Speak December by Budhi Hartono

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FACEBOOK INTERN

SPECIAL REPORT FROM FB HQ

ANGGI NURQONITA

HAIL THE FIRST SPEAK! AMB ASSADOR

RADITYA DIKA LAUGHING HIS WAY TO THE TOP

JOSHUA TINA TOON. TASYA.

NOW AND THEN LOOKING BACK AT 2012

THE GOOD THE BAD LY AND THE UG

cover Speak Des cs4.indd 1

Alanda Kariza

DAZZLING GIRL NEXT DOOR

11/21/2012 4:44:32 PM

’12 er b em des / #06

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Poster Girl: Alanda Kariza believes confidence is key to being smart and beautiful. V for Victory: Indonesian-born American Meeghan Henry conquers Hollywood.

Intro 12 14

YouthSpeak: Things that could have, would have and should have been different. Star Struck: Find out how the stars will shine for you this month.

Pop Culture 16 20 60

Showtime: Holiday movies, old and new, you simply don’t want to miss. Dating Game: Titaz Permatasari weighs in on the dating game in the digital era. 2012 Breakout Stars: Psy, Jessica Chastain, Cherrybelle … the list goes on!

Lifestyle 28 44 58 64 4

Season’s Greetings: E-mail is great, but sending postcards is romantic. Vintage Idea: A lovely and romantic look for the holidays? That’s exactly what we have in mind for you. Guilty Pleasure: Beat the heat with a spoonful of the most delicious ice cream in town. Technopreneurs Rule: The hottest, youngest and bravest techno moguls today.

No Child’s Play: The cutest faces in the show business are all grown up!

Jl. Palmerah Barat no. 142 – 143 Jakarta 10270 Telphone: (+62 21) 5300476, 5300478 Fax: (+62 21) 5350050, 5306971 Email: speak@thejakartapost.com

Inspiration 10

Speak Your Mind: Meet the winners of the Speaker! competition

34 USA Today: Robyn Soetikna reports on the tension-filled moments leading to Obama’s reelection.

62 Facebook Share: A former intern at the social media giant tells all.

Hello Bandung: Shop, eat and

chill in Bandung for a day? We’ll show you how to do it.

LOL: Funnyman Raditya Dika gets slightly serious with us.

editor’snote

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behind the scenes t e a m Speak!

Editor Willy Wilson Art Director Budhi Hartono Reporter Natasha Ishak Copy Editor M. Michael Interns Tirta Perdana Jaya Contributors Alberta Lowe, Angelina V., Anthony William Tuah, Benedicta Jennifer, Dini Inaya, Doy Perkasa, Hengky Wijaya, Robyn Soetikna, Suka Junin, Titaz Permatasari

The Jakarta Post

Editor in Chief Meidyatama Suryodiningrat Board of Directors Jusuf Wanandi, Cherly P. Santoso, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and Riyadi Suparno Executive Director Riyadi Suparno Senior Managing Editor Kornelius Purba Managing Editors Primastuti Handayani, Rendi A. Witular

Tasya, Joshua and Tina Toon share a laugh and memories.

Speak! is published by The Jakarta Post’s Supplements and Supplemental Products Department Head of Supplements and Supplemental Products Bruce Emond bruce@thejakartapost.com Advertising Inquiries Maritta Christiana (Advertising Manager) maritta@thejakartapost.com Astari Sirila Sakanti astari@thejakartapost.com NIE Partners and Sponsorship The Jakarta Post Foundation Executive Director Yulia Herawati nie@thejakartapost.com Mia Rubianti mia@thejakartapost.com

ON The Cover Model Tina Toon, Tasya, Joshua Photographer Chris Bunjamin Fashion Stylist Ismelya Muntu MUA Tania Ledezma (08159696941) Wardrobe • Tina & Tasha: Yelle, 081311084626, yelle_by_yelly@yahoo.com • Joshua: Manekineko, Epicentrum Walk Kuningan 1st Floor, Jakarta, (021) 2991 2299

Speak! Community Nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the time to join us on Twitter

(@Sp3akmagz) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/speakmag)

p Speak u d ea and spr d! the wor

our upcoming to in k e e p k a e n s to get a nes interviews, e -sc e -th d in h issues, be phs, videos a r g o t o h p d e unpublish ase elebrities at e c e it r o v a f r u of yo ng prizes! ti ci x e h it w s ze iz and qu

Speaker! n’t make it If you could k! magazine to the Spea r! the Speake launch and grand final, competition . you missed here’s what

aturday, Nov. 10, 2012 marked the official launch of Speak! magazine, with 15 Speaker! finalists battling it out to become the first ever ambassador of the magazine at Epiwalk, Kuningan, South Jakarta. Selected from hundreds of applicants, the finalists aged 15 to 22 have a proven record of social commitment. Each was required to write an essay on their innovative ideas to bring positive change to society. SMAN 98 student Anggi Nurqonita was chosen the 2013 Speaker by 10

d n u o F

impressing judges and the audience with her idea for a contingency plan for schools in the event of natural disasters. “I observe that when a disaster strikes, children are among the most vulnerable group, especially those attending school in time of disaster. This prompted me to come up with Schoolaturrahmi, a project set to engage the school community, especially students and teachers, to anticipate and solve local environmental problems related to natural disaster,” said Anggi, who was accompanied by dozens of

enthusiastic supporters. The objective of her project is “to inform and mobilize school communities to have a better understanding about the disaster risk in their area. With help from industry experts, this project also aims at ensuring that the schools building are built to withstand disaster hazards”. Anggi will also encourage students to establish the School Safety Club, in which students play an active role in assessing the risks and preparing their simple evacuation plan. Each club will be a

part of School Safety Network, where students can exchange information and knowledge with regards to natural disaster. “I believe Schoolaturrahmi is very relevant to Indonesia, a country prone to natural disasters. And with its efficient network and organizational activities, I am hoping that this project will also be effective in reducing the potential of student brawls that is rampant today,” said the 16-year-old, who plans to go to medical school.

As Speak! magazine ambassador, Anggi will have a monthly column in the magazine for 12 months. Meanwhile, runner-up Lydia Sophiani and second runner-up Ajay Puri are focused on educating underprivileged children. SMAN 3 Bandung student Lydia, a Student Ambassador for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Exchange Program to America last year, believes that providing education to street children should be a bottom-up effort. “It should start from us. When an awful lot of people care an awful lot about this issue, they can urge the authorities to address this issue seriously. In the meantime, we should roll our sleeves and start teaching these kids,” said the vivacious 18-year-old. Voicing a similar opinion is British International School student Ajay Puri, who made it into the Guinness

Book of World Records at age 3 as the youngest web designer. He believes knowledge is the key for underprivileged children to escape the cycle of poverty. “Taking on the adage ‘Give a man to fish feed him for a day, Teach a man to fish feed him for life’ – I made my own philosophy of donating money to a man may help him for a day or two but in the long run it is knowledge, and only knowledge, which will lead a man to lead a better life,” said the 16-year-old. The five-hour event also included a performance by teen heartthrob Calvin Jeremy and polished music and dance routines by students from Pangudi Luhur, Tarakanita, INTI College Indonesia, SMAN 82 and SMAN 70.

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youth

Speak

Got a Regret or Two?

Suka Junin talks to her friends , about what they should’ve in could’ve and would’ve done the past year.

Reflecting on the ups and downs of life is a ritual that many of us do as we approach the end of the year. While certain decisions yield good results, others did not turn out as well as expected. Hey, making mistakes is part of life, right? As the following three youngsters will tell you, the important thing is that we learn from those mistakes for a better future.

n, 18, Alan Robinso ational The British Intern School Jakarta “I’ve been so focused on work and studies that I forgot to appreciate the simple but beautiful things in life this year. It came to a point where I was indifferent when someone said something nice to me. I also spent less time with friends outside of school. If I could change something I would take my time to appreciate and enjoy those small moments while I still can. Because before I know it, I’ll be off to university and subsequently enter the workforce, by which time I’ll probably be too jaded to be grateful.” 12

arifa, 17, Khansa Sy l, tional Schoo Dua Mei Voca elatan Tangerang S Anya Nady a, 18, Trisakti Univ ersity “I don’t normally regret what have happened in the past, but I now that I live away from my family as a student in Jakarta, I wish I would have spent more time with my mother. I also regret the arguments we had. Other than that, I wish I had learned how to drive before I moved to Jakarta! I must admit that it’s hard living here without a car.”

“This year, I’ve been spending a lot of time doing extra-curricular activities to help me get into my dream university. Because of this, I’m spending less time with my friends – I was too busy worrying about my future. If I could turn back time, I would have made time for my friends no matter how hard things get because they are that important to me. Even if it’s just to grab a cup of coffee, I would take the opportunity.”

star

struck

Past and Future

It’s time to look back at the past year, and what lies ahead.

Sagittarius

(22 November – 21 December)

Capricorn

(21 January – 19 February)

(22 December – 20 January)

Love: That loving birthday glow will shine on into the new year.

Love: All in all, it was not so bad after all, right?

School: There have been ups and downs and ups – keep soaring.

School: Stay positive to reap the rewards

Friendship: Celebrate with your besties, not beasties.

Friendship: Pat yourself on the back for being a good friend.

Aquarius

Love: Be mindful of his feelings to keep the peace. School: Then be sure to focus on matters of the mind, please … Friendship: And one more … it’s good to mind your own business now and then.

star struck Pisces (20 February – 20 March) Love: You’ve been enjoying the dip in smooth waters. School: Keep on going with the flow in class. Friendship: Don’t let others put a damper on your hopes and dreams. Even a friend.

Aries

(21 March – 20 April)

Gemini (22 May – 21 June) Love: Remember that the two of you also have to share space with him. Three’s company. School: You took the high road throughout the year. Good for you. Friendship: Good people, good times … it’s all good.

Cancer

(22 June – 22 July)

Virgo

(23 August – 21 September) Love: We all have a soul-mate out there. Remember that. School: You are finding the subjects you love. And that is mighty real. Friendship: Time to face the music and change her tune.

Libra

(22 September – 22 October)

Love: The wonders of saying what you think and feel.

Love: You’ve been inching along. Just call it slow but sure.

Love: There have been fireworks. Don’t let thing fizzle out.

School: Said it before, say it again: don’t let that hard work slip slide away.

School: Same goes here: focus on the little but important details, please.

School: Keep on exploring new cyber connections to expand your study horizons.

Friendship: Friendship can be a balancing act. Take your cues from your Libran friends.

Friendship: Who is the one keeping a distance, really?

Friendship: You have the smarts so share them with a struggling pal.

Taurus

Leo

(23 July – 22 August)

(21 April – 21 May)

Scorpio

(23 October – 21 November)

Love: Don’t charge blindly into unknown territory.

Love: It’s good that you have learned to listen when he has something to say.

Love: Put that sting away and show your nice side.

School: The good thing is you have learned to pace yourself.

School: That new attitude is working like a charm. Don’t drop it now.

School: Sure, you are streets ahead but no need to run over the rest.

Friendship: No more bull – be upfront and help her back on her feet.

Friendship: Making up is hard to do – face the fact that you care for each other.

Friendship: You’re a loyal friend, and that’s what everyone loves about you.

POP Film

What to Watch

Benedicta Jennifer adds Life of Pi, Rise of the Guardians and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to her favorite holiday movies list.

t don’t know whether it’s just me, but time seems to drag in December. If you celebrate Christmas, then the month could be an enjoyably busy one for you and your loved ones. For others, it’s time to take a holiday. Or watch movies. The Classic Pictures For my cousins and I, December is the time of the year when we return to our childhood ritual and watch re-runs of Home Alone 1, 2 and 3 all day long. I’m sure you too have noticed that local TV stations have been showing the same “Christmas movies” for the past decade. Watching young Macaulay Culkin outwit dim-witted burglars and navigate the concrete jungle of

New York City all alone never fails to entertain us. Fans of the Home Alone franchise will be pleased to know that American TV station ABC Family has announced a brand new movie Home Alone 5: The Holiday Heist. Hopefully the made-for-TV movie will be aired on local stations soon! Another of my favorite Christmas movies of all time would be Love Actually. Unlike most romantic comedies, this one revolves around different kinds of love, from the all-too-familiar gripping crush on a schoolmate to the familial love for a brother. It’s one movie that is capable of melting the iciest of hearts. And speaking of icy hearts, a definite must watch is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There is good reason why this is the highest grossing holiday movie after Home Alone. Its plot is not only great for children, but also for everyone

young at heart. I was moved at seeing the Grinch learn the true meaning of Christmas.

The New Movies I haven’t heard of any funny, lighthearted Christmas movies this year, apart from Rise of the Guardians. But if you want to see Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and the Sandman in action, then this 3D computer animated adventure film is for you. It should be a very amusing holiday movie. I’m truly excited about Life of Pi, a 3D adventure film based on the 2001 novel of the same name. Directed by Ang Lee, it is set to be the biggest holiday movie this year. It is the compelling story of Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, a 16-year-old boy who survives a sinking freighter together with an orangutan, hyena, a wounded zebra and a Bengal tiger. In the novel, Pi recounts the story of his life in India and his 227-day journey on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean during the voyage from his homeland to Canada. Like many fans of Lord of the Rings, I am also thrilled that after nine years of waiting we will be reunited with the hobbits in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – a lovely Christmas present indeed. While waiting for its premiere, I am preparing a list of classic Christmas movies to re-watch with my cousin. Season’s greetings everyone!

POP column

Originality g n i k c la

he Wanted. Cody Simpson. Fergie. Cherrybelle. What have they all got in common, apart from their fame and success? For one, their music may not always be different or particularly special. In fact, we can name those whose footsteps they follow very closely: One Direction, Justin Bieber, Gwen Stefani and SNSD. It’s clear that almost anybody can thrive in the music industry today without having to sound original or offering the audience something new. It has become an unspoken but widely accepted truth. So should we really blame these artists for trying to “impersonate” other artists? For many of them, in order to become popular, their music must appeal to a wide audience. Although there’s a number of music fans who champion musical originality and the need for music that is true to its artistic nature, the actual market is casual music listeners who prefer easy-listening, feel-good tunes. Forget SM*SH (oops!) and let’s talk about Ke$ha. I’m sure most of you have heard her hit Tik Tok, which made her an international superstar. The song was fun, bouncy, infectious and 18

fun to dance to. But don’t you agree that it’s not the most original song? Despite its commercial success, Tik Tok has been criticized for its similar composition and lyrical context to one of the best selling singles of all time, Lady Gaga’s Just Dance. Sure Tik Tok wasn’t as famous as Just Dance, but it enjoyed massive success as the best-selling single worldwide in 2010. The general public loves this song not for its originality, but because of its accessibility and predictability. In fact, its infectious melody in the chorus has made it a favorite

of shopping malls and family gatherings, despite the lyrics that condone irresponsible behaviors. Whether you like it or not, you and I are responsible for the monotonous music today. What I’m saying is that if we want music that we can understand and dance to then we shouldn’t blame Ke$ha and the like because they are simply trying to meet our expectations. If we want originality, then maybe we should be a tad more adventurous in our music taste, instead of playing the same old (revamped) tunes. How about Foster The People, people? +Alberta Lowe

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There is a lot to read about in The Jakarta Post’s Speak!, the magazine for young people exploring pop culture, young success stories, fashion, trends and profiles.

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15 Sour Sally 16 Gelato Bar 17 Brew House 18 Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 19 Coffee Club 20 Haagen Dazs 21 Bakerzzin 22 Café oh La La 23 Mos Burger 24 Sushi Tei 25 Ya Kun Kaya Toast 26 Chatter Box 27 Marche

Other copies of Speak! will be distributed to 300 partner schools & universities 19

GIRL TALK

where did romance go? Titaz Permatasari is here to answer your questions on dating, friendship and school problems. @ Send your questions to speaka n wi d an m .co thejakartapost cool pair of Ray-Ban shades!

hen I was asked to write an article about dating, the first thing that came to mind was the good old days when I was in high school. Way back then, the blackberry was a type of fruit, a tablet was a multivitamin capsule and tweeting was for the birds. My friends and I used to check out cute guys when we hung out in fast food restaurants or recreation parks, not on Facebook (oh, don’t even try to figure out my age – I am more ancient than your dad’s gigantic Nokia). But listen, what I’m trying to say is that the definition of romance is simply different now than it was during my younger days. Emotional emoticons I don’t believe that today’s young people are less romantic. But when a boy writes “I <3 U” instead of “I Love You”, you have to wonder if everything in life must be so simplistic and digital. I know it’s cheesy, but when a boy said the three words out loud and in person – and not with SMS emoticons – I felt butterflies in my stomach. It was a grand gesture and oh-so-romantic.

A guy once asked me to be his girlfriend by text message, and while it did make me happy, it wasn’t a memorable moment. But then he also broke up with me through text messages, and I forgot about him five minutes later (OK, that’s a lie… I actually cried so hard on the other end of the phone. Boys, never break up with a girl by text message – only cowards do that!) Don’t get me wrong. I am a sucker for technology. If you follow me on Twitter (@Tatzy, just in case you’re wondering) then you would know that I tweet more often than any other birds in the universe. I really do. But as we get more and more entangled in technology, I couldn’t help but wonder if real romance (and drama) is slowly dying out. Digital Love Ask yourself this: Have you ever gotten a real bouquet of flowers (the carnations on Facebook don’t count!) What about a real love letter instead of unromantic electronic mail? And

when was the last time you actually had a great weekend dinner without checking your messages, Twitter and Instagram? I don’t mean to brag, but I come from an era when weekend dating meant holding hands in the park, having real conversations over dinner and enjoying each other’s company without the disturbance of those cool gadgets. Of course, that was then, this is now. Today, I’m just as busy with my gadget as everyone else. Guilty as charged, I often find myself indulging in online games and checking out people’s status while in the company of friends, even my boyfriend. Although I realize that it is rude, I just couldn’t help it sometimes. Writing this column just made me realize that I should stop doing this. I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but I have decided that staying off gadgets while dating will be on my new year’s resolution list.

main feature

The Speak! team looks back on the good, the bad, the ugly and the so-so of 2012. Jan 19: FBI shuts down Megaupload.com for copyright infringement. Anonymous hackers responded by attacking government and entertainment industry websites.

Jan 19: Katy Perry kisses a lucky male fan during her “California Dreams” concert in Jakarta. Jan 22: Scandal-free Hollywood couple Seal and Heidi Klum divorce after seven years of marriage.

April 18: At 13, China’s Guan Tian-Lang becomes the youngest golfer participating in a European Tour event. April 11: The highly-anticipated superhero flick The Avengers premieres to a record-breaking US$392,538,708 box-office weekend.

Hits and Misses Feb 12: British singer Adele wins six awards at the 2012 Grammys, including Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

March 12: The Hunger Games launches actress Jennifer Lawrence into a Hollywood â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;? Girl.

Feb 11: Whitney Houston is found dead in the bathtub of her room at The Beverly Hills Hotel in California.

March 20: The Raid garners a ground-breaking response from international audiences, earning a total of US$4,105,123! It is a milestone for the local film industry in going international.

Mar 13: Encyclopaedia Britannica goes online and announces that it will no longer release the print version.

main feature

May 15: Lady Gaga’s Jakarta concert, scheduled for June 3, is canceled, allegedly due to a lack of mandatory permits and amid threats from hard-line groups.

May 3: Samsung unveils the new Galaxy S3 for the first time in London. More than 30 million units are sold within five months, making it one of the fastest-selling smart phones in the market.

May 3: SMAN 10 Malang students Nando Novia & Nurul Inayah win gold at the International Young Inventors Project Olympiad (IYIPO). The pair turned urine into hydrogen, which can be used as fuel for cars.

April 27: Lawmaker and former beauty queen Angelina Sondakh is named a suspect in a corruption case.

Sept 25: Devika Asmi Pandanwangi wins the National Young Inventor Awards. She invented a temperature-sensitive bra that sterilizes breast milk for mothers.

Sept 28: Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Basuki “Ahok” triumph in the 2012 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election. The Javanese and Chinese political pairing is a symbol of hope for a better Jakarta.

Sept 11: Muslims worldwide protest the Innocence of Muslims, an anti-Islam movie released on YouTube.

Sept 21: Apple releases iPhone 5 in nine countries, including Singapore. Five million units are sold globally in the first three days of release.

Oct 17: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel tie the knot in Italy.

October 4: Mark Zuckerberg announces Facebook has one billion users checking the site actively every month – a massive milestone! 24

Nov. 6: President Barack Obama is re-elected for a second term in the 2012 US Presidential Election

October 25: Kristen Steward is photographed with onagain-off-again boyfriend Robert Pattinson for the first time since news of her affair with married director Rupert Sanders broke in July.

June 3: The UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II with a lineup of special events, including a star-studded concert outside Buckingham Palace.

July 16: James Holmes kills 12 people in a mass shooting at the premiere of the The Dark Knight Rises, in Aurora, Colorado.

June 9: Aung San Suu

Kyi accepts the Nobel Prize a full 21 years after she won the award. Over

June 1: The highly anticipated Snow White and the Huntsman movie is released, marking the arrival of US summer blockbusters in our theaters.

the past two decades, she has continued to fight for democracy in Myanmar despite being under house arrest.

July 23: Peterpan front man Ariel is released from jail on probation after serving two-thirds of his 3.6-year sentence for leaked sex tapes back in 2010.

Aug 14: Psy’s “Gangnam Style” ranks first on YouTube’s “Most Viewed Videos” monthly chart. It has become the most viewed video ever on YouTube.

July 27: The 2012 Summer

Aug 21: Naked photos of Prince Harry in a Las Vegas hotel room are leaked, reinstating Harry’s reputation as a party boy.

Olympics commences. Gold medalist swimmers Ryan Lochte and Ranomi Kromowidjojo and gymnast Gabby Douglas.

Dec 14: There is much anticipation about the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of three installments based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel of the same name, as the biggest fantasy movie in 2012.

Nov 11: After going through a series of tests, the local vocational high schoolassembled cars, the Esemka Rajawali and the Esemka Bima, are officially launched in Surakarta, Central Java. Nov 9: Thousands of people sign an online petition calling for Malala Yousafzai to be nominated for the Nobel Prize. The 15-year-old education activist was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban on October 9, 2012.

Dec. 1: Korean girlband Wonder Girls is scheduled to perform in Los Angeles alongside such hit musicians as Ne-Yo, Taylor Swift and Akon. 25

Bandung is teeming with cozy cafes and cute shops to explore. Natasha Ishak shows you how to take in the best of what it has to offer in 24 hours!

feature

TRAVEL

12:00 PM Lunch at Butch ‘n Burp Jl. Ir. H. Djuanda no. 92 Most cafés in Bandung feature beautiful designs, but no café does retro better than Butch ‘n Burp. You know you’ve arrived at the restaurant once you see a red Volkswagen Kombi in Jalan Djuanda. The charming décor aside, this restaurant offers a delicious range of classic Western food. I decided to order the fish & chips (Rp 27,000) and boy was it good! Butch ‘n Burp is a great place to hang out and chill with friends.

13:00 PM Shop at UNKL347 Jl. Trunojoyo no. 4 Bandung is famous for hip boutiques owned by independent musicians locally known as “distro”. They sell clothes and accessories as a way to fund their music. Among the hundreds of Bandung distros, UNKL347 has to be one of the most popular pit stops. Apart from the cuttingedge and unique wardrobe offerings, this distro also sells a range of quirky furniture. The coolest thing about this place is that its gives

every customer a free plastic-watch bracelet worth Rp 10,000.

17:00 PM Browse for antiques at Old & New

14:30 PM Afternoon snack at DenHaag Klappertaart

Jl Laks RE Martadinata no. 85 For more adventurous shoppers, try your luck bargain hunting in this one-of-a-kind thrift store. While it may appear small, it’s actually quite spacious once you step inside. This two-story shop offers unique finds such as old books, vintage telephones and period furniture. You’ll definitely find something here to personalize your bedroom!

Jl. RE Martadinata no. 22 Squeeze in a little snack time before continuing on your shopping spree with the famous coconut dessert originating in Manado. Sure, other shops also sell klappertaart, but I was told that the ones here are the best. Pick from a variety of flavors including raisin, almond and cheese. FYI, my personal obsession is the mixed almond-and-raisin version.

15:30 PM Shop at Lily & Rose Jl. Riau no. 57 Whether you’re a casual chic chick looking for a nice sweater, or a girly diva searching for a summer dress, Lily & Rose has everything for everyone. But I’d be careful if I were you; I ended up spending way too much time (and money!) buying bags, accessories, shoes and gorgeous clothes… *sigh*

18:00 PM Dinner at Karnivor Restaurant Jl. Riau no. 127 Unleash your inner beast and enjoy a variety of meat dishes at Karnivor Restaurant. The unusually themed eatery – the décor is a mix of safari and pre-historic ornaments – is interesting, but it’s the food that really commands attention. Try their delicious Bamboo Afrika (Rp 17,000) and you’ll understand why. A plate of T-Rex Bone (Rp 59,000) and a glass of Gorilla Punch (Rp 20,000) were more than enough to make me a happy camper.

COM munity

Going Postal

st of In the mid media e the onlin to Post rd craze, Ca minds us (C tP) re ood old that the g paper” “pen and eeds to n tradition erved. be pres

post it on blog. A few CtP members living overseas have joined in the fun as well, sending other members postcards from cities like Berlin and London. How cool is that?

rowing up in the digital era, 25-year-old Rizki Ramadan grew tired of the convenience technology has to offer. Sure he BBMs, Tweets and is a proud citizen of Facebook land, but he also misses the good old days when greeting his loved ones was more personal and sentimental. “This might sound clichéd, but there’s something special about taking the time to personally create a postcard for someone else. There’s a lot of creativity that goes into it. The anticipation of waiting for a postcard to arrive is also quite exciting,” Rizki said.

Write Me, Maybe Together with like-minded friends, Rizki founded Card to Post, a blog for postcard lovers in November 2011. The blog slowly but surely grew into an online society. As of today, CtP has more than 650 active members corresponding through personalized postcards. So how does the system work? If you’re a registered member, you can browse the community list, which contains unique facts about each member. Then choose someone to write to and request the person’s address from the community administrator. After the postcard arrives, the receiving member must share and 28

Awesome projects The CtP community also has a few special projects. Among the recent ones was 1,000 Kartu Pos untuk Presiden (1,000 postcards for the president), a social movement to encourage Indonesians to write and voice their concerns about the nation to its leader. The project, which ran from February to September 2012, received a great response with over 1000 submitted postcards. CtP posted all the postcards online on September 9, in conjunction with the president’s birthday. Public figures, from actress Christine Hakim to legislator Wanda Hamidah, also participated in the project. The CtP team plans to publish a selection of the postcards in a book. According to Rizki, the CtP team is currently busy working on an official website, which will have more integrated features to enhance members’ postal experience. Visit www.cardtopost.blogspot.com to check out this cool blog.

minD your EnglisH

p U n e t s Li

Don’t let these homonyms fool you. They may sound similar, but they are actually different in meaning, function and spelling.

Wrong: Safety* Right: Safe How to use it: Be careful, I heard it is not safe around here. *Safety derives from the word safe (adjective) and should be used as a noun, as in “I am concerned about your safety”. Wrong: Patience* Right: Patient How to use it: The packet has not arrived yet, please be patient. *Patience is a noun, and shouldn’t be used as an adjective.

Wrong: Live Right: Life How to use it: Meeting my childhood idol was the best moment of my life.

Wrong: Complement (to complete) Right: Compliment (to flatter) How to use it: Thank you for your kind compliment about my new haircut.

Wrong: Doze* Right: Dose How to use it: The doctor says I need to take 2 doses of cough medicine every day. *Doze is used to describe a state of slumber, i.e. the students dozed off in class.

There are words that we are familiar with, but often unsure when it comes to pronunciation, usage and spelling. Here are the usual suspects.

Wrong: Boys’ band Right: Boyband How to use it: From all the boybands out there, my favorite is The Wanted.

Wrong: Regard Right: Regards How to use it: Send your best friend my regards.

Wrong: Gone* Right: Been How to use it: I have been to Africa before. *“I have gone to Africa” implies that you went to Africa and are still there. While “I have been to Africa” implies that you went to Africa and already came back.

Wrong: Sorry* Right: Excuse me How to use it: Excuse me, but what time will the show start? *The accurate context to use the word “sorry” is to apologize for a fault, as in “I am sorry for being late”.

Kpop

Famous Five Wonder Girls mesmerized their Indonesian fans with an awesome concert last month in Jakarta. Natasha Ishak was among the wonderstruck audience.

South Korean mega boybands such as 2PM and Super Junior have held concerts here in Indonesia. The members have become household names – even the canteen owner near my house keeps tabs on Kim Heechul’s hairstyle! Now, mention Yenny, Sun, Sohee, Yubin and Lim, and it’s likely that even your most devoted K-pop friend may give you a second look. While it’s clear that South Korean girlbands aren’t as famous as their male peers here in Indonesia, the nation’s most successful female group, Wonder Girls, came to Jakarta

on Nov. 3 to show local K-pop enthusiasts that they are no secondrate musical act. Different Kind of Girls Wonder Girls exploded onto the scene with the release of Nobody, a hit retro-inspired pop with the obligatory catchy K-pop beat in 2009. Its music video, with the girls donning sequined dresses, kitten heels and ‘60s bob hairdos while dancing on a glamorous stage, quickly went viral on the Net. Their signature dance, which consists of small steps and cute

facial expressions, proved to be a runaway hit worldwide. In fact, their cutesy-wutesy dance has inspired thousands, as the many copy-cat YouTube videos attest. Is it any wonder that Wonder Girls have snatched 24 awards since they debuted in 2007? Their big hit has also ensured that they are definitely not nobodies abroad. The English version was released in the US just a day before the girls went on tour as the opening act for

The Jonas Brothers in June 2009. Nobody was a moderate success in the US, peaking at 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Charts. After back-to-back interviews and promotional gigs in the US, the girls went back to their roots and kicked off their 2012 World Tour with a concert in Seoul on July 7. The tour included shows in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and, yes, Jakarta. Jakarta Bound “Indonesia is well-known for its delicious food,” said 19-year-old group member Lim during a press conference before the show. “But what we love most about Indonesia is the fans. They are amazing here.” The Jakarta concert proved a hit. The stadium was packed with Wonderfuls (the nickname for the group’s fanbase) sporting playful headbands and colorful posters to cheer on their idols. The show opened with the Wonder Girls dancing to the upbeat single Like This, followed by Nu Shoes and Sweet Dreams. There was a special surprise when the famous five

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took to the stage in kebaya traditional Indonesian blouses before belting out singles Real and Be My Baby. During the concert the group performed 23 tracks, including their new English single Like Money. And the girls kept concertgoers waiting to the very end to close the show with Nobody. 31

gR00 ming

Holiday Esential

Whether you’re planning to chill in Amsterdam or bask in the sun in Bali, you still need to ensure that your skin gets well-deserved holiday treats, too.

Here Comes the Sun Protecting your skin while you’re having fun in the sun goes a long way in keeping it healthy. The SPF 55 PA++ of Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream will protect you from damaging UVA/UVB rays. Thanks to the nongreasy formula, skin feels comfortable and not sticky. Its long-lasting nature means you only need apply the cream once for all-day-long protection.

Dry No More Avoid chapped lips ruining your holiday by applying Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15. Packed with essential oils, sugar and protective waxes, this product works great to keep your lips hydrated and supple for up to six hours.

Bug Off If your idea of a perfect holiday involves camping outdoors, then you would know that bug bites and stings are all part of the adventure. For a more comfortable holiday, we recommend bringing along Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. This anti-bug formula contains a blend of natural oils such as rosemary, lemongrass and citronella, which makes it safe to be used on children and pets too!

Tropical Scent If you’re rushing for a date after a soccer match, body wash alone won’t be enough to keep body odor at bay. A quick spray of Escape for Men by Calvin Klein will keep you smelling fresh. This fragrance contains mixture of fresh, tropical fruit scents, which is great for active men in warmer climates.

Perfect Layer A winter holiday requires dressing up in plenty of layers, but that still isn’t enough to protect you from skin dehydration. One way to avoid this is to use Ahava Intensive Hydration Mask. This award-winning mask contains mineral-rich mud harvested from the Dead Sea, which makes it perfect for exfoliation and lifting dead skin cells. You can choose to rinse it off after 15 minutes or even leave it on throughout your beauty sleep.

Full Protection Showering in cold climates can seriously dry out your skin. We recommend using Dove Men + Care Deep Clean Body Wash, which is formulated with “micromoisture” technology to help keep your skin smooth and hydrated throughout your winter holiday!

POP

Quiz

The ultimate Pop Culture quiz is back. As usual there are two contestants, 10 Pop Culture questions but just one title to win. Let the battle begin.

Contestants: Time: 30 seconds I Prize: Bragging rights

H) Jessica Halim (J llege, US Co ity North Seattle Commun What is Rihanna’s nationality? (JH) Barbadian 4 (AA) American 8 What is Emma Roberts’ relationship to fellow actress Julia Roberts? (JH) Emma is Julia’s niece. 4 (AA) Niece and aunt. 4 What Ivy League university did Emma Watson attend? (JH) Brown University 4 (AA) Brown University 4 How many installments of Step Up are there? (JH) Four 4 (AA) Four 4 What is the name of Nina Dobrev’s character in

The Vampire Diaries? (JH) Elena Gilbert 4 (AA) Elena Gilbert 4

a (AA) Audrey Angelic bia, Canada lum University of British Co

Who is Kelly Osbourne’s father? (JH) Ozzy Osbourne 4 (AA) Ozzy Osbourne 4 What was the title of Lady Gaga’s first single? (JH) Just Dance 4 (AA) The Fame? 8 Who designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress? (JH) Sarah Burton 4 (AA) Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen 4 Leighton Meester plays a domineering queen bee in the TV series Gossip Girl. What is her character’s name? (JH) Blair Waldorf 4 (AA) Blair Waldorf

Who plays protagonist Aria Montgomery in the hit show Pretty Little Liars? (JH) Lucy Hale 4 (AA) Lucy Hale 4

alim: 10 Jessica H ngelica: 8 A Audrey

current

Affairs

Second time

Around

Obama arack term With B a second clinching, many Americans the nation , in office are convinced days ahead better based is in for New York writes student . Indonesian oetikna S Robyn 34

or several months in the run-up to the 2012 US Presidential Election, not a day passed by without someone in my group of friends bringing up the topic of politics. The usual arguments revolved around whether Obama deserved a second chance and Romney’s unfavorable agenda against women’s and LGBT rights. No matter where you looked, there would be constant debates regarding taxes, foreign affairs policy, unemployment and the economy. Before the election, I was told that politics has never been so deeply influential, particularly for the younger generation. For many of my friends at Sarah Lawrence College, this year’s election was their

Photos: AP Photo

first time to vote. A large number of them are liberals, and they deeply care about issues such as women’s rights, reproductive rights, education, healthcare, marriage equality and immigration. Several polls in this year’s election showed that America was almost equally divided between the Democratic Party (Barack Obama) and the Republican Party (Mitt Romney). The atmosphere leading up to Election Day was intense, as the American public waited anxiously for the results. Together with an army of students at my campus, I too waited expectantly for the final verdict. A pro-Obama friend cringed, “I don’t know what’s going to happen to us if Mitt Romney wins. Obama has to win!” Such a display of anxiety was really quite understandable, given

world e l o h w “The be affected would election...” s by thi

that America’s future would be determined by the outcome. In fact, the whole world would also be affected by this election given that both candidates had different opinions on foreign policy. While waiting, I decided to check out Facebook to see what my other friends were up to. As predicted, friends from all over the world were also closely following the election. By 8 p.m., everyone on campus – students, faculty members and even the president of the school – had piled into a tent set up outside the main courtyard. They had also set up four different projectors to display the latest updates from websites MSNBC, CNN, Huffington Post and Fox News. Cheers and jeers from the crowd could be heard as the election outcome per state was being announced. Before we knew it, the headline “Obama Reelected” had popped up on the main page of Huffington Post. This was soon followed by CNN announcing the same victory. The crowd went wild, and my friends were overjoyed. Some began kissing their loved ones knowing that they now have the right to marry. Hands flew in the air and chants rumbled throughout the tent. I stayed up for the rest of the night with my friends just to witness the president’s victory speech, which finally began at around 2 a.m. The most moving quote of all

was when he said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white, or Hispanic or Asian, or Native American, or young or old, or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.” It might have been a close call, but I can now finally understand the reason why a majority of Americans still believe in Obama. 35

cover story

3 of a

kind ful uccess s r i re e h T stars a d l i h c as a careers ories for Tasy d m an fond me ua Suherman , Josh mbrace e y e Kamila h t on as tore, Tina To uture has in s ef k. what th Natasha Isha writes

cover story 9:30 A.M Jakarta’s Monday morning traffic is as frustrating as ever. After getting stuck in a jam for an hour, I admit I am not in the best mood. But not even a sleep-deprived, worn-out, caffeine-craving reporter like me could stay grumpy upon meeting Tasya Kamila, Joshua Suherman and Tina Toon. Sure they grew up to be stunning, sober and scandal-free celebrities, but I still remember each one of them as cute child stars with smiles and antics that would light up your day. While they still have the same easy smiles, they’re all grown up now. So here’s what I’m going to do: chat with each one of them as they get their hair and make-up done. I am also going to get them to interview each other (while I’m dozing off somewhere in a corner). It’s going to be fun!

9:45 A.M. “Can we listen to Beyonce instead? Her music pumps me up,” Tasya requests before the shoot begins. The 20 year old, who recently launched a coming-of-age album aptly called Beranjak Dewasa (Growing Up), is the sassiest of the bunch. Sporting a white top with a matching peplum, black leggings and a pair of 5-inch stilettos, Tasya is a pro when it comes to posing for the camera. Evidently, the petite young woman has come a long way since the days when she was Anak Gembala (Shepherd’s Child). In 2000, Tasya, then 8, launched her debut album Libur Telah Tiba (The Holiday’s Here). The album sold

more than 350,000 copies and made her a household name. She speaks freely about her childhood success, unlike many former child stars who are reluctant to talk about their past. “I think of my childhood career as an achievement more than anything else. It’s an advantage because it means I’ve already made a name for myself in the industry,” says Tasya, who is an accounting student at the University of Indonesia.

9:52 A.M. “I loved karaoke when I was a kid. Whether or not I actually could sing was a different story [laughs]. But my parents knew I had a knack for performing,” Surabaya-born Joshua says as he gets his hair done. It is heartwarming to see that Joshua has survived growing pains without any brushes with the law. The 19-year-old was perhaps the biggest star in the late ‘90s, with massive hits such as 1998’s Air (Water), commonly known simply as “Diobok-obok” (Stirring up the water). His hits were popular among kids and adults alike. Following the success of Air, Joshua and his family moved to Jakarta to develop his career. “We moved here right around the time the May ’98 riots happened.

It was a bit of culture shock for me because I came from a quieter town. Nothing ever happens in Surabaya, especially not tragedies of that magnitude,” says the budding standup comedian.

10:03 A.M. “My first single Bolo-Bolo came out around the same time as the riots,” says Tina, who is wearing an edgy black outfit. ”I was only four years old, but I already knew I wanted to be in front of the camera for a living.” The computer science student is a poised and sophisticated young lady with enviable gorgeous black hair and perfect complexion – a far cry from her cute child star image

3 of a 39

cover story

a f o d n i k

cover story of signature pigtails that spun in all directions as she sang and danced. Like Tasya and Joshua, she too enjoyed a great career as a youngster. Upon entering adulthood, Tina made headlines again for her new slender figure. Contrary to popular belief, Tina, whose excellent academic performance earned her a scholarship from Jubilee International School, claims she has never felt pressured to lose weight. “I was transforming into a young woman. Losing weight was just something I wanted to do for myself, and not to please anyone,” shares Tina, who regularly jogs and swims.

10:09 A.M. The stars are ready for the cover shoot! They all look stunning, polished and oh-so-glamorous,

which is perfect for our December issue!

10:40 A.M. Time for the cross interviews: Joshua is interviewing Tina. Tina is interviewing Tasya. And Tasya is interviewing Joshua. Joshua (J): Tina, how has your childhood fame affected your dating life? Tasya (Ta): Hey, that’s my question! Tina (Ti): Well, my childhood remains a fond memory. I had a great childhood, and part of it is because I feel like I have achieved a great success in terms of my career at a young age. But I must say that my child star reputation can be an obstacle when it comes to my dating life, as many people are still so fixated on my childhood image and fail to see who I am now.

3 of a

kind 42

Ta: How does it make you feel when people make fun of your past as a child star, Joshua? J: You mean when people ask why am I not as cute as I used to be? Well, I’m both happy and sad. On one hand, I’m happy because that means they’re familiar with my work. On the other hand I’m sad because… well, it doesn’t really make me sad. I’m a grown up now, so I’m not supposed to that cute anymore [laughs]. Ti: Having accomplished so much at a young age, what

else do you wish to achieve in your life, Tasya? Ta: I wish to have a smooth transition in my career. I’m grateful for my previous success, but as you and Joshua know, entering the market as an adult is not easy when the public has a preconceived notion of who you are. My new album Beranjak Dewasa is my way to introduce myself to the public once again. I also wish to be a few inches taller [laughs], but that seems unlikely. J: Tina, what has been your proudest achievement so far? Ti: I am very proud of my academic achievements. Despite having a career in the entertainment industry since a young age, I somehow managed to be a top student. Ta: What was the hardest thing for you to deal with growing up as a child star, Joshua? J: Being treated unfairly. While I was a bully victim growing up, I was also given privileges I don’t think I deserved. I didn’t want to get special treatment just because I’m famous – I still don’t.

Ti: Where do you see yourself in 10 years, Tasya? Ta: Hopefully still working hard in the entertainment business, either in front of or behind the camera. Or I could end up working as an accountant, who moonlights as a singer and actor [laughs].

Old and New step in style Take cues from the romantic past to make a stylish entrance into the New Year.

Looking Ahead The key to dressing in all pastels is the texture of the wardrobe. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to play up your classic top with a sequined or ornate skirt.

GoodyTwoshoes Double-layered skirt, long-sleeve blouse and socks over lace up Oxford heels? This is how you rock it.

Collar Her Good Let your fashion sense fly with this standout Peter Pan collar. It turns a monochromatic blouse into something magical.

Photographer : Michael Timothy (@mangmoty) Fashion Stylist : Ismelya Muntu Model : Sasya Alexandria .S MUA : Tania Ledezma (08159696941) Wardrobe : Paperdolls, Jl BDN Raya 10 B, Cipete, Jakarta Selatan, (021) 7504958

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Asia nt Miss Teen e rr u c e th is Henry g orn Meeghan odel, recordin m , s s e tr c a Indonesian-b d e season ity of ppens to be a a h o ls a o s, the Univers h n w io s s a USA p d e rt asso y is ter. From her er true destin h artist songwri t a th s e v e li hman be La Verne fres ger. rofessional sin to become a p

eeghan is best known for her debut album “When I’m 18”, which features plenty of upbeat teenage pop numbers. But this 17-year-old is definitely not a one trick pony. She has since branched out to dance thanks to her infectious singles Crash A Party and They 52

Don’t Know. The music videos for the songs have already attracted over two million views on YouTube, and are the prelude to Meeghan’s second album. In a press statement released in October, Meeghan said, “I know I started out with bubble-gum pop type of songs, but I’m so into

Photos: Candice Salazar / celebsecrets4u.com / Yobi.tv / Plusmedia.us / Courtesy of Meeghan Henry

l r i G a i n Califor

POP

Personality dance music now and I just want to make music that makes people want to move.” Currently based in California, this aspiring young woman is certainly one who knows what she wants and is not afraid to grab it. Singing Sensation Born in Jakarta on Jan. 7, 1995, Meeghan’s Indonesian family relocated to the US when she was just four years old. Within a year, she was already signed on to her first modeling gig. With the support of her parents, this talented girl quickly earned local accolades by winning the Little Miss San Dimas pageant, and a frequent performer on behalf of the city government of Los Angeles. It wasn’t long before Meeghan found her true passion, and started to sing professionally at 13. She was later introduced to music industry veteran Ronnie King of California Sound Studios. This successful producer and keyboardist has worked with a wide range of music icons such as Mariah Carey, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dog. Meeghan’s musical talents certainly impressed King, and she was soon able to release “When I’m 18,” which includes 12 original tracks, mostly written by Meeghan herself. “I think I can express myself best with music, especially when I sing

the music that I personally wrote. As many musicians would tell you, singing your own music will make you feel vulnerable – it is your pure creation being presented before the public. But when one person tells you that they enjoy your music, you simply don’t feel intimidating anymore,” Meeghan replies in an email interview with Speak! magazine. Meeghan is currently working on her second album, and rumor has it that she has teamed up with producer Andrew Lane (of High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Disneymania 4 fame) and former NSync member, JC Chasez, to produce the album. Beautiful Life Although singing and music making are her passions, Meeghan is also quite involved in pageantry. She was crowned Miss Teen Asia USA 2011, an experience that she says she will never forget. “As the reigning Miss Teen Asia USA, I am learning a lot of different cultures from around the world while promoting my home country, Indonesia. I frequently travel with different organizations and charities, especially those that champion issues pertaining to the younger generation such as bullying, alcohol and drugs abuse,” she explains. Meeghan wants to spread the word by letting others know that they don’t have to succumb to society’s pressures in order to live a successful life.

Though she maintains quite a hectic schedule, Meeghan says she doesn’t compromise when it comes to her studies. She chose to be home schooled, and managed to finish both the 11th and 12th grade within just a year. An honor student with a TV broadcasting major, she has also earned a merit scholarship to fund her studies. She finished her first semester with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. “Admittedly, it isn’t always easy being a person of color who pursues a career in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. But I’ve never been a quitter. In fact, I am proud to embrace my differences, and I am going to continue using it [her cultural background] to my advantage. My biggest hope is to be a world class entertainer and a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador,” says Meeghan. 53

the ‘ ’

Time To Hang Out

r o t c fa ol Recent high scho el rm graduate Ca her Moersalim tells of g experience jugglin life al ci so d studies an od go with getting a night’s sleep.

Social life

Sleep

pending the entire morning and afternoon cooped up inside a classroom is part of high school life. Back then, all I wanted to do after school was to rest my brain and entertain myself with television. Not the best way to spend an afternoon, but to me it was a deserved break. After dinner, I would usually spend a couple of hours studying before going to bed at around 10 p.m. This was my daily routine, but it still felt like I was missing out on my social life. Ideally, I would have liked to spend more time with my friends and family, and less time 54

Studies

stuck in school. So I can’t imagine what it was like for students who actually have relationships and extracurricular activities. Now that’s over, I must admit that it was all worth it. Thanks to my hectic and demanding routine in high school, I’m more disciplined and structured. These qualities will certainly come in handy once I head to college, which means having to organize my own time and schedule. Based on my experience, I would have to say that it all boils down to choosing between which of the two ‘S’ should be the priority in your life.

Secon dary

life

Social life + Studies = No Sleep I had tried going down this path and it was hellish. Most of my time after school was spent on finishing homework and preparing for tests, or hanging out with friends and checking out Facebook. I often stayed up late, sometimes until dawn. As a result, I was constantly sleep-deprived. I soon morphed into a walking zombie whose sole purpose was to try to survive without sleep. And the size of my under-eye circles made me look like a raccoon.

d Social life + Sleep= Bad grades For most students, this seems like the easiest option of all. Who wouldn’t want to spend every waking hour just hanging out with friends? By the time you’re home, you’re too tired to do anything but sleep. But unless you’re some sort of high school whizz, all that socializing and sleeping is going to seriously affect your grades. I’ve witnessed friends falling victim to this tempting lifestyle, and they’re still struggling to get into university until today.

ut finding

bo o? his is all a What to dte your time wisely. T tine. Example: focus

Alloca kly rou nd sleep; your wee n study a balance in s to Thursdays o leep. d ing an s day on socializ s to studies, your Mon s d n e k e we come spend the . When it e you let crastinate tter”. Onc r it by ro e p b r e e th v r e arlie up fo 2. N a is “the e to make the mantr ou’ll have y e. , lif l lip ia s c s o e s sleep or your grad r u o or a night y n r o e eith ing pers rn o m sacrificing a ing early are out if you pes well with sleep uld take o o c 3. Figure s r r forme e latte h owl. The school; th ht. re ig fo n e t b a g y in d and study afternoon and stu , while s d n the for frie a nap in turday is a S . e id iv kend d . 4. Wee for family Sunday is

Social life + Studies= No Social Life A diligent friend of mine had decided to just focus on his studies while getting enough sleep. Unsurprisingly, he scored well in every test and looked radiant every single day! The only real downside was that his friends soon ended up forgetting that he ever existed. Most parents and teachers would probably prefer students to focus on these two, saying there will be plenty of time to socialize in college. But after three years of seclusion, it makes it that much harder to brush up on your socializing skills, which make you more likely to end up becoming awkward. And that’s definitely not an easy trait to break.

POP

Personality

Just for

Laughs

Blogger, author, comic, scriptwriter, producer and actor, Raditya Dika is the new face of the Indonesian entertainment industry, writes Natasha Ishak.

Photos: Novia D. Ruslistia, Natasha Ishak

hose who are familiar with Raditya Dika, better known as Bang Radith, know he is a funny man with a wacky sense of humor. “Being funny is both a god-given gift and an acquired skill. Comedy is the same as any other craft. You can teach someone the tricks of the trade, but you have to be born with a sense of humor to pull off those tricks,” he says. His journey to becoming an accomplished comic was unusual. It all started after he won an award for his blog in 2003, documenting his silly misfortunes while studying in Australia. With his blog becoming more and more famous, Radith knew he had the ability to make people laugh. He then decided to send a compilation of his blog posts to a book publisher. “I sent the draft in without any expectations. I even forgot that I had sent it in the first place,” he shares.

Printing King As fate would have it, Radith’s comedic musings were deemed brilliant by the publisher. His debut book, curiously titled Kambing Jantan (The Ram), was released in April 2005. Although it was not an instant success, great reviews and word of mouth helped boast the sales. By the end of the year, it was one of the bestselling books in the country and went into multiple reprints. It remains in demand today. Radith admits the overnight success was overwhelming, especially as a first-time author. He was ready to call it quits, but the publisher persuaded him to keep writing. “They [the publishers] told me the book was a hit and encouraged me to write again. So I did,” says the political science graduate. In 2006, he released Cinta Brontosaurus (Brontosaurus Love), followed by Radikus Makankakus: Bukan Binatang Biasa (Radikus Makankakus: No Ordinary Animal) in 2007, and Babi Ngesot: Datang tak Diundang, Pulang tak Berkutang (The Crawling Pig: Comes Uninvited, Leaves Naked) in 2008. “After my third and fourth books, I finally acknowledged myself as a bona-fide writer,” says Radith. His inspiring journey and accomplishments earned him an Online Inspiring Award in 2009. Aiming for Primetime Radith has indeed come a long way. Today, he is arguably one of the most famous comics in Indonesia. Aside from writing five best-sellers, he has also written scripts for several movies, including the adaptation of

Kambing Jantan directed by acclaimed director Rudi Soedjarwo in 2009. Last year, Radith and his fellow comics founded Stand Up Indo, an organization that nurtures aspiring comics in their career ambiitons. Although a new concept for many Indonesians, stand-up comedy is increasingly popular among television viewers here. Radith is the co-host of the show Stand Up Comedy Indonesia. “Entertainers here are always afraid to introduce something new to our audience, because they think the audience won’t be able to appreciate a new concept. But I personally think as long as the audience can relate to the subjects [of the show], they will enjoy the show,” says Radith, whose favorite comedians include Ellen DeGeneres and Richard Pryor. Asked about the key to his success, Radith replies: “I’m a very analytical person. I studied comedy – yes, real studying. Once you delve into the subject of humor and what makes people laugh, it can get quite technical. Comedy is actually a very delicate art.” And he also produces, directs and acts in a self-funded Webisode (online series) titled Malam Minggu Miko (Miko’s Saturday Night). The series tells of Miko, a single guy who goes on numerous blind dates set up by his housemate. Although there are only two episodes thus far – the pricey production cost is a problem, Radith says – over one million people have watched them on YouTube. “We are currently in the process of bringing Malam Minggu Miko to television so that a lot more people can watch it,” he says with a hint of pride.

screaming for

ice cream Dini Inaya cools down from Jakarta’s heat by seeking the yummiest ice cream.

l Stea On the Menu: Vanilla Oreo, Rum Raisin and Peppermint Ingredients: Three cups of milk ice cream, each with vanilla Oreo, rum raisin and peppermint. Location: Kedai Es Krim Baltic, Jl. Kramat Raya 10, Central Jakarta Price: @ Rp 4,400

Kedai Es Krim Baltic (Baltic Ice Cream Shop) takes me back to sweet childhood memories. The ice cream from this shop was a regular treat from my grandmother whenever I visited her home. Loca tion: Established in 1939, Kedai Ice Cream Baltic is Clea nline famous for its traditional, homemade recipe. ss: Deco r: Using simple and fresh ingredients including Hosp italit milk, sugar and fruits, the ice cream is y: Tast e : notable for its silky-smooth texture. Real ice cream lovers will know that Kedai Es Krim Baltic use neither artificial coloring nor preservatives in its products, and the original flavors come out in the fruits. A spoonful of the rum raisin, peppermint or vanilla Oreo will definitely have you coming back for more. Although you can sit down and enjoy your ice cream at the shop, it isn’t the ideal place to hang out. Located in a particularly crowded part of Jakarta, the shop is small and a bit hard to locate. Get it to go and enjoy it in the comfort of your home. If you really are too lazy to leave the house, Baltic ice cream offers a delivery service for customers in the Jabodetabek area (021 – 3906409 / 3501805). 58

food ge r u l Sp

inspector

On the menu: Double Sundae Ingredients: a cup of two small scoops of Strawberry Cheesecake & Cookies and Cream, topped with almond and caramel sauce. Location: Häagen-Dazs café, Pondok Indah Mall 2 Price: Rp 54,860

Who doesn’t love Häagen Dazs? You can find this Locat ion: popular brand in almost Clean liness every mall in big cities in : Deco r: Indonesia and around the Hosp itality world. I think my first love : T a s t may have been Häagen e: Dazs’ Rum Raisin. But I then fell head over heels for the Double Sundae with an additional scoop of “cookies and cream”. I would sprinkle almond nuts and add caramel sauce on top. This combination will make you realize that delicious ice cream is about great taste and even greater scent! Oh don’t judge me – everyone deserves a sweet treat every once in a while. Or every three days in my case. Any downer? Well I wish that the ice cream portions were bigger. And, as many of you would agree, I wish the price were cheaper. Then again, you get what you pay for: delicious ice cream and a cozy setting for you and your friends to hang out.

t u o k a Bre f o s r Sta

2012

nderground u n a re o K th u a So f ed boy band to s a -b K re are some o U e h a , n m o ti a Fro s n e ouTube s roughs in the th k a rapper-cum-Y re b g in n d yet stun . the unexpecte try from 2012 s u d in t n e m entertain

Psy Park Jae-Sang, better known as Psy, is the hottest export from South Korea, which is saying something amid K-pop’s success. His infectious “Gangnam Style” music video has captivated everyone from the likes of Katy Perry to MotoGP winner Jorge Lorenzo. Even UN General-Secretary Ban Ki Moon, who is also Korean, was bitten by the Gangnam bug and received a dance lesson from the man himself. The real secret to his success, in his own words, is simple: dress classy, dance cheesy. 60

Jessica Chastain After starring in seven films and winning over 35 critics’ awards in 2011, Jessica has established herself as the latest “It” girl in Hollywood. But it wasn’t until her performance in The Help that she finally became a bona fide Hollywood A-lister. “Most little girls dream of their wedding dress; I grew up dreaming of my Oscar dress,” she was quoted as saying when asked about her dream to conquer Hollywood. Is it really any wonder why TIME magazine decided to include her in its annual 100 most influential list in 2012?

celeb

buzz

Maudy Ayunda Maudy’s acting skills have impressed since her debute in 2006’s Untuk Rena. But it’s her recent movies Perahu Kertas (Paper Boat) and Perahu Kertas 2 that have helped turned this 18-year-old into bigtime movie star. Starring alongside Reza Rahadian and Adipati Dolken, Maudy steals the acting honores with her convincing performance as Kugy, a brokenhearted and emotional young girl. Did we mention she also composed and sang in the soundtrack for both films? Now that she’s reportedly been accepted as a student at Columbia University in New York, it’s looking to be a great year for this talented teenager.

One Direction In September 2011, boyband members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson conquered the UK music scene with their mega-hit What Makes You Beautiful. But it was only in 2012 that the rest of the world began paying attention to these teenagers. Their album “Up All Night” was released globally in early 2012, and managed to secure the number one spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. This achievement made them the first British group in US chart history to enter at number one with a debut album. During the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, the band was declared the biggest winners of the night by sweeping all three of their nominations, including the much prized award of Best New Artist.

Cherrybelle Formed back in February 2011, these nine lucky Indonesian girls were personally selected by music producer Dino Raturandang from thousands of hopefuls at an open audition held in Jakarta. The goal was to form a homegrown girl band similar to Girls’ Generation and Wonder Girls. Despite skepticism about their musical talent, Cherrybelle has proved to be a hit from the get go. In 2012, they scored at least nine endorsement deals, three awards and their very own autobiographical movie Love is U.

Adele Adele’s “21” album, with massive hits such as Someone Like You, Rolling in the Deep and Set Fire to the Rain, became the official soundtrack for the brokenhearted in 2011. By 2012, this vivacious singer gained industry recognition after winning six Grammy Awards. Her other achievements this

year include being declared the first female in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have three singles in the top 10 at the same time; recording the hit theme song for the latest James Bond movie Skyfall, and perhaps her greatest accomplishment of all, celebrating the birth of her new baby boy. 61

Fresh Start

While most internships involve hours of menial work, Stanford University student Angelina V. reveals how her experience helped change her life. 62

y first internship experience included BBQ parties hosted by the company heads, playing Rockband with my colleagues, meeting Oprah Winfrey in person and eating delicious, gourmet food every day. Did I mention that I was an intern at Facebook?

As a freshman, the possibility of interning at Facebook or any other top tech company in California’s Silicon Valley seemed almost unreal. Based on what I read online, it seemed that scoring an interview with the giant tech companies would be very difficult. Since I’m not the type of person who gives up easily, I decided to jspend the next two years building an impressive academic record at Stanford University before approaching any of the companies. At least, that was the original plan I had in mind. Two weeks after I arrived at Stanford, the campus organized a career fair. I soon realized that the companies were not only looking for prospective employees, but they were also looking to recruit interns. With over 250 companies participating, I figured that at least one of them would be willing to take on a freshman like myself. After all, if I managed to get into Stanford, that’s got to count for at least something. It wasn’t long before the calls started coming in. After several months of back-to-back interviews with different companies, I ended up scoring six internship offers from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft and

University Life

(surprisingly) Facebook. I must admit that it was tough deciding where I wanted to intern – the offers were all amazing! – but I finally decided to go with Facebook’s offer, mainly because the company’s culture seemed to fit well with my personality.

Everyone Counts My internship with Facebook lasted for about 12 weeks during the summer break, which was perfect timing since I wouldn’t have to juggle classes and the demands of the internship. The experience enabled me to observe the ins and outs of a prosperous Silicon Valley company like Facebook. What really surprised me the most was the company’s flat organization structure: there are no offices or cubicles, and everyone occupies the same space. In some ways, this helps in diminishing the barriers between employers and employees. I couldn’t help but feel privileged to be able to work alongside some of the best engineers in the world. As you can imagine, everyone in the office values openness and transparency in doing their jobs. And it was easy to communicate because everyone worked on the same

level of respect regardless of their positions in the company. A good example of this is the weekly meetings, where every employee gets to ask questions about the company’s projects and directions. It was during these meetings that I learned how humility and openness were the real keys to the success of Facebook. All the top executives, including CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg, did not hesitate to rub shoulders with the employees and interns. They listened to our suggestions because it enabled them to know what young people like us really want.

Learning Process Most of the projects I dealt with had to do with the “backend services”. While it continuously challenged me to learn new things, I must admit it wasn’t easy. To be perfectly honest, I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t put on the product team, which would have allowed me to have a direct impact on Facebook users. And as awesome as the experience was, my internship at Facebook soon became a routine. I would get so caught up with work that it almost felt like I was a permanent employee! Nevertheless, the internship was

everything a first year student like myself could have hoped for. I made many mistakes, asked a lot of dumb questions and learned much more than I would have from just sitting in class all day.

My Two Cents Here’s my tip to those who are curious about taking up an internship: apply now! Don’t be intimidated by the recruiting process. Most of the interviews that I went for were fun and relaxed. It gave me a chance to meet interesting and very smart people. You’ll get to share your experiences and gain new ones simply by meeting with them. Stop underestimating yourself and just put your best foot forward. Interning is the best way to get an idea of what your future career will be like, which is also why you should pick the internship that is right for you. While interning at big companies might seem awesome, it’s not for everyone. Thanks to my experience, I’m now certain that it’s not for me. The year after my Facebook internship, I skipped an offer from a big company and went with Quora, a start-up company with only 40 employees. And I absolutely loved every single day of it. 63

p o t s r u e n e r p o techn long tures of 2012, a en v ia ed m l a ci st so Dial up the hotte s behind them. with the geniuse

David Karp

two thumbs up

ubbed “The Internet’s Wonder Boy” by the New York Post, you can thank this guy for creating the popular microblogging site Tumblr. The idea was first launched in November 2007, with the intent to create fun and simple blogs instead of just lengthy, boring submissions. This proved to be an instant hit among young internet users. 64

Within a few years, the number of users grew exponentially. By 2011, David’s internet venture was estimated to be worth more than US$800 million. With 77 million active bloggers registered under the site, there’s no doubt that such an immense database is worth quite a lot in the cyber world. Not too shabby for a 26-year-old high school dropout.

geeky news

Alexa ski drzejew

Foodie Goodie

Kevin Systrom

lexa’s brilliant idea began in 2009, when she realized how hard it was to locate Okonomiyaki (a type of Japanese pancake) in San Francisco. This inspired her to build Foodspotting, a directory website dedicated to food. Sure, it isn’t the most original idea – there are millions of food directory sites in the cyber world. But unlike the rest, Foodspotting offers a visual food guide for restaurants in your local your location to inform you of the neighborhood. The app tracks down nearest (and tastiest!) places to eat. The site currently offers over two million reviews and photographs. In February 2012, Foodspotting launched a mobile app which reached 3 million downloads in just two months. While Alexa’s net worth remains unknown, she could probably open her own restaurant serving Okonomiyakis by now.

Instant Billionaire

Dave Morin

Successful Path

ave Morin isn’t new to the world of technology thanks to his previous experiences working at Apple and Facebook. Dave teamed up with Napster creator Shawn Fanning to build a new social networking mobile app named Path. The first version of the app launched in November 2010, to a somewhat lukewarm response.

It was only after the updated version was launched in September 2011 that people began taking notice. According to Bloomberg, Path achieved approximately three million users worldwide in July 2012, and is estimated to be worth $250 million. Dave has received numerous awards for his work, including the TechFellow Award from TechCrunch and Bloomberg Businessweek’s 30 Under 30 Best Young Tech Entrepreneur Award in 2011.

his 28 year old is the CEO and co-founder of Instagram, a free photosharing program and social network that launched in October 2010. The app was deemed an instant hit, gaining more than 1 million downloads within 24 hours upon launching. Within three months, it had three million users. In April 2012, Facebook was reported to have bought Instagram for a cool $1 billion. Instagram’s landmark success has made Kevin one of the most prominent young “technopreneurs” in the 21st century. But did you know that back in Stanford University, he swapped his major of Computer Science with Management Science & Engineering? Apparently, he wasn’t sure he would pass the class. 65

Living large

agent of Change

al rnation e t n i n ay be a nd She m lence a l e c x e t par activis roduct, p y t u a e on e of a b lly Wils i the fac W s l l te Kariza a d n t. a l at hear but A l r i g e l p is a sim e h s t a th

Photos: Courtesy of LUX

landa Kariza is an outstanding young woman. A published author at age 14 and founder of an NGO that focuses on global warming at 15, she represented Indonesia in the Global Changemakers at the G-20 London Summit four years later. She addressed solutions to the global economic crisis before world leaders including host Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Despite the considerable success, Alanda, 21, insists she is just a girl next door fortunate to have been given great opportunities. “They [teenagers] often say they want to be like me, but I always tell them you should just be yourself – the best that you can be. I want them to realize that if a simple girl next door like me can do things, so can they,” says the Bina Nusantara International University scholarship recipient. “I always have the desire to

RS ANSWE a D N a AL moment”

ng ur “dazzli Share yo t was with us … dazzling momen ers from te a larship off My ultim o h sc d e ceiv when I re ies. universit p to e re th ise? you desp omplain about What do c o h w eople nything I dislike p et are not doing a y , a Indonesi g. e anythin to chang y in life? hilosoph p r u en o y s erson wh What’ a better p e b n a c u Yo urself. you’re yo

empower young Indonesians for the betterment of this country. I think this has been my drive in everything I do, from writing novels to initiating conferences.” A not so little thing called belief is what makes the difference. “I recently learned that the key to empower Indonesian youths is to instill confidence within them. I realized that one can only make a difference if one is confident,” Alanda points out. Her selection as one of the young women fronting Lux soap’s Momen Berkilau (Dazzling Moment) campaign tells young people who look up to her that, “you don’t have to be movie-star gorgeous to dazzle. You simply have to feel good from the inside.” Walking the Talk Alanda’s career as an activist started at age 15. Two applications to international NGOs were declined because she was considered underage, prompting her to go it alone. The Cure for Tomorrow focused primarily on environmental issues. With friends, Alanda organized recycling workshops and educated her peers about global warming

through a campaign aptly called Stop Global Warming! “In 2006, when I started my career as an activist, the primary focus of my fight was environment and education. But nowadays my focus is to encourage young people to pursue their passions. Be the best in what you do, and this nation will be better,” she asserts. Confidence Personified To encourage young Indonesians to be confident and fearless, the international business student initiated the Indonesian Youth Conference (IYC). “Following my participation in Global Changemakers’ 3rd Youth Summit, in which all participants were required to execute a ‘community action project’, I founded IYC in March 2009. The idea was to provide an accessible platform for young Indonesians to speak out,” shares Alanda. Making an impact on Indonesia’s estimated 62 million young people is not an easy task. But Alanda has never been a quitter. In line with her passion “to encourage young people to pursue

their passions”, the IYC cultivates confidence and talents through two main events. The first is Forum, in which young activists aged 15 to 21 years old from 33 provinces of Indonesia are invited to attend a three-day project management training for free. At the program, participants are required to present an idea relevant to the situations of their respective provinces. IYC then oversees the implementation of this idea for two years until the next Forum commences. The second event is Festival, which is a one-day event consisting of seminars, workshops, exhibitions, music, sports and cultural performances. The topics discussed in the seminar and workshops vary from anti-corruption, pluralism, environment to education. “This event (Festival) is set to encourage young talents to positively contribute to the nation in an area. I want people of my generation to know that you can make a difference through your field of expertise or interest – whatever it may be,” says Alanda.

Youth Speak Fun Day Rocks

Balikpapan

round 4,000 students joyously sang Sweet Child of Mine, the mega hit song of rock band Guns and Roses, during a stunning performance by SMA Patra Dharma at Balikpapan Sports and Convention Center in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Oct. 20. The lavishly decorated air-conditioned facility, better known as the Dome, was the perfect party venue for Youth Speak Fun Day (YSFD), marking the exciting finale of the three-day Student English Competitions. Despite the rainy Saturday morning that greeted the opening at 9 a.m., students remained enthusiastic participants until the YSFD wrapped at 5 p.m. The range of entertaining performances, from art to marching band, cheerleaders, choirs, traditional and contemporary dances and theaters, fashion shows and many more, created an unusually festive atmosphere in the East Kalimantan city. “This is a rare and big youth extravaganza held in the city, we need more events like this to show our creativity and expressiveness,” said Grace Nadia from SMA 1 Balikpapan, the second winner of the News Reading Competition. She was among 541 contestants of the YSFD’s various English-language competitions, which included Writing, News Reading, Spelling Bee, Debate, Posters, Fashion Design and Scrabble. YSFD is part of the joint education-initiative Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program involving The Jakarta Post Foundation, PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia and the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Jakarta Post (TJP) Foundation executive director Yulia Herawati said she was heartened by the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to the YSFD from teachers and students in Balikpapan. “It was really great and sad at the same time, because we had to limit registration for the competitions, even though hundreds of other students were very enthusiastic about taking part in all the competitions,” Yulia said.

Deputy Education and Culture Minister Musliar Kasim, who opened the YSFD, said that parents across Indonesia must encourage their children to start learning English as soon as possible. “You can’t have a great education system without a school subject where students can learn a global language, such as English. Mastering the language is the path to becoming a global person. English will have to be mastered by all Indonesians,” he said. “The beautiful thing about [YSFD] is that it keeps the students interested in something that is positive. If students can have fun getting together and they’re learning and getting educated along the way, I think it’s a good solution [to end brawls],” Chevron’s senior vice president for Kalimantan operations Ted Etchison said. James MacFarlane, engineer in charge at Schlumberger, who volunteered as a juror for the News Reading competition, declared the YSFD an excellent activity. “I thought the level of English the students displayed during the (News Reading) competition and others was outstanding. Seeing all the schools from Balikpapan together was a great way to be introduced to the city and its education world,” he said. Ade Mauldiya Ramsey, a participant in the Writing competition, said he was excited and happy even though he did not win. “It is not about winning or losing. It is about a way to accomplish our dream in the future. Youth Speak Fun Day is an opening door to the future for us.” Following the successful holding of YSFD in Denpasar and Balikpapan, there will be events in Pekanbaru (Nov. 24) and Jakarta in January 2013.

FIT

ness fast workers Dividing your time between studies, extracurricular activities and social life (not to mention the obligatory me-time with the newest episode of Modern Family!) isn’t easy. How on earth do we find time to exercise? Here are some solutions.

Imaginary Jump Rope This exercise is simple: Imagine yourself playing jump rope … except that you don’t have the rope in your hands. I know it sounds weird, but it apparently is effective. All you need to do is to jump with your feet together, and jump with your feet out. Spread your legs in and out as you jump. Do this throughout any point of your day for only 1 minute and in time you will have toned calves. Tips: Repeat this exercise five times, with a 1-minute break between each exercise. 70

On-the-Go Twists Instead of moaning about how the traffic isn’t moving, use the time you have to do this very straightforward exercise. While you’re sitting up straight in the car, have your hands in front of you, with the palms either open or closed. Then all you have to do is twist side to side. This exercise works your oblique muscles, which are located on the side of your stomach. Since it’s a very simple exercise, it’s difficult to tell whether or not it’s actually working. So if you feel a slight tension in your abdominal area, you’re on your way to getting desirable abs. You can repeat this as many times as you wish – or just until your car starts moving again.

Suka Junin shares three easy and quick exercises for busy bees like you!

Convert Your Couch Are you gradually making your couch your best friend? Watching marathons of your favorite shows in this comfort zone? If you answered an embarrassed yes, then it’s time to turn off the TV, say goodbye to your couch potato self and turn your sofa into an effective piece of gym equipment. Using your couch as a support, you want to “dip” by placing your grip at the end of the couch while supporting the rest of your body with your feet placed firmly on the floor. Keep moving up and down – no need to go lower than shoulders to elbow level – and pick up the pace once you’ve gotten the hang of it. Don’t forget to keep your back straight for maximum results! Who knew your couch could help with your abs, gluts and triceps?

simply

what’s in your bag

beautiful L

eonita Tiuma is living many young girls dream of becoming a ballerina. A professional ballet dancer, she began taking lessons at age five. An aspiring actress, Leonita, 20, is a public relations student at Pelita Harapan University.

vers the Natasha Ishak unco auty inspirations and beth is secrets that keep ballet al young professionin dancer mov g.

Why do you love ballet? I enjoy the performing arts and I’ve always wanted to be on stage. What makes me particularly drawn to ballet is that it allows me to tell meaningful stories to the audience through gracious movements. But not everyone realizes how these movements require a robust physique and intense practice. Ballet is also a good way to stay fit and healthy. How do you calm yourself before a performance? Usually, I jump up and down to calm my nerves. I also have a special trick to remember difficult steps. For instance, if the first move goes to the right, I would usually pinch my right arm [before the cue]. What other kinds of dance do you like? I enjoy modern dance. I must say each dance is unique in its own way. What does it take to become a good ballet dancer? You must have a flexible body, a reliable memory and an instinctive sense of coordination. But the most important trait of all is that you must have a passion for ballet. So what do you normally carry in your bag when you’re going to your ballet class? A towel, a pair of ballet shoes, toiletries, my wallet and mobile phone. What are your favorite grooming products? I simply love the shampoo from L’Occitane. I also have this habit of dusting myself with Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder after showering. I know it’s rather unusual for an adult to use baby powder, but it really helps in keeping my skin soft and smooth. The last touch before I leave the house is Victoria’s Secret Pink Body Splash, which keeps me feeling fresh the whole day. Do you have other interests besides ballet? I’ve always wanted to try my hand at acting. I’ve gone to a few castings, but I think ballet will always be my number one priority. 71

UPdates

? u o y e r e w e r e h w

Djarum Foundation Trees for Life What: The Djarum Foundation continued another phase of its Trees For Life campaign along the Central Java northern coastal highway. By planting Trembesi water-absorbing trees, the campaign aims at preserving local ecosystems, absorbing C02, preventing erosion, creating shade and helping water catchment. When: Oct. 24, 2012 Who: Brebes Regent Agung Widyantoro officiated at the event. Girlband Princess, together with RAN and The Changcuters, entertained the audience.

The Water Project Gala Dinner and Live Auction What: Initiated by six Pelita Harapan International High School students under the guidance of Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa, The Water Project is a charity effort dedicated to providing clean water for over 1,500 villagers in Kampung Lemo, Teluknaga, Banten. When: Sept. 29, 2012 Where: Imperial Aryaduta Hotel, Lippo Village 72

Raisa’s Samsung Musical Note What: Samsung Galaxy Note II and Raisa Andriana invited young Indonesian to submit photos, writings and sketches to be incorporated in a music video for the songstress’ latest single, Melangkah (Stepping out). The project, which was held from Oct 23 – Nov 22, was created to promote creativity among the youth. When: Oct. 25, 2012 Where: Senayan City, Jakarta

NIE YouthSpeak! Fun Day in Balikpapan Speak! took part in the Newspaper In Education (NIE) Fun Day event in Balikpapan last month. Organized by The Jakarta Post Foundation and Chevron, the event was a huge success with over 3,000 high school students showcasing their musical, dancing, debating and oratory talents. When: Oct. 20, 2012 Where: Balikpapan Sports and Convention Center (Dome)

University

life

Yogyakarta on the Quiet The laidback vibe of this culturally rich city is both good and bad for students, says born-andbred Jakartan Hosea Reyna.

Name: Hosea Reyna Age: 22 University: Atmajaya University in Yogyakarta

Why did you choose to study in Yogyakarta? Jakarta is so busy that it just doesn’t seem like a good place to study. Yogyakarta wasn’t my first choice but it was the only city my parents would allow me to move to. What are you taking? Architecture. I’ve always admired the craftsmanship and design creativity that goes into buildings. You have a lot of freedom living on your own. How do you stay focused? The main reason that I reside in this city is to study, and I always remind myself that. I make it a point to have 74

an academic goal each semester, which helps me structure my study hours. I must admit that the city’s laidback vibe makes it a bit hard to be ambitious and focus. Are you involved in any non-academic activities on campus? I was in the campus Marching Band during my earlier semesters. We performed at the 2008 Marching Band Grand Prix at Istora Senayan in Jakarta. What do you do for fun? Catch up on sleep! As any architecture student will tell you, our assignments are time-consuming – staying up all night is just another day for us. Other than that, I like to hang out with friends and admire Yogyakarta’s unique architecture. What makes the city unique? The thriving local culture. Unlike Jakarta, the idea of a weekend

outing here doesn’t always involve going to the malls. The locals here hang around the alun-alun Keraton (the palace square), and the warung bubur kacang ijo (mungbean stalls) are also popular hangout spots. Any regrets about moving here? None. As a center of higher education, Yogyakarta is a melting pot of sorts. I have the opportunity to make friends from every corner of this country, especially rural areas – something that I wouldn’t have been able to do as a student in Jakarta. The experience has allowed me to learn about other ethnic cultures. What would you tell a high school student wanting to study in Yogyakarta? Yogyakarta is one of the nicest and safest cities to live in. Come with an open mind and you will have a great experience.