Monday, July 25, 2011

the mortician's daughter

by: Black Veil Brides




Lyric

I open my lungs dear
I sing this song at funerals
No rush.
These lyrics heard a thousand times
just plush.
A baby boy you've held so tightly
this pain it visits almost nightly
Missing hotel beds
I feel your touch.

I will await dear
A patient of eternity
my crush.
A universal still
No rust.
No dust will ever grow on this frame
One million years I will say your name.
I love you more than I can ever scream.

Booked our flight those years ago
I said I love you as I left you
Regrets still haunt my hollow head
I promised you I will see you again, again.

I sit here and smile dear
I smile because I think of you

I blush.
These bleeding hollow dials
This fuss.
A fuss is made of miles and travels
When roadways are but stones and gravel.
A bleeding heart can conquer every crutch.

We booked our flight those years ago
You said you loved me as you left me.
Regrets still haunt your saddened head
but I promised you I will see you.
We booked our flight those years ago
I said I loved you and I left you.
Regrets no longer in my head
But I promised you and now I'm home again

again
again
again
again
again

I'm home again.

Monday, July 11, 2011

BUNKASAI – Gakko No Reminiscence



Early morning on a beautiful Sunday, my friends and I stopped a Semarang-Solo public bus (with AC) and headed to Solo. Flashback for a week before, my friends who take Japanese study told about this “Bunkasai” (or literally, “Culture Festival”) that would be held by one of senior high school in Solo and invited me to join them. I immediately said yes, because I though that it would be a different and interesting experience, especially to spend my holiday. Also, to see Japanese cultural festival was not an every day event.

By the help of Google Map, finally we found the school on foot (after getting off from the bus). Such an achievement, wasn’t it! This “Bunkasai” is an annual event held by SMAN 4 Surakarta. The entrance ticket was Rp8,000 plus two stickers. One more unique (or strange) thing, we got stamped on our neck or little bit lower to side shoulder (Yes, it should be there! Not on hand, arm or cheek).




The theme of this Bunkasai was “Gakko No Reminiscence”. It used two languages: Japanese and English. I gave a part in translating the English one, hehehe. So, the theme was about “school memories”.

We were welcomed by lots of stands made from bamboo at the school yard. Japanese food stands, K-drama stands, J-drama stands, manga comic and CD, cosplay, and many more. There was also a big stage at the center of the yard. A lot of bands specialized in Japanese songs would be performed there. Many Japanese cultures were introduced such as Japanese’s traditional martial art, Taiko, etc.









The most interesting and amazing part was the cosplay competition. Many contestants wore their costume based on manga comic or game. They were extremely total in their costumes, background music, style, way to move, etc.


  

















Sunday, July 10, 2011

PERSONA – Drama Class Performance




It was a final assignment for the Drama Class, yet it should be shown to other than the class’s students, hence as an annual event.

The basketball court was chosen as the stage, and the audiences would comfortably watch from the “Gazebo”. 



Most of the players are seniors. Long black cloak was their dress code, bare-footed, and white mask on their faces. They only acted and gestured, following a voice who dubbed their dialogue (of course, in English).



The Story
Persona, well according to my very own opinion, was a symbolic and deep in meaning. Started by a daughter who came home after a long time. She asked for her father forgiveness, and also faced her brother. She had a battle in her mind and heart. Similar to every person in this world, she got lost and met many people as “Anger”, “Envy”,”Sin”, etc. She was told to look for the “Wise” old man. And finally she knew that she was “loved”.
“You are loved”.




Backstage Bustles
There was also a mini play to open the main drama. It was performed by my friends in the same year of school. It titled “The Lost Child”. However, it would be in form of a parody. For example, you will find that who became the father was actually played by a girl, and who should be the mother was a boy! Moreover, you will also find Japanese girls in their kimonos!
Here, I had the opportunity to help them in make-up and costumes. 













Bonjour!


Dark Coffee at Kent Donut,Salatiga

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Jogja, entah untuk yang keberapa kalinya ...

It is untold how many I've been to Jogja. Yeah, it's never bored to go there, even though the city has been changed a bit (or more?). And it's been a while I do not visit this city which is very well-known with its Javanese cultural heritage and many attractive tourism destinations.

Yet, last month (11-12 of June), my friends and I went there by motorbikes. We had planned it since a month earlier, we wanted to celebrate our finished final test for this term. There were 5 bikes with two passengers on it. I ride my black Mio as usual :)

We left Salatiga at 2 p.m and preferred the Kopeng road. Well,  it was kinda tiring do to its mountainous and winding road, but it's worth! We could see the fresh and beautiful sceneries of Merbabu Mountain and the far-little part of Merapi Vulcano. After passing the busy highway of Magelang, finally we entered the city of Jogja. It was almost dusk when we arrived in the famous Malioboro Street.

We left our stuff at a guest house (actually it was one of our friend's home).
The following are some places and activities we did there!

South Square (Alun-Alun Kidul)
The South Square is an area at the back part of the Sultan's Palace. It has totally changed. I mean the entertainment it offers. Actually one of my friend wanted to try the Masangin challenge, namely walking through two banyan trees in the middle of the square with your eyes being closed. The belief says that those who successfully do it will get unlimited blessing. However, do not try to peep since you will enter to other world so that it is difficult for you to return to the real world! The ritual of going through between two banyan trees is not mystical but it is means of saying our prayer to God. The answering of the prayer will depend on one's belief. At last, we all tried this challenge.



 Three of my friends tried the challenge


 Girls wanted to try the decorated semi-bike-cart vehicle (back), we should paddling ourselves!



At certain occasion, you can see leather puppet performance in Sasono Hinggil Dwi Abad, the building that is located adjacent to the South Square. Unfortunately it was not held at the time we were there.

Malioboro Street at Night
After having dinner, we continued our journey to Malioboro Street. It was extremely crowded due to the holiday season. In addition, there were a lot of events held along this street, especially at the Vredeburg Fort and the President Palace.


   


The girls did some shopping the next day, there are plenty supply of Batik and many other arts and cultural stuffs.



Baron Beach
The second day we went to beach. Actually we'd like to find the Siung but we're little bit lost of track and we arrived at the other beaches. Due to the road block so we decided to visit this beach.
It was located in Gunung Kidung Regency (literally, South Mountain), so you can imagine how the way to get there. Extremely winding and curving. And in hours! However, it paid after we smelled the air of the sea hehehe.
First sight, lots of blue boats are the welcome!
And followed by such a "lake" that separate the land and the real beach or ocean. You can cross by swimming or riding a boat only with Rp.2.000.














We back home at night and along the journey we passed what it's called Bukit Bintang (Star Hill), it was a place along the winding highway where we can stop for a while and watch the view from up hill. It was such a grandeur scenery of beautiful night landscape of Jogja city, with its lamps, sparking roads, etc.

Honestly it's very tiring traveling by motorbike, but it's worth though.