Michael Jackson.. This Is It

I was getting ready to write when a notification came: Michael Jackson died! My first question was: THE Michael Jackson?I heard that Farrah Fawcett, one of the firsts Charlie's Angels had died after a long brave fighting with anal cancer. But Michael Jackson?

But in seconds everything is crystal-clear: Michael Jackson is gone! The King of Pop is dead. Long Live The King.

He was preparing his last tour "This is it" this mid July. And he had made his press conference -- which turmed out to be the last -- and greeted his fans all over the world. No one know it would be his last "performance" ever. We might had lost the chance to see him performed in stage for the last time. But THIS IS IT!! I guess his works, his legacy will always stay in the heart of people who had known him — by name or personally — and hope the ups and downs of his life will remain well written for the generation to come. Let’s remember him fairly as a human being, with all his good and bad deeds, with all his strength and weaknesses. I hope he will find found the peace of mind he yearned and never had in his life.

Silently I said a little prayer -- quoting his brother Jermaine Jackson farewell words -- for him:

May Allah be with you Michael, always

Hope you will find the happiness you always seek in your life time, Michael. Life goes on...

CALON PRESIDEN INDONESIA

CALON PRESIDEN REPUBLIK INDONESIA

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyoyno

Megawati Soekarno Putri

Wiranto

Prabowo

Jusuf Kalla

(Sutiyoso.. Rizal Ramli.. etc etc)


CALON WAKIL PRESIDEN REPUBLIK INDONESIA:

TAK ADA
**semua maunya jadi Presiden .. xixixi*

Siapa pun Calon Presiden-nya... siapa pun Calon Wakil Presidennya, yang pasti dalam berkampanye haruslah memperhatikan masalah2 kesopanan dan moral berpolitik.

Salam Damai
Selamat Ber-Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 untuk Pemilihan CaPres/WaPres

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN


If I had my child to raise over again,

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.


Source:
From 100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem & Teach Values by Diana Loomans (c) 2004 New World Library






**PS:

" I'd teach less about the love of power ... And more about the power of love"

Weeks after Pemilu 2009 for Legislative Member, I was watching the news of those Indonesian Politician busy doing coalition, no matter whether they used to be in opposite directions. Is it good or is it bad? Is it for the people or is it for themselves? Is it for the benefit of the people or is it just in the name of struggling for power?? Sorry to say it seems that they "love the power" more rather than "the power of love".

We're only the spectators.. yet at the time, our vote will determine who's going to lead the country.

I just wish they have the political maturity, to support each other no matter who will win the elections on next July.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

INDONESIA POST ELECTION : COUNTING THE NUMBERS

Indonesians have voted and the Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 (the peaceful campaign) period for legislative elections has somewhat over. Yet it seems we need to continue the campaign as the political atmosphere is a bit "heating up" caused by several factors -- like elections technicalities and political negotiations to name some of them.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) negligence on the voter lists and the slow vote counting, arised some protests both from the parties involved and the people in general. These not only showed the poor performance of the commission but causing uncertainty as well. Leaders of political parties, the national rights body and a number of civil society groups have taken legal action to challenge the April 9 elections’ results. Although the 'negligence' reason is generally understood, if there were indications that these errors were intentional, further investigations and trials will be necessary. Leaders of some political parties even further alleged that many cheating occurred.

Another 'hot topics' are who's going to run as the candidate of President and Vice President on the next Presidential Elections (Pemilu 2009 for Capres dan Wapres)in June. Since there are none of the political parties gained 25 percent of vote, a coalition between parties becomes a must. And this is where the heat arisen. You will be surprised (or maybe you won't .. lolz) how two old time opponents could be friendly united to gain power and fight against the president incumbent who will definitely run for the second period of presidency. I will not go indepth about this, but I think our incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (who's Democratic Party is leading) will be challenged by former President Megawati and probably another candidates couple in the next Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 for President.

Let's wait and see, and hope everything will run peacefully.

Let's hope that the next Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indoenesia 2009 for Presidnet will run peacefully.

Indonesians Vote !

Today, after a-two-weeks 2009 Indonesian Peacefull Elections Campaign (Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009), starting at 7.00am to 12.00am local time, Indonesians will begin voting for legislative member. This is the 3rd elections after the so-called three decades repressive governing by Gen.Suharto. Opposite to only 3 parties to choose from in Suharto's period, this time there are 38 national parties involved, plus 6 local parties for the special district Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Besides the difference in the amount of the parties involved, there will be also changes in the way people will give their vote ("coblos" vs. "contreng".. let me lookup the words in the dictionary later .. lolzz) and people will have options to choose over the parties or the candidate of legislative members representing the parties , for municipal, provincial and national candidacy.

This "Pemilu 2009" election which will vote for 560 legislative member is quite important since the result will give indications whether Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono -- the incumbent president -- will have a majority support thus excalating his chances to run for a second five-years-term presidency. If his Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party) fail to gain a fifth of the parliament seats - or 25 percent of the popular vote - he will have to seek coalitions from many a.k.a it would be hard for him to run smoothly .

Many pollings showed that Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party) will gain quite a significant numbers of votes in this Pemilu. The Indonesian Survey Institute poll indicated that the Democratic Party would win 26 percent of the popular vote; the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle headed by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri 14 percent; and Golkar 13 percent. The four Islamic-based parties each came in at around 4 percent (to note: quick count indicated that one of the Islamic party, Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, already gained around 8 percent) The survey, based on interviews with 2,486 people, had a margin of error of 2.3 percent. But with around 171 million elegible voters getting smarter and becoming more independent, nothing is certain.

Being a national holiday, up to this moment the situation seems calm and, despite of the technicalities shambles of the Elections Commissions, people are lining up to give their vote.

Whatever the result will be, let's hope this Pemilu 2009 will be as peacefull as the Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 peacefull campaign period.

Let's celebrate Democracy!

LIFE IS SHORT

I was trapped in a traffic jammed last Thursday because of this long convoy of one party participating in Indonesian Election Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009, when my BlackBerry (not mine lolz) beeping. Feeling bored of doing nothing in the car, I opened the message and found the touching story of of a girl named Katie. I've read these a couple of times before, yet it still moves me everytime I'm reading it:

L I F E - I S - S H O R T




The girl in the picture is Katie Kirkpatrick, she is 21. Next to her, her fiancé, Nick, 23.
The picture was taken shortly before their wedding ceremony, held on January 11, 2005 in the US . Katie has terminal cancer and spend hours a day receiving medication. In the picture, Nick is waiting for her on one of the many sessions of quimo to end.




In spite of all the pain, organ failures, and morphine shots, Katie is going along with her wedding and took care of every detail. The dress had to be adjusted a few times due to her constant weight loss.



An unusual accessory at the party was the oxygen tube that ketie used throughout the ceremony and reception as well. The other couple in the picture are Nick's parents. Excited to see her son marrying his high school sweetheart.



Katie, in her wheelchair with the oxygen tube , listening a song from her husband and friends. At the reception, katie had to take a few rests.The pain do not let her to be standing up for long periods


Katie died five days after her wedding day. Watching a women so ill and weak getting married and with a smile on her face makes us think.....
Happiness is reachable, no matter how long it last. We should stop making our lives complicated.

Life is short
Break the rules
forgive quickly
kiss passionately, love truly
laugh constantly
And never stop smiling
no matter how strange life is
Life is not always the party we expected to be
but as long as we are here, we should smile and be grateful

I guess I should always remember this story every time I feel a bit frustrated and sobber about my life. Like the time when I'm close to giving up with my Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 or undergoing a turbulence in my personal life.
Be brave.
Celebrate life.
And leave the rest to Allah SWT.




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Presiden Boleh Pergi, Presiden Boleh Datang

Karya: Taufiq Ismail


Sebuah orde tenggelam
sebuah orde timbul
tapi selalu saja ada suatu lapisan masyarakat di atas gelombang itu selamat
Mereka tidak mengalami guncangan yang berat
Yang selalu terapung di atas gelombang
Seseorang dianggap tak bersalah sampai dia dibuktikan hukum bersalah
Di negeri kami ungkapan ini begitu indah
Kini simaklah sebuah kisah
Seorang pegawai tinggi gajinya satu setengah juta rupiah
Di garasinya ada Volvo hitam, BMW abu-abu,
Honda metalik, dan Mercedes merah
Anaknya sekolah di Leiden, Montpellier dan Savana
Rumahnya bertebaran di Menteng, Kebayoran dan macam-macam indah
Setiap semester ganjil istri terangnya belanja di Hongkong dan Singapura
Setiap semester genap istri gelapnya liburan di Eropa dan Afrika

Anak-anaknya ….

Anak-anaknya pegang dua pabrik, tiga apotik dan empat biro jasa
Selain sepupu dan kemenakannya buka lima toko onderdil,
lima biro iklan, dan empat pusat belanja.

Ketika rupiah anjlok terperosok, kepeleset macet dan hancur jadi bubur,
dia, hah!
dia ketawa terbahak-bahak karena depositonya dolar Amerika semua
Sesudah matahari dua kali tenggelam di langit Barat,
jumlah rupiahnya melesat sepuluh kali lipat
Krisis makin menjadi-jadi
Di mana-mana orang antri
Maka 100 kotak kantong plastik hitam dia bagi-bagi
Isinya masing-masing:
Lima genggam beras, empat cangkir minyak goreng,
dan tiga bungkus mie cepat jadi.

Peristiwa murah hati ini diliput dua menit di kotak televisi
dan masuk koran halaman lima pagi sekali
Gelombang mau datang,
Datang lagi gelombang setiap bah air pasang
Dia senantiasa terapung di atas banjir bandang
Banyak orang tenggelam toh mampu timbul lagi
lalu ia berkata sambil berdiri:

Yaaa… masing-masing kita kan punya sejeki sendiri-sendiri
Seperti bandul jam bergoyang-goyang kekayaan misterius mau diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa
Kakayaan… mau diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa
Kekayaan… mau diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa
Kekayaan… harus diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa


Diposting dalam rangka Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009


Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

My Funny Valentine -- the day after

What happened around the globe yesterday, on the so called Valentine Day? Let's see.

Actress Salma Hayek wed her longtime partner in a romantic ceremony on Valentine's Day, in Paris, France, after calling off their engagement last July and having a 16-month-old daughter, Valentina (how sweet ). The "First Family" Barack Obama and Michelle Obama had their Valentine's Day dinner at Table Fifty-Two on West Elm Street in Chicago. Lovers exchanged sweet love poems, red roses , boxes of chocolate and had their romantic candle light dinner at the place of their choice. In some Islamic countries, Valentine Day was either banned or discouraged and people were torn between pros and contras. Either way, the Valentine mood had filled the air. So what? He3x

As for me, Valentine Day have never had a special meaning. Myself, my circle of friends and family and "close friend" never took this day seriously. No days of thinking and hunting for Valentine gifts or making reservation at the special place. Nothing religious, for no reason at all, we just never celebrate and consider the day as a special one. February 14 is just like any other day of the year. And yesterday was one of those days. I was sitting in front of my computer, trying out strategy for my participation in the SEO contest Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 (he3x.. what have I done to myself .. I would tell you about this some other time lolz ), and at the end of the day feeling low because of a misunderstanding.

And you know what? Despite what I have been saying about not consider Valentine Day as a special day, I could not help myself hoping this "Valentine Day" would not have been this bad. Funny isn't it? Well.. yeah.... so what. Suddenly I remember this song my mom used to listen to: My Funny Valentine

My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet youre my favourite work of art

Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But dont change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

I listened to each and every words of the song and wished that I were "the lovable sweet comic valentine" and hoped that "each day is valentine day" ..how sweeet.. And hey!... Enough being mellow, get back to optimizing your Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 .. he3x. I found this sweet "new" version of Rodgers and Hart "My Funny Valentine" by Bon Jovi! Don't miss this, it's cool:






Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

We Will Not Go Down (Song for Gaza)

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza)
(Composed by Michael Heart)
Copyright 2009

A blinding flash of white light
Lit up the sky over Gaza tonight
People running for cover
Not knowing whether they’re dead or alive

They came with their tanks and their planes
With ravaging fiery flames
And nothing remains
Just a voice rising up in the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

Women and children alike
Murdered and massacred night after night
While the so-called leaders of countries afar
Debated on who’s wrong or right

But their powerless words were in vain
And the bombs fell down like acid rain
But through the tears and the blood and the pain
You can still hear that voice through the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

source: Michael Heart


Let there be peace around the world
And always support humanity.




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Gaza - when humanity stands in silence

"A picture is worth a thousand words".

I can not think of even a single word to reveal what I feel about what is happening up to this moment in Gaza. So I will let these pictures speak for themselves.
Is it about religion?
Is it about politics?
Is it about power?
Is it about occupation?
Is it about blaming each other?
Is it about giving medical aids, food aids, financial aids?

What I know is ..
It's about stopping the seige, the battle, the war or whatever you may call it.
Let alone counting the dead toll/victims, one killing is too much already!!!

Saying my heartly prayer, trying to give my heartly support within my capabilites, I think now is the time humanity of those people in power take actions.




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Have mercy on your spine

Just a 'lil reminder :

click on the pic for larger image

Well.. sit up right when you are in front of your computer doing looooooong chatting, blogging or browsing




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Experience is ...

A little note:
Never mind the illustration
Just concentrate on the wording




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Discomgoogolation ... uffff

DISCOMGOOGOLATION ????
If he ever heard this word, Captain Haddock would have said: "Blistering barnicles, what on earth is that?!!!"

Hope I didn't misspell it :D

I came accross this word " D i s c o m g o o g o l a t i o n" in my friend's Yehia's blog last nite. First I thought he was talking in his sleep (alias ngelindur *wakakak*) . Apparently he was not !!

It's a new syndrome, which according to a recent study, affected those who's life have become entirely too dependent to internet. It's is a feeling of distress or anxiety ones suffer when unable to gain immediate information access -- in fact, the condition could up brain activity and blood pressure level.

The terms "Discomgoogolation" comes from "discombobulate" (which means to confuse or frustrate or, acording to Oxford consice dictionary means: disturb, disconcert) and Google (the you know who ).

"The proliferation of broadband has meant that for the first time in history we have entered a culture of 'instant answers' a galaxy of information is just a mouse click away and we have become addicted to the web.

"When unable to get online, 'discomgoogolation' takes over. It was surprising to see the stress this led to in brain activity and blood pressure in participants. It seems to be especially stressful for people when they are out and about. ...................... ," David Lewis, who led the study team, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying.

So ... if you often feel "lost" and distressed when you cannot get online/ gain access to internet to meet with your friends, or to do browsing or blogging (like some friends I know ) maybe you are suffering "Discomgoogolation syndrome" maybe I am too
But heyyy .... don't worry, you are not alone !!! At least nearly half of Britons, according to the study, suffer this discomgoogolation syndrome too.

Well I'm not going to go any further with this stress-related-syndrome. Sadly I just remembered that once I read in the news that one of the-indonesian-famous-public-figure said proudly that she communicates with her siblings online -- chat thru internet although at the very moment they are under the same roof, only in different rooms. Goshhhh.

"Too much of anything is not good for you". So I think we need to always conciously balance our life between the real world and the "faceless" cyber world -- and will not have to take too much effort in saying and spelling and curing "discomgoogolation".



Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Words Women Use

FINE
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up

FIVE MINUTES
If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour.
Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house

NOTHING
This is the calm before the storm.
This means “something”. And you should be on your toes. Arguments that begins with “NOTHING” usually ends in “FINE”

GO AHEAD
This is a dare, not permission. Don’t do it !!

LOUD SIGH
This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal-statement often misunderstood by men.
A “LOUD SIGH” means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting time standing here and arguing with you over “NOTHING”

THAT'S OKAY
This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man.
“THAT'S OKAY” means she wants to think long and hard before deciding when and how you will pay for your mistakes

THANKS
A woman is thanking you. Do not question it and faint. Just say you’re welcome

WHATEVER
This is a woman’s way to say @#$% YOU !!!



*email from my old friend*
*Be carefull guys.. listen to her attentively..watch her body languange.. or else you will get the wrong message..lolz*




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Ramadhan Mubbarak

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

SHUT UP, STOP WHINING AND GET A LIFE !!

Hey... if the title make you frowning, I must tell you that it's not my line . It's a title of a book I recently bought, written by Larry Winget, author of some best seller motivational books . And read carefully, it's : "Get A Life" , not "Get A Wife" -- coz a wife, so they say, could make you whining endlessly .. kidding. On second thought, you might need a wife so you can stop whining

Firstly, mind you, I'm not trying to do a book review. I'd just like to share with you the book which attracted my attention when I was scanning through piles of book in one of the biggest book store in my town. It's plain white background with shocking red headlines: " SHUT UP, STOP WHINING, AND GET A LIFE-- a kick ass approach to a better life" encouraging me to flipped thru the pages. Immediately I know I would love this book.

It's not the usual 'motivational' book. Larry Winget intentionally made a different approach for this book: to shock all the readers. What I love about this book is it seemed like the whole book content was written for me and for me only . In other words, it talked to my heart. It’s all about changing everything you don’t like about your life. I'm not saying I hate my life, I just feel my life needs recharging -- or maybe I need to make a radical changes in my life??


Larry's words might seem harsh from time to time, but his approach to personal development -combining blunt truth with irreverent humor- conveyed his message crystal clearly.
Life is serious, but that doesn't mean we should always take it so seriously.
It is as simple as: life isn't as complicated as it seems and most people would find more success, and more happiness, in their lives if they'd do a few simple things-take responsibility for their actions, lighten up, and start doing the right things instead of the wrong things. Stop complaining and do something.

If you don't like your job, call it a quit and start doing something you love.

If you dont like you friends, stay away from them and mingle with the ones you are comfortable with.

If you dont like your lover/ spouse, try to make things better, but if you don't succeed, maybe it's time for you to move on with your life by your own.

If you don't like your hairstyle, your appearance, your things, change it, move it, replace it.

Enjoy yourself. Life is too short to being sobber all the time.

I especially love this one : "When it quits being fun - quit."

And that's just the beginning!

And the next..... ?? Well.... I guess I should follow Larry's request in his preface. If you would love to know more, you've got to buy the book. I am not allowed to lend it for you

My only dissapointment was the book I bought was written in Bahasa Indonesia. I don't mean to say I'm an English expert, but somehow I can't feel the soul of the book as it was meant to be.

Now, Im going to Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get A Life

Au revoir !




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

The "First Granddaughter" of The "First Family"

Not intended to compete with Katie Holmes' "First Daughter" movie , but Almira Tunggadewi Yudhoyono is the First Grandaughter -- or I'd say -- the First Grandchild of The Indonesian First Family.

Born on the Indonesian 63rd Independence Day, the beautiful baby is the first daughter of Agus Harimurty -- son of The President SBY -- and Anissa Larasati Pohan. The baby's name was carefully chosen by the family, as the believe that each name brings good du'a (prayer) and good wishes to the bearer.

Almira, name rooted in Arabic, means noble/aristocratic/exalted. Tunggadewi is taken from the name of Indonesian leading and prominent women, the Queen of Majapahit - the 14th century monarchy. Yudhoyono is the family name.

The baby will be living her first 40 days at The Merdeka Palace with her parents and her Grandparent "the President" to ensure the best post natal treatment, before moving on to live at the army barrack in Karawang -- east of Jakarta, at the suburb-- where her father Captain (Inf) Agus Harimurty was posted. The plan is highly recommended and supported by her Grandfather, as to army barrack milleu would give a good influence in the character building of the family -- to be a strong yet humble person in the future.

May Allah SWT grant her and her family strong iman/ faith and happiness always throughout her life and may her existence brings ample of joys for the family.. Amiin




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

The rainbow after the storm

How often have I quoted that Life is like riding a roller coaster. But a friend loves to say that Life is just like weather. Life, he quoted, is full of storms and rainbows.

Well. I could agree with that, for me, we just see things from different point of view, but he insisted that his approach is more suitable for humanity.. whatever that means..

No body wants to get caught in the storms, yet one time unwarily trapped in it and they have to face it and somehow do everything to survive. And after the hardest struggle everyone surely hope to see a clear sky -- and if you are lucky -- with a wonderous rainbow in distance. The storm is the unhappiness in our life, and the rainbow is the happiness we always striving for.

I remember he also quoted (I said he must have quoted it from somewhere coz he could not have been that wise he3x he said he forgot where he read it) that many of the storms in our life are the result of our own doing. We can chose not to do it, yet we are doing it after all: a ragefull anger, unreasonable jealousy, split second decisions, sharp words, cruel criticism, arrogancy, selfish acts, all can be unwantedly ending in a sad situation: hurting someone you love, breaking ups with lover, misunderstanding, losing a good job, a wonderfull wife or husband etc etc -- unhappiness for us too.

But everything in life surely would come to an end. Just like a catterpilars change into a beautifull butterfly, for every storm in our life we could hope that at the end we could see a rainbow in a clear blue sky.

In our life, we could make the rainbow back by wiping all the hurts and pains, feeling of betrayal and mistrust we have caused with sincere apologizing or probably a light cheering up will do. Or on the other hand we could stay happy by doing the things we like with the people we love and conciously chose not to pull any trigger that could cause an outburst of unhappiness.

Some hurts would need longer time to heal, but I believe the hope for happiness will help us cope. This time my friend agreed with me

* kalau kata emak gue: habis gelap, terbitlah terang *




Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.