Tick Tock

Tick tock tick tock
The clock’s mocking me
How old are you now? He asked
Twenty five – I said
You look like forty five. He smirked
I tossed my pillow
He fell – I could still hear he’s laughing

Tick tock tick tock
The clock’s murmuring
Your bed is always empty and cold
You sleep on the same pillow
Although you have four
Your biological clock’s racing
Oh, don’t waste your time anymore

 

Tick tock tick tock
I snatch my sleeping pills
Thinking of swallowing one or nine
Thinking of sleeping for awhile or just die
And think of mom and dad
How unfair to squander their efforts through these years
But… how unfair to hurl me in this scary world without my consent!

Tick tock tick tock
It’s only twenty seven minutes to dawn…
And the sun will soon come
And the dew
And hopes
And your smile
For that… I guess I can live another day

 

Murahnya Mobil

Sampai detik ini saya belum tertarik membeli mobil. Pertama, karena saya merasa nggak perlu bermobil (nggak bisa nyetir juga, tapi itu bisa dipelajari). Kedua, karena seorang kenalan memberitahu saya sebuah studi yang mengatakan bahwa orang Jakarta baru “layak” beli mobil kalau dia perlu bepergian dengan taksi sebanyak 1500 kali dalam setahun. Dengan matematika sederhana, itu berarti naik taksi 4 sampai 5 kali dalam sehari. Saya nggak melakukan riset untuk mencari tahu lebih jauh soal studi ini, tapi menurut dia, yang dimaksud layak di sini adalah kesimpulan yang ditarik setelah mempertimbangkan harga mobil, biaya operasional, dan perawatan.

Well, normalnya, orang tidak akan bepergian dengan taksi sesering itu. Tapi kenyataannya, Jakarta semakin sesak dengan mobil. Fenomena yang sering saya amati ketika saya naik mikrolet dan terjebak macet adalah: mobil-mobil di seputaran saya dinaiki hanya oleh satu orang. Ya! Pemandangan semacam itu hampir selalu saya jumpai. Mikrolet saya masih mending. Karena kalaupun saya adalah satu-satunya penumpang, setidaknya saya berdua dengan si sopir, hehehe.

Jadi ceritanya… hari ini saya iseng lihat-lihat harga mobil di intenet. Dan saya kaget karena ternyata harga mobil itu tidak mahal. Banyak banget mobil yang dijual di harga seratus jutaan. Bahkan untuk mobil second, harganya lebih banyak lagi yang miring. Duh! Pantas saja orang pada beli mobil! Apalagi orang Jakarta yang pendapatannya lumayan tinggi. Apalagi semuanya bisa dicicil. Apalagi bensin disubsidi. Apalagi bawa mobil itu bisa meningkatkan gengsi!

Banyak orang berpendapat bahwa dengan bermobil mobilitas akan semakin semakin mudah, bebas menentukan mau pergi ke mana. Pendapat itu ada benarnya. Tapi apa benar fleksibilitas itu setara (paid-off) dengan tingkat stres karena macetnya jalanan?

Jangan dikira saya nggak stres ketika menggunakan angkutan umum (baik itu busway, KRL, mikrolet, kopaja, dan taksi). Terjebak macet atau menunggu antrean atau berdesakan dengan penumpang lain juga ada level stresnya tersendiri. Bagi pengendara mobil, jelas kenyamanan menjadi prioritas karena tentu lebih enak terjebak macet dalam ruangan ber-AC diiringi musik dari sound-system yang yahud. Sementara pengguna angkutan umum harus bersentuhan dengan banyak orang dengan aroma yang kebanyakan nggak sedap .

Karena itulah saya nggak mau menyalahkan para pemilik mobil itu. Mereka punya uang buat beli (atau buat nyicil), punya uang buat bayar bensin (yang disubsidi!), punya uang buat bayar parkir, buat servis rutin, buat nyuci, buat bayar pajak, dan lain sebagainya. Saya juga nggak mau menyalahkan Pemerintah yang seolah-olah nggak kerja soalnya jalanan tambah macet (Pemerintah berulang kali disalahkan juga cuek aja, hehehe). Saya memang menulis ini bukan untuk mengkritik siapa-siapa, melainkan untuk menyampaikan rasa maklum menghadapi mobil di jalanan semakin hari semakin menyemut.

Sekadar pemanis tulisan, saya kasih contekan beberapa harga mobil second yang diiklankan online yaa… (siapa tahu ada yang mau lebih meramaikan lagi ibukota Jakarta yang rasanya makin sempit).

- Daihatsu Sirion 2008: Rp. 105 juta
- Daihatsu Taruna 2000: Rp. 80 juta
- Daihatsu Terios 2008: Rp. 148 juta
- Daihatsu Xenia 2010: Rp. 125 juta

- Honda Jazz 2004: Rp. 118 juta
- Honda Accord 2005: Rp. 185 juta
- Honda City 2007: Rp. 152 juta
- Honda Stream 2004: Rp. 165 juta

- KIA Carens 2005: Rp. 95 juta
- KIA Carnival 2005: Rp. 105 juta
- KIA Picanto 2008: Rp. 99 juta
- KIA Visto 2003: Rp. 69 juta

- Nissan Grand Livina 2007: Rp. 147 juta
- Nissan Livina 2011: Rp. 175 juta
- Nissan Terrano 1998: Rp. 110 juta
- Nissan X-trail 2004: Rp. 160 juta

- Mercedes C 200 1996: Rp. 95 juta
- Mercedes E 220 1997: Rp. 98 juta
- Mercedes E 320 1997: Rp. 155 juta
- Mercedes S 320 1997: Rp. 185 juta

- Suzuki APV 2004: Rp. 107 juta
- Suzuki Baleno 2003: Rp. 97 juta
- Suzuki Karimun Estillo: Rp. 88 juta
- Suzuki Swift 2007: Rp. 130 juta

- Toyota Avanza 2007: Rp. 138 juta
- Toyota Camry 2005: Rp. 180 juta
- Toyota Innova 2005: Rp. 150 juta
- Toyota Rush 2008: Rp. 169 juta
- Toyota Vios 2004: Rp. 115 juta
- Toyota Yaris 2010: Rp. 163 juta

 

When

It was when you said you love me
The clock stopped ticking
Gave me time to enjoy the best moment in life
In a slow… graceful… motion

And the tips of my lips slightly raised
And the cores of my eyes vibrantly sparked
And then goose bumps
And then heart attack

I died for two seconds
Went straight to heaven

… and back

You were still there
Waiting for my “I love you too”
But instead… I said “thank you”
Ah, you knew I loved you too

 

Standar Gaji: Update!

Berdasarkan statistik yang dihimpun oleh wordpress, ternyata gaji adalah topik nomor satu yang paling dicari di blog saya (diikuti kata kunci libur dan sex). Ini menandakan bahwa uang masih menjadi urusan paling penting dan nggak ada habisnya untuk dibicarakan.

Saya sesungguhnya juga merasakan hal yang sama. Saya selalu ingin tahu berapa berapa pendapatan orang-orang sehingga jalanan Jakarta semakin hari semakin dipenuhi mobil-mobil pribadi. Saya tentu saja juga ingin tahu apakah yang saya terima sudah masuk akal dan layak. Karena itu saya bikin riset kecil-kecilan untuk mengumpulkan informasi mengenai rentang gaji berbagai profesi di Indonesia.

Metode:
- Bertanya secara kasual pada kenalan, teman, dan kerabat
- Info lowongan pekerjaan yang mencantumkan penawaran gaji
- Menjelajahi internet, termasuk milis-milis
- Semua bersifat random, artinya tidak ada kerangka tertentu dalam pengambilan sampel
- Angka disajikan dalam Rupiah/bulan

Disclaimer:
- Kadang tidak akurat: ada yang membesar-besarkan, ada yang mengecil-kecilkan
- Tidak bermaksud menyalahi azas kerahasiaan dan kesopanan (banyak sekali yang tidak mau membagi informasi ini). Bagi manajemen perusahaan yang membaca postingan ini, mohon dimaklumi. Ini adalah misteri sejuta umat
- Mohon diingat bahwa gaji sangat tergantung pada lama pengalaman dan histori gaji sebelumnya

Karena info yang saya kumpulkan masih minim, saya belum bikin matriks yang user-friendly. Saya menggolongkan profesi menurut sektornya: Pemerintah, Swasta, NGO/LSM. Jenis profesi akan sangat beragam sesuai title orang yang saya temui/tanyai. Postingan ini akan terus saya update tanpa membuka postingan baru. Saya akan sangat berterima kasih atas segala masukan untuk penyempurnaan informasi ini.

Pemerintah dan Semi-Pemerintah

PNS menerima gaji pokok yang bersifat seragam menurut golongan dan pangkat, ditambah tunjangan yang bervariasi menurut institusi dan status keluarga. Saya terakhir bekerja di Dep. ESDM tahun 2009 dengan gaji kira-kira 1,8 dan tunjangan 1,6 juta. Masih ditambah penghasilan lain dari honor-honor tim dan sisa biaya perjalanan dinas (waktu itu belum at cost).

PNS Analis Gol. IIIA Dep. Keuangan, gaji + tunjangan: 6,5
PNS Analis Gol. IIIB Dep. ESDM, gaji + tunjangan: 5,5
Commercial Specialist US Embassy: 15
Voucher Examiner US Embassy: 7,6
Account officer bank ternama: 7
Partner relation officer US Peace Corps: 9,7
Regional manager US Peace Corps: 11,3

Swasta

Editor fiksi: 4 – 6
Staff Pertamina (Persero, fresh graduate): 7
Staff perusahaan IT grade 6 : 4 – 5
Staff perusahaan IT grade 7: 5 – 9
Professional perusahaan IT grade 8: 9 – 15 + transport 1,75
Managerial perusahaan IT grade 9: 15 – puluhan + transport 9
Managerial perusahaan IT grade 10: di atas 30 – ratusan + transport 16
Programmer perusahaan otomotif: 12
Programmer perusahaan IT: 4
Senior office boy perusahaan “besar”: 5

NGO/LSM

Analyst/advisor (international NGO): 8 – 15
Admin officer: 6
Project officer: 15  (USD 88 per hari)
Project officer USAID: 9
Program officer British Council: start from 8,8
Communication officer British Council: start from 8,8
Regional contract development manager British Council: start from 14,5

Klik di sini untuk melihat postingan pertama saya mengenai hasil riset yang dilakukan Kelly Service.

Semoga bermanfaat dan selamat berjuang mendapatkan gaji yang lebih layak!

* untuk alasan confidentiality, saya tidak bisa mengekspos siapa saja narasumber saya
** NGO: Non Governmental Organization = LSM: Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat

 

Happy to be a Lady

Happy (Indonesian) Women’s Day!

Since I am not (yet) a mother, I will not babble nor being romantic about the amazement and amusement of being a mother. Instead, I will see it in the perspective of a woman – not merely a mother.

The commemoration date itself derived from one historical event on 22 December 1928 when Kowani was established. Kowani is the abbreviation for Kongres Wanita Indonesia or National Council of Indonesian Women’s Organizations. Now, there are 82 women’s organizations join Kowani which purpose is to strive for the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for women and men. The date is then well-known as “Hari Ibu” which actually is translated into Indonesian Women’s Day (and NOT Indonesian Mothers’ Day).

Okay, enough for the history. Now let’s move to the main course: some babbles on how great it is to be a woman, or yeah… my title says: a lady (so that it rhymes with the word “happy”, hehe)

When I was young(er), I once wrote an article about how much easier to be a man than a woman. The social pressure is harder for women, if I may recall what I wrote. Women should wear more clothes than men, old virgin women are shame in society, women are blamed when “married by accident” happens, women are this and that, women are not allowed for this and that. Oh, I was so young .

Years afterwards, my opinion have shifted and now I really think that actually being a woman is not that difficult compared to being a man. In fact, women are given so much privilige (and lenience) which of course sometimes seems unfair.

Women get the seat on public transportation. There is a moral obbligation that a man should offer his seat if a woman (especially the pregnant and old one) miss a seat.

Women first, yeah you know that famous saying: ladies first.

Women “only” need to be pretty to get attention. But men need to be smart and powerful and rich for that.

Feminism makes women not only equal – but higher than men.

Women have more opportunities to get scholarships.

Women get allotment in legislation – not based on capacity nor capability but merely gender.

Women have way more options for clothing.

Women are forgiven for their silliness, stupidity, whine, nag, and ehem… irrational use of credit card.

If a woman do not get married until her thirties, she can always say she has not found the one. For a man, the pressure to decide is bigger (if you can’t decide, you’re not a man). Especially in a society where marital status takes an important part in labeling people (ladies, you are very welcome to argue on this, hehehe).

If a woman do not achieve well in her career, she can easily justify it with many excuses: she focuses on family, or she waits for a prince on the white horse to rescue her (again ladies, you may argue on this).

Women will be mothers. Heaven is on mother’s feet. What can beat that?

Aren’t we lucky, ladies?

Source: http://kowani.or.id

 

Story of Stuff

Click here to watch the video on youtube

Who doesn’t like shopping? Nobody. If given all resources needed to shop, then I am pretty sure that everybody love shopping. Fulfilling needs is everybody’s need. But do you realize that we now live in the world where piles and piles of products “attack” you uncontrollably? Producers keep feeding you with all kind variants you don’t even need.

I strongly recommend a video prepared by “The Story of Stuff Project” founded by Annie Leonard. I knew this video the first time about a couple of years ago and I loved it instantly. They make it very attractively easy to digest with a very creative narration and illustration. I hope it will change the way you look at your stuff. Enjoy!

Story of Stuff

Although the video are based on the consumerism in the US. I think the issue is applicable to all of us. And friends, we should really stop buying (unnecessary) things. And we should start it soon like… NOW!

 

A note of a lonely man

.
I am old and I am nobody

I am not somebody’s lover
I am not somebody’s spouse
I am not somebody’s parent

Oh I miss the feeling of being wanted
That someone wants me in most of the precious time
That someone is around when I need to

Oh I miss the feeling of being loved
That someone adores me
And always puts me as priority

Oh I miss the feeling of being needed
That some little ones cling on me
That I can make them feel secure and comfy

Yes I am getting older now, and getting lonelier
I am happy at times, but am desperate too when things are tough
I am stronger and more independent than ever
But am getting sick of taking care of everything
By my own little hands, my own tired brain, my own empty soul

Now that I am older
The skin is wrinkling, the spirit is vanishing
Chances are thinning, options are shrinking
Hopes are diminishing

Now that I am older, I can see things more clearly
I can see love, I can see lust
I can see honesty, I can see lies
I can see sincerity, I can see hypocrisy
I can see sympathy, I can see pity

Now that I am older, honey, I truly wish you were here…

 

 

Climate change and our grandchildren

The COP in Durban has finally come to the end. The “good news” is: a new international (supposed to be legally binding) pact is produced. This pact will more strongly push the emerging countries such as China and India to take action in slowing down the impact of global warming towards climate change, rising of sea levels, extreme weather systems. And all is for the sake of the our children in the future.

I don’t know how to put this nicely, but maybe… “bullshit” is a proper word.

Seriously? Is this all really about saving the planet? About mitigating the global warming effects? About securing the future of our grandchildren? I don’t think so. From what I see, those people sitting around the negotiation tables are thinking only to deliver their job well, to boost their career, to earn or to preserve their good name, to show off skills and authority. It’s all simply about power, money, about feeding those-so-called environmentalists and, well, politicians and capital-owners on this aged Earth.

I do believe that the environment is so damn damaged by human activities and that we – as the dweller of the Earth – need to do something. But, I am very skeptical on how UN making up the scheme to “save the planet.” Again, I only see money is everybody’s primary interest. It is more like a short-cut to distribute the developed-countries’ wealth to the unfortunate ones.

Take Indonesia as an example. The Government has set a policy called: pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-poor*, and pro-environment (which additionally added a few years ago). It means environment is the least priority. Using excuses of not polluting (that) much and that as a developing country Indonesia is still struggling in its economic development, the country tries hard persuading the rich countries to invest their money for clean development. Fake.

Take USA for another example. As one of the biggest polluter, they commit to reduce and/or compensate their national carbon footprint. However, USA had never ratified its commitment to combat climate change. I don’t blame them. I would probably say “bravo” to such courage. They are quite persistent in becoming the enemy of the world .

European Union is another story. As the strongest group party in the forum, they seem being pushed very hard as the most responsible one among others and seen as the richest “kid in the family.” Therefore, they should “pay” the most. It is so fascinating to watch how EU has not stopped dragging the three biggest polluters from developing economics: China, India, and Brazil, putting more blame on them.

UNFCCC sounds like one big intriguing family, doesn’t it?

www.cartoonland.de/archiv/die-geschichte-der-welt-in-stopmotion/
(This video is irrelevant, but I kinda like it)

* I actually disagree with the term of “pro-poor” here. Because compared to the other three “pros”, pro-poor is so wrong. No wonder there are more and more poor people around.

** I consider having career in climate change world (I am moving towards that direction). I guess I am not supposed to write something so skeptical like this :D

 

Jadwal Libur 2012 (Holiday!!)

Tahun 2011 hampir berlalu… sudah saatnya kita melihat masa depan… mencari celah untuk berlibur di tengah kesibukan yang begitu padatnya… hahaha… Here I announce the list of holiday in Indonesian calendar 2012. Enjoy!!

Minggu	1 Januari	Tahun Baru Masehi
Senin	23 Januari	Tahun Baru Imlek 2563
Minggu	5 Februari	Maulud Nabi Muhammad SAW
Jumat	23 Maret	Hari Raya Nyepi Tahun Baru Saka 1934
Jumat	6 April	Wafat Yesus Kristus
Minggu	6 Mei	Hari Raya Waisak 2556
Kamis	17 Mei	Kenaikan Yesus Kristus
Sabtu	16 Juni	Isra Miraj Nabi Muhammad SAW
Jumat	17 Agustus	Hari Kemerdekaan RI
Minggu - Senin	19 – 20 Agustus	Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1433 H
Jumat	26 Oktober	Hari Raya Idul Adha 1433 H
Kamis	15 November	Tahun Baru Hijriyah 1434 H
Selasa	25 Desember	Hari Raya Natal
Jumat	18 Mei	Cuti bersama Kenaikan Yesus Kristus
Selasa - Rabu	21 – 22 Agustus	Cuti bersama Idul Fitri
Jumat	16 November	Cuti bersama tahun Baru 1434 H
Senin	24 Desember	Cuti bersama Hari Raya Natal

Tidak lupa saya sertakan SK Bersama 3 Menteri yang menjadi sumber rujukan saya.

SK Bersama Jadwal Libur 2012

Enjoy holiday!

 

7 Attitudes to Survive in Jakarta

Let’s face it. Living in Jakarta is getting more and more ridiculously challenging (“challenging” is a word the optimists use which is actually synonymous to: hard, difficult, complicated, and tricky ).

It will be a boring repetition, but I have to mention again why Jakarta is so (damn) not easy. The air is heavily polluted, the traffic is frustratingly congested, the rivers and canals sickeningly stink, and the living cost is relatively high. Above all, we still have to face various people who many of them are cynical, opportunist, individualistic, hypocritical, and depressed

 Having lived here for a few years gives me the idea to share some of my observations, conclusions, and (perhaps) tips to survive in this “lovely” city.

First, patience. You need it a LOT. You have to be patient. Most of the frustration you face in Jakarta is out of your control and there is nothing you can do but to be patient. Trust me in this. If you try too hard to make things under control (people are naturally control freaks), you will find yourself beaten up because you are helpless. If Fauzi Bowo can’t fix all those problems faced by the Jakartan, most likely, neither can you. So, why don’t you stop complaining and start establishing some smart tricks to get along well with the city?

Second, patience. Yes, after supplying so much patience to get along with everything, you still need to spare another form of patience in order to rejuvenate your spirit and energy. This second layer of patience will keep you willing to continue living the unhealthy metropolitan life.

Third, indifference. You don’t have to care about everything around you, including people’s opinion regarding you and what you’re doing. And since I am purely admirer of Paulo Coelho, I will happily quote his words: “what other people think about you is none of your business.”

Fourth, ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, you know. Although for the whole life you have been preached to always dig all knowledge in the world, sometimes being ignorant is harmless. What you don’t know will not hurt you.

Fifth, arrogance (or probably I should call it: confidence). Trust in yourself and believe that you’re a meaningful creature having some important missions to do. You are significant and you play an important role. Otherwise, you will feel miserable and useless and you will want to die.

Sixth, optimism. Nothing is eternal in this world, so is in Jakarta, so is the depression. Live your day lightly and calmly. Don’t take too hard on too many things. When you are drowned in so much trouble then take a deep breath and have your golden slumber. You deserve it. Afterwards, you may start planning some strategy to face all challenges. Everything will flow.

Seventh, respect. Other people are frustrated too. They also have to deal with their nagging wives, lazy husbands, naughty kids, stupid partners, annoying colleagues, never-ending tasks, corrupt government officers, or fraudulent real estate agent (hehehe). So, try to understand when sometimes they act unrealistically. We are all human anyway.