tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52997737822188109962024-03-13T15:25:34.263-07:00copybrewingTextual Relief | Personal Annotations | A Tiny Random Doodle at a Timecopybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-38547990632102061532010-07-30T14:14:00.000-07:002010-07-30T17:37:58.138-07:00Portfolio | Past Project Update/RecapUpdate on few past projects in random order:<br /><br /><br />PT Wijaya Karya: English language video documentation script on its road/bridge reconstruction project in partnership with USAID. The third task that fell to me and was done for the respective client.<br />Eden Hotel: English language copy for the 4 star hotel brochure.<br />PT Ecoplast Asia: English language copy for its internationally distributed brochure. The copy placed great emphasis on the company's commitment to health and safety.<br />PT Ecoplast Asia: English language copy for its internationally distributed brochure. The copy highlighted its latest breathrough in synthetic fiber manufacturing.<br />UW Development - Jagakarsa Residence (Lanea): English language copy for its product brochure. The copy promoted the green concept of its environmentally aware and sustainable homes.<br />PT Inti Fauzi Corpora - Both English and Indonesian language copies for its brochure and folder. The copies featured two of its function rooms that boast a genuine sense of staying on top of the industry.<br />Bank Internasional Indonesia: English language copy editing its campus hiring flyer.<br /><br />The FA sample:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/TFNvGpFTX1I/AAAAAAAAAEg/iiupdUxjzxY/s1600/Flyers+REACh_FA_Watermark+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/TFNvGpFTX1I/AAAAAAAAAEg/iiupdUxjzxY/s400/Flyers+REACh_FA_Watermark+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499861729847500626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/TFNvYFFtmmI/AAAAAAAAAEo/kYbqecdDRDs/s1600/Flyers+REACh_FA_Watermark+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/TFNvYFFtmmI/AAAAAAAAAEo/kYbqecdDRDs/s400/Flyers+REACh_FA_Watermark+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499862029423188578" border="0" /></a>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-82845172895229885912009-09-09T04:48:00.000-07:002009-09-09T05:13:09.604-07:00Day 10 | Portfolio - PT Ecoplast AsiaIn late August 2009, I completed another project. I did website contents this time, presented for <a href="http://www.ecolenefiber.com/home">PT Ecoplast Asia</a>. The contents are displayed on their website in links namely, About Us and Products (sub-links included). I also carried out an additional editing service for their FAQ section. copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-14186463563222598152009-06-19T01:38:00.000-07:002009-06-19T11:34:13.025-07:00Day 09 | Portfolio - PT WIKA<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">I'd like to share the latest copywriting project (English language contents) I did for </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=5ca19b08-5dee-40c7-944e-15fab0d19b29">PT Wijaya Karya</a><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">. The catalog was purposely assembled to promote its Overseas Operation Department and overseas construction projects so far. This is only the mock-up before the final approval. The catalog will be distributed in </span><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Algeria and Dubai.<br /></span>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-1673613715439390922009-06-15T22:49:00.000-07:002009-06-15T23:04:57.969-07:00Day 08 | Portfolio - Penta Furnishings & Wood Processing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Sjcz2nK0KHI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vmMlABe-C6I/s1600-h/Brosur+PENTA_20081119_Indonesia_front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Sjcz2nK0KHI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vmMlABe-C6I/s400/Brosur+PENTA_20081119_Indonesia_front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347800095846049906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Sjc0JU5hgYI/AAAAAAAAAEY/ORaaGVicqSU/s1600-h/Brosur+PENTA_20081119_Indonesia_back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Sjc0JU5hgYI/AAAAAAAAAEY/ORaaGVicqSU/s400/Brosur+PENTA_20081119_Indonesia_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347800417359200642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Displayed on the top of this post is a brochure, in which I did the copywriting (Indonesian language contents).</span></span>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-6835693574002145062009-04-02T23:02:00.000-07:002009-04-02T23:21:17.347-07:00Day 07 | Approaching Event Buzz - Program Komunitas Salihara April 2009<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/SdWo0if4ciI/AAAAAAAAAEA/xshwnjuBSzg/s1600-h/show_image.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/SdWo0if4ciI/AAAAAAAAAEA/xshwnjuBSzg/s200/show_image.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320344155375301154" /></a><span style="color:#ff6666;"><a href="http://www.salihara.org/main.php?type=detail&module=news&menu=child&parent_id=4&id=29&item_id=655"><strong>Seni Rupa</strong></a></span><span style="color:#ff6666;"><a href="http://www.salihara.org/main.php?type=detail&module=news&menu=child&parent_id=4&id=29&item_id=655"><strong><br /></strong></a></span></p><span style="color:#ff6666;"><a href="http://www.salihara.org/main.php?type=detail&module=news&menu=child&parent_id=4&id=29&item_id=655"><strong>Program Komunitas Salihara April 2009</strong></a></span><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;"><br /></span></strong><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">SENIN, MARET 30 , 2009</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#999999;">Pameran Seni Rupa, Sastra, Diskusi, Tari, Festival Film, Musik dan Kuliah Umum</span></p><span style="color:#999999;">Memperingati Hari Perempuan Sedunia (International Women’s Day) 8 Maret dan Hari Kartini 21 April, Komunitas Salihara menyelenggarakan beberapa acara seputar perempuan. Diawali dengan pementasan teater-tari Gathik Glindhing oleh Kelompok Sahita di akhir Maret lalu. </span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Rangkaian acara bertema Enam Pekan Perempuan ini dilanjutkan di bulan April ini dengan Pameran Seni Rupa 10 Perupa Perempuan sebagai acara pembuka. Pameran ini akan berlangsung dari tanggal 3 hingga 17 April 2009 di Galeri Salihara. Pameran ini menampilkan lukisan, patung, obyek, dan instalasi karya-karya sepuluh perupa perempuan: Ay Tjoe Christine, Ayu Arista Murti, Arahmaiani, Astari, Dolorosa Sinaga, Mella Jaarsma, Theresia Agustina, Titarubi, Wara Anindyah dan Yani Mariani, yang kurang lebih dalam kurun satu dekade ini karya-karyanya banyak diperbincangkan. </span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Bersama pameran ini kami juga mengundang sejumlah penulis perempuan berlatar jurnalis, novelis, aktivis, esais, kurator, untuk menulis dari pelbagai sudut mengenai karya-karya yang dipamerkan, seperti: Alia Swastika, Avianti Armand, Ayu Utami, Farah Wardani, Isma Sawitri, Kurie Suditomo, Laksmi Pamuntjak, Linda Christanty dan Nukila Amal.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Dan anda kami undang untuk menghadiri pembukaannya yang akan digelar pada hari Jumat 3 April pukul 19:00 WIB di Galeri Salihara.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Di hari yang sama, pukul 20:00 WIB, (dan keesokan harinya, Sabtu 4 April 2009) kami mengadakan pentas 10 Perempuan-Sastrawan Baca Karya di Teater Salihara. Mereka adalah: Abidah El-Khalieqy, Ayu Utami, Dewi Lestari, Djenar Maesa Ayu, Helvy Tiana Rosa, Inggit Putria Marga, Linda Christanty, Nenden Lilis A., Nukila Amal, dan Oka Rusmini. Dengan kecenderungan dan pencapaian masing-masing, para sastrawan ini membuktikan bahwa karya mereka telah berbicara dengan fasih dan nafas yang panjang kepada khalayak pembaca sastra kita.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Pada hari Sabtu tanggal 4 April 2009 pukul 16:00 WIB di Serambi Salihara kami akan mengadakan diskusi “Mengkaji Serat Centhini”. Serat ini merupakan sebuah mahakarya sastra Jawa abad ke-19, Centhini dalam cetakan aslinya memiliki 4.200 halaman, 722 tembang, 2.000 bait dalam 12 jilid. Kitab ini memuat dongeng, kearifan lokal, sejarah, doktrin agama, erotisme, seksualitas, dan kesenian yang tersebar luas dan diyakini masyarakat pada waktu itu yang kemudian dikumpulkan oleh para sastrawan Keraton. Namun, karya agung ini lebih banyak dicurigai daripada dikaji, disebut buku cabul yang merekam praktik dan moral tak luhur. </span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Tak banyak diketahui, seorang tokoh Masyumi dan cendekiawan muslim H. M. Rasjidi memperoleh gelar doktor dari Universitas Sorbonne Prancis dengan disertasinya tentang Centhini, Considerations Critique du Livre de Centhini (Pertimbangan Kritis tentang Centhini). Melalui H.M. Rasjidi-lah Elizabeth D. Inandiak mengenal Serat Centhini dan mempelajarinya selama bertahun-tahun. Inandiak kemudian menyadur Serat Centhini—menafsir, meringkas, dan menerbitkannya sebagai Centhini, Kekasih yang Tersembunyi yang ia sebut “Centhini abad ke-21”. Ikuti diskusinya dengan Elizabeth D. Inandiak—ahli sastra asal Prancis, penyusun buku Centhini, Kekasih yang Tersembunyi—yang akan mengulas Serat Centhini sebagai warisan karya sastra, dan Dra. Junanah, MIS, dosen bahasa Arab Fakultas Ilmu Agama Islam di Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta yang akan mengulas relasi Islam dan Kejawen dalam Serat Centhini dengan moderator Nong Darol Mahmada.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Kegiatan seni lain yang tak kalah menariknya adalah produksi multimedia IMME. Berlangsung selama 11 hari (13-23 April 2009), produksi ini melibatkan seniman rupa, penulis, pemusik, dan pembuat film; beberapa di antaranya adalah: Marij Nielen, Nanette Danckaarts, Sylvia Volkert dan Laksmi Pamuntjak. </span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Produksi ini bermula dari hasrat menghidupkan sesosok karakter yang bisa diidentifikasi oleh khalayak penonton seluas mungkin. IMME adalah “jiwa manusia” dari abad ke-21 dan bergerak di sebuah dunia antah-berantah yang tak dapat ditentukan. Pertanyaannya di sini adalah apakah para penonton dari negeri-negeri dan latar belakang budaya yang berbeda (Belanda, Indonesia, Irlandia, Polandia) akan memberi tanggapan serupa. Dengan sendirinya proyek ini adalah juga sebuah studi identifikasi-diri orang-orang dari latar belakang etnis yang berbeda-beda terhadap sebuah karakter imajiner di luar si penciptanya. Proyek IMME di Jakarta—sebagai bagian dari keseluruhan proyek yang berlangsung di sejumlah negara—terdiri dari lokakarya, kegiatan melukis dan berinteraksi dengan khalayak di ruang publik, serta pembuatan film dokumenter. Produksi ini ditutup dengan sebuah pertunjukan multimedia yang diselenggarakan pada hari Kamis 23 April 2009 pukul 20:00 WIB di Serambi Salihara.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Pada tanggal 14-15 April 2009 pukul 20:00 WIB di Teater Salihara, tampil dua nomor tari karya Andara “Anggie” Firman Moeis: “………” dan It’s Me. It’s Me (Inilah Aku), yang telah ditampilkan di beberapa festival tari, terinspirasi oleh kehidupan remaja perempuan di kota metropolitan, yang mengalami kesulitan dalam pertumbuhan menjadi perempuan dewasa. Di balik gaya hidup metropolitan, banyak masalah muncul, terutama dari keluarga, yang penyelesaiannya terpulang pada diri masing-masing. Sementara itu, “………” merupakan karya terbaru Anggie; menggambarkan kekosongan yang terjadi pada manusia modern di tengah kehidupan kota Jakarta yang heterogen, yang terilhami pengalaman pribadi sang koreografer, dan dikembangkan menjadi pengalaman universal.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Pementasan tari berikutnya adalah Three Sisters, yang dibawakan oleh Pappa Tarahumara Dance Company asal Jepang. Karya ini menggambarkan secara manis tiga perempuan bersaudara yang sedang bergulat dengan kebosanan dalam menghadapi lika-liku keperempuanan; identitas keperempuanan, kematangan pribadi, serta obsesi orang-orang Jepang terhadap budaya kaum muda. Tragedi komik eksentrik ini, yang dinarasikan melalui koreografi yang dinamis, merupakan sebuah karya yang berskala luas dan multidisiplin. Berlangsung pada tanggal 18-19 April 2009 pukul 20:00 WIB di Teater Salihara, pementasan ini merupakan sebuah kerjasama antara Yayasan Kelola dan Komunitas Salihara.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Program Enam Pekan Perempuan akan ditutup dengan sebuah acara besar: V Film Festival 2009. Festival film perempuan internasional ini berlangsung pada tanggal 21-26 April 2009, meliputi acara pemutaran film dari 10 negara, pameran komik dan konser musik, diskusi, kuliah umum serta lokakarya yang melibatkan nama-nama besar di dunia film perempuan seperti Nia Dinata. Festival ini merupakan sebuah kerjasama antara Kalyanashira Foundation, Jurnal Perempuan, Kartini Asia Network, dan Komunitas Salihara. </span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Di samping Enam Pekan Perempuan, Komunitas Salihara juga menyelenggarakan dua program menarik lainnya. Acara pertama, konser jazz bersama “Pitoelas Big Band”. Merupakan salah satu grup jazz yang kuat, Pitoelas terdiri dari sejumlah pemusik profesional terbaik: pemain saksofon dan penggubah Donny Koeswinarno; pemain piano, penyusun aransemen dan penggubah, Irsa Destiwi; pemain klarinet/saksofon, Eugen Bounty; pemain trombone, Enggar Widodo; dan mereka yang sudah dikenal luas dalam komunitas musik jazz di Indonesia. Saksikan sendiri alunan dan ritme segar, cantik sekaligus keras dari Pitoelas, pada tanggal 9 April 2009 pukul 20:00 WIB di Teater Salihara.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;">Acara kedua adalah kuliah umum “Politik Mikro, Pembangkangan Warga, Perubahan”, pada tanggal 22 April 2009 pukul 19:00 WIB di Serambi Salihara. Bagaimana politik mikro menjadi alternatif bagi politik kepartaian yang kini membawa disilusi publik? Bagaimana pula “pembangkangan warga” bisa menjadi unsur yang konstruktif dalam proses perubahan sosial-politik secara kualitatif? Bagaimana kaitan antara perubahan pada tingkat lokal dengan situasi global saat ini? Ikuti paparan Alan Fowler (pengajar di Institute for Social Studies, Den Haag, Belanda), penggagas ide Civic-Driven Change (Perubahan Oleh Warga) yang menawarkan perspektif alternatif tentang perubahan sosial-politik. Kuliah umum yang akan disampaikan dalam bahasa Inggris ini adalah sebuah kerjasama antara Komunitas Salihara dan Hivos.</span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span><p><span style="color:#999999;">Oleh karena itu, jangan lewatkan program-program menarik Komunitas Salihara pada bulan April 2009 ini. Untuk informasi lebih lengkap anda bisa kunjungi website kami: www.salihara.org. Atau, bisa langsung hubungi Asty 0817-999-5057, Laly 0812-8008-9008, atau Nike 0818-0730-4036 untuk pemesanan tiket.</span></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;"><a href="http://www.utankayu.org/in/index.cfm?action=detail&cat=news&id=10">Komunitas Salihara </a></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">Jl. Salihara 16, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan 12520.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">Tempat parkir terbatas</span></strong><br /></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-68515959975826380382009-03-31T09:15:00.000-07:002009-03-31T23:36:05.155-07:00Day 06 | Toodles, Mr Milky Way<p><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><strong>“</strong></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#6633ff;">Maybe I </span><span style="color:#6633ff;">could have</span></span><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;">loved you better. </span></span><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Maybe you should have</span></span><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;">loved me more. Maybe our hearts were just next in line. </span></span><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Maybe everything breaks sometime</span></span><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span></span><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> I'm so sorry this love made me hollow and left you empty</span></span><strong><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:180%;">” </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#999999;">~ </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Jewel</em></span></span></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-80431642532599469992009-03-29T03:18:00.000-07:002009-03-29T13:32:17.766-07:00Day 05 | One Face and the Other<p><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><span style="color:#33cc00;">God has given you one face, </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><span style="color:#33cc00;">and you make yourself another.</span></em></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"> </span></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">- </span></em><em><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">William Shakespeare</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Banyak manusia yang lupa untuk bersikap jujur dengan kesederhanaan dan kekurangan yang menempel di badannya dan kesehariannya, salah satunya adalah saya. Selalu berpikir dirinya lebih sempurna dari orang yang dia pikir tidak lebih sempurna dari dirinya. Tidak sedikit pun dia menyadari bahwa kadang kala tindakannya juga meninggalkan kesan kurang pantas di benak </em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>orang yang dia pikir tidak lebih sempurna dari dirinya. </em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Lupa bahwa dirinya juga memberlakukan standar ganda untuk banyak hal. </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Kita terkadang malah terlalu berkerja keras untuk membuktikan sesuatu hal yang tidak perlu selalu diungkapkan dengan tumpukan kata-kata intelek yang mungkin hanya akan membikin penat, dan membuang waktu percuma. Tunjukkanlah dengan sikap, tanpa segudang kata-kata. Banyak orang saya yakin memiliki kemampuan untuk menilai isi diri kita sesungguhnya dan menilai bahwa yang terlihat adalah sebuah skenario fiktif akan sebuah sosok yang semu. </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Berlakukanlah sikap sederhana dan rendah hati (bukan rendah diri) ketika kita menyikapi setiap kelebihan dan ketika kita meraih keberhasilan. </em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Praktekkanlah kejujuran, ungkapkan rasa keberatan dan kekecewaan kepada mereka yang terkait dengan cara yang beradab, atau terimalah saja dengan ikhlas. Tetapi, jangan menyebarkan konsep diri seputar rasa keberatan dan kekecewaan kita, dan menyumbang kepada berkembangnya sikap penuh kebencian. Terlintas sejenak</em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em> di kepala</em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>, binatang pun mungkin </em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>dapat menyortir manusia mana yang memilki sikap seperti ini dan mana yang tidak. </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Sebelumnya mohon maaf seandainya saya menyinggung siapapun yang membaca tulisan ini. </em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Saya hanya sedang melakukan evaluasi diri.</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Cita-cita saya yang akan saya terus upayakan hingga waktu saya berpulang tiba:</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Jangan buat perilaku - menyebarkan ketidaksempurnaan manusia lainnya - menjadi salah satu ketidaksempurnaan kita. </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Selalu ingat bahwa banyak sisi dari suatu cerita.</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Lebih banyaklah mendengar, daripada berbicara.</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Jauhkan sikap menggurui. </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Hiduplah selalu dengan sikap sederhana.</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">To be continued - maybe.</span></em></span></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-28061015385545556902009-03-27T08:30:00.000-07:002009-03-27T09:49:28.798-07:00Day 04 | Presidential Rebuke<p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v6mqFdeRibM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v6mqFdeRibM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><em>During a consolidated meeting participated by local regents, mayors, among others, the President sharply rebuked one participant for dozing off while he conveyed the country's critical issues. A tolerable manner. I might have done the same. Who'd supposedly be more tired, and excusable to doze off during a meeting you think, a president or regent? It just reminds me of many similar incidents I had back in high school.</em></span></p><p></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-70218294351742735922009-03-27T06:03:00.000-07:002009-03-27T09:17:06.127-07:00Day 04 | Cozy Lofty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://atgallery.apartmenttherapy.com/assets/0003/6131/diy08_rect540.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 540px; height: 405px;" src="http://atgallery.apartmenttherapy.com/assets/0003/6131/diy08_rect540.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://atgallery.apartmenttherapy.com/assets/0003/6061/diy01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 540px; height: 675px;" src="http://atgallery.apartmenttherapy.com/assets/0003/6061/diy01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#999999;">May it be newly weds, couples who live together for convenience, not to test marriage, singles who just landed a big account and got himself/herself a larger studio apartment or house even, whomever at this moment is planning or in the process of</span> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#993399;">decorating your crash pad</span></span><span style="color:#999999;">, here's a website, </span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">apartment theraphy</a></span></span><span style="color:#999999;">, I recommend. </span>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-50139400465498074622009-03-27T05:21:00.000-07:002009-03-27T05:39:01.562-07:00Day 04 | Uniquely Perfect<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/SczF8M49IlI/AAAAAAAAADw/KHmCRmk8SyY/s1600-h/film20161.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 215px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/SczF8M49IlI/AAAAAAAAADw/KHmCRmk8SyY/s400/film20161.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317842898060649042" /></a><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/movies/25butt.html"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#999900;">THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON</span></span></strong></a><br /></p><p><span style="color:#999900;"><strong>"<em>uniquely perfect and enduring</em>" </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Am a fan. I claim the right to say</em></span></span><span style="color:#999999;"><em><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#999999;"><em>"</em></span><span style="color:#999999;"><em>Go get the DVD, and watch this movie!" </em></span></span></p><p></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-55407030640510903792009-03-27T03:43:00.000-07:002009-03-27T04:46:03.284-07:00Day 04 | Facebook Hysteria<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Scy6kuK8uoI/AAAAAAAAADg/9do4ocOpzdM/s1600-h/200px-Facebook.svg.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 75px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Scy6kuK8uoI/AAAAAAAAADg/9do4ocOpzdM/s320/200px-Facebook.svg.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317830400049724034" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28938524/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">25 random things</span></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">about facebook</span></span></strong></a> <br /><span style="color:#999999;">It’s not a computer virus, but it sure is starting to feel like one.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#999999;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#999999;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#999999;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#999999;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733754_1735207,00.html">Hail to</a> <a href="http://www.kompas.com/read/xml/2008/09/19/10245097/mark.zuckerberg.orang.kaya.termuda">Mark Zuckerberg</a>!! :-P</strong></em></span><br /><br /></div>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-45384668235151306132009-03-27T02:38:00.000-07:002009-03-27T07:53:12.062-07:00Day 04 | Counter Knowledge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Scynuq3HUaI/AAAAAAAAADI/X22zJ88lMEM/s1600-h/Don'tswallowyourgums.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/Scynuq3HUaI/AAAAAAAAADI/X22zJ88lMEM/s320/Don'tswallowyourgums.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317809680238989730" /></a><br /><p></p><p><em><span style="color:#999999;">Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Rachel Vreeman of the Indiana University School of Medicine presented</span><span style="color:#999999;"> a counter knowledge </span><span style="color:#999999;">to oppose a set of health-related misconceptions, some we commonly know and practice. </span></em><em><span style="color:#999999;">I find this is interesting to share.</span></em></p><p><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Top Seven (Ten) Health Myths</span></span></strong><span style="color:#999999;"><br /><br /><em>According to a new study, even doctors fall prey to common medical misconceptions. Here's the straight story on everything from postmortem hair growth to Halloween candy hazards.</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">By Sarah Kliff | Newsweek Web Exclusive</span></em></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Without a medical degree, sorting medical fact from fiction can be daunting: does reading in the dark actually hurt your vision? Do we really use only 10 percent of our brains? It turns out that even MDs have difficulty with widely held medical maxims like these. A study in the British Medical Journal's December issue looked at seven medical myths that doctors often accept as truth. "The problem is that a lot of people take what [doctors] say as gospel, but sometimes it's not backed up by science," says Aaron Carroll, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis and co-author of the study. "Patients and parents should feel free to ask about why the things they are being told are true. They should be upfront about it." To start your year off with a little less fiction and a little more fact, here are seven of the most common medical myths debunked:<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">1. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">While this is one myth that parents around the world have loved for generations, it has very little scientific backing. Reading in the dark can cause a temporary strain on the eyes, but it rapidly goes away once you return to bright light. The practice has been blamed for increasing rates of myopia (nearsightedness), but Carroll says those claims don't align with the evidence—we're living in the best-lit conditions the world has ever seen. "Seventy years ago we were reading by candlelight and weren't going blind," says Carroll. "There's no evidence for this whatsoever."<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">2. Using cell phones in hospitals is dangerous.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Despite the signs in most emergency waiting rooms, studies have found little to no significant cell phone interference with medical devices. In 2005 the Mayo Clinic ran 510 tests with 16 medical devices and six cell phones. The incidence of clinically important interference was a mere 1.2 percent. A 2007 study on cell phones "used in a normal way" found no interference during 300 tests in 75 treatment rooms.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">3. Fingernails and hair grow after death.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Growing hair and fingernails is a very complex hormonal task," says Carroll, one that can't happen after one has died. So how did this myth get off the ground? It could be because after death the skin begins to contract, which could give the appearance that the nails are growing.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">4. We use only 10 percent of our brains.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The notion that our brains are not running at full speed simply doesn't hold up. "Numerous types of brain imaging studies show that no area of the brain is completely silent or inactive. Detailed probing of the brain has failed to identify the 'nonfunctioning' 90 percent," Carroll and Rachel Vreeman, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, write in the British Medical Journal study. Carroll says the notion may go as far back as the snake-oil salesmen of the early 20th century, who used the myth to sell a tonic that would increase brainpower.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong>5. You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The source for this myth may be a 1945 article from the National Research Council that claims that a "suitable allowance" of water for adults is 2.5 liters a day, although the last sentence of the article notes that much of that water is already contained in the food we eat. Existing studies suggest that that often-omitted fact is key to understanding water intake. We get enough fluids from our typical daily consumption of juice, milk and even caffeinated drinks. And drinking too much water can cause water intoxication, a severe electrolyte imbalance in which cells swell with excess fluid, and even death.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">6. Shaved hair grows back faster and coarser.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wax, shave or cut—no matter how you choose to remove your hair, you won't change the texture or speed at which it grows back. Leg hair will, however, appear coarser right as it starts to grow back. "The hair that initially grows back is blunt, hasn't had time to taper off, so it might look darker," says Carroll. But as it gets a bit longer and is exposed to the sun, it will look exactly like the hair you started with. (For more information on this myth check out this recent NEWSWEEK story.)<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">7. Tainted candy from strangers is a Halloween threat.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">While not included in the British Medical Journal study, this is one of Carroll's personal pet peeves. Each Halloween brings a slew of stories about poisoned candy—some hospitals will even set up X-ray stations for the particularly cautious trick-or-treater—but there has never been a documented case of a stranger poisoning Halloween candy, he says. There have, however, been a few instances of relatives doing so.</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Additonal statements from the two doctors:</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">8. Night eating makes you fat.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Studies show an association between obesity and eating more meals, but that doesn’t mean eating at night causes obesity, the doctors point out. Eating more at any time of day will cause weight gain if it results in ingesting more calories than you need.<br /></span></span><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">9. Hangovers can be cured.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The researchers found no scientific evidence supporting any type of cure for alcohol hangovers. Because hangovers are caused by drinking too much alcohol, the only way to avoid one is to drink very little or not at all.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">10. Sugar makes kids hyperactive.</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The researchers cite 12 controlled studies that couldn’t detect any differences in behavior between children who had sugar and those who did not. Even when kids had a diagnosis of hyperactivity problems or were said to be more sensitive to sugar, they did not behave differently whether they ate sugar-laden or sugar-free diets. In fact, the biggest effect of sugar may be on parents. Parents rate their children as being more hyperactive if they are told the child has consumed sugar — even when the child hasn’t really had any sweets.</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Their book is entitled "</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dont-Swallow-Your-Gum-Half-Truths/dp/031253387X">Don't Swallow Your Gum: Myths, Half-truths, and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health</a></strong></span></em></span><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;">."</span></span><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></em></span></p><p><span style="color:#999999;"><br /><br /></span></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-57122451042478156182009-03-22T10:32:00.000-07:002009-03-23T10:58:32.152-07:00Day 03 | Heartcore<div align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i40.tinypic.com/wt7ivd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 446px;" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/wt7ivd.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>To</strong></em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong> </strong></em></span></span><span style="color:#33cc00;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>four</strong></em><em><strong> </strong></em></span></span><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">miraculous</span></strong></span></em><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong> </strong></span></span></em><em><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">little tots</span></strong></span></em><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">in my life</span></strong></span></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Hi </em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>my </em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>darlings</em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>! </em></span></span></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Have you all grown up guys? Tall and strong like ayah and eyang papa? </span></span></em></strong></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#6633ff;">This is just a little silly note from your sister, and auntie.</span></em></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Pray five times a day. I promise you things will get much better than just better soon. | Smile, even though it becomes difficult to do. | Study hard, read a lot. | Be flexible in selecting books and newspapers to read, but don't let their perspectives and opinions dictate yours. | Be intelligent and witty. However, do joke about your silly sides at times to help you remain humble.| Be brave and strong, but it's also alright to cry sometimes when you want to. | </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Don't be mean or inconsiderate. | </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Always be kind and respond nicely to your parents, sisters and brother, no matter what. If you have a hard time to do this, walk away, don't yell at them. Sspend a few hours alone to retain that rational mind before you speak your mind and let them know how you feel. | Exercise self-discipline and be self-dependent. Give your mom a fine day as a start, of many days to come, by cleaning up your own rooms, keep dirty clothes in the hamper, put all books, magazines, shoes, cosmetics, stuffed animals or toys, and CDs back where they belong. | Don't base your judgements on prejudice and assumptions, much less circulate these sorts of things. Because what you hear will only be one side of many. | Never ever do something just because other people do, if you feel it is the wrong thing to do. | Work hard and be optimistic, instead of being plain ambitious. | Understand that beauty has everything to do with how you feel about yourself, the good attitude you present, and has little to do with other people's opinions or standard on outer looks. | Listen more, talk less. This will enrich you with valuable lessons and profound wisdom. | Learn not only from your own mistakes and failures, but also the essence of others'. | Apologize for each mistake you've made, instead of pointing to other directions. | Maintain a good sense of respect with your close friends, in words and actions. | State your objections and disagreements in the most subtle manner, just like rational beings who live life with a good heart and peace of mind. Or come up with white lies, instead of saying horrible things behind other people's back. | Worthwhile achievement happens through a journey, not in a single day. | Be compassionate to struggling strangers. | Pet kittens and maybe puppies too. | Don't be easily discouraged to try something new. | Always stay true to yourself and others. | Don't get easily buttered up by guys or trust any guy for that matter, until the worst of what you think about them is proven wrong. | Stand up for what is right. | Don't ever smoke. This includes any kind of materials or substances that creates a severe case of addiction. | Avoid making rash or hasty decisions, which will </span><span style="font-size:100%;">leave you with a bad feeling in the tummy, and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">impair your ability to plan or have a bright and clean future. | Respond to a kiss on the lips, or kiss her on the lips, is where you draw the limit. If you sense a higher urge, please get him to marry you, or please marry her first. | Learn to be mindful of the needs of others, instead of focusing to get what you need or want. | Lastly, you're not allowed to forget that I adore and love you guys. Til forever and ever after, I'll always be this fantastic four gang's number one fan. | </span></span></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-31201785744367559962009-03-11T14:20:00.000-07:002009-03-11T22:43:48.929-07:00Day 02 - Lost and Found<span style="font-family:georgia;">I found my <a href="http://www.drexl-liebert.de/images/katman/2008%20New%20Catalogue.pdf">old work</a> snugged in stockpiles of data on the net, well it didn't quite happen that way actually. I killed time by googling a name or two of old clienteles. And there it was popping out. Why is it that each time we look at an old work, we always find it much less appealing and there's always some flaws, glitches, or inaccuracies that we would just die to be able to make corrections on and reprint it again? Is it because we have become more of a snob, thinking and trying to make a point that we could do and produce more than "just that"? Or rather </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">because we </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">simply want to give the best results? I have been someone who just can't get enough of editing works. It's quite a disturbing fact. Yep, you're right, I'm a freakish weirdo.</span>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-36148877703423505912009-03-11T12:41:00.000-07:002009-03-11T15:45:55.076-07:00Day 02 - Feeding the Trash Bin<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/SbgUE2_-OII/AAAAAAAAACw/kamUSoOcUy8/s1600-h/BII-CL-April-Alt.2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 189px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fRZ9PqXOTaU/SbgUE2_-OII/AAAAAAAAACw/kamUSoOcUy8/s320/BII-CL-April-Alt.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312017834199365762" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Unfortunately) I'm the one who developed this note written on right-hand side below in the picture. It was already narrowed down to only two paragraphs. But the point I'm trying to make is </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">why does the writing scream out the word plain, ordinary, and unorganized now? Basically, it looks like somewhat an ugly duckling? </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">It has got to go. And I'm crying as it goes into the trash bin. :(</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Such an amateur writer! *LOL*</span></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-60730851834597527302009-03-11T11:26:00.000-07:002009-03-30T12:29:58.401-07:00Day 02 - Dalton Tanonaka's Piece on the Weekender<p><em>His piece is always entertaining.</em></p><p><strong>Dalton Tanonaka: On the Cutting Edge of Life</strong><br /></p>Indonesia has made a sharp impression on me only six months after my arrival here. <br /><br />Take my second week on the ground. I met a doctor and gave him my business card. He handed me my appendix. What I thought was relatively simple food poisoning turned out to be a slightly urgent case of appendicitis. <br /><br />Dr. Liem didn't mince words. He minced one of my intestinal organs. And I came to learn that usus buntu (appendix) is not the primary ingredient of sop buntut (oxtail soup). <br /><br />The routine vehicle explosives search at the hotel I initially stayed at took some getting used to. To someone who uses a mirror only for last-minute studio touch-ups, I was very interested to know what the security guard would do if he actually spotted a bomb. <br /><br />"Run," said my driver Effendi with a straight face. <br /><br />Honesty, I've found to the contrary of Indonesia's international image as a land of corruption, is in large supply. And sometimes you get more than you bargain for. <br /><br />I was hired to create and anchor an international standard English-language weekly program for the country's 24-hour news channel Metro TV. Owner Surya Paloh told me "do what it takes" to tell the true story of Indonesia. <br /><br />But he didn't tell me I can't have a cookie jar on my desk. <br /><br />Like any of the countries and companies I've worked in throughout Asia, each has its own unique set of rules and practices. For example, in Tokyo at NHK, Japan's biggest television network, cute cleaning ladies will march right into the restroom to do their work while you're doing your business. It's hard to shake hands when yours are already full. <br /><br />And in Hong Kong, I didn't know it was bad luck to buy flowers from the building near my CNN office. The prices were really cheap. No one translated "Hong Kong Funeral Home" for me soon enough. <br /><br />So when my executive producer Rullah came to see me the other day with a grave expression on his face, I braced for the worst. Had I offended Metro's corporate culture by not wearing the official blue uniform shirt handed out to every employee? Did I upset my fellow presenters by brushing my teeth in the same sink where they wash for daily prayers? <br /><br />"Dalton, I have to be honest with you," said Rullah, an engaging Indonesian with an Australian accent. "You must take the Oreos off your desk." <br /><br />What? <br /><br />"Our office policy is that you can't have any food in sight. Sorry." <br /><br />Whew. Visions of visa problems and worries about the report we did questioning Tommy Suharto's early release from prison had been flashing in my head. <br /><br />"No problem, Rullah," I said. "Thank you for being honest." <br /><br />Another office colleague hit closer to home. In fact, she took dead aim at what could have been a very touchy subject. <br /><br />"I don't want you to take this the wrong way," said Candy, the leader of the company's Mandarin team. "But you need to look fresh. You should color your hair." <br /><br />If I wasn't secure about the graying of my temples and the march of Father Time, I might have had reason to be offended. But she was sincere in wanting to brighten my on-air appearance by darkening my roots. So I took it in the spirit her advice was given. <br /><br />"Let me check the lighting," was how I think I responded. <br /><br />So while government leaders are reluctant to say the bird flu is Indonesia's potential international nightmare, and corporate titans play ownership games in the East Java mud disaster, those at ground level tell it like it is. <br /><br />I do appreciate the candor, and as a newcomer hope the straight talk continues in the following ways: <br /><br />-Give me the real reason why you were late for the meeting, rather than the standard "traffic was bad." Tell me you couldn't miss the last half of Celebrity Jam, or that you had to mediate an argument between your first wife and your second wife. <br /><br />-Warn me that the Rp. 6,000 DVD copy of Casino Royale might freeze three times, or that someone going for popcorn blocks out the crucial scene. <br /><br />-Forgive me if I accidentally ask you if you want Spam with your eggs and you're Muslim. It's a Hawaii thing. <br /><br />-If I ask you out on a date, and you don't really want to go, please don't tell me "we'll see." I've learned that essentially means "I'd go out with a komodo dragon before I'm seen in public with you." <br /><br />-Tell me where my cookie jar is. <br /><br />Hawaii native Dalton Tanonaka is the anchor of Metro TV's "Indonesia Now" program, seen on Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. An award-winning journalist, he has worked at CNN International and CNBC in Hong Kong, and NHK in Tokyo. He is the author of three books, and plays in a rock-and-roll oldies band in his spare time. copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-13826230215544792332009-03-11T11:15:00.000-07:002009-03-30T12:28:55.322-07:00Day 02 - Bruce Edmond's Piece on the Weekender<p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>Reading his piece leaves the same kind of indescribable feeling as the one I usually have after I had a quick peek at Garfield comic strip. He's darn witty.</em></span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;">Weekender March 12, 2009</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;">Serene highness in Sumbawa</span></strong></p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Slip on your sandals, slap on the sunscreen and get ready to camp it up in a refined rustic retreat at Amanwana, the exclusive getaway where you-know-who stayed way back when. But don't forget your credit card, writes Bruce Emond. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">It did not take long for me to experience a couple of up-close and-personal encounters with wildlife at Amanwana. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">As I settled into my tent room fronting the shore, a tiny lizard scampered out of the resort's adventure guidebook and scurried across my desk. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">After years of living in Jakarta, where the furtive cicak rules the roost even in the highest apartment buildings, it was a none too alarming encounter. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The second was not so benign: Heading off to explore all the luxury resort has to offer, I came face-to-face with the glowering presence of a male monkey, his gaze fixed on the tempting fruit basket inside my room. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Although I managed to give him the slip, resorting to tossing him an apple as a peace offering, it was quickly clear to me why Amanwana is a favored back-to-nature retreat for the well-heeled wishing to escape the stresses of the concrete jungle. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Aman Resorts founder Adrian Zecha has called it a "campsite", but it bears no resemblance to the rickety tent and basic outdoor plumbing of a traditional hike through the woods. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Draped along a sheltered, pristine stretch of Moyo Island off Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, the resort, in its quiet, elegant way, lives up to its name of "peaceful forest". You will not find pulsating music blaring from a shoreside disco or drunk-off their faces holidaymakers sprawled on the beach. And while there is a spa nestled in a cove up the shore, Amanwana's guests are spared cooing entreaties of, "massage, mister?". </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The ills of urban living also have yet to reach the area: The sky is clear, there is no disagreeable roar of engines and the only litter is the scat of wild animals along the trails. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">With sumptuously appointed, spacious tents replete with AC and hot water shower but without the distraction of TV, it is an ultraexclusive, ultrapricey immersion in nature for those want both the creatures and creature comforts close at hand. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">That natural experience begins when one of Amanwana's fleet of vessels docks at the jetty leading to the luxury resort. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">In a daily 3 p.m. ritual, general manager Ian White scoops up a handful of bread from a small basket and tosses it into the sea, inviting newly arrived guests to follow suit. And the fish, the amphibious version of Pavlov's dogs at the sound of their master's bell, gather on cue in a florid show of color visible through the crystal-clear water. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Aman concept is that guests are treated as if they were in a home, albeit a very luxurious and selective one, and thus adrenaline junkies and tchotchke-adoring princesses would feel singularly out of place. For it is not luxury or five-star in the jaded, conventional sense: There is no opulently decorated ersatz Versace lobby, smotheringly plush carpets or garish accoutrements that some of us define as taste. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Its pool -- but why swim in a pool when that stunning turquoise sea lies only a few steps away? -- is of the simple 1.4-meter plunge variety. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">By day, the sparse sounds are of the drone of motorboats and, occasionally, a fight between peeved members of the monkey troupes that have also set up camp in the area. When night shrouds the resort, and little stirs except for the rustle of leaves outside and the to-and-fro lapping of waves on the coral beach, you can hear yourself think. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Tapping into that inner voice can be a disquieting experience for some. White remembers one couple who gave the resort and their tent the once-over, and decided then and there that a heaping dose of serenity was not what they were looking for. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"They said it was beautiful and everything, but it was just not for them," he said. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">* * * *</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Moyo, about a 90-minute boat trip from the sleepy town of Sumbawa Besar on the northern coast of Sumbawa, covers 36,000 hectares, of which a third is a national park. The hotel, opened in 1993, stands on 35 hectares of the 165 controlled by the Aman Group. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Guests (they have included, most famously, the late Princess Diana) are ferried from Sumbawa in one of the Aman's luxury boats. The jetty leads past the plunge pool, open-air shower, dive shop and nurse's station along a trail to the cluster of buildings. Here lies the reception, library, boutique and the breeze-fanned restaurant overlooking the shore. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The sandy trail continues to the canvas-covered rooms -- built as tents to accommodate the regulation banning permanent hotels within a national park. To the left, hugging the shore, are the beach tents, where I stayed, while a few meters back are the jungle rooms. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Barely seen and heard are the hotel's soft-footed attendants, who move seamlessly between the tents collecting laundry, setting up mosquito nets and pulling down blinds. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">If they wish, guests can while away their days on the beach with a good book from the library; there is a selection of English, German and Japanese titles, from novels to travel and art books. Most choose instead to sample the sights of the surrounding jungle or dive sites in the Flores Sea (Tim Simond called the latter "something of a best kept secret ... superb" in 2006's Dive in Style). </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"A big selling point for us, as you see on your arrival, is the calm waters, and that you can swim in the ocean ...," White said. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"You can walk in right off the beach, snorkel right off the beach, in a protected marine park, which is hard to find outside of Manado. The dive age starts at 10 years old -- we are very child friendly, so it's great for families." </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">It's a perfected slice of paradise at a price; the tent is US$750 per night, plus $75 full board, which includes meals and beverages, except alcoholic ones. Excursions and the PADI-accredited dives all cost extra. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">And it's one of those places where, if you have to ask about the price or find them obscenely inflated in one of the poorest regions of the country, then you should not be there. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">For Indonesia residents, both locals and expatriates, the tent cost is half the standard. White said Indonesia bookings accounted for about 17 percent of guest numbers in 2005, consisting of an equal balance of European/American expats, the Japanese community and Indonesian nationals. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"You are getting exclusive service with the Aman touches," he said of the rates. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Our staff knows your name, we keep a record of your likes and dislikes, what you like to drink, what your favorite cigar is ...the peace and quiet of Moyo is what people will pay highly for ..." </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The secluded setting is ideal for couples; the hotel has designated three "honeymoon beaches" for those who want a romantic hideaway far from prying eyes. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">When the resort first opened in the early 1990s, White said, it was more oriented to couples, but that is no longer the case. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"We are very casual, not pretentious ... Our guests range from CEOs of businesses to older retirees ... for children, this provides an experience that they would not normally get." </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">I spent two nights at the resort; my itinerary included the must-do jaunt to the idyllic waterfall across the bay from the resort; snorkeling off the jetty; the Aman facial and an exerting walk to the deer breeding center along the coast. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The waterfall is reached by taking a speedboat to the fishing village of Labuan Aji, followed by a bone-shaking 20-minute drive in a jeep up an unpaved hill and along a dusty stretch of road fringed by cashew fields. The jeep stops and there is a short trek to reach the first, breathtakingly gorgeous waterfall. It's ideal for pictures, but it is used by the local community for its water needs and is not for guests to swim in. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The waterfall for Amanwana guests is further up the mountain; it was not a too severely demanding trek, even for woefully out-of-shape me. It is no less stunning and tranquil than the first, a magical picture-postcard oasis where shards of light danced invitingly on the pool. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">One of my two guides led the way along a huge fallen tree trunk to dive into the clear, cool water. After our swim, I feasted on a jungle platter of fresh young coconut, fruit and slices of banana bread. We stopped off in the village to buy some of the forest honey that Sumbawa is famous for before heading back to the resort, reinvigorated from the trip. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">* * * *</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Moyo's population of about 3,500, located in Labuan Aji and a couple of other hamlets around the island, earn their living from fishing and farming rice, cashews and honey collected from the local forests. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">About a third of the 160 staff at Amanwana is from the island, White said. Most originate from the strongly Islamic region of Bima on Sumbawa; legend has it they fled here during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies in World War II. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The resort has its own water treatment center, with used water processed for reuse in the grounds. Nonrecyclable waste is taken away for disposal in Sumbawa Besar, while "wet" waste is used as compost. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">But no island is an island unto itself; even Moyo, with its tiny population and a protected national park since 1976, has suffered the scourge of environmental damage. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Despite its distance from Sumbawa, flotsam and jetsam still washes up on Amanwana's shores, White said. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Our groundskeeping staff are up early to clear up any litter on the beach. There is no magic in the water to keep it away. The magic is being there to pick it up when it comes in." </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">There also are more pressing concerns; stark tracts of gray burnished land, forest cleared by fire for farming, line the road to the waterfall. The reefs have also rebounded after suffering from increased water temperatures. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The most glaring example of a reverse in environmental fortunes is the island's population of deer, the redundantly named rusa deer or Sunda Sambar (cervus timorenis). The 1991 reprint of Bill Dalton's definitive Indonesia travel guide Indonesia Handbook said that sight of landfall on Moyo inevitably included deer frolicking in the hills. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The animals remained common until the late 1990s, and would graze in the late afternoon at Amanwana. Aman Resorts human resources director Asih Wesika remembers being disturbed by a knocking on her door, only to find that the "trespasser" was a deer. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">But decimation of the wild population by hunting parties who sailed over from Sumbawa has led to a drastic decline in their numbers (monkeys, wild ox and boar are now the most common mammals here). The deer has been hunted for sport, its antlers taken as a trophy and carcass left behind (on mainland Sumbawa, its meat is used for jerky and the fluid of unborn foals drunk to increase virility). </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Visitors today are only likely to "see" a deer on the key holder for their rooms and the wooden figurines in the restaurant. However, for the past six years, the hotel has sponsored a breeding program run by local people. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">White and Wesika took me to the site; we climbed up the rocky stairs behind the plunge pool, past the helipad, and embarked on a testing 20-minute walk to the home of Ibu Halimah. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Among locals, she is a wealthy woman, with chickens, goats and cows rambling around the grounds of her simple home. She served us crisp slices of freshly fried breadfruit before leading us to the deer enclosure, which is tended by three members of her family. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">I saw a herd of about 15 deer, who tamely fed on the bundles of leaves offered to them. They are descended from 40 animals the resort bought and brought over from Sumbawa (some escaped when a fence broke during the monsoon season). White said the hotel wanted to eventually release 10-12 animals back into the forest, and may set up an enclosure behind Amanwana to allow guests to see them. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">On the ride over to Amanwana, I had met one of the crew, pak Ramli, a native of Labuan Aji and a former hunter. He has been with Amanwana since its opening, and his job has provided his family with a better standard of living. He can send his children to school in Sumbawa Besar instead of learning at the tiny schoolhouse in Labuan Aji. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">He told me that the example of the hotel and its guests in caring for the environment was one that the islanders could follow. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Whether they are Japanese or European, they really show their concern for the environment and for protecting the animals. It has really opened my eyes," he said. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">* * * *</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">When my two nights at Amanwana were over, I took the employees' boat back to Sumbawa Besar's port of Badas. It was time to head back to the reality of traffic jams and deadlines. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">It was not the usual elegant farewell to Amanwana, but then my trip there was in many ways very different from that of its guests. I had taken the Rp 85,000 bus-ferry from Mataram to Sumbawa Besar, glimpsing the rugged, arid landscape of Sumbawa. I then spent a day in the small town, enjoying becak rides to its few sights and the friendliness of the local people. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">In contrast, Amanwana guests fly in on a Cessna to Sumbawa Besar's single landing strip airport on the outskirts of town, are whisked away to meticulously kept Badas harbor and then set off on their pristine jungle adventure. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">No chilled mineral water and canapés for us today. My fellow passengers were 20 members of the forestry police, who had been looking into illegal logging on the island, and a solitary hen who, seeming to know a fate worse then death awaited her on Sumbawa, darted frantically through the boat. Me, feeling like a big white lug among the band of manly men in uniform, chose to sit with the steersman. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">With a cigarette pursed between his lips and dexterously maneuvering the helm with his feet, he told me of his family's recent addition of a young daughter, and that his wife was an elementary school teacher in Sumbawa Besar. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">He had been to Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Seaport once when he worked on a merchant ship. But they had only unloaded their cargo and gone straight back to sea. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Jakarta must be really something, with all the big buildings and vehicles," the 27-year-old said. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">You should see it once, I replied. For a single trip to the urban jungle is probably enough when you have a small corner of paradise to call home.</span>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299773782218810996.post-50897384751407561322009-03-09T12:40:00.000-07:002009-03-09T15:30:03.696-07:00Day 01<p><span style="font-family:georgia;">At last the personalization stage of this blog </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">is </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">officially (almost) done, got the news and entertainment widgets, and signed up on </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a></span>;</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><a href="http://www.mybloglog.com/">MyBlogLog</a></span>;</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a>;</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">And <a href="http://www.blogcatalog.com/">Blog Catalog.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Smoothing out the rough edges of this blog took longer time than I thought it would, but seeing all favored widgets finally got embedded in and properly displayed on this page now, it felt good!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Well, I just wanna say "HI", and welcome to my blog.. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Onwards, I'll try to fill this page up with consistent postings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></p>copybrewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150174460687331299noreply@blogger.com0