Tale From the Past

If there's one thing Disney is loving to do lately,

It's creating the human version of their classics.

I was pretty cautious, because, hmm yea I have this OCD thingy and Disney is like my precious treasure from childhood. So if there's even one single detail missing from the classic animated movie I'll be like, screw you Disney. That's why up till now, I haven't watched Maleficent. But for their next human version project, my friend dragged my ass to the cinema already.

Got the poster from here

Frankly, I've prepared myself mentally before I stepped into the theatre. Movie started, welcomed by Frozen Fever -which was super entertaining, to be honest- and the tale began. The prologue was super long, compared to the animated version, telling too much about how Cinderella's parents died. And oh, her default name was Ella instead of Cinderella which was given by the stepsisters. Clever tho, it was still tolerable for me.

Overall movie was okay. But I really hate how they violate some details. Like outfit colors. Cinderella's light blue was constant. Good. But Lady Tremaine should've been dark purple, Drizella should've been green and Anastasia should've been lavender! The prince and the King should've worn broken white with maroon accent, not such complicated royal costume! Phew, I've warned you, I have a weird OCD obsession.

Speaking about the King, what the hell Disney, why should he die!? Because you need some drama in it!? Didn't work for me! Instead of killing the King, you can consider adding Ella's misery, making Lucifer a bit more of an ass, or, this is what's more important, making a bigger scene of the evil ladies destroying Cinderella's dress. It was so ugh, anti-climax, she should've suffered more than that.

That's not all. My biggest pet peeve was, the Fairy Godmother. I mean, why, why would you change the dreamy fairy's personality to be Helena Bonham's? It wasn't nice okay, and her appearance was not even funny at all. You should've stick with the wise and a little bit clumsy old lady, and casted someone with charm like, Meryl Streep maybe? It's, ugh, all the scene with the Fairy Godmother in it, sucks!

Anyway, enough with the critics. I brought home positive thoughts too like, the ending. I didn't expect any changes for how Cinderella is found tho, but the twist they made was okay. Although honestly, that's not what I cherished the most about this movie.

It's how I kept recalling and mentally playing the original piece inside my mind, during the whole movie. How I had always been charmed, ten, fifteen years ago, when I saw the animated movie, with its delicate craft and beautiful story. Oh, I've always enjoyed Disney Princesses tales, I don't care if it's not meant for boys. Disney Classics had always been a thing for me.

But the best part is, when I looked around the theatre, and see sparks on today's children's eyes.

I felt like, damn proud. It's my cartoon they're now watching. Poor them, they didn't get the chance to enjoy the original movie. Of course they can always ask their dads to download them the classic Cinderella movie, but will they watch it from CD player? With wrecked subtitle and bad recordings? No.

And the portrait from here

I have the best childhood ever.

Better than my parents' and

Definitely will be better than my kids'.

90s are the luckiest

Kingsman: The Secret Service

After Lancelot's death by parties unknown to the Kingsmen, Arthur assembled his agents to find candidates for a replacement. Galahad, while in search of who's responsible for Lancelot's death, came with Eggsy, a bright distracted young man with potential, as his choice for the vacant position. As the journey to find the best successor takes place, Lancelot's true killer Richmond Valentine is scheming a destructive mind-blowing plan for mankind.

What did I feel right after? Well, before I start, I'd like to make a slightly little change. Usually, the review section of a movie I just watched will be written in Indonesian. Starting from this post, it'll be all in English so please, be fancy.

OKAY.

What did I feel right after? Mixed. It was entertaining, yet also gore. I hated how human bodies are easily chopped off in this cheerful world of Kingsman. But then again, it's brought with a happy approach so I was amused anyway. Three brief highlights; Samuel L. Jackson. I've always liked him because to me, he's always been a good man in a movie. Now that in this one he's the asshole, I hate him. Hats off to the man tho, because he can turn a fan to a hater. Then Colin Firth. I'm in love with him. Since Nanny McPhee. Yea, because of his British accent. And here in this movie, with all the suit and umbrella, damn, marry me! Last and the best, Sofia Boutella. From the first second of her scene, I, fell, in an instant love, with her. She's so fvcking gorgeous! And flexible, if you know what I mean. She's like the version of Rachel Berry I'd love to adore, rather than slap. Think I have a new idol.

After all, the whole story was great. It was not a typical action movie with typical villain motives. Trust me, Valentine's plan for the world, it's smart, it's out of the box, and I'm 100% sure that there's a little voice deep in your heart saying that you actually agree with him, and hope that his plan could someday be realized in our world :)

I'm kidding.

But not.

image soure: here

Mockingjay Part One

Katniss destroyed the 75th Hunger Games arena and was instantly rescued by District 13. Leaving Peeta who eventually got captured by The Capitol--wait, de javu, de javu... Think I've done this before... Oh ya! I did, but for the book. But I think it's the same so, I might wanna skip it.

So...

What did I feel right after? Actually, not "right after". More like, "during". And the answer to that is, I cried. During the movie, yes. Well I knew the story pretty well. As I re-read the book several weeks before the movie was released. I cried because I got carried away. Katniss' rebellion, I never thought it was that touching, before I saw J.Law on screen. She played the role beyond perfection. Her gesture, her face, her trembling body... I never completely agree that she suits well with Katniss Everdeen, before this movie. Then we have Alma Coin. Oh President Coin. I was more than grateful when they picked Julianne Moore for the role. Well I didn't expect her to play really well as what I inferred from the book, Coin is a cold-hearted bastard I couldn't even guessed how she actually is in real life. But Moore's versatility was really relieving to me and I was right! She played damn good.

And the whole movie was, I don't know, maybe I'm a little biased because I am a fan of the trilogy but, it was that mesmerizing. The terror, the pressure, it was just exactly what I felt when I read the book. Even more. Although some scenes from the book were removed but, with that kind of output, I don't even care if they kicked Gale out of the script.

But what trembled me the most, was something off the storyline. It's Philip Seymour Hoffman. Well to be honest I have no idea who he was until he appeared as Plutarch in Catching Fire. But then, maybe because I love character Plutarch itself, I felt like I really love this guy. Philip Seymour Hoffman. And seeing him all healthy, bright with positive smile all along the movie, it just broke my heart.

Well, well. Look at this.

In the world of Neverland blog I'm running, movie review should only consists one prologue paragprah in English, one review paragraph in Indonesian, and if necessary, a glimpse of closing statement in English. But look what I did today.

It just shows how much I love...

Katniss? J. Law? Plutarch? Philip?

No. Suzanne Collins

image source: here

Classic Wish

Disney strikes again.

Don't you think it's enough for you, Disney, that you've been stealing my heart for 20 years or so, and keep doing it again and again, although you're starting to let go of your classical hand-drawn style? I've been trying to dislike you since Brave because you were getting more serious in doing hi-tech animation and stuff but... You kept blowing me away instead! Especially after yesterday I watched

Poster's from here.

You never changed. You kept delivering fantastic creations. I'm not talking about the overall animation because it's starting to not looking a lot like, Disney. What can I say, for me, you're losing your Disney touch in the animation. But then, I wasn't talking about that. It was more to the storyline, that I loved the most. The emotion you emerged, the moral you highlighted. And my old wish you brought back.

Back to my childhood era, I was so obsessed to have my own robotic friend. Like a maniac. I used to build it out of blocks, made it with papers, enriched it with special features like compartments to keep my small stuff, gave a little pocket to smudge paper made tools--I was a scientist!

Then you came up with Baymax. He talks to Hiro, comforts him, treats his wounds. But nothing that made me envy-er than the time when Baymax was upgraded to fighting form. Shit man, it was like the only reason I once ever thought about entering the natural science major in high school so that I can proceed to engineering school -thank God I didn't manage to do that for real.

But. It's not Baymax that I want to steal from Hiro.
If I have to say what made me jealous the most,

It's Tadashi.

Definitely not mine, got it from here.

For you who has no idea, I was born as a first son of three. Having two younger brothers is extremely fun, but, I've always been dying to have an older one. An asshole guardian elder brother that takes me for granted, uses and abuses me in a comical way, tells me to do his chores, get his stuff here and there--yes, it could be a pain in the ass but I would want one. I didn't exactly know when this feeling began, I just think I grew up with that wish.

Tadashi, for his whole appearance on the movie, couldn't make me stop thinking that he's the kind of big brother I've been dreaming for. Protective, wise, seem to know my needs and wants, even more than I do. And that's not all. He's also a bit rebel, knows how to act crazy with his little brother, wrestle and drive like a nut together.

As freaky as it may sound -and I'm pretty sure that yes, I might sound freak, I literally got jealous of Hiro. Felt like I wanted to get inside the movie, kick his smart-ass butt out of the screen and have Tadashi -and Baymax too!- all the way for my-damn-self.

Well.

I never realized how weird this obsession was,
Until Tadashi appeared like a big bro of my dream.

And Hiro.

He acted like I thought I would be if I have an elder brother.
Reckless, silly, behave as if I can do anything and don't need him.

But actually, deep inside
I look up to him

Indonesians Kan't be Expected Alot

For their English, yes, that's why the title of this post messed a bunch.

Oh, sorry, did I offend certain parties? Well I'm alerting you guys now. This post is going to be extra negative-toned due to this pretty unique phenomenon happened recently in my hometown. One word. Four letters.

See those people on bottom left? Guess what they were about to do! ;)

Yea, shame on us, the furniture warehouse just came in to our country. Some were familiar about it, some others just acted like they knew much about it but the fact is: they only happened to see the logo somewhere when they were shopping -not traveling- in Singapore, or, maybe just got exposed somewhere in the internet. The point is, the whole Jakarta was like really enthusiastic in welcoming the store.

I myself, wasn't really care that much. And I didn't really want to bother coming all the way down from home to the far-far-away store just to "check" what I want to buy. Check, got it? Check, not actually buy. Because I know I won't shop much in there--I know my limit in crafting things from zero to wardrobe-with-mirror, and I'd definitely, without a doubt, give up in the middle of the making.

But last week -geez, cool things happened "last week" lately I'm so living my weekdays as a worker :(- I went there anyway with a friend. It was okay, since I didn't drive, so it was okay. At least I could do a preliminary research if someday I urgently need to go there. And my college friend worked in there too so, maybe I could surprise her!

So it was Sunday, and as expected, full of people. It took more than 30 mins to search a for parking spot. And I was actually being grateful for that. Because when we -my friend, to be exact- were wasting time to park the car, I could see with my very own eyes, what people were actually doing in there.

I unlocked four (pity) insights

of what my beloved citizens actually do in IKEA

Walking away from the store, most people only had unnecessary stuff in their hands. Folded chairs, plastic plants, wall clock and... Freaking photo frames!? Oh wow, I just couldn't believe they were willing to go through everything only for frames they could actually buy in department stores closer to their houses. That's one.

Secondly, as you all might've guessed before, is dining. Crowding the restaurant. The eating place. The ice cream queue--I mean, oh my God, ice cream... Okay. Well. Good thing was, I lost my appetite when I found out that there were more people crowding the restaurant than the actual store. The warehouse where people pick their own packed furniture being the emptiest of all spaces, meaning that attendants who actually shop for actual home furnitures were, limited.

The fvcking ice cream queue :)

Then we have the "let's take a photo in front of the logo" scene. Well. No. I'm not gonna talk much about it. This case is really sensitive I think I'm skipping it.

Finally, messing around. Trash and mess are everywhere, I can't imagine what the expat employees of IKEA have in mind when they have to clean up the disaster Indonesians made to their working place. And they did mess much, but did buy nothing.

This was right before I entered the building. What a first impression.
I'd want to clean it but, I'm Indonesian so I took a photo and whine.

After all, what they were aiming for at the first place was, of course, the checking in social media part. I don't wanna be shallow about it, because I did it too. Although my actual objective of visiting IKEA wasn't either one of those four pity-ness I mentioned above, I did post a photo in Path and attach the location. But that's what everybody in Jakarta do, yes?

And of course, it's all about being the part of the euphoria. I really, really know that going to IKEA on the first two weeks would be a very fvckin bad idea. But then on the same time I felt really thankful because I had the chance to go there before the roar ends so I could see everything myself.

But that's okay, Jakartans. And Indonesians.
It's a good sign, to be honest, seeing us like that.
Means that we're growing. Socially, economically.

But we still need to fix our manner.
And please keep in mind about one thing:
Don't get too carried away


P.S. : I returned home with a wardrobe and a mirror, so don't judge me okay? :)

Who's Getting a Book Now

Hey blog, what's up?

HAA hahaha yeess I'm talking to you again now. Wow--what?? Are you accusing me of been hiding something from you again and this post is the part when I'm confessing?? How could you do that to--okay, yes, I'm here to confess something again.

Sorry I been concealing this for so long but,

I actually been working on my own traveling book.

And since it's out in the bookstore now, there's no harm telling.

Well, in my defense, I kept sending you signals that I planned to make a book out of my Vietnam trip ya!? Let's take a break and look back to my posts about Vietnam. See? See? See!? I said, "Well I'm sorry I can't tell much about it. I have plans of where to spill more things about Vietnam." didn't you get what it means?

Okay whoa sorry I'm here to confess and apologize now, not to make a scene.
And maybe to briefly tell you how this magical thing could actually happen to me.

Trip to Vietnam was too affecting for me. It was crazy unforgettable, with all stuff I did alone, all people I met along the way, God, I can't just waste it, I talked to myself. So I had this idea to record everything in a form of a book. Because I know, a blog couldn't -and wouldn't- hold all details anyway.

Spent the whole February and half of March working on everything from A to Z, before I finally sent it to a publisher. At first I didn't expect them to want to publish the script I proposed because, they're like the top publisher in here. But then, God really loved me because it was reaching my birthday when they mailed me back, telling me that they were interested to work on the script. I was trembling all week long.

Since after that, the times of struggling kept coming. Worked on the revisions, checked and edited the proof, I did so many editorial stuff I never even learned before. Those were actually fun because, it was what I like! What's not fun was, the waiting process. When I couldn't do anything about it, but to wait and to keep myself in the loop about the on going stages.

Until last week, my editor said that the book was going to be out on Monday, August 25th. It drove me crazy. I don't know why, I mean, I knew it'd eventually be released, it was not a shocking-unexpected news. But then, ya, I was totally energized. But the climax happened on Friday, August 22nd.

I was passing by the bookstore, and slowing down near the traveling section, when I saw a blue book I knew I was so familiar with. Because I've been too many times exposed to that cover. Because I was the one approving that cover. Because that was the cover of my book.

I went out of control. Flashed straight to the nearest praying room and cried in joy. All the waitings, finally paid off. But still I have to wait for the best time to show this book to my family. And then to everybody, right after my family. Because of course, I'd want to show that first to my family.

So last Sunday I brought them to the bookstore. It was a really weird invitation because at first my brother didn't really want to come -he's not a really big fan of books- but I somehow insisted all four of them to join me to the bookstore. They gave in tho, maybe because I started to be all nerdy and freaky. Then I walked them to the traveling section. Stopped near my book, turned around and face everybody before saying,

"Guys, all these times, I wasn't unemployed
for nothing. I made this."

Then entered my book. Right to their faces. Their stunned faces. Seeing my name written on the cover. Dad was speechless, mom cried. My brothers started shaking my hands awkwardly. We spent like almost half an hour taking photos of the book. And me.

Crazy day. I've been dreaming about that scene since, wow, I don't know when. I always pictured it before I slept, when I was doing nothing, basically, almost all the time. And it went the way I wanted it to go.

That day, and that August 22nd,
And that day when I got the emails from my editor,

God, will forever be in me.

"Cheating Southern Vietnam"

Never thought I could go through everything. Alone.
Well, not that alone because I always have a place to lean on.

So thank you, Allah Almighty.

Who's Getting Older Now

Hey blog, what's up?

Long time not talking to you. Well, actually I been too much posting lately but did you realize? I was talking to the readers, not you. So by this, before we all got too carried away, I'm dedicating my time, and my post, to talk with you, my dearest blog.

So. Best, friend...

You might have been wondering, why I don't seem to be interested in... Getting a job? Wha--you seriously thought that I'll be forever living my childhood, too afraid of jumping in the professional world like what I've always been afraid of all these years??

No, I'm not! Unless yes, I'm scared. But no I won't forever be trapped in my childhood, although yes, I want to be forever young but--okay. Now I'm talking to myself.

But hey, blog, I wanna confess something.
That I, actually sort of joined to a temporary project
I call myself as a, well how do we say it... A part-time job?

Don't get mad, it's not something that big. I took this project simply because I needed the money. You know it wasn't easy to fly my ass to Philippines. And you know that I won't forget sharing every single baby step I take to build my life, don't you? Sweetheart?

So ya that's also why I'm here.
Because today, I got an interview.

Don't you see how big this is to me? A real, professional job interview! Like what I've always seen Rachel Green doing! I'm one step closer to the real world! I'm growing up! An adult! A responsible adult! With a family, and obligations to pay taxes, and three other persons I have to support! That's right where I'm heading :)

So today I went to the office.
Interviewed by an expat and her subordinate.

Got that now? First interview ever.
With two people asking. Using English.

I either should be proud, or crying for how complicated the first interview was, but to be honest, I enjoyed it. The interviewers were easygoing, we laughed and stuff -is that supposed to be a good sign?- and I might want to consider the interview as a regular-laid-back talk! Also the field is in my competence. The topic is totally my interest. The money, well we didn't discuss the money because, I'm not yet sure anyway.

Ya, the current project I'm having now is not yet to be finished until next month. Yet those people is urgently in need of a new employee. So it's not a good situation to me now.

But ya, there are plenty of clams in the sea.
It's not that I'm rejected tho, they loved me instead!
Well, that's what I sensed along and after the interview...

I'm okay. I have been, and I will be.
Getting older's fun, so far

Journal Closing

I thought 2012 was the sweetest one.
But I was wrong. Until I met 2013.

Which turned to be the year

I learned more about myself.

All year long, I'm telling you, all year long.
I kept exploring hidden potentials inside of me.

Potentials I thought were strong enough but eventually,
I kept exploring something bigger as days and months went by.

Flying Solo -- January - February

Never once in my mind, back then, that I'd actually ever gone traveling alone to some new places I never even been to. But I did. I completed the challenge I set to myself. And it was not only me, but my parents were also proud of what I did, my friends applauded me. A regular trip, supposedly, but the extreme touches I sprinkled, made it more interesting. I began to love myself.

First Real Jobs -- March - April

Things got more serious and it was more than just a traveling thing. So I got a freelance copywriting offer from my lecturer. To a guy in his junior year of college called "me", it was considered tremendous. I couldn't stop praising myself because, umm, she trusted me? :')

"The Field Trip" -- June - August

More about the professional world, yea as you knew I was called as apprentice by BBDO. One big, noted advertising agency worldwide. What I liked myself about this part was, I did everything by myself. Applying for the position, calling in the interview, doing the whole internship program ALTHOUGH, I have a relative who works for Lowe, I skipped the advantage and worked it all myself.

Getting American -- October

This, could actually be the highlight of the year and placed the last in this list. But after all, traveling should be placed one step below education and career so, it's placed fourth.

But still, this was the one I won't ever deny. The thing that makes me see myself higher. Although the success of this was achieved with my friends, I can't ever take myself for granted anymore. Or underestimate myself. So starting from US, when I felt down, I would just say to myself "dude, at least you been to America" :)

Done and Ready -- December

So as you know, the peak of my achievement was about myself in college. Yes. My degree. My title I worked myself to get. The phase where I could finally take a break from campus stuff. Well, the last break. Before I finally have to feel the real professional world. Not just an underdog freelance jobs. Nor a semi-real jobs called the internship.

But a real job.

That recently, has been haunting me too much.

Causing me lots of lots of thoughts and considerations.

Which actually, doesn't necessarily have to be like that tho.

Because I know somehow I can make it eventually.

Because I possess something greater than I ever even known.

I thought 2012 was the sweetest one.

But I was wrong. Until I met 2013.

And I hope I'm wrong again.

After I see 2014 :)

Get A Horse!

Mickey and Minnie went on a ride with their friends Horrace and Clarabelle. Clasically, big cruel antagonist Pete came to kidnap Minnie. Then there goes the rest of the story; Mickey attempted to rescue Minnie with the help of his friends, failed a little bit, came up with some good idea and poof! Pete's down and yes, I told you the whole story.

What did I feel right after? Thankful. It was only seven minutes long, and shown as the opening theatrical for Frozen but, I found it very, very appealing. Well why not? The scene was like the classic-est thing a Disney fan could ever enjoy the authentic piece of art of... Disney!

It simply brought me back to the first black and white episode of Mickey Mouse, the "Steamboat Willie". Similar plot, same exact characters. It was the first episode of a Mickey-and-friends cartoon compilation -I forgot the name of the CD- my dad bought me, then I watched it with my brothers, humming the tunes and mouthing the mini dialogues, laughing off the cliche jokes... Can I use some tissues here? I could cry now.

I enjoyed this one a lot. Feelin like an oldie when I was like the only one giggling along the classic humors -since every other audience inside the theater were like ten, fifteen years younger than me- but, umm to be honest, I'm proud.

Proud because I grew in such the best generation.

Proud because I could show those nowadays-children

The true essence of a cartoon

Image source: here

What a Relief

So I watched Frozen yesterday.

After all, Disney's stuff should be blog-treated better than any other movies.

Well why not? The movie's such a masterpiece.

The poster belongs to this website.

It's been a long time since I watched Disney Classic down at the cinema. The last one was Brother Bear -well I actually watched Wreck-it Ralph last year but what I meant by Disney Classic was, a human-based-story-with-some-magical-touch classic, not a parallel world of arcade kind of 'classic'. So what I'm saying is, it's been a long time not watching some musical animated feature as Disney always been specialized for -nobody sang along the story of Wreck-It Ralph, as long as I could recall, so don't blame me for skipping the movie.

With Frozen, Disney brought it back to me and I love it.

Now speaking about love, it's not a Disney Classic if there's no cliche about true love and stuff. Especially when it features a brand new princess. When the magical word of 'love' was mentioned, I was like, oh here we go again, sooo~ Disney. But as scenes went by, it wasn't the love I expected. Disney twisted it well and I fell for it.

And I liked Anna. A lot. A type of woman I'll be spending most of my time with. While Elsa, man, she's a fine queen within. Queen. Oh yea she's a queen! Not a princess like people bragged about so, the Disney Princess line-up is no longer in a mess! Although if they still put Elsa as one of the princesses, I don't mind I'll never consider her as one anyway. Disney complicated stuff but I guess I won't ever bother about it.

To sum it up, the movie was fascinating. Entertaining and easy, the humor apparently, was fresh -either the comedy was purely fresh or I simply have a low sense of humor- I liked it a lot when children at the cinema laughed. The music, the story, the Olaf... Disney relive my childhood vision and I adore it.

This pic has nothing to do with my post storyline but umm, I just like it. It's from here.

After all, Disney's stuff should be blog-treated better than any other movies.
Well why not? After all these years, demand changed, techs been growing,
But they remained the same, creating childhood and maintaining ones...

Nothing could change Disney.
Even future won't be able to.
What a relief :)

Catching Fire (Again)

After winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Ever--okay you know what, I've done this before. Please just read here if you want, it's not what I'm eager to talk about.

So...

What did I feel right after? Superior. Gue udah baca bukunya duluan kan, bahkan sampe buku ketiganya pun udah ludes. Jadi pas keluar dari bioskop, yang gue lakukan adalah melangkah angkuh dengan dagu yang naik. Sumpah ya, orang orang keluar studio pada diem kayak rombongan pelayat, trus berdiri gerombol sambil nanya nanya "itu tadi kok gitu sih?" ada juga yang komen "ah gue paling gasuka ending kayak gitu..." sementara gue udah tau kalo nanti President Snow bakal... Oke gue bisa mati dipanah kalo spoiler disini. Tapi gimanapun juga ya namanya udah ngefans, walopun sepanjang nonton gue selalu mendikte di dalam hati apa yang selanjutnya terjadi, gue tetep ngerasa terhibur. Hats off to the actors, bow to the director and his crew, but all credit goes to Suzanne Collins of course.

Tapi yang paling oke adalah deg degannya sih. Ngena parah, mulai dari sebelum, selama, sampe sesudah filmnya selesai. Gatau ya deg degan karena filmnya, plotnya, sinematografi, musik atau emang murni deg degan karena akhirnya setelah penantian satu setengah taun gue bisa nonton ini film juga -kayaknya sih deg degan karena alesan terakhir.

Dan sekarang mesti nunggu setaun lagi buat nonton Mockingjay. Okay that's fine. Setaun lagi gue udah kerja. Gatau sih yang pasti kehidupan gue baru karena bukan lagi mahasiswa.

Yaa I don't know. Anything's possible.

Like maybe, hopefully... I get to watch the movie

Straight down in Los Angeles?

Image Source: here

And Then There Were None

Ten guests were invited to a mansion in the Soldier Island, owned by the mysterious Owens. Ten guests, ten different individuals and backgrounds, with no ideas at all about each others, and about the Owens whom never even showed up. Ten guests, trapped inside the island due to storm, no one could go out and no boat pulled over. Ten guests, one died down to nine, one died down to eight, seven, five, two, and then there were none.

What did I feel right after? Merinding. Tangan sama kaki udah kayak ayam opor, bulunya bangun semua. Mesti gue jelasin lagi gak sih kalo gue suka sama cerita yang banyak tokohnya, trus satu per satu mati? Yang lebih serunya lagi, kan kita gatau kan ya siapa pembunuhnya, jadi YAGITUDEH! Dan yang gue suka adalah, serial killing ini bukan tanpa alasan, 10 orang itu dibunuh karena mereka adalah pendosa!! Mommy :( Pokoknya kalo baca buku ini, jangan pernah buka halaman terakhir karena disitulah nama pembunuhnya ketauan dan untungnya gue udah belajar dari pengalaman kan, jadi ya gue tahan ajadeh kayak b3'0L.

Duh tapi gak kuku nih kalo gak spoiler.

Nih deh ya, gue kasih kisi kisi biar seru

"The Killer is not a killer.
But at last, The Killer is the killer."

Image source: here

Took Me All The Way

It ended yesterday.

You do know what I'm talking about.

The best time of my entire life so far.

A moment I never expected to come. 

October.

How couldn't it be not the best?

First of all, dad was having his 50th birthday. A special number not just for him, but to every single member of this little family of ours. It was just a day we all together realized that, in no time, dad -and mom- will start settling down, and there'll come our time, the kids, to take control the life business. Crazy.

Also, I finally finished the pain-in-the-ass Mirai Ocha task -although on some level, it was all majorly done by my teammates because I left them... ごめんね、皆さん :(

And for the whole month, my mentor made it smooth for my final assignment -the Whiskas stuff. It's now down to the last complicated chapter, and one complementary part to finish. Should I say I can't wait for the trial? No? Of course not, I'll regret saying it...

But the best part, as you know... Is USA.

Want me to tell about that all over again?

Haha don't worry, I know you're tired.

It won't feel good for me anyway.

Yes, because I still haven't completely moved on.

And I'm tired of keep thinking about it, honestly.
But umm, can I say just, this one last thing?

Okay.

"I'll be back there, somehow.
But for this trip, I'm done.
So memories,

Safe flight!"

Taking Worldwide Citizenship

Hi. So, I'm guessing that you're getting tired of me keep talking about USA eh? Well... I'm sorry, but I don't care. This is just how I get over it. The impact was just too big. It kept appearing in my dream for like fourteen days in a row and stopped three days ago. Not just mentally, it also bugged me physically. My jetlag completely finished just two days ago. So now you know how much this trip really matters to me eh?

But I promise, this'll be the last one because it's the overview and for you who've been keeping up with my writings -is there any? :(- you knew that I've always made an overview by the end of my interesting trip.

So here it is, the summary of my journey to...

U S A

Now let's see what I can summarize about this trip.

There are too many, I tell you, so you better brace yourself.

I'm totally, like genuinely into traveling

No doubt. Traveling turns me on. Booking flights are the foreplays. Boarding the aircraft gives me tiny orgasm. Visiting places I could only read from books or see from TV, hanging out with locals, eat their dishes OH GOD those are all like having sex to me and going back home is like the post ejaculation sensation. Hm this topic is getting inappropriate but HEY, that's the truth.

Now let's tell some other truths. I've been thinking about switching my direction of professional world. From that harsh advertising world, to magazine kinda stuff I'm actually more attracted to, since I was a kid. But of course, a traveling magazine. It's still all about writing but now, there's this added value I can benefit, and that is just my other passion. Won't I be on fire all the time about that??

Oh. There's one more thing I learn from this trip. That everything's possible. All my life, USA was just a fantasy. Never once on my mind, I would actually go there. NY has always been something sacred to me and DC, never thought I'd go there. But now that I ever visited US, I have this huge huge confident about the upcoming, undecided, unexpected trips ahead in the future. Why can't I do visit any other places??

So who knows next year I'll spend a month observing animals in Serengeti?

Or travel from Kiev to Reykjavik and the other way around from Lisbon to Helsinki?

Or in two years I'll spend the whole year studying in Cali, spending summer vacation in Hawaii?

Everything seems to be un-impossible after that trip.

Including my dream to be somewhere else's local?

Yeah, at least I can be a global local

And It Really Never Sleeps, Even in My Head

Hi.

It's mid October already, but I haven't posted anything in here.

Yea. I was away for almost like, two weeks. You know where to.

It's New York.

Never thought that this kind of picture will be found inside my phone.

Well.

It was totally mind blowing.

Who would've thought I'd be able to walk the scenery I could ever only see in TV my whole life. I couldn't stop admiring, my breath couldn't flow properly. I can't even decide already which part to share in here, and how to tell that, because it's just too much.

And actually, I tried my best to delay writing about it. Because by writing about it, I recall every single details about it. By recalling every single details about it, I relive what I did. By reliving what I did, my heart breaks.

I can't move on. I'm still hung up. My three friends can't get over it.

We're just too carried away, we're just in love with New York too much.

Just this morning, I woke up with Miley Cyrus' song played subconsciously.

It's always been played the whole trip so it connects real strong with the city.

See? I just can't stop

The Local Warming

So the day I was anxious about had come.

The day I referred to as my runaway, yea it came.

Yes, the day I meet my idol again.

Skenoo Exhibition Hall

September 1st, 2013

Can't really tell you how I exactly felt. This was his third time coming to Jakarta, and my second time coming to his gig. My friends didn't really expect him and even had no idea that he planned to come again. It also meant that, no one would ever be going to the concert.

So I don't care.

I watched it anyway.

Alone again and that was okay.

Unlike his second concert which was started around 9 and ended before 10, this time, the whole concert was much more humanized. We queued at an air conditioned hall, sitting, sequentially entered the main hall and only waited like one hour before the show started.

8 PM, music played, lights dimmed, bands started performing and boom! There came my all-time, top notch, irreplaceable idol. I knew I watched him before, but once I saw him on stage yesterday, it felt like my first time. I yelled, I chanted his name hysterically, I was like a male groupie.

He sang like every single hits he hit. His original songs, his songs where he got featured within, some popular songs as the bridge to his main songs, AAARRGGHH I DO LOVE HIM!! Funny thing was, I'm sure I was the only one who rapped with him. Other people, who stood in front of me, hindering my way from my idol, acted like his biggest fans, only sang the choruses which mostly done by featured artists. I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO MASTERED THE RAP!

And people glanced at me for that. I didn't really know, and care, what they were thinking about. But I'm sure it was either how could he do the rap?? or perhaps the contrary. Shut up, you stupid hoe! We're trying to enjoy Pitbull here! But what can I do, people?? It's just my nature to rap along Pitbull's songs. And I paid to feel the concert anyway, so the songs and the stage were half mine.

On some level of the concert, I stopped singing and just rolled my eyes to where that guy moved. The beat, the rap sensation, the lighting, the fvckin smokin hot dancers, the Armando Christian Perez...

I adored that guy.

I do, wholeheartedly, adore that guy.

I realized I wasn't just acting like a fanatic fan in front of my friends, these last three years.

But I, really am a fanatic fan of Pitbull.

After one hour and fifteen minutes, he got off the stage. People kept screaming "We want more, we want more!" but I knew, he wouldn't be coming out again. 

So the hall started to be clearing off, and I started to get near the stage and saw if I could bring something home. Earlier on the concert, Pit threw his recently-wiped-to-his-bald-head hankie right to my spot. But my hand couldn't stretched further and I failed several centimeters before a male scum bastard ass snatched the cloth right before my very face.

So yea once again, I only got a playlist paper.

Even a bule staff of his couldn't get me the towel...

Well then I returned home.

But no, I didn't feel down...

The concert really opened my mind about how I actually idolized Pitbull a lot.

People know that I like him, people turn to me when it comes to Pitbull.

The guy's all about me and it's just the other way around, vice versa.

But I just never realized that this thing is real deep.

Feels a bit dramatized eh? But no, I really mean it.

Then came the question, "How was Pitbull, Vick?"

"Rocked my night." I answered. "And I'm sure he'll be back soon.

Even if apparently, he's holding another concert tomorrow, well friend,

I'm so gonna see it again."

A Kiddy Trip

I went to Bali again.

I know, no matter how denial I am trying to get rid of the island,

Somehow there's always this big, strong calling, urges me to come back.

And I never had the same way of enjoying Bali in each of my trips.

With family, with friends in a survival way, with friends in a luxury...

This time, the theme would be

"Pampered."

Went there with a group of mixed friends. Some from campus, some from high school, and some others I hadn't even known before. But umm, somehow, we could manage to get along well to each other and there were no awkward moment at all. Felt like we had been friends for a longer time.

So we did many stuff together. Less likely friends, more like a family, for me. 

I don't wanna talk about the destinations because it's just typical.

Though some places we visited were new to me.

Now the highlight of the trip was the togetherness I felt,

That made me felt like a total child again.

One of us took the role as the mother. A very painstaking mother. Another girl acted like the eldest sister, concerning about how we can survive. One boy came like a protective, let's-go-wherever-you-guys-want-to-go kind of brother. And one other girl is like a twin sister who's just the same dumb and innocent as I was, whom to me, committed to look after each other.

See along the trip, I subconsciously relied everything to them. I took granted about the financial stuff and let them count, I just okay-ed what they asked, I whined to be treated some snacks, I didn't get the chance to drive the car although I offered them to, I was lost and had them worried and looking.

Uncle Clint from USA

The kiddy-like experience wasn't all coming from my friends. But also when I met some strangers, talking about age and they were like you're 21? I thought you were 17!? and when I had a very long, interesting talk with a cool dad about many stuff, mainly about being youthful and ignorant, living your own path and give no fvck to nothing... Damn I wonder how he knew that this trip's theme was "A Kiddy Trip", he treated me like his boy and it was so nice I felt like one of his sons. Well yea those, seriously made me thinking twice about getting older.

Because I'm only good at being young.

Because presence of mature people make me alive.

I'm pampered.

Pampered and scared.

An underdog, acted like a kid.

Blame on you guys, I'm one step further to becoming a mature man.

Well I have no idea whether I should be happy about this or not.

But the trip, without no doubt, made me happy and again, all spoiled.

Now guys, you seven people on my trip, you do know

Who pampered us the most, right? :)

Mockingjay

Instead of cooling down the fire, Katniss Everdeen ignited even bigger flame towards Panem. Capitol under President Snow destroyed Katniss' home District 12, and she was brought by the opposed to the abandoned-but-independent District 13 to prepare some rebellion acts. They were taking Capitol down, by making her as the symbol. The Mockingjay.

Oh, this gon' take a long time. So...

What did I feel right after? Heartbroken. Inti dari buku ini adalah perlawanan, ngerebut kemerdekaan dari kebengisan Capitol. Dan tau kan apa yang terjadi kalo orang berusaha ngerebut kebebasan? Perang. Dan tau kan apa yang terjadi di dalam perang? Orang orang tewas. Sumpah ya, gue udah susah payah ngejalin hubungan delusional sama tokoh tokoh di buku ini dan... Ya mati aja gitu. Capek hati, capek ketakutan, bahkan gue secara harfiah deg degan beneran pas lagi adegan selokan -ini personal highlight of the novel versi gue, menurut gue endingnya justru kurang nampol. Gue capek sebenernya mau bilang ini tapi serius deh Suzie,

"I HEART/HATE YOU!"

Oh wait, I'm not finished.

One thing that disappointed me was, the death of Boggs and Finnick that felt like, easily forgotten. I mean, I know, Katniss was in a serious trouble and needed to rush out but... At least tell us more about how devastated she was about their deaths because... She knew them well. Even better and longer than she knew Rue. She sang for Rue, why couldn't she mourn even just a paragraph for her favorite commander, and her flirty-and-funny-partner-in-surviving-the-cruelty-of-Capitol??

But then again, it was okay.

Whatever you write, Ms Collins,

I adore it anyway :)

Image source: here

P.S. : So today is Indonesia's 68th independence day. And Indonesia's still broken, on major aspects. Well let's just learn from Panem, government, that they needed like 75 years before people started rebelling. So you fat bastards still have like, 7 years left to work things out. Or else, see what we can do :)

Anyhow, Dirgahayu Indonesia!

Good Deeds Turn Bad

No one ever doubt the usefulness of Wikipedia.

With Google by its side, they make a very helpful couple.

Just mention what you want to find, and Wiki will help you explain.

But -there's a but in every post.

Sometimes kind acts lead you to disappointment,

When you treat it wrong.

Long ago, I was so into Masterchef Australia. I stay tuned in each and every single episodes, said goodbye to the leaving contestants, one by one until it was down to the last two contestants -I even remember their names, it was Adam and Callum.  I never knew that the actual show had long finished before Star World aired it in Asia. So it was all, encore.

Just several days before the season finale, like an innocent little pig I browsed Wikipedia to cherish the previous moment and mourn the eliminated contestants. When on the entry, I over-read the section when they mentioned Adam as the winner. Feeling down? Yeah I was broken, but not as broke as what happened yesterday.

Once again, it's about The Hunger Games. Okay I'm sorry I can't help but keep talking about it. It's always been my nature to compulsively seek for information, articles, posters, videos, fanarts, and all maniac stuff about one thing, once I'm on a fiery love with that thing.

And yesterday was the day I regretted how corny my obsession is.

So I browsed Wiki and read the article about districts in Panem. What they are specialized about, and who the tributes they have. District one, with tributes of Marvel, Glimmer, Gloss, Cashmere, district two with Cato, Clove, Brutus, Enobaria, three with Beetee, Wiress, four, Finnick--okay. I stopped at Finnick Odair.

And why did I stop? Because I over-read that in Mockingjay, the third book of the trilogy, the book I am now halfway reading, Finnick died. I was like, Oh my God WHY DID I READ THAT?? Any chance that I didn't read that or, Wiki lies to me?? And yeah, there went my regrets.

Portrait of Finnick Odair was obtained from here.

It's like, I'm just several pages away from finding out that Finnick will die, 

And I'll be literally freaking out like he's actually one of my relatives,

And I'm gonna say something like

"Damn Suzanne Collins, you rock my ass!"

But now, I won't feel the desired euphoria.

Wikipedia successfully, proudly stole it for me.

Well umm, my impatience let Wiki stole it from me.

There, there...

Now let me summarize you the moral of the story:

Don't take good deeds for granted

On a Blaze

Some people might knew that I like Hunger Games. Not the whole trilogy tho, since I haven't read the third book -but I'm a hundred percent sure anyway, that I'll love the whole trilogy, but THE Hunger Games itself.

You know, 24 tributes from 12 districts with different characteristics and skills, placed together in one extreme arena to kill one another and be the only winner.

On the second book, Catching Fire, the game is still on. It's much much more interesting and challenging than the previous year because, because, argh can I spoil it here? Sure why not? Because the tributes are the living winners from the previous Hunger Games.

Can you imagine it? 24 victors, 24 professional assassins, now face to face each other to win their second title. Their skills are explored by the others already, that makes it hard. But the worst part is, they've known each others for years because they share one mutual status: being a winner.

Gloss and Cashmere, brother and sister from District 1,
winner of two Hunger Games in a row.

Brutus and Enobaria, tributes of District 2. Among any other contestants who were mostly ruined
by joining the game for the second time, these two seemed to be fully ready and excited.

Beetee, wasn't powerful, but smart enough to create electric trap and won his Hunger Games.
Wiress, the female tribute, was brilliant/geeky enough to be able to win her game.

Finnick won his Hunger Games because of his ability to swim and use trident. Sharing same skills,
Mags won the earlier generation of Hunger Games and later on became Finnick's mentor.

Peeta the male protagonist from District 12 who y'all probably know, won the 74th Hunger Games.
Johanna from District 7 won her Hunger Games by pretending to be a spineless little girl.

The heroine, Katniss Everdeen.

This is crazy. Suzanne Collins is crazy. I read the book once, a year ago. I got psyched and all excited like a fool reading that, and four days ago, I re-read the book and man! I still feel the same exact pressure I felt from the first experience!

I know I once wrote a post about the book review

And this one, yaa, more or less contains similar thoughts.

But I don't care.

This means that now I adore Ms Collins twice than before! And perhaps, after I finish reading the third book, I'll love her thrice than before! I can't believe myself I didn't write a bigger euphoria after my first reading. This book is too damn amazing she should be awarded as Goddess of Tragedy!

Man it drives me crazy. It was because the movie trailer I watched last week, that ignited me to re-read Catching Fire and re-live everything all, over, again.

Damn I can't wait for the movie.

I'm flaming in some kind of an impatience.

I'm hungry, geeky hungry

Image source: Google

I can't remember which site, I was too excited.

The point is, those pictures aren't all mine.