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 :)

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 Two: Final Paper Outline

God, I did it again.

It's outdated. Again.

Like I teased ya earlier, I've been so busy dealing with internship stuff. I never thought it'd be like a real employment because at first, my boss didn't seem to accept my skill but--

Well well well, look who's got a little bit carried away here?
Tell you guys about this copywriter stuff later,
I have something else to report in here.

So last week my two friends and I had this outline trial for our final paper. It's me, Vanessa and Putra, joined to Team Nadia. We were so nervous at first but the trial turned out to be just like a light discussion filled with minor revisions and feedbacks.

The trial chief liked my outline. She liked the structure. But yea, as a first rough step, there are many  parts I have to work on to make things better.

Oh, it's Whiskas anyway.

The brand I'll be dealing with for the whole next semester.
So yea, my dearest blog, and all of you who reads my blog,
There's a big possibility that I'll bring Whiskas to your life :)

Well...

Several steps away to New York.

God, please make it work.

And I'm so done with the outline quirk

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

Note Eight: Farewell

Day Goodbye

A friend of mine once told me, several days before our summer off ended, that when we had something to do by the time we were off studying, going back to campus would be a suck thing to do.

And that's just so right.

I've done my internship period weeks ago. Said goodbye and thanked everybody there, from the Public Relation Aspect to Consumer Communication Aspect to the Media Communication Aspect to the agencies I was interfered with. It was so hard, yet exciting because finally I would feel the true holiday.

Until today, I went back there to drop the report I was required to do. And they still welcomed me like I was still working there. So warm, so fun, so supportive.

Ah, goodbyes. I never liked farewell. Especially to a place where I once said it was the best choice I've ever picked. Saying goodbye, for me, is a total awkward. And writing it is a bunch of wasting time.

So yeah, I'm done with this post and stuff.

I'm done referring myself as an apprentice.

I'm done being treated as an underdog.

But I'm not done keeping the memories.

From left to right, Bu Niken, Pak Tim, Bu Litani, Kak Sonya the secretary, you do know me, and Pak Matthew

Now it's time to face the truth.

Say hell-o again to campus life

P.S. : Too bad Bu Norisa wasn't there on the photograph... She's like the boss of the bosses of mine, and it feels like awkwardly impolite without her. Sorry, ma'am ._.

Note Seven: Best Decision Ever

Day Thirty Nine

It's been two weeks since the last time I posted about my internship journal. Now in this eighth week, gotta tell ya, I had gone through so many things I never even thought about before.

And yes, those things, are the best path I've ever taken.

With my own consideration. My own effort. My own courage.

You remember about my decision to take the first offer as the apprentice of Public Relation? I appreciate myself for my bravery. Though I have no idea at all about that field, I kept doing what I had planned. So as the reward, I sort of knew a little bit about PR. And better yet, I met some new best buddies.

So joining the PR army, was the best option I made

You also remember about my decision to move to MarComm? That was on top of all. No regrets at all. I don't have to tell you every single detail of it. Too many lovable things to be shared.

So moving to MarComm, was the best choice I picked

Then you remember about my decision to extend my internship period, eh? I was so right about that. The only project I handled from the scratch wasn't close enough to the end, when I was still on my old time plan. Now that I extended it, I can have it finished right several days before I say bye-bye to everyone.

Aside from that portfolio thingy, last Thursday and Friday, the last two days I actually had if I stick with my previous timeline, were the worst days ever. I couldn't imagine if I have to end my internship facing those days...

Hell yes. I went through some bad days along my extension. I was there when my bosses were busy with themselves, when my fellow apprentice were a bit more popular than me, when I was absolutely stuck by the bottom of the wheel. This was priceless, the lesson I earned.

So prolonging my internship period, was the best deal I took

Therefore I suppose you remember about my decision to fight against the new apprentice? No doubt, I shouldn't not do that. Now I know a bit about her capability, and the fact that her strengths aren't something I have to be jealous about. We're good in our way, in our own skills.

So facing the rival of mine, was the bravest thing I did

Five more days 'till I packed my stuff out of that office. I'm not feeling well, actually. I mean, my emotions are blending. I even sense that this post is dull -with most word selections are common and cliche.

But the thing is, I win this game.
I beat my own laziness, unlock some cool potentials I never knew I had.

Now you remember about my decision to pass my holiday
And take a long long long internship program instead?
Well, this was better than having a vacation.

So accepting the challenge of apprentice,
Was the best decision ever

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

Note Six: What If...

                 "... I extend my internship period and

                expand more insights about this field of mine..."

Day Twenty Seven

So yeah, something below my subconscious encourages me lately. I felt like needing to have more of this. I have to propose like one or two additional weeks so this hunger of advertising world could be fulfilled.

But you know, it's Ramadhan already. I need to check myself out first, whether am strong enough to deal with these internship things while shutting my crumbling tummy up. Besides, I need a couple of weeks off to rest my brain and this tiny vulnerable body.

Knowledge. Physical capability. Needs of vacation.

Too much to be compared. Too much to considerate.

Until yesterday, I stopped calculating.

A brand new apprentice showed up in my aspect. I repeat, IN ADVERTISING ASPECT I'm currently in love with. She uh, she's like *sigh* stealing my thunder as the youngest. And I freaky felt discomforted.

Sounds ridiculous, eh? I'm this all worried yet she hasn't even done anything. She seemed haven't found her rhythm yet, but...

What if... She's more qualified than me, and everybody prefer to work with her rather than me? If I quit later I will see her ruling the office, forcing me to witness people loving her more than me? Or

What if... I stick with my schedule, quit early and leave that girl whose competences I have no idea about? I mean, if she is good, and people like her, I'm okay because I'm out already. This is safe for my soul.

But I guess my ego wins. My curiosity conquers. It's not only because I haven't had enough Advertising experiences. It's more about me, with the help of that girl's appearance, testing myself to face every single possibilities emerging in future. And let people know that I can pick the best for myself.

So umm, I'm continuing this internship.

This is fascinating, damn nerve-wracking! But keep in mind, fair ones.

It's not that I want to explore her bad sides and make her look worse.

It's more that I want to challenge myself and make myself look better.

After all, we're both still learning

Note Five: I Belong Here

Day Twenty Four

Earlier this week, I drifted off my last stop and started my fifth week of internship as the Advertising and Media Aspect apprentice. This has been my major dream, far before I applied to the program. And I must say that, yeah, it came true.

Feel how it is like to be on client's side, that's what I wanted to explore. And so, all I ever done this week were somehow client-ish. First day went dull yet things went so much better by the second day when I was asked to join some meeting with Proximity.

Third day was full of new stuff. I learned how to make calls, follow up things, request some job orders to the agencies, go back and forth to the internal studio, coordinate layouts and designs, edit what the agencies gave to my team, proposing the final artwork and approvals, and things.

But actually, the peak happened today. Aside all those works, my new colleague Pak Timothy invited me to join him supervising some video shoot for video contest at some celebs workplace. Nah, I was so not interested to meet these celebs, I was more eager to see how the shooting went instead.

Now tell me and be honest. Those sounds technical, eh? But I don't know, I enjoyed these. So much that maybe there are some possibilities of me extending my internship period.

And on top of that, my new supervisor is the best boss I've ever met. Bu Norisa's just so instructive, having no hesitation in giving me tasks and responsibilities I have never done, and... Gorgeous. Yeah, she's chic.

No doubt, I guess.

This is my place.

P.S. : The day after, it went so so. Not as hecticly-pleasure as the previous three days, but there was this presentation held by GREY agency. Those name cards, were what I was grateful that day about.

Note Four: Readapt

Day Eighteen

What's so special about today? Well, it's the only day off I will ever felt along my internship period. Plus, today's the middle day of the middle week of my overall seven weeks of internship. Geez, I'm halfway done already...

So umm, as I told you on the previous post, I've been transferred to the Marketing Communication sub-division. This week I'm under supervision of the Educational aspect. You know, it's like the advertising but subliminal. They introduce products and services through soft ways, such as advertorials, magazine for priority costumer named 'Prioritas', soundings and information from facebook and twitter posts, and also Gebyar BCA.

I must say, the readaptation's not done yet. Next week I'll be moved to the aspect I've been ever longing for, the Advertising aspect. Can't wait for that and I hope I'll obtain what I crave from that place.

Weird, eh? I'm like a corporation pervert.

Jump from one working unit to other ones.

However, this is getting more exciting because

I learned more than what I expected

Something I Just Noticed

Sejak kemaren gue udah pindah ke MarComm. Cerita detailnya sih nanti aja deh ya karena sekarang ada yang lebih menarik yang pengen gue sampein.

Nah hari ini gue diajak buat ngeliput Finance Asia: Asia's Best Companies Awarding sponsored by Credit Suisse di Mandarin Oriental. Hmm padahal ya, itu hotel kan sebrang-sebrangan sama kantor. Tapi kita naik mobil cuy! Haha baru naik bentar, pasang Ed Sheeran - A Team, lagu belom selesai eh udah sampe di lobby hotel. Yasudah lah ya, sekali-sekali ngerasain hidup mewah hehe.

Oke, fokus! Nah setelah acara selesai dan mencuri dengar dari orang-orang di sekitar gue, gue dapet sebuah insight baru. Awarding nya orang bule itu, setelah ditelaah, jauuuuuuuuuuhhhhh lebih sederhana dibandingin awarding yang dibikin sama orang-orang Indonesia.

Yang satu ini, acaranya di meeting room gitu. Sempit. Stage nya cuma seitil. MC nya gak nanggung-nanggung, Publisher Finance Asia nya langsung! Trus yang nyerahin awardnya -yang menurut gue, tugas ini sangat amat gabut- itu Managing Director Credit Suisse Indonesia. Overall gak ada tambahan uang buat bayar orang lain, termasuk EO. Plus no meals for media and no music or other useless performances.

Credit Suisse Managing Director Robby Winarta and Finance Asia Publisher Jonathan Hirst, on such cute stage

President Director of PT Bank Central Asia Jahja Setiaatmadja, receiving the award of the Best CEO

Gila ye, acara serius gitu ngundang direktur CEO presiden dari perusahaan-perusahaan besar, tapi sederhana abis. Bahkan OVJ Awards yang isinya kelakar gajelas gitu jauh lebih megah dan foya-foya. Bahkan FISIP Awards yang cuma sebatas kampus masih pake kepanitiaan segala. BAHKAN Awarding Night Malam Balas Jasa Komunikasi 2010 yang sejatinya gak diwajibin ada awardingnya pun, sampe bikin orang nangis-nangis karena kelabakan ngurusnya.

We have to learn a lot, people of Indonesia.

That simplicity is, sometimes, the best

Note Three: Transition

Day Fifteen

Today was my last day in Public Relation Aspect. Well umm, I asked my boss to switch me to the Marketing Communication Subdivision for a better learning of mine. But you know, right when you have a chance to obtain something, sometimes you need to let go of something else.

I'm in love with the place I was put. Those people, uh, they're just too amusing to be skipped. It was just three weeks but I feel like accepted. They said that I was too fast, stopped working there already. Some of them even suggested me to extend my internship period there haha.

Anyway if you notice, along these three weeks, I kept talking about the people. See that's why I requested to be moved. I made friends already, now it's time for me to sharpen my knowledge about marketing or better yet, advertising.

I know, this wasn't the end. I'll still be in touch with them. We even made plans already to catch some movies, go to karaoke studio, and break fast together. So this replacement, I hope it would be a precise decision.

Transition will always, always be difficult. For me.

Especially when I have gotten used to the current situation. 

But you know

Right when you have a chance to obtain something,

Sometimes you need to let go of something else.

I hope this'll be getting way better

Note Two: Been Better

Day Nine

I finally found my rhythm on that office. Dealing with daily clipping by the morning, going out for lunch break, then hunting for assignments from my bosses 'till going home. I know I crave for something bigger, but this is enough for a start.

It's been an up-and-down couple of days, actually. Last week I obtained many information about the aspect's working flow, went to the agency to see how agent and client work, and received some tasks. But by Monday, I faced another unemployment line. Sigh that was the worst day ever.

But since after, everything had gone better and better. The chief editors started to trust me. They gave me more articles to edit on Tuesday, more press releases to convert on Wednesday and the best one happened today when they gave me more pages to design and more preface to extract. And they seemed satisfied with my work -hopefully, hopefully... Bu Rini even said that the foreword I made was so good that she sent that right away to the one requested that. This was a blast, thank o Allah!

To make it even better, my silly high school friends came during the lunch break. Ocit and Sindy came first and since the others were just too late, I happened to meet and have meal just with them. Too bad I could only spend half an hour with these people.

One more thing, I mingled quiet well with my colleagues. Well, that's them actually, who's been so funny and kind to me. Those clowns are Pak Daud, Kak Bagus, Mbak Yanti, Bu Riany, Febby and Pak Wendi.

Seriously, they make the office ambient felt so un-office-ish. Sooner when I have time, and their photos, I will tell more about them.

Well, it's one day and four weeks left already.

Things surely zapped faster when I enjoyed things.

Hopefully, I keep feeling this 'till the end of my intern.

And I keep having tasks to do too

Note One: Newbie

Day One

Remember about the internship program I applied at my dad's office? So yeah, thank God I got it woohoo! Now I'm working at BCA company, from Mon to Fri, 8 to 5 like a real employee.

It's on Public Relation, the aspect I'm trained. I know, I know it's not related to my major but for your information, on that aspect there is an internal division that's focusing on internal advertising like annual report, seasonal greetings and company profile. So those are the things I'm trying to learn.

Today, was my first day. Nervous at the beginning, of course, but things went a little more relaxed time by time. I was instructed to manage the company daily clipping and upload it online. It took about three hours.

But it wasn't as smooth as I thought. Well, actually, it was smooth. Honestly, TOO smooth. After lunch break, I got nothing to do. Totally stayed put, doing nothing. The bosses were too busy with their own things. Once a while I checked the division's email but, yea well, overall I was untouched.

Thank goodness my co-workers are entertaining. They're much much older than me yes, but they're just so funny. And as a newbie, some silly guys were teasing me. Not some, only this one guy. He's so finicky in a funny way. So yeah, although I had a rough -well, flawless, actually- start, they helped me went through it.

One more thing, this emptiness really drove me crazy. I thought I was too green to be trusted to do something. But apparently, it turned out that first timers are common with jobless situation. Even my dad, on his first six month working, was doing the same; vacant most of the time.

So that's my roller-coaster first day

Wish me luck for the remaining four days and five weeks.

Seriously, I'm actually interested and psyched in doing this.

Just if I got things to do

P.S. : Don't be panicked. There will only be four or five notes about my internship journey. I have no time to record each day, anyway.