Stefan RULZ

Kalgoorlie - Life in the Outback!!

2009-12-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

I love all things that is unusual and strange. Especially to places where its not known to many people. One of my dream destination is going to the city called Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), heard of that place before?? Perhaps, thats the very thing that makes me a freak!! Going to Kalgoorlie is probably one of the most randoms things I ever done. Probably not your usual tourist destination.

We took the Transwa Prospector train for an arduous 7 hours journey. Thank God that the seats are comfortable with plenty of leg spaces. The train itself is a tourist attraction. We passed through different landscapes ranging from the wheatbelts to outback forests. During the trip, the soil in the ground changes from brown (Perth) to red when the train reaches Kalgoorlie.

All of us living in Perth are blessed with clean and well-maintained streets. After travelling 7 hours by train from Perth, you will be greeted with flies and really unclean taxis. My first trip to the hotel from Kalgoorlie is riding a really dirty cab. When I sit down on the furry chair, something watery touched my t-shirt. I am wondering what is the 'watery thing'. Come on, Australia is supposed to be a 1st world country!!

I reached the hotel, a 'character' hotel which is supposedly to be President Hoover's (USA) favorite hotel. The word 'character' is actually a pleasant way to say an old property in Australia. The hotel is at least a century old and looks pretty haunted to me. I can hear drilling noises and the door is moving at certain times. Could it be the restless spirits of fallen miners lurking inside? It is called located right in the middle of the city. Historical building aficionados would definitely love this place. There is a big and elaborate mirror donated by President Hoover near the reception.

The 1st day is searching for a car to travel around the area the next day while being furiously attacked by flies. The temperature was around 30C during that day and it was stifling hot. However, our adventure looking for car was fruitless because they did not accept Indonesian license. They only accept International Driving License. So we ended up booking a tour for the next day. Really wish we got a car so that we can travel to Coolgardie, a nearby Ghost Town.

We became miners on the second day on a tour bus. We were the youngest group of tourists in the bus. It seems that Kalgoorlie only attracts the old while forgets about the young. The young tourists who came to Kalgoorlie are usually school children from Perth getting drunk in the hotels!! There are no dance clubs in the city, traditional bars catering mainly to miners are plenty. One of the bars in my hotel looked pretty hip actually. Lets not digress further. We went to many places in the city and its good that we are on a tour bus to understand the city better. It still costs a fortune though.

Our first stop is the Royal Flying Doctor Headquarters, it is used to help patients in the remote parts of Australia. We visited the famous KPMG Superpit Mine in Kalgoorlie. It was basically a whole carved artificially by giant tractors and bulldozers which looks like ants when viewed from the top. It was an amazing sight, you should never count yourself being to Kalgoorlie unless you visit the mine. We got trivial facts about buildings in Kalgoorlie which are not really important unless you are a history buff. There is even an school catering to aboriginal children and they still eat grubs in school trips. At last, we took a photo top at President Hoover's house. It was just an ordinary house with 'character' and nothing special about it.

In Boulder, a town minutes away from Kalgoorlie is the town hall. The town hall had faux curtain which was actually painted by hand. it was said to be the biggest of its kind. Kalgoorlie 'scores' point for that piece of art. It was an entertainment center where theater predominates the scene in the bygone eras. The town hall hosted an AC/DC concert many years ago. It is depicted on the posters inside. Can't be bothered to take photo of that poster, only AC/DC or 'Bogan-Rock' fans will be interested. Kalgoorlie is also famous for its brothels, a place where the rich miners relieve their 'lack' of love. It should be noted that the city have an unproportionate number of males compared to females.

The last place that we visited is the old Hannans tourist mine. It is basically a disused mine that is not profitable and big enough. The place have a 'wild wild west' feel and a photogenic place. I actually recommended my brother to make a movie there. It seems like a place where the Americans dump their Hollywood props. Everything there is old, weathered and rusty, but thats what makes it a beautiful place. We took the underground mines tour but I am too tired to listed to the tour guide. The tour guide had an 'outback' Australian Accent which is simply incomprehensible for me.

Overall, Kalgoorlie is still a great place to visit. I wish I have more time to visit Lake Ballard. It is a hidden destination worth discovering. It is a place where photographers and film directors would like to visit. The place itself is like a giant prop to me with all the 'wild wild west' style houses and mines. Historians and avid travellers would love it as well. However, if you want to find something luxurious there, you found the wrong place buddy, its an OUTBACK TOWN!!! A REAL OUTBACK TOWN!! A place with all the Australian stereotypes only without the kangaroos.

More money comes with great responsibility!!

2009-08-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

I am now extremely broke and my spending level is just not sustainable with very few money left for acceptable dining. I was wondering why I was so broke and what is wrong with me. When I was in Singapore with $200 pocket money every week. I have the money to eat good food every week yet I have all the money for tithes and even building fund for the church. I feel that having that much money is enough to sustain me for the whole month.

Sometimes, I am extremely amazed of me spending control when I was in secondary school. Now, I got far more money than that and yet I feel poor. There are just too much to spend and yet it never feels enough. The 1st important thing that I learned today is more money comes with greater responsibility. If you have more money, It doesn't actually mean that you are richer. I befriended a man on a street complaining about the money given by the government for the homeless people. I asked him how much each of the got and he told me they got $600 each. Wow!! thats a lot of money for the average Indonesian but it is simply not enough for the homeless people to live in Australia.

I was lucky enough to have an increase in allowances at the end of this year. If people ever ask me how much it improved my life. I could say to them that it is the same as ever before. As I said earlier, this general rule seems to apply to everyone. It could be God's plan to flatten the income distribution or our own negligence with money, I am not sure which one is right. Most probably the second one is right. The rule is that more money comes with greater responsibility. With more money, more reasons to spend money naturally and MAGICALLY comes to you and there are much more temptations. It is your ability to resist the temptations and power to say 'NO' that makes the big difference. With more money, people have the tendency to spend more freely without much thoughts.

For example, you have heard stories of people winning millions from lottery and ended up more broke as every before. They even said that winning the lottery is the worst thing that could happen to them. Perhaps the best way to control lottery winnings is to try keeping it unknown and keep a normal yet sustainable life. This could be the exact reason why I am so broke. This is a hearthbreaking lesson that I learned so far not to take my money for granted and wish that you, my friends, do not make the same mistake as me again..

Dear Dairy..

2009-01-23T06:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Dairy.. You are my best friend.. But I havent been talking to you for such a long time... This is the most 'confused' part of my life.. I don't know what to do?

Now, I havce to juggle between looking for a house, uni and work.. Its really shit actually.. Especially having to work on monday night which is a public holiday and don't get extra pay for it.. I hate public holidays!! I always do...

My friend do tell me to quit my job, but i was thinking, is it ethical for me to quit my job just after 2 weeks.. Well, Despite the low pay, I have to discipline myself this time to break that precedent.. My last job lasted only 2 weeks.. Got fired after that.. FUCK!!

I don't want to quit my job after 2 weeks again.. Its not really a good sign.. The Problem is that I am a very superstitious person.. I don't want something to become a habit and create a precedent.. Maybe I don't agree with some of the company's policy.. But I have to stick to the status quo.. Maybe I quit after my summer holidays.. I don't know!!!!

I learned alot of things from work though.. Like time management and costumer service.. I think its quite useful for my life and my future work life.. I take it as my training for the future.. Everyone did their training first in the hotel anyway (For hospitality students) and just take it as just like that.. These 'hospitality ' students don't even get paid for their jobs.. Perhaps I shouldnt complain abou my low pay...

For Uni, ARRGHH!!! Why is it so hard to find good books and resources for my report.. Useless finding them though.. I don't know what to do now.. God!! Please help me in this matter!!!

For the house, I am still deciding which one to choose.. Either a cheaper 418 apartment with more noise but cheaper or 811 which is quieter but much more expensive.. Its quite a tough decision.. Especially when both apartments looks grand and appetising to my eyes.. In comparison with my old house...

Well, thats it for my blog.. Dairy.. Thanks for listening to my story... Byezzz

My Dearest Stefan

2008-10-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Stefan,

Can you get serious over your work!!
You should know it by now that you are so busy!!
Heaps of assignments and Spring Feast on Thursday!!
But look at what you are doing now!!
writing this blog and pracically destroting yourself!!
Can you be more serious over your work!!!
Can you do yourself that favour!!
Maybe, you need some 'puffies' outside before working again...
But Whatever!!
'Puffies' don't help you in the Long term
All you have to depend on is self-motivation..
You promised yourself that you wanna take honours!!
but wheres the action!!
Now, get going and do you work!!
Stefan, I know that you are capable of doing this!!
You are smart, you know it yourself!!
NOW GO!!!!

Yours sincerely,
Myself

Truth and misconceptions

2008-09-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

There are many truth and misconceptions of clubbing which many people are not aware of...

Misconecptions:

1) People go there to pick up gals and bringig them back home.. Pick up gals.. Nah.. Not everyone do this kind of stuff (including me).. it is only the superconfident and raunchy individuals who would do such a thing!! It is not that easy folks!! The image of clubbers has been tarnished by the press and media so be aware of this misconcepton as the majority of them are not like this..

2) It is a happy place.. People go there to look for happiness and and they feel really empty inside.. This could be explained by the number of fights and drugs inside these places...

3) If I go there.. I will become soo addicted.. Not everyone likes loud music and chaotic places...

4) Going there means being exposed to drugs and alcohol.. Drugs and alohol consumption depend on peer pressure, not because of clubs!!

Truth

1) People go there because of peer pressure!! You won't go there yourself unless you are extremely depressed!!

2) It is dangerous!!! Yes it is dangerous!! Look at my last blog...

3) It affects your image and spirituality.. The minority of people still have the old notion that going to clubs are bad (like picking up gals) and may not like you for doing so..

4) You won't be affcted by drugs and alcohol unless you friends are doing so..

Remember:

1) Do whatever you like but don't break the laws!!

Dodgy Night in Melbourne

2008-09-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Just back from holiday...

Geez... i am really exhausted...

Spending my birthday in Melbourne is really cool.. The nightlife is fantastic and the casino is just like Las vegas (Never been there before). However, its rather rough though. I went to this dodgy club in South Melbourne with my friends and the bouncers were really rough!!! geez!! It was pretty crowded though.

We went out to the Casino (Lost $40, DAMN!!!) for awhile and got my hand stamped. When we went back inside, they couldn;t see the stampt and I was thrown out of the club violently. I showed my stampt to the bouncer outside and thrown back inside.

Oh NO!!! I am like a volleyball being thrown back and forth. In the end, i went in though.. YES!!! that happen again.. Certainly, the violence did not just hapen to me. We were so tired and decided to go back home and you guess what!!! We couldn't go out of the club cuz someone was bashed up outside and the paramedics told the bouncer not to let us out.

He was bleeding so badly that there is a possibily of having a permanent damage in his body. I was told that the bouncers are so violent !! Oh NO!!!! The reporters came in and interview people on the scene. It was a dodgy night!!! Dodgy!! Dodgy!! Dodgy!!

You Guess What!!!

I was having lunch with Matt in Footscray and it was on the NEWS!!!

Until now, I am not too sure whether its pure coincidence or violence!!!

Moral of the story: Clubs and bars are not necessarily a happy place.

Spending my Birthday...

2008-09-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

I love travelling..

I simply love travelling and European building..

Just to let you know, Melbourne is the most European place in Australia despite the high Asian population... I simply love the atmophere there...

I have lived in Perth for 1 1/2 years and for sure, I will not spend my 20th birthday in Perth (again) this time and will be goin to Melbourne to spend it... If I decide to spend my 21th somewhere else (Lets say Western Samoa) and decide to graduate next year without taking honours, it means that I will never have the chance to spend my birthday in Perth... So, I decide to spend my birthday in Perth next year and thats for sure...

It is not an easy decision to make as I have to forgo the opportunity to be with my friends in Perth.. Sometimes, I regret making that decision but i have already made up my mind.. Going to be an adult soon and not spending the time with my good friends in Perth is a heartache... At least, having the chance to be with my friends in Melbourne, being in the most European place in Australia and breathing the European air satisfies my heart... I will be going to Canberra afterwards to see the Floriade, one of the best flower gardens in the world...

Despite Canberra being alleged as the most boring and bureaucratic place in Australia, my friend convinced that there'll be alot of things to do there... Like embassy tours with a bike, watching the Australian parliament in session, climbing up the hill to Telstra tower and going to one of the numerous museums convince me enough to spend 3 nights there..

I hope that this will be my best birthday and that I will enjoy the trip very much..

Anyway, i will be going for a day trip to sydney from Canberra... I bet that I am one fo the few people in the world to do so..

What!!! Going for a day trip to Sydney!!!What are you doing!!!

hahahahhaha...

TRUTH ABOUT ME

2008-08-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

I want to speak out all my troubles...
but I doubt anyone will listen to me..

HELP ME!!!
I am drowning..

SAVE ME!!!
I am lost..

LISTEN TO ME!!!
I can't speak...

ARRRGHHHHHH!!!!!
FUCK IT!!!
I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT!!!

I thought I am strong... I can handle everything..
in fact, I am really weak..

I say... I don't care..
In fact, I really CARE..

I say... I am smart..
In fact, I can't do anything...

I say... I am a good boy..
In fact, I am actually a really bad boy..

I say... I am really smart at doing something..
In fact, I don't know how to do it...

yes, I have agood future..
In fact, I am feeling empty inside...

yes, I have everything.. (almost)
In fact, I miss something I really important...

yes, I am handsome and cute
In fact, I am just as cute and handsome just like anyone else...

Why am i writing this.. just like someone in the middle of a sinking ship...

nothing spiritual... nothing personal... nothing to do with you..

I bare with THIS PROBLEM for ages... Its only now that I just can't take it...

How to appealing Successfully...

2008-08-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

You are logging into the internet to check for exam results..

To your surprise, you realised that you have only 46 marks..

4 more marks to pass and you are truly desperate...

You are an international student and pay higher tuition fee for that particular unit..

You are so depressed and you feel like hitting your lecturer. What you could do is to vent your anger before it gets worse. It could be hitting the wall and make your hand bleed. venting your anger now is so much better than venting it on the email or the lecturer themselves. You could do something you like such as hanging around with your friends and be happy!! Even if its a short period of time, Its still worth it.

Now, you feel much better and ready to take the step the faith to appeal for your result. First of all, pray to God and ask for a positive mindset and energy. Convince yourself that you are able to be successful in the appeal. Believing that you are able to be successful in the appeal is crucial as it affects on how you perform subsequently.

Before appeal, I recommend you to read 'How to make friends and influence people' by Dale Carnegie. this book tells you how to persuade people and I used the methods explained in the book. The most common question here is 'What makes you deserve to get the extra marks in order to pass?'

Being asked that, you need to be honest and tell them what is wrong with the paper but don't overdo it. You should minimise this part as people hate to be wronged. Don't tell them personal problems like failing this unit incurr mehuge financial cost, it has nothing to do with the paper. Yes, I got a friend who said that and apparently not successful in the appeal.

The next thing that you should do is to use the magic words such as thank you, sorry for troubling you, give them some sort of appreciation. Remember, don't be pushy. you should say that you will respect every decision they make. Yes, you should say that to them as it makes them feel better about themselves as they are given enough respect. More like a service recovery after telling them whats wrong.

Lastly, Love that subject and be grateful that the subject really exist and believe that one day the appeal will be successful. Even if you don't believe it, force yourself to believe it every second of your life. Surrender everything to God and BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!!!

Yes, you will be successful cuz thats exact what I did!!

I reallly got 46 and nowI got 50 due the appeal. It seems like a big difference but everything is possible!!!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Keep Believing and Magic Words...

2008-07-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

It was a hot thursday afternoon and that was both the best and the worst day of my life. The good news is that I got a distinction for my marketing unit. It is the first distinction in my life (seriously). I am extremely happy and raved about my talents of being a good marketer despite being a difficult subject to score (not for me).

However, the moment of truth comes, I failed my statistics again (WHAT AGAIN!!!). I cried and blamed my lecturer for changing thw whole paper while it is actually my own fault. I even got drunk in front of my mom ( OH NO!!! HOW DEPRESSING!!!). I only focus on what will come out on exams instead of fully understanding it. Anyway, if you have read my previous blog that I just deleted, I will take my words back and please forget what I had said.

However, I watched the documentary about 'The Secret' and it totally changes my life forever. It taught me how to ask, believe and recieve. It is just like what the bible said. When I think about it, God is really creative, he brought me back to God through a relatively secular way cuz i simpl dun wanna listen to 'holy' things anymore. I began to pray longer and it is no longer a burden to me now.

After that, I took a step of faith and decided to appeal so that I will be able to pass my statictics. Before doing that, I tell myself everyday that I will be successful in my appeal. I prayed to God so that I will have a positive mind and not to worry about it. I even said how much I appreicate the lecturer for helping me and wrote an him the email very politely and thanked him for doing so. I change my mindset and told myself how grateful I am.

Changing my mindset completely begin to see it real fruits. Just now, I just got an email from my lecturer that I have a very good chance of having it approved. When I saw that (WOW!!!), I am so happy. What I have to do now is to continue believing and I will be able to pass my statictics for sure.... Remember, if you want to persuade someone, say it nicely.

Praise the lord...

Stereotypes: Watch your mouth!!!!

2008-07-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Today, I met quite a few 'crown princes' who are preparing to take oer their family business when I was helping out my dad in an exhibition and they do have the same traits. For example, most of them are studying in Melbourne, studying management and went there with their parents. Their parents looked mostly successful enough to support the whole family. Subsequqently, these stereotypes were quickly programmed into my brain and accepted those facts.

Unfortunately, My dad's biggest costumer went into my stand with his brother and uncle. I was talking to his brother who have most of the same traits except the fact that his parents are not there. They are from Malaysia and their parents are all there.

Suddenly, I mistakenly said that his brother is his dad and he said that he jokingly said that he is going to cancel all the orders. I was so shocked and explained that he looked like a typical successful businessman who have grown-up kids. Quite surprised that he is just 30 years old as not many people own big businesses at such a young age. He looks like an extremely matured-aged man thougt. Moreover, he is looking for my dad who is much older than him. So it fits like a typical father who looks like he can afford his kids to study overseas.

Well, maybe he is joking but it left me spooked for life. So please becareful of stereotypes!!!

Positive lifestyle

2008-05-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

I used to be an extremely pessimistic and negative person. I am always bitter of people surrounding me and every aspects of life without realising the damaging effects to my life. The negative results are:

1) I am always unhappy
2) Not happy with myself
3) Holding grudges and being bitter towards other people
4) Blaming others
5) Unpopular by friends
6) Become 'emo'
7) Wrecked life
8) Sceptical
9) Abysmal marks (my standard)
10) Keeps unusually quiet
11) Isolation
12) Stressful

These are some of the negative impacts of my life. My life was so wrecked last year that I almos become 'emo' and being negative towards other poeople. It somehow strains my relationships towards other people and assuming that everyone hates you and doesnt want to commicate with you. Thus, it isolates me from the rest of my friends and hatred was bred inside my heart. In actual fact, these people may only be the minority of people that you ever know.

I criticised about everything from my schoolwork and it turns out pretty bad. I always say that I will never pass my statistics test andI did failed that unit!!! I always think of myself as being ugly and have very low self-esteem. I always say I cant do it and I indeed cannot do it.

One day,I start to reflect about my future and decide for a change in life. Realising the fact I cannot live like this anymore. I began to be more positive and start to think that being a negative person is a sin. I decide to revolutionalise myself and think of myself as a positive man to the extent of labelling myself as ANAK GAUL. Once I think positively, The real fruits starts to bloom. I always callmy self handsome and I indeed become a happy young lad with a high self esteem.

1) I have more friends
2) Assumingly more popular
3) Better grades
4) Do more things I ever want to
5) Less bitter
6) Therefore, less stress
7) Talk more
8) More satisfaction
9) Less problemo
10) Less sceptical

Now, I proved that being positive is good. Being negative is a self-fulfilling phrophecy by itself. For example, if you say that you can't do it. Most probably, you simply would just give up and not make the effort to do it. Maybe, some of you may argue that being 'overpositive' is bad. but think again,

Is negative thinking much better than being 'overpositive' all the time???

It would be much worse, trust me!!!

Camp Leschenaultia - Godsend Experience

2008-04-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

If i were given a choice, the only comment that i would have is the "best $80 that I ever spent". The problem is, if that is the only comment I have, you can consider me a very selfish person for not describing it in a very eligible manner.

First of all, rowing the boat in Lake leschenaultia is an especially godsend experience . Even a 'religiously' staunch atheist will recognise that as well. I could imagine how beautiful the experience is when rowing the boat during sunset as it was a very tranquil and relaxing place. Perhaps a very viable option to bring your partner for a date instead of the ubiquitous movies and candle light dinners. Pleace remember to book in advance as the boatman would only arrive if bookings were made.

How about laser combats, they are pretty fun . Its just that I 'died' pretty quickly because of my meele-style combat and tring to be a commando. Somes of the games are fun particlarly the balloon battles. What we did was trying to step to the enemies' balloon and win by bursting teh most balloons. Nothing much to describe about it other than fun. But tring to put the chopstick into the bottle game is frustatingly hard. Not sure whether we are being disadvantaged by the rope =p.

The last part is the spiritual aspect of the camp. This camp is actually a christian camp and yes i is. There are prayers and sermons as well. Ka Anta mentioned about God telling him phropecies and events that are specifically true. I am not a particularly religious person but I believe that some of the phropecies made in the camp are true. Some people cried when they are being prayed and truths are mentioned by the person who prayed for them despite the fact that they may not know each other personally.

Mmine was pretty close as Ko Chan mentions that I set standards for myself and the dire need for me to say no. MAYBE (I am not sure) by praying the need for me to say no is based on his personal hearings about me as I always rave about drinking and clubbing in church. I love describing myself as a very naughty boy but its not necessarily defaming myself in my opinion.

The fact that I am in the PW, I am obliged to honour some unwritten code of conduct ( in my and the general population's mind), but by doing some of them may not describe who i am as I am always proud of who I am despite the fact that it is ethically wrong sometimes.

I think I should stop digressing myself but stating the fact that I always set standard for myself like having a partner and studies is specifically true. He mentions that despite the fact that I always pray about being rich and pawrful , but it is also used to help other people. The truth is, I always want to help my own country especially in the field of education and always dream of Indonesia having a developed economy and I need money for that. I never told him about these things but he mentions it with assurance. It was considered a miracle and amazing to me.

Maybe I should drop the notion that everyone have the same problem and praying about it will cause people to cry. Some of the happenings and miracles in church is really out of logic and rational thinking in a good way by making people believe and experience the true powers of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for reading my blog. I would like to give this opportunity thank the organisers of this wondeful camp, Ka Anta,all the helpers and the chef, Ci Lanny who sacrifice cooking sumptous food for us.

Bruxelles - Quisentially European!!!

2008-04-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

Bruxelles is the French name for the Belgian city of Brussels. I personally like the French name. Just in case your geography is remarkably terrible, Brussels is the capital city of Belgium which is located just south of the city of Antwerp(You should know where it is =p)!!

I arrived in Bruxelles-Midi station in the afternoon feeling extremely delighted knowing the fact that this is my first city that I ever visited in mainland Europe. Honestly, it was a pretty delightful place to visit. Not many people admire this city as much as me as there are not many magnificent sights like Paris and London. They just have a simple square and antomium. Lets not forget about Brussels' famous statue, the minuscule manneken pis wearing a santa claus costume.

But it is the spirit of the city that captivates me. Brussels is home to a number of EU institutions like the European parliament. The Eurocentric feel is there beacuse abof that. I don't know why I am the only person i the world who feel that way. Besides, the city is really simple in nature and some of the modern offcie buildings have the simplicity which inspires me alot. Cuz in my mind, the ideal Europe (to me) have simple and honest looking buildings. It also have abit of the dirty Eastern European look in some places, seeing a different looking Europe is my dream come true. Its was also hazy as well, I really could feel the air of European winter.

Strange enough, Brussels is also home to my favourite Chinese restorant in Europe, jokingly called Chow Chow (Real name: Chaw Chow=p)!!! Trust me, the vegetable soup is excellent and the waffles near Grote Markt is fantastic and the chocolates as well, Fantastic. But I still find Schweiz (Switzerland) chocolates more indulgent. I do thank God that shoppers can only shop for chocolates and not wasting time on diamonds and Pradas =p!!

Alright, so you should go to Bruxelles and have fun. I promise myself to visit Brussels again and see the EU parliament and feel that I am in the most Eurocentric place in Europe. Next time, I will be there only by myself.

Eurotrip: My introduction!!

2008-01-07T02:48:00.000-08:00

Finally, I stepped into Europe twice and this time not only to England but to most part of western Europe. It was a a bitter-sweet trip with both laughter and pain (yes!! pain!!). Now, I would like to intoduce you to the stereotypes of travellers in the tour group!! These stereotypes are not 100% correct!! Perhaps 99.9% correct!! do correct me, if ever, i am wrong. These stereotypes ae based on Indonesian ravellers!!

The Tour Leader:

he is the guy who makes sure everything is alright. Counting the number of heads, solving tax refund problems and reserve tickets for us. He is paid to do this job, nobody would volunteer to do so anyway. Their job is somehow enjoyable yet its really hardwork. they are practically working 24/7.

Quiet One:

They doesnt seem to care where they are going, they are contempt with sight-seeing tours and just go where they are directed to go. Tour guides love them because they don't complain much!!

Shopping Queen:

They love shopping sooo much!! You would wonder where they get all he money from. They shop all the branded stuff like LV, Prada and even diamonds that costs Gazillion Euros. Gosh!! Really wish I could be that rich!! I guess they spend more time n the tax refund counter more than the usual crowd do. if you ask them whether to see Mona Lisa or the biggest LV retail outlet. Most probably, they would choose to go to the biggest LV outlet.

Travelling Kids:

They are the noisiest people of all but at least they make the tour group very vibrant and a happy one.they like disturbing other kids and crack very hildish jokes. They are stil very adorable though, could be very irritating sometimes, but without them, the tour group would be very very boring!!!

Quissential Traveller:

There are two groups of Quissential travellers. The first grup of people are those poeple who have travelled overseas many times themselves but joined the your cuz they are too tired to do it themselves. They are an alright group of people.

The second group of people are very young and complaining one. They get really upset if they don't see famous sights like Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. They seems to do alot of research before the trip which they are not really supposed to do so to avoid dissapointment. and yes!! They are very upset people!!! Not really fit to be n the tour group!!

thats all for the stereotyes. Do come again!!

The Supernatural and Astral Travelling.

2007-10-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

buI am not really a fan of new age movements and cults who believes in bewildered claims of the supernatural. But what I want to share now is my experience with another world that happens in my sleep. It is up to you whether you want to believe it or not but this is my real experience in another world. This always happen when I was asleep.

Sometimes, when I was asleep, there is an extremely rapid movement in my body and i felt that I was being lifted up from my body. At that point of time, the place was so dark that i could barely see anything there was once I dreamt of almost falling into the pit of hell and i thought that I was already dead which seems impossible in every sense. Except with the fact that my apartment went tumbling down or I got poisoned without knowing that I am already dead. It was scary isnt it.. Sometimes, i feel like I am going to heaven with the angels welcoming me. I could even hear sonds whcih scares me alot.

However, the most amazing part is that you are actually given a choice whether you want to wake up at tha point of time. Sometimes, I consciously think that I should get out of this world by waking up but it is hard to do so. It was usually until I manage to go extremely near the place and woke up. This could be due to the fact that the soul is connected with the body when you are still alive. This is what i read from some stories about astral travelling, i am not sure if it could be verified.

But whenever I woke up from the recurring dreams, i always feel fresh and seems to be free from grudges. Cuz in normal dreams, you would not feel as fresh as this. its soo amazing isnt it!! Some people may say that I am actually dissturbed by the devil but i don't think so. To me, its just my wonderful experience in the supernatural world!!

Why am I so interested in the Philippines???

2007-10-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Once, I dreamt of my sister telling my mom that we are going to the Philippines a year ago..Thats the time i start to get interested in the country located north of country. I am such a nerd about the Philippines that of buying the lonely planet guide book and searching friendster accounts of Filipinos and learn about their culture. Nobody similar realise how similar Indonesia and the Philippines are.

I know more about the city names of Filipino cities that the average Indonesian do. For example, if you ask any Indonesian or Australian where Baguio or Zamboanga is. They probably wouldnt heard of that place before. but the funny thing is, Both Indonesians and Filipinos love to use friendster very much. I really can't understand why and all of them have the same stupid narcissistic photos of themselves with their camera phone, its just so stereotypical Indonesian and Filipinos. But the good thing is, I sometimes find that Indonesian have better cameras. haha. it makes me want to laugh.

Learning about the Filipino culture also makes me appreciate my country even more. Such as the hiya concept, which roughly means saving face. i used to think that indonesians have a compulsive disorder in trying to save their face and I really hate that as they only can say 'Ngak enak' when theres a problem. But because of this, I realise that we are not alone, theres another culure who are also like that.

Alright, another similaities are the way the Chinese alter the name to sound local. For example, there are two versions of my surname, Ong, in both countries. In Indonesia, to make it sound local, some of the names inclue Ongko. On the other hand, It would be called Ongpin in the Philippines. Besides that. theres even an Ongpin road in Manila. haha..

Well thats my share about how similar we are and that makes me very interested in the Philippines. So, Don't be surprised why someone like me would ever wanna visit that country!! i am just very very interested!!!

Cliques are Bad!!

2007-09-28T03:28:00.000-07:00

I hate cliques!!!
And i never have one in my life...
Can't understand why??
Well, the main problem is that they are just a bunch of exclusive people who are only talking among themselves and no to anyone else. But the worst thing, If you wanna join a clique or a group, you should conform to their believes or you could get kicked out and they will kiss your ass goodbye!!!

I have many bad experiences with them and I hate people who loves to clique...T Ihey are simply unfriendly and I can't tolerate this kind of behaviour... Yes!! I am sometime bullied with the same group of people whenI was young.. and yes!! I hate it!! That cold be the reason why I feel like quitting INDOSS cuz simply they are ran by an unknowingly bunch of clique which dominates everything and leaves no room for discussion among other members..

In fact, I hve loads of good friends and they never clique... In fact, all my very good friends are never good friends wih each other... Thats how Cliqueless I am!!!

Whats Wrong With ME!!!

2007-09-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

My life have not been good these days. In reviewing myself for the past few months, I have been doing alot of useless things on the internet which practically didn't change my life at all. I just dn't know how to have a headstart for my studies. It may sound ridiculous to you guys but i am still on a holiday mood for the past few months. How Lazy I am, Can you guys imagine that!!

Not the typical UWA student, studying used to be pastime but now is a heavy blunder for me. I just hate studying these days, but who doesnt anyway, at least you guys still do abot of revision but i have not beeen doing so since the start of the semester and my studies are falling behind. Especially now when all my projects are piling up like mad!! I was so infuriated by that and that bloody EBS where i have to hand it work every week. Come on, can you make my life easier!! But people will always say, Life is hard!!! thats the only thing that people can say but thats fact. whats more irritating is that it is the only thing that they can say... hihi.. sounds bad...

Look, I have 2 essays to hand in top weeks time, its really driving me mad!! Please God!!! Can you don't let me go down like this. Please eliminate all the lack of discipline and indifference that i currently have. I am suffering from those diseases now. By the way, i feel much better after saying this and GOD!! Please help me pass my EBS!!

For all i know, since I am able to take the unites that I like... I would be able to do much better next year!! and yoohoo... My goal for next year... NO MORE MATH!!! Thats my goal.. And God, Thanks for the miracle that you gave me by giving my Accounting unit a pass... but please God!!

OK!! Now, i don't have to be proud of being the lazy asshole again.. From now on, i am going to work hard in everything I do.. Here's my plan for next week. One hour of EBS everyday, One Chapter of management everyday, Two Chapter of Macros everyday, finish evry tute questions and attend consultations for ITL!!!

thats it... My vision of success came back again and would like to thank God for that... By the way, My blog is always my best friend in this earth... But God is my best friend in both the earth and the terrestrial world...

Judging a Strange Person...

2007-09-19T04:19:00.000-07:00

There's a girl in a church that people are always making fun of. I do have to admit that she is really strange and she got bullied quite badly by the members. She loves to do strange stuff like dancing randomly in front of everyone and too confident with guys which annoys people significantly. I am not here to insult or judge anyone but to let people understand why people can become so strange.

The reason why I am not as judgemental like everyone else because i used to be a very odd boy in the past especially when I was in Indonesia. At that point of time, I was very stressed out becauuse of new environmet and things like that. Not many people like me because i actually have a bad attitude problem when i was studying in Jakarta. I slammed the door loudly for nothing without showing any expression of anger and I clenched my teeth in the middle of a class. I was indeed a strange person with very strange habits and people really hate me for that. Then, i tried to act like a bloody fag which caused the guys not to go near me. I am also not conforming to the culture and wishes of my friends, so i was very isolated at that point of time and kept very quiet all the time.

But the main point is, many people think that I am strange while I think of it as perfectly normal and being myself. It is just a different perception of an attitude. Sometimes, I hate myself for being that way. It takes time for peole to realise that there is smething wrong with the behaviour. For example, it was only until recently that i suddenly stop banging the door in class without realising it. People will stop doing strange things when they are more mature. So, I do believe that the girl from the church could change ne day. So, Its really important for us not to judge them but instead to let them discover their mistakes as the more people make fun of them , the more mistakes they would make due to the negative inputs that they get.

Negative inputs or remarks would not change people, instead it would destroy them even more. So please stop tesing people who are strange. I know how it feels like to be one, it really hurts, its just that you don't realise it.

My Confession

2007-09-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

Alot of people don't believe in love in first sight... Despite of what people say about it, I am a strong believer in it... They say that love needs a very long and arduous process of continuous selection and communication... Well, enough of what people think about it... Let me tell you my point of view... Yeah, first impression is the most lasting impression...

Theres this cute gal from Uniprep, my foundation school in Jakarta, when i saw her the first time, I suddenly fell in love with her...I am not sure why?? I am in the april intake but she is in the June intake, we are not in the same class... ='( Lets call her by the initial, M. You may not argue that it is just a crush... But if it is merely a crush, i won't be thinking of her until now... It has been months since the last time i saw... I really miss her alot... Seriously... The only thing that I want is to see her again...

I always wanna get to know her better... Whenever, I got the opportunity to do so, I was trembling so hard that i could barely talk especially when she was with her friends... I was so afraid that the smartest thing (actually its stupid) to do is to ignore her and only say hi to her when she is alone... Furthermore, theres a guy who is trying really hard to get to close with her and but they r just too shy to say the truth... hahaha... So, i back off and stay out of their way...

But I can feel theres this strange feeling... I really think that she likes me... I dunno is she still likes me now... It just feels different when i see her... i dunno why??

I am not sure whether I will have the chance to meet her to say I LOVE U... Only time will tell... I really wanna make her the luckiest woman in Indonesia, thats my dream.... I really thank God that i am able to track her friendster account and MSN... At least i still have a bit of chance to do so... If I succeed, i will be the luckiest man of earth and never to regret again for my decision to study in Jakarta for a year...

If you know who u r...

I wanna say

I LOVE U!!!!

Spending my birthday....

2007-09-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

I was quite in a dilemma on where to spend my birthday... There are two choices that i have... Having a gathering n the city with most of my friends or inside the church camp in Yanchep...It was actually a tough decision to consider... In fact, it took me weeks to think about it...

But in the end, I chose to go to Yanchep instead... Cuz, I am in a dire need to get out of the Perth metropolitan area... I need to go somewhere totally different and far from the city... Basically to find the real Australia that i have been looking for all my life... Besides, there are only one sermon in the camp which is a good thing for me... hihi.... The games have loads of games and we practically go there just to have fun... I saw some of the pictures and it looks really nice... and yeah... theres a beach there...yahoo!!! I can swim and enjoy the natural surroundings...

TIME TO GET WET!!!

Or should i smuggle some beer for me to get pissed!!! hihihihi
cuz there willl definitely be no beer provided...
hahahahaha...
juz kidding...

Can we blame God!!!

2007-09-06T02:05:00.000-07:00

I recently lost my bike and it gave me a big blow on my head... I cried to my mom when i told her that i lad lost my bike... I am tempted to think that God is the one to blame?? But when I looked back, wait a minute, it couldnt be God!!

Despite our tendecy to say : JESUS CHRIST!!!

It is not a very sensible word to say as how could God do evil things... its totally illogical to me... Remember, God is the God of love, protection and he is against evil vices such as stealing.... No matter what excuses you gave... that couldn't be God... There's simply no way that he could do such things... thats totally ridiculous and impossible!!!

the holy spirit didn't move people to do evil things such as stealing or murdering... Instead, with the holy spirit in you... You are able to do many great things that many peope can't... For example, serving the lord and helping other people...

its not right... Its actually the devil's attempt so that you could doubt God by telling you that its is God's fault after he actually caused you those misfortunes... He hates you and wants you to get you into trouble and most importantly to get you out of God's way and his directions...

So, its not God who caused you misfortunes... thus, we should never condemn god by using his name in vain... i just hope that this will be a blessing to you to help you understand that blaming God is simply not right in a logical manner... God Bless You!!!

Stefan

Good Bye Singapore!!!

2007-08-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

My house in Singapore is going to be sold soon... I was so sad when i heard the news... In fact, i cried when i heard about that... I just can't believe the house that i had occupied for my teenage years is going away... Its only now that i am able to accept that fact... So Why my dad have to sell the house??

It's all because of money... Well partially because of money.. Not that we are actually lacking of money.. its all because of the property boom in Singapore...It is currently the time when the price of houses soar up the sky to unimaginable height.... Apparently, its choking people to death... Many young proffesionals arent able to buy new homes.. I guess that they have to wait ten years or more to buy one... thats so sad isnt it.. even renting a house is not cheap either... a small HDB apartment would cost them at least $1000+ a month...

And yeah.. Big huge corporations are buying aways old houses or condominiums to feed their insatiable hunger for property development and most importantly money... That could be the reason why houses are so expensive now... expensive to the point that my dad have to resort to selling his house...

Enough digress... at first, i thought that i gonna lose all my close friends... but wait a minute, arent these people going to overseas and study... and yeah.. its the same things... so i dun really care... i am actually sick of the Singaporean kiasu lifestyle... where life is just too fast to be true... people having a vicious cycle of suffering.... for instance, when they are young, their crazy parents cram them with countless of tuitions... and when its time for them to work, they have to work til late... i am glad that i am out of that vicious cycle...

so now.. i dun really care whether the house is going to be sold or not... so good bye to my Singaporean lifestyle...welcome to my new life...

reasons not to hate posers...

2007-06-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Poser is derived from the french word poseur which means that a person who pretends to be what he or she is not... just in case you don't know what it means and labelling them without second thoughts especially for kids below 16... labelling people as a poser is really easy but identifying real posers are not easy cuz almost everyone in the subcultural scenes are posers... the only exceptions are those who are the artist themselves or those whose start the fashion trend.. even famous bands could be posers in some sense...

Many people became posers just because they need acceptence and they need friends... All they need is you as a friend!!! Plase don't condemn these people alright... Instead, approach them and really talk to them.. i bet that they wold love to do so and ask them about why they become posers... encourage them not to do so and tell them to be who they are.. thats what friends are all about... perhaps you could get the greatest treasure in your life which are best friends...

there are other posers who are trying to be trendy... but not really fashionable... well, you can't jude these people because its our human nature to wanna be fashionalbe... its natural.. if you aare a punk but if u hate those 'posers' so much... ask yourself why you are behaving and dressing that way... are you also following people who dresses like you, wanna look fashionable, follow their suggested (sometimes terrifying) behaviour and claiming those things as being yourself... if you are, then dun hate these people... chances are.. they also have the same mindset as you...

the other type of posers are usually kids (below 13) who always follow their friends and be like their friends... the reason being that these kids don't really have a developed mindset and still trying to follow them... you can excuse these people... they are still kids after all... just tell them whats right or wrong... but don't condemn them!!!

i am not an emo, i dun dress like one and a self-proclaimed fashion police... but i actually love emo fashion and hairstyle... i personally their they are cool despite what people say... its just that i am not slim enough to dress like one... and dun call me a poser... its just what i like...

However, some exceptions applies... they are those selfish and corrupted people who tries to be popular and hang out with all the popular kids and be real posers.. and start dressing like them and their styles... You can give them an smack in their face for abandoning you and tell them to FUCK OFF!!! They are the worst posers ever... if you are their friends... don't be angry... they just lose their greatest treasure which is you... it means that your so-called friend is not your friend...

but no matter what, labelling people posers is very childish!!!

Fashionalbe you!!!

2007-06-12T06:48:00.001-07:00

For guys... i think wearing brown checkered polo shirt and black pants is a bad idea for you... wear it with a light-colour blue or a slightly darker jeans... i think it would look nice on you... but anyway... i dun like brown checkerd polos... i saw it once before and its so ugly... and dun wear black with brown... especially if its dark brown... it once looks so horrendous and it did made me promise me not to ever wear it again... please dun wear it alrite...

And Guys, don't show off your boxers please especillialy it its pink and full of colours *PUKE*... its one of the worst fashion disaster ever... i dun think gals would be turned on just by seeing your boxers!! i think gals would rather move away form you... Wear something more fashionable but eligible if you wanna be a gal-magnet... not by showing off your underwear... and yeah.. dun put your pants soooo low and again... its ugly!! You could prove me wrong but its just yucky alrite... be a good boy ok!!

For gals... if you are wearing a mini-skirt.. please dun ever wear a very big jacket thats way beyond your size... you should wear a jacket that suits your body size... it just looks disproportionate and unbalanced.. especially if your body is so small and thin...
and gals... how about that big furry boots... geez... better think what to wear before you wear once or it will look really ugly.. seriously.. i cant think of a matching pants or skirt with that furry boots... but for sure... dun wear leggings with it... its ugly!!!

Remember... let me warn you... i am watching over you... dun ever put a photo with a bad dress in firendster or mypace.. i really dun hesitate to be very bitchy and put insulting comments... you can wear something normal and still looks good!! remember... i am doing this for your own good!!!

Kicked out!!!

2007-06-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Oh Geez... I can't believe that I got kicked out of my house today but not really in a literal sense... Its just that the aunty told me that she did not want me in the house anymore and told me to find a house by next sem... she told me that she doesnt wanna go into the homestay business anymore.. She got pretty sick and tired of it..

But i am actually not too sure about the credibility of her argument... Cuz i sometimes found that she lies at times... Telling me that there will be no more open house a few times and only recently that she keeps her promise and i actually want my ex-housemate's room abd did by best to clean my room but i didnt get it... Geeez... It makes me thik that tidying up my room is a pure waste of time...

yeah.. Perhaps i got kicked out of the house for some other reasons.. i dunno.. maybe grudging my for my past misdeeds which didnt happen now... well. i dunno.. now the exams are coming and i still have to find for a new home... oh now!!Well... thats all for today.. byezzz

My stupid past...

2007-06-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

As most CCSS people should know... There used to be a high profile case regarding me and this gal you should know who?? When i think back, I can't believe that we are all sooo childish... I really feel like laughing at myself and its's really stupid...

yeah, I bet you won't believe this... I asked her to be my girlfriend one day but in the end i took back my word... You may ask me why?? Cuz i feel so insecure but i really loved her that time.. But i think that it's really stupid... something that doesn't make sense... Normal people like you won't do such a thing... haha...

Yeah, i made her cry at least three times... i once told her not to call me too much and she cried and really got a big fight on the phone... and Wow... i can't believe i am fighting with a gal over da phone... ARRRGHHHH!!!

My relationship is good.. i never visit her when she was doing her prefect duty... what a bad boy i am...

When my relationship with her was super bad.. her friend told me to buy chocolates for her for Valentine's Day cuz she wanted me to do so and i foolishly did... I wrap the merci chocolate on a piece of wraping paper and gave it to her the next day... When i saw her, i quicky gave it to her and her face was kinda furious... i dunno y?? When i asked her at night... she told me why i gave her chocolates... OMG!!! I can't believe that i am fooled... Oh geez... hahahahahahahaha!!!!

Gals, i know you will hate me for writing this...that's why perhaps because of that, maybe she cursed me because of these things... i am doomed not having a g/f for years... not even a b/f... if i found one, the gals are usually sooo below standard... not that i m trying to insult... i juz can't get the gal that i want... they r either so demanding, bad fashion, unkemp hair and very jealous... juz can't take it... And i really got a bad blind date once...

geez.. exams are in two days time and i m writing something stupid like this... can't believe that i am wasting my time... but if that is the situation now... i definitely won't be that foolish..

Narcissist Code of Conduct...

2007-06-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have seen many so-called 'narcissist' in Indonesia.. i still discover that some peopl eworte that they are a narcissist in their friendster profile... but i was just wondering if they are a real narcissist or not... As a 'narcissist', i really find it more of my own disease rather than a trend... Regularly going to the toilet to look at my self is almost involuntary and taking picture of myself on the street is a norm.. thats the reason why i wanna write some of the code of conducts of being a narcissit which distinguish trend-followers and the 'real' ones...

Narcissist

1) They should love themselves.. thats the whole point of being a narcissist...

2) Totally self-adoring and self-praising... all without shame...

3) Going to the toilet and look at yourself involuntarily...

4) Taking pictures of themselves everywhere...

5) having a camera phone is a neccesity... however, you could be a narcissit without one...

6) very confident when doing certain things like acting funny in front of the whole class...

If you have these factors, that does not mean you are a narcissist

1) Cute poses in front of the camera

2) writing.like.this Or LiKE thIs

3) Telling everyone that you are one... it involves your own emotion and nature...

4) Act adorable and cute while not being yourself...

5) Being fashionable...

Warnings

1) Guys... Please don't kiss the camera... It looks ugly... if a girl or perhaps boy is beside you.. kiss him/her instead... it looks so ugly if you guys do it...

In the limbo...

2007-05-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

My life is now in a limbo without any direction and purpose... When i decided to take commerce, i thought that i am talented in that field as my dad suggest.. but it is far from what i expected.. I now fell into a bottlomless abyss... I don't know what to do... when i considered taking commerce, i actually thought that i can make friend with accounting... my least favourite subject... i thought everything could be just fine...

But i realised that i was very idealistic.. nothing i never fine... problems faced me and now i m in a limbo... Threading towards an unknown direction... i aslo realised that i made a big mistake when i was accidentally put inside a marketing research class when i was doing my asian business assigment... Mind you... its the worst class ever... just like my accounting workshop classes... Its soo boring and they are learning something irrelevant to marketing such as tables and some mathematical crap... and i wanna take marketing as a major next year... but hell no.. how could this be...

Ok lets assume that my university education is a tunnel... At first, the tunnel was lit with bright colours and there was full of hapiness... I feel really proud to be going inside the top uni in WA... As you go along the road.. the tunnel get dim and you started to get confused... the concrete tunnels was soon over and you start to thread toward a pool of water... all you have to do is to swim accross the pool... when swimming... you have to bear with the number of zombies trying to pull you down but i somehow managed to swim accross... which are in this case.. ASSIGMENTS!!

Being exhausted, i barely have the chance to walk briskly and there are many distractions along the way and a subject which was still haunting me until now... which are in this case.. MSN and my dear laptop.. cant blame them though... now, I am at the point of no return... however, i a given 2 choices now, either to go through the harsh and demanding tunnel or give up and enter another tunnel??

Apparently, i am now so confused because i cant cope with my accounting class and pass or fail... i dun wanna take it again... i really dont know anything about accounting now... and sadly, its a prerequisite to get a commerce degree... Now, i dont know where to go?? Clock is ticking and i soon have to make the decisiom...

Welcome again..

2007-05-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Phew!! I t has been such a long since the last time i used this blog.. Finally, i am able to use it again.. Now, you can view my blog here or in my friendster blog.. Both ways should be fine and dun forget to put any comments... First of all, My name is Stefan and was borned in Jakarta and i am currently enrolled in the university of Western Australia...This blog would not only feature my daily life but about other issues that i would like to address... thanks for reading and good nitezzz

welcome

2004-07-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hey THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW ABT ME

stefan is here

2004-07-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone.. Stefan is here....