Innalillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rojiun. Deep condolences for the loss of former Indonesian President, H. M. Soeharto. He died at 86 on 27 January, 2008. May his soul rest in peace.

What I remember the most about this man is his smile. He’s the smiling General. (Okay, and many other things but… I’ll let other people discuss it though)

On the early stage of his sickness, Goldy’s aunt who visited him told me that the-once-powerful-man-on-Indonesia whispered, “Aku wis kesel” (I’m already tired).

Worry no more. Now you can rest, Pak Harto.

Pertama kali gue baca resensi ‘The girls of Riyadh’ itu disebuah majalah wanita. Karena buku ini katanya berisi kisah a la sex and the city versi Arab, maka buku ini pun dilarang beredar di Arab Saudi. Jadi tambah penasaran aja gue. Years later, tepatnya Desember kemarin, buku versi Indonesianya dirilis. Wah, tentu saja langsung gue grab dan habis dalam sekali telen.

Penulis buku ini ceritanya telah memberanikan diri untuk menulis kisah-kisah hidup sahabatnya, para gadis Riyadh, yang rata-rata agak tragis. Setiap minggu, kisah sahabat-sahabatnya (Qamrah, Sadim, Michelle dan Lumies) diposting di milis dan telah menuai kehebohan nasional karena cara bertuturnya yang blak-blakan.

Kisah-kisahnya ‘klasik’ dan bakal ada di belahan dunia manapun. Tentang percintaan, seks bebas, pengkhianatan, orang tua yang ikut campur, pelanggaran norma, dan semua yang ‘sudah biasa’ muncul di topik-topik cerita barat. Kenapa yang ini heboh? Karena semua terjadi di Arab Saudi. Negara dengan hukum Islam yang dijalankan dengan ketat.

It’s very interesting how Rajaa (penulisnya), menggambarkan tentang versi laki-laki (dan wanita) Arab yang taat, setengah taat dan tidak taat agama, lengkap dengan ciri-ciri masing-masing. Kok sama aja kayak di Jakarta hehe.

Baca buku ini tanpa menghakimi atau mengerutkan kening. That way, we’ll eventually feel related to Rajaa stories.

Berikut cover ‘Girls of Riyadh’ or ‘Bnat al Riyadh’ dalam versi Amerika dan Arab.

Versi Indonesianya bisa dibeli dengan diskon 15% di kutukutubuku.com

On Monday evening, I attended batik fashion show with the theme of Four Season held by Prodo Magazine in Hotel Mulia, Senayan. Mas Arif from Prodo Magazine, who once interviewed me for December issue of Prodo, invited me to come. I accepted it with all my heart because this is my first fashion show ever, I MUST come. And I know Angel would be as excited, and Mas Arif kindly giving me another ticket so I can come with Angel. Thanks a lot Mas Arif!

If you’re confused, batik is Indonesian traditional fashion with unique patterns that has been used national-wide. Prodo Magazine has managed to held this huge event of batik designs competition (Lomba Rancang Busana Batik) and fashion show, combined with entertainment from Indonesian singers and dancers to help batik recognized globally. And I really appreciate the effort.

I came on time on the venue, Angel was nowhere to be seen. I prefer to hang out outside and wait for her first. I chose to wear batik skirt I bought in Yogyakarta, one of batik’s central production cities. And when she finally arrived, I saw her batik dress, that she basically only wrap the batik cloth around her body and lock it with a big black belt. I think it was creative way of wearing it if you don’t have enough time to tailored your batik

We step inside and food was everywhere (also some celebrities). We ate dinner while listening to Sinden performing Javanese folk songs. In the room we can also see framed pictures of the finalists batik designs. They’re all look stunning.

An hour later, we entered the grand ballroom. It was huge, full with beautiful crystal lamps all over the room. In the center of the room, there was a runway, the real runway, not that small path from your desk to office pantry! Me and Angel were very excited.

The show started with an announcement from Alberthiene Endah, the head of judges, about the winner of batik design competition. Me and Angel love ‘The New Royal’ by Jane, it’s so Sarah Jessica Parker kind of style. But turns out the first winner was ‘Ecology’ by Abdulrahman, which also great one. All about green will be BIG in 2008, I guess hehe.

After the announcement, Reog Ponorogo, a traditional dance from Ponorogo, come out on stage. Their performance was damn good. View the sneak peek of Reog Ponorogo here.

When the models started walking on the stage, especially on Martha Tilaar products advertorial walk, me and Angel were nudging each other. The models were literally gliding thru the runway. They’re barely walking. They’re flying! As a big fan of America’s Next Top Model, I was so happy to finally see the legendary gliding myself hehe.The fashion show concept was four seasons, different season with different batik looks, and combining fashion show with music. Titi DJ, Hedi Yunus, Yuni Shara, Saski, RAN, Four Seasons and The Nunung Cs, sang their great songs as the models walk through the runway with their batik dress. From all of the performers, I love RAN & The Nunung Cs the most. Because, I didn’t know them at all at first and becoming a fan after two songs. They’re doing a good job.

Listen to the hilarious song of ‘Abang Gorengan’ by The Nunung Cs.

My father texted me, “It’s late, go back home.” So, after the show finished and had successfully grabbing my ‘Es Puter’ - a delicious traditional ice cream, I walked and went back home with a very contented feeling. The only regret I had was the fact that I didn’t sit in the journalist side and taking pictures of the event instead of being a calm guest.

Bravo Prodo Magazine, waiting for more of these kind of events to promote Indonesian cultures, because as you might have known, Indonesia Rocks!

This is my first post about free stuff. This should be interesting for most of you who love free stuff like I do

If you’re Internet user and games lover, you will love the premiere edition of Gamexeon Electronic Magazine (GMZ). Gamexeon is a gamer forum consist of the hardcore gamers all over Indonesia talking mostly about games, hardware, and love talk So, the forum will be suitable for boys and girls hehe. :P

I also wrote an article about relationship here in this game magazine. A little out of place? I don’t think so. Because it’s all about the game of love.

Download the low res version

Download the high res version

Gue cewek. Dan banyak yang bilang cewek nggak bisa parkir. Dan gue terpaksa harus setuju. Karena kemaren gue ngejedotin mobil gue ke pager rumah huehehe. Lumayan deh tuh bemper belakang jadi baret 1 cm. Agak dalem lagi. Jadi sebel juga ngeliatnya.

Inget pengalaman temen gue pas ada insiden mobil yang berakibat mobil penyok, trus di bawa ke Ketok Magic dan mulus lagi, gue akhirnya memutuskan pergi ke bengkel di sekitar wilayah Kalibata.

Rada nggak meyakinkan di awal karena bengkelnya cuma muat satu mobil dan kecil bet. Tapi gue sih yakin aja karena temen gue juga pernah di sini. Trus panggil pemilik bengkel, kasih liat tempat yang baret. Dia bilang butuh waktu seharian untuk ngerjain ini karena emang butuh di cat. Trus soal biaya, Rp 350.000. Ya udah.

Pintu langsung ditutup. Gue cuma bisa bengong melihat mobil gue yang pelan-pelan ilang dibalik pintu. Ngapa harus ditutup ya? Apa ini salah satu ’syarat’ dari ke-magic-annya itu? Banyak yang bilang pake tuyul, tapi kayaknya ngga ada tuyul deh siang bolong LOL. Well, anyway, daripada bengong gue dan Goldy pergi ke Kalibata Mal yang ternyata pas naik taksi baru naik semenit dah turun lagi LOL. Deket toh.

Nonton Otomatis Romantis, lucu juga, but that’s not the point So, begitu abangnya telpon dan bilang mobil dah beres, gue jalan kaki balik ke bengkel. Dan Oh My God… mobil gue… telah kembali mulus seperti sedia kala huhuhu *Terharu*

Terimakasih Ketok Magic karena telah mempercantik Fiona… semoga mobil gue terus selamat meskipun pengemudinya sruntulan. Amin.