Arriving Spain

13th Febuary 2013, 11:30 am

After approximately 20 hrs of flying, I had my entire body arriving at Barajas Airport Madrid, Spain. Bienvenida, Florence! Welcome! This is the land of my dream I will be staying in for the next 88 days. 

I am certain that this journey will be an important milestone for my career, and more importantly my life. Since several years ago, I have set a new goal to be  hispanic expert. Hopefully my arrival this time, the first arrival and hopefully many more to come, will assist me to build the dream.

And like a quote I found yesterday during my visit to Toledo (an hour south from Madrid): I have decided to do things I like, because it is good for health ;)

Saludos!

Farewell to Comfort Zone

I have been in my comfort zone since September 2012, when I rejoined a latin embassy in Indonesia. As comfort as a kid playing with his dear toy, I do things that I love. Those things are called work.

It was quite a journey to end up here at first. Since my dad had to deal with his health issue, I had been trying to get a job in Singapore, which left me months unemployed. I myself was half-heartedly looking because the lion city doesn't fancy me that much. I offered myself to many companies to do work which mostly I am not very keen on; which most people call work for money. Somewhat apparently it is not "the way" for me.

Out of the blue I contacted the embassy where I had done an internship before, asking whether they have something for me... and they did. What made me jumping around afterward was the fact that they need assistance in cultural section, bullseye! There I was keeping me busy with things I love, culture. Repeat cultura latina (latin culture), which has captivated me for the recent couple years in line with the Spanish language itself. Moreover, I receive enough income as well. Big enough to survive and save some for my future plans.

My zone becomes even more comfortable for the colleagues I have in this small office. We create a very nice working environment, going through day by day with lots of smiles, laughters, and cares for each other, aside from the interesting office talks and music. It didn't take long for us to befriended, also out of the office, although each of us has different character. Pretty interesting too as we tend to mix up languages when conversing, but in the end it is the best way to understand each other. Somehow they glow such positive evergy to each other.

I have been in my comfort zone until....

31st January 2013
is my last day coming to the office before pursuing one of my ultimate dream of going to Spain on the 12th of Febuary.

It is a two-sides coin condition for me. I'm happy that finally I get the opportunity to go to the country which I consider as my second country (after Indonesia). On the other side I am sad to leave the third (Venezuela). Well not pretty much leaving the embassy that concerns me most, but leaving my dear friends does. It makes me think a lot whether I would ever find colleagues like them.

The previous Charge d'affairs who now turns into a friend, spoke to me on her last day working. With teary eyes she expressed it. She said, "When I came to Jakarta, I wanted to leave as soon as I can, but after a while I'd like to stay longer. It is the people who keep me here by heart." I think the same condition is happening to me now. The farewell is even tougher than college graduation. These people in the embassy are my superstars. It is a sure thing that I am going to miss them all soooooo much.

Instead of saying good bye, I'd like to dedicate this Irish blessing quote at my farewell: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

This is the end of my comfort zone. From here, now am welcoming again uncertainity and surprises. This is the time to farewell the sweet memories and seek for new adventure lining up in the book of destiny.

The superstars:

The Sunshine

The Partner in Crime

The Adorable

The Queen

Going to The Palace

Honour. Power. Grand. Aristocracy. Those what came to mind as I recall a palace. Yesterday morning (3rd Oct 2011) I went to one. It belongs to the Vice President, Mr.Boediono.

It was indeed big and well-organised, offered me a sense of privileged while entering the area. Guards were stopping my car in the entrance, before I could even reach the parking lot. I had to go through body and bag checking first. The program was started at 10, yet people should be there an hour before. Thirty minutes to ten the gates have been locked. No one could enter nor exit as the VP was arriving.

Yes it was a bit uneasy for me on the other hand. As I enjoy more spontaneous, vibrant, relax atmosphere, a protocolary and formal situation discomforted me a bit.

Let's get straight to the story. I write quite much lately at work, thus I don't feel like snaking the story up. My writing for Youthspeak, partnering with intern Callista, "Living Hygienically Starts Small" won first place of The Ministry of Public Works' Journalistic Writing Competition. I therefore, for the very first time in life, was invited to the VP palace to attend the awarding ceremony.

As an hour ceremony lasted, we were served lunch which I had not have the chance to grab much, as people kept coming to congratulate me and brought me into long conversations. Afterward Callista and I finally got a chance to capture the moment in some places of the palace. Here they are.

Together with co-writer Callista

Meeting The Vice President Boediono

the winning piece

To Inform, To Style Up, To Inspire

The idea showed up when I was about to design my own business card. I browsed a little about how to make one, and the idea of putting distinctiveness, especially on the job title disturbed me a lot. It was difficult to find a unique suitable term of journalist. As I have the passion of both printed and broadcast media, I didn't want to specify it to one, and it made me think very hard for a few days.

Information Stylist is Me

The decision was made. I coined my own term, my own version of a journalist: The Information Stylist. Here is the justification. I personally believe that information is everywhere. There are many unknowns which have not been delivered yet to certain group of people. For example, Indonesia is famous for being an exotic pearl in South East Asia, but how many beautiful spots can you mention other than Bali? The information, which likely has been spread out before, has a chance of being worthy to those who have not read or watch about it. So, here is what I do: inform, style up, inspire.


The next philosophy is that I deliver the information with a purpose to inspire people. I don't expect to change the world, but inspiring at least an individual through my piece is an aim. Therefore, I need to style up the information, make it enjoyable. Not only for the sake of the audiences, but I think it is important to motivate me too. Thus I can pour my heart out in every work, as I remember I have some people to inspire. Having a two sides of the same coin is always good, isn't it?

The Formula Keeps Me Going

So, you want to make the world even more colourful? All you need is an information stylist.

Two New Young Colombian Friends

Life keeps flowing and it takes me to fantastic experience lately.

One and a half year ago, my old man pouted my decision on studying Spanish. It's not popular at all in Indonesia, and its use is questionable here. I did not get clear vision as well why I was doing it. All I knew was that I wanted to be able to speak more than English and Indonesian.

Now I can see, the decision has given me some memorable opportunities. Starting from the "exclusive" interview with Fabregas, to recently a Liaison Officer (LO) for Latin delegation in the International Symposium on Constitutional Democratic State, brought by Indonesian Constitutional Chamber.

I had been given a task to escort a Venezuelan delegation at first. A couple days before the symposium, he canceled. So therefore I was transferred to the spouse program, in which I had to escort the spouse and kid of Colombian parliament's member, Carlos Eduardo Hernandez Mogollon.

A day before the symposium, I knew that Mrs.Mogollon could not come. I would be accompanying two children of Señor Hernandez then, Paola and Santiago. These two youngsters from the city of Cúcuta are very charming indeed. Paola became an idol for male LOs, while her younger brother Santiago charmed the female LOs, plus the women of the Constitutional Chamber.

In between two Hernandez (left: Paola, right: Santiago)

Paola and I are about in the same age. Well, she is younger by eight months, but sometimes I feel she is more mature. Probably it's because she has the gut to be married in such young age, and she is a mom of a three year-old Isabella already. With my (currently) beginner level of Spanish, I thank God Paola speaks English too, though I kept on trying to communicate in Spanish. (That's why I was hired for!) Another thing I admire from her is the passion to be a politician like her father. Probably in the next visit, I'd meet her as a delegation.


Meanwhile, the 16 year-old Santiago reminded me of my little sister. Both love Harry Potter and the TV Series Glee. Santiago is a pop culture aficionado. I bet he knows all songs of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and of course his home-country diva Shakira. Santiago and I share the same interest in film production. He has a plan already to be an actor and movie editor.

One thing they have in common is the shopping hobby. We went to two malls downtown on the first day, and supposedly went to the National Park on the second day. However, it turned to be a two-days mall tripping as they were animated to visit the biggest mall in Jakarta, located in Kelapa Gading area. 

Lunch Break in a Mall Tripping

Paola said that stuffs here are beautiful, and quite various as well. I was quite surprised that we have more branded shops here than Colombia. For example, we have Forever21 in Jakarta, while they have to go to United States to get one. Although they are smart shoppers (pick many, try many, but buy only a couple best), these two out of four siblings are also generous in shopping. They did not shop for themselves only; they have many gifts to be given to beloved people back home.

I like the flow of my life these days as it allows me to meet many new friends, especially these two young Colombians. They are currently enjoying Bali, and will be going home by the end of this week.

Fifteen Minutes with Cesc

I will never forget these fifteen minutes given to interview the Spanish national Cesc Fabregas last Wednesday, 22nd June 2011. Along with four others journalists, we had a very fun fifteen minutes talk, and it only took fifteen minutes for me to know that this world-class football player possesses a very nice character. His face showed exhaustion, yet his smile didn't wear off. I can also conclude that Cesc is a good boy, very humble indeed.

Here is a piece of my story published by the media I represented:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/23/barcelona-me-best-place-be-fabregas.html

Wearing Indonesian Batik Scarf
courtesy by Matheos V. Messakh

From these fifteen minutes conversation, there are several quotations of Francesc Fabregas that I find interesting:

"Being on the streets for many hours, that's how I improved."

"Discipline is something that I always had in me."

"When I was six year old and I had the game for the next day, my mom wanted to take me to McDonald then I said: no mom, give me a salad, give me a fish, I need protein for tomorrow."

"My friends are very important for me, because I  know them since they were very little, since school, and I have the same friends."

"Life is always about making decision, making the right one is not always easy. You'll never know what is going to be the best thing for you so you have to imagine what could happen in both ways, and hear what your heart says. It can go wrong as well, but at least you've done what you thought it was the best for you."

"I like many footballs and I try to learn from the best teams."

"I love kids so much. It's important for me because they are the future. The future of football, the future of football."

"When I was eight I used to play with ten. When I was ten I used to play with twelve. I was always been a little bit more advance."

Journalist: You don't want to go home to Barcelona?
Cesc: Yes I will go on holiday.

Journalist: You look gorgeous everyday. Please describe you fashion style in three words.
Cesc: Can I think about it first and let you know later. I really don't know what to say, it's difficult.

"Barcelona for me is the best place to be. All my family and friends are there, and it is a nice way to disconnect from football... I live a little bit away in a small town and it's fantastic to live there."

*)Cesc was in Indonesia for a product promotion event where he is chosen to be the ambassador.