't want to take much time in taking off my raincoat and rushing myself to the building. Alas, I didn't notice that I just left my bike's key dangling on its slot.
so, I grabbed the books and tapes and rushed myself inside the clas...only to realize that I left my key on its slot.

TO my surprise, It was not there. Having realized that it wasn't there...I thought to myself that I couldn't have left it there. It was not even 2 or 3 minutes after I left my bike. So, I must've taken it out and put it somewhere. Be it in my pocket, jacket, folder, locker or.....:(

Since I had no time to think about it. I just convinced myself that I must've taken it out...and started teaching.

then...it was 9.10 p.m. I began searching for the lost key....again. I dared myself to go to the Musholla, classrooms, doorways....just to find none or even any traces of the key. None was inside the building.

I ran down the stairs and got back to the motorbike....took the 'trash' out of the bike's storing bin. None. Opened my already-folded-up raincoat....none. I was desperate.

Feeling tired and exhausted...or worse.....scared of being alone at campus...I finally decided to tell the security guard that I may have to leave my bike there since I lost the key....
even...when I didn't yet finish telling what happened....he took out a chain of keys from his pocket ...with the sneer on his face...telling me how clumsy I was.....telling me how toughtful he had been....how I could end up loosing my bike should he hadn't done his patroling and 'heroic' act. bla bla bla....

well...I really really had this urge of punching him on the face...But I just couldn't for it was my fault in the first place. I shouldn've have left it....and that I should be more careful.
but the thought of him leaving me desserted and busy looking for something that I should not have......was really frustating.
gosh...what a nerve....

anyway..I felt so relieved that I found the key..and that I was being able to ride my bike home:) hmmm
yep....it did get me.

today's achievement

Just finished assesing the GE Class performance.
Done.
Screening...the movies.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

sneaked out of the class

I got to do these errands yesterday. First, I got to pay my credit card bill since I just used a sum of it. I guess I don't need to pay for extra charge should I pay it in advance. So, I had only 30 minutes to do that. I ran into the bank and got myself stuck in an elevator for 3 minutes just to get to the 4th floor:) well, it made this creaking sound that creeped me out. luckily I did get out of it just to find an empty office where someone in the customer service should be.

I met some guy in his 30's. such a snobbish officer in such a bank. I hated him.
But...eventually...I made him do what I asked him to. I paid for it and also peppered with lots of questions.

I also got a brochure on a free offer of having a portable DVD player with Batman picture on it. isn't that great?

then, I got to go to the telephone company to pay my home phone bill.
did it.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Tweenies spotted!!

Last night, we went out for a walk again:) this time, we went to TAMAN PINTAR 'smart park' at the end of Malioboro Street, in a place where Soping center used to be. It was a lively afternoon. the cool breeze greeted us as we walked inside the park. Eyra was surprised to see so many kids running around her.

Yep, it was almost a year since the last time she was there. I don't think she remembered much of it. But, she did enjoy the park. She insisted on going up and down the tree house--which was designed for 4 - 6 years; she's just 2 years.
but...as obstinate as she could be. She insisted me to accompanying her while she was climbing up and down the tree. what an exhausting activity...for me; for the path was so narrowly fitted to suit small kids:)

then, she had this see-saw. once again. ..she was so immersed in this game that she didn't wanna go home. then it came to the point when I just had to grab her and take her home:) ....no...to the mall. again.

it was here in Periplus Bookstore at the mall that she got distracted by the glossy edition of 'Tweenies Sing-a-Long Book". We let her play with the book for a while....then I promised her to buy exactly the same one when I am in Singapore this May.

Eyra....Eyra Eyra Eyra...

Another thing that really got into her was the time when she was playing at McDonald's.
It was the first time that she didn't want any of us interfering what she was doing. She was playing with some other kids while we were watching her from a nearby seats wheere we were having our dinner.

She ruled the game. She didn't let other kids play around her or share the toy with her.:) even there was one kid who got so scared of her:) gosh...Eyra, Eyra, Eyra...

**** just when we were about to leave, Eyra spotted another game, toy-cars on their magnetic tracks swirling and oozing around. she loved them so much.
the funny thing was....Eyra was the only girl among mostly watchful boys:)

we did have a great time...

Weekend with Eyra

Weekend with Eyra?
it's been a month since the last time we took her out for a walk.
well, as always...:) taking a walk means..shopping at the malls. hmmmm...not a good term, isn't it?
the truth is ...we barely find perfect time to do shopping for Eyra's pampers, milk, and other 'unileverian-stuffs we need. So, it all came back all again and again that we should go to this mall--particular Mall, AMplaAz. Ambarrukmo Plaza...where we mostly hook ourselves up.

Eyra...was as usual....glad (at least, I thought so:). She couldn't let her eyes off the glowing lights above and all the toys she could dream of.

In fact, she was sleepy even before going out. So, I am pretty much sure..that she was trying hard to enjoy the evening. But I guess she did, though.

First, we stopped at watch-gallery where I promised Meity to buy her a watch she wanted. She picked one. paid for it. hmm we spent about $ 20. you know what? we even hadn't started shopping for Eyra's stuffs when we spent that much.:)

so, we spent another hour in Carrefour just to spend another $20 on milks, pampers, noodles, fruits, and ..........gosh I didn't know what we bought.

the truth? we spent $ 40 or more......for a night!. yep...that excluded the CDs and Tapes we bought earlier. wasn't it awesome ? awesome? oh come on Suray......come to ur senses.....what were you thinking?................

I just hope that I will get something good in return for having spent something on these things...in fact..I did spend it on things that eventually we need anyway. hmmm is it an excuse or what? ....

I just pray and hope that we will be wiser in spending.
But..hey..................irrespective of all those.....I couldn't let one fact go....i.e. Eyra was so happy during all evening.
and that's what Money can't buy.

Eyra's Birthday wrapped in an at-home party

There were just four of us. Eyra, her grandmom, her nanny, and me.
So..I had this urge of having some pizza delivered to our home....in spite of the hard rain. It was. So, I managed to order three small-sized pizza wrapped in colorful boxes on which colorful paintings were luxuriously visible---which I hoped--would enliven the party at home.

So, as I got home....Eyra was just still sleeping..it was around 18.20 in the evening.:) yep, that's one of the moments when she likes to sleep.....

she had to wait until she woke up just to have the party started.
during which time..I had enough time to prepare all of the stuffs around her just to welcome her when she woke up.

What I did was....I put all of ther dolls....I mean all of them: Yosi, Coklat, Adik, Empus, Kangguru, Bebek, and many more.....on a table circling the pizzas. Oh oh...even more enticing...we lit two candles as well.

She woke up. Then..she could not help from noticing that something was goin' on. colorful stuffs were laid on the table. Suddenly...she leapt from her bed and ....surprisingly..she was singing this happy birthday song.

I just kept wondering if she ever understood the meaning:) well, she really did have a great time. she kept wandering, jumping, singing all evening...while her Dad was busy catching her up on tape. Yep, it was such a precious moment that I taped it on mini DV as usual.

Her nanny - mbak tini-- and her Grandmom were also eager to sing and I could see the smiles on their faces. Indeed, it was such a great day.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Eyra's 2nd Birthday

Today, 2oth April, 2007.
It is my daughter's 2nd birthday. Of course, it is a special day. Indeed.
Well...her grandmom gave me some money to buy something for Eyra. Well, I am thinking of buying Eyra something from Singapore this May.

Eyra....you have been filling up our days with joys and happiness. Yes, she has. It's been a rewarding journey having her around.

She has now become a growing toddler. she starts to talk more and more fluently. words and sentences in Bahasa Indonesia, English, Javanese and some Korean are mixed, intermingled..which make her even more adorable.

She is really a fast learner. I used to jot down every word she said...but now I can't keep up with her.
She's developing sooo fast. We are all amazed at how smart she is.

We are really grateful and thankful. Alhamdulillah....we are so blessed. Allah really gives us never ending joys through Eyra.
We keep praying that she will always do bring us joys and laughters to our life.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

workshop on curriculum

Just got back from the Meeting Room where I just attended the first ever workshop on the newest curriculum. I think it ran well enough.....more than I had expected. the truth was..I was so nervous this morning for I had to give a 10-minute talk over the curriculum. Even ...I had this terrrible nightmare of not being able to atteding the workshop!!! gosh.

I was such a wreck. TG...it was just a dream.

....in short, I did it. I had my presentation for just about 5 mins or so. I just pointed out some interesting and important thins concerning Korean Department Curriculum.

What a relief. I learned a lot from other departments. It turned out also...that I need to brush lots of things up. Do these and those more. Should've prepared it much better and earlier.

Now...it's all up to me and my colleagues as to whether we will be able to meet the deadline of submitting the final draft of the curriculum by the end of April. Wish Us Luck.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Nagabonar Jadi 2

I heard and read all about the buzz and fuzz over this most-sought after movie in Indonesia for the last couple of months: Naga Bonar jadi 2. well, I haven't got a chance to see it..but judging from the reviews...it looks that it is worth-seeing. well, is it?
I guess...I just have to prove it myself, then.
I don't have time for the moment...but I think I got to slip it into my schedule this week.
..gues..dun wanna mizz the chance of seeing this mostly-talked about movie....

Out Bound Management Training

Just got back from 3-day out-bound training in Tawang Mangu, Solo. Well, it turned out to be a very exhausting---no matter how insightful it was--program:)
Around 40 of the new heads and secretaries from each department at Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University had to cope their fears in this 3-day outbound training. well, we did not have the slightest idea as what to expect to encounter during the program. To our surprise...we had to climb, crawl, shriek, jump, squat, wiggle, wobble, roll......in the not-so-pristine jungle at the slope of Lawu Mountain.

Of course, it was an insightful as it really did give us a bunch of management skills through silly-looking games:) BUt...WaiT...they were not silly AT-ALL..once we learnt something out of them. we were really forced and pushed to the limit .....and just when we were about to explode...things started to cool off ..since we finally realized the essence of what we were doing.

We became soooo close to one another. Never had I been this close to some of the previously-stern-looking professors:) And never had I been this open in responding and pondering what others had in mind. It did make me become a new man....so to speak.

Afterwards...
Telo Telo TElo....we bought ourselves lots and lots or tons or tons of cassavas...the famous staple food of the locals. It turned out that the particular cassava was amazingly sweet and good.....
I bought lots of it.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Making MOneY Online:)


What Makes WORLD INTERNET SUMMIT

The Must-See Internet Marketing Event of the year?




That’s a good question.


There are 3 main reasons why World Internet Summit offers you the most amazing … potentially life-changing … experience anywhere…


1) It’s The Only Place To See The “World Internet Summit Challenge” LIVE! That’s right. One of the experts from speaker line up will put themselves on the line and show you EXACTLY how they create promotions and make income on the internet. From start to finish. They’ll create a product LIVE. A website LIVE. An offer LIVE. Automate it LIVE. Market it LIVE. Just like you would do at home or in your business. And then at the end of the event - THEY’LL COUNT UP THE CASH! Is there any better proof than seeing it all happen right in front of your nose?


2) It’s The Only Event That Offers Private *One-On-One Guru Sessions* With The Speakers. One-on-one guru consulting often comes at a very steep price, especially from this group of top gun Internet Marketers. Many consult at USD$1,000 an hour. But at World Internet Summit, you get the chance for a one-on-one session about YOU - for FREE! Can you imagine the benefit of getting one-on-one personal advice from a professional? It could literally be worth tens of thousands of dollars to you. Because often just a twist of an idea by a veteran internet marketer can mean the difference between mediocre results and the real riches we’re talking about. Run your ideas by them … show them your notes… open your laptop and show your website… or your eBook… whatever you have. Another thing… These guys come looking for deals. If you have a steal of a deal you may find everything you need!


3) It’s The Only Event That Brings In The Best Experts The World Has To Offer! See, there’s no shortage of seminars to attend these days. But a World Internet Summit event has only the best from around the world. Not just from the USA … or from England … or China… or wherever else.Every one of these folks has been hand-picked to be here. Which means you get the latest and greatest secrets for making money online.

If a new technique is just breaking in Singapore- YOU’LL HEAR IT.


If those resourceful Aussies are trying something new- YOU’LL SEE IT.


If the U.S. guys are pushing the envelope in some new area- YOU’LL KNOW ABOUT IT.


What better way to get started online than with inside information from around the globe?


Bottom line is at WORLD INTERNET SUMMIT you discover…* What to do to make money online…* How to do it …* Why to do it …* When to do it …


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makes me wanna be there myself. http://www.autopilotriches.com/app/?af=583244

Internet Mega Summit in Singapore

click saja gambar di samping or baca dulu yang ini:

Well, I am interested to attend this coming summit. In fact, I just secured my seat there. I think it would be a great idea to have a great time there while learning something new to start my business in internet.


So do you want to do this as well?

just click this link and learn it by yourself:


Saturday, April 07, 2007

Editing Yoeni's work

Oh my God. TGIF? there is no TGIF this Friday. Even there is no weekend for me as well. I thought I could enjoy this weekend in a tranquil time while relaxing myself with Eyra:) But, I was stranded right in front of my notebook and PC....glued to one of the most tedious jobs I have ever had myself dragged into: editing Yoeni's thesis.
Had it not been one of those things that attracts me...I wouldn't have done it in the first place. Since it has something to do with Sexuality:0-) haha...I took a chance of editing, revising her work....no matter how hard and time consuming it has become. and IT IS.
I've been doing it for two consecutive days without any rest at all. yep. it is simply coz to the fact that she urged me to have it done by this Saturday. OH MY GOD...that means today.
and I still have time for blogging.
....OOOpss.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Blogger's under attack.

hmm it's been circulating for quite some time now....:) but better late than never to comment on the on-going buzz about blogger's being under attacked.....simply prompted by Nila's blog.

I've just finally realized and had a time to read all the ups and downs, the on-going pros and cons on one of now-grounded SCTV's reporter's Nila's remarkably exposed thoughts as being a journalist. Better this 'predicament' stop right here. I think she did her best job indeed. and It's amazing to know how Indonesian and Malaysian bloggers unite to support the free world of blogging. :)

I think everyone should refrain from making any stupid comments one doesn't have sufficient data to support with.:)
well, you know what I mean...

Friday, March 30, 2007

Mr. Bean's Holiday

Trailer Narrator:
France doesn't stand a chance.
Trailer Narrator:
France. A country of culture, beauty and peace. It's always been the perfect place to take a holiday. Until now. [Mr Bean steps out of a train]

Author: Simon Parker from United Kingdom

Rowan Atkinson had disappeared off our screens for a little while. After the critical mauling of Johnny English he sort of vanished into thin air for a while. Personally I can never understand why the critics savaged Johnny English as much as they did, sure it was flawed but it was pretty funny. Now, however Rowan Atkinson has returned, and he's brought along his most well loved character to date. Mr Bean is back, ladies and gentlemen! Now for some people this will cause great excitement, for others it will cause them to groan very loudly. You see Mr Bean is an acquired taste, and after seeing this movie I can still very much say that Mr Bean is an acquired taste. If you dislike Mr Bean in the first place the odds are extremely high that you will hate his latest outing. I on the other hand really like Mr Bean, not love, but I enjoy his sketches and the last movie was pretty funny. This movie in my eyes is a bit better despite still being overly sentimental and some comedy moments feeling a bit too forced. But this is a movie of small pleasures, this doesn't deliver witty comedy, in fact a lot of humour relies on either slapstick or embarrassing situations, yet the comedy still feels fresh and you can't help but enjoy it all along.

The first thing I'll mention is the actual storyline and the actual comedy of the movie. The storyline here works a lot better than it did in the first Bean movie. It seems more natural and like a proper Bean movie, not committee driven like the first movie seemed. The story involves Bean winning a raffle and going off on a holiday to France. It's a simple story and won't be winning any awards, but its what happens along the way that makes the movie so much fun. The comedy here ranges from pretty small laughs, such as the tie getting caught in the baguette machine, to absolutely hysterical sequences which involves Mr Bean trying to earn some money. And the comedy works like that throughout, its always making you smile, whether it be small little sequences that make you smile to yourself, or whether you're practically rolling in the aisles, this is a feel good movie and proud of it.

Nevertheless, the fact it is a feel good movie is also the movies largest downfall. The original Bean movie had huge problems because it was overly sentimental, unfortunately it seems like they haven't learnt their lessons with this movie. Sure it starts out hilarious, but the sentimentality begins to kick in around the halfway mark, and sometimes it is unbearably sickly that you can't help but want to heave. Of course this is a kids movie so I can't be overly critical with the sentimentality. But I would have preferred it to have had a little less of it. We want to see Bean in funny situations, not in a situation that tries to be heartwarming yet feels oddly misplaced. My other moan goes with the ending, it seems rather abrupt and also a tad sickly. The sickliness of it goes with my last complaint. But the ending after a bit of a lead up just suddenly jumps on you and its over. I was the only out of the group I saw it with who felt this, so perhaps that is just my feelings, but in my eyes I wanted a more spread out ending.

The performances of the movie are up to a pretty high standard. Atkinson doing his traditional Mr Bean routine, it doesn't feel old in the movie and it still proves that the character is pretty funny. Willem Dafoe pops along for a great role, and the actual child actor of the movie was surprisingly not irritating like a lot of child actors out there. Overall Mr Bean's Holiday is a great family movie that will keep the kids in hysterics and the adults very happy as well. Its not going to amaze people, but in terms of fun this movie should be a family favourite.

Mr. Bean: the Holiday


Mr. Bean: The Holiday

Kinda forced myself to see it on a big screen. It is BIG. I mean, not like any other Mr. Bean’s series I watched on TV, this movie is big in itself. The opening sequences were typically Mr. Bean—though not at its best. The stupid-looking look, over-drooling face, stuffy and blotted face of Mr. Bean who is waiting eagerly for the announcement of a lucky draw with a chance of winning a trip to Cannes, France is enuf to lure audience as to what would happen next. Predictable, it is. But, that’s what makes it worth-anticipating.

The next coming scenes were combination of I’ve-seen-that scene-before and a kind of wow-now-what ones where Mr. Bean really—as usual—ruins everyone on his path!!!—literally. J quite amazing.

I couldn’t count as to how many times I laughed. But, I guess, quite most of the time during the movie. I still think that it is one of worth-watching movie for anyone who’s getting used to and familiar with any Bean’s or British comedy. Indeed, France was a calm and tranquil country until Mr. Bean peeped in...

Thursday, March 29, 2007

"300" on BCA card?

So much for the pursuit of BCA card:)

Today I was about to check on a movie '300'. I wouldn't have been so eager to watch it, should I hadn't got my BCA card. well, I got it earlier this week. the thought of having it used as a payment in any 21 cineplexs did entice me and lure me ..enough to make me skip any other schedules.
So, I had this date with Nana to accompany me watching it.
But....sayaaang ya...as I later on found out.....the card is only valid on weekends:) Hahaha. gosh, I should've known it.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

GE Card

Another interesting part that partly shaped my life today was a call from my ex-student who is now working for GE Card. I don't know what comes to my mind when I just said yes as he asked me to get another card; GE Card. Gosh, what have I got myself into?
isn't it enough, suray?

I dont' know. I guess, it was because I couldn't just turn him down and say no. He said that he needed it to fulfill the requirement of finding as many as 35 people to complete his monthly target of recommending people to apply for this GE card.

Now what?
I am glued myself into this circle of card, card, and card!!!
well, I promise myself not to use any of them.
well, can I?

BCA Card and Visa

Never have I thought that they would finally accept my application. Never did I have the slightest idea that I would get these two cards today. well, of course, the only reason as to why I was interested in the first place...to have the card was simply its irresistable offer of pay 1 for 2 at any 21 cineplexs. I am into movies...all kinds; well not all. but...having this card really gives me a biiiigg chance of more opportunities into movie world. I need to pay only a Dollar for one movie:) cool, eh?

more intriguing part of the card is its glossy Batman cover on it.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

she has her own Tweenies


Eyra, Eyra, Eyra...you've been pulling your Dad's legs these days:)
I don't have the slightest and faintest idea as to why she acts the way she does.
She likes teasing me.
in part.....she's kinda making fun of me.

gosh...I could barely sleep during weekend. and my oh my....She nevers sleeps until midnite; what a night. and what a weekend. It was raining so hard during weekend that I couldn't even go out to buy some meals. so we just had what we had left at home:)

This morning, at 2.30, she woke us up just to let us know that she wanted to see the Tweenies!!!! tweenies tweenies and mooooooorrrrreeeee tweenies.;

YEP, that's all she asks......every day.
gosh.

I think she also mumbles, daydreams, nightdreams of these tweenies.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Night at the Museum


I almost didn't watch this movie. Had I not disregarded what the critics say about it, I wouldn't have been enthralled by this particular movie which turned out to be one of the out-grossing movie of the year: surpassing more than US $ 200 millions!! imagine. well, it is a simple movie actually. But the cheesiness is what lures people to see it.

The story goes like this:

Good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley(Ben Stiller), despite being perpetually down on his luck, thinks he's destined for something big. But even he could never have imagined how big, when he accepts what appears to be a menial job as a graveyard-shift security guard at a museum of natural history. During Larry's watch, extraordinary things begin to occur: Mayans, Roman Gladiators, and cowboys emerge from their diorama... Read More

Loved it.

Bridge to Terabithia


Another cool movie I am waiting to see is 'Bridge to Terabithia'
Simply because I am always into something eerily out-of-this-world fiction.
More than meets the eye...
Some critics say that this is one of the most beautiful movies at the start of the year

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Melinda Ennis"Despite outstanding performances by the young leads, the film tries to fuse frivolity and fantasy with heartbreaking reality and can't bridge the gap." more..

Chicago Sun-Times, Miriam Di Nunzio"...this delightful and sometimes dark fantasy-adventure never loses touch with reality..." more...


wondering when it'll come to 21 cineplex

300


Been desperately trying to find time to watch this movie everyone's talking about.

yep...none other than 300

I don't have the perfect time so far.

It received quite extensively good reviews, so I read.


Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionBob Longino
"...beautiful to look at and bombastic tripe to listen to." more...

Boston GlobeWesley Morris
"...there's a stale, synthetic airlessness about the movie." more...

Chicago Sun-TimesRichard Roeper
"...the "Citizen Kane" of cinematic graphic novels." more...

Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
"...for a film with lotsa flesh and even more blood, it's light on flesh-and-blood characters." more...

E! OnlineAlex Markerson
"...a stunning piece of filmmaking..." more...
A-
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
"This is dazzle for the head, not the heart." more...

Filmcritic.comSean O'Connell
"...ridiculously stylish and commendably substantive." more...

New York PostKyle Smith
"...few epics overstuff the eyes like this one." more...

ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
"...300 is unlike any movie to have previously reached the screen." more...

wondering where I would slot it into my schedule....

gosh...when will my BCA card arrive....:) hahaha

"My Fair Lady" Versus "Do You Speak American?"

never thought that Rapat Kerja Fakultas or RKF would last for about 3 and a half hour!!! gosh, what a tiring day it is. Anyway, I started off my day with the ENcompass class and the English for Staff class. The two classes began at the same time; and for sure I couldn't be at two differing places at the same time. So, the only thing I could do was to have the first class watch two movies: 'Do You Speak American?' and 'My Fair Lady' and having a discussion out of them later on.

I moved on to my latter class. We just discussed the result of the previously held midterm test which really showed how much my students have achived so far.
hmm...not quite satisfying for a preparatory class. but, the good news was that some of them did make it well.

During the discussion on my Encompass program, we had lots of things came up. Some brought up the idea of what Indonesian language would be like compared to the situation faced by the present American English portrayed in the movie.

quite a lively class. Loved it.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Do You Speak American?


it is an interesting show hosted by a linguist Carmetn Fought who tels us that language expresses our identity and reflects who we ae and who we want to be.

and the core of it......this shows tells us the variety of English spoken in America that even American themselves find it 'not Americann?

'howsdat?
do you wanna know more? just go to 'cool link' on click on it.

The first day of Encompass Program at UGM

It was drizzling this morning. So, I couldn't take my Mom to the hospital by motorbike. She took a taxi, instead. I had to lure Eyra into her game of putting coins into a celengan before I was able to leave for work. Never had I the slightest idea that she would wanted me to hug her all the time this morning. Guess she knew that I was going for work. Though it wasn't really her behaviour on any other days.

The first class of Encompass program where I had to teach some colleagues of mine who are in their goals of pursuing higher education really put me in the spotlight--in a sense that I got to be alert all the time. like this first meeting: We needed to know one another and the only way that Mrs. Rose required me to do so was by having a discussion on whether we need to take chances in life or just play it safe.

it was interesting and relieving enough to know that most of those enrolled in Encompass program are the brilliant ones. they are open, punctual, expressive, frank, and at times and hopefully easy-to-get-along with kinda students:) I am sure they all are.

The listening session went quite well, too.
Then came the time when I had to prepare stuffs for the 2nd meeting: so I decided to have them watch two movies entitled 'My Fair Lady' and ' Do You Speak American?'
these two movies are going to be the basis of our class discussion where we will deal with the differences between British and American English.

I got to watch them all over again:)

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Taking chances in LIFE

Risk Quotations I got from bellaonline.com
I really cherished them.

"Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever."--Philip Adams

"Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory."--Alan Alda

"That's the risk you take if you change: that people you've been involved with won't like the new you. But other people who do will come along."--Lisa Alther

"Our lives improve only when we take chances-and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves."--Walter Anderson

"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."--Anonymous

"If a man will begin with certainities, he shall end in doubts: but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he whall end in certainties. They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea."--Francis Bacon

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary."--Sir Cecil Beaton

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Kansas and Grand Canyon


I have just finished having my lunch at Kansas.
yep, what a far way to hv lunch, Ray?
:)
gee, what a nice view out there. It must've been awesome.
I read this news on the opening of the skywalk over the Grand Canyon.
whawwww....what a remarkable idea.
hopefully though...it won't obstruct the natural beauty and grandeur of the Canyon itself.

UN and Kansas

just finished having myu lunch at Kansas. (gee, what a far place to hv lunch, suray:)?
yep. and just finished teaching at PBB, too, ( you mean, United Nations?) (gee, what another far place to teach, too, suray>:)

and now I got to start teaching again.

Errands


I asked Adi to accompany me in having my weekly errands done. First, we went to Pertamina to ask for a letter of admittance for my Mom's treatment at Betesda Hospital. It's a standard procedure for any patient wishing to have him/herself treated at any hospital in cooperation with Pertamina. My Mom has this so-called Pertamina Health insurance. So, I had to have my Mom registered and then had to wait for about 15 minutes before I was summoned into the doctor's room to ask for the letter.
I got it in 5 minutes.
Then, we rushed to Kimia Farma Drugstore where I got to have the prescriptions filled. For it took about 20 minutes to have them filled, we decided to go into the Mall and have a morning sightseeing. Bought some snacks and then read some books at Periplus bookstore.

Got out there. took the medicine out. took the motor out of the parking lot. and we went straight to Solo street to get my Mom's pre-orderred glasses at Akur Optics.--but we had to wait until tomorrow to have them finished.

Later...we went to Betesda hospital where I got to give the insurance letter to the office in charge of health insurance.
we went back to campus. had some lunch. had Dhuhur prayer. then....cooling ourselves down inside the office. Alhamdullillah everything's done as of today.

now...
blogging time.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Eye on India


I was glued into CNN to see a new program entitled Eye on India. It is remarkably refreshing and awesome to see and hear for myself the first interview live on TV where people all over the world are able to see how the new generation of young Indians are becoming more and more proud of themselves and their country. It is indeed a good way to learn about.

I myself am a nationalist (love my country) :) hmm are you sure suray? yup. what I really am proud of becoming Indonesian. and by watching the program, I have an insight that my Indian fellows have their own national pride as Indian diaspora is becoming more and more acknowledged around the world.

Indeed, it is an eye opener to me and I do hope for my other Indonesian friends, as well. after the crisis, the somewhat 'crisis' has penetrated our country--Indonesia--where people have become more and more pathetic and unsocial (say, is there such a term as unsocial? ); anyway..what I want to say is that...I do hope that more and more people in Indonesia learn a lot from India, the largest democratic country in the world, which is in the right path of developing India into the 21st century.

what a good program it is. thanks for everyone participated in the Eye on India on CNN.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Denny is getting married soon

just been home from taking Dad home to purwo. we just finished our proposing activity. S....what should i call it?
deni has reached an agreement that his wedding date is scheduled tobe on this coming June 24, 2007. hmmm in three months time he's gonna get married.

we just went to bantul. to Dian's house--Denny's girlfriend.
we had lots of fun there. indeed.
selamat yan den

news

just got into the office late in the office though 'tiz saturday.
just wanted to get the newspaper that are usually thrown into the frontyard without being noticed.
just wanted to read them as a weekend treat.
just got a message telling me that I got to meet my parents at Ishiro Hotel.
just wanted to make sure that tonite the party's on.

Friday, March 16, 2007

no flash and no CSS file

so, I tried to make new posts on my blogs. but this PC BANG s****. sorry for my language. well, the first thing I needed was just a flash compatible PC. To my surprise, it has none. then, the second PC I used had put a sign that it prevented any pop-up windows. Well, it would've worked for any unwanted commercial...but then, I couldn't do nothing!!!! even to upload my pics.

grunts//////
I dunno as to why....it happens

Hari Raya Nyepi

Hari Raya Nyepi.
SEnin Libur.
Temanku tetep nekad ke Bali.
walopun harus naik bis...akhirnya.
kerana tak ada pesawat. ada pun Sudah habis dibooked orang.
hmmm.

nasi jagung


sounds cheesy?
well, not if you have tried it once. My mom is coming to town and I asked her to bring along some nasi jagung that I used to have when I was back home.
the thing is, it is my nephew's pre-wedding party and some of my family are coming to Jogja to celebrate the occassion. it occurred to my mind that it would be a good idea if Mom could make and bring along the food I liked when I was a child:) he.

I am pretty much sure that my family would bring along some traditional food consisting of apem, jenang, gula jawa, kelapa muda and other out-of-this world's stuffs to be presented to our new family-in-law.

so, why not bring along some nasi jagung together with all of the above stuffs?

guess, tonite's gonna be some party. I do hope so.

Friday in Jogjakarta

what I mean by Friday in Jogjakarta is nothing than what I had been through in Jogja.
It wasn't that hard to imagine that I couldn't calm myself down at the thought of having to prepare these examination preps.
so much to do that I couldn't concentrate on where I was going.

I finished my job at PBB, rushed myself to PS Korea, then got my b--- off back to campus where I got to finish the jobs I left off the day b4. and ....one thing for sure: blogging.

TGIF: Thank God it's Friday--I always want to have this particular day in a week.:) dunno why.
but hey,,,,,,,,,............tonite I am buying ice cream for Eyra. I promised myself that I got to stop to buy ice cream on my way home.

I feel so bad for having left her for almost 12 hours today.
I guess....I got to buy her some ice cream--one of the things she loves.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Thursday as usual

this morning as any other Thursdays, I got up late--well not too late--for I didn't have morning class like any other days in a week. I was waiting for Eyra to wake up, so I just lay down on the bed watching over her. she looked so cute and adorable.

then, it was around 7.30 when my wife bid my goodbye for she had a morning class.
nothing special happened until Eyra woke up to give me 'such a hectic morning' that I could do nothing but rushing myself here and there. She wanted to poop: ) haha.
But..she I didn't know it until I was about to take her to the bathroom.
then..there went my 'usual' morning:) She was funny-lookingly screaming as she was trying to have it done:)

but, to our relief...it was over..sooooneer than I had expected.
She then got her bath. got her diaper changed. got her TWEENIES vcd on the player. got her FAIRY pillow tugged in. got her milk ready. and then...ready for cheerful day.

other things I finished doing as of today were: having been to BNI, BII, and Mandiri. paying my ASTRO monthly bill. paid my House loan (KPR) at BII.
I also learnt that my driving lisence is already expired since March 8, 2007.
gosh, I guess I got to go back home to have it renewed.

at some time this morning, I managed to prepare all my class materials for tomorrow's midterm and my TOEFL prep. class at PBB UGM.

My Mom's glasses


Finally, I found just the exact place where to have my Mom’s glasses renewed. I got to go around the city just to find the place. The thing was, it was soooo expensive just to have them done. It turned out that making glasses based on a doctor’s presciption was not that easy. I neeeded to check and recheck all the prices in differing stores across the city. Luckilty, I found it yesterday.

Compared to other places, it cost me only Rp 200,000 for a pair of glasses made of tempered plasticJ --at least that’s what they call them. So, I could save Rp 50,000. well, my Mom gave me around $25 for them. Cool, eh?

Curriculum for Bahasa Korea finally finished

One thing worth noted today was the fact that we finally finished talking about the curriculum for our new Korean Department in Gadjah Mada University. Gosh, what a relief.

We had this long talk over the best way to come up with the idea of combining all competency needed to make a good curriculum.

We had this arguous (J what is it? Suray?) talk during the morning.

WE DID IT.

Mid test for Elementary Class at PBB UGM

Early in the morning, I got to rush once again to campus to prepare for the midterm of my elementary class. It was such a hectic morning that did not find any space left in my time just to adjust my belt. It was dangling all over my trousers. What a shame. But I could do nothing ‘bout it.
Anyway, I prepared the exam well enough to maintain my integrity as the class instructorJ ahahahahaha. What a phraseJ . oh come on suray....don’t such a ....

It was a funny moment when I had to dictate all the names and numbers for all students to copy. They didn’t have the slightest idea that they were actually only jotting down meaningless words. But the good thing was....they really paid their utmost attention to it.
I loved it.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Newest slang keeps teachers and parents on their toes

I copied this article I found on the net for all you guys who might wanna know this stuff.

From:
Press & Sun-Bulletin
January 28, 2007
By Elizabeth Cohen
(http://www.etni.org.il/news/newest_slang.htm)

'Sup, dawg? Wanna kick it at my crib?

If you can answer those questions, or if you know what's "poppin'" or "snappin'" or find yourself frequently uttering "word up," chances are, you are a teenager or have recently been one. And chances are, you likely know a lot of other words that, for the most part, only other teenagers know.

In fact, there is a mammoth lexicon of words and phrases, growing furiously all the time, to express all things teen. Much of it, say those in the know, comes straight from hip hop and rap music, music videos and the Internet, where places like MySpace.com serve as verbal crockpots teens spoon into, every time they open their mouths.

"Language is always changing," said Deborah Tannen, renowned linguist and author of "Conversational Style: Analyzing Talk among Friends" and other books about how people communicate. "It's never static, and new forms always sound odd or wrong before they start sounding normal."

But to the kids, it sounds just right. They seem to thrive on having their own codes and words for things that adults don't always understand.

"It is like people used to say 'mad nice,' and they still do sometimes to say 'very nice,'" explained Clifford Harris, 13, of Binghamton. "Well, today they might say 'dirt nice,' or 'stupid dirt nice' or just 'that's tight.'"

Interestingly, many of these words -- modifiers like "dirt" and "mad" (which mean "very") -- flip their semantics over, from negative to positive, in teenspeak today.

"We say something is 'sick' and it means we like it a lot," said Harris. "Like, you could have some sick jeans."

ADULTS DIAL IN

Out of pure necessity, parents and teachers who traffic in the day-to-day teen world learn to understand a few of the words the teens in their lives use frequently. They may even find themselves repeating them after a time, saying something is "wicked fun," for example, to entice kids to join in an activity.

"It is important to keep up with what we hear in the hallways," said Roxie Oberg, an English teacher at Binghamton High School. "Every year some new popular words are added to the vocabulary. Usually it is something adopted from the larger culture, that is media-oriented and promoted."

Without knowledge of these words, "it can be easy to jump to conclusions," Oberg said. "Sometimes I will ask for clarification, arch an eyebrow or give them an inquisitive look, and they will redefine or restate what they are saying, which is also a good language skill."

This school year, a group of teachers at Binghamton High School thought that understanding new phrases and words was so important to their teaching abilities that they came up with an interesting solution. They conducted a survey by interviewing the ninth-grade students during lunch and created a PowerPoint presentation of a "dictionary" they called "Freshman Terminology," which they screened and disseminated to their fellow ninth-grade teachers.

"The generation we teach has a very broad vocabulary," stated the introduction to the freshman terminology dictionary that lists such words as "boo" (close friend, boy- or girlfriend); "G" (acquaintance) and "hot whip" (nice car). Some more standard fare, like "my bad" (my mistake) and the phrase "snitches get stitches' ("telling on a third party can result in massive head wounds...") are also on their annual list.

Another whole facet of teen lingo is imported all the time from teen computers. Daquan Floyd, 13, of Binghamton can list a host of other spoken words that originated as abbreviations on the Internet, among them "LOL," which stands for "laughing out loud"; "OMG," an abbreviation for "Oh, my God"; and "BRB," shorthand for "be right back."

Although these were originally only written out, now saying the letters of these and many more, or making words out of them, is commonplace. "I could say the letters "ttyl" and it would mean "talk to you later," says Kayla Cummings, 14, of Binghamton.

LANGUAGE IN FLUX

All age groups have their own slang, of course. Some experts even argue that this is a natural process and one of the most important ways that language grows.

"Young people -- especially young women-- are often at the cutting edge of change, probably because they're more flexible," Tannen said. "And groups ... tend to develop their own ways of talking in group vocabulary."

Hip teen speak has been around as long as language, helping to define each generational group as distinct and unique. Remember "peachy keen" of the 1950s? Or the ubiquitous "chill out" and "chilling out" (for calm down or relax) of the 1970s and '80s?

"When I was a teenager, we said things were 'crack' to say they were not so good, as in, 'that's crack,'" said Donna Ward, Binghamton mother of teen Floyd, and two preteen children who are fast picking up on teenspeak themselves.

"We'd say, 'Chill boy!,' and talk about how much we were stressing out," said Ward, who also works in a school. She can relate to the words that come to mean their opposites. "We'd say 'hot' to mean 'cool,'" she recalled. "Kids will always have a language of their own that their parents will be hard put to understand. Our parents had theirs, too. When we were kids, we would say nice things were 'dope,' and it would make them so mad."

Tannen agrees: "One reason kids talk the way they do is that their friends talk that way," she said.

DECIPHERING THE 'CODE'

Developing a lingo, Ward believes, "is healthy -- it is teens' way of showing their individuality and of making themselves heard."

Many adults, like the Binghamton High School faculty, do keep up with the ever-changing vernacular of young people so they can be aware of what's happening with them (and to assure themselves that the little darlings aren't "dawging" them.) Participating in the teen world can give one a chance to learn their lingo, so you don't feel left out in the cold every time they speak. "Working at a school gives me an opportunity to keep up," Ward says.

English teacher Oberg said there are times when she tells her students she needs a quick translation: "I ask them to interpret for me, define their terms, clue me in on what is going on."

That is how she and the other school teachers learned that a "shorty" is an attractive female, that a "scrap" is a confrontation and that "bling-bling" is expensive jewelry.

It is OK for students to use some of these words in school homework or their English essays, Oberg said. But it's not OK for others that may verge on obscenity or be overly suggestive, like hanging, banging or hooking up, which can all mean having sex. And it is good for them to know another way to say things, too, in more traditional speech.

"It is good for them to have their identity through their own terms, but we need to help them also make the transition to formal language that gives them access to the rest of the world," Oberg said. "We would do our students a disservice if we didn't help them negotiate the world at all levels."

She gains insight into the culture and issues in the lives of students by listening to their lingo, and she also likes to encourage them to examine how they use language and its impact.

Language, Oberg said, "helps us understand people and places; it is a window to another world."

So if you're asking your teen a question around her friends today, and she tells you "snap" (yes) or "snare" (no), or that's she's "stoked" (excited), you can always just respond: "Word up. That's phat." (Translation: Exclamation of affirmation, followed with a pronunciation of "fat," which means fine or cool.)

If she goes into some Internet acrynoms -- "IDK" (I don't know), "w/e" (whatever) or "CYL" (see ya later) -- you might have to think a little harder.

"When it comes to all these computer words, I am still trying to catch up, but most of the time, I understand them," Ward said. "Really, really, I do."

Monday, March 12, 2007

teaching Bahasa Indonesia

I guess, I got to work things out.
tonite I am teaching Bahasa Indonesia for two Korean colleagues of mine.
They've been cramming for the last few days learning Bahasa Indonesia.
Guess, it's gonna be lots of fun for us.
hmm guess so.

today's to do list

rapat kurikulum belum kelar.
pesan kacamata ibu belum kelar.
fc bahan rapat belum kelar.
bahan rapat masih banyak.
mencari bahan bahan ajar...

Sunday, March 11, 2007

2nd Monday in March

Monday monday monday monday
hmm.
I should've done this! I woke up late this morning. and it led me to add more tallies in not fulfilling my promise to take Mom to the hospital by motorbike.
she was ready to take on a taxi when I woke up.
what a shame.

yep. I promised her that I would take her to the hospital for her weekly haemodialystic treatment. but...it's the second time I broke it.
what a shame.

kissed my daughter. played with her for a while ...

then, I rushed to Pertamina office to get some prescription filled.
Got my breakfast there...and then rushed back to campus to start my day.
- preparing the weekly meeting with other staff members.
- blogging for a while.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Singing in the Rain


I love introducing old movies to my students in class.

so, like any other classes that I had previously, last night I invited my students to multimedia room (my favorite 303 room at PPB UGM). this class accommodates high-end facilities where students and lecturers can interact easily in learning stuffs. in this case, movie.

with the LCD attached, the big screen in class, and relatively good sound system (compared to other classes:), we had a great time last night.



The first movie I introduced was "Singing in the Rain". one of my fave movies alllll tiiiimmeee.

Simply, it is definitely one of the most genuinely feel-good films I've ever seen. I was really into Gene Kelly (who also starred in "An American in Pari") and I was captivated by his energy and how talented he is. I think it is simply because he was a great dancer. It would not be a complete thought if I don't mention Debbie Reynolds who captivatingly portrayed Cathy in the movie. She was so alluring...


all in all...the movie is witty, romantic, and contains beautiful musical scores.

and don't forget: the tounge twisters used in the movies is one of the reasons as to why I should let my students know about this movie.


It is very clear why it's considered one of the best films of all time.


I was glad that most of my students enjoyed the movie.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Being late to teach my morning class


Gosh, I never had this before.


I was so ashamed to admit this, actually. but, hey...who knows it may be a good thing for others to see that being suray does not always mean being punctual. and It never did:)


this morning, I was so oblivious that I had a class to teach. I got this other thing to do like any other day early in the morning. But, this morning was so hectic that I almost forgot to teach at 8. it was already 08.10 but....I was still somewhere else doing something else.


so, I didn't waste any more time to let my students know that I was coming.:)

that's it. I sent texts to my two students asking them to let others know that I was coming but verrrryyyy late:) biyuh biyuh suray.


I should be thankful that my students were among the most loyal persons I have in class.

they kept waiting for me for 45 minutes:) can you imagine that?

so, I kept apologizing for being sooooo very late.

I did my best to keep teaching...

and we did it.


I don't wanna do that again:)

never.


Janji Suray




Happy Birthday, Suray


Yup. I am now 33 years old. hmm..what a combination:) giggles.

last night, I got my gifts mainly from my wife. Guess, I never thought that would get two white plain t-shirts, a sophie-martin belt, and an olive oil--the one I love for massage:) hahaha. yep, those are the things I got. Oopps, one more thing: she also gave me a sarong three days ago--ahead of her schedule, since I was begging her to give it to me sooooner:0 ) hahaha. what a birthday boy...ooops man:)


this afternoon, we are planning on an afternoon walk at Amplaz.

though a bit too tight in schedule: we are having a pizza hut thing party. one of the places where we love to hang out while talking this out.


afterward, we are planning on buying some milk for Eyra. they say that Carrefour has 20% off for any milk purchases made today.

:) hehe.


I think....being 33 means ................ehm ..what does it mean?

I feel like the same guy I was last year. I mean in flesh and blood, except that I think I am becoming more and more to be a house-husband in a positive sense, of course.

I mean, I love being a family man. a man. a husband. a daddy. and things that go with them...


insyaallah, I can be a good man for me, for my wife, for my family, and for others, too.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Eyra got a fever

It was around 1 p.m. in the afternoon when I got a call from Eyra's babysitter telling me that my little daughter--Eyra--got a high fever. she was frantically calling me to no avail. but, thank God..luckily she managed to get me in touch w/ her.
I was in the class back then.

I didn't have to wait any longer to stop teaching. I didn't have other choices but to tell my students to keep continuing what they were learning...and promised them to get back to them later next week.

As I rushed myself home, I managed to call my wife telling her to go home, too. I was surprised that she didn't know.

I couldn't concentrate on where I was going....a dangerous thing to do considering the traffic I got into.
But luckily..I was safely arriving back home....feeling so miserable and feeling like the time was running soooo slow. I could not let anything bad happen to her.

As I got home, I saw my daughter lay motionless sleeping in the living room accompanied by mbak tini, Eyra's babysitter.
She was so helpless. as I felt her forehead and neck..I got a shivering feeling since she was in a high temperature condition. I got no other options but to keep massaging her and keep her safe and comfortable as long as she could.

Tempra: was the only solution that popped out of my mind. It was her usual medication whenever she got fever. I was waiting and waiting until she woke up with her soothing voice and tired eyes. She called me and begged me to carry her--one of the things she loves.

It was afternoon.
She was not getting better. But we still had hope that she would be okay and nothing dangerous would endager her. So, we gave her another medication and tugger her to bed...in hopes that she would be better.

Until around midnite, she was restlessly sleeping.
It was a relieving thing to know that she managed to get to sleep in spite of her illness. gosh...
the temperature stayed around 38 degrees Celcius. we were so worried.
And, for sure...we never forgot to keep praying and praying asking for her health.
we missed her already. She used to be so active, lively, and cheerful. but that day, she was so weak.

it was about 2.30 a.m. when she woke up and cried out loud. we sensed something wrong and we did not wait further to decide to take her to the hospital.
we called a taxi and while waiting for it to come, my wife prepared all necessary stuffs we may need in the hospital.

Alhamdullillah...Eyra was still able to smile and giggle though a bit faintly. But that was more than enough to give us a relieving sigh and feeling.

on the way to the hospital, Eyra was sleeping and put her head against my chest. It was an overwhelming feeling. we never stopped trying.
As we got there, Eyra got herself checked up and then a doctor in charge that morning got some surprising as well as ..relieving news...about Eyra. It turned out that she got a fever due to her new teeth that were about to grow. Then, at that very moment. though a bit clumsy...I told myself that it was good that she got it simply because of that. well, we were so worried that she may have had a dengue fever as others had.
Alhamdulillah.

Then, we could go back home. again...on our way home, Eyra was asleep and smiling though faintly.

we know that she was strong..and it made us cry deep inside our hearts.
we kept giving her some medication and praying...

Alhamdullillah....now she is okay. she can play around, jump around, run around, and even start teasing us again:0
Eyra is back.
Thank you, Ya Allah.

Garuda. What a quick way to deal with it.


I was just trying to point out one interesting point I found yesterday as Garuda got burnt down as it landed on the ground in Jogja.

Well, I've been getting used to hearing these news of transportation disasters or mishaps lately. none of them had something to do with Garuda for quite a long time....this was such a great record so far.

one very very interesting thing I want to share here is the HUGE BALLIHOO or outdoor advertisement standing in one corner of the busiest intersection in northern Jogja, i.e. Perempatan Cemara Tujuh. It was Garuda Indonesia outdoor advertisement. It's been almost a year or two since I always glanced at the biggest ballihoo on Garuda ad. like that on any street in Jogja.

Curious as to what it said?

Here it is: 'Akhirnya Keselamatan, Kenyamanan, dan Ketepatan waktu menjadi pilihan kita'
it was really witty and it did work!! I really admired as to how the marketing dept. used those idea. while other airliners were trying hard to compete and to maintain its positions amidst several accidents, Garuda secured its place as the safest one---though wellknown for its being the most expensive in ticket prices. :)
for sure, Garuda has been targetting those who rely much on safety as the first priority in flight industry.
interestingly, it could lead to an assumption that other airliners did not have priority in its safety....(hmm, I couldn't help to conclude that, too). but hey..I could be wrong, though.


but then...things changed yesterday.

as Garuda got burnt down in Adi Sucipto International Airport, on March 7, 2007, differing things and speculation got spread out quickly.
I myself was flabbergasted. I couldn't believe what I looked and heard on the news.

It was around 8 in the morning, and I was about to go for work when the news struck me.
still in dismay of not believing in what I saw...I rushed myself to go to work.

this is it:
at around 8.30 a.m. I was pretty much sure that the BALLIHOO on Garuda was still in its place.

But then,
when I was home from work around 6 p.m......it was already GONE.
gosh...what a surprise.
I wondered if others would be as surprised as I was.

one thing for sure: I quickly concluded and mumbled to myself that it must have been due to the quick response and quick decision the Marketing dept. did in the history of Garuda:)

should I say : ' way to go?"
hmm...no further ideas....

Friday, March 02, 2007

keep jotting

hariinisayatidaktahuapayangkaansayalakukanbilatadisayatidakikutikutdengantemanku.
gosh..suray, what the heaven are you writing about?
oops, I should've spaced them out, yep rite?

it's 1 o'clock, I syud be home by now.
but....I am still stucked and glued to this jotting business:0

Dies Natalis FIB UGM

March 3rd, 2007

it is the 61st anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University.
this morning..I attended a somewhat formal ceremony commemorating the anniversary.
I was pertrified to see not all lecturers and invitee came.
..it led me to conclude that this kind of ceremony might have been considered as something 'too-annually usual' so to speak:)

the thing is...our rector, Mr. Sofian Effendy did make a good impression in his speech. he did it in a somewhat elegant manner which led the audience to do nothing but glued in trying to catch what he said ...every word.

a somewhat different moment when Prof. Sujarwadi had his speech.
everyone was trying hard to decipher what he was talking about...though he DID have some interesting and logical remarks on the importance of arts and humanities in upgrading life in itself.

hmmm...too cheesy? well, I don't think so.
indeed..it was such a glorious ceremony, though.

the PEMOTONGAN TUMPENG thing was eye-opener since it gave the audience a 'signal' that lunch time is coming:)

great lunch I did have today.

SElamat Ulang TaHUN FIB UGM
Happy Birthday my FIB UGM.

VIVA Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University