4 Jun 2016

Applications That Can Help Your Stay in Jakarta

Let's not become that idiot with an expensive smartphone. 

Smartphones are made for time efficiency and living in Jakarta, or perhaps other big ASEAN cities, has never been easier using the following apps:


1. Whatsapp / Line

People in different countries use different chatting applications. I was told Koreans mainly use Line or Kakao, Vietnamese uses WeChat. While Indonesian likes Whatsapp or/and Line. What is the difference? Personally, when chatting with coworkers or work related subjects, I use Whatsapp. Line is more for close friends or college group chat. 

2. Gojek, Grab and Uber

Oh Dear God how these apps make my life so much easier! For those who live in a cave, Gojek and Grab mainly provide motorcycle taxi service, since it is the fastest mode of transportation to travel in the city, you're likely to die though. However, Gojek has expanded their services to on-call masseuse, food delivery and Go-Busway which allows user to see complete Transjakarta stops in and around Jakarta and the buses' real-time locations (though sometimes the location is not exactly correct). What I like about the food delivery service is that it allows user to order food from little merchants or home-made factory who perhaps do not have or cannot afford to provide their own delivery services. Uber also has a new motorcycle taxi service with that cool black jacket.

3. Google Map / Waze

Due to its awful traffic, drivers are forced to find other way to reach the destination, these applications help so much to find smaller, unknown roads. but in unfamiliar locations, users are better to see whether there are other cars too using that same road, because sometimes these alternative roads are too narrow for two cars and sometimes misleading, also advance driving skill is mandatory. The usage of these applications are entirely up to user's preference on their UI and UX. Personally, I prefer Waze, but some of my friends like Gmap better. 

4. Blocker for Call, SMS

Most phone users in Indonesia are prepaid phones users. It is harder to track and often used for illegal activities which the victims are told false information to rob their money. When there is a culprit, you can block the phone number using the app.

5. Kommuta

For those who commute, this application will help you a lot as it helps me. It is a more complete version of Go-Busway, providing Transjakarta routes, KRL (train) schedule, general bus numbers and routes, taxi phone numbers and other features that will help you using public transportation in Jakarta. Although, don't expect much of the KRL schedule, it's always late. 

--Good Luck--

19 May 2016

18 May 2016

Indonesian Women

Forget Daenerys Targaryen or Katniss Everdeen. I see these female heroines, inspired by them, but let down when the end credits roll, my reality is far from Hollywood.
In Indonesia or perhaps other patriarchy countries, it is a classic story of peer pressures for a woman to be a wife and a mother. Still? Yes, and it's 2016. Many families rather have daughters who cook, clean, sew and give blowjobs to their husbands because they feel that they have to. These pressures often lead to unprepared marriage, which lead to unwanted pregnancy or domestic violence. Rapes and violence towards women and children in Indonesia increase and are more violent every damn year, one of the many consequences of society who think less of women. The punishment of acts of rapes by law are 10 years max in prison, which I thought can be extended to death penalty, don't you agree? This country has executed drug smugglers from Australia last year, but still is very ignorant (or perhaps coward) to act big against rapists and pedophiles in its own country.


Let's have a little anonymous poll, how many of you single working Indonesian women who happen to be lost and reading this, who are 21 and up, have been asked by family personal questions like, "When are you going to get married?" or "Don't you want a husband and a baby?" or anything related to that?

Have you ever been asked marital personal question from family?


Yes, I have

Nope
iq test


On long holidays, such as Ramadhan or Christmas and New Year, it is common for women to be asked such questions from family members when big family gathers. Most people see the question as harmless, but I see it as an insult. So what, now that I'm legal, I have to find a husband, have a baby, credit a small house, buy a car and find a cemetery plot? Can't a person experience life, educate him/herself and see the world? Or maybe, not married and not have a biological child?

In western culture, women are mocked because they're virgins, however in Indonesia, women are branded as sluts because they're not virgins. I wonder, why would our states of virginity, our desires to be married or our demanding and high paying jobs concern you at all?

A couple of years ago there's a plan by officials that any Indonesian woman who wish to be a policewoman or government's employee have to have a virginity test. I have something to say for whomever think of the liducrous plan, GOD MUST HAVE NOT LOVED YOU ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU SUCH LITTLE BRAIN.



Have I ever been asked stupid questions as mentioned above? No, maybe because I am not really friendly with my big family, and for those who know me, they know i'm not a very polite person. What happens if you are asked so? I will look at their screaming, pooping children, their cheap watches and gaze at their sadness and boredom through their eyes and laugh, the mean kind. You do not have to marry because people are married, you do not have to jump off a cliff when people do, you do not have to stay violated because you're afraid people will talk things about you. We, as human, have a choice.

In Jakarta, it is common for women to be molested in public transportation, especially on rush hours. I suggest that women who use public transport regularly bring something to defend themselves. When something happens and you report to the police, it is also common for them to blame you for how you look and what you wear. Don't hit them. Let their minimum wages and zero career prospect do it for themselves. I know, I live here almost all my life. And I know you are not alone. When you don't have the justice you deserve, be like Americans, sue.



I believe every woman has the right to be whatever they want, whether to drill in the middle of the Earth or pilot a spaceship on International air space, we can do it, better, with heels, unless there are uniforms.

Prologue

As I'm writing this, my graduation day is near. Does it mean I'm an adult now? Do I have to work? What am I going to do next?  Do I have to move out of parent's house? Do I want a family? Education or career? Do I have a steady job?



The truth is, I'm clueless of all these things, I'm sure some of you are too. You're not alone, I dedicate this blog for us to learn together in the broke transition of adulthood. Sometimes the blog does not live up to its name, sometimes it is my tool for rants in the name of idealism, or to show off corny photos of food, whatever i'd like to write at the moment. Probably this blog only lasts 7 posts. Oh well. 
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