Blonde Bitch with a Bunch of Bubble

What's going on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright
Just dance. Gonna be okay

Last night I was almost having cramp stomach again (after one day before I got gastric acid T.T) on Lady Gaga live in concert. At 7.30 PM I went inside, DJ Inquisitive was playing some fitness disco songs, such as Get Low (Flo Rida), Insomnia (Craig David), Boom Boom Pow (BEP), I Know You Want Me (Pitbull)... all remixed. I danced and shouted, couldn't stop moving! That's why I started to feel cramp again even before Lady Gaga came out. She's very late actually, the show started on 9 PM, not 8 PM huh. But when the gig started... even though I couldn't see straight anymore, just dance! The pain was gone.

She started with Paparazzi. Then Lovegame, Money Honey (Lady Gaga: "You know what I hate most in the world? It's MONEY!"), Just Dance, Fame, Boysboysboys, Beautiful Dirty Rich, Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say). What annoy me most is people not dancing crazily! They care more to get pictures of the stage, not enjoying the show. They didn't jump up, didn't sing out loud, only moved their body from left to right. It's really different when I watched Oasis concert last April where all people in standing festival jumped and pushed around, really hectic and crazy, and I like it! Maybe it's because most of audiences here are girls, and many kids/teens. Well I didn't care, I kept jumping around by myself. I love and I know all of her songs.

She changed costume 3 times, all with "you-can-see-her-butt" clothes. She's really gorgeous and sexy (that's why I had full spirit to go to gym today, I want her body)! After those songs, she changed cloth for the last time (I knew it because most songs in her Fame album had already been out, only left Poker Face). Then I moved back to get more space, air and viewing to the stage, because she doesn't only sing but also act cool performances and dances. You know what, I should do it since the beginning, because no point standing in the middle of crowd if people not moving. And I could dance freely with more space.

She sang Brown Eyes before finally Poker Face... I mean DOUBLE Poker Face! First she played it with piano acoustically (sambil nungging-nungging), then the real version. TOTALLY AWESOME! She's so unique, eccentric, different and confident! I like her spoiled voice. She's good at jokes. She said many times that she can't wait to eat chili crab in Singapore (hm I haven't tried that). She also crazily loves her own creation rhythm: "Sing sing along Singapore... I gotta be honest that I've been waiting whole day to say that to you."

I went home with tiredness and contentment :)

The Genius

"There shall be wings! If the accomplishment be not for me, 'tis for some other."
Da Vinci, Father of Flight

In this exhibition, it shows theories, replica of tools and paintings that had been created by Leonardo Da Vinci in 15th century. He was inventor, artist, mathematician, scientist, engineer, sculptor, anatomist, biologist, musician, architect, philosopher, writer... He even designed a humanoid robot and diving equipments! Seriously, I am amazed. I feel like I know nothing.

44th Singapore

"I don't like Singapore, it is a rotten place as is indeed every other town. I am simply crazy to get away again."
1903, William Louis Abbott.

Two days ago I went to the city to feel the euphoria of Singapore National Day. I've been here only for 8 months (still considered as tourist?), so I need to see how people celebrate it. First I made a stop in Suntec City to have lunch on one of the restaurants there around Fountain of Wealth. It is the world largest fountain, with colorful lights at night (see pictures below I took a month ago).

When the big fountain is off, we can come in to the small fountain, go around of it and touch the water while making wishes. They said our dreams will come true (still not sure of it, because friends have already did it and not proven until now :P). Actually I have visited and seen this fountain many times, but never have the chance to do this ritual. So I did it! Not like there's something I wish for, but only for spending my time waiting for friends come. After finish, you could buy photo of you're turning around the fountain for S$10.

If I'm not mistaken, the theme of National Day this year is to show how Singapore ready for any terrorist attacks. When me and friends ready to go to see National Day Parade or F16 or fireworks or whatever they offer on that day, it's almost evening and the enter ways to Esplanade area and Marina Floating Point (where the ceremony held) were already closed, but on the way there I still got the chance to see President helicopters group carrying the Singapore flag, and some F16 aircrafts.

Many ways were blocked there, and fucking damn hectic fulled of people (berdesakan sama India/Bangla yang keringetan dan bauuuu *pingsan*). We decided to just go home. But on the way to Raffles Place MRT, we passed Asian Civilization Museum, I came inside by myself while my friends went home. I actually planned to go there (and some other museums) on this long weekend when the entrance fee is free. I found it was a good idea to went inside to enjoy the quietness and spookiness of night at museum, exploring Singapore history on its National Day. Some interesting things I found:
1. Bencoolen (one of street name in Singapore) is actually derived from Bengkulu, one of province in Sumatra, Indonesia.
2. Long time ago along Singapore river, the boats have two eyes on the front part (picture below), it is their believes that the boat can see so is not going to strike.

3. I just like this miniature of the old times coolies place (sorry for the lack light of my blackberry camera)

At 8.22 PM, big exploding sound heard from outside, I peeked to the window, ah the fireworks starts. It's just stunning (as usual, Singapore fireworks)! And they recited their National Pledge:

We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

On the silent museum window where I stand, there was a museum guide girl that (I claim she is Singaporean because she) also recited it with soft voice and clenching her right fist to the left side of her chest (as a gesture to symbolize loyalty to the nation). I am touched :)

After the fireworks, I started to look around the museum again, still got so many things to see while waiting for the crowd outside vanished. The museum would be closed on 10 PM, I planned to go home at that time. Apparently many people thought the same thing as me, to hide inside the museum first until the crowd finished, because suddenly the museum filled up with many people (and kids were so annoying and noisy grrrrr!!). I came to the main galleries that show history and culture of Asia especially in Southeast. So it's not only about Singapore, it's about Java, Minangkabau, Malay Peninsular, Bugis, Dayak, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Islam.... ahh there are so many articles I wanted to read! I just realized that I love museum.

In ACM from 25 July to 21 Sept 2009, there is Southeast Asian collections in Hunters and Collectors gallery. It's collection from some world hunters such as William L. Abbott and many others (just knew about them, I think they're famous). One of them is maniac of magic, had owned the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft at Castletown, Isle of Man. Superb!

Well, happy birthday Singapore! Although like Mr. Abbott said, I plan and might get away again someday (to explore the world), but it is nice living here :)

Bookworm

Two days ago I visited National Library of Singapore, the central one in Bras Basah. No intention at first to subscribe the membership, we still can read the books on the spot although not being the member, and I didn't read much lately (despite of my yearly target to read minimal 50 books). But when I looked around the books and everything, I fall in love again in reading. I straightaway registered myself, it costs S$53.3 per year for foreigner, while free for Singaporeans and S$10.5 for Permanent Residents (isn't that too cheap, Singapore really care about education of the citizens).

Lending and returning books are made automatically, I was like villager (kampring) when I tried to borrow 2 books (let's start with chicklit :D), inserted my membership card, scanned the books one by one on the machine. And for returning, there are 24-hr Bookdrop booth outside the library. There are also more than 20 regional public libraries in Singapore, we can lend and return things in any public libraries. Each lending things can be return in 2-3 weeks. In Indonesia, public libraries are so boring. To get interesting books, we have to register ourselves to renting books place, by paying based on how many books we want to borrow, with a very limited time.

Went out the library, got myself in hunger, I tried Hanis library cafe, it's bakery and western cafe. Eating there with people around are sipping coffee, reading, working on school tasks, doing something on their laptop... made me feel smart, really. Environment is influential. And the burger is perfect! I love this kind of burger (like Botak Jones), rather than burger in fast food restaurant even than Burger King.

By joining the library, I hope my reading habit will boost up.

Piñata e Bailar

Last night I had so much fun in surprise party of my friend's birthday. The host works in the same company as mine, he is from Colombia. We also celebrated his wife's birthday, so the theme is Latin America. This is the first time I know about Piñata. It is a colorful container filled with sweet, candies and toys, hanged with ropes on the wall, ceiling or tree branches. Someone will hit it with stick and blinded eyes until it is smashed, then all people snatch and collect the candies.

This tradition comes from Mexico, usually for special occasions such as birthday, Christmas or Halloween. It is made from materials that are easily breakable like balloon or clay. Piñata also can be formed in any shapes. I would be glad to punch Harry Potter piñata, lol!

Last night the rules are each person must take at least one Chupa Chupa (lollipop), otherwise he/she will get penalty. If everybody has it, then who has the Chupa Chupa with X signed on it would get penalty. One of the host's friend from Venezuela got it, she must dance with one of the guys there, chose between Tango or Salsa dance. Lol it was very fun, while we're waiting for them practice and dress up, we're also being taught by the couple host how to dance Salsa. Whole night we spent there with Spanish songs (includes the birthday song). I saw their habit is very spirit and energetic with dance and music, they couldn't stop shaking their body even when talking and eating foods.

Vamos a bailar, la gente!

Because That's Not Me

Will write it mostly in Bahasa Indonesia.

If there is someone not cover her hair again in public, the first question that should be asked (if you dare and care to ask) is not "Kenapa dilepas?" but "Awalnya dulu kenapa dipakai?" If there's nothing wrong in the beginning, so the problem should be along the way. In my case, it's already in the beginning, so I kinda difficult to answer "Kenapa dilepas?"

Kalau kenapa awalnya dulu pakai, jawabannya gampang: Syariat Islam di Aceh. I come from Aceh, where every girl there MUST wear veil, if they don't want their hair being cut or to get other punishment from Polisi Syariah. In my opinion, kerudung disana dianggap sebagai budaya, dimana cewe-cewe ga boleh keluar rumah dengan pakaian seronok (kalau pakai baju minim 2 kali jadi 2 ronok *halah*). Kalo cuma ke warung deket rumah atau bertandang ke rumah tetangga atau ada saudara berkunjung ke rumah (meskipun bukan muhrim) ya preman aja ga pake kerudung. Kalo jalan-jalan ke Aceh coba liat deh cewe-cewenya pake baju agak nanggung.. pake kerudung iya tapi lengan baju pendek, atau poninya dikeluarin, atau rambut panjangnya muncul di belakang.. ajaib emang! Tapi ada juga yang pakai pakaian tertutup karena kesadaran sungguh-sungguh :)

When I was 15 years old, masih lucu-lucunya, I moved to Jakarta with family. Waktu itu sempet ada pembicaraan kecil (amat sangat kecil): "ntar ke sekolah tetep pakai kerudung ato engga". Gw kan masih anak bau kencur, ga ngerti dandan cantik dan sebagainya, nyokap bilang "udah lah tetep pake kerudung aja, ribet nyari baju lain dan sayang baju nya ga dipakai lagi ntar.." (semacam itu lah) *kan ceritanya waktu itu baru pindahan* Ya udah bo, keputusan gw pake kerudung di Jakarta (seinget gw) cuma karena itu.

Ternyata oh ternyata, aturan kerudung di kota besar justru lebih ketat: apapun urusannya kalau ketemu yang bukan muhrim, ga boleh buka kerudung (eh itu aturan agama ya bukan kota besar :P). Ihiks aku terkekang dan terjebak, because it's too taboo to open it after you wear it (I care too much of what people think, I know :|). Dulu waktu di Aceh I didn't care much about it cause every girl wearing it. Tapi pas pindah ke Jawa gw jadi sirik banget ngeliat cewe-cewe lain yang ga pake kerudung, cuih. Dan gw ga alim-alim amat orangnya, serius deh biasa aja! Gw hapal lagu-lagu Rihanna, bukan nasyid. *ga nyambung* Ya mungkin gw belum dapet aja hidayahnya. Kalau gw membayangkan keesokan hari gw mungkin akan mati, gw nangis ampe banjir bandang. Gw merasa belum menikmati hidup, doing what I want to do, being myself.

When I was in college, I promised myself will move to other place after graduation, to the place where nobody knows me, so I can start my life all over again, without tudung. Trus gw udah pindah nihhh ke Singapore, but still get many friends who know me before. Gw ga berani buka. Trus tiba-tiba di kantor ada yang buka kerudung juga doooong.. ampir gw bawa pisau kan ke cubicle dia (to peel apple together *halah*) "You took my place bitch! I've already planned it long long time ago before you were born!" *lebay! Jadi Iprit, maapkeun saya, I had felt so much anger to you at that time*.

So the point is Saya lepas kerudung bukan karena pengaruh lingkungan di luar negeri. Dan Saya tidak ikut-ikutan siapapun. I never change, I simply become more myself. I don't know why I should clarify this, in fact is I don't care! I don't care anymore with what people are gonna say about me. I never feel better than this. I feel free. I love myself and my life now :)

There, I write my confession. Have a nice life, everyone!