Monday, August 18, 2008

Triple Oners PART 2

-Continued from previous post; Triple Oners-

I noticed several grammar and spelling mistakes in the last post,aaagh...sorry.

And so, moving on,at wednesday night,the opening for OSPEK (read previous post) was not like anything that I had imagined. And since I used my free time to space off, this is saying something.

There were catcalls that boils my blood. The clash between the safety patrols and the hayward seniors were affecting the freshmen's safety, and that is where the Aparatoriz. Aparatoriz was the mix of safety patrol (aparat in Indonesian) and terrorist. They took control of the situations really quickly. But that doesnt mean that the terrorist part of their group name was for nothing. The aparatoriz begun yelling at us for not focusing on the task at hand. Seriously dude, being focused inside a hay may pandemonium is not easy at all.

The freshmen were really intimidated by them and we had to endure about half an hour with them before they finally let us went home. It was terrifying. But I had fun all the same XD. I...like it when adrenaline-pumping actions happen, and this certainly made my adrenaline rush.it kills me not to start grinning like a maniac, and I had to held it in or the aparatoriz'll go after my blood. That night, I slept like I'm dead. Im totally motionless, or so like my mom said (she was staying over).

Thursday came and the first thing in line that day was...

Gymnastics.

We came in our sports attires and were told to follow the silly movements the senior did as though we're warming up for the day. God forbid me to tell you or even show anyone the moves that were shown that day.

After the hoogly-boogly,stupid,embarassing gym hour, we were told to cool down before brought into the hall to listen to seminars. But among the 2 seminars we had that day, the best was brought by Antasari Azhar, the leader of the Anti Corruption Unit in my country (KPK). It was the first seminar that I listen to without falling asleep since the start of OSPEK. He was a man of his words, he head great knowledge of the law and such charisma that the entire building was silent as he brought his speech. I want to be like him someday. To be someone who is truely loyal to his/her country. I look up to you Mr.Antasari X).

At 6 o'clock in the evening, we were given task to interview families with low incomings, or in other words, poor families. It tore my heart apart to see people living far from what they were supposed to. 111 was divided into 3 groups, and my group had to interview the poorest family around. We came to a small wooden house that were inhibited by 3 people; a mother and her 2 childrens.

The mother was making Rp.20.000 per day (US $ 2.00) by working as ice block maker. It really was a heart wrenching sight, to see the place they called home. But the mother was a very positive person. She never complains about anything, and only concentrated in working so that her children could get good educations. Mrs. Lina was her name, and she was the person that motivates me so, that I could continue this exhausting week in high spirits. God bless her and her children for that woman gave me more than just motivation and experience.

And then Friday came. By that day, the entire 111 group had grown so close and comfortable with each other that we're not afraid to be our true self anymore. we had great great fun!! Oh, since Thursday, we had a mentor joining our group and 2 new members. The mentor was Nana, a senior from Electro Tech. '06 and the new members were Koko and Azmy. Both of them are nuts, and nuts people joining an insane group equals super-crazy-times of fun!! Friday were filled with mentoring from Ka Nana about Realitas Bangsa (A Country's reality about Indonesia's present condition). It was a heated topics which was also the theme or this year's OSPEK. The mentoring really opens my eyes about the condition of my country and about my role as a University Student. I could ramble on about that, but I'm sure none of you wants to read it ;-), so we'll skip it for everyone's sake.XP

And in the same day my faculty (Arts and Design major)gathered together to meet the upperclassman class of '07. They're really warm and welcoming, but I'm never someone who lets my guards down in meeting new people.I always knew that there was more than meets the eyes...LOL.what happens that made me so serious alluva sudden?XD

The whole day in Saturday was filled with faculty activities, and 111 didnt meet up at all that day. It was the SERIOUSLY BORING day of all days of my time in Bandung and I miss my team mates so that I cant wait but look forward to group activities the following Sunday XD. And from what I've gathered, my team mates feel the same also. We all feel at home in the group, and that was what we missed the most about being together as group 111 XD.

Sunday came and we had to start the day with Flag Ceremony since it's 17th of August and my country's (Indonesia's) b'day. And onwards we had ITB Open House Unit where all clubs opened a stall and begun their campaign to gather new members from class '08.

Want to know what I joined?Xd

Genshiken (a Japanese culture club) and Kendo club.XD.
Kendo has been my obsession since I came to love anything about Japan and now I had the chance of granting that once-impossible dream of mine! I cant wait for the 1st practice to come \(>.<)/ !!!.

It was one whole relaxing,work-less day and group 111 had enjoyed it the most, as it's the last day of OSPEK and the last day we spent together as group 111. It's really depressing when you think about it that way, that's why I tried to forget about it and tried to have the best time. My team mates all came from different faculties and we all have different schedules, in my mind it's kind of difficult for us to get together. but I hope that we'll still see each other again.

Youji got teary eyed when that particular fact came to mind (that the OSPEK was finally over and we'll be sepparated) and we had to made her laugh to get her to stop tearing up. she was halfway between laughing and crying, and what a sight that was LOL.

ITB Open House Unit was over in the evening and after that, the freshmen were gathered to attend the closing of OSPEK. It was pretty much the same as the opening, with the jeerings and catcalls. but by that time I know better than to flip my precious finger at the infuriating seniors and get my head chopped off after school XD.

After the closing, we had one last mentoring session where I found time to laid down on my back in the grass and stared at the star-filled sky. It was an amazing sight to see...in Jakarta, you couldnt see the stars at nighttime since the pollution pretty much filled the sky.

But in Bandung, all stars were there, twinkling brightly for you to see. And for me, personally, this is the best parting gift anyone could ever get.Youji showed me how to read the stars and showed me the Scorpio constellation, which is her star sign. It was an unforgettable night. I will never ever forget it.

And when I'm writing this blog, it's been a day since Group 111 splits up.I kinda miss the other's company and it scares my a little when I think about facing days without my team mates by my side. I know that this isnt the last time we'll be seeing each other, but still, circumstances are between us. I still have the others' numbers though, and even though I could text them whenever I want, it still wont feel the same.

I'm gonna miss this week really much.

As much as I hated it, I also loved it very much.

In the end, all I wanted to say was Thank You to my team mates (Ryan,Azmy,Susan,Gagas,Ginanjar,Icha,Chiko,Ilam,Sausan,Andre,Vika,Akbar,Koko,James,Inna,Dita,Arif,Hada and Halim), my Taplok (Farhan and Youji) and my mentor (Ka Nana) for the amazing times we spent together and for the unforgetable memories, irreplaceable experiences and precious lessons we learned together. I will never ever forget this past week, and I'm gonna miss you guys.

And this is where I, Diandra 'Ran' Masterani, will be signing off.

Until next time, folks XD.

Triple Oners

Forgive the late update...this week has been horrendously busy for me. Seriously, I havent been this exhausted since the Tae Kwon Do green belt test...

First, let me say Dirgahayu Indonesia, 63 Tahun Merdeka!!!! (Happy 63th Birthday Indonesia). May this country reign long and prosperous years to come!!

17 of August had been the best day for me ever!! Why? well, I'm getting to that XD. read on below.XD.

Warning: The matterials below are SUPER LONG ENTRY. please, bear them with me as I had great fun in writing them ;).

On to my story. As you know this week I begun my days as a University Student in Bandung Institute of Technology. And the same as most Universities, Bandung Institute of Technology (I'll abb. it as ITB) has their own way of welcoming the newcomers.

Er, should I say chaos here instead?

Anyhooo...it's a one-week activity involving stuffs for the newcomers to do so they'd get to know their seniors and the whole wide, inhumanely-ginormous site of the campus.

And so, the week starts with a placement test. Being someone who's had a too-long holiday, it's not strange for me to quickly lost focus on the question sheet and doodle on it instead. And it turns out that the sheet+the answer sheet had to be returned back to the teachers.

Dang it.

And then I went to the Welcoming Ceremony reharsal. The whole thing was quite interesting, counting the mass number of times the students yawned throughout the segments, and most of them fell into a deep sleep afterwards. Nope, not me. I only dozed off ;).

And then Tuesday came. For the upcoming activity (I'll call it OSPEK instead. I dunno the eng. word for it ;o) the students had to be divided into groups under 2 coordinators for the whole week, and thus is how I got into the group of Triple One (it's 111 in number ;D ).

Being someone who's silent at first time activity, I kept mostly all to myself while the people around me interracted, introducing oneself to another. I'm not the type to suddenly go introducing myself to someone, and so I kept quiet. But then someone introduced themself to me, and I was pulled back from my thoughts harsly back to the earth.

I forgot who that person was, but that triggered a mass chain of introduction from the others. I was really shocked really. Do you know that painting that has a man in it looking like he's shouting in agony? I forgot who painted that (and my major is supposed to be art :-( ).

And that's how I get to know the girls. They're Susan, Gagas, Icha, Michiko, Ilam, Sausan, Vika, Inna and Andita. It took a while, but I manage to remember their name, though usually 'errr..what's your name again?' blurts out of my mouth. Forgive me ;).

So very different and new people I have meet, I thought. And it soon be like that when 111 was finally complete and we're all gathered for a round of introductions, as we're pretty much going to be together 24/7 from now on.

Sweet.

Just what I love (please not that this is heavily sarcasm, people).

And so I get to know the boys : Ryan, Ginanjar, Andre, Akbar, James, Arif, Hada and Halim. We all came from different cities, and even from different islands, different dialects, ethnics, and religions in one group, and yet we are still one. I love my country so much!!!

The coordinators for my group are Farhan from Civil Tech '07 and Youji (who made sure that we didnt call her by her real name. Which is Tiwi by the way ;D )of Biology '07. They're both nuts and they're great fun to hang around with. In the other hand, they're really professional in doing their jobs and I cant say how grateful I am for having them to guide my days in this first week of college. A great round of applause are given to them from me. Thanks you guys!!!

And so, the week began. After the rounds of introductions (and by this time, I am sure that I will strat introducing myself as 'Maste' for years to come. Good grief) we had to go look for a base camp. It is essentials, according to the coordinators (which will be called Taplok onwards), since we're going to have somewhere to do our works in.

Yessss...great. only one day back and I've already got work to do.

Moving on, we finally settled at James's Aunt house. and since then until 10.00 pm at night, we worked our @$$es off (forgive the language, but I was SERIOUSLY AS HELL extremely exhausted). We made nametags, decorated diaries for the week-long OSPEK. It was tiring, yes, but we had great fun making them. That night we bonded off with each other and that time, I'm certain, that we're going to be great pals years to come (I'm getting sentimental...).

Wednesday came, first we had the extremely boring Welcoming Ceromony, then it's the first day of OSPEK for me. It wasnt until 6 o'clock when were'out in the yard, gathered from group 1 till group 140. I met my team mates once again, and they're equally confused as I am.

What the heck are we doing here? rang in our minds. But that question will be answered sooner than we thought.

We were mobilized towards the campus at night time, dressed in our college jacket, the silly-decorated hats and nametages that we made the other day and walked onwards to campus. And God forbid that it's extemely a long way to go!! oh mama...my legs will never be the same *sigh*. It was a quarter to our destinations when I first heard it.

Drums were rolling. And then I found out that we're brought in for the OSPEK opening. Seriously, that time I felt like a prisoner taken captive into the enemies' lair with what the entire safety patrols all leering at me, for what I dont know.

The opening was even more chaos than other activities I had before in the campus. The timid and nervous freshmen were there, sitted down in the basketball court waiting for what unknown things to come, when all the seniors gathered around us. I had no problem if they're only watching silently, but they actuall began to catcalls and I hated people doing that. My finger is twitching, and I'm ready to flip them THE finger anytime soon, but norms and rules came to my mind and I have to held myself in *disappointed sigh*.And that didnt stop there, it continued all into the night till the point where the seniors were threatening the freshmen's safety that the safety patrols had to barricade us to avoid any bloodshed. No sarcasm here people, I'm serious.

by the way, read part 2 now XD. I dont want this entry to be TOO long.

Monday, August 11, 2008

1st day in college

aaaah....finally the new time starts!!

Being a freshmen means a newbie in everything! and I mean everything!
New place, new school, new friends, new environments...and lots others. Thinking that my life in this new place wont be the same as the one I had at home made me a little nervous to begin with...no, scared.

Humans tend to be scared of something that they didnt knew and cope with well, and that is what I've been through, throughout this first week living alone, away from my family.

Okay, so me and my famz are still in the same island...but it's still different...
Back then, I had my sister to fool around with...and my mom always had these great foods for breakfast,lunch and dinner.Even though he's really pissing me off, I kinda miss my dad...er, kinda.

But now, I do everything by myself. but, I'm not complaining.

This is one of the steps I have to take in the path of adolescence. Being 17 isnt as easy as I thought, but I'll make it through.

May the new school be horrid, may the people be horrible to me...I dont care. From now on I will do my best! I'll make it, 4 years to come!!

Uugh...talking serious is not my thing...-.-.
But the first reason I made a blog was so I could speak out my mind...then again, let's talk about something more relaxing XD.

When I was in Jakarta I bought 2 Bleach plushies. D'you know Bleach? the anime about Shinigami and Hollows...man, they kick @$s!!XD
I bought the Hitsugaya Toushirou and Kurosaki Ichigo's plushies with the little sucking cups on them, so you can stick them onto your car windows!!

Pity I dont have a car T-T. I want one tho'.

Either way, both of them are soooooooooo cute, just staring at them made me feel woozy!! er...was that supposed to happen?

anyhooo, I miss them...I didnt bring them to my apartment...-.-!! Gomen, Shirou-chan, Ichigo...

And after a hard day in campus...I spend my time relaxing wiiiiiiiiiiith........watching Live Action Sailor Moon or Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon!!!LOL

Seriously, even though you dont like the anime/manga, you should go watch it...the fighting scenes are enough to make you roar in laughter LOL. No, but because of the actors and actresses. By that time they're nobody, but if you follow their carrers until now, you'd realize that they've all become really, really famous people in the industry of entertainment. Not only in Japan, maybe even worldwide!!

And because of Sailor Moon, I got to know Kitagawa Keiko-san. The one that plays Hino Rei/Sailor Mars. She is one heck of an actress, and even though she's so famous, I cant hardly believe that she's so down to earth...she's so my role model!! She's played in Too Fast Too Furious: Tokyo Drift as Reiko, the girl mechanic in Han's crews. That's her Hollywood breakthough, and I cant wait for her next appearance in worldwide theatre!!

But I'll talk about her maybe sometimes later, I've got to cook myself dinner now XD.so until then, Ciao!!

--by the way, something's wrong with blogger.com. I cant post Shirou-chan and Ichigo's photoooo....-.-!!!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Introduction

eeeeeettto...so, hi y'all XD.
There's always a beginning of everything, and so thus, this is the beginning of my blog and I'll begin by introducing myself.XD

My name's Ran and I'm a 17 years old girl and a freshmen of Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung) majoring in Arts and Design.

I'm 168 cm or 5'8 in height. and I dunno how much I weight coz really...I just dont care ;)

I'm nuts about Japan (anime,cultural,er...stuff about Japan) and pretty much about Harry Potter and probably much others since I'm pretty much fickle about things xp.

I speak 3 languages (other than my mother tongue,which is Indonesian. they're English, Japanese and a tiny bit of Chinese).

I listen mostly to Rock music,as in lately, and listen to most genres of music except for dangdut,keroncong,country music,folk songs,enka...well, you get the idea.

I drive a motorbike and is learning how to drive a car...up to this point the only way i move my car is reversing it (alias mundur).

And the people I look up to in my life are:

  • my mom
  • John Terry (the Chelsea Captain and England's Captain)
  • Kitagawa Keiko (the one who plays Hino Rei of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Hasegawa Momoko of Mop Girl, Rina of Dear Friends, Reiko of Tokyo Drift, and lots other. Look her up in Wiki.)
  • Synyster Gates (God of Guitar, guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold).

And so, I dunno if anyone's reading this or not...so in case there are someone reading this, I decided to write in english instead. maybe next time I'll write in my native tongue XD.

sa, like it's said in Japanese 'Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu!!' or, nice to meet you.

Please expect more of me XD