I hope so. Yes.

Having moved to Germany from 3rd country, Indonesia, had me thinking how creative people in Indonesia to keep alive. As a developing country, where government don't have much money (or not clever enough to arrange the money?) to feed its citizen, people have to find his own way to raise money for a plate of food.

Here in Germany, everything is 'under control'. If suddenly the office you work for is bankrupt, no worries, you will still receive money from Arbeitamts. You can raise money without working, just by making baby as much as you want cos government will pay you per head of kids. If you, as a private have loan to several companies or shops, no worries...after 7 years (or 8 years?), your loan will be deleted.

In Indonesia, if your office suddenly have to close down, then you will down on your knees. Even Javanese people said more kids means more luck, but no one will give you kindergeld, you have to feed your own kids by your own. There is no such thing like Arbeitsamt who gonna help you looking for a job or help you when suddenly you lost your job. If you cannot pay your loan, debt-collector will come to ruin your life. Then here we go creative people; working as a parking man (which you will never find it in Germany), as a car-window cleaning guy, selling fried banana in neighborhood, selling coca-cola, sweets and newspaper around the street (sometimes I miss them when I stuck in a long traffic jam in Germany), reading a poem in public bus, singing door to door and still a lot of things men do to raise money for living.

Weeks ago my Hubby was really annoyed, angry and upset watched Frauentausch in TV. This time the first family is a lesbian couple which one of them (or both of them? I forgot) is a working woman. The second family is husband and wive with kids and none of them have a job. Husband only do lazy day the whole day and wive always clean the house the whole day. Husband is damn lazy that he even reluctant to go to job-search agent.

When they're swapping, wive from second family always complained how dirty is the house from lesbian family (which is in fact not that dirty, it's just like normal house). The lesbian tried to defend herself, said that she has a job, she has to work to raise money. Not much time to do super duper extra clean the house. And this wive from the second family, said so confident and proud to the lesbian that she's happy that even she's not working, she can get money from a worker's tax like the lesbian. She told the lesbian to stop working, just fill some document and she will receive money for free also like her, so she can have more time to clean the house.

My husband said how he feel ashamed as well stupid that so far he has to work hard, never be rich, pay high tax just to feed such lazy people like the second family in Frauentausch. Just for record, some medias said that this Frauentausch programm is kinda fake. They are real people doing swapping but behind it they have to follow the scenario and somehow the story is not true but hello! Those kinda lazy people are really exist! Like the family who rent our flat, they said they don't need to work because government give enough money with kindergeld from their 7 kids. And where the money come from? From a worker like me, like my husband, like our neighbor who always has to go at 4.30 morning for work...

Ironically, the next day after watched Frauentausch, we had visit from social institution, asked if we able to pay 3 euro pro month for donation to an old people caring institution. This is a legal institution for old people, always sick, no family and need help. The institution had to ask door to door for donation because the money from government is not enough anymore. All goes to lazy people? 

For me, the way someone writes in their blog somehow shows their personality. No, I’m not talking about what are they writing about, but more about their writing style. It’s proven already many times, including when I met some friends from this multiply. E.g mbak Suzan; she always write or give reply in funny way, so many laugh and those ‘grins’ icons. And indeed, when I met her in person, she is like that! Lot of laugh, happy person and so funny. With her is always a happy day. But doesn't mean that she can not be serious as well.  

Another one I met in person is mbak Indri. Her writing really describes her personality, calm, sweet, romantic, poetic...So I would be surprise if she suddenly write story with 'wakakakakka!!!'  and then 'ROFL' or 'rolling eyes' and others silly icon. She- of course- can do it as well but I guess at that time she is  really really amused of something.

Then some people here also have several characters in their writing style. I’m not sure if it describe their real personality cos I never (not yet, maybe?) met them in person. One person tends to be a ‘miss know everything’, always correcting other’s opinions. Other person tends to be a grandma, always talk wisely and give advice to other posters like they are her lil under-age girls. Another person always write and reply so simple, easy going and right to the point even its only one single short word. And so..on…and so on…

I don’t know if my writing style describes my personality. I can’t judge myself. Whomever met me should tell that :D But I realize that somehow my current writing style compare to the first times I write in multiply is kinda different. Hello, I 'm in multiply life since 2005! Lets say I’m wiser now…in writing! I don’t know in person! I hope so!

All this time, I always hold a pen/ pencil between forefinger and middle finger while normally people holding pen between their thumb and forefinger. I don't know how did it start, I just used to it.

When I signed something in school last time, Miko-the guy who works there ,quite amused to see how I hold the pen while writing. He tried to do it also but failed. Then he told his colleagues how interesting to see a Chinese holding a pen. I then tried to explain that I'm not Chinese and the way how I hold the pen has nuthing to do with race or nationality.

But then the problem was getting more interesting, not about how I hold the pen but about the race itself, cos then the guy said, "but you are Asian."

"Yes but do you know that Indian and Japanese are also Asian? And they are not Chinese."
"Are you saying that you are Japanese? Are you Indian? You come from Indonesia, right? It's  your nationality, but I'm talking about your race."
"Yes, by nationality I'm Indonesian but by race I'm not Chinese. We have Chinese also in Indonesia, but I'm more a Malay."

I said Malay cos I don't think Javanese is a race, am I right? I think Javanese is more like ethnic groups like Sundanese, Balinese.

"Only four races in the world dear Beth. It's Caucasian, African, Native American and Mongolian," Miko said.
"And where is Chinese?"
Miko started to be confuse, "Hm good question. Where is Chinese ya? And where is Malay?"
"I guess under those four main races, there are sub-races including Malay. I think it's under Mongolian. But I'm not sure."

Miko then promised to do more research about race. Cos all this time he always think that all Asian people which not dark-skin means Chinese. He thank me to let him know that his knowledge is wrong.

And just now I have time to check in wikipedia about race. Well I'm kinda right. And the good think is now I know how to explain. Before, I always said to people that I'm Javanese and even that is not wrong but not everybody know what and where is Indonesia, moreover Java. It will be damn complicated to them if I try to explain about an island called Java which has different language and physical characteristic with people in Irian Jaya...bla...bla...

On Wednesday, four people came to replace our window with the new ones. Considered that the work would take at least 7 hours, I and D decided to go to wellness center. So there we went, to a place called Aqualand – Köln. We did everything there, from just lying down, swimming, sliding, doing massage, sauna Jacuzzi and even sleeping. And what was so special?

Sign no pipis di lantai ini kayaknya hanya ada di Indonesia deh hehe...Motretnya udah agak lamaan, lupa dimana. Kalau gak salah sih di Mall Ambassador, pake hape doang.

Just back from hang out and found a wedding invitation from our rich neighbor. It's mentioned in the invitation something like this: Please don't bring gift for us, we have everything already. If you insist to give something, please donate to people who need it more.

Hm...wonder what is mentioned in Adinda Bakrie's wedding's invitation...

English version:

I have a visit yesterday, a friend from my Deutsch School. She's a mother with 6 kids and really active woman in organization. So you can imagine how a lot of stuffs she has to do at home or in organization. Since her biggest kid is only 11 years old, her kids are more give works to hear instead of help her.

Economically, government support his family because husband is no longer working and she also receives kindergeld (money to support kids from government) from government. So she has to be careful with daily expenses. Yea even 6 kids means more 6 times kindergeld and sounds like a lot of money, but 6 kids means also 6 times food, 6 times clothes, 6 times toys, 6 times books, etc.

Then she told some tips to minimize housing expenses, one of them is: only use washing machine 1 time in a week, and only one load, no more. And to avoid kids run out of clothes (you know, kids always playing around, dirty, sometimes have to change 4 times a day!), she bought a lot of clothes for each kids.

Mmm...maybe economical, indeed it's saving money. But, keep dirty clothes of kids (kids! not adult!) for weeks? Doesn't it even make more dirty and unhealthy?

I said weeks or maybe months cos only one load in washing machine each week for 8 people which 6 of them are kids will not emptied the laundry basket. And I was at her place once, did business in her toilet, and guess what I saw? A bathtub full with a mountain of dirty clothes! And don't ask me about the smell!

But I cannot give her better idea since her problem is to minimize expense including electricity and water bill...Ah ja...

Germany won against Turkey last night. But the game was quite boring. The game between Germany and Portugal was much more interesting. And last night Turkey even played better than Germany!

But anyway, happy that Germany goes to finale. This time we really have to see in in public viewing. And when they win, someone will send me durian chips cos he lost the bet! Ha!

And as I search in the news today, I think the prediction was wrong. No kwaral remmidemmi a.k.a chaos between both supporters. Last night in my environment even some Turkish also celebrate the joy which was cool and not forget to mention the fireworks too!

But of course, while the politicians busy to make friendship campaign during the game (and it works!), no matter who's the winner, the right-wing extremist attacked Turkish kiosk somewhere on the east of Germany! Schade...

Saya kan setiap hari kecuali Sabtu dan Minggu, selalu chat dengan ayah saya di Jogja. Akhir-akhir ini temanya tentu saja sepak bola piala Eropa. Kapan itu saya sempet cerita kalau (Bastian) Schweinsteiger itu makna harafiahnya dlm bahasa Indonesia adalah 'pemanjat babi'. Schwein= babi/  Steiger=pemanjat

Lalu tiba-tiba siang ini tadi papa dengan hepinya nulis di YM: "Wah si pemanjat babi hebat ya semalem mainnya!!"

Gedubrak! Terjatuh ngangkang saya! Mengeja nama Schweinsteiger memang syusyah!

Di sini memang suka ketemu nama aneh-aneh. Tetangga di apartemen saya nama belakangnya Knoblauch alias bawang. Lalu ada juga Tits, Löser, Hammster

Hang out with some Turkish fellows today and they asked me if I know 'Tarkan'.
Hm, who is this Tarkan?
And they looked at me like I have three feets and two heads! You dont know Tarkan??!!! He's so damn famous! Not only in Turkey or DE but everywhere! he speaks and sings English and lives in State!
Oh god I'm sorry...But I really dont know him...

And one girl said I'm boring,  have no time to listening music. That I must be have no idea about music. I must be only listen music from my home country!
What??!! I feel insulted!
Music is my life! I listen to all kinda music till I dont like them anymore. From keroncong till housemusic. From Uriah Heep till Tokio Hotel (even not my kind of music). The first thing I do in the morning when just wake up is turn on music! How dare someone said I have no idea about music?

So tell me if this Tarkan is just whatever guy or is it me really out of date? If yes, then it's karma since I spoil the funny feeling when someone doesn't know who is Tom Cruise

I thought today would be lazy day. Last night went to bed late -watched 3 episode of Lost- so I could be freely to wake up late cos no school, no work for today.

So yes, woke up around eight (that's already 'late' for me :p), had breakfast and went to the gym. Was a good idea to go in the morning cos not much people there. Nils is on charge but as usual he just sitting lazily, read newspaper instead of doing inspecting.

Back from gym around 11am and cycled to supermarket to buy milk and carrot. Additionally, I got a hat of EUFA cup souvenir for only 1€ hehe...Got home, turn on computer and prepare some stuff in kitchen. Was looking forward to do 'heavy' cooking and just chatting around with friends.

But, oh no...something pop up on my business email. My last revision, unfortunately is not in order and deadline is approaching. Oh no! I have to work!

I put some stuff back to the fridge and pick up other stuffs which no need much time to cook while I unload laundry from the machine and cleaning up the room a little bit with mini vacuum cleaner. Geez...suddenly I had 10 hands!

Finished all of it, I went quick shower. Had plan to do bathing and some beauty masking but well...next time Beth.

After 3 minutes shower, got dressed, pick up some food on a plate while carrying a bottle of juice and start to move forward to my working table. Oh yes, will work till late today. No more movie tonight.

At least I work from home plus no kids. Still very able to handle it.

How bout Sylvie, my African friend who runs a church here? She has six kids and busy with church and household as well. How bout Ila, has to work in full time Supermarket and raises 2 kids as well with no maid and no husband.

Still refuse the fact that 'superwomen' really exist, eh?
You! Yes, I'm talking to you man!

Alright, back to work now. Have a nice day!

(note: abis ngobrol sama cowok nyebelin)

The tragic non-fiction story about Josef Fritzl in Austria reminds me of a fiction story from one of famous author in Indonesia; Danarto. Not exactly same story and I don't think Josef Fritzl got inspiration from Danarto...but somehow its equally bizarre.

I forgot the exact title of the short story (hey I read it when I was still in high school!) but it was one of short story in Danarto's book 'Gergasi'. The story is about a girl which suddenly pregnant even she never had sex with anyone. All her family were panic and they called doctor. Doctor did interrogation and investigation with the girl and he came up with shocking result. The girl got pregnant because in few days (or week) ago she did bath in her daddy's bath tub and accidentally the sperm from dad which left in the tub came inside her uterus.

Cannot deal with the fact, the girl lock herself inside her room. No one can urge her to get out or just having food and water. She totally quiet, lonely and locked up. So she stayed there for days, weeks, months and years without any contact from people outside her room. No one from outside can even destroy the room...but they can picking what's happening inside the room from the keyhole.

The room changed into a kinda garden with lovely flowers and pets. The girl had deliver her baby and the both live happily inside the room. She taught her kid how to speak, how to read and all knowledge from normal world. They are happy in their own big world inside the small room.

----

Back to Josef Fritzl's case. I can't imagine what Elisabeth told her daughter inside the dungeon about the real world out there. About how blue is sky and how yellow is the sun. Glad they are finally can get out of there...Just still cannot imagine what they think about the bizarre world they had been through...Its just out of my mind...