Thank you, VOA!

This month is a very special month for me, simply because I got an opportunity to come to a great event, which is VOA Affiliates Conference 2012. I thought I didn’t deserve this. My boss asked me to fulfill the registration form for him to join this event. Yet, after one week or two, the same registration form came to me and I was asked to fulfill it for myself. I had no clue why. But I was so grateful for that.

 

The conference was held on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of November in Sheraton Surabaya Hotel and Towers. The hotel facilities are very remarkable. I compared this duty as a holiday because I really enjoyed to be there. I met a lot of people who work in jurnalism field. We as well had great sessions of seminars whose speakers are great too. There were Latief Siregar (Executive Producer of MNC TV), Bimo Nugroho (President Director of PT Asia Surja Digital Televisi), Jerry Justianto (Director of Maxima Corporation), Ali Murtadlo (Director of Jawa pos Media Televisi Corporation Surabaya), Silih Agung Wasesa (Managing partner ASIA PR), Fachry Mohamad (Founder and CEO Smart FM Network), Norman Goodman (VOA Washington), Dough Boyton (BBG Washington), and Frans Padak Demon (VOA Jakarta). My favorites were Ali Murtadlo, Fachry Mohamad, and Norman Goodman because I learned a lot of things from them! What they were speaking about impressed me a lot.

Even though the schedule of the seminar was very tight, I still could have shopping time at Tunjungan Plaza. My boss and I bought some books and tried some food. I really enjoyed every single thing I did in Surabaya J I was alone in my room and a bit confused what to do though haha But when I could not sleep earlier, I watched Desperate Housewives the whole night xixixixi

When I was about to leave for Magelang, I asked my boss who reccomend me to fulfill the invitation from VOA, he said nothing. But finally he confessed that he was the one! He told me that I deserve it because I’ve been trying to work hard and dedicating the best things I can do to my office. So, that should be the time when my hard work paid off. I was like.... speechless but severely happy. Thank you boss, Polaris, and VOA!

with Norman Goodman :)

with Dough Boyton

Charming Stranger #3

Hello fellow, it's nice to tell you that last week I took part in Borobudur International Hash House Harriers or Borobudur Interhash 2012. I was asked to be one of the guides. The amazing thing was I met a couple of charming strangers from other countries. But well, I don’t want to talk much about the event. I just wanna share my experience meeting up one of the charming strangers there.

His name is Mr. Varpal. He comes from Malaysia and he was my master at guiding the hashers.

 Me & Mr. Varpal from Malaysia

The first time I met him, he wasn’t really outgoing. Yet, when we arrived at the runsite number 2, which was called Kintelan, Pakis, we collaborated pretty well. He conducted the event perfectly that most of the people (hashers, committee, and the villagers) there could enjoy it much.

On the way to Borobudur, he sat next to me. We talked a lot about the quality of the education, politics, ethnics and the cultures in Malaysia compared to Indonesia. I learned a lot from him. Nonetheless, I don’t really think that he’s that charming, because he was the one who forced me to drink beer. And you know, pals?! I couldn’t even avoid and I did that for the very first and the last time of my life! Hahaha this I promise myself. Anyway, that’s the risk I should take as a tour guide, isn’t it? :p Well actually, I feel happy and blessed to have such an experience!

Catch you later with other posts concerning Borobudur Interhash! xx

Charming Stranger #2

Meeting up interesting strangers is one of my favorite things about life. I find it nice that I can talk to them and share our knowledge about our different countries and culture. Not to mention, if they have great sense of humor, it’s always nice to have intimate conversation with them. Well, the second charming foreigner that I met lately is Matthijs Van Duijvbonde.

Matthijs is the pianist of Tim Knol & Band, a famous band from Netherlands. He’s extremely adorable. You know, he can play piano very well, he has super great sense of humor, and most of all, he’s so humble. Actually I wanna say that he is really really CRAZY! Haha. Yet, even though I just met him for the very first time, he impressed me a lot because we conversed a bit intimately.

I was surprised that he gave me a small gift as a memento. It’s special because the gift is actually a kind of a simple sculpture of my name. Hmm, how could he remember me that much whereas he is a famous musician? I might be special to him. HAHAHAHA sounds too disgustingly confident! Here is the snapshot of the gift:

Tim Knol's 2nd Album autographed by the whole band & the sweet gift! :D

Here are the snapshots of me & Matthijs:

My BSO, Matthijs, & me

the Mick Jagger look like bule gilak & gadis bermuka keset -_-

I do hope I could meet him someday and had other crazy moments! 
You can also see him in this video :D

Charming Stranger #1

Hi, I just thought of making a new label on my blog. It's called Charming Stranger. On this label, I will share my experience meeting up new people, especially interesting strangers. The story will be about my impression on those strangers. The first charming stranger I met is Mustava Davis.

Osy, Mustava Davis, Me, & Mas Reza

Mustava Davis is an American Moslem Movie Director. He came to Magelang in September 2011. He was invited to share his experience of making movies. I also met Mas Reza, he is from The USA Embassy, Jakarta. It was nice because Mustava Davis was affable and humorous.