Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Smile is easy as you wink ;)

When was the last time you smile? I mean literary smile (stretching your lips as wide as you can).
On Sunday evening i have just realized that i was smiling. It's generous though. But it means something if you smile with no reason. I'm not crazy but yes my soul is blessed.

Smile is the simplest way to feel happy. It's such the simplest action i could express in any depress. By sharing one smile, i feel happy, make other people happy, and everybody looks happy. There was a research over the massive anti-aging formula to keep you stay young longer. The research shows people who smile at least ten times a day looks younger than people who doesn't smile at all, even their lifetime are equal. This is because when you do smile, your skin is being pulled to regenerate its freshness and can reduce wrinkles.

So... can you mention any other reason to not smile? Moreover, it can make your face looks prettier, isn't it?
start your day with one smile, when you woke up, seeing your Mom or Daddy or other relatives, at least... if you are in a deep sh*t trouble, smile to yourself when you reflect.
 

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Where does Hippolita come from

A friend of mine asked me while he visited my blog, "what does hipolitha mean? Is it kinda abbreviation of your name?"

It sounds like shortening my name, but it is not. I have my own reason why I'm using that name. It's just because I like the name. A friend of mine in my faculty, the one I admire because he's really great at literature, called me Hipolita. Well.. at first it sounded weird for me. But then I find out who's that girl and why did he admire her?

So I asked Mr. Google and found out. There are some versions about the story but I like this version.

Hippolyta is queen of Amazon in Greek mythology. The Amazons were a warrior race of women who were descended of Ares, the god of war. She's a superior archer in Amazon and no other knights can conquer her. She's so undefeated in the battlefield with her Amazons army. She possess a magical girdle she was given by her father. The girdle was a waist belt that signified her authority as queen of the Amazons.
Being of the Amazon tribe, a nation of women warriors whom in Greek mythology burned off their right breasts in order to use a bow and arrow more successfully, and as a rule, abhorred male supremacy; Hippolyta’s surrender to Theseus in battle and married him. Hippolyta’s struggle with her beliefs and her love may be the reason she seemed to have had cold feet in the beginning. She was not excited about her wedding, although they stay true to each other and get married in the end. 
Although, the relationship between Theseus and Hippolyta represents ideal, mature love, and contrasts with the other lovers relationships. Occasionally, they disagree about certain issues, but due to their mature personalities, they are able to confront their problems, resolve them, and let them go.

As Louis Montrose notes in Midsummer of Night's Dream of William Shakespeare where we can see the story of Theseus and Hippolyta: "Amazonian mythology seems symbolically to embody and to control a collective anxiety about the power of a female not only to dominate or reject the male but to create and destroy him." However, Hippolyta attracts Theseus with her feminine allure and charm, to such a degree that Theseus is completely smitten with her. Despite her forceful nature, she becomes the object of Theseus' passion.  By marrying Hippolyta, Theseus is laying down his sword, "the weapon which gave him power and authority over her," and essentially surrendering to her. By the end of the play, Hippolyta has actually added to her power, becoming the queen of a new realm, Athens.

In spite of her surrender to the male supremacy at the end, I still adore Hippolyta. Not only as a superior warrior women, but also to her mature character. Isn't it logic when we're so powerful and suddenly found someone who can smitten us and then we readily let go all we've had?
Whatever it is, I believe Hippolyta has her own reason why she surrender herself to Theseus  whereas she's so powerful. The other reason is just because I like her name. It sounds a bit like my name.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Trip to Pangandaran (part 2): Scarce Friends Quality Time


Tukik conservation and adrenaline adventure

Tukik at the Conservation Center, Batu Hiu, West Java
            Batu Hiu touched down! We visited turtle conservation and breeding center. We could see a few turtles from different species. Do you know how many sea turtles left in this world? Not many.  Do you know where the most turtle could be found in breeding season? Most buried their eggs in Indonesian coasts. Ironic, nowadays Indonesian people and fishers catch sea turtles for commercialism without knowing the threat of its existence. The meats, shields and eggs are traded. A man who runs that conservation center explained no fundraising from government to save Tukik (baby turtle). They get donation majorly from visitors and donators.




Penyu Sisik, termasuk  salah satu penyu langka yang populasinya terancam
            Moment of releasing Tukik back to the sea will be held in possible opportunity. Only Tukik aged 2 month allowed to be released in assumption they are strong enough for the wild world. Some of them made it, some are just get back or trapped in fishermen’s fishnet. Unfortunately, we arrived there in the middle of the day and releasing Tukik is only held in the evening or night because of the stream and waves.
            There’s no charge visiting this sober place. By the entrance they provide guest book that we have to write in and a little box for donation you would like to give. If you won’t give any, that’s okay too. But just think about it, don’t you have a heart? We could take pictures with all Turtles there. We might to touch them. After that you’ll have smelly tank hands. Don’t worry, the smell will disappear after four times washing.
            So we continued our trip to Citumang. It was 02.30 pm and we didn’t buy any lunch yet. We decided to take a rest for a while and lunch at local villager’s Warung near Citumang site. After lunch we walked along the path to the entrance. We cashed 5.000 IDR for each person for entrance and 15.000 IDR for renting life vest and other safety equipment if you wanna do body rafting. The funny thing is the price for domestic tourists is far lower than foreign tourists. However, Indonesian biggest income came from foreign tourists.
            The rest of our day, in the afternoon and the sun was friendlier than before, we walked on winding path to be at the starting point. Citumang is water springs that flows through the cave and river. Green planktons make the river’s color green. Near the cave, the water turns into grey. It surrounded by high cliffs. The sun couldn’t warm the water which is so freaking cold. There are some facilities such as mosque (mushola), gazebo, toilet, dressing chambers and showers.
            After wearing the safety vest, knees and elbows protector, my friends were challenged to jump out from the top of the cave. That was insane but must try! I guessed it is over than 9 meters high. I didn’t dare to do that, too dangerous and risk. I saw Ay and Tika jump from the cave top into the river, splashed! But I can see them came up to the surface. They are okay but still I was afraid of.
            The water was cold, the stream was hard and the river wasn’t too deep. Rocks on the riverbed scratched foot. We floated flow in the stream. Sometimes our butts bumped rocks. Sometimes we just stand up and walk on the shallow river and then we went again in the flow. Our body has to be relaxed and just follow the flow. Otherwise we could have stiff.
            It was evening, almost 06.00 pm when we finished body rafting at Citumang. Our rented house is not far from Citumang. Kicked our butts to Angkot and 15 minutes later we arrived. We took a bath, clean up and ready to have dinner.
By the entrance of Citumang
Jumped 10 meter high, those guys are freaking crazy!
Body Rafting, almost done.

The Last Night
            At 07.00 pm we were leaving heading to Pangandaran. We decided to have dinner with our new friends we met at Citumang, Celine and Christopher from France. At pangandaran, there’s a fish market where we can choose fresh fishes and sea food by our self and then the chef cooked them as we wished. The price is a little bit more than buying fishes directly from fishers or traditional market in Jakarta. So we bought Bawals, shrimps, squid and sautéed spinach and we had full bellies afterwards.
            Pangandaran in the night is alive suburban. It’s crowded; tourists, traffic, merchants, souvenirs stalls, hotels, restaurants, entertainment of cafes and bars, local music concert. Souvenirs shops sale everything that sounds “beach”; shells, clothes, hats, art crafts, etc. And I don’t know why couldn’t stop and went in one of those shops.  
Dinner at Pangandaran: SEAFOOD!! =9
            Finishing the dinner and we went back to our cottage. Our new friends, who brought their new friends, Indians, asked us if we would like to join them spending the night in a local bar not far from their street. They were curious about Indonesian music and night life. But we were so tired because of the long day we had. So we refuse to join and kicked our asses back in Angkot. Then I imagined about that local bar; house remix Dangdut, red lamps, beer, smokes, marijuana, and maybe sluts? I have no idea. Never been there. Even if I would just to satisfy my inquiry, I guess I won’t be there more than 5 minutes.
            On the way back, I requested to find minimarket. I need to buy mosquito repellant because those bugs are really cruel as evil. So we drove through the road and found Alfamart somewhere. There is one Alfamart. Across the street, there is Indomaret. Next Indomaret, I saw one more alfamart. What the hell happened there? Those minimarkets took place side by side which made me thinking of obvious competency. Whatever I saw, my feet guide me to Alfamart. But just telling the truth… if you shop there, please check the price and the recite. I bought some snacks there. Let say the price on the label 4000 IDR. But when I saw at the recite, it printed 4500 IDR. It happened to all items I bought. I didn’t know what they were doing with that trick. So just make sure you see the price right while you shop there.
            Sunday came and rain was pouring the morning. We woke up at 05.00 am and planned to see sunrise at Batu Hiu Beach. After that, we’ll heading to Pangandaran for snorkeling. Even it was still raining, we kept optimist; the rain will stop and we will snorkeling today. So we didn’t take any bath, just make cups of hot tea, coffee and milk. Jajang’s mother has cooked breakfast for us, so nice. Then we packed and threw the bags in Angkot.
            What happened that day was unpredictable. We went out of plan. One of my friends couldn’t awake easily even if we wake her up. When we were ready to see sunrise, we should still wait her in the bathroom, changing clothes, put make up and packing. At the end, we missed the show and just changing plan.
Meanwhile, it was 07.15 am with lite raining. One friend said that’s impossible to enjoy beach with this weather. I kept optimist that rain soon will be over. But it seemed not at all. We had discussion then in Angkot. On Sunday, there are two buses departing back to Jakarta; at 08.00 am and 01.00 pm. At the first we decide to take the bus at 01.00 pm so we still have more time to go to pangandaran. But then we realize, yes we began lack of budget and tomorrow we’re going back at work. So, on the way to Pangandaran, we turned around and ask the driver to take us to the bus pool. Half of the way, I looked sad because I really want to see Batu Hiu Beach, the rain stopped already. So my friends ask the driver to turned back to Batu Hiu beach and we agreed just spend 5 minutes there for taking pictures. 
            We cashed 15000 IDR for car at the entrance and 3000 IDR per person. Batu Hiu beach is so quiet and peace. The sand is grey and wet of the rain. Near the beach there’s a big shark statue with its open mouth and sharp teeth. Our tour guide said that the view is prettier if see from up there (he pointed to a path which can bring us to up the cliff). Nope, we had no time. So we spend our 4 minutes left taking pictures and then go. Not satisfy enough, I know. I hope next time could go there once again. At 07.45 am we were at the bus pool and ready to go. So we said goodbye to Jajang and the driver for their kindness during our visiting there. We paid 500.000 IDR for Angkot renting. 
Morn at Batu Hiu, West Java. 
            It was a quick express day for us. We only were able to visit one place in very short time. No, we aren’t satisfied yet. So we think we will plan another trip, but that one should be a mature plan. The good point is we had our high quality time together, we get closer. We are becoming good friends and family. We are having our stories to share and live in our memories. And that’s how Sunday memory lane over. We arrived in Kampung Rambutan at 05.00 pm and went home.
Here we are, the complete team! s(^-^)v

Friday, March 2, 2012

Pray for Grant

"That's me in the corner,
That's me in the spotlight loosing my religion..."
  
Have you ever get angry, at least upset and then loosing your faith of the greatest power of the universe when a failure occurred?
You want something so bad, so you try so hard  for it. you work so hard for it. you go for it and you pray for it. Even you are devoted to your pray and wish it so bad nights and days. But nothing ever happened and you missed out. 
You get angry, you're upset. You assume God wont side with you. You felt to pieces.  You've lost all your zest to live. Well, if you have experienced kind that story, I'll tell you a story.

There was a maid. she left her job for one another job which is better and suitable to her passion. Then she found the new one that she ever wanted but not get it yet. she went to that company and succeed up to the last stage. She waited for notification but nothing ever come. So she prayed to God for granting her wish all days and nights. she wished and insisted for kindness. But still... nothing came along in one week. She found out and so disappointed. She felt has done the best performance. She considered it's so unfair. Then she got angry.

A few week later she's already forget about it. so she decided to move on and go to every places presented any opportunities. At one big and famous company, she tried her lucky there. she didn't expect too much. You can already guessing what happened next. Yes! She passed all the process and got an offering job there. She's happy for it. But... She also feels extremely embarrassed. She realizes what God plans for her: something better than what she wanted the most. She feels terrible and sorry.

Have you ever heard a quote says:
"When you wished something that you really ever wanted, the universe is working for it."
I believe that one. But I also believe if my wish never come up, the universe grant for the better one. Well, God always have plan for each of us. I think I know what I want and sometimes I pray hard for it. But the truth is am not. As I believe, God knows everything and when I cried because I couldn't get what i want, perhaps God is smiling to me and says, "You deserve better than you wanted now." So I change my pray without mention what I want. I'm just asking for the good things happen to me and Thank God, I always get the answers. 

So Happy :D 
 
 

Trip to Pangandaran (part 1): Running away from metropolis

            By the end of November 2011, my friends and I decided to run a trip. So we made a plan, a backpacker trip. We wanted to go to Pangandaran, the nearest place to run away from cities. We are college friends. We have been friends since 2006, first year of our study. At the beginning, I admit, we were not as close as we rarely meet like now. But I think that being separated, or let say we don’t meet everyday anymore, kinda make us closer like I miss everyone of them so bad.

            So… on Friday night, after work I was heading back to my house, grabbed my backpack and headed straight to Kampung Rambutan Terminal. My friends already there, waited in platform outer cities departure. We were seven from 18 people who has signed up. But number couldn’t discourage us. The show must go on!

In front of the entrance Cukang Taneuh (Green Canyon)


Green Canyon and Batu Karas

            At 09.00 pm we took a bus directing to Pangandaran. Just cashed 60.000 IDR and we could sit on the backseat area, nice Air-Con and seats cozy enough. It took around 9 hours to get there. So we just entertained ourselves; chattering, listening to music, laughing, making fun, snacking and a little bit sleeping. I slept awake in the bus. Until 05.30 am the bus speeding down on the winding road. Out the windows, I could see the contour of trees. The east sky began to blush in orange and edge of the horizon I could see vague sea. No longer anymore, promptly at 06.00 am we have arrived.

            My friend, Bule, knows a local there named Jajang. He was our travel guide during our stay. So… He has been waited us at the bus pool and pick us up with Angkot which we have been rented for our transportation there. Then we got our damn asses on and ride to our holiday bungalow: Jajang’s House. It is in Citumang village. It’s not a big house, two rooms, tiny living room, traditional kitchen with wood stove, no-door-bathroom. But for me, it is more than enough to stay one night there. We rented his house for 250.000 cash.

            At 07.00 am we went for breakfast at one of villager food stall. Eating there is pretty cheap. I only cashed 7.000 IDR for a plate of rice with Pepes Tahu, Scrambled Egg and a glass of warm sweet tea. So fine! After breakfast we went to the very first destination, Cukang Taneuh Green Canyon.

Tiket masuk Cukang Taneuh, termasuk perahu dan life vest.
            It took only 30 minutes to get there. Cukang Taneuh is a river along the canyon which on the sides plants are grown. The color of its water is also green. That’s why people known that place as Green Canyon. The entrance ticket is actually cheap, 12.500 IDR cashed. But of course we need renting a boat to take a tour along the river, from the boat dock to Green Canyon. The boat costs us 62.500 IDR include the guide. One boat can only carrying maximal 6 passengers. So we split up into two groups which each boat can carry 3 or 4 of us. Then we step in and ready for our adventure. As I said, all the way I enjoyed the green river, took as many photos as I could, in many poses. On the river side we could see green trees and plants. So refreshing my eyes! But this greenly couldn’t be enjoyed if the rain came last night because the river would turn into brown, mud water. So lucky us!

Among the canyons, Green Canyon

            The boats stopped while the river ends up. We were below, between the giant canyons and in their shadow. Sun shine couldn’t reach all surface below so there was a little bit cold even It was 09.00 am. Wearing a life vest is a must! The guards will not allow us to jump in the water without life vest on. The stream was very hard and float over the big rocks also the river is surely deep. We went as one team and how could they pick me as the team leader that obligate me to go first. But I thank you for that.

Taking picture before ride on a boat at the quay
            We had to struggle the stream to get to the upstream. Then we could do body rafting from there. Let our supple body floated with the flows. It was so damn cool and extraordinary! I would do that once again even my foot scratched by the sharp stones. But we ended up to the boats.


            Next destination is Batu Karas Beach. We took about 30 minutes to get there. At first, we expected there will be crowded because of weekend. But we were so lucky. The beach is not too crowded. There’s a lot of space but truly hot. The beach is very clean. No white sand like Ujung Genteng, but the view is pretty. Road and beach are separated by long fence. There are booths renting surf boards, banana boats, and other services. Behind the fence, across the road, there are bars, restaurants, café’s, and stalls.

            Actually, behind Batu Karas beach there is Batu Nunggul beach where we can see a fascinating view of south sea and Hindia Ocean. That beach is better known as Hidden Paradise. People said it is a virgin beach, not many people have reached there. at the night we could see sea turtles coming from the sea to bury eggs. Our tour guide said it is adorable beach but we have no enough time to go there. The path is hard to track, through a jungle, and 2 hours walking for one way. Maybe next time we could go there.


View at Batu Karas, West Java
            The fine weather soon would be too hot, drowned my mood to get wet in salty water.  Moreover, the sand was getting hot, like burning my foot. So Tia, Ay and I went to the stall area.  This wet activity made me hungry. So we at Bakso and Noodles, wiped our thirst with Coconut water. So simply recharge me. My friends have done with their tanning, they clean up and we’re ready to go.

(Photos collected from Galih Arum Cempaka, Putri Ayu Ningtyas, Ria setiawati, Happy Indah Nurlita)