First Among Equals

Oh My God?!?!?!

2007-08-01T17:59:00.001+07:00

If one of your collegue accuse you with misdemeanor conduct, what would you do? If i know that the accusiation is false and sounds like a cheap tricks, i will punch him/her on his/her stomach and spitting over his/her face. You should do that Sir*. He** has two wives and recently being unemployed, so he tries to attract public attention in order to become popular again.

Lame.

* Refers to current national president of Republic of Indonesia
** Refers to ex-Indonesia public officer. His initial is ZM.

Confirmed!

2007-08-01T17:59:00.000+07:00

I present my research proposal in front of panel team members yesterday and they commented my economic model, partly because they are quite unfamilier with my model. They suggested to add several variables, which i had not anticipated before, and ask me to explain my hypotheses. The problem was, i did not prepare my self to explain my economic model in meticulous way, i thought we were going to discuss it only in general terms, so our discussion-turned-out-to-be-like-a-comprehensive-exam was done with myself spent most of the time with an open mouth like a hungry dog. In the end, the said that they will confirm their HR division to confirm my appointment with starting date in the end of this month. Thank God. Alhamdulillah.

Managers Mambo Jambo

2007-07-24T00:23:00.001+07:00

If any of your family members ask you about job vacation for them, tell them to be a manager in Saudi Arabia. My prediction, they compensate a high degree of temperature with a generous amount of salary. Oops! that was a joke.

Here is the complete figures:

After i read the figures, now i know why Arabians have an enormous volume of beard. They have a lot of savings to buy a new medical treatment, just like Firdaus oil. *lol*.

The figure shown here is a cross-posting from The Economist's latest publication.

Updates !!!

2007-07-24T00:23:00.000+07:00

I know that you, readers, are confuse with my absence. I am very sorry for putting you in such feelings. Many things happened in the last two months, and this time, i am going to let you know. Here is my excuse for you,

1. After three weeks exiling myself in the jungle of desperation, (OK, that’s little bit exaggerating…) she came to me and asked if she can start all over again, in different circumstances and conditions. I said yes. So, I’m fully attached right now.

2. I sent my research proposal to one of local firms. I applied for internship programs as their researcher in macroeconomics subject. They are now still discussing my proposal, but I got the impression that they are interested in the topic that I had proposed. I hope I can get through it. I really do.

3. My colleagues are graduating this week, 33% of my whole class. I envy them and somehow I regretted myself for being unable to control my mind in the last six months.

4. My sister was accepted in Junior High, the same one with mine. Despite her above average General Test score, she chose not to apply to national favourite Junior High. I must appreciate her decision and I do hope that she can take responsibilities for being on her own.

I guess that internet connection in my home plays an important role in the issue of frequency of posting in mmy blog. *lol* what a lame excuse*.

Well Sir, You Are Simply Lost Your Mind

2007-06-04T11:07:00.000+07:00

This is exactly what happened when you put an asylum-refugee as your national president

Sometimes people are just crazier than you would ever thought. He said pluralism as his campaign's jargon, but at the end of the day, it was only a word in his bizzare mind. Poor Venezuelans.

What's Wrong With My IVLE account?

2007-06-02T15:06:00.000+07:00

I tried to access my IVLE account in order to find out my final score in NUS but somehow i couldn't obtain the results. They didn't show any of my modules and it made me confused. I need to see my final score!

Summary of Her

2007-06-02T15:03:00.000+07:00

Started from inside your car and ended on your terrace,,well it's ok and fun too.

Make it up til' 11 pm? i'd love to repeat it again..just make sure to turn our cell phone off, because I don't tolerate any disruption..hahaha..

I did enjoy that time.
---------------------- End of part I.

Those foods is tingling on my mind, still. If we kept continue eating that time, i think our stomach will blew over inside my car. hahaha..Never imagined before that it was our last lunch together.

The screen was so damn large and the sound system was really outstanding. I tried my newest trick, "the candy things" and voila! you ate the bait and i got u. Hehehe. God played a trick on me to make it was our last one.

That time, your terrace was not as comfortable as it used to be. We had our last fight, beside the one inside my car, and it turned out really bad. Well, sometimes we can't control everything and we can only hope to get everything not turning out as "a series of unfortunate events", like the one we had.

----------------------- End of part II.

Time passes by and i just can't get you out of my mind. Everything went terribly out of control and i just can't pulled myself out of the stormy weather. Luckily, i still have my buddies. They helped me a lot.

------------------------- End of part III.

I got my fifth premonition and it turned out to be a great one. I just can't believe that i felt those things once again. I was very happy and i just can't wait to feel it again in the real life. Someday. But i'm willing to fight for it.

--------------------------- End of part IV.

--------------------------- End of The Journal.

--------------------------- Beginning of my journey.

World's Military Expenditure

2007-05-09T11:47:00.000+07:00

I just read a short article in The Economist about military spending in several nations in 2005. It has been revealed that in terms of GDP percentage, Saudi Arabia spent the most among others nations on defence expenses, 8.8 % of its GDP. United States was placed on the second largest spender on military expenses which accounts for 4 % of its GDP. However, in the nominal level, US still way ahead compared with others nations. US spent $ 495.3 billion while Saudi Arabia only spent $ 25.4 billion. China is the second largest military expenses spender in 2005 nominal value which accounts $ 104 billion.

In my point of view, the figures is rather ambigous. Military expenses consists of several posts, namely military wages, operational expenses, weapon purchased expenses and many other components. It is unwise to compare a nation with huge number of soldier but a small amount of weapon with a nation with a small amount of soldier but a huge number of weapon availibility. Any comparison made between two particular nation can lead to a misconcept of what the strongest nation is. However, considering the availibility of the data, this is the closest estimation we can get.

Donation

2007-05-07T10:45:00.000+07:00

Are you interested in blood donation? or have you ever think about blood donation? if one of the answer is yes, then you can go to this site,golongan darah.net

I found this site after i read an email from a friend of mine. He suddenly make me remember what i promised to myself in my past, to donate part my body after i die. While waiting for my death may take some time, then i know while i am still living the least i can do is donating my blood. The funny thing is , i don't even know what my blood Rhesus is. Is it positive or negative? i still can not remember it.

Oh yeah, speaking of organ donation, you can register yourself as a prospective organ donor by submitting your biography to this site, matching donors.com.

I just want you to remember, if you want to register yourself as a prospective donor, either blood or organ donor, do it at your own risk.

New Radicals_Someday You'll Know

2007-05-02T21:29:00.001+07:00

New Radicals - Som...

Movie Review_The Usual Suspect

2007-04-19T23:14:00.000+07:00

This movie was the first one that really made me stunned. I thought it was going to be an ordinary-crime-thriller movie, but it turned out that the ending was really out of my prediction.

If you have a time, this movie can intelligently amuse you. Well, compare with all the craps recently in the cinema, this movie is consistently on the Top 20 of the Internet Movie Database's(as of March 2007 it currently resides at #18 ten years ) since it was produced.

Details about the movie can be found here.

Barbra Streisand__The Way We Were

2007-04-19T23:03:00.000+07:00

Memories,
Like the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were

Scattered pictures,
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were

Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Or has time re-written every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we? could we?

Memories, may be beautiful and yet
Whats too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So its the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember...
The way we were...
The way we were...

--------------------------------------------

For Warce,,I don't do "that" thing when i hear this song. Nope.

Again?

2007-04-19T22:38:00.000+07:00

Yep,,she's coming again. Say hello to Ms. Pain-in-the-ass.

The total monetary cost of having you inside my house is approximately 400 SGD. It's 33.34% of my living cost here. The other cost is my future.

Fact, Not Fiction

2007-04-18T22:48:00.000+07:00

You Are 85% Sexy

Your Sex Appeal Is: Off the Charts!

Let's face it... you're one of the sexiest people around. And you don't let anyone forget it.
You're crazy hot, and you deliver on what you promise. You are definitely one wild ride.

How Much Sex Appeal Do You Have?

One Singaporeans told me about this. I just smiled at her.

Virginia Tech Shooting Tragedy (2) Updates !!!

2007-04-18T20:20:00.000+07:00

Oh my Lord..

I can barely speak anymore when i read the latest news showing that one of the victims is a young bright Indonesian student who study in Virginia Tech. A 34 years old Indonesian, Partahi Lumbantoruan, was named on the victim's list of Virginia Tech shooting tragedy.

Details can be read here,here and here.

May the Lord give him a nice place up there and a strong soul for his families.

Virginia Tech Shootings Tragedy

2007-04-17T19:50:00.000+07:00

My deepest condolences for the victims and their families. It's been a tough situation for many people around the world right now, especially when some crazy gunmen is around us and we can't notice them at all. Thirty three innocent citizens died with no reason at all is simply heartless.

Upcoming Post !!

2007-04-17T16:59:00.000+07:00

I'd be very happy if you patiently wait for my next post about the economics of war. Hope you'll find it interesting and intriguing.

Note: I left the economics of religion for Tito. He's already mentioned it in his blog.

Islam and Humanity

2007-04-17T16:10:00.000+07:00

I've just finished watch videos from Youtube about some people who trust Islam as their only religion but at the same time never stop bombing others people, killing thousands of innocent citizens and shooting other human beings. Some Islam's leader said that it was a retaliation act as previous murder attempts by others people from different religion to some people in Palestine, Afghanistan and many others countries around the globe.I said STOP DOING SH*T THINGS like that! The war will never stop until somebody start to stop it!

I remember my lecturer once said in the classroom while he was teaching us. He told us a story about Nelson Mandela. I bet all of you have known already about Mandela. He was sent to jail as a punishment of his anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. When he was in jail, he got himself tortured by the guard or jail's officers. One of the guards gave his pee on Mandela's face, that was such an disgusting and human-rights-violation action. Later on, Mandela was released from the prison after 30 years if i'm not mistaken. And what Mandela did after he got himself free and gain an enormous power as a Souh Africa's leader? He forgave the guard whom he got his pee on his face, instead of kill him or at least punished him for what he did. Such a dignity of a leader.

Of course I realize that not everybody has a such dignity and courage like Mandela, not everybody has such a glorious reserve of forgiveness as Mandela has, and some people got himself in a much worse condition that Mandela's [Mandela got a pee on his face, moslems got a bullet running through their throats], but unless they stop doing retaliation actions in many forms, this chain of evil would never ever been broken.

For addition, this slaughtering actions taking place nowadays is not only religion's issue anymore. I totally agree with friend of mine who said that this is an issue of humanity, not anymore of an issue of religions.

A Confirmative Test

2007-04-17T13:14:00.000+07:00

You Are 50% Normal

While some of your behavior is quite normal...
Other things you do are downright strange
You've got a little of your freak going on
But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

So i guess this test's result confirms my previous test about my "strange" personality. I am only 50% normal, and the rest is only-God-and-I-who-know-what-is-inside-my-body...Hahahaha...

Maybe I'm Just Too Cocky..or .. Maybe I'm Not..

2007-04-16T22:57:00.000+07:00

1. Jay is a cocky person. I can see from his attitude when he introduced himself, he gave me a condenscending sight from his eyes.
2. Jay is a very friendly person. I can see from his attitude when he laugh and shares his happiness with his frinds.
3. [..........] You tell me.

Please pick one.

Watch Out Girls !!!

2007-04-14T12:57:00.000+07:00

Your Kissing Technique Is: Perfect

Your kissing technique is amazing - and you know it.
You have the confidence to make the first move.
And you always seem to know what kissing style is going to work best.
Sometimes you're passionate, sometimes you're a tease. And you're always amazing!

Are You a Good Kisser?

Can't wait to tell my friends about this one. I've got a pair of great lips. God really cares about me. Hahahahaha..

Urfi's Gift..

2007-04-14T12:51:00.000+07:00

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need.
You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law.
While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top.
You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

Say thanks to Urfi..Hahaha..Absolutely a nice guidance..

I Am a Tortured Genius

2007-04-14T12:33:00.000+07:00

You Are 84% Tortured Genius

You totally fit the profile of a tortured genius. You're uniquely brilliant - and completely misunderstood.
Not like you really want anyone to understand you anyway. You're pretty happy being an island.

Are You a Tortured Genius?

Quoting from my previous conversations between me and my dear:

Me (M) : Honey, do you think i am strange enough? I mean, compared with many of our regular and common friends, I think I am pretty different with them, dont i?

She (S) : Yeah,,you are different with the others. And you are so proud to be a strange one. *sigh

M : Oohh...*speechless

The Key to My Heart

2007-04-14T12:28:00.000+07:00

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.
In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.
You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.
You would be forced to break up with someone who was arrogant, acting like the dictator of your life.
Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.
Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it.
You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.
In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self centered.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/keystoyourheartquiz/">What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Oh my God. He says it all.

My Hidden Talent

2007-04-14T12:20:00.000+07:00

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others.You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around.The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it.Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

What's" Your Hidden Talent?

Is it hidden??? Hahahaha...

Some people just can't get things straight before somebody slaps the reality on their face.

My Blog's Type

2007-04-14T11:52:00.000+07:00

Your Blogging Type is Artistic and Passionate

You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great.One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog...And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes.Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.

What's" Your Blogging Personality?

Artistic??

Thank you very much. I take it as a compliment. I thought that i am the only one who does not posses any artistic soul at all. Hmm..maybe i need to explore myself with a different approach since now.

Passionate??

Yup, that explains everything that i do. I need to find the passion of a things before i decide to explore more. If i don't find any passionate side in doing something, then i won't put my step forward.

Another Phase, Another Story and Another Clock-Ticking Tragedy

2007-04-13T23:06:00.000+07:00

00.07 am

Got myself stunned in front of Dell’s screen in PC Cluster room.

00.43 am

Walk through business links to go to my residence.

01.35 am

Having myself soaked up in the pouring hot water inside my cluster’s bathroom.

02.17 am

Couldn’t get my eyes closed. Still thinking about many things, including my sister’s final exams, my friend’s activities and her hectic schedule. I hope everything will be OK there.

03.29 am

In the middle of my dreams.

06.01 am

Find myself amused by all the voice created by hundred of birds right beside my residence.

09.14 am

Going to gymnasium. I need to recover from my hand injuries and start another program as soon as possible.

02.55 pm

Going out with Dhani to Sentosa Island. She insists to go there in spite of our lack of money. Anyway, another S$ 10 will not kill you.

10.48 pm

Inside SMRT Bus and find myself very tired, not to mention exhausted.

11.59 pm

Talking with my cluster’s mate about my offers to him. S$ 2,468 is not a small amount of money for any of us.

Elvis Costello

2007-04-13T22:54:00.000+07:00

href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VXm27C8kDwc/Rh-pBPuq8dI/AAAAAAAAAAk/rPn62-Nal-g/s1600-h/Ecostello10.jpg">

Oh My God ! I cursed myself not to listen to him since longtime ago. His voice is damn good, very soft and classy. His real name is Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus and currently is a devoted husband of the famous jazz singer Diana Krall. His famous songs are She, I'll never fall in love again and Veronica. Thanks to e-snips that allows me to download all his songs. Well, internet has given me so many pleasures, and listening to his masterfull music is one of it.

World's Most Pleasant Cities

2007-04-13T14:06:00.000+07:00

Quoted from The Economist in one of its latest editions,

"Zurich is the most pleasant city for expatriates, according to Mercer, a consulting firm. Its annual survey compares 39 measures in 215 cities, such as transport and crime. Singapore, Tokyo and London rank higher than New York. Baghdad is the world's worst place to live and work."

At least they don't put Jakarta on the bottom of the list. But it also leads me to another question,"If Jakarta is that bad, then i wonder how does it feels to live in any cities that is stated below Jakarta on the list?" and also "Singapore is good, if you can ignore their ignorance, then how does it feel to live in Zurich? It must be damn good...".

थिस इस आ हिंदी स्क्रिप्ट

2007-04-13T01:01:00.000+07:00

इफ यू कैन रीड थिस पोस्ट ठाट मांस ठाट यू अरे अबले ऑफ़ रीडिंग हिंदो स्क्रिप्ट। पेर्सोनाल्ल्य ई वांट अल्सो तो बे अबले ऑफ़ रीडिंग इन हिंदो लंगुअगे बुत सींग अल थे कर्वेस ऎंड लिनेस मेक्स मे फील दिज्ज्य। नो ओफ्फेनसे। ई थिंक थिस हिंदी वोर्द्स इस वैरी एफ्फेक्टिवे इन मोच्किंग सोमेबोद्य ओर जुस्त वांट तो पोस्ट सोमेथिंग ठाट ओनली सर्तैं पीपुल कोउल्ड रीड इत। थैंक्स तो ब्लागस्पाट फ़ॉर थिस कूल इतेम्स। विव ब्लॉगर!

This feature is cool! You should try this one!

Necessary But Not Sufficient

2007-04-12T23:45:00.000+07:00

If you think the term "Necessary But Not Sufficient" can apply only in economics then you are wrong. Here is a list where you can find the application of "Necessary But Not Sufficient" term:

1. A Lost of AS Rome to Manchester United 8-3 in Aggregates.

A 2-1 win by AS Rome in their home match in first leg of Champions League quarterfinal phase between AS Rome and MU is necessary but not sufficient to proceed to semifinal. AS Rome need to win its second leg in order to secure its way to semifinal. A 7-1 defeat to MU in the second leg proved that a win in first leg is not sufficient enough for AS Rome to go through the semifinals in Champions League this season.

2. Final Year Project (read: Thesis)

Being an exchange student to a university with an outstanding study atmosphere does not guarantee you to be a successful thesis writer and hence graduate on time. It needs much more than countless books, 24-hours open library and genius brain to graduate on time. It does needs others things such as a persistence, a great amount of efforts, a willingness to sacrifice your time and most importantly, a commitment.

3. Relationship

Ahaa..The most interesting topic, namely relationship. Yes, i mean relationship with your opposite sex. Most of you will think that it needs love only to make your relationship goes well, but i said that is an ultimate mistake a human could make. Love is necessary but not sufficient, you need need more than just a love to maintain your relationship and you definitely need more than just love to push your relationship into the next step. It does need a tactic, patience, friendship, trust, acceptance, experience and many other things that will turn your happy day into gloomy nights. Well i guess i still on my way on learning that. At least i know it already.

3-3-1

2007-04-12T23:23:00.000+07:00

I slept with three girls from three different countries inside one room. I am so sorry sweetheart, but it just happen coincidently, i have never planned it before. They just suddenly came into the room and start talking with me and you know, one talk leads to another. And before i realize everything, i found myself on the sofa with three girls in the next morning. I must have fallen asleep that night in the TV cluster room. Oops...

Singapore: A Firm Believer of Meritocracy

2007-04-12T20:54:00.000+07:00

Singapore admit itself as a nation that holds its faith firmly on a system called meritocracy. Meritocracy is a system that gives its winning members special rights, previlege or social status by setting up a tight and intense competition in order to find its best people who deserves all of it. In a meritocratic society, one can obtains a high social status, wealth and all the fame and glory, if and only if he/she can proves themself as the best people who deserves all of it. Singapore is one of few countries that put meritocracy as its belief and once again prove itself as a meritocratic nation by a recent announcements made by its government.

In the middle of heavy rains that falls on Monday, Singapore's Minister in charge of the public service announced a salary increase of its civil servants and ministers. A 5% to 33% increase of annual salaries will take place this April and accompanied by an increase of variable portion of their take home pay such as GDP Bonus and car allowance, from 34% to 47%. Such policy like this definitely invites a hot response from Singapore's Parliament members, but it seems that the government always has a right answer to erase all the doubt. "It is needed to maintain Singapore's best talents to keep working for the government and strong civil servants has always been a key factors that drives Singapore from third world country into first class nation", as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explains the reason behind the increase of the salaries. Lee itself will receive a 25.5 % increase on its annual salaries that will put him on Singapore's top 102 earners in 2007 and it is reported that the post-increase annual salaries of PM Lee will be at S$ 3,093,200. A benchmarking system to private sectors was used in determining how much an increase will be received by a civil servant.

The increase in Singapore's civil servants salaries is only a way to keep Singapore's best talents willing to stay at government sectors and likely to produce a magnet to attract others graduates from top universities to apply for a job in government sectors. It is true that a starting salary of Singapore's civil servants is not as high as a fresh graduate receives from private sectors, but as the progress will be made and as the competition is going on, the winner of the competition or commonly known as the cream of all creams, will proceed to the next stage and will receive a huge sum of money. Combining with the power that they have as a worker in government sector, the net benefits of becoming a civil servants is better than becoming a worker in private sectors.

Meritocratic system is widely used in Singapore, not only adopted by the government, but many others sectors use it also as their faith. A top student in Primary School will be easily spotted up and will be given a special previleges like a scholarship, as long as they progress to become the best among their respectives competitors. It is known also that Singapore is not a home for a mediocre. A mediocre people will find themself hard to develop, simply because all the chances are given to the top one. Unless they can break the circle by winning a competition, they will progress to become a better one. No chance to develop yourself into a better one if you are a mediocre person.

Meritocratic system is also critized by many of its opponents as a culprit of widening income disparities in Singapore. Singapore watch itself an increase of its Gini coefficient, an indicator of income disparities ranging from 0 to 1, from 0.442 in the year 2000 to 0.468 in 2005. Although Singapore has a staggering rate of economic growth , Singapore is positioned in the same rank with many South America nations and West Africa nations in terms of income disparities level. However, it is wise to consider that income disparities in Singapore is not merely caused by meritocratic system, several others explanations will apply in explaining recent increase in Singapore's Gini Coefficient, such as Asian Financial crisis in 1998 and low replacement rate in Singapore. The later one explains one of current problem that Singapore faces, an ageing population.

Young students in Singapore primary school also face a tight competition and drives them to be a vulnerable one to stress disorders. From the beginning of their early ages, they are forced to compete with each other for the sake of not getting into a cluster of mediocre people. The competition keep going on to the university level and become tighter because they have to compete not only Singaporeans but also with bright students from foreign countries who pursue their degree in Singapore's leading universities.

Despite many arguments about the role of meritocratic system in Singapore, people can not deny that it is meritocracy that pull Singapore from one-tiny-ignorable-nation status in Southeast Asia back in 1965 and transform itself into a nation with a fantastic pool of talents and marvelous governance in the 21th century. In a world of competition like now, big nations like US and Europe countries can not underestimate Singapore, at least because they know that Singaporeans is a bunch people who know what a word competition means by a glimpse of an eye.

Damn Hard and Damn Tough, But It's Possible

2007-04-12T20:10:00.000+07:00

"Go pursuit your passion, forget the rest and focus on your target!" Well, it is easy to be said than to be done. I've tried to do so, but the temptations always around me and somehow my resistance is not strong enough to overcome it. In the end, i found myself is standing still in the starting point while the clock is ticking. I confided also with my close friend and she gave me the solution "Just be patient for the time being, and when you think that you have reached your limit and then you can make decision, take it or leave it.". Simple, yet powerful.

Just Bring Your Passport

2007-04-07T17:57:00.000+07:00

Woodlands Immigration Checkpoint (WIC) is an immigration terminal located in the North of Singapore and intendedly as a checkpoint of Singapore-Johor Baru (Malaysia) borderline. WIC is a huge area. It has a checkpoint for bus transportation and train transportation as well. If you travel to Johor Baru (JB) in Malaysia to Singapore by bus or train (vice versa), you need to alight first at the WIC, proceeds to the immigration locket to show your identity (Passport etc.) and then board again in your transportation mode (bus or train) to continue your journey.

Yesterday i went to WIC because i want to know how to go to JB by bus. I need to know because i am going to JB in May and proceed my travel to Kuala Lumpur (KL). I thought the immigration things is very crucial and i feel i need a little preparation, so i decide to go to WIC and learn all the procedures and be prepare for it before my travel to JB and KL actually takes place.

Short story, i arrived in WIC and and i proceeded into the immigration counter to see the procedures. It was only a daily routine for an immigration process, from checking your`passport and everything, so i think there was nothing special that need my extra preparation. End of my mission.

Suddenly i feel something. I need to go to the rest room. The feelings was so strong and i looked around in a hope of a sign of "TOILET", but i just could not find it. And then the worst thing began. A female officer, in grey uniform, grabbing a handy talkie on her hand with an awkward hair style (A female with a KIPLI-Kiamat Sudah Dekat-hair style!! I think that was strange and ridiculous) approached me. She asked me what i was actually doing there, so i tell her that i need to go to the restroom. She said that the restroom is located after the immigration counter, so if i want to go there, i need to proceed to the immigration counter first for the immigration process. I said "Holy Sh**" (of course in my mind only), i did not bring my passport with me, so it was impossible for me to go to the toilet.

The officer-in-Kipli style asked for my ID and i gave her my student card, since it was the only ID that i had at that time. She asked for my passport and i said i did not bring my passport, she was starring at me suspiciously. She said "Please hold on Sir, i need to contact my supervisor first!". I cursed my self how could i got trapped in this kind of situation just because i want to go to the restroom. Every single person that walked pass me to go to the immigration counter started to starring at me, suspiciously, as if i were a drug trafficker-child molester-whatsoever. I hated that kind of situation and to make it worse, my needs to go to the restroom was still in a hurry. I condemned the immigration officer and stupid architect who put the toilet after the immigration counter . What was on your mind when you designed WIC!

After a long long long long time waiting for her supervisor and after she finished checking my identity in their computer database, they allow me to go. To where?Toilet?Of course not!! Since i did not bring my passport, they told me to search a public toilet outside the WIC, not in WIC. I did not want to argue with them so i cross the bridge and headed into the bus station to go to the nearest train station (because all the train station must have a toilet,for sure). The time i spent in the bus on my way to the "nearest" train station was 20 minutes. I said to myself, next time if i want to go to WIC or any immigration center, do not forget to bring your passport, regardless what you want to do there. If you do not bring your passport, funky immigration officer and stupid architect will make fun of yourself.

Prince George’s Salad

2007-04-07T17:15:00.000+07:00

Ingredients :

3 Pieces of Mini Romaine Leaves

1 Tablespoon of Thousand Island Dressings

1/2 Tablespoon of Mayonnaise (Optional)

1 Piece of Pear

1 Egg

Parmesan Cheese (Optional)

Water

Direction :

Boil the water along with the egg for 8 minutes. While you are waiting for the egg you can start to peel off the Pear’s skin and cut into dice-sized slices. Wash the Mini Romaine leaves, dry it and then chops it based on your preferences. Mix together the leaves and pear into your bowl and add your Thousand Island dressing (add also the Mayonnaise if you like it). Stir all together patiently until all the components firmly mixed each other.

By the time you have finished with the vegetables, your egg will be done and can be taken from your pan. Put your egg into normal water for 3 minutes and you can peel the egg’s skin off when you can handle the heat. Cut the eggs into 6 slices and put it on the salad in your bowl. Add Parmesan cheese if you like. Your salad is ready. Bon Appetite!

John Legend-P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)

2007-04-05T22:16:00.000+07:00

Let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care.

You know I love you when you're loving me
Sometimes it's better when it's publicly
I'm not ashamed, I don't care who sees
Us hugging & kissing our love exhibition all

We'll rendezvous out on the fire escape
I'd like to set off an alarm today
The love emergency don't make me wait
Just follow I'll lead you, I urgently need you

Let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care
We just don't care
We just don't care

Let's make love,
Let's go somewhere they might discover us
Let's get lost in lust
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care.

I see you closing down the restaurant
Let's sneak and do it when your boss is gone
Everybody's leaving we'll have some fun
Or maybe it's wrong but you're turning me on.

Ooh, we'll take a visit to your Mama's house
Creep to the bedroom while your Mama's out
Maybe she'll hear it when we scream and shout
And we'll keep it rocking until she comes knocking

Let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care..

Let's make love,
Let's go somewhere they might discover us.
Let's get lost in lust
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care.

If we keep up on this fooling around
We'll be the talk of the town
I'll tell the world I'm in love any time
Let's open up the blinds 'cause we really don't mind

Ooh I don't care about the propriety
Let's break the rules and ignore society
Maybe our neighbors like to spy, it's true
So what if they watch when we do what we do

Oh, let's go to the park
I wanna kiss you underneath the stars
Maybe we'll go too far
We just don't care,
We just don't care,
We just don't care...

Let's make love, let's go somewhere they might discover us...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Enough for the rendezvous..I've got it already. Fairy of Princess of the Mountain knows me better than anyone else..hahaha...

Oh la la...another day has gone..

2007-04-01T03:00:00.000+07:00

04.00 am

In Tito's room, still working on my paper and entertain myself with Southpark.

08.00 am

Going back to PGP and having my breakfast.

10.00 am

Going to NUS Field court for football match with Pakistan people.

03.00 pm

Going to Orchard and meet my whole grandparents. I guess it's going to be another endless conversation with my grandfather.

09.00 pm

Not going back to NUS, i'll sleep in the apartement with the others.

11.47 pm

Still wake up and make fun of my auntie.

Foreign Labour Issue in Singapore

2007-03-25T12:19:00.000+07:00

Friday, March 23, 2007

" Is our Government's fervent bid to attract and retain foreign talent at the expense of quality?"

A Singaporean post that question in a letter that was printed in local newspaper. The letter was a response of a Government policy that seems allowing more foreign "medium-skilled workers" to come and work in Singapore. He worried that if more the so-called medium-skilled workers coming to Singapore and work here, the chances of a domestic labour to be employed are getting less. I feel sorry for his fear or anger, so i decide to calm him down by giving some brief overview of Singapore Labour policy, especially regarding the foreign workers issue.

For a foreign people who want to work in Singapore, they must be granted a "pass". This pass entitled them to work in Singapore in a certain period of time. This pass is issued by Singapore Government on behalf the request of the respective employer. So, if a company in Singapore wants to hire a bright-cute-funny-intelligent Indonesian fresh graduated worker, they have to request a Pass for their respective employee. This medium-skilled workers falls into S Pass holders category in Singapore's Foreign Workers Classifications. Quoted from Singapore Ministry of Manpower official websites, here is some general informations about S-Pass holders:

"The S Pass is for foreigners who earn a monthly basic salary of at least $1,800. S Pass applicants will be assessed on a points system, taking into account multiple criteria including salary, education qualifications, skills, job type and work experience.", and the criteria are:

1. Salary - refers to a minimum basic salary of $1,800.

2. Qualification - generally refer to degree or diploma level educational qualifications. Technical qualifications can be considered and are, very broadly, courses that train the applicant to be a qualified technician or specialist in their chosen field. This should be obtained after at least 1 year of full-time study.

3. Job type - generally refers to professional, specialist or technician level jobs; and

4. Years of Work Experience - generally refers to the number of relevant years of work experience that the applicant has for in the job being applied for.

Work Permit holders who wish to apply for an S Pass must ensure that they meet the above requirement. In addition, the S Pass is given by Singapore government to respective employer by using a quota. A maximum amount of S Pass can be given to an employer is 10 % of total employees working in their company.

So, based on official policy stated on an official website, we can conclude that Singaporeans "medium-skilled" workers are the remaining 90 % of the total workers in a respective company. It is 9 times higher than the foreign workers. If it is the reality then what is the problem? Those Singaporean concerns about the seemingly endless influx of foreign medium-skilled workers into Singapore labour market and hence tighten the competition, regardless the imposition of 10% quota of S-Pass holders. Then one should ask, what cause that influx of this kind of labour into Singapore labour market?

Say hello to wage differences.

Based on UNCTAD database on unit labour cost and manufacturing in 1998, a monthly wage of Singapore worker is 4.5 times higher than in Malaysia, 5.7 times higher than in Philippines and 10.6 times higher than Indonesia. Recent data from Singapore Ministry on Manpower also reveals that during the year 2000 to 2005, medium house-hold class income has increased with a rate of 1.2 % - 2.4 % annually and this increase is likely to widen the disparity of income in Southeast Asia nations because Singapore is the only country with the least effect of Asian financial crisis back in 1998, while many others countries in Southeast Asia have not recovered yet from its fall.

Singapore government is a pool of very talented person. They must have already known this fact, thus they implement a strict labour market regulations in order to manage its labour market. They know that such a wide wage gap between Singapore and its neighbour countries is not likely to be closer in the following year and the only way to manage the influx of labour to Singapore is by imposing a strict labour restrictions, such as a quota for S-Pass holders and many others regulations. But even it is Singapore government, they can have a leakage in its policy also. He reported that not all companies are following the rules in restricting labour market, either they try to hire foreign labour more than 10 %, or they accept foreign labour market with a monthly wage below S$1,800 and drives down local wages as well. Well, if that is the problem then the solution does not lies in economics anymore, even if economics can explain what is the reason behind this fact. Economist, you are out of the game.

Law authority, you can play your cad right now.

New Looks New Spirits

2007-03-24T16:09:00.000+07:00

I decorate this blog in searching for a simple yet elegant blogs.

Just enjoy this new looks

I Smell Something Wrong

2007-03-24T12:46:00.000+07:00

Newly-appointed CEO of Indonesian BULOG State Owned Enterprise, Mustafa Abubakar, stated that he will import rice as less as he could do to ensure rice avalibility in Indonesia. He gave reason that, naturally, rice importing activities is needed when Indonesia farmer can't meet up with rice demand from Indonesian people (in layman terms, there is not enough rice in Indonesia) so any activities to boost the rice production will be worth-tried before importing rice from abroad.

Hmm..i smell something wrong here..

Osh!!!

2007-02-09T18:59:00.000+07:00

Everything seems changing..
Everybody seems running..and

I'm still dreaming.

Pohon, Daun dan Angin

2007-01-15T15:04:00.000+07:00

Dia ngirim gw pertanyaan kaya gini..

"DAUN terbang karena tiupan ANGIN atau karena POHON tidak memintanya untuk tinggal?"

Gw jawab:

Meneketehe....

Twenty One

2006-12-20T00:14:00.000+07:00

I am 21.

It is not a cinema.
It is my age.

It is not just a number.
It is my new story.

It is my new page.
It is my milestone.
It is my way.

The most important one,
It is my turning point.

In The Middle of Neverland (Read: 2nd)

2006-12-17T20:00:00.000+07:00

I am..

Exhausted..
Dying..
Stranded in the middle of nowhere..
Ruined..
Exfoliated..
Ashamed..
Burning..
Running out of time..
Shiver..
Angry..
Dying..again..
Frustrated..
Frustrated..
Frustrated..
Frustrated..
Frustrated..
Dying..for the third times..

Nothing.

What a life...

2006-09-16T23:42:00.000+07:00

Yesterday was the first day of my teaching experience. I teach mathematics, a subject that i feel not comfortable with, and the student were very critical.They keep asking me questions when they feel that they did not understand well about the subject. I was very lucky, while the others experiences said that first time teaching day is sucks, i did not feel that way..my first day was great, i even did not realized that i had taught for 90 minutes. My father said that if the first day of your teaching time is succesful then the rest of your teaching assignment will be very easy..much much easy.

Class..see you in the next sessions!!

Updates !!!

2006-08-30T00:33:00.000+07:00

1. I was appointed as the lecture assistant in my department few days ago. After an awful interview, i still can't believe that this lazy-akward-grumpy human being will stand in front of the newies in few weeks ahead...hahaha..life is changing..now i can see it..

2. I lost half of my soul..sorry bi, i have to take this decision..i do miss u, but we both know, we're just too deeply involved to each other and then the flames is burning ourself so deeply. We had a great time, great laugh and great memories. The time we spent each day was so unforgettable. We share everything that we have and most of all we do care each other, more than anything. But when the time has come, you and i know, we are not meant to be together. Goodbye. Take care yourself babe.

3. Indonesia's football team is sucks!! No pressure footbal when the Burmese got the ball, weak stamina and worst, they lost their concentration in the last ten minutes..should have known better not to expect much from that kind of rubbish displays.

Proposal of Apology

2006-07-14T03:29:00.000+07:00

I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience caused by my absent in sending you my writings..a lot of things happen in this past four months...let me begin my short report of my progress:

1. On April, i finished my paper about the energy and gender issue.I made that paper with my friends and we presented our paper in front of the UNESCO representatives and many students from Indonesia, Philippine and Papua New Guinea.

2. On May, i was awarded in the third position as an outstanding student in my faculty. I was very grateful to have that kind of award, deep in my heart i felt that there were many students that deserved more than me... perhaps the grand jury misspelled the name =)

3. In June, i went to Singapore for accompanying my grandmother to her dentist there..i supposed that was my real task....But, instead of going to the hospital with my grandmother, i traveled all around Singapore with my grandfather...=)

4. This month i celebrate my victory over France in world cup final.. Though Italy win the game, i feel Zidane is still the real deal..Oh yes, i've just finished watching "wicker park" and i think that movie deserves more than it had gotten...it really make me stunned..

Competitions For Sale !!!

2006-04-05T06:49:00.000+07:00

Few days ago, i read an article in one of the national newspaper in Indonesia. The article told me about a special arrangement between the digital camera producers and hand phone producers. The special arrangement explain about a deals between the two of them that both of them will not interfere each of their bussines. The handphone producers are not allowed to produce a built in digital camera for more than 3 Megapixel resolution in their handphone product, so this arrangments will allow the digital camere producers to fulfill the demand for digital camera that has a resolution higher than 3 Megapixel.

I said, "What in the world is going on right now??" They prohibit an improvement in technology if the deals is going to be happened. Who bears the cost of that kind of silly arrangements? The consumers will do!! They will pay for higher price for a camera than it is supposed to be. Imagine that if your handphone can take a picture with a great resolution, you will not need to buy your own digicam and therefore you will save your money..These kind of corporation is the one that will create a burden in the technology development in the future, i hope that deals falls through and we can use a handphone with a high resolution camere in it..with lower price of course.

Singapore in a Glimpse

2006-03-27T23:59:00.000+07:00

Few weeks ago i went abroad and i spent some of my time there for visiting Chinatown. I was looking for some merchandise to be given to my friends in Indonesia and i captured in my sight a place that sold a Chinese "stempel"with your name on it, of course in Chinese letter. This kind of "stempel"is one of the unusual goods that rarely be found in my place so i decided to have it one for my own. The Chinese seller is little bit old, i think he is in his mid 50's and he can not speak English at all so i communicate with him through my guide. I order my name written in a Chinese Stone "stempel" in both Chinese and English letter and he told me that i have to pay about 150 thousands rupiah..that's fine, and i'll pay him.

He told me what the meaning of my name is and he told me that in Chinese letter my name consists 2 letters, Yo and Chi. Because they don't have "Gi" in Chinese letter so they proxy the "Gï"section by changing my name into Yo-Chi. Yo in Chinese letter means exceptional and Chi in Chinese letter means curious or inquisitive, so if i mix both of it then i will have my name stands for "A man who is exceptionally curious about something /similar with very very curious.." =)

Although he is not able to speak English, he is definitely a good seller.

Holiday Means...

2006-01-25T03:01:00.000+07:00

What my senior said in his blog is very correct. Holiday means you have to do a lot of things that you can not or do not want to do in your daily activities.

This holiday unavoidably push me to :

1. Stay at home more often to take care the household things regulary.
2. Get me in the car to take my mom everywhere she wants.
3. Delay my trip to Lampung (Damn, i wish i could go there...)

But, on the other side, this holiday also :

1. Give me a time with my father to go to Jatinegara to buy two more birds, Poksay Medan and the Canary.
2. Celebrate my mom's birthday with all the members of my little family.
3. Push me ( well, this is sort of a self motivation i think...)Watch five DVD's from Snowy.

Oh yes, please check this blog. It's highly reccomended. i put an article there...

The World Beneath One Roof

2006-01-17T23:34:00.000+07:00

If you read the latest edition of Newsweek magazine, you will find yourself as a one drops on the ocean compare with these genius persons. Fareed Zakaria, Thomas L. Friedman, Klaus Schwab and Richard Florida, they explain clearly to us, what are the challenges of the new world in the forthcoming year. They call it as a “flattening world”, the world consists of a huge competition among the people. From New York to Shanghai, all the citizens in this city work as hard as they can to get better living. They work very hard not only for an financial reasons, perhaps some of them are, but mostly they are working that hard because they realize that now the competition in the world is very tough and they are trying to be the winner of that competition.

The competition push them to work harder and longer in order to gain more knowledge and find a better way to develop their ability. Technology improves the quality of living around every corner on earth and also forces them to make continuous innovations of the technology itself. The challenges in the future is not only a matter of financial and physical competition but mostly rely on the knowledge competition. Those who are more adaptive to the development of technology and to the knowledge revolution will be the winner of the competition. .

Reading the articles in The Newsweek magazine makes you should ask to yourself: have you studied well?

Happy New Year !!!

2006-01-05T22:05:00.000+07:00

This is my first post in the new happy blasting year!! hope everything are gonna be OK...
Something has happened in this first five days in 2006 which makes me sad and happy, both happens togther, dunno why:

1. I got failed in two subjects. I only take six subjects, how came i fail? don't wanna think it anymore, i'll try to fix it.
2. I finish my paper only in two days. Again, it is related to the fact that i'm a perfect delayer so i have to bear the consequences which makes me seeing my computer monitor for almost 24 hour and finally makes my CPU broke.
3. I'm in the process of making my final paper in histiry subjects. I will put my effort on it.

Almost forget, i found my new hobby of spending my time in my house, watching craps TV shows about celebrity gossips...

A Donkey and Its Habits

2005-12-29T22:56:00.000+07:00

I have a complicated problems..it's been long time that i know that myself had a problem with time management. Yes, i'm a perfect delayer...i always put my homeworks aside and choose to do something else which is less important that doing my homeworks and consequently i have to finish my homeworks near the deadline. That symptom has caused me a lot of troubles, i almost got D score in my subject..i didn't mean to delay all my homeworks, but it's just all the idea suddenly comes into my mind when the time limit is so close...i'm so Indonesian.

My friend onece told me that when you make SWOT analysis for Indonesian people's characteristic you will find that Indonesian people are tend to be more clever, more smart and more strong when they are pushed by the time limit.. Hmmm, i think it is definitely right...

Gossips and Craps

2005-12-29T22:45:00.000+07:00

I don't have any exams today so i decide to stay at home and watching TV. What makes me so surprise that most of the TV shows today is a celebrity gossips shows. Ok, i've known it since long time ago but what makes me feels more frustrated is that in the SAME time, three TV stations broadcast A SAME topics with A SAME artist who spoke to the media. I think it on my mind what the hell is going on, three interviewer asking the same artist and then they broadcast it together in the same time. I guess it's just so pathetic ..Oh, one thing that makes me feels little bit happy, Kompas said that Capello will be in the Red Squad in Manchester....hahaha, long live Man Utd !!!

Zero Marginal Productivity of Labour

2005-12-21T23:24:00.000+07:00

I'm just commenting about the sad fact about our government officials. I've got this story from my respectable fellow. One day, my fellow came to BI (Central Bank of Indonesia)to meet BI's officials. She was coming for BI for discussing about a seminar in my place. She told me that when she was entering the BI building, she saw BI officials playing a solitaire game in their computer. She was very angry in her mind, she knows for sure that BI officials are a very high-paid employee, a freshman in BI receives monthly wages doubles relative from their friends who works in other place with a same quality, in fact they are working below their maximum productivity. So, a rise in government officials wages? think it carefully and wisely...

5th Semester

2005-12-20T21:55:00.000+07:00

Fiuhh....this semester is very tough, especially in some class like Histrory of Economic Thought. This class really makes me feel so stupid. Mr. Djatun, who always very attractive, told us so many facts that i have never thought about it before. He teach us from Mercantilist point of view to Indonesia's history,from Marxism's laws to China's people genocide in Batavia.

The second essay which he told us to submit yesterday was one of the most difficult readings i've ever done. I must read the law of "capitalist motion" carefully and made me not sleep for the whole night!!. In doing my essay, I borrowed his books via his secretary and none of that books i understand because of the difficulties to understand the English language.

In spite of all the difficulties of this subject, i found out that historty of economic thought is always be an interesting subject. All the facts and the reasons behind every single arguments that these philosopher gave was a trigger for me to always learn from the past. I think for this time being is very important to respect the history and not making the same mistake which our ancestors made.

Updates !!!

2005-12-11T02:47:00.000+07:00

Its been a month since the last time i post an article here. Hopefully i will post regulary now.

This week is an important week for me. I made a big decision and i have to bear the consequences, which i like very much. =)

Commenting on the new cabinet made by our president, i found that our president wanted to make a better economic climate in Indonesia, but i still have several question to him. The first one, how can you put Ical to be Minister of Social Welfare while several months ago he suggested the poor people to stop using fuel and cahange it into woods?. The second question is how can you put Mr. Erman Suparno to be a Minister of Manpower. As long that i know, this reshuffle has made a great impact in the working climate in his ministry, unfortunately this impact is not good. This is because that the previous minister has no negatives side that you can consider as a failure in doing his tasks as a Minister of Manpower.

I give my salutation to Mr. Boediono who dares to carry the responsibilities of being a Coordinating Minister of Economic. His attitudes shows that he is among few persons in Indonesia who care aboout our sad economic condition. Good luck for you Sir!

Malaysian on Attacks !!!

2005-11-12T06:16:00.000+07:00

Malaysian Government encourages its businessmen to keep expanding their business unit in Indonesia.(Bisnis Indonesia. Saturday, Nov 12 2005)

I wonder how the theory of international trade can solve this problem, from Ricardian model to Heckser-Ohlin model. When a country are benefiting from their trade with another country, how come their partner of trade doesn't get any benefits at all or just an insignificance benefits? In trading with Malaysia, It seems that only Malaysia that gains benefits from "so called bilateral trade" while Indonesia doesn't, except providing a place of working for our TKI.

Indonesian Government ??? Hello ?? Are u There ?

World Bank Survey

2005-11-11T10:55:00.000+07:00

Reading from the world bank publications about doing business in a country, i was very surprise that Indonesia is among the worst countries of doing a business. Indonesia is in the 115th rank from 155 countries in the best country for doing business. Some small and unfamous countries are even better than us ! i feel very ashamed.

When i read that publications, i realize that business environments in Indonesia is far away from a good condition. When a businessman start to make a business unit, they will face a lot of procedures and it consumes a great amount of time. When they are finally succeed overcome those problems, they will face another one, low productivity and high cost labour. If Indonesia doesn't try to evercome this problems, i'm worried that in the near future Indonesia will not be on the list of investor's targeted country. Such a great strategy and solutions are needed by us. This strategy should covers all of the aspects of doing business Indonesia and come from all of the actors, the government, the private sectors and people of Indonesia. Could it be happened now ?

Welcome!!!

2005-11-11T10:44:00.000+07:00

Welcome to my spot. Enjoy.