Reviewing the 2013's resolution I made in the beginning of this year, I am hardly surprised that I've not achieved them at all; unlike that of the previous year. The planned activities I'm loving most have been in conflict with my responsibilities as a college student, organisation member, part-time teacher, freelance editor, which are all time consuming.
The first semester was marked by weekly mobility between Jakarta and Bandung, which affected other schedules of teaching and college exams. Similarly, the second semester of this year turned out to be supertight: managing training for the newly selected PYs in Jakarta while taking 23 credit points of 24 at college. In terms of the academe, this semester has been the worst, I suppose, where philosophy reading was done with little understanding, classes were skipped, papers were made with little reflection, and exams were passed in a hurry--and I swear I'm not sure about the results.
Much personal sacrifice has been given as well: I wasn't really able to attend all the film festivals, public lectures, book discussions, and cultural exhibitions I had bookmarked much earlier. And I should say all this stuff has put me away from the church intermittently for many weeks. They say it's all about time management, but I'd ask if they have tried reading one chapter of Merleau-Ponty's "Philosophy of Perception" within only 2 hours a week and understand all he wrote, before you take a two-hour motorcycle ride to the PDT venue and spend most of the week with PYs and committee members? Surely 24 hours ain't enough?
So I compensated these not-so-appealing life records with other activities that belong to my true penchant and I did everything to get them done. I managed to clinch victories in three varsity competitions of English. I flew for a weekend getaway to Singapore and Batam to meet friends who matter in my life. I sat the TOEIC exam and cast an-ear-to-ear smile after getting the result. I went to theatre performances and music concerts by cancelling any teaching schedules on that day. I've been subscribing to National Geographic Indonesia and French Philosophie magazine just to get more humane inspiration amid the banality of urban life.
I predict that 2014 will take a similar path. But I am sure it's going to be much easier because I have almost no classes to attend. So, here comes the opportunity for the "I-want-to-do" list, instead of the "to-do" list. I want to learn German and Filipino, take Dalf C1/C2 French exams, take CAE/CPE English exams, get a driving licence, get my articles published, and so on.
When learning languages
When learning European languages, it's mostly about declension and conjugation, which Indonesian lacks because it simply uses affixes to make a sentence and reduplication to make a singular noun plural. No genders, no numerals, and (practically) no tenses.
When learning Asian languages, it's mostly about different scripts and tone, which Indonesian lacks because it uses entirely Latin alphabet and tone in Indonesian doesn't change a word's meaning at all.
If you were born and raised in Austronesian realm, you'll know just how difficult it is for an adult learner to get used to those concepts not existing in our mother tongue.
So, kudos to all multilingual Indonesians. At least, we can trill our R's, rrr....
Posted on Facebook on 27 December 2013.
When learning Asian languages, it's mostly about different scripts and tone, which Indonesian lacks because it uses entirely Latin alphabet and tone in Indonesian doesn't change a word's meaning at all.
If you were born and raised in Austronesian realm, you'll know just how difficult it is for an adult learner to get used to those concepts not existing in our mother tongue.
So, kudos to all multilingual Indonesians. At least, we can trill our R's, rrr....
Posted on Facebook on 27 December 2013.
Christmas and life's promise
Christmas offers different themes to reflect upon, and this year I am moved by the idea of promise. Jesus' birth is a divine promise fulfilled, the much-awaited birth which, ironically, few people were aware of. And this birth also promises salvation to mankind, which not all then believed.
Further thoughts lead me to seeing Christianity as a belief founded on a promise; and a promise, just like a person's life, implies historicity. A promise is made and it takes some time before it's fulfilled. Isn't it the testament between God and Noah, God and Abraham, God and Moses, which binds the people of this very faith, which is characterised by history and the fulfilment of God's promises?
Everyone's life, including mine, is a life built on a promise. In fact, you promise not only to someone, but also to yourself about what kind of 'you' you want to live. So promise here implies a purpose. A promise fulfilled is, then, a purposeful life achieved.
And just like nobody will give you a second chance once you break a promise,you will hardly forgive yourself when you don't exert the best effort to reach the finish line. Your lifetime is limited and there is no way returning.
God has a promise for you, which you have to discover. And you've got to promise to yourself. Christmas reminds me that everyone is born with a purpose.
Further thoughts lead me to seeing Christianity as a belief founded on a promise; and a promise, just like a person's life, implies historicity. A promise is made and it takes some time before it's fulfilled. Isn't it the testament between God and Noah, God and Abraham, God and Moses, which binds the people of this very faith, which is characterised by history and the fulfilment of God's promises?
Everyone's life, including mine, is a life built on a promise. In fact, you promise not only to someone, but also to yourself about what kind of 'you' you want to live. So promise here implies a purpose. A promise fulfilled is, then, a purposeful life achieved.
And just like nobody will give you a second chance once you break a promise,you will hardly forgive yourself when you don't exert the best effort to reach the finish line. Your lifetime is limited and there is no way returning.
God has a promise for you, which you have to discover. And you've got to promise to yourself. Christmas reminds me that everyone is born with a purpose.
German homophones
Learning German, I can't help but associate teuer (expensive) with French tuer (to kill). Well, something expensive can really kill you.
And German schnell (fast) sounds a bit like English snail. But snail ain't schnell.
And German schnell (fast) sounds a bit like English snail. But snail ain't schnell.
ASEAN menegakkan dagu
Lama-lama ASEAN dipandang satu paket ekonomi, satu entitas politik yang merangkul 10 negara sekaligus. Dan negara-negara raksasa juga makin melirik, mencoba memikat hati. Contoh sederhana adalah pertukaran dan konferensi pemuda ASEAN-Jepang, ASEAN-Korea, ASEAN-Cina, ASEAN-India, ASEAN-AS.
Ada segi baik dan buruknya. Ada kesan seolah-olah satu negara anggota ASEAN bukanlah apa-apa tanpa kehadiran sembilan anggota lain. Tetapi seperti pernah kubilang, kawasan di simpang Asia-Australia ini bak bunga yang jadi bahan rebutan kumbang bangsa-bangsa lain.
Pernahkah ASEAN berupaya menyebarkan pengaruh, yang juga mengundang dan tidak melulu diundang? Yang membikin program besar-besaran dan mengajak pemuda dari luar kawasan untuk bertandang? Sehingga tidak cuma warga pemuda ASEAN yang terpana, waah toilet Jepang canggih, waah ini lokasi syuting drama Korea, lalu selfie dengan antusias? Sehingga ASEAN juga bisa menegakkan dagu di depan para raksasa?
Posted on Facebook on 21 December 2013.
Ada segi baik dan buruknya. Ada kesan seolah-olah satu negara anggota ASEAN bukanlah apa-apa tanpa kehadiran sembilan anggota lain. Tetapi seperti pernah kubilang, kawasan di simpang Asia-Australia ini bak bunga yang jadi bahan rebutan kumbang bangsa-bangsa lain.
Pernahkah ASEAN berupaya menyebarkan pengaruh, yang juga mengundang dan tidak melulu diundang? Yang membikin program besar-besaran dan mengajak pemuda dari luar kawasan untuk bertandang? Sehingga tidak cuma warga pemuda ASEAN yang terpana, waah toilet Jepang canggih, waah ini lokasi syuting drama Korea, lalu selfie dengan antusias? Sehingga ASEAN juga bisa menegakkan dagu di depan para raksasa?
Posted on Facebook on 21 December 2013.
When Hume and Kant met each other
In a soirée of philosophers
Hume: 'Hi mate. I'm Hume. Can you tell me what your name is?'
Kant: 'Kant.'
Hume: 'Really? How come?'
Kant: 'Dunno. It was my parents.'
Hume: 'That's strange. They didn't give you a name.'
Kant: 'Yes, they did.'
Hume: 'So, can you tell me?'
Kant: 'Kant.'
Hume: 'Well, I've got to go. See you around, Mr-who-can't-say-his-name.'
Kant: ???
Hume: 'Hi mate. I'm Hume. Can you tell me what your name is?'
Kant: 'Kant.'
Hume: 'Really? How come?'
Kant: 'Dunno. It was my parents.'
Hume: 'That's strange. They didn't give you a name.'
Kant: 'Yes, they did.'
Hume: 'So, can you tell me?'
Kant: 'Kant.'
Hume: 'Well, I've got to go. See you around, Mr-who-can't-say-his-name.'
Kant: ???
Häagen-Dazs
The ice-cream brand Häagen-Dazs is truly a cheesy name. It isn't derived from any European language, nor does it have any particular meaning or etymology. The creator named it just to sound "Danish" and used it as a marketing strategy, as if the product were made somewhere in Scandinavia (in this case, Denmark). In fact, the letter ä is not found in Danish, and the digraph "zs" is only used in Hungarian. So where does it come from actually? New York.
Posted on Facebook on 6 December 2013.
Posted on Facebook on 6 December 2013.
Route, root, rout
"Route" can rhyme with "root" or "rout", depending on which bulé you are talking to.
Dewa Babilonia
Tiga dewa-dewi dalam mitos penciptaan Babilonia: Apsu, Tiamat, Mummu. Nama-nama yang unyu.
Tujuh keajaiban dunia, cerita rekaan Indonesia
Salah satu cerita rekaan kolektif orang Indonesia adalah daftar tujuh keajaiban dunia, yang selain memasukkan (1) Candi Borobudur, juga konon meliputi (2) Taj Mahal, (3) Kabah, (4) Tembok Cina, (5) Menara Eiffel, (6) Menara Pisa, dan (7) Koloseum. Entah siapa yang memulai, daftar ini menjadi seakan-akan otoritatif dan tertanam di pikiran banyak pelajar Indonesia--salah satunya mungkin karena ketujuh foto situs ini sering dicetak dalam atlas-atlas untuk murid SD dan SMP.
Padahal, UNESCO sendiri (kalau kita semua mengakui bahwa organisasi inilah satu-satunya yang berwenang menyusun daftar warisan budaya, tidak seperti usaha main-mainan New7Wonders) tidak pernah membikin daftar demikian. Bahkan, dari daftar khayalan Indonesia tersebut, Kabah dan Menara Eiffel pun tidak termasuk Daftar Situs Warisan Dunia dari UNESCO!
Maka konyollah ketika di tahun 2007 silam orang-orang dan media massa Indonesia menangisi "kekalahan" Borobudur dari daftar bergengsi ini. Sebab, sesungguhnya tidak ada yang hilang, karena sejak semula Borobudur memang tidak masuk daftar tujuh keajaiban versi siapa pun kecuali versi bikinan orang Indonesia sendiri.
Diposkan di Facebook pada 25 November 2013.
Padahal, UNESCO sendiri (kalau kita semua mengakui bahwa organisasi inilah satu-satunya yang berwenang menyusun daftar warisan budaya, tidak seperti usaha main-mainan New7Wonders) tidak pernah membikin daftar demikian. Bahkan, dari daftar khayalan Indonesia tersebut, Kabah dan Menara Eiffel pun tidak termasuk Daftar Situs Warisan Dunia dari UNESCO!
Maka konyollah ketika di tahun 2007 silam orang-orang dan media massa Indonesia menangisi "kekalahan" Borobudur dari daftar bergengsi ini. Sebab, sesungguhnya tidak ada yang hilang, karena sejak semula Borobudur memang tidak masuk daftar tujuh keajaiban versi siapa pun kecuali versi bikinan orang Indonesia sendiri.
Diposkan di Facebook pada 25 November 2013.
Skills to learn before I die
This is a list of skill-required activities I want to learn all my life. When you realise that time can't go back, it must be understandable that you want to make use of the remaining time as effectively as possible. Personally, I want to see just how far can I go with my own body and mind. This list then serves as a personal reminder, at times when I ought to evaluate myself. I need not be an expert but I do want to challenge myself.
- Speaking foreign languages: modern and classic, Asian and European
- Communicating with Indonesian sign language and braille
- Voicing over and dubbing
- TV reporting and newscasting
- Photographing
- Making audio and video presentation
- Creating a website
- Visual designing e.g. infographics, publication cover, logo, T-shirt
- Playing four musical instruments: violin, piano, flute, and guitar
- Performing traditional dances
- Gardening
- Cooking and baking
- Appreciating beverages: wine, spirits, liqueur, tea, and coffee
- Driving a car
- Riding a horse
- Doing yoga and t'ai chi
- Ice skating and skiing
- Snorkelling and diving
- Hang gliding and paragliding
- Painting and sketching
Bajingan, bangsat, kampret
Nama-nama satwa sering digunakan sebagai umpatan.
- Bajingan, dari bajing: tupai
- Bangsat: kutu busuk pengisap darah manusia
- Kampret: kelelawar kecil pemakan serangga
Apa bahasa Inggrisnya ...?
Orang Indonesia mungkin belum terbiasa untuk menerjemahkan kata-kata berikut.
(1)
Bawang putih: garlic
Bawang bombai: onion
Bawang merah: ....?
(2)
Taksi: taxi, cab, taxicab
Becak: rickshaw
Ojek: ....?
(3)
Bantal: pillow
Selimut: blanket
Guling: ....?
(4)
Bak mandi: bath tub
Pancuran: shower
Gayung: ....?
(5)
Sakit kepala: headache
Demam: fever
Masuk angin: ....?
Indonesia asbak budaya asing
Indonesia, dan Asia Tenggara umumnya, apakah memang negeri yang kodratnya selalu dipengaruhi tetapi tidak pernah memengaruhi?
Agama-agamanya diimpor dari India dan Timur Tengah. Tidak ada agama pribumi, yang lahir di tanah ini, yang berhak dituliskan di KTP negerinya sendiri--semuanya diberi payung "Aliran Kepercayaan".
Bahasanya bercampur aduk dengan Sanskerta, Persia, Arab, Portugis, Belanda, Inggris, Jepang, dan Cina.
Di abad 16-20 disatroni lalu dipalak bangsa-bangsa Eropa dan Jepang. Di Orde Lama dan Baru dikontaminasi ideologi komunis di satu sayap dan fasis-militer di sayap lain.
Sedangkan dewasa ini orang tergagap-gagap dalam penampilan:
Ada yang mau Indonesia semakin mengamerika, ada juga yang mau menjadikannya semakin mengarab saudi.
Buku-buku sejarah selalu memerikan kawasan Asia Tenggara sebagai tempat berkumpulnya bangsa-bangsa, baik yang berniat baik maupun jahat. Indonesia bak asbak budaya-budaya asing, negeri yang dengan suka hati menerima pengaruh tetapi tak punya agenda memberi pengaruh.
Bahkan nama dirinya, Indonesia, diberikan seorang bule Inggris.
Agama-agamanya diimpor dari India dan Timur Tengah. Tidak ada agama pribumi, yang lahir di tanah ini, yang berhak dituliskan di KTP negerinya sendiri--semuanya diberi payung "Aliran Kepercayaan".
Bahasanya bercampur aduk dengan Sanskerta, Persia, Arab, Portugis, Belanda, Inggris, Jepang, dan Cina.
Di abad 16-20 disatroni lalu dipalak bangsa-bangsa Eropa dan Jepang. Di Orde Lama dan Baru dikontaminasi ideologi komunis di satu sayap dan fasis-militer di sayap lain.
Sedangkan dewasa ini orang tergagap-gagap dalam penampilan:
- ada yang meng-K-pop dengan tambalan plastik di muka,
- ada yang menge-punk dengan kepala botak setengah,
- ada yang meng-cosplay dengan wig warna tosca,
- ada yang meng-arab dengan jidat bernoda hitam.
Ada yang mau Indonesia semakin mengamerika, ada juga yang mau menjadikannya semakin mengarab saudi.
Buku-buku sejarah selalu memerikan kawasan Asia Tenggara sebagai tempat berkumpulnya bangsa-bangsa, baik yang berniat baik maupun jahat. Indonesia bak asbak budaya-budaya asing, negeri yang dengan suka hati menerima pengaruh tetapi tak punya agenda memberi pengaruh.
Bahkan nama dirinya, Indonesia, diberikan seorang bule Inggris.
Merci le Robert illustré
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| Le Robert illustré 2012 |
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