I am graduating soon. This July, I will have my Thesis Defense, might also have revisions on the thesis itself and, if there are no problems, then... boom! College's done. Welcome to the effing real world.
I just can't believe that time goes by so fast that I am now 21 (will turn 22 soon) and will be working soon. I will be responsible totally on my own--what I mean is not just responsible of things like cleaning up my bedroom or cooking my own food (which are also important to note), but also things beyond that, like getting a job, paying taxes and bills, saving money to buy a house and car/motorcycle, finding chances for further academic pursuit and many more "adult stuff"... all on my own. Whoa! It's exciting but it also makes me anxious and nervous at the very same time!
To quote a very good teacher of mine, "it's the graduation season... like it or not, it makes me a bit sentimental." Yes, it's effing true. My teacher becomes sentimental because he is a teacher who will witness his students entering the real world. On the other hand, I myself become sentimental because... I will be the one who is entering the real world.
While preparing myself for the real world--officially entering adulthood--after I am declared graduated, I want to turn back time. I want to go on a flashback, reviewing my life through things (mostly films, TV series and music) that helped my go through my childhood and adolescence until I become who I am now. The things that actually shaped me and somehow "prepared" me to enter adulthood.
So here I am, introducing my writing series: #SudahkahAndaMerasaTuaHariIni?
In this series, I will tell my stories regarding things that I feel important during my childhood, adolescence and early years of college--or even until now. Why mostly films, TV series and music? Because, without noticing it back then, I came to realize that I have been passionate with films since junior high school that I spent a lot of time watching films and TV series and actually had conversations with people around those two. Music, on the other hand, has always been a part of me.
My writing series will not be bounded with the amount of parts, so I can just end the series anytime I feel like I have enough to tell. I will try to tell the things chronologically, but since I can't always remember all things (I'm just another human being though), there might be a chance of slightly non-chronological writings.
Alright, that's all for the introduction. My first part of #SudahkahAndaMerasaTuaHariIni will be up soon!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Honestly, the one thing that really annoys me from most romantic comedy films (apart from their silly stories, which sometimes happens--but this is not my point for now) is this fact...
...that they will drag the camera away from the lovey-dovey characters when they are at the peak of being very romantic on screen at that moment.
Like seriously. I totally understand that it sometimes fulfills the aesthetic purpose of the film, but still I want to see them being very romantic! I want to see them kissing while hugging, or holding hands, or their expression when they are finally getting married, or whatever it is that they're doing (sex is not included for this reason: it's a rom-com and it's somewhat unlikely to see any actual sex scene, let alone the explicit one, in this genre, for most rom-coms are targeted to be PG-13-rated).
Or maybe is it just me? Maybe most people never mind with this. Or they do? LOL.
Do I miss something here? If I do miss anything or if you do have thoughts and opinions please let me know.
...that they will drag the camera away from the lovey-dovey characters when they are at the peak of being very romantic on screen at that moment.
Like seriously. I totally understand that it sometimes fulfills the aesthetic purpose of the film, but still I want to see them being very romantic! I want to see them kissing while hugging, or holding hands, or their expression when they are finally getting married, or whatever it is that they're doing (sex is not included for this reason: it's a rom-com and it's somewhat unlikely to see any actual sex scene, let alone the explicit one, in this genre, for most rom-coms are targeted to be PG-13-rated).
Or maybe is it just me? Maybe most people never mind with this. Or they do? LOL.
Do I miss something here? If I do miss anything or if you do have thoughts and opinions please let me know.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
My Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Films
I have just finished revising my chapter 1-3 thesis draft and it's Saturday night, so I'm taking a break for now before continuing to work my ass off again on the thesis maybe tomorrow or on Monday. Suddenly this theme popped up in my mind randomly, so I decided to just write it off.
As I have promised before in my previous post, here I am going to make a list of my top five guilty pleasure films.
Being a film student, I am constantly taught and told about the ideal filmmaking formulas and tips that actually work. I am given loads of good films to watch from various directors, genres, styles and countries (and yes, I would admit that I still lack a lot of watching, to be honest). You name it: The Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, Battleship Potemkin, 2001: A Space Odyssey... whatever "snobbish" film titles which might appear on many film critics' "Best Movies" list. On and off the class, I would be given tasks to write reports on film history and its movements, or to watch videos of cinematographers talking about the development of cinematography in cinema and how to work with directors, and still many more related stuff. Basically just anything about film, especially the good ones.
But doing that should not make me or any film student be snob, though. Yes, I know that this makes us watch more quality films but let's admit it, there must be films that may not be considered good enough by most people but we still love it though. One of my screenwriting lecturers, who is an expert screenwriter, a famous script doctor/consultant and a strict guru on "somebody who wants something so bad but is having obstacles reaching it" logline/premise, once bluntly admitted in front of me and my film classmates that she actually enjoyed Michael Bay's films: Armageddon, The Rock, even the first installment of the bloody Transformers series (although gratefully not the last two). "Because they have characters," she said. What is meant by "they have characters" here is that the characters are interesting enough and they have stories to tell--something that not all films succeed in doing so.
Well, I think that's enough introduction, so let me just start writing my list, for whatever reason that is. And if any of you would think that "why would you like any of those films?", the answer would: well... and that is why this is called as a guilty pleasure list, I suppose.
P.S.: you won't find the likes of Nicolas Sparks' adapted films here. Sorry.
5. Snow Dogs (Brian Levant, 2002)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 24%
On a deeper note, this film has been a part of my life history. I remember clearly the first time I watched this film was when I was in 3rd grade. What brought me to watch this film was on one weekend (I suppose it was a Saturday), I was walking around a mall in South Jakarta with my family, where many of the DVD stores in the mall displayed this film at the New Release section. I have always loved dogs, so I begged my parents to buy me the film, but it was almost the exam week and they're afraid that I would be distracted from studying had they bought the film straightaway on that day, so they promised me that they would buy this film after I finish all my exams. And they did. The film came home to me the next weekend.
Well, there goes my journey with this film. During the summer vacation from Grade 3 to Grade 4, I would watch this film everyday, every morning to be exact. I wasn't going anywhere during that summer since my parents were working, so it was somewhat a blessing in disguise. I woke up at 7.15 am (I wonder how did I do it back then now that I can't wake up that early without an alarm--even with an alarm it's still hard), then went to the dining room to grab a bowl of cereal with milk or a loaf of bread (depends on what's available), then brought them straight to my parents' bedroom which has a TV and DVD player in it, grab the DVD from the DVD drawer, put the DVD into the DVD player and watched Cuba Gooding Jr. dealing with Siberian huskies in Alaska while eating my breakfast. Every single day, until my family's domestic worker got bored with the film and, worse, on the 20-ish day the DVD started to have scratches and become broken not long afterwards that it couldn't be played anymore. By the time I went back to the same mall to find a replacement after that summer was over and Grade 4 started, the DVD was no longer available. Gone from the market.
My first reason was only because of the dogs, but I also experienced something bigger from this film: this is where I actually learned English. Yes, I had English classes in school, but they were focused on reading, writing and speaking. Not so much on the listening part though. This film helped my listening skills. When I watched the film, I turned the English subs on and listened to what Cuba Gooding Jr., James Coburn and the dogs (yes, they'rejust another typical talking dogs) said. I didn't really get the jokes though (I don't even think that I really understand the "Ted, you're adopted" part at that time), but I did enjoy watching the dogs running around a wintery Alaska (alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. falling and shuffling at many times) while improving my English listening skills.
So, apart from its flaws, sloppy screenwriting (which I finally realize after I rewatched it as a film student) and somehow unfunny comedy especially to many critics (now that I wonder why would Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn--both being Oscars winners--accept the job to act in this film), I would still be proud to say that this film deserves to be in my Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Films list.
4. Step Up 3D (Jon M. Chu, 2010)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 46%
Alright, I'm going to blatantly say it: let's face it, but who watches any of the Step Up films truly for its story? Because I don't--I honestly find the story not so intriguing, but I don't really care, actually. It's mainly for the dance moves and costumes! And this particular one nailed it, especially in 3D!
3. Last Holiday (Wayne Wang, 2006)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 55%
This one was released when I was 13, I guess. I didn't recall buying the film, I guess it was either my mum or dad simply because there's Queen Latifah in it. Actually, there's nothing different in the structure of the plot, but I laughed with its comedy and enjoyed Georgia Byrd's journey in Europe though (at that time, I haven't rewatched the film since I got into film school). Plus, it used to make me want to name my son Didier in hopes that my son would be a great chef just like Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu) in the film hahaha.
In the "About Me" section of my Grade 9 paper (in my school we have to write a very simple supposedly research paper in order to graduate), I wrote this film as one of my favorite films. Now that Last Holiday does not make it into my favorite films list anymore, I would humbly put this into my Guilty Pleasure Films list.
2. 13 Going on 30 (Gary Winick, 2004)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 64%
As the highest-scoring film from this list, this chick-flick is somewhat loved among critics and people, especially girls who are 13 *wink-wink*. This was released in 2004 and I knew the title at first as Suddenly 30. I remember the poster of this film as Jennifer Garner blowing a bubble gum (although I recall no memory of watching the film during the 2000s). In fact, I just watched this film on May 14 this year! But I'm directly loving this film!
I kinda relate with Jenna when I was 13 and 14. It's like I also don't want to be 13 or 14. I just want to be a successful adult so I don't have to undergo school and all its peer pressures (now that I'm 21 and almost 22, I regret that I wished something similar like this, LOL! Being an adult is no easy job at all!). Jennifer Garner also delivered a good performance as an adult who is actually just a 13-year-old at heart. Her character is loveable. Yes, this has plot holes and unimportant dialogues too, but I can still enjoy the film with all its comedies and romance going on. Also, I ship Jenna and Matt!
This film helped me go through all the stress and pressures that my thesis gave me. My thesis has ruined my sleeping time that I find it hard to sleep at normal times now, so my way to go through the night (which is sometimes long) is by watching films--after watching this one, it really made me feel entertained and refreshed to write my thesis again.
And then this guy. This guy. My gosh, the Hulk. How can Mark Ruffalo be so damn cute, hot and handsome, all at once?! Plus I get to see (young) him dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller, which is one rare stuff! *fangirling*
1. Made of Honor (Paul Weiland, 2008)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: f****** 14%? Really? :")
This one was released when I was in Grade 9, but I didn't get to watch the film until Grade 10. My main reason of buying the film was because there's Patrick Dempsey in it--come on, Grey's Anatomy was so hyped at that time, which made people realize how beautifully handsome and loveable McDreamy is that some of them are willing to watch just about every Patrick Dempsey's film, or at least not to miss any of Grey's Anatomy Season 4's episodes. And then I realize that Michelle Monaghan is also just simply gorgeous and beautiful after watching the film (and she still is, even up until now).
Yes, I know there's nothing original in the film's story. I know Tom might have been a quite creepy character for many people. I also know that it has plot holes and the story drags in the middle. But still... I don't think it's that bad. At least both Dempsey and Monaghan delivered strong performances, where I can feel their chemistry. I even think that this is still a much better film than A Walk to Remember! *sitting at the corner of the room, facing the wall*
This film made me refuse to go out from my house to see the fireworks on 2009's New Year (or 2010, I forgot the year). I said to my parents, who asked me to go out at that New Year's Eve to see the fireworks, "I have seen enough noisy fireworks every New Year." LOL that was hilarious!
And also, for one reason, who doesn't want to see Dempsey juggling plates?! *also fangirling*
If this post appears on a different day, that means I have delayed publishing it.
As I have promised before in my previous post, here I am going to make a list of my top five guilty pleasure films.
Being a film student, I am constantly taught and told about the ideal filmmaking formulas and tips that actually work. I am given loads of good films to watch from various directors, genres, styles and countries (and yes, I would admit that I still lack a lot of watching, to be honest). You name it: The Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, Battleship Potemkin, 2001: A Space Odyssey... whatever "snobbish" film titles which might appear on many film critics' "Best Movies" list. On and off the class, I would be given tasks to write reports on film history and its movements, or to watch videos of cinematographers talking about the development of cinematography in cinema and how to work with directors, and still many more related stuff. Basically just anything about film, especially the good ones.
But doing that should not make me or any film student be snob, though. Yes, I know that this makes us watch more quality films but let's admit it, there must be films that may not be considered good enough by most people but we still love it though. One of my screenwriting lecturers, who is an expert screenwriter, a famous script doctor/consultant and a strict guru on "somebody who wants something so bad but is having obstacles reaching it" logline/premise, once bluntly admitted in front of me and my film classmates that she actually enjoyed Michael Bay's films: Armageddon, The Rock, even the first installment of the bloody Transformers series (although gratefully not the last two). "Because they have characters," she said. What is meant by "they have characters" here is that the characters are interesting enough and they have stories to tell--something that not all films succeed in doing so.
Well, I think that's enough introduction, so let me just start writing my list, for whatever reason that is. And if any of you would think that "why would you like any of those films?", the answer would: well... and that is why this is called as a guilty pleasure list, I suppose.
P.S.: you won't find the likes of Nicolas Sparks' adapted films here. Sorry.
5. Snow Dogs (Brian Levant, 2002)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 24%
On a deeper note, this film has been a part of my life history. I remember clearly the first time I watched this film was when I was in 3rd grade. What brought me to watch this film was on one weekend (I suppose it was a Saturday), I was walking around a mall in South Jakarta with my family, where many of the DVD stores in the mall displayed this film at the New Release section. I have always loved dogs, so I begged my parents to buy me the film, but it was almost the exam week and they're afraid that I would be distracted from studying had they bought the film straightaway on that day, so they promised me that they would buy this film after I finish all my exams. And they did. The film came home to me the next weekend.
Well, there goes my journey with this film. During the summer vacation from Grade 3 to Grade 4, I would watch this film everyday, every morning to be exact. I wasn't going anywhere during that summer since my parents were working, so it was somewhat a blessing in disguise. I woke up at 7.15 am (I wonder how did I do it back then now that I can't wake up that early without an alarm--even with an alarm it's still hard), then went to the dining room to grab a bowl of cereal with milk or a loaf of bread (depends on what's available), then brought them straight to my parents' bedroom which has a TV and DVD player in it, grab the DVD from the DVD drawer, put the DVD into the DVD player and watched Cuba Gooding Jr. dealing with Siberian huskies in Alaska while eating my breakfast. Every single day, until my family's domestic worker got bored with the film and, worse, on the 20-ish day the DVD started to have scratches and become broken not long afterwards that it couldn't be played anymore. By the time I went back to the same mall to find a replacement after that summer was over and Grade 4 started, the DVD was no longer available. Gone from the market.
My first reason was only because of the dogs, but I also experienced something bigger from this film: this is where I actually learned English. Yes, I had English classes in school, but they were focused on reading, writing and speaking. Not so much on the listening part though. This film helped my listening skills. When I watched the film, I turned the English subs on and listened to what Cuba Gooding Jr., James Coburn and the dogs (yes, they're
So, apart from its flaws, sloppy screenwriting (which I finally realize after I rewatched it as a film student) and somehow unfunny comedy especially to many critics (now that I wonder why would Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn--both being Oscars winners--accept the job to act in this film), I would still be proud to say that this film deserves to be in my Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Films list.
4. Step Up 3D (Jon M. Chu, 2010)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 46%
Alright, I'm going to blatantly say it: let's face it, but who watches any of the Step Up films truly for its story? Because I don't--I honestly find the story not so intriguing, but I don't really care, actually. It's mainly for the dance moves and costumes! And this particular one nailed it, especially in 3D!
3. Last Holiday (Wayne Wang, 2006)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 55%
This one was released when I was 13, I guess. I didn't recall buying the film, I guess it was either my mum or dad simply because there's Queen Latifah in it. Actually, there's nothing different in the structure of the plot, but I laughed with its comedy and enjoyed Georgia Byrd's journey in Europe though (at that time, I haven't rewatched the film since I got into film school). Plus, it used to make me want to name my son Didier in hopes that my son would be a great chef just like Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu) in the film hahaha.
In the "About Me" section of my Grade 9 paper (in my school we have to write a very simple supposedly research paper in order to graduate), I wrote this film as one of my favorite films. Now that Last Holiday does not make it into my favorite films list anymore, I would humbly put this into my Guilty Pleasure Films list.
2. 13 Going on 30 (Gary Winick, 2004)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: 64%
As the highest-scoring film from this list, this chick-flick is somewhat loved among critics and people, especially girls who are 13 *wink-wink*. This was released in 2004 and I knew the title at first as Suddenly 30. I remember the poster of this film as Jennifer Garner blowing a bubble gum (although I recall no memory of watching the film during the 2000s). In fact, I just watched this film on May 14 this year! But I'm directly loving this film!
I kinda relate with Jenna when I was 13 and 14. It's like I also don't want to be 13 or 14. I just want to be a successful adult so I don't have to undergo school and all its peer pressures (now that I'm 21 and almost 22, I regret that I wished something similar like this, LOL! Being an adult is no easy job at all!). Jennifer Garner also delivered a good performance as an adult who is actually just a 13-year-old at heart. Her character is loveable. Yes, this has plot holes and unimportant dialogues too, but I can still enjoy the film with all its comedies and romance going on. Also, I ship Jenna and Matt!
This film helped me go through all the stress and pressures that my thesis gave me. My thesis has ruined my sleeping time that I find it hard to sleep at normal times now, so my way to go through the night (which is sometimes long) is by watching films--after watching this one, it really made me feel entertained and refreshed to write my thesis again.
And then this guy. This guy. My gosh, the Hulk. How can Mark Ruffalo be so damn cute, hot and handsome, all at once?! Plus I get to see (young) him dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller, which is one rare stuff! *fangirling*
1. Made of Honor (Paul Weiland, 2008)
Rotten Tomatoes' percentage: f****** 14%? Really? :")
This one was released when I was in Grade 9, but I didn't get to watch the film until Grade 10. My main reason of buying the film was because there's Patrick Dempsey in it--come on, Grey's Anatomy was so hyped at that time, which made people realize how beautifully handsome and loveable McDreamy is that some of them are willing to watch just about every Patrick Dempsey's film, or at least not to miss any of Grey's Anatomy Season 4's episodes. And then I realize that Michelle Monaghan is also just simply gorgeous and beautiful after watching the film (and she still is, even up until now).
Yes, I know there's nothing original in the film's story. I know Tom might have been a quite creepy character for many people. I also know that it has plot holes and the story drags in the middle. But still... I don't think it's that bad. At least both Dempsey and Monaghan delivered strong performances, where I can feel their chemistry. I even think that this is still a much better film than A Walk to Remember! *sitting at the corner of the room, facing the wall*
This film made me refuse to go out from my house to see the fireworks on 2009's New Year (or 2010, I forgot the year). I said to my parents, who asked me to go out at that New Year's Eve to see the fireworks, "I have seen enough noisy fireworks every New Year." LOL that was hilarious!
And also, for one reason, who doesn't want to see Dempsey juggling plates?! *also fangirling*
Apparently the trauma stays in me... even until now.
I think I saw a much scarier version of this poster, or is it just me?
So this film is exactly the reason of why I do not watch horror films, let alone in theaters. And that is why any film school assignment of watching some of the best (read: scariest) horror films like 1973's The Exorcist (which is f****** scary even for many adult people I believe), The Shining, Nightmare on Elm Street, Ringu and more titles I can't really remember is always torturing for me.
I remember my first (and only) encounter with this film was when I was in 2nd grade. It was during the night, I was asleep from around 8 pm (if you ask me why was I already asleep at that time, I was a 2nd grader for any sake) in my bedroom. At that moment, I still shared my bedroom with my brother, who is by age 3 years older than me (now it's my own bedroom). I suddenly woke up at around 9 or 9.30 pm, when I found that my brother was not in the bedroom. I saw the lights from the computer room (now my brother's bedroom), which was located right across my bedroom, were on. My bedroom's door has a small window on top of it, which allows me to see the whether the lights right outside my bedroom are on or off. So, with no suspicions whatsoever, I entered the computer room and saw my whole family watching this film from (yes, still) this similar kind of computer.
If you have never experienced using this kind of computer, then you're so young, if not too young.
It was real bad luck for me for not long after I entered the room, what popped up on the screen was this scene.
WHICH WAS ASDFGHJKL SCARY FOR A 2ND GRADER ME, REALLY.
I have no memory whatsoever of watching any horror film before this, so yeah it was really shocking for me. But I didn't scream though. I think I was too shocked to scream. It was a totally bad experience for me; I even had a hiatus from seeing Michael Jackson's face for quite some time after seeing just a glimpse of that film because I thought that he was a real ghost (how stupid I was, LOL). It makes me scared of ghosts and horror films. I know that there will be shocks (which many of you enjoy, I suppose. But I don't *sobs*).
Well, honestly speaking, I myself was (and still am, many times) an easily startled person. Call me a coward, whatever, but that's just it. Actually, what scares me from horror films is not really the face of the ghost, but more on the sound effect that accompanies its establishment. Now I won't be scared seeing these screenshots of specially-effected Michael Jackson's face anymore (well yeah, I am brave enough to upload them now though), but I mean, come on. All those horrible, shocking high-pitched sounds that would pop up alongside scary (or blank, for worse) faces especially on a big wide screen? It's a big no no.
As far as I remember, that scene was already almost the end of the film (correct me if I'm wrong). Surprisingly I stayed in the room until the end of the film (which I don't remember), maybe because of the sudden accidental shock therapy that I received that night that made me too scared to go back to my bedroom alone that I'd rather stay and wait for my brother to come back together. After the film ended, my mum calmly put the VCD back into its box, where I saw the cover, which added the level of scariness for me. Gosh. At that time I was like, "how could mum put the VCD back into the case so calmly? That thing is scary!" (no I never said it out loud to my mum. I kept those words in my heart hahaha).
Right now, in my spare time, I watch films from various different genres and movements (on my next post I will publish my Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Films list), but I am yet to watch horror films on my own. I want to do it, though. As a film student, of course it is necessary to watch films from different genres and not just the drama ones. But the question still remains: how to get rid of that fear?
Yeah, the answer is still yet to come. Help me!
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Just some random stuff being posted because I'm currently on a very random mode
Today I was working with some stuff for my thesis. I felt so bad, dumb and low like s*** afterwards.
But some things did cheer me up.
Like the chit chat about Foxcatcher movie--and then about life itself--with my juniors and one of the best lecturers I've ever had. So glad that I could talk about this beautiful movie (and the fact that it didn't even get nominated in this year's Oscars' Best Picture category pissed me and my lecturer off), alongside other things that are very random but important, like our education system, the Filosofi Kopi movie that was very disappointing for me and my lecturer, my lecturer's brother who read Albert Camus when he was 12, our nation's lack of reading habit and many more.
Or like the bus singers who sang Coldplay's In My Place on the bus I was on. Never have I ever heard any bus singers singing any Coldplay song, let alone In My Place. I've heard a few English songs like Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing and some others being sung by the bus singers, but not Coldplay. I was so happy that I actually gave some real paper money--and not coins like I usually (well, even rarely) do--for them.
Or like my great friend, who is an Indonesian-Chinese descendant, ranting about the lack of appreciation to the essence of today's Tragedi Trisakti's 17th anniversary to people who chose not to appreciate in a very good way. She tweeted: hey youngsters who are getting mad because of today's Trisakti demonstration, try to remember for who was the demonstration 17 years ago?!
Well, what are the chances?
No matter what, there's always a slight chance of being balanced, I guess.
But some things did cheer me up.
Like the chit chat about Foxcatcher movie--and then about life itself--with my juniors and one of the best lecturers I've ever had. So glad that I could talk about this beautiful movie (and the fact that it didn't even get nominated in this year's Oscars' Best Picture category pissed me and my lecturer off), alongside other things that are very random but important, like our education system, the Filosofi Kopi movie that was very disappointing for me and my lecturer, my lecturer's brother who read Albert Camus when he was 12, our nation's lack of reading habit and many more.
Or like the bus singers who sang Coldplay's In My Place on the bus I was on. Never have I ever heard any bus singers singing any Coldplay song, let alone In My Place. I've heard a few English songs like Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing and some others being sung by the bus singers, but not Coldplay. I was so happy that I actually gave some real paper money--and not coins like I usually (well, even rarely) do--for them.
Or like my great friend, who is an Indonesian-Chinese descendant, ranting about the lack of appreciation to the essence of today's Tragedi Trisakti's 17th anniversary to people who chose not to appreciate in a very good way. She tweeted: hey youngsters who are getting mad because of today's Trisakti demonstration, try to remember for who was the demonstration 17 years ago?!
Well, what are the chances?
No matter what, there's always a slight chance of being balanced, I guess.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Thanks for Sharing: Reconsidering Psychological Problems
During my psychological solace days that happened for these past three days after I did my pre-defense presentation, I watched this film titled Thanks for Sharing, a (supposedly) comedy drama directed by Stuart Blumberg, starring talented, even big stars like Mark Ruffalo, Pink, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim Robbins and Josh Gad. At first, my main reason was because of Mark Ruffalo, since I am currently doing a marathon on his films, as many as I could possibly get (I got fascinated by him lately). The film itself only got a rotten 49% on Rotten Tomatoes. I usually agree with many of RotTom's film percentages, but this film really got me.
I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars. I'd say that this film is, although having a lot of problems in its claim for being a comedy, its pace (that frustrated me because the early sequences could just easily be so boring and confusing) and its character development (there are supposedly three main characters in the film with a lot of supporting characters that may drive its audience away from focusing from each of the main character's story), should not then be considered just a total mess. I still somehow adore this film, because of this one thing: its bravery to point out the issue of what may have been counted as a First World Problem: sex addiction. Plus that Mark Ruffalo, Josh Gad and Pink really delivered their performance greatly.
The fact that any kind of addiction, let alone sex addiction, that brings you to a support group system is already seen as a total shame that you'd never want to share with anyone except those who are also pathetic and problematic like you makes me think of how people don't care that there are severe psychological problems that need to be solved--that these are actual problems. I myself used to disbelieve psychologists back in my teenage years for thinking that they were just scams that would take all your money and not your problems away. I have changed this mind lately, starting my third year of college, because I finally realized that is an utterly bullshit and stupid commentary from me. Psychology and psychiatry are integral science. They are proven and they keep on developing. They actually save people's lives.
Anyhow, the lack of support group systems and the fact that you would find it really difficult to admit and fix your psychological problems prove how their existence are not even considered. Why? Because once you do so, there will always be judgments and stereotyping that will then drown you into the deep sea bottom. It may come from a smaller institution, like your family, or a bigger one, that might deal with your finance. For instance, my brother was once hospitalized for having a panic attack, but the doctor did not write it down as a panic attack in his insurance documents, instead calling it a low blood pressure. When I asked deliberately why he did so, he answered, "Well, you won't be able to claim your insurance once I wrote it down as a panic attack." Maybe, on a higher note, those insurance people might think that a person might not function perfectly once they have this issue that they will be a burden to the insurance with all those money and s***.
Thanks for Sharing tells the story of sex addiction through three sex addicts, Adam (Mark Ruffalo), Mike (Tim Robbins) and Neil (Josh Gad) who work their ass off to get into sobriety through the help of the support group that they attend, where they also help each other by being sponsees to other philanders. This is where their same problem takes them to a whole lot of things. There is a fear of judgment and stereotyping, a will to change and also obstacles of not getting into that level of sobriety (of course, it's a film). Being sober is not easy, but it's good to see that support group systems do play a major role in their efforts to change--be it successful or not so much.
I want to wrap this up with my thought that psychological issues, like addictions, are real problems. Just like physical diseases and illnesses. Just like climate change. Just like everything else, basically. Call it a first world problem, but isn't yourself part of this humongous universe we live in? So if there are problems in yourself, aren't those world problems too? Not trying to be self-centered, but my point is that psychological problems do exist. They are real AND what's more important is that they need to be fixed. Because what? If not, they may not only disturb your life and your world, but also other people and their worlds too. And I thank Thanks for Sharing for popping this up into my mind. I hope this film can be screened in more screens and more films about these kind of issues can be brought up (in a more sophisticated way) so that people won't look down at psychological problems.
Especially sex addiction, that clearly ruins people's lives. Oh, how I wish my Government and countrymen-countrywomen would want to take note from this film.
Friday, February 6, 2015
It's been quite long since I last checked YouTube for music videos, since I occupied myself more for football and film videos lately.
Then last night I had a dream.
It was quite absurd, I couldn't really remember it but I remember I dreamed about meeting a football star (which I believed was Vincent Kompany, I am not sure because I am originally and actually is a Chelsea fan, although I am also a fan of the Belgian Red Devils; logically it should be either Eden Hazard or Thibaut Courtois, right? Well, but I must admit I adore VK too because of his leadership ability), then hanging out with some of my film critic friends (I didn't know how it connected from meeting VK to this, really) and (lastly that I remember until I woke up) then following someone who is a cellist for an exclusive report (it's supposed to be someone famous, but I didn't remember the face, and in the middle of the dream, it twisted to me playing the cello--although I can't in real life--but it was still projected as that someone else and I was still as the reporter, weird).
Anyways, it called me this morning to view again those beautiful violin, cello and double bass videos.
Maybe my mind calls for a balance, so it won't be all the time just about football and film. Or maybe my mind misses watching music videos on YouTube.
Here are just twelve from my awful lot favorite videos on cello, violin and double bass. I can't put all of them so I just choose and if there are same songs covered from different violinists/cellists, I just pick one of them (does not mean that I don't like the others). I need to reassure you all that I do not play any of them. I only play the piano on a basic level.
Then last night I had a dream.
It was quite absurd, I couldn't really remember it but I remember I dreamed about meeting a football star (which I believed was Vincent Kompany, I am not sure because I am originally and actually is a Chelsea fan, although I am also a fan of the Belgian Red Devils; logically it should be either Eden Hazard or Thibaut Courtois, right? Well, but I must admit I adore VK too because of his leadership ability), then hanging out with some of my film critic friends (I didn't know how it connected from meeting VK to this, really) and (lastly that I remember until I woke up) then following someone who is a cellist for an exclusive report (it's supposed to be someone famous, but I didn't remember the face, and in the middle of the dream, it twisted to me playing the cello--although I can't in real life--but it was still projected as that someone else and I was still as the reporter, weird).
Anyways, it called me this morning to view again those beautiful violin, cello and double bass videos.
Maybe my mind calls for a balance, so it won't be all the time just about football and film. Or maybe my mind misses watching music videos on YouTube.
Here are just twelve from my awful lot favorite videos on cello, violin and double bass. I can't put all of them so I just choose and if there are same songs covered from different violinists/cellists, I just pick one of them (does not mean that I don't like the others). I need to reassure you all that I do not play any of them. I only play the piano on a basic level.
Eric Wuest - Can't Stop (RHCP cover)
Eric Wuest - Viva la Vida (Coldplay cover)
(Still) Eric Wuest - A Thousand Years (Christina Perri cover)
The Piano Guys feat. Alex Boye - Peponi
(Coldplay's Paradise cover in African style)
The Piano Guys feat. The American Heritage Lyceum Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Beethoven's 5 Secrets (Beethoven's 5th Symphony-One Republic's Secrets Mash Up)
The Piano Guys - Story of My Life (One Direction cover)
Jason Yang and John Schroeder feat. Cam Tyler
Daft Punk Medley
Break of Reality - Game of Thrones (Ramin Djawadi cover)
Daniel Jang - Heart Attack (Demi Lovato cover)
Adam Ben Ezra - Can't Stop Running (original)
Adam Ben Ezra - Double Bass Looping (original)
Jun Curry Ahn - Mistletoe (Justin Bieber cover)
Which one is your favorite? Enjoy!
Monday, January 19, 2015
And since this is the rainy season...
Maybe next time I should just try to do this instead of getting furious because of being stranded in the rain -_-
ALL HAIL GENE KELLY!!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
My Holiday Destination List
And yes, the Christmas holidays are just over.
But because I didn't go anywhere, maybe that's why I still have the urge to go somewhere right now. I know it's impossible, but at least my imagination can help me! XD
In my 21 years of life, I am fortunate enough to have visited Singapore, the USA (with transit at Taiwan), Japan and Australia (although only Rosebud and Melbourne, both in Victoria) as well as some places in Indonesia like Anyer and Carita, Bandung and Lembang, Cirebon, Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, East Java (Surabaya, Malang and Madiun), Bali, Riau (Pekanbaru, Duri, Dumai and Rumbai) and North Sulawesi (Manado, Bitung, Bunaken [although I haven't reached the island, just the sea], Tondano and Minahasa Utara). I actually do love traveling, and exploring more and more stuff would be awesome.
I have made a list of my (hopefully) upcoming destination list below.
Some things youdo not need to know about why I choose these destinations:
unimportant brief, maybe my destination list would require me to at least master one of these:
Also, I'm not going to put all videos or pictures related to the city/country/destination, as this post would be too long if I do so.
So *drum rolls* here's my 15 dream traveling destinations list!
Destination 1: Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
All these elements: the amazing culture and the beautiful scenery... why wouldn't anyone want to go there?! Look at how rich Indonesia is!
I especially want to see the funeral ceremony. I love exploring new cultures and this is definitely something that I would love the checkout by myself. I think that's the most famous, sacred yet important tradition among the Torajans and I know this is celebrated as a big festivity. I don't think a trip to Toraja would be complete without witnessing this funeral ceremony.
Destination 2: Banda Islands, Maluku (The Moluccas), Indonesia
Another proof of Indonesia's beauty! Look at that sunset and listen to the sound of the sea!
I've been telling my parents to definitely add this destination into their traveling destination list. When I first read about it in a traveling magazine a couple years ago, I just fall in love directly with its beautiful beaches and scenery. Well, why wouldn't I?!
Oh, but then again, I think maybe I have to learn how to dive first before visiting this island. Why? Just check this out.
SEE THAT DEEP BLUE OCEAN? SEE?! :")
Destination 3: Ternate, Maluku (The Moluccas), Indonesia
Another Maluku island takes place in my list. My want to visit Ternate was because last two Christmas ago, when I visited Manado, my plane happened to transit in Ternate. I saw Ternate from the back of my plane's window and immediately just got interested. I also told my parents that this should be one of their next destination trips!
Destination 4: Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Similar reasons like Cook Islands and Banda Islands, look at how *caps lock alert* BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING this place is. Indonesia should be proud and should keep its pride by maintaining the place!
The beautiful islands and the diving spot... I have nothing more to say. Just take me there, please!
Destination 5: Cook Islands
The beautiful sea, sand, nature and culture has spoken by itself so... CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TAKE ME THERE? :")
Destination 6: Singapore
I've been to Singapore for a couple of times, but I love and am always fascinated by this place that I never get bored of visiting it (maybe it's also because I don't visit it thrice a year like some people do, so the long gap makes me feel like I miss the place).
In Singapore, think that there is always something to do there and there is always something new to explore. Like a visit to the National Museum of Singapore or Esplanade would be lovely in every visit, because there will always be different events. Even not all places listed in the video I have visited. Plus, I also haven't tried to stay at this wonderful hotel.
See, there's always something to do in this tiny island!
Destination 7: New York City, New York, USA
I have been to this city that never sleeps once back then when I was still 4 years old. The twin WTC towers were still standing. Couldn't remember much, really, except this memory when I first passed the twin WTC buildings (I saw them through my cab's window), I thought they were like some sort of air conditioner factory -___-
Yup, now that I'm 21, I think it's about time to go back the Big Apple, which has always been in my dream since then, because, as I told you, I love big cities. It's up to you, New York, New York!
Destination 8: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
This big city looks beautiful especially with the Gateway Arch and its love for sports is definitely something to check out on! I just read the information about Saint Louis a few moments ago while searching for videos and pictures of my other destinations, but this one catches my eyes real good!
Destination 9: Denmark (especially Copenhagen)
This original country of Lego has been fascinating me for long that it makes me want to study and spend some time (or maybe even the rest) of my life there. Look at those beautiful buildings in Copenhagen and how developed the place is. I even hope one day I can get a scholarship to Copenhagen University.
I also have a wonderful pen pal, Lise, who is a fellow Il Divo fan living there whom I have never met physically (only through Twitter), so a visit to her would be so much lovely!
Destination 10: West Europe
Europe has been my dream continent to visit, so these countries would never slip away from my list. I have a stronger urge towards the big cities, but would never ever skip the nature. These countries enchant me so much!
I also would love to get a scholarship to the university in one of these cities. Who wouldn't?!
Destination 11: The UK and Ireland
Beautiful nature, wonderful big cities, the love of football, food, history, culture...
Plus, a lot of great (and my favorite) musicians, singers and bands are from here: The Beatles, Enya, Coldplay, The Verve, Snow Patrol, Bastille... you name it! They all come from the UK and Ireland!
Destination 12: South Europe
Oh my God I'm so in love with these places: food, culture, arts, history, food again, culture again, football, scenery, food again, just please take me there!
Destination 13: East Europe
I believe that East Europe has a lot of things to discover: culturally, historically, and nature-wise. And look at the beautiful cities!
I especially want to visit this museum in Zagreb because I find it funny, sad and interesting at the same time!
Destination 14: Brazil, Argentina and Peru
These are paradise! Beaches, big cities, cuisine, culture, football, history, beaches again and BEACHES EVERYWHERE!
If you guys read my previous post, you will definitely know that I'm in love with Brazil. So yeah, of course I wouldn't miss it!
Destination 15: African Safari (Tanzania/Kenya/Zimbabwe/South Africa/Botswana)
Those nature giants and greatness... I have to witness them live from their habitat one day!
So those are my dream destinations! I hope one day I can visit ALL of them!!!
But because I didn't go anywhere, maybe that's why I still have the urge to go somewhere right now. I know it's impossible, but at least my imagination can help me! XD
In my 21 years of life, I am fortunate enough to have visited Singapore, the USA (with transit at Taiwan), Japan and Australia (although only Rosebud and Melbourne, both in Victoria) as well as some places in Indonesia like Anyer and Carita, Bandung and Lembang, Cirebon, Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, East Java (Surabaya, Malang and Madiun), Bali, Riau (Pekanbaru, Duri, Dumai and Rumbai) and North Sulawesi (Manado, Bitung, Bunaken [although I haven't reached the island, just the sea], Tondano and Minahasa Utara). I actually do love traveling, and exploring more and more stuff would be awesome.
I have made a list of my (hopefully) upcoming destination list below.
Some things you
- I like beaches more than mountains. I enjoy swimming much more than hiking and camping. But it doesn't mean that I avoid visiting places with mountains as its scenery. Also, to add, although I like beaches, seas and oceans, I'm scared of seeing oceans on satellite maps. So DON'T EVER show my a large scale of it, I would be freaking out!!!
- My love towards big cities never fades. The rush and busy times, the crowd, the lights, the tall buildings, even the traffic (although this one I hate hahaha)--things that I grew up with.
- Culture and cuisine are always important to me. Visits to museums, galleries, exhibition halls and restaurants (or street food vendors) are usually included in my itinerary.
Yes, diving would be a must if I visit a diving spot, obviously.
And maybe this one too... in which I can't even barely stand up on that surfboard.
But if it's this one, I can manage! I love this one! Can I just do this instead?
Also, I'm not going to put all videos or pictures related to the city/country/destination, as this post would be too long if I do so.
So *drum rolls* here's my 15 dream traveling destinations list!
***
Destination 1: Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
All these elements: the amazing culture and the beautiful scenery... why wouldn't anyone want to go there?! Look at how rich Indonesia is!
I especially want to see the funeral ceremony. I love exploring new cultures and this is definitely something that I would love the checkout by myself. I think that's the most famous, sacred yet important tradition among the Torajans and I know this is celebrated as a big festivity. I don't think a trip to Toraja would be complete without witnessing this funeral ceremony.
Destination 2: Banda Islands, Maluku (The Moluccas), Indonesia
Another proof of Indonesia's beauty! Look at that sunset and listen to the sound of the sea!
I've been telling my parents to definitely add this destination into their traveling destination list. When I first read about it in a traveling magazine a couple years ago, I just fall in love directly with its beautiful beaches and scenery. Well, why wouldn't I?!
Oh, but then again, I think maybe I have to learn how to dive first before visiting this island. Why? Just check this out.
SEE THAT DEEP BLUE OCEAN? SEE?! :")
Destination 3: Ternate, Maluku (The Moluccas), Indonesia
Another Maluku island takes place in my list. My want to visit Ternate was because last two Christmas ago, when I visited Manado, my plane happened to transit in Ternate. I saw Ternate from the back of my plane's window and immediately just got interested. I also told my parents that this should be one of their next destination trips!
Destination 4: Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Similar reasons like Cook Islands and Banda Islands, look at how *
The beautiful islands and the diving spot... I have nothing more to say. Just take me there, please!
Destination 5: Cook Islands
The beautiful sea, sand, nature and culture has spoken by itself so... CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TAKE ME THERE? :")
Destination 6: Singapore
I've been to Singapore for a couple of times, but I love and am always fascinated by this place that I never get bored of visiting it (maybe it's also because I don't visit it thrice a year like some people do, so the long gap makes me feel like I miss the place).
In Singapore, think that there is always something to do there and there is always something new to explore. Like a visit to the National Museum of Singapore or Esplanade would be lovely in every visit, because there will always be different events. Even not all places listed in the video I have visited. Plus, I also haven't tried to stay at this wonderful hotel.
Ladies and gentlemen, the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel!
See, there's always something to do in this tiny island!
Destination 7: New York City, New York, USA
I have been to this city that never sleeps once back then when I was still 4 years old. The twin WTC towers were still standing. Couldn't remember much, really, except this memory when I first passed the twin WTC buildings (I saw them through my cab's window), I thought they were like some sort of air conditioner factory -___-
Yup, now that I'm 21, I think it's about time to go back the Big Apple, which has always been in my dream since then, because, as I told you, I love big cities. It's up to you, New York, New York!
I will definitely add her in my destination list as well!
Destination 8: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
This big city looks beautiful especially with the Gateway Arch and its love for sports is definitely something to check out on! I just read the information about Saint Louis a few moments ago while searching for videos and pictures of my other destinations, but this one catches my eyes real good!
Destination 9: Denmark (especially Copenhagen)
This original country of Lego has been fascinating me for long that it makes me want to study and spend some time (or maybe even the rest) of my life there. Look at those beautiful buildings in Copenhagen and how developed the place is. I even hope one day I can get a scholarship to Copenhagen University.
I also have a wonderful pen pal, Lise, who is a fellow Il Divo fan living there whom I have never met physically (only through Twitter), so a visit to her would be so much lovely!
Destination 10: West Europe
Europe has been my dream continent to visit, so these countries would never slip away from my list. I have a stronger urge towards the big cities, but would never ever skip the nature. These countries enchant me so much!
I also would love to get a scholarship to the university in one of these cities. Who wouldn't?!
Destination 11: The UK and Ireland
Beautiful nature, wonderful big cities, the love of football, food, history, culture...
Plus, a lot of great (and my favorite) musicians, singers and bands are from here: The Beatles, Enya, Coldplay, The Verve, Snow Patrol, Bastille... you name it! They all come from the UK and Ireland!
Destination 12: South Europe
Destination 13: East Europe
I believe that East Europe has a lot of things to discover: culturally, historically, and nature-wise. And look at the beautiful cities!
I especially want to visit this museum in Zagreb because I find it funny, sad and interesting at the same time!
Zagrebians really have a great empathy towards brokenhearted people.
Destination 14: Brazil, Argentina and Peru
These are paradise! Beaches, big cities, cuisine, culture, football, history, beaches again and BEACHES EVERYWHERE!
If you guys read my previous post, you will definitely know that I'm in love with Brazil. So yeah, of course I wouldn't miss it!
Destination 15: African Safari (Tanzania/Kenya/Zimbabwe/South Africa/Botswana)
Those nature giants and greatness... I have to witness them live from their habitat one day!
***
So those are my dream destinations! I hope one day I can visit ALL of them!!!
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