First Week, Versed Week

Okay, so...

I got a job now.

A freelance job, tho.

Something my dad really doesn't want me to do, because, you know, "freelance". But this is not a freelance I can do from home. This is a temporary-being-an-employee-for-a-company-go-to-work-Mon-to-Fri-10-to-6-kind-of-freelance to replace their actual employee who's taking her maternity leave. So it's like being a true worker, only in a limited contract. And since the position is something I'd kill for, my dad had no choice but to let me.

Yes, I'm a copywriter.

Crazy eh? It's like the position I've always been longing for, I've always been bragging to my friends in campus that I'd apply soon after graduating. And now I'm living it.

For real. Not as an intern.

It's a local agency called Celsius. In the history of doing interviews, there were two local agencies who were interested to try me. The other local agency was actually too local. Their clients are mostly local brands, although their projects tend to be bigger. Celsius, on the other hand, has more variations of clients. And I still get to write copies in English!

This is why I like it a lot.

So that's why I kinda feel like I nailed my first week. Still pretty idle, to be honest, with so many time wasted for just browsing the internet. But my jobs for the whole week were all in English so I was more than just excited.

And I think I got my job more than right.

Even the boss shocked when I overdid what he asked. And kinda felt overwhelmed because I've finished something I shouldn't have finished yet. I'm too fired, too much driven. But that's good tho, at least I'm showing my boss that I'm actually interested and have that passion to work. Newbie. Typical. But so what, the boss liked it!

Well, guys, lol.

Pardon me for being somewhat too over-confident.

This is my method to keep my zest boosted.

After all this is my very first experience

Entering the real world

The Verge

How many times, in this blog, did I tell and brag to you that a copywriter will always be my dream job? I told that many times along my study. Wait, are you thinking--oh no, really, it's not that I'm no longer into being a copywriter no, I'm still dying to be one.

Until I realize, that my other 'stuff' is interfering.

Travel Writing.

I never realized how much I'm actually into this field until I started my book project. It was so alive, so flawless, I enjoyed every page I wrote and the next thing I knew, I had 200 pages ready to be sent to anyone like, ANYONE, who would want to publish my script.

So now I feel like, petrified.

Standing at the end of the road,

Facing two branching streets,

And I have to pick one.

I've been through several job interviews. Two of which were interviewed by expats. Which, apparently, both turned out to be the best two interviews I've ever done. Why, is it because I nailed both? Well I rock'd the first one, but definitely not for the second.

Let's talk about it one by one.

The first one was on May. My very first professional interview ever -and it was 3 hours public transport riding from home. I was interviewed for a writer position. Travel writer for a website, to be exact. The interviewers -yes, multiple, for my very first interview- were kind of flattered about me. We had a great convo tho, it wasn't even like a formal interview at all.

But then my limited editorial experience held me back from getting the job. The interviewer updated me about anything, shortly after my interview, and even gave me suggestions about how to improve my chance in succeeding journalism. I didn't feel so much upset tho because, I figured that I still have to enhance my skill.

Now the second best interview, it was two weeks ago. This time, I applied as what I've always been longing for: a copywriter. In a big multinational agency. A road to my dreams come true. But that didn't happen smoothly. A very strict woman interviewed me.

This'll be a pain in my ass, I told myself as I learned that she's very cold and flat. I could tell that she wasn't even impressed at all and I was totally correct. And right after I shut my mouth of presenting my portfolio, the first thing came out of her lips are "can I just be frank?"

"Crap, this ain't be good" my inside trembled like shit but my face showed the sweetest smile I could ever generate.

She started pointing out that my portfolio wasn't strong enough. Too campus-ish. She then lectured me this and that, and I couldn't even forget about the topic of "choosing what's the best in life". It was hard for me to actually accept those words from somebody who just rejected me, but, apparently, this became the interview that opened my eyes about what I really want.

Yea.

The two interviews, from two distinct industries, made me realized that I haven't figured out which way I'd totally want to dive really deep into. I don't even have strong bases on both fields it's like, I only commit to fifty fifty in each.

So should I let go one of them and focus on the other one?

But, which one? Giving the fact that I love, both of them?

Well,

Don't call me Vicky if I ever give up on what I like.

I have plans, believe me :)

To Batten, Barton, Durstine, Osborn, and Their People

I knew BBDO for more than a year. I like the agency. It's big, it's worldwide, it's the most awarded one internationally and I'm sure, it's so prestigious to work for it.

Then I got to know it much deeper last year, when I was an intern at BCA. Met some cool people, learned how they worked, explored stories that subconsciously convincing me to try my luck there, met some cool people--oh. Have I mentioned that? Well because I did, meet some cool people.

Mas Haris

was the Creative Director. Came to BCA, presenting creative proposals. I adored him.

Mas Didit

was the Executive Creative Director. Never seen him working as an ECD but he was my lecturer at the campus tho, so, I happened to know how agency works. I adored him.

Mas Awal

was the Copywriter. The first real, agency-worked-for copywriter I ever shook hand with. I never knew how he worked but, since I never met anyone else with title "Senior Copywriter" written on his name card, I adored him already.

The three of them.

They were the reason why I shouted like a scoring dad when the HRD called me, telling that I was accepted as the copywriter intern. I finally got to see them. And some other cool people I've been stalking for since the previous year, and I've been dying to work with.

So June 17th I came to the office, but...

It was only Mas Haris who remained staying -and he's leaving soon.

I knew that Mas Didit had long gone even before I gave a fvck about the internship thingy.

But knowing that Mas Awal,

and those cool people I thought I'd be seeing in real life,

Had all resigned from the agency without me knowing because I stopped stalking...

Well I can't judge. I barely knew the rest of those people. I didn't even know well those people who left, so why should I feel down already? There must be reasons why BBDO turned to be my way. There must be reasons why I wasn't as happy as when I was accepted in BBDO, once Ogilvy called me for schedule-matching interview.

And it turned out to be real.

I got everything what I need in here. Experience, insights about agency, the professional world, the office intrigues, facts and gossips about THE other agencies -and it made me relieved that I wasn't called again, new friends, and the most important thing, of course, the experience of working as a true copywriter.

Thank you, BBDO.

With Mbak Oni, the senior copywriter.

Anyway.

Yes, this post is not yet ended.

On my second day of working there, I got an ID card of my own, proudly posted it in all social media I have, and stating something like "Ah, feels like hired. I hope this'll be permanent."

So thank God that wish didn't come true.

Thank God no one convinced me to stay and help a little longer.

Because now I realize,

I'm not ready yet

Check Three: Fasting Month & Internship

I don't want to be late, again.

Now that it's a week after Lebaran,

And a week before my internship ends,

I guess it's about time to tick another box.

So yeah, fasting month had ended. I swear to God I thought last year Ramadan was the fastest I ever felt due to my other internship at BCA but then this year came and... The previous ones are nothing faster than this.

And about this year's internship, well, I'm so done being used haha. It's not that fully used actually but still, the existence of interns help employees a lot! Long live interns!

I actually am still having this big thirst of working as a copywriter because umm, gotta tell ya, I haven't worked my best ass off for anything. I haven't felt the true exhaustion of being a copywriter but, yea, there'll be time for that Vick, don't be such a greed. Soon you'll regret that you have said about these 'thirst' things.

Now...

Several steps away to New York.

God, please make it work.

Just like my way being an ad clerk

Excitement Over Sadness

Kemaren bos copywriter gue, Mbak Oni, ngajakin gue buat ikutan recording di Mampang. Kebetulan gue udah ngerjain ini iklan dari awal banget, dari brief pertamanya baru turun sampe bikin script dan milih talent segala. Jadi ya gimana, mesti ikut sampe abis toh?

The field trip, I must say, was really, really inspiring and insightful.

I learned how a recording studio works, and met some cool people.

But the highlight of the moment was, of course, the voice acting part.

Hm. Voice acting. For you who don't know, I'm dying about voice acting.

I'd jeopardize my whole career if I can easily be a successful voice actor.

Anyway talking about voice actor. Talent pertama, hmm, ternyata bukan talent pilihan gue. Gapapa, masih ada tiga lagi. Dan dia gak se-yang-diharapkan itu. Jadi bukan salah gue dong? Fufufu. Talent kedua, ketiga dan keempat, sayangnya, bukan orang orang yang gue pilih. Tapi sumpah gue gak ngerasa sedih karena, tiga tiganya voice actor pro.

Pertama dateng Imam Darto. Gak begitu berkesan sih, tapi gue akuin doi oke banget ngisi suaranya. Luwes, cepet, hap hap hap langsung beres. Trus datenglah Arie Dagienkz. Yang ini seru banget, banyak cerita, seenaknya ngaduk ngaduk script tapi gapapa, kadang emang itu perlu sih. Bret bret bret, beres dengan riang gembira.

The boss, and one of the Dandees.

Dan yang paling berkesan adalah Fla. She did it professionally, she made it quick, she showed excitement about the ads and the script -I took part in developing it, remember? So I'm damn flattered- she told a lot about her broadcasting career, she talked with me, asked me questions, wished me luck for everything. But the most touching part was, when she asked about my age. And mumbled herself, 

"1992? That's cute."

Well. Here's the thing.

I've always liked being considered as an underdog.

I've always enjoyed when people think that I know nothing.

I've always felt secured when I have uplines, where I don't have to stand on my own.

But I know, it won't last any longer.

Soon I'll be hired by, I don't know, some agencies.

Soon title 'intern' will be kicked because I'll be a full time copywriter.

Oh God.

I'm drifting away even further from my childhood.

But on the other hand, I'm one step closer to my dreams.

I mean, I could easily be a voice actor because I'm so on that track.

Or, looking back to where I am now, I'm halfway being a true copywriter.

Yeah Lord.

I'm drifting away even further from my childhood.

But on the other hand, I'm one step closer to my dreams.

So should I feel excited, or sad?

Check One: Sixth Term

Somehow, this post is quiet outdated.

But anyway...

Final exam of the 6th term finished almost a week ago, thank Goodness, and it means that I've passed the first step before New York!

Okay so after this term, yesterday, I only had like four days of holiday before the semi-professional work started. So last weekend, I went to Singapore and I'll make a separated post to talk about it.

Today, I'm starting my internship at BBDO Indonesia as a copywriter.  I now am typing these things right from their office, near the window and hey! I got my own computer :') Ahh thank God, it's what I've always been waiting for.

Now about the 6th term, enough talking about the 6th term.

It has ended and I'm just letting my God Allah Almighty to do the rest.

So...

Several steps away to New York.

God, please make it work.

Now ad world, I'm ready to lurk

Sweetest Couple, So Far

June and July.

I don't know, I've always liked these months.

Summer. College off. Vacations. Mom's birthday.

These are like months for me to actualize myself.

But, uh... I guess this June, this July this year

Have been the best ones I've ever passed.

It all began with my trip to Singapore. Weird, eh? I mean, it's just Singapore already. Well, wrong. The trip was unforgettable for sure. It was the official opening trip of me, going abroad with no parental help. And you can't just underestimate the timing. It was right after I finished my hectic final test week. A complete confection, I tell you.

And then, you know, I started my internship on June. Things didn't start quiet well at the beginning, but everything got better and better. I made new friends, opened my insights about professional world, socialized with the best bosses. So damn exciting. Even hunger and thirst of fasting could barely be felt because I was too happily busy.

Blessing showered my blog too. Although I didn't participate in some significant contest, people kept coming to pay a little peek on my writings. This should be a major big step for me, so thank God! I just can  keep hoping that people won't get bored of what I write.

After all, the bestest part of these two months was the one dealing with the advertising world. I can't stop cherishing those moment of linking myself to some cool guys on the agency. I know, they didn't even care about my existence. But at least I made an effort and they, sooner or later will find out that that kid they were introduced to, which is me, is the best copywriter they ever recognize.

Sweet. Just unbelievably sweet, so far.

Well, I must say that phrase "so far" is greatly emphasized.

Because I know, this was just a start

Madison Avenue Future Men

Me and my classmates, we call ourselves Adple.

It's the short form of Advertising People.

Me myself, I consider us as a group of mad people.

Cause term 'mad' is somehow suitable for us.

And um, well... things around us.

Especially after yesterday.

Gotta tell ya, things were all mad.

Mad Lecturer

Jadi kemaren ada company visit ke Yahoo! Indonesia di Senayan. Karena satu dan lain hal kita ngaret satu jam dari rencana berangkat, dan muter-muter ga karuan karena salah jalan. Alhasil, kita telat satu setengah jam dari jadwal janjian sama orang Yahoo! nya. Marah? Jelas...

Mad Bus

Nah buat transport bolak-balik kampus-kantor nya, kita disewain bis kuning. Tapi tunggu dulu. Bikun yang ini bukan bikun sebagaimana sejatinya. Yang satu ini semi-rongsok, karat dimana-mana, kursi jebol sana-sini, sistem pendingin alami. Bahkan ada yang nyeletuk kalo bis ini lolos kerusuhan '98 karena kaca depannya retak... Tapi overall gue seneng-seneng aja sih selama naikin itu bis.

Mad Passengers

Di perjalanan pulang sebelum turun dari bis, bikunnya kan ngelewatin beberapa halte sebelum akhirnya nyampe halte FISIP. Nah ketika itu ada yang ngusulin supaya pintunya dibuka pas bikunnya udah deket halte, biar orang-orang yang lagi nunggu pada siap-siap. Berubung gue yang ada di deket pintu, yaudah gue kerjain apa yang sudah direquest fufu kocak juga kan kalo dipikir-pikir. Dan bener aja, di halte Psikologi, pas bikunnya udah deket, banyak banget yang udah berdiri ngarep bisa naik eh ternyata bisnya cuma numpang lewat HAHA ya Tuhan dosa banget sih sebenernya.

Mad Friend

Udah gak dipengenin, udah sedemikian rupa diusir, dicengin, dikacangin dan pas di bis semua orang sengaja duduk rapet-rapetan biar dia gak duduk di sebelah kita, teteup aje doi berkeliaran tanpa dosa.

Mad Creative Director

Ternyata bukan cuma mahasiswa yang dekil otaknya. Jadi setelah ke Yahoo! sorenya kita ada company visit lagi ke Iris Worldwide. Nah disana ada satu sesi sharing sama CD setempat. Dia sempet nanya gitu kan siapa yang minat jadi creative dan pas gue angkat tangan, dia justru bilang supaya gue jangan jadi copywriter soalnya gajinya sedikit. Sumpah ya gue udah jiper sebenernya. Tapi usut punya usut, ternyata dia cuma berusaha menakut-nakuti diriku supaya gue gak jadi masuk creative department dan posisi dirinya sebagai CD pun tidak terancam. Bisa ye masnye.

Mad Duck

Sepulang Iris, beberapa dari kami makan di restoran bebek di Margonda yang gue lupa namanya apa. Karena udah skip dan capek, yang ada disitu ngomongnya udah pada ngelantur semua. Ada lah lawakan karena kebanyakan makan bebek trus pas cegukan bunyinya 'kwek', ada lah yang ngebayangin ada bebek di depannya pas lagi makan, ada lah yang nyeletuk abis ini ada nugget bebek, hadeeehh bocah. Tapi yang paling gila disitu mah sambelnya. Ih Tuhan, gue cuma makan seiprit tapi besoknya mules-mules ga karuan...

Mad... Us?

After all, the main reason why things were going mad around us was because of ourselves. Everything seems  a whole lot funnier, wilder and dumber when we're placed together.

So that's that. Our marvelous experience.

Marvelous day we ever had so far.

Marvelous Advertising Men.

Mad Men, I call us

Nurture The Future

Kerja. Dunia ini udah tinggal sebentar lagi gue datengin. Excited? Sure, especially about the money I'll earn -wuanjir nape yak gue mata duitan banget, heran.

Tapi serius deh, gue pengen banget cepet-cepet kerja. Semua gara gara F.R.I.E.N.D.S nih. Serial TV yang satu ini bener-bener ngebuka mata gue gimana menantangnya hidup sendirian. Bikin gue ngebet buat cepet-cepet ngerasain betapa susahnya nyari duit dan betapa surganya ketika gaji turun, betapa bebasnya pulang jam berapapun, betapa liarnya hidup gue kelak.

And freakily, I've dreamed about the life that I'll have in 5 years ahead.

Working As a Casual Copywriter
Idddiiiiihhhh, ini nih yang bikin gue semangat kuliah. Tiap hari kerjaannya nulis nulis nulis. Udah gitu peraturan kantor gak seketat perusahaan lain yang mesti pake kemeja, dasi, bla bla bla. Emang sih gue belom tau apa-apa soal suasana kerja di agency. Tapi sejauh yang gue denger dari para dosen sih ya... Brainstorming di Starbucks, kalo ide lagi mampet pergi ke Sency, selesai ngantor naik lift ke rooftop trus party all night long. AAA GAK ADA OBAT SERUNYA!! 

Becoming a Healthy Smart Spendthrift

Serius, gue pengen hidup hedon. Beli apa-apa serba mahal tanpa harus minta orangtua lagi. Tapi gak berarti gue boros. Semua pengeluaran harus teratur dan ada jadwalnya. Dan tetep, gue bakal selalu pelit dan ketat sama diri gue sendiri.

Living in an Apartment

Karena sebuah rumah terlalu besar untuk ditinggalin sendiri dan kosan terlalu kecil untuk merepresentasikan hidup liar -dan gue udah muak ngekos, maka apartemen lah yang paling tepat. Minimalist and cozy, mid-big sized one where I can invite all my friends over to watch football with, play poker with, drink with, well I mean drink tea with, or... yea whatever.

Owning a Cat, a Loyal Cat

Oh my, ini impian lama gue. Punya kucing gendut yang males, galak sama orang tapi kalo sama gue jadi lincah dan akrab, trus mau disuruh suruh (banyak mau lu Pik). Gileeeeee udah dari kapan tau gue pengen banget punya ini binatang satu. Tapi bokap kan alergi nih, asma pula, jadi melihara kucing tuh sama haramnya kayak melihara babi.

Befriending Different Neighbors

Tetangga yang bisa diajak kongko, tetangga yang udah berkeluarga yang kalo ada apa-apa anak-anaknya dititipin ke gue, tetangga usia senja yang suka ngasih kue dan bisa dicurhatin, tetangga kece yang bikin gue pengen selalu keluar biar bisa papasan sama doi, tetangga bugar yang ampuh buat nyadarin gue betapa pentingnya olahraga, aaaaaaa seru njirrrr.

Huh hah gasabar cooy, gasabar. Masih empat semester lagi yang mesti gue lewatin dan swooshh! I can start working on these dreams with the help of my Lord Almighty.

Future cannot be predicted,
So all I can do are just little things;
Learn from yesterday, live today, and say
"Please be nice, tomorrow!"