I beg your Prada?

Branded bags never cease to amaze me. Girls who love them cease me even more. The globalising force of advertising and brand image whiz through world's emerging economies and creating new markets rapidly. Many of life's little treats like coffee, books, and fashion works under the collective power of consumerism. Brands such as Starbucks, Borders, Kinokuniya, Amazon, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vitton, Armani, Bally, are the new emperors of society. People wants to be associated with the royals and therefore would do almost anything to be members of the club. Even if it means, carrying a fake Gucci bag whilst sipping cofee at Starbucks.

This has also resulted in the rise of material girls. As a concept, it is older than the brands mentioned above, but in practise it is taking the world like a storm. Especially in a country like Indonesia, where the gap between the rich and the poor is so wide that it is almost impossible to cross. Girls are turning into predators. In the quest of finding ways to live happily ever after, sufficient material goods becomes priority number one. It is a ticket which will open new doors: to plastic surgery to fix one's lack of beauty, to branded boutiques for more Gucci and LVs, to top therapist if one has relationship problems.

Maybe the old saying is true. If you can't beat them, join them...
Excuse me, "I beg your Prada?"

Unemployed Day 4

The rise of fuel price. The fasting month. Being unemployed. Corruption. My country is dealing with tons of issues. Jakarta is faced with industrial action from public transport system. Today the paper talked of red chilli scarcity. Am I going mad? What is becoming of this place.

Despite all that, I am still excited. I am more than happy.
Unemployed Day 4.
7 Days before Melbourne.

A NEW BEGINNING

I realise that the title is dangerously sounding like one of the Star Wars episodes, but it is a faithful reflection of where I am in life right now. As a person of the present (which can mean a zillion things...), I am about to embark on a journey into the unknown.

Last Friday, I left Square Box after 4 wonderful years, for good. The time has come for me to move on to something else. Into something that I am yet to find. Many people think I'm crazy, but after two days of officially being unemployed I gotta tell you.... I am having the most wonderful time. And somehow, I know that I am doing the right thing.

This break has allowed me to begin exploring other things, pursuing other passions, and trying different things. I am blessed with many talents (Ha! That's what I'd like to think and please, please bear with me now...) and I should explore them. Some of them are actually hidden, and who knows... it might well be what I'm really really good at.

Money worries me... but then again, next week I'm flying to Australia for a bit of a break. Money? Yeah, I'll worry about it when I've totally run out.

RAMADHAN

Today is the first day of the fasting month of Ramadhan. It is the holy month for the Moslems, and as Indonesia's population is largely Moslems, you can't help but feeling it everywhere.

On telly, all the Indonesian soap operas, the so-called 'sinetron' are filled with titles that presents some kind of holiness affiliated. Instead of girls walking around in tank tops and tight jeans, you see more girls wearing head scarves looking demure. Cafes and restaurants put up curtains on their glass windows, so those who are fasting can not be tempted.

The holy month Ramadhan is about holding back. It is about giving into bodily suffering to focus and concentrate on one's faith. Lucky me, I don't have to fast and you know what's the best thing about the first day of the fasting month that deserves a post in this blog??

Jakarta's traffic eased up. I was driving around everywhere and I got to places in no time. Man! More people should be fasting!!

A Wounded Nation

The heart weeps and the mouth cries for the recent events hitting Indonesia. It seemed like a series of bad luck, of trials and tribulations. Life is becoming more and more difficult for those at the bottom of the food chain.

Last Friday, the Indonesian government had no choice but to raise fuel prices. The world oil situation is being felt here as well, and as part of maintaining the economic stability, the people must (again) contribute. The higher price of fuel for most people will resulted in subsidy paid to the poorest of the nation. Pseudo fuel scarcity, mass demonstration, general dissatisfaction were just beginning to emerge when Saturday bombing happened.

Bali was hit by suicide bombers with unknown motives. Scarry. Sad. I had visited those cafes in my visits to Bali. It's hard to believe that sombody could have the heart to do such a thing!! Damn those bombers!!

It is time to join the resistance!! In all situations, we must never give up hope and continue with our lives. Some adjustments might be needed, but life must go on. We must continue to go to Bali. It is the only way to prove that this nation will not yield to fear. It is with hope that we continue living. It is with love that we can heal.