It was exciting news and I would like to thank Michelle Udem and The Jakarta Globe for the recognition :)
22 June 2009
Michelle Udem
Indonesia has around a million bloggers, according to one leading internet publisher. (Photo: Prasetyo Utomo, Antara)
Blogging In English
Michael Jubel Hutagalung, a Web designer based in Bandung, West Java, started Jubel and the Unessential, an English-language blog, primarily to improve his written English. The blog offers Hutagalung’s random musings on Indonesia’s politics and culture.
Within a year of Hutagalung starting the blog in October 2007, the traffic to the site was so high that it was exceeding the bandwidth limit on the platform he was using, and he had to move his blog to another host. The traffic explosion, mostly from Indonesians living abroad, gave him an incentive to do more than just improve his English skills.
“I want to tell the world what Indonesia’s really like — how the people really live,” Hutagalung said. But readers may not always get much on how Indonesians are living on an up-to-the-minute basis, or even about the day-to-day concerns of his countrymen.
Hutagalung last posted on Monday, after a two-month hiatus, filling readers in on his university plans and his personal debate in choosing between studying in London or the Netherlands.
The total number of Indonesian bloggers is difficult to quantify due to the constant deletion and activation of blog accounts. A top Indonesian-language blogger and internet publisher, Enda Nasution, says that Indonesia has about one million bloggers, based on blogger.com information, Wordpress information and blogs hosted personally — there are about 20 blogging communities in Indonesia, one in ever major city.
For Indonesians blogging in English, many are simply interested in trying to reach an audience beyond their own country and to give a perspective not available in the foreign media. Out of the 10 bloggers listed here, seven do not have a degree in English, nor have they studied abroad.
Budi Putra, a freelance writer and full-time, self-employed blogger living in Bintaro, South Jakarta, writes in English about new gadgets from an Indonesian perspective. Though many of his topics involve global technology news, he feels he provides a unique perspective as an Indonesian.
“My main demographic is both Indonesians and foreigners, especially those who love technology and digital life issues … Blogging is about conversation, so I want to talk to them through my blog. That’s why my blog’s tagline is ‘Talk With Me.’ ”
Hutagalung and Putra’s blogs focus on specific topics, but the majority of the Indonesians bloggers writing in English are diarists, who post as the mood strikes.
Devi Girsang, a 22-year-old medical student born, raised and living in Jakarta, operates the site “It’s My Life,” last updated May 5. With a tagline, “Love & Tears. Laugh & Cry. Achievements & Regrets. Welcome To My Life!” Girsang’s blog ranges from discussions on everyday topics such as poor customer service to inquiries on why people do bad things.
Such topics written from an Indonesian perspective and in English help readers realize that people worldwide run into the same problems and share the same emotional inquiries.
In another blog, “Republikbabi,” 23-year-old Calvin Sidjaja from Bandung posts updates about growing up with a mixed heritage in Indonesia. On his blog, Sidjaja discusses the role of mixed heritage Indonesians, such as Dutch-Indonesians and Chinese-Indonesians. He delves into the history of mixed heritages in Indonesia and how society views these people today.
“Many international students were helped because of the personal essays [on my blog],” he said.
But the Internet is not always the safest place to express personal and sometimes controversial opinions.
Girsang has “been accused of being an ‘American-wannabe’ from an anonymous commenter,” and Sidjaja notices how any type of neutral post he writes on religion always causes controversy.
Regardless of the hate mail and negative feedback, the bloggers find that voicing their thoughts and opinions in English is beneficial. “Though difficult to write in English, I like challenges. I love the rhythm of English words. It’s more personal and subjective,” Budi Putra explains.
To these bloggers, writing in English is their key to communicating to the outside world as they find freedom in abandoning their own tongue for just a few moments a week or month.
“Bahasa can be so difficult because of the formality of the language. I can express myself more casually in English” Girsang said.
These ten English-language blogs appear in the top 50 Indonesian blogs tracked by Web site www.indonesiamatters.com
Three Popular Blogs Written by Expats Living in Indonesia:
These three blogs written by expatriates living in Indonesia are ranked in the top six on blogs.indonesiamatters.com.
1. Brandon Hoover
thejavajive.com/blog
Consisting of high-resolution photographs, Brandon Hoover’s blog takes a look at Indonesia’s natural beauty and his life here as an American. Aesthetically pleasing, Hoover’s blog illustrates how Indonesia has influenced his thoughts and photography. A fan of Indonesia, Hoover’s blog provides an American’s perspective on the joys of living in the country.
2. Jakartass
jakartass.blogspot.com
Jakartass, written by a Westerner living in Jakarta, consists of witty posts chronicling the life of an expatriate in Jakarta. Posts on the blog discuss local news as well as personal experiences illustrating quirks in Indonesian culture. Most recent posts discuss power cuts in Jakarta and a list of books by bloggers. Information on Indonesian acronyms and slang words are found on the sidebar of the blog.
3. Treespotter
Treespotter.blogspot.com
Treespotter is a personal blog containing posts mostly on daily life in Indonesia and current, local events. Posts include idiosyncrasies in Jakarta culture, such as how there is always a place to smoke. The personal posts are both entertaining and in depth, while the posts pertaining to politics are written from an outsider’s point of view.
Ten Blogs by Indonesians Who Are Writing in English:
These ten English-language blogs appear in the top 50 Indonesian blogs tracked by Web site www.indonesiamatters.com.
1. Michael Hutagalung
michaelhutagalung.com
Web designer Michael Hutagalung maintains a blog that consists of his personal perspectives, his design portfolio and discussions on Wordpress themes and Indonesian social issues. His blog offers readers the opportunity to learn about the Wordpress program as well as read an Indonesian perspective on the upcoming election.
2. Budi Putra
budiputra.com
Blogger Budi Putra of this self-titled blog provides commentary on local news and technology gadgets. Mixing local technological news, such as Indonesia’s launch of digital TV, Putra also updates readers on more esoteric news such as the discovery of Indonesian sea horses. Technologically-savvy Putra comments on how information from the upcoming election will be broadcast via SMS.
3. Devi Girsang
devigirsang.blogspot.com
Attracting both Jakartans and foreigners, Devi Girsang’s personal blog gives insight into the life of a young, Indonesian medical student. Girsang blogs on topics ranging from laptop malfunctions to bus-riding etiquette. Girsang’s blog gives expatriates the opportunity to observe a young Indonesian’s experiences, while peers can relate or rebut Girsang’s critiques of Jakarta culture and society.
4. Merlyna Lim
merlyna.org/blog
Blogging from her home in Arizona, Merlyna Lim’s blog focuses on her craft as an artist and her thoughts on both Indonesian and American issues. In between posts of her personal drawings and collages, Lim touches on local topics such as the construction of urban space in Bandung and internationally relatable topics such as inequalities within society.
5. Martin Manurung
martinmanurung.com
Martin Manurung’s self-titled blog covers topical news issues in Jakarta. Providing his own commentary and critique of social, economic and political topics, Manurung tries to counterbalance foreign media reports that he feels are often “misleading.” Straying away from gossip, Manurung’s blog gives foreigners an inside look from a local’s perspective.
6. Calvin Michel Sidjaja
republikbabi.com
Touching on sensitive topics such as his search for his family tree and being of mixed heritage, Calvin Sidjaja’s blog consists of posts on his personal life and experiences. Sidjaja’s Indonesian heritage is a main theme of his blog, a topic that many young adults can relate to.
7. Ecky
cisayong-girl.blogspot.com
Known on her blog as Ecky, the blogger writes from Australia. Though she mostly posts on personal subjects such as shower rituals and the perks of being a woman, Ecky also writes about the difficulties that come with change and leaving the comfort of her home country, Indonesia. Ecky also posts topical news from Jakarta, such as the upcoming election and President Obama’s effect on Indonesians.
8. Carla Ardrian
socialindividualist.blogspot.com
Blogging on various topics from gardening to photography, Carla Ardrian provides an Indonesian perspective on everyday things. Accommodating her Indonesian readers, Carla posts innovative recipes and political commentary, while foreigners may be more attracted to her travel and cultural tips. One of Carla’s posts comments on her experience of receiving incorrect directions as a tourist in Bali.
9. Nana Podungge
afeministblog.blogspot.com
Nana Podungge’s most recent post on her blog, “A Feminist Blog,” discusses the topic of religion. Podungge considers herself a secular Muslim. Her religious views are mixed with the other main focus of her blog, a woman’s role in society. A unique combination, Podungge’s blog provides insight into controversial topics.
10. Martha
mamahit.net/blog
“Frank and Martha’s Blog,” written by Martha, captures the life of a young family in Jakarta. Martha’s updates illustrate the charms shared by all families worldwide, such as receiving her first written letter from her elementary school-aged son. Chronicling the life of a mother, Martha shares her thoughts on baking experiences, the workplace and raising a young child.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Cisayong Girl on The Jakarta Globe
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Refreshing Changes
I have been living in my new home Canberra for almost 3 months and I like it so far, although some people said that this city is a shit hole *pardon my language* and I have to pursue my husband to immediately move out and get another overseas posting so I don't have to be rotten here. I don't have any specific complaints so far other than this cold Winter and chill mornings, I love the blue sky, I love the fresh air, I love the no traffic jam road and I kinda get used to the quietness compare to Jakarta. It's a refreshing change for me because I fed up with Jakarta's traffic jam especially during wet season, ah it was just hell. The not so refreshing changes are the do it (domestic stuff) by yourself attitude; since I am not a good cook, my speciality is fried noodle with Indomie goreng as the main ingredients and add lots of veggies and chicken/egg, you can't get wrong with Indomie goreng and the last time I did iron was gazillion years ago, but my husband and I are a good team so I don't complaint (so far) :))
I was a bit depressed when I just arrived here because our stuff haven't arrived from Indonesia and we don't have TV, no computer, no internet, limited utensils and very limited clothes, no friends yet. Simple matters became a big deal for me, I remember one night I can't find my camera charger and I cry like someone hurt me so bad, that was the point when I decided I need to get to work otherwise I will be crazy. I am fortunate that Angela has a good connection so she signed me in to her old job in after school care. I started just 3 weeks after I arrived in this country, not bad, not bad at all.
After school care program was a perfect practice for me because it starts at 3pm till 6pm so I can do my English classes from AMEP Program in the morning. The job desk was to supervised and get involve while the children do crafting, play indoor/outdoor, helped the centre manager preparing the afternoon tea until their parents come to pick them up. I even introduced the children with Indonesian words and show them my wedding album so they get the idea about Indonesia.
One day there was this girl Niamh who comes only Tuesday and Friday and when she saw me on
Wednesday at the school yard she runs and hug me tight. It was such a nice feeling, and that was the point when I think I can handle the "pressure" working with children. So I decided I will get full time work in childcare industry. When I left the after school care programs, the children gave me big farewell card with sweet notes like "I will miss you", "please come and see us sometimes", "I love you", "thank you for being so awesome", cardboard koala, some of them even draw my picture had melted my heart and I was cried in front of them :).
This week is my third week working full time in early childhood centre, the shifts are varied from 8am-5pm, 8.30am-5.30pm, 9am-6pm and they put me in toddlers room 1-3 years old children. My day usually begins with company the toddlers play, sit with them during group time (listen to story and singing), preparing them for morning tea, company them play outdoor or inside (depends on the weather), preparing them for lunch, preparing them for nap, changing nappies (3 times a day among 3 carers/teachers), preparing them for afternoon tea, company and supervise them play and sit with them during afternoon snacks. Working in childcare is not as easy as I thought, because I need to be firm with them when they are being cheeky and sometimes I have to chase them and lift them to the bathroom during nappies time. But I consider that as my exercise, lift up and put down 15 children during the busiest day to the nappy bench is surely burn some calories :).
I was amazed with the children's discipline, the youngest is 19 months old and the oldest is almost 3 years old but they can wash and dry hand by themselves, sit on the chair during morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, take off their own shoes and help to pack up the toys when we ask to. The youngest Caragh can sit on the toilet by herself and she doesn't have to wear nappy, isn't that good? I try not to compare with Indonesian children but I know some Indonesian children who can't do all of those things even though they are already 5 years old.
It can be a stressful day if the children are being cheeky and didn't listen to me but it all washed away when they cuddle me. It such a wonderful feeling eventhough they are not mine, but still.. It's nice and wonderful. I am not pursue the money because the money is not that good compare to other jobs but I got emotional satisfaction and for the time being that is enough for me. It surely is a refreshing change from a hectic life, tight deadlines and long hours in an advertising company, and I am going to enjoy this until the day I couldn't enjoy it again.
I guess not everything all about the money..
Friday, May 29, 2009
Me awesome? Nah, you gotta be wrong....
Yoyen and Katadia tagged me with this wonderful award of awesomeness, not sure if I deserve that award though because I never think that I am awesome. Tried to think about my awesomeness for couple of days and I asked mr. husband this morning if he can list 7 reasons of my awesomeness, and of course being a good husband he said things that uplifted my self esteem like: I am awesome because I am funny, pretty and beautiful ,fun, cute, and other stuff that he loves about me. Is that count?
Ah well, I will try to list down about my awesomeness (if I have any) :)
1) I am awesome because my best Indonesian food is mouth watering fried noddle with lots of veggies and eggs. I know how good it is because mr. husband and mum in law loved it, talking about being nice eh?
2. I know I am awesome because I have a loving mother who text me every single day to ask what am I doing and how am I coping in the new country, yup every single day. It shows how much she loved me and how much she missed my awesomeness, you reckon?
3. Some friends think I am awesome and brave because I travel with bus everywhere even though I am new to this city. Yeah, being lost while driving is so much worse than taking bus though, on the bus at least you can ask the driver where to go and ask them to let you know on your drop off, it's easy isn't it?
4. I am awesome because now I can do ironing and I make sure mr. husband has 5 business shirts for the week. So I don't have to iron every 2 days or so, talking about being organised.
5. I am awesome because one day I walked from Canberra Institute Technology in Reid Campus to home in Barton about 4.3km and it took about 1 hours walk. Not bad eh?
6. I am awesome because it's already 10am and I haven't done any cleaning and tidying up the house instead I am still in front of the computer trying to figure out how awesome I am. Isn't that awesome?
7. I am awesome because I have great family and friends who I love and love me so much. Yes, you.. You are one of them. Who ever read this silly post consider as my friend :)
The hard part is over, here come the tough part... choosing 7 of my awesome blogger friends to list down their awesomeness, all of my blogger friends and any blogger out there are awesome in their own way, but I have to choose then the awesome award goes to:
1) Farika, Kukka's mum and a funky gal
2) Neng Keke, comedian who happen to be a good copywriter
3) Neng Wentjes, ex client and become good friend of mine
4) Parvita and her busy brain, independent, strong and awesome woman
5) Therry, creative chick and a beautiful teacher
6) Elyani, ah what can I say about her, she is awesome!
7) Yoyen and Katadia, awesome bloggers that tagged me :)
Now get back to your blog and do the homework, let me know when you finished, ok?
Monday, May 25, 2009
Adjusting and settling down
I have been in Canberra, Australia for 7 weeks and I am still adjusting with the whole Australian way of life.
We actually had smooth transition because my mum in law was kindly enough to provide us place to stay until we ready to move to our own place. We are now settling down in our own place, nice apartment near to Sam's office yeah just 2 minutes walk lucky him, nice courtyard view, near Lake Burley Griffin, 10 minutes walk to Manuka Circle and Kingston shops.
I also glad that I met this wonderful lady through cyber world, Katadia was soo kind to pick me
up on our first land coffee (kopi darat) during the election day and we went to Indonesian Embassy so I can meet other Indonesians. At the Indonesian embassy I ate this pempek without knowing that it hasn't been fried yet, it shown how clueless I am about that kind of thing ha ha. After that we went to Katadia's house and meet Mr. Husband, how cool was that, first land coffee we come to each other's house, top that other bloggers! :p.Last Friday Katadia took me to this Indonesian's take away shop to eat proper pempek, this time I eat the fried one hahaha. Thanks for that Katz.
I am sure my mum will be very proud of me because now I can cook and do domestic stuff like ironing, washing the dishes (when our stuff is not enough to use the dish washer), cleaning and tidying up the house ;).
I find this city more relax compare to Jakarta, people usually finish work at 4.30pm to 5 pm and after that they are at home preparing dinner. The no traffic jam roads make it possible to do that, things that you can't do in Jakarta as usually take hours to reach home from work. I love the blue sky, fresh air, beautiful green yellow and red leaves and empty road, I kinda like the quiet environment it's soothing and people are less stressful.
What I miss from Jakarta is the people friends and family, food and the cheap things (salon treatment, massage and spa, clothes, taxi). We are still comparing price to Jakarta and it still shock us how cheap living cost in Jakarta. I know, we should stop compare it and start to live with the local price, we're getting to that point slowly.
I promise I will write again soon and posting something about my new home. Just wait and see ;)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Bear with me
Bear with me...
I will write again soon....
When I have settled down, right now I feel like I'm in the middle of the road waiting for the right time to move and act..
Yes, I will be leaving my home for 30 years to a new home in just days away, 3 days away to be exact. Changes is not easy, especially leaving my comfort zone for 30 years, but I'm fully ready for this new journey, the journey to find a new home and build new family with the love of my life.
Bear with me...
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Tagged by Farika
001. Real name → Ecky Puspasari Baelly
002. Like it? → Not really. Ecky usually name for male, so I often got a call say "can I speak to Mr. Ecky?" D'oh!
003. Nickname(s)→ Ecky, Ecks...
004. Status → Engaged, about to get married at the end of this month :)
005. Zodiac sign → Lion arrrggghh...
006. Male or female → a little bit of both :D
007. Elementary → SDN Karawaci Baru 2 Tangerang
008. Middle School → SMPN 6 Tangerang
009. High School → SMAN 2 Tangerang, SMAN 2 Tasikmalaya. I moved to Tasik on my second year.
010. Hair color → Currently dark brown with highlight
011. Long or short → Medium bob
012. Eye color → Looks like dark brown
013. Weight → 56 - 57, want to loose 3 to 4 kg but seems impossible *sigh*
014. Height → 160 cm.
015. Righty or lefty → Righty
017. Sweats or Jeans → Short :))
018. Phone or Camera → Both!
019. Health freak → used to be, not anymore :)
020. Piercings?→ just ear
021. Do you have a crush on someone? → Uhm... If I tell you, can you keep it as a secret? lol. It's... SU
022. Eat or Drink → Both
023. Purse or Backpack → Purse, I'm a woman
024. Tattoos → afraid of needle and don't think can handle the pain :)
025. Do You Like Yourself? → what's not to like :). But I wish I have small upper arm hehehe
026. Current worry? → the embassy takes long time to grant my visa :((
THIS OR THAT:
027. Orange or Apple Juice? → Both lol.. I'm a fruit lover
028. Night or Day? → flexible can be adjusted as per request
029. Sun or Moon? → definitely sun!
030. TV or Internet? → both!!!! can't imagine life without them
031. PlayStation or XBox? → no thanks, don't like any of them
032. Kiss or Hug? → Both, kiss without hug won't be completed, vice versa
033. Iguana or Turtle? → uhm.. turtle looks less scary
034. Spider or Bee? → no thanks
035. Fall or Spring? → summer
036. Limewire or iTunes? → iTunes
037. Soccer or Baseball? → if i have to choose... soccer!
FIRSTS:
038. First surgery → zero
039. First piercing → just ear
040. First best friend → uhm... Vera from middle school, she has fair skin and I have dark skin so every time we walk together people will call us kopi susu (coffee and milk)
041. First Sport? → volley ball, I used to be in my school team.
042. First award → none, poor me
043. First crush → bony from kindergarten, and my friends will mock me up with sing "my bony is over the rainbow..."
044. First pet → don't like any
045. First big vacation → Australia! Meet the whole family there, phew.. scary but excited, good thing they like me ;)
046. First big birthday → I forgot
CURRENTLY:
047. Eating → just had 2 corn fritters and 2 fried tofus
048. Drinking → water
049. I'm about to → text my baby
050. Listening to → iTunes: track 06a from album a
051. Singing? → nah, just do a bit of dance following the music
052. Typing? → this long questionnaire from Farika
053. Waiting for → my baby to go home from his Boss's house
YOUR FUTURE:
054. Want kids? → of course
055. When? → no detail plan yet
056. Want to get married? → hell yeah
057. When? → on 28 February 2009
058. Where Do You Want To Live? → any where as long as I'm with my baby.. ok that sound so cheesy lol
059. Careers in mind → not at the moment, lost my passion in advertising
060. What Did You Want To Be When You Were Little? → Police woman, marine, reporter
061. Mellow Future Or Wild? → wild but still in control :))
062. Something You Would Never Try? → sky dive
WHICH IS BETTER WITH GIRL/BOY?
063. Lips or eyes → both is good
064. Shorter or taller? → prefer tall but not too tall though
065. Romantic or spontaneous → spontaneous romantic ;)
066. Nice stomach or nice arms → how about nice smell
067. Sensitive or loud → sensitive
068. Hook-up or relationship → hook up first and then relationship
069. Trouble maker or hesitant → in between
070. Hugging or Kissing? → both
071. Tan Skinned or Light? → light, cos I have tan skin ;)
072. Dark or Light Hair? → anything
073. Muscular or Normal? → I accept both
HAVE YOU EVER:
074. Lost glasses/contacts → doesn't wear glasses/contacts
075. Ran away from home → never
076. Held a gun/knife for self defense? → never, that sounds scary
077. Killed somebody → what do you think?!!!!!!! hell no
078. Broken someone's heart → uhm.. I don't know, hey you.. yeah you.. did I break your heart?
079. Been arrested → hopefully never!
080. Cried when someone died → all the time
081. Kissed A Stranger? → no comment
082. Climbed Up A Tree? → rambutan tree, there was this big rambutan tree in front of my childhood house in Tangerang, and every time rambutan season coming I always be the first who tried it lol
083. Liked A Friend As More Than A Friend? → yeah, when I was in high school
DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
084. Yourself → yes
085. Miracles → sometimes
086. Love at first sight → not really, everything should be in process
087. Heaven → sure!
088. Santa Claus → sorry, but no :)
089. Kiss on the first date → why not :p
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
090. Is there one person you want to be with right now → my fiancée
091. Do You Like Someone? → of course
092. Are you seriously happy with where you are in life → can't complain much :)
LASTS
094. Received/Sent Text Message → Sam/Sam
095. Received Call → ex client
096. Call Made? → mom
097. Comment On MySpace? → nah, it's been a long time since I check it
098. Missed Call? → my baby
099. Person You Hang out With? → my girls.. and every body who are fun to be with
DONE!! It's my time to tag you!
1. Anita
2. Therry
3. Rima
4. Devi
5. Tere
6. The Writter
7. Parvita
8. Elyani
9. Katadia
10. Ivy
11. Wenni
12. Lorraine
13. Diny
14. Santi
Notify me after you done it.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Canberra Photo
I am delighted to let you know that our photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released sixth edition of Schmap Canberra Guide:
Mount Ainslie
www.schmap.com/canberra/introduction_history/p=126317/i=126317_6.jpg
At first we plan to do hiking from down the hill up to the top, but out of laziness oops I mean not enough time and the barrier from the cold winter weather, we decided to just enjoy the view from the top, like the one on the photo here :)
Yup, that is my back and Sam took this photo but with my camera so it's our photo!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sneak peek
Therry tagged me to post my working desk's photo. I say it's not a very good idea as my working desk always messy with papers and other things.
But I'm a brave girl, so here it is.... sneak peek to my working desk at the office:
Nothing interesting to see right, I only have 1 photo on the left side of my computer. Anita & Melly gave it to us after girls holiday in Bali to celebrate their hen's night.
Such a plain and boring working desk eh.
