I've Been Thinking About Nevada for the Past Two Weeks

I've been thinking about Nevada for the past two weeks, mostly about its Black Rock Desert. It is a semi-arid region, I would love to visit it someday. Maybe it's because of the movie I watched two weeks ago. Spending the night in the middle of the desert might be interesting.

Taken on Monday, 26 August, 2024 at 20:35 with Samsung Galaxy A05s. That is from my sister's laptop.

Taken on Monday, 26 August, 2024 at 20:34 with Samsung Galaxy A05s. That is from my sister's laptop.

Taken on Monday, 26 August, 2024 at 20:17 with Samsung Galaxy A05s. That is from my sister's laptop.

Taken on Monday, 26 August, 2024 at 20:13 with Samsung Galaxy A05s. That is from my sister's laptop.

Taken on Monday, 26 August, 2024 at 20:11 with Samsung Galaxy A05s. That is from my sister's laptop.

This desert is part of the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, a federal land under the management and protection of Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency of U.S. Department of Interior if you don't know.

In the northwest of this desert there is the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area (WSA) which is one of 17 international dark sky sanctuaries in the world. One of the darkest places in Nevada and also the contiguous United States. It would be fantastic to do stargazing here.

Regarding those international dark sky sanctuaries, they are classified by the non-profit organization DarkSky International, There are also some other international classifications such as reserves and parks. I love the principle of this organization, just read about it.

Ah, Nevada, full of deserts and more than 80% of its land is federal land, managed by the U.S. Federal Government. Not to mention about Area 51 (this one is not managed by BLM but by Department of Defense). I'll talk about it later (I'm not interested in most military areas).

I took several different photos of several different maps as you can see here. This desert is close to the California-Nevada state boundary from the map but in reality, it's very remote.

The photo in this article was first published on my Instagram account on Monday, 26 August, 2024.

My Course Result Sheet for Even Semester of Academic Year 2023/2024 or My Second Semester in Indonesia Open University

My KHS (Kartu Hasil Studi or Course Result Sheet in English) for even semester (my second semester) of academic year 2023/2024 in Indonesia Open University. I got a GPA of 3.88 for my second semester and my cumulative GPA is 3.77 (two semesters). Yokatta, thank you for myself.

 

This semester grades are out from 12 August, 2024. As you can see, out of these five courses I got A's in four and an A- in one (the lecturer doesn't like me, there's a story for that). If I get all A's, my second semester's GPA will definitely be 4.00, but that's okay.

I was so happy when I see this, really. Alright, let's go! I need to keep up this good work for my third semester. My mom told me not to post this but I posted it anyway (I will keep doing that until my final semester). Especially for my friends, what do you think guys?

My First Photo With the National Flag

I think this is the first time I have taken a photo with the national flag behind me. As you can see, it's the national flag of Republic of Indonesia. I wanted to post this photo on 17 August, 2024 to commemorate 79th Independence Day of Indonesia, but I forgot. 🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩

Taken on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024 at with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

This is not my best look. I don't really like this photo, I didn't wear a tie that time and also my shirt collar is too wide. However, I want to have an official portrait like a public official or politician. I don't want to say this photo as an official portrait.

Hmm, maybe one day i can be a public official or politician? Hehe, that day will come, but definitely not here. Yes, representing my constituents and also solving issues that I know. Even though I also follow the party platform, I will always put the country over the party.

With this post I also want people to know that I am still a citizen, law-abiding citizen, of the Republic of Indonesia. Saying this does not mean being nationalistic, but being patriotic. I will say that I'm a patriotic but higher above that, internationalism. 🇺🇳🇺🇳🇺🇳

We, humans, live in the same world. All humans need each other. Humans should unite across national, political, cultural, racial, or class boundaries. Especially nationalism, don't let it limit you. Oue true nationality is humanity. Internationalism unites us all.

Internationalism also means that we must always be connected to each other. Our interconnectivity saves all of us. Especially now, we have the internet, since 1991. That's also why I will always support the United Nations. The existence of United Nations is a must.

The photo in this article was first published on my Instagram account on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024.

Adieu, Françoise Hardy, tu es mon inspiration

If there is an artist I feel sad when she dies, it's only been one so far, she was Françoise Hardy. When I heard the news of Hardy's death, I was really sad. She is very inspiring to me, she is one of my reasons to learn about French culture and French language. 

Françoise Hardy, 1965.

Françoise was a French cultural icon, especially in the music industry. During her more than 60 years of musical career since 1962, she had released 32 albums to her listeners. She was also one of the leading figures of yé-yé movement. She was also an actress, astrologer, and writer.

Her musical style was unique to me, while most of her songs were melancholic and plaintive, that's why I like her, very touching my feelings. She was the beginning of me knowing more about French songs and also other singers like France Gall and Sylvie Vartan.

I also adore her fashion style which is also one of the things that has made her as an icon. She was a trendsetter, a muse, and a chic. She was like the blueprint for the 'french girl' style. Her style was effortless but yet so attractive and appealing, I love it. 

She was born on 17 January, 1944 and died on 11 June, 2024 at the age of 80. There's a lot I want to say about her but at least you know how I feel about her. Her legacy and influence is very big and will last for a long time, especially for those who love French culture.

Merci Françoise Hardy, je t'aime, j'aime tes œuvres, j'aime ta personnalité. Tu étais très différent des autres artistes de ton époque et même jusqu'à maintenant. Même si tu déprécie parfois tes propres œuvres, les gens t'aiment. Je veux être comme toi aussi. Reposez en paix. 🕊️

Electricity Had Been Out for Nearly A Day

Ugh, this electricity is crazy. Yesterday, the power was out for 8 hours, from around 3 pm to 11:30 pm. The electricity was on again only for an hour, from 11:30 pm to 12:30 am (today). After that the electricity continued to go out until 14:30 pm, meaning 14 hours.

It was very unpleasant. I can't do anything if there's no electricity, like taking a bath or eating, especially since it's so dark here. This outage was not citywide, only one sub-district. It's good that it's normal now.

My life is very dependent on electricity so of course I hate it when the electricity goes out. Just to write this article I need electricity, you know. I hope you understand my feelings.

It's been a long time since the electricity went out for that long, the last time was in January 2023 when there was a flood. I don't know why yesterday and today the electricity went out, if I heard correctly from my mother it was because there were repairs to the electricity pole.

In Understanding History We Must Understand It Sincerely and Honestly

In understanding history we must understand it sincerely and honestly. We must understand history completely, from the largest part to the smallest part, either holistically or reductionally. This understanding takes time, and may last a lifetime. We must always learn.

It is normal if we have certain feelings such as hatred or longing for something that happened in the past, but don't let a feeling drive you because we must always be objective. Even though it seems difficult, we must always try to be objective. Try to avoid bias, especially political bias.

Taken on Tuesday, 28 May, 2024 at 22:43 with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

Taken on Tuesday, 28 May, 2024 at 22:45 with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

Taken on Tuesday, 28 May, 2024 at 22:47 with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

Nothing is unforgivable in this world, I always believe in that. For whatever 'bad' things have happened in human history, everything is forgiven and also what will come later. Even so, these 'bad' things can happen again, back to each individual and society to prevent it from happening.

For myself, I will always try my best to make good and add beauty to the history of my life. Mainly for my personal satisfaction but at the same time it is beneficial to other individuals and society. Every individual is unique and I am unique with my property: the uniqueness of myself.

The photos in this article were first published on my Instagram account on Friday, 31 May, 2024.

It's Been A Long Time Since I Met College Friends Like This

Yokatta! It's been a long time since I met college friends like this. The last time was early 2023. So, on Tuesday, 21 May, I attended the weekly meeting of our English club by Indonesia Open University, only every Tuesday. It was so fun, I like it. 

Taken on Tuesday, 21 May, 2024 at 22:31 with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

Taken on Tuesday, 21 May, 2024 at 22:31 with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

Later I'll tell you how I got into this English club. We have a WhatsApp group and from Monday to Friday, except Tuesday, we call in the group to practice our English. I will attend this meeting every week I hope it doesn't rain every Tuesday.

This is already very good, the meeting is only every week at the branch office of Indonesia Open University in Manado, starting at 7 pm. The distance between this office and my house is also quite far, hehe. 

This makes me healthy. I meet with friends at least once a week. The main thing is that I can meet friends, it's really fun. Even though they will come and go, I'm grateful to be friends with them now. Be happy because I am happy.

The photos in this article were first published on my Instagram account on Thursday, 23 May, 2024.

The third photo is from Anna (the one who wears glasses) and the fourth, fifth and sixth photos are from Florence (the one who wears glasses and blue shirt).

Distance Learning Makes Things A Lot Easier for Me

One of the reasons I entered the Indonesia Open University (Universitas Terbuka or UT) was because this university implemented a distance learning. This makes learning flexible. This makes things a lot easier for me, especially when it comes to my health. 

Taken on Thursday, 16 May, 2024 at 16:06 with Samsung Galaxy A05s.

I've always been used to studying independently, meaning I taught myself. This made it easier for me when I entered the Indonesia Open University which indirectly requires students to study independently. I have the ability to learn independently and I am proud of it.

I told my college friends that learning is anywhere and anytime. We don't really need to set a specific time to study, but back to each individual. I learn anywhere and anytime and I thank myself for that. If we are not used to studying it will be difficult to study later.

But of course there are weaknesses to the distance learning system, especially since it depends heavily on information and communications technology (ICT). There are still many people that don't know ICT and I know ICT. I thank myself for that.

The photos in this article were first published on my Instagram account on Wednesday, 22 May, 2024.

My New Haircut (2024)

My new haircut. I think, this is actually not good but I want to shorten my hair. This could be better if I cut it correctly, maybe. My hair is also a bit wavy. So, this is how it happens. If you look at it from another angle, my hair is not good.

Taken on Saturday, 11 May, 2024 at 22:39 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

Taken on Saturday, 11 May, 2024 at 22:58 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

Taken on Saturday, 11 May, 2024 at 22:34 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

Taken on Saturday, 11 May, 2024 at 22:07 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

I will cut my hair again next year, I hope it's not worse than this year's. If you have a good face, maybe any haircut or style can suit you, but not me. Hopefully I can be like those who have good faces one day.

The photos in this article were first published on my Instagram account on Saturday, 11 May, 2024.

I Need Money to Take Care of Myself

Self-care actually requires quite a bit of money. I need money to take care of myself and for now, because I don't have a job yet, the money comes from my mother. That's enough for basic care, I also don't want to ask for more for quite a lot of reasons.

Taken on Friday, 3 May, 2024 at 10:29 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

When I remember that my physical appearance is not very good, I often feel down, especially because I have scoliosis and I also have an overbite. What needs to be cured first is my scoliosis and later my overbite.

I want to beautify my hair and it's expensive. I want to have straight hair with straight bangs like Sayoko Yamaguchi (山口小夜子), if you've seen my post about her. Ah, I hope one day my hair will be as beautiful as that, The main thing is that my hair is healthy.

Hopefully later I will have lots of money so I can cure my scoliosis and my overbite. I will also beautify my hair as I said before. This process may not be fast, I will be patient. The people who truly love me will be happy if I'm happy, that's for sure. 

The photos in this article were first published on my Instagram account on Saturday, 4 May, 2024.

Volcanic Ash on The Leaves of One of The Plants

Volcanic ash on the leaves of one of the plants in my grandmother's house. This is the result of the eruption of Ruang Volcano which is located in the Sangihe Islands, although I live in Manado City which is more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from this volcano. 

Taken on Wednesday, 1 May, 2024 at 10:15 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

Taken on Wednesday, 1 May, 2024 at 10:18 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

Luckily I don't live near a volcano...actually I live near a volcano but it's an extinct volcano, it's Mount Klabat and it is the highest mountain in North Sulawesi Province, about 1,995 meters or more than 6,500 feet. It would be more exciting if it erupted again. 

The photos in this article were first published on my Instagram account on Wednesday, 1 May, 2024.

I Am A Very Calm Person

As the result of what my social environment did to me, especially my family, I become a very calm person even under a lot of pressure. It also means that I avoid conflict if I can. You know that if you try to understand me, if you are my friend, as I try to understand you.

Taken on Wednesday, 10 April, 2024 at 09:16 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

Many people don't understand me and they can easily attack my personality subjectively. Some minor differences are exaggerated and of I'm tired of correcting many misunderstandings that have occurred. If there are controversies about me I will let it go as far as I can control it.

Changing myself is not easy, especially if I want to change the world. It's better to make small changes that work than big changes that don't work. I don't like forcing myself or other people, everyone will definitely change. We are always in a transition, either worse or better.

I enjoy the process by process that got me to where I am today, even until later. I am always grateful to myself and nature for this. That includes the bad things that happened to me. Forgive me if you think I was wrong, what is unforgivable in this world? Nothing.

The photo in this article was first published on my Facebook account on Saturday, 13 April, 2024.

Do I Care About Politics?

You care or don't care about politics, it still influences your life. Back to each individual, but my advice is that you need to learn about politics, you need to have political knowledge so that you won't be fooled later especially by those politicians.

I care about politics but I don't really show it. Although mainly because I avoid conflict, especially with my friends, I also don't want to be 'wrongly' affiliated with a particular ideology or political movement.

With this there will be people who will call me a coward and I have no problem with that. If on an international scale, it is better to buy time for some conflicts than to start a third world war.

I Didn't Force You, I Wanted You to Help Me

Okay, so there was an anonymous account on Instagram that sent me a screenshot of a post from one of my Facebook friends and the post was about me. It was a post just for friends and I was honestly confused at the time.

I was confused about why he, my Facebook friend, posted that and after I looked for his account it turned out he had unfriended me, I don't know since when. So that post said that I was actually a liberal and edgy person.

In that post, I noticed that one of my friends, who was also his friend, reacted to his post. I chatted her on Messenger and asked her to help me to screenshot that post and send it to me but she refused. That was the first time I asked her for help and she refused.

She then said that I didn't actually ask for help but dragged my problem onto someone else. How could she really didn't know my worries at that time and she said so. What did I say then to her? "Fuck you".

She then said that I was manipulative and forced people to ask for help. Since when did I become manipulative, you fucking bitch? I really don't understand with her at all. She also mocked me by saying "just cry" several times.

Very bad, I thought all this time she was my friend but it turns outs she wasn't my friend and this was my fault. I didn't feel anything wrong with cursing her, really. I just asked for simple help and she couldn't help because she didn't want to, not because she couldn't.

If you are reading this bitch, do  you want people to do the same thing to you that you did to me? You do not want it, right? Later, if someone asks for help, please help if you can, don't ignore it.

 

If she had helped me by sending me the screenshots, I wouldn't have posted this. I just want to know the reality of that post because I was informed from an anonymous account about that post. Of course I didn't immediately believe it, I was very worried.

I didn't understand the purpose of the anonymous account telling me about the post and of course I'm worried. What's worse is that there is one of my friends who I can't ask for help, that one bitch. Again, fuck you, okay, fuck you!

Regarding the post itself I already know what it is, it's somewhat political and with personal annoyance. I actually don't care about it, at least I know now. He said that I'm a liberal and edgy, hmm, I don't care and who would cares?

If you are reading this, the one who posted that post, I'm not against socialism okay. I actually support socialism but not consecrated socialism. But you must always remember that I believe in freedom. 

I think it's clear now, by my side of course. I have forgiven you bitch and I'm not manipulative and will never be manipulative. You need to understand this. Hopefully you will become a better individual in the future.

My Drawing "Socialism and Peace in Indonesia"

Okay, so this is one of my old drawings about euh maybe socialism in Indonesia. Haha, I forgot I had drawn this before. I don't really know how to describe this, the point is socialism and peace in Indonesia. 

Taken on Monday, 18 March, 2024 at 23:02 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

The photo in this article was first published on my Instagram account on Monday, 18 March, 2024.

I Fast Because of Health not Because of Religion

I fast because of health not because of religion, after all I'm not religious. Even then, I fast according to my mood, if I'm not in the mood, I don't fast. But I fast at the same time as those Muslims who fast during Ramadan, just taking the moment.

Taken on Wednesday, 13 March, 2024 at 22:49 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

My family doesn't know about this and that's good and I will never tell them about this. They know I fast but for what reason they don't know. They don't even know that I'm not a Muslim anymore and again, that's good.

It's my choice not your choice. I don't care if later conservative Muslims will condemn me. Keep your conservatism to yourself. Why I say this is because I don't want people to think I'm Muslim except for certain circumstances.

The photo in this article was first published on my Instagram account on Wednesday, 13 March, 2024.

Always Be Nice to Me My Friends

I now always hope that all my new friends will be always nice to me and will never bully me. I'm always nice to all my friends. I'm already stressed enough at home, by my family especially my mother. I don't want to be stressed by my friends.

Taken on Thursday, 29 February, 2024 at 22:24 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

You know that I always try to maintain harmony in my relationship with you, my friends, let no small problem break our relationship. What I don't like most is if our differences in political choices damage our relationship (except for very fundamental things). Don't let it happen.

To avoid conflict as much as possible, I always do that, therefore I am very patient with many people including you my friends, you know what I mean. However, in our interactions or how we treat each other, there must be consent. If you don't like it, say it, don't be silent.

The photo in this article was first published in this article.

I Hope My Current Smartphone Can Last Until I Get A New Smartphone

Fuck you Sake! He is one of my cats and I really don't like him. He pulled my charger cable many times when I was charging my smartphone and because of that the smartphone also fell on the floor many times.

I've tried to make my smartphone safe but still this bastard cat always pulls my charger cable. My smartphone could suddenly die when I use it because it falls so many times, I'm afraid of that. I hope that doesn't happen.

Argh, I hope my smartphone can still last long enough until I get a new smartphone, this year, especially as my mother is saving to buy me a new smartphone. This smartphone will be three years old next May 20 since I bought it in 2021.

I'm really afraid if I don't have a smartphone because that means I can't connect to the internet. We need a device to access the internet, right? It wasn't easy for me to buy my smartphone at that time (I'll tell you later).  

My Course Result Sheet for Odd Semester of Academic Year 2023/2024 or My First Semester in Indonesia Open University

My KHS (Kartu Hasil Studi or Course Result Sheet in English) for odd semester (my first semester) of academic year 2023/2024 in Indonesia Open University. I got a GPA of 3.68 for my first semester, it exceeds the target I made previously, to get a GPA of 3.50. Yokatta, thank you for myself. 

I first said this to one of my best friends and she was very happy with it. Semester grades are out from 31 January, 2023 but they are still temporary and can still be changed by students who want to change them until 7 February, 2024 when the grades can no longer be changed. 

 

My reaction was normal when I saw my GPA. Just stay relaxed, whatever the result, I will accept it. Now I'm waiting for the course result sheet for the even semester (even though the even semester lectures haven't started yet).

Congratulations to All Citizens of Republic of Indonesia Who Have Exercised Their Voting Rights on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024

Congratulations to all citizens of Republic of Indonesia who have exercised their voting rights on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024. We have determined our next leader, our next president. All the best for Indonesia. Go forward Indonesia!

Taken on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024 at 13:17 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

No leader is perfect, none of our three presidential candidates are perfect. Each of them definitely has its own good and bad. However, only one will win this presidential election. He will win because he will win but…he must win because Indonesia needs him.

Hopefully the presidential candidate I have voted for will win this presidential election. After I pondered and based on all my considerations I voted for him. He is not left wing or right wing, he is for Indonesia. Hopefully Indonesia will be more advanced under his government.

Long live the Republic, long live Indonesia!

New Home Screen Wallpaper for My Smartphone

Ah, yesterday I have changed the home screen wallpaper of my smartphone. The previous wallpaper was almost 2 years old. The image I made into this wallpaper is a photo of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The reason why I use this photo as wallpaper is because I fell in love with these two towers and also because I want to go to America. Someday, I will be in America. 🗽🇺🇸

This photo of the Twin Towers was taken on 14 July, 2001 at 22:50 with Nikon E990 (I read the EXIF data of this photo).

Our Friendship is More Important than What Happened in Palestine

If you follow me on many of my social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Tumblr you may have noticed that I rarely post anything related to Israel and Palestine, especially about the conflict that occurred between them. The only reason is because I don't want any conflict to occur in the comments section, especially on Facebook.

 

For all of my friends, there are many of you guys who are pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel, that's your choice. What about me? I'm pro Palestine but not in the way people might think. I try not to really show my views on this, I don't want our friendship to get worse because of this.

 

I support Palestine, I support the Palestinian people in fighting for their independence against the Israeli occupation. I support the two-state solution with pre-1967 borders. Hopefully one day, Palestine will be free, even if it would take a hundred years.

 

I don't want to lose friends just because of differences in opinions about Israel and Palestine. Whether you are pro Israel or pro Palestine, if you are my friend, you are my friend. I always maintain harmony in our relationship. 

 

It's not easy to find friends now, especially friends who can understand me as me. Please always be a good friend, I also always try to be a good friend. I don't really have any friends in real life. I need all of you. 

 

I hope you all understand this. Don't end our friendship just because of this. Our friendship is more important than what happened there, yes I said it so please don't be angry. Please always be nice to me, I always be nice to you too.

Tuition Fee for My Second Semester in Indonesia Open University

Last week, on Tuesday, 9 January, 2024 my mother and I have paid the tuition fee for my second semester in Indonesia Open University, it costs IDR 1,509,533. The tuition fee for my first semester was IDR 1,528,513 and paid on 7 July, 2023. Now I'm waiting for my semester book package to come (all students get it every semester according to the number of courses, one book for one course).

As in the first semester, my mother and I paid my tuition fee at BNI bank. It is one of several services that could be used to pay my tuition. My mother likes to pay the tuition at the bank because she can get a payment receipt and yeah I think it's good. Payment via the internet or paying at minimarkets is risky, the internet infrastructure in Indonesia is still not completely good.

Taken on Tuesday, 9 January, 2024 at 13:29 with Samsung Galaxy A10s.

The photo in this article was first published in this article.