Business in JKT

Things about Jakarta that caught my attention the most?..

• the friendliness of the people who serve. in shops, restaurants, hotels, everywhere... people just want to make you feel comfortable.
  
• the genuiness of my colleagues. My indonesian colleagues are genuine in their relationship with eachother. In the west, we generally have an atmosphere of "we work togethor therefore we must try to get along!". In Jakarta, the atmosphere among my colleagues was "we are friends who work togethor!". They always have time for you, no matter how busy they are. they always want you to have a good time as well. It was much appreciated.
• the poverty that affects 60% of the population. To see moms breastfeeding their children on the side of the road while beggin for money. To be stuck in traffic and have people coming to your car window asking for money.
  
• having to constantly be aware of your surroundings. the fact that you can not talk on your cell phone in the car in some areas because gangs will rob you when you are stuck in traffic.
  
• the obvious seedy underground of the city... (I won't go into this here)
  
• the traffic. there is always crazy traffic whereever you go. you dont need a seat belt because your always travelling so slow.

The things I like most about JKT...

• The shopping...
• The food...
• The service...
• The friendliness...
• There are NO FLYS!..
• The city is always moving...
  

The things I disliked most in JKT...

• The food poisoning that I got on the last day...
• The old ex-patriates who were always surrounded by young girls... If you are married, be faithful to your wife.
• The traffic wears you down after a while...
• If I wanted to play outdoor sports, it would be difficult because of the pollution...

Things that I learnt...

• Work is more than working to make a dollar... it is about relationships. Everything is about relationship.
• We are so blessed to call Australia home.

di Jakarta

I love Jakarta. Wow... what an amazing city. I don't have enough time to write about what I am doing and what I have seen. Here it is in short...

• eating... very good food (the joke is now I know why indonesians never do any work, rarara)
• shopping (i just spent AUD70 and got authentic Gucci belt, Ralph Lauren shirt, and 3 other casual and business shirts all authentic brands)
• I went to the largest Mosque in Indonesia and then across the road to the largest Cathedral
• Went to the tallest building in Jakarta to eat on the 46th floor
• work is great. I love working with orang-orang indonesia
• the traffic is crazy... but i feel somewhat safe in it
• the people here are soooo friendly... they always want u to feel comfortable
• tomorrow i think i am going to bar/club
• people smoke everywhere here
• entire families ride on one motorbike
• people have a unique ability to ignore every traffic light and there is no 'right of way'
• there are street vendors on every single street
• the pollution is bad, but i think i prefer that over the flys in perth (hmmm thats a tough one)
• imagine the population of australia squeezed into one city. traffic never stops. people are always out. restaurants, cafes always full. shops open until 10pm every night (2am on Friday) and contrast that with the fact that the majority of this city live in poverty.
• I love the Indonesians and this city is awesome. I wonder if I can ex-pat here.
  

end of week

Yeahhh... end of the week. Off to Jakarta on Sunday.

Hmmm, let's get my priorities right...

1. Shopping
2. Shopping
3. Shopping
4. Meet up with my fiances parents (pray for me. No just kidding. They're great.)
5. I guess I should do some work since I'm there on business

Have a great week every one.

Engagement party snap shot

November 12, 2005

Catch up

I’m off to Jakarta this week. My trip was postponed last Sunday.

Engagement party last Saturday. It went really well. We all had a great time. Thank you to every one who came and made the day really special. Special thanks to my house mates who got up so early to prepare.

I’m still growing the mo for Movember. Its coming along nicely.

My work schedule is quite full. Trying to build a Time & Expense server this week. Spent most of the time troubleshooting. Still planning the Lotus Notes migration to Microsoft Sharepoint portal and K2.NET.

I’ve been at the gym every day after work. Trying to get back into shape. I’ve been such a slacker since I left uni.

Housemates are doing well. Our schedules ensure that we stay out of each others way a lot of the time. We all get along great.

Music that I been listening to on my iPod lately: Aaliyah, Alicia Keys, Switchfoot, and Frank Sinatra (he’s cool man).

Gayles doing good. She’s studying for exams (her Masters), working full time, and still has time for me… she’s so strong. When I was in my final year at uni I was working 30 hours a week and studying. I didn’t have time for anyone.

International Day of Prayer - November 13, 2005

In Iraq, Africa, North Korea, the Philippines, and around the globe, Christians are beaten and killed, churches burned, and laws passed to restrict worship. Christians today face as much persecution as ever before. Jesus said his followers would not receive better treatment than he did, but he did promise the Comforter. Through prayer, we can encourage those suffering for Christ's sake. To pray knowledgably, read these articles and reports about Christians suffering for their faith. (from Christianity Today magazine)

Coffee

I have always enjoyed good coffee, but lately I am developing a rather strong penchant for it. I do not tolerate poorly made coffee which seems to be the fad among most of Perth’s café’s. I won’t even buy coffee from the city during morning rush hour. The “baristas” are always so flat out that they don’t even care whether they burn the milk or just give me coffee flavoured water. However, one café that continues to do well regardless of what location I go to is Cino’s to go. I might try King St Café today. I have heard good things.

Cell Group

I went to cell group last night for the first time in ages. My cell leader and his wife are Malaysian, and most of the people who attend are Malaysian. There is also a Filipino couple, and 4 other Australians (including me). The cell leaders parents are here from Saba in Malaysia. The father (Uncle Kong) likes to talk. He spoke about persecution that he suffered in the 1970’s when there was no protection of religious freedom. He was a government official. Muslims in Malaysia attempted to convert all of the Christians to Islam during this time, promising them high-ranking jobs, security and protection. He watched as many of his colleagues and people from the community buckled with fear and converted. He remained steadfast. He said that although he did not reach a high-ranking post in the government, he is content and has been greatly blessed by a loving family, he is very healthy and fit and looks surprisingly young.

Uncle Kong spoke of how he resisted the temptation to become corrupt (which is apparently common among government officials in Malaysia). Every day he prayed for Christ’s strength. He put his faith in God that he would live an honest life even if it hurt, but God would bless him. When people bought him bribes, he rejected the bribes but yet often did the job anyway to display the love of God. He encouraged us to remain faithful to Christ in the face of all obstacles. Christ is faithful and will reward those who seek Him.

More violence in Poso, Armed men shoot two female students in the head.

It is just over a week since three female Christian students in Poso were decapitated. Now, two more have been shot in the head in the same area.

I am lost for words when I read of such brutality being perpetrated against innocent children. I can only look to my God and believe that He will bring justice. “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) and “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28).

How can I love and pray for people who just want to kill and destroy. My flesh tells me that it is justice to repay them with the same punishment. But the bible contradicts everything that I think and feel. The measure of Gods love for us is beyond comprehension. Forgive us God when we act as the world acts. Teach your children to put there faith entirely in you. You seek the salvation of ALL mankind. Who are we to take revenge? As you forgave us, so help us to forgive others.

Today so far... vaccinations

I just had to get immunised by our company doctor. I needed 5 injections. I am now immunised against Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Influenza, Tetanus/diphtheria, Measles, Polio, Hepatitis B (although I need 2 more shots). I saw on beyond tomorrow a new invention that blasts the vaccines under your skin. Yay! No more needles. The doctor told me that, realistically, this will not be available for a few more years. No complaints though. Because it is paid for by the company, it saved me about $300.

Just eating a hot chilli sub for lunch and it’s taking its toll on my mouth. I’m gonna get a drink and do some work now.

Singlish

When I was at Curtin uni studying I was surrounded with this peculiar and interesting language that has, strangely enough altered my already odd sounding accent and way of talking. It is called Singlish. Many of these phrases have woven there way into my every day dialogue and have often caused others to question my ethnicity.

Singlish originated with the arrival of the British and the establishment of English language schools in Singapore. Soon, English filtered out of schools and onto the streets, to be learned by non-English-speakers in a pidgin-like form for communication purposes. After some time, this new form of English, now loaded with substantial influences from Indian English, Baba Malay, and the southern varieties of Chinese, began to be learned "natively" in its own right. Creolization occurred, and Singlish then became a fully-formed, stabilized, and independent English creole. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singlish)

• Dis country weather very hot, one. — In this country, the weather is very warm.
• Dat person there cannot trust. — That person over there, cannot be trusted.
• Play soccer he very good also. — He's very good at playing soccer too.
• Tomorrow no need bring camera. — You don't need to bring a camera tomorrow.
• Not good one lah. — This isn't good.
• Cannot liddat go one lah. — You/it can't go just like that.
• How come never show up? — Why didn't you/he/it show up? (See the use of never in place of didn't under the "Past tense" section.)
• I like badminton, dat's why go play every weekend. — I like badminton, so I go play every weekend.
• He not feeling well, so decide to stay home and sleep. — He's not feeling well, so he decided to stay home and sleep.
• Your computer got virus one, izzit? (Does your computer have viruses?)
• How come so late in the night you still playing music, ar?
• You looking for trouble, izzit?
• Last night I mug so much, so sian already. (mug = cram for exam. sian = bored/tired.)
• They never study, is it? (No wonder they fail!)
• You don't like that, is it? (No wonder you had that face!)
• Alamak, you guys never read newspaper is it? — "What, haven't you guys ever read a newspaper?" (No wonder you aren't up to date!)
• Dun have, lah! (Brusque response to, "Lend me some money, can?")

This weeks wrap up

This week has gone by fast. A lot has been happening around the world, at work, and in my own life.

3 beautiful young girls, Sisters in Christ have gone home to be with our Almighty, caring and loving father, YAHWEH. They were brutally beheaded by Islamic extremists who want to wipe out Christianity from Poso in Indonesia. It is more proof that truly the devil hates Christs beloved. But we can never hate the perpetrators of these crimes. We can only hate the sin. God’s will is that ALL be saved and come into the knowledge of Him. Pray for the nation of Indonesia. Pray for your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. By doing this, then you will become more like Christ.

I had my performance appraisal at work. It was terrific. I was asked what direction I would like to head in our company. I would like to do 25% Business Analyst work and 75% systems development work. My boss was cool with this and is going to help me achieve my goals. I will be the main apps developer in our Perth office but will be a virtual member of the Jakarta office. One of my goals was to improve my Bahasa Indonesia, so my boss is keen to send me to Jakarta frequently to work with the team over there.

I bought a new digital camera. Pentax Optio S6. You will start seeing some random photos up here soon. For breakfast I had an apple and a long macchiato. I am very unsatisfied right now. I might go and get a muffin.

I picked up my fiancées engagement ring and I planned to surprise her. However, it didn’t work out as I would like it too. I had taken photos of the ring on my new digital camera and forgot about it. Later that night I took Gayle out to dinner where I was going to surprise her with the ring (she didn’t know when I would pick it up). But before I could pull it out and slip it on her finger, she saw the image in the digital camera and squeeeeeled. Argh… I am bad at surprises.

I am currently reading “Mao – the untold story”. I will post some quotes from this book over the next few weeks. The Chinese people suffered much under this man. His ideologies were completely self-centred and evil. Under his regime, it is estimated that more than 90 million Chinese died as a direct result of his brutal and stupid policies. His personality cult saw him elevated in the eyes of the Chinese to “God” likeness.

In other news, health experts and international governments are preparing for an Avian Flu pandemic. This could occur when the deadly H5N1 virus swaps genes with the common influenza suffered by humans and will then become quickly spreadable by human-to-human contact. Australian cities have dedicated hospitals that will take in patients. Australia also plans to shut their boarders if this occurs.

New anti-terrorism laws were passed, allowing police to detain suspected terrorists without charge for up to 90 hours. I am in full support of these laws. The government is also trying to pass it’s new Industrial Relations laws. I do not believe that these IR laws will benefit Australian society, but could have the effect of crushing many Australian families who are already struggling under low income and high working hours.

Now in the midst of all this – where does our confidence lay? Is it in us? It shouldn’t be – our flesh is weak. Is it our careers? It shouldn’t be! Recession can come in an instant and leave you unemployed. Is it your family or your friends? It shouldn’t be! They are all human, and all humans are susceptible to failure. Put your confidence in the LORD. He never fails. God is our rock. If you build on God, though the strongest storms of life will come along, you will still stand in the end.

I read this in yesterday’s devotion: “A writer in India describes how he sat on his veranda one day and noticed a vine that had reached its delicate tendrils up and across a void until it had grasped the branch of a pine tree. That night there was a fierce storm. The following morning the vine had become a poor drooping thing with its stems hanging downwards because the branch to which it had been clinging had broken in the storm. The vine had fastened upon a rotting branch instead of a strong healthy trunk.” The writer in my devotion then stated “There are some Christians…, who fasten themselves upon something other than Christ – a denomination, a religious rite, a custom, or even a person. A storm comes and down the go because the fastened on to the culture surrounding Christ rather than Christ Himself. When men and women hold on to the central reality – Christ – they toughen, rather than wilt, under adversity.”

Okay, and the last thing that I want to do in this long entry, is leave you with these scriptures from Psalm 91 (segments)… God bless you all.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honour him.

Movember

I have been roped into participating in Movember.

MO BROS & SISTAS – LETS PUT THE MO BACK ON THE FACE OF AUSTRALIAN FASHION!

Each year 2,600 men die from Prostate Cancer, more than the number of women who die from breast cancer.

The aim in '05 is to have 2,600 Mo Bros – a mo for every bro that dies.

The rules:

1. Once registered Mo Bro's must start 1 Movember clean shaven.
2. For the entire month of Movember each Mo Bro must grow and groom a moustache according to these rules:
1. There is to be no joining of the mo to side burns - that's a beard
2. There is to be no joining of the handlebars - that's a goatie
3. A small complimentary growth under the bottom lip is allowed
4. Failure to conform to any of these rules may, at the absolute discretion of the Movember Committee result in instant blacklisting from further participation in Movember and entryto the Gala Partè.
   

Disclaimer: The Movember committee accepts no responsibility for lost jobs, lost girlfriends, rashes to you or your partner or any other such mishaps caused by a Movember mo.

What sort of man grows a Mo

• He’s a man with a love for life and with a lot of living to do.
• He’s the first to be invited to a party and the last to leave.
• He’s a man with confidence, a leader not a follower, he sets the trends that others follow.
• And when he takes off on a unique experience count on him taking a full bodied thirst quencher along. For his golden moments are often enhanced by a golden thirst.
• He’s a great bloke, a great mate and a great lover.
• He stays true to the Mo.

I will try my hardest to do the mo proud. Now I need to find people to sponsor me. From my department, 5 guys will be participating. This is for a great cause.

Christian Teens Beheaded in Indonesia

Please don't be blind to the persecution happening in Indonesia. This is one of the saddest incidents I have heard. Please pray for the families of these 4 beautiful girls. Also, offer a prayer for peace. Pray that the Christians will not retaliate with violence, but will respond as Christ and the martyrs responded.

"In what one Indonesian human rights activist describes as the latest attack in an ongoing terror campaign against Christians of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, three teenage girls en route to school through a cocoa plantation were beheaded Saturday morning, apparently by Muslims...

Theresia Murangke, 14, and Ida Lambuaga and Alfina Yarni Sambue, both 15, were attacked one mile from Sayo village near the town of Poso, reports Indonesian human rights activist Ibrahim Buaya, who formerly lived in this volatile region of Indonesia. A fourth girl, Noviana Malewa, 14, escaped from her attackers with machete wounds to her face. Buaya reported that she is in Poso General Hospital under heavy guard. The Associated Press reported that Noviana told police the six attackers wore black shirts.

Two of the girls' heads were found near a police station five miles from the village of Poso. The head of the third was left in front of Kasiguncu village's Pentecostal Church of Indonesia (GPdI), eight miles from where the bodies were found in the cocoa plantation." (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/144/23.0.html)

Other sources: The Jakarta Post