15 years later

15 years later...
When things were suddenly inexplicable
When words lost their ability to explain
When logic failed to give sensible analysis
When idealisms were abruptly challenged
Yet, it seemed right in bliss
Then it sprang to mind that:

"Meeting you was fate. Becoming your friend was a choice.
But, falling in love with you I had no control over..."

A Face to Face Conversation

It was a long day spent

Revealing a very nice sensation
A thrilling communication meant
In a face to face conversation

A Day, a week, a month? no, give me more
Any definite time may never be enough
Selfishly, the desire constantly seeks for an encore
Indeed being "smart people" are though


24.07.2008

Feisty Count

"...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, or 10 Money can't buy you all the love that you had then."

Feist - 1234

Please answer me, Feist... If it's a love of living in a country i had back then, surely money can buy me a ticket and provide me a visa to go back there, cant it?

1 2 3 4... Arrghhhhhh. This is what feeling nostalgic does to you!. I badly miss England!. Yes, i do! Miss the country, London the Big Smoke, and even Birmingham!.

1 2 3 4... I need to satisfy myself now. Am doing a feisty count in my head of my favorite things about England. I'll tell you later how many things i've counted. Meanwhile...Come and join my counting!.

1...2...3....4...5...6...9...or 10! Money can bring you back living in England!

to be continued

Human Interaction

Am happy...
Happy that, today, i've been having interactions with so many people. Virtually, of course ;). Thanks to the marvelous fruit of global world: internet connection. The reason why i love to endure sitting in front of my beloved Toshi for hours, despite the tensed neck and shoulder. Jamming and pressing Toshi's keyboard buttons to typing, browsing, chatting, and gaining more knowledge from everywhere. This is the benefit of living in the millenium world as an educated individual.

Human behaviors is definitely of my utmost interests. It's definitely much more interesting than observing other kind of creatures: animals and plants. Of course because i'm never a big fan of animals (challenging those astrological saying about pisces' love for animals, it never applies to me - a result of being a february-born 'piscesrius' perhaps). And i'm most definitely crap at taking care of plants. So, there you go.

Anyways... Human interaction is important if you are to understand human behaviors. It's intriguing to see how people react at certain things. Be it other human beings, words, situations etc. How they behave and thus respond to all of those things occurring in our more-stretching world. At the end of the day, everyone is obviously wondering: "How these people's behaviors reflect their personalities? How those behaviors affect ourselves? Are their personalities considered the well-suited ones to yours?". And, finally, if you feel a remarkable connection, they become your friends. Best friends if you're lucky. Soulmate, if you're having your luckiest moment.

I see life as never-ending studying processes in search for sustainable happiness provided by an unrestricted institution called the Life itself. If it were a university, Human behavior would be my major. What would be the honorable granted-title then? Mastering life phases, from being a Child, to a Teenager, to an Adult-teenager, and a series of Maturity level. No one but myself and my parents do congratulate me for each time i've graduated from one level to the next. I reckon i should count my parents in as the ones playing the role as my eternal-mentors who've been watching my studying processes both closely and from afar, from time to time. In academic life, the subject of human behavior itself has led me to study Political Science. Starting from achieving the Bachelor title in International Relations, to being granted a Master title in International Political Economy. It doesn't end there of course, as i always keep my options open for the next title (PhD one? maybe). I am not ashamed to admit that i am addicted to studying, both in real life and academic one.

Many people think politics is a heavy subject. It's actually not. And no, it's not that boring. I've found out that the fundamental part of Politics is based on the basic philosophy of human behavior. Now i know why it was compulsory to read Sociology in my first year (i used to hate the bloody subject, hence the endless complaints when i had to do it). In politics, politicians interact by communicating, cooperating, and competing with each other based on what? Human behaviors, driven by their ideas and wills. Countries going to war, establishing agreement, having trade relations, competing for bigger power. Why indeed? To fulfill the national interests which are aimed to bring wealth to their people. In order to do that, a country must play the game in international stage, to gain the aimed respectful position so it can have more prominent role to attain the national interests. The complicated thing about countries' interactions and relations is that it consists of thoughts derived from collective human ideas sitting in the government seat. Probably that's the reason why people perceive international politics as "heavy". But, all in all, it's all about human interaction.

Enough about that. I just want to thank everyone who has come visiting my blog from all over the world and left a comment or two. I love how this blog has brought me to catch up with some people (new, old, current). So, this blog has found its new benefit. To advance my activities of interacting with other individuals, of which i am very fond of.

Optimism?

Depressing traffic. Bad public transportation. Multiplyingly polluted air (hell, even the pollution here is polluted). Random weather. Countless corruption. Both undependable and complicated bureaucratic system. Overrated shopping mall. Thoughtless high consumerism. Government's administrative officials who love to talk round yet doesnt help to resolve your problems/complaints. Yadda yadda yadda political campaigns which only waste money yet no promises delivered. Weak & breakable law & regulation system (meaning: money frees you from any charge).

Stupid IT technicians who call themselves the skillful experts, whom we pay for the service, but can only give shitty advices and turn out to be as clueless as you are - mind, sometimes you manage to solve the problem, proving that you are actually more capable then they are.

Natural disaster & climate change: can you believe that the awareness is shockingly low in this country? People talk about going green, yet i dont really see any significant changes. There's even no government's special institution for the fight against global warming. Not yet at least (heard that they're working on it to save their face since Indonesia has been invited to the G8 meeting).

Flood hitting Jakarta so often whenever the rain season comes: please dont blame the nature, it's mainly a result of the way people treat the environment and thus affecting the nature's behavior.

The latest crisis: increasing energy & electricity demand VS growing-limited energy supply. "Dear sirs & madams, please blame those luxurious shopping malls that waste our energy supply, instead of 'providing' electricity black outs frequently.

Lapindo catastrophe. No need to explain more about the disaster. It's a national disaster indeed, but i still can't believe how they managed to acknowledge it as national responsibility. I mean, ask and sue those high-flying companies who started the careless project.

Judgmental society judging you based on what you wear, how much it costs, who your friends are. One too many glossy magazines reporting socialites' activities and featuring their pompous poses with over-the-top made up face.

Student demonstrating in bad manners: demonstrants VS police officers. Am sick of it!. I dont care if they said that the 'demo' was intruded by strange bad people. All i know is that students are supposed to be a bunch of educated and talented young people whose fresh minds should have logical sense to know that there are many ways to express their thoughts rather than standing, crowding, and yelling like morons. "Dear students, do you know that you're all only making the traffic worse and thus hindering people from doing their activities on time?. Why not find a more civilised yet innovative method to get their message across? Do that, and people will surely be more appreciate of your ideas. Trust me".

Oil & fuel price issues... I've had enough of it. Government has done the right thing to diminish the oil subsidy (i hope they'll do it more firmly with gradual efficiency instead of 'walking' slowly in delivering the policy), but they should've prepared a real budget-allocation to provide effective subsidy for the poor: infrastructure. They're indeed wrong to never build the much-needed infrastructure (especially physical ones) so the public would be provided a sound wealth and free-services and not be troubled with money problem if they hadnt to deal with costs of education and health. Let the fuel price be high, but provide sound and well-managed public transportion so people wouldnt have the need to use personal transport (lessening pollution, wouldnt it?). Provide government-paid education and health services. So people would only have to worry about spending money on day-to-day basis, not on sky-scrapping education costs or expensive-yet-unreliable medical care.

*Sigh*. I could go on and on. But it would only make me rambling on like a moron. And i am sure i dont want to be one. Besides, it's starting to depress me.

Whatever happens to the country? What ever happens to the beloved Jakarta? What those powerful people in government have in mind? Why the society is becoming more and more pretentious and superficial instead of caring about what's been happening with the country, the cities, and the faith of the poor and homeless? Sheesshhh...why am i torturing my mind with all these questions? I know why. Because, despite all those complaints above, am still optimist that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. We actually have chances to right the wrongs. some if not all. That's not impossible. It's our choice, dear Indonesian fellows. Do it, people! do it! Optimism indeed.

a heartfelt dedication

You'll be given love. You'll be taken care of. You'll be given love. You have to trust it. Maybe not from the sources. You have poured yours. Maybe not from the directions. You are staring at. Twist your head around. It's all around you. All is full of love. All around you. All is full of love. You just aint receiving. All is full of love. Your phone is off the hook. All is full of love. Your doors are all shut. All is full of love!

All is full of love - Bjork

For my beloved girls...
Who's worth more than just a glance of all written in the lyrics above, but havent found the door. The door leading you to that unconditional sincerest something that tingles your untainted world. Lavishing your inner world with ease. Put on your glasses and find the lens, girls...to keep your inner eyes wide open.

...And for all the girls and women out there, including me self. :)

My Favorite Light

"I've found you've got to look back at the old things and see them in a new light"

-John Coltrane-

Indeed I'm aware that he was talking about his renown cover of Rodger and Hammerstein's My Favorite Things, which has been my ultimate favorite song (in any covers) since i was a child. But, as for me, it has rang true for a different case.

I did see that old "thing" since yonks ago. A remarkably comfortable something that was always there. But then, one day, i spotted it differently. Luminously, a familiar yet nouveau light fell upon the way it had used to be perceived. A bizarre movement struck me inside. Shaking my heart beyond belief. Confused. Scared. Reluctant. In denial. Then...recollection of archaic scenes & images came rushing back. Like pieces of random puzzles being thrown at you, bluntly penetrating your mind. But i finally gave in. Taking it all in gladly. Bravely taking a seat. Picking up the new lens to embrace them all. Positioning myself for a strange impulsive ride. Impulsive? me? I am never famous of being one. It was something i had never had the skill to do so. Surreal is the word for this beckoning urge.

I've looked back at that certain old thing and see it in a new light.
I still have. That "thing" is certainly one of my favorite things these days, a thing to think about (and pursue) indeed... I'm grateful for the light. It's not just any new light. Peculiar yet familiar.

The light has melted the coldness. Unshackling the locked frozen box of toughness, as if a gatekeeper opening a portal to the secret heart. Bestowing a dash of calescent touch upon it. Assisting to fathom the long-missing pieces of warmth. Bringing out a massive wave of fervent bloom. Letting it flowing briskly in tranquility, to be embraced and be absorbed voluntarily.

The light is now cherished. No matter how difficult it is. No matter how complicated it has been or might be. No matter what it would bring.
So be it...

Thank you, God. For bringing back and diffusing the spring in me. For breaking the protected rigidity and ceasing the very long freezing winter of my heart.
Thank you, Coltrane.

The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plain...

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the Plain.
In Hertford, Hereford, and Hampshire, Hurricanes Hardly Happen.

That was just a glimpse of lines from the great play of My Fair Lady. Have you seen the play? I have! Although my experience of seeing this particular play did not involve going to see it in london's fancy covent garden theatre (the Royal Opera House). I went to see the play in not-as-posh Birmingham Hipprodrome. But definitely quite posh for Birmingham standard. haha. I had fun. It was a worthy performance and clearly entertaining.

Eliza: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
Higgins: I think she's got it. I think she's got it.
Eliza: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
Higgins: By George, she's got it. By George, she's got it. Now once again, where does it rain?
Eliza: On the plain! On the plain!
Higgins: And where's that soggy plain?
Eliza: In Spain! In Spain!
Chorus: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!...

Well... I'm not going to write about the tale of Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins. It was just a bit of a coincidental case with My Fair Lady that the rain in Spain definitely hasnt really stayed mainly in the plain lately, as it was definitely Spanish rain in Europe recently. Why is it? While the lines above are only a small bit of the well-celebrated English play, yet England failed to play and thus participate in the most-celebrated big European event of the beloved Football. Very sad indeed. And, ironically, it was Spain who was crowned as the victor of the Euro 2008. Spain, while obviously wasnt an underdog team at the championship, it wasnt exactly the clear favorite in the beginning of the early matches. Although it has rather massive fans indeed. On the other hand, Italy, the current world champion, was a big favorite. Viva azzurri was everywhere both in Swiss and Austria. French, another dark horse, was one of the favorites as well. At the early rounds, it was Netherlands who was cheered and predicted to be a winner. Alongside Germany with their quite sound performance on the grass.

Although it wasnt raining on the final match, unlike previous matches, it was Spain who rained the game with their victory in Ernst Happel, Vienna where the whole stadium also rained with Spanish flag and red colour.

However, Spain's victory in Euro 2008 there left me a bit unsettling. why indeed? A Spanish national team owned the final day in Euro 2008 hosted by two countries: Austria and Swiss. It made me wondering, "Will a Spanish conquer a Swiss native after this?". Yes, I am talking about Wimbledon here. "As Spain stole back the Henry Delaunay trophy after 44 years, will a young Spaniard steal the Wimbledon trophy and end a Swiss native's five years reign?". I was terrified, very much indeed. For those Federer fans out there, you should all have been alarmed by this speculation (if only i had written this sooner!).

So then, with a very alarming idea in my head, i followed match after match of Wimbledon 2008. As it happened, my fearful speculation did came into realisation. Rafael Nadal, the Spaniard warrior finally gained his long-awaited victory over the FedExpress, the King of grass court and Rafa's arch-nemesis, on Wimbledon's centre court. He ended Roger Federer's reign on the centre court by defeating him in a match of 5 heart-jittering and almost unbearable long sets. As Eliza answered Higgins' question that the soggy rain was in Spain, it was a Spanish who was rained by victorious match on...a soggy day indeed. Rafa then stole Federer's crown on the grass court which, for some people, is considered Federer's second home. It was beyond sad. For me, it was like a great loss.

Earlier this year, on a bit different subject yet very related topic, Javier Bardem, a Spanish actor, was honored to win the academy Award, the Oscar, as the Best Actor in a Supporting role in another most-celebrated event of Hollywood. It is indeed a very rare occasion in the history of Oscar that non-American actors gains a victory - This year's Oscar was deemed as "international" (or rather European?), as the Best Actor crown went to Daniel Day Lewis, the British-Irish actor, and the Best Actress award was handed in to Marion Cotillard, the talented French actress who brilliantly played the role of Edith Piaff in La Vie en Rose / La Môme.

So, when Professor Higgins tried to teach Eliza "the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain", little did he know that years later the Spanish rain does not merely stay mainly in the plain, but across the Europe (and beyond) indeed. The latest rain was obviously a case of a Spaniard raining a tennis match with his forceful talent and reigning at the Wimbledon's centre court. Although it pained me, it still does, i whole-heartedly congratulate Rafa on his latest BIG victory. After all, dethroning Federer's crown wasnt an easy work, and not many people could do that. Although, i bet you all that FedExpress will be back in his more brilliant than usual form to steal back his Wimbledon's crown. I do believe this is just an off year for him, one of those year. It has happened to the likes of Bjorn Borg and Sampras, two of the greatest players besides Fed himself. You just wait, Rafa... You shall just see, next year.

It is then fair to say that it's a big year for Spain. Although, unfortunately, it doesnt really apply to Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard F1 driver who's been losing his great "touch" on GP track lately. Thanks to his unwell relationship with the English team and his then English teammate (now rival). Perhaps, Alonso should attend one of Professor Higgins' class with Eliza, to learn the "proper English way" (no pun intended). As for Alonso, the rain in his Spain stays mainly in the losing pain.

"...the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain? no, the rain in Spain spreads across the Europe's, and even American land. In Hollywood, London, Austria, and Switzerland...Spanish hurricanes do happen."

* this is for my Dad, who doesnt like Spain when it comes to spectator sports: for Alonso defeating Schumacher in Formula 1 GP, for Barcelona defeating Arsenal in Champions league, for Sete Gibernau defeating Rossi in MotoGP - all happened 2 years ago.

India Going Global

It seems that my curious affinity on the subject of India has yet to cease since i did the dissertation research 2 years ago. I remain very eager to see how India develops and thus enhances its economic reforms successfully.

Last week, I had the honour of representing my office to attend a CSIS Seminar on India Going Global: Emerging Multinationals and Regional Economic Integration with Dr. Nagesh Kumar, the Director General of Research & Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India, as the only speaker.

All in all, it was probably the most interesting seminar i've ever been to for the past months as i found myself sitting there with fully opened eyes listening intently to Dr. Kumar's presentation.

Anyways. Below is the short version of seminar review i managed to write after the seminar.

India Going Global:

Emerging Multinationals and Regional Economic Integration

Speaker:

Dr. Nagesh Kumar

Director-General

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)

New Delhi, India

www.ris.org.in

≈ India: Brief Overview and Analysis

India began its modest reform slightly in 1980, although it was a hesitant and sluggish reform. Up until then, India had always had large private sectors while markets were run by inflexible state controls. What had started in 1980 became systemic and far broader after India experienced a severe macroeconomic crisis in 1991. In late 1991, with the transfer of the Indian Parliament into the hands of political and economic reformers, despite much opposition, India began its reform towards liberalization and freer trade. Since then, Indian per capita GDP has doubled and has achieved the 6% plus rate of GDP growth earlier this year (Siegel 2006). Despite the slow pace of the reform, India has got all the necessities for a knowledge-based economy by credit of its human resource strength that has led it to become one of the major emerging economies in the world measured by purchasing power parity (PPP).

Taking a longer perspective, the economy did very well in the first five years or so after the economic reforms of ’91. The economic reforms marked a defining moment in India’s economic history. Under the reforms, India has fruitfully set groundwork for strong economic growth by remodeling itself from underdeveloped-agricultural-and closed economy into a progressively open one that promotes more foreign investment and attracts more fortune from industry and services.

India is moving fast to gain its place on the world stage. India has integrated itself to East Asia which is the most dynamic region in Asia today. Now, India is going global as its best companies are targeting global markets, i.e. Tata group, and the Indian consumer is drawing the world’s attention. The country, too, is entitled to boast companies with world-class capabilities ranging in sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Many Indian companies, such as Infosys Technologies, Wipro technologies, Bharat Forge, and Reliance Infocomm, now hold a market capitalization over a billion dollars. They are soon expected to become competitive global firms. However, the biggest ones among them are: Tata Group and Mittal Steel.

Political sustainability is another aspect where in a democratic environment like India, people have to be capable of spotting benefits that arrives. However, in order to sustain these progresses and moving forward in going global, the country and its leaders still have a lot to accomplish. Among the tasks are mainly by focusing on building the much-needed infrastructure and driving a thriving labor market, while the next set challenges waiting to be tackled includes education, health care, food industry, poverty, and social unrest. These problems will be far more intricate and multifaceted, and the pace of transformation has not been as fast as it should be.

In the short run, the critical challenge India has to tackle is infrastructure as the country has not invested as much in infrastructure as it should have in the past. One of the major goals of India’s current Five-Year Plan is to sharply increase investment in infrastructure. Developing excellent infrastructure is not going off through the traditional public-sector development route since the public sector cannot mobilize resources on this level – as the country, too, has to invest massively in education and health. Thus, as revealed by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning Commission, in last year's interview with Mckinsey Quarterly, the country has formulated a strategy for infrastructure development based on public-private partnership where about three-quarters of the increase in infrastructure investment above business-as-usual projections would have to be privately funded. Basically, the government is willing to encourage infrastructure development with with private-sector entrepreneurs taking risk wherever feasible.

Interestingly, Dr. Kumar and Ahluwalia’s suggestion was coincidentally similar when talking on the subject of how bottlenecks at the state level affecting infrastructure-related growth. They both admitted that indeed there was a bottleneck effect of reforms initiating in the center and spreading to the states afterwards. However, there are many examples that state governments recognizing and are quite aware of the idea of attracting private investment is obviously the brilliant approach to boosting up economic growth. And thus, these state governments have been responding to this suggestion by attempting to create an investor-friendly atmosphere. The central government, in this case, will let each state to develop and enhance the said atmosphere independently while offering to provide supporting assistance if needed. There will be rankings of states prepared to indicate the most investor-friendly states and those of the less ones. This method is to entice politicians of each state government to be conscious of their performance, and thus create political motivation to encourage them to compete with each other and be the most improved ones. The key objectives here is to create organized-sector jobs

In essence, India is on the verge of becoming one of the forces reshaping the global economy. Whether it is going to be a success story or not, it depends on how India tackles the challenges and opportunities ahead. They need to develop a strong political commitment and reliable political system, and sound strategy to manage a sustained economic development to gain wealth. On top of that, a joint action from all stakeholders: the government, the private sector, and society, is highly important for India to go global.

~~~

A Glimpse of recent World of Sports: Tennis

...Along Came Davydenko

Three weeks ago, if someone had bet all of their money on Davydenko to win this year’s Sony Ericsson Open, the Miami Masters, the world would have laughed at the bettor. Better yet, the world would’ve bet all their money against the previous bet only to prove it wrong. But now, those people shall keep their money save in their bank account since Davydenko has deservedly taken the spotlight in the Open’s final after beating Nadal superbly.

During the weeks of the Miami Masters, we’ve seen mixed feelings resulted by some games’ results. Some were saddened (not me!) to see Djokovic’s fall in the early round. Some Americans had obviously placed their hopes on Roddick’s shoulder for a sweet comeback. Some more were hoping Federer would finally raise his stake to get his first title this year. Alas, those hopes were crushed by Roddick’s eventual victory over Federer after 5 years of losing to the world’s no.1. A case of long overdue wishful vengeance, if you ask me. Good for Roddick! It was probably a wonderful month for him: an engagement with a stunning model and a triumph of his own long-battle with Fed. What more could he ask? If I were Roddick, I wouldn’t be too thwarted to not win the title. Yet, it was a massive disappointment for Federer’s supporters in the whole wide world, including me. Not only did it lead him to another failure to claim a title this year, but, to add insult to injury, he also had to suffer from losing his long-domination over Roddick by being defeated by the American. Ah well…all in a day, Fed! All in a day...

And then there were 4 in the semifinals. It was hardly a clandestine to unfold the two favorites people wanted to see in the final: Roddick and Nadal indeed. Perhaps, the best bet was that Nadal would definitely beat Roddick in no time. But then...along came Davydenko. The underdog warrior, despite being the world number 4, who came to the battle with only one racket as his weapon. Amid the cloud of the depressing controversy, the ongoing investigation by the ATP after suspicious betting on an August match, no one expected him to be the last man standing in the court. His calm, collective, and quiet appearance certainly fooled a lot of people. He, nevertheless, remarkably showcased a beautiful tennis performance. In less than 90 mins and 2 straight sets, he deservedly claimed a vigorous 6-4, 6-2 win over Rafael Nadal, the second seed. With wonderful backhands, he aggressively dominated both serve and return with superb tactical variations that effectively ruined Nadal’s play which forced him to make uncharacteristic errors against Davydenko’s energetic yet calm liveliness.

The most impressive thing about Davydenko’s performance in the final, besides his obvious glorious victory, was that it wasn’t that Nadal didn't perform as brilliant as he usually did. In fact, Nadal was simply giving out his usual bright performance indeed. Unfortunately, Davydenko merely played much more brilliant than Nadal did. As Nadal admittedly stated, “He played unbeliavable tennis. And there was nothing i could do.“ Perhaps, as the world has been very wise to acknowledge the rise of Russia, the country that is, it shall be wise as well to not underestimate another rising Russian, Nikolay Davydenko.