Welcoming The Alter Ego

I'm currently welcoming my favourite alter ego back, KIMSHEY. Well, in other words, it means I'm in my mood of art right now. Forgetting about the college assigments and my future plan to take a major in Microbiology next year... for a while.

Above is one of the photos of my pre-Final Assigment in LFM (Liga Film Mahasiswa). Its theme was Human Interest and it tells you a story about the 'Curiosity'. Both of the men in this photo was sitting on the big window of central mosque of UPI. From the face expression of the man on the right, you can see that he was curious while looking at his friend's handphone. You can also notice that the situation really supports him from the eye of the photographer : They were framed in a big window, and window is the symbol of knowledge which National Geographic uses. Well, Alhamdulillah, this photo won the title Photo of The Day which was given by the senior photographers in LFM.

Although I don't want to spill out the stories of my life in Bandung (I think now it's not the time yet), I still cannot pull myself to not to tell you some words about my current condition. My days as a Bandung citizen and also as a first year studentin* in ITB is so full of a heap of schedules. It's really hard to tell you about what I've been doing so far, because it's really a lot to be told. I don't have an internet connection at home and if I wanted to get a wi-fi connection, I must bring my laptop to the campus. That's why I can't update my blog every three days like I used to in high school. I'm so sorry for the lack of updates, especially for you who still concern to follow my blog (though you've never give any comments here). To tell you the truth, I've never thought that my blog could reach more than 30 numbers of followers, and it was like amazing to see that it was surprisingly became 55 in my hiatus weeks. Actually, I'm curious to know the reasons why you followed my blog. Please, don't tell me that you did that just because I've ever got it exposed on GADIS magazine in August.

I was too lazy to write all of them in my notebook so all I did was saving it in my camera's memory. By the way, in every of our photo assigments, we must have one page of assistance.

I'm still in my huge passion of photography and art, though I've been preparing to take a major in Microbiology next year. The GPA requirement is very high, above 3.2 points. The rivals are so many, just like the previous years. I hope I can get the IP above 3 points in this semester, so that I can save some and then study harder again in the next semester. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin :)

I’ve been ‘sleeping’ for a long time since the last time I post something on this blog. I think now is the best time for me to wake and write down some of my thoughts, my experiences, and my life stories. People ever said to me that it’s not good to keep the goods in for ourselves. Good things happened, must be told.

I took this photo when I was in the Lighting education session with the senior photographers from LFM. The crew used a small softbox and built-in flash that time. So all I did was just sitting in my seat and waiting for the flash and softbox to be turned on, and then I press my shutter. Well, it went out like this, hahaha :) I set my exposure for 15 seconds, fyi

I’m currently spending my holidays in Jakarta now, exactly since Thursday night (I left Bandung in 6 PM and spending the rest of the hours with long traffic jam, argh). Yesterday was the Iedul Adha day, the day where all of the moslems in the world, including Indonesian ones, sacrifice (qurban) their animal as a symbol of the thankful appreciation to Allah SWT. We had 15 minutes this morning for the Shalat Ied and then it came for us the time to enjoy the breakfast with, of course, the legendary Opor Ayam (or Chicken Curry; it’s like a must-eat food on big days of Islam). It’s different from Iedul Fitri day because in Iedul Adha, most of moslems didn’t take a breeakfast before we went pray Ied. Mom said that it’s like a symbol of tolerance to the poors. Got it.

Photos of the children that I saw during Shalat Ied. Most of them was looking bored because, of course, they couldn't understand what were their mothers doing that time. I thought that they were cute so I took a lot of shoots of them.

Well, actually, the one that I wanted you to read is about my previous experience in Jakarta (too), exactly 3 weeks ago.

This is one of the children that I noticed when I was in Shalat Ied together with all of the people. I love to see children's face structure. So perfect, far before they were contaminated by Jakarta's 'polutions'. Finally, Mom allowed me to bring my camera outside, teehee~.

I went back to Jakarta last Saturday (Oktober 31st) to visit my Mom and my two younger brothers. I’ve been missing all of my family members since the last day I saw them on my Lebaran holidays. Dad’s been going out to Blora to visit my grandfather since Wednesday, so it’s really a good coincidence for Mom to have me in her side, although it’s just for a night. I took a shuttle bus instead of the train because I thought it was the one that was available anytime while I was dealing with my hectic schedule that day. I had a hunting session with my LFM crews at the center of the city (There was an event called Kemilau Nusantara that day. It was a carnaval of the traditional cultures of Indonesia and was the part of the Helarfest, a yearly festival which was held by Bandung Creative Community) from 11 AM and I had to end it at 2 PM because I had to run to the nearest ATM. Yeah, stupid me, I forgot that I didn’t have enough money in my wallet to pay the shuttle bus fee, so I didn’t have any ways beside running to the ATM BNI near the Advent Hospital. Then, after I got some money in my hand, I ran as fast as I could to my Aunt’s house (where I’ve been staying since August), packed my luggage, and then walked fast to The Promenade, where the X-Trans office located. The shuttle bus would depart on 3.15 PM, so I should be there at least 5 minutes before it departs. Then after I got the things done, I went into the car. Because of exhausting, I slept for a long time in a seat that was closest to the car’s door. To tell you the truth, that’s not a good seat at all. You’d be the most disturbed by the sound of machine of the car (it ‘drinks’ solar, fyi, not the premium one. So, the machines are sooo diesel) and the sound of the wind that was passing the car’s window. Well, this I advice you, if you want to ride a shuttle bus, be sure to reserve at least a day before your departing and take a seat that was furthest from the car’s door. You don’t want to end up like me in that day, right? :D

Since I've got myself into ITB, I'm deeply in love with National Geographic. Beside it supports my study in SITH, it has a lot of great photos from amazing photographers in the world too!

After arrived in Jakarta on night, I had some discussions with Mom although they weren’t last long because I knew that Mom was really tired. Fyi, I just had a night to go on in JKT. So, instead of forcing Mom to stay awake for me, the next day I cleaned and washed all of the dishes and in the morning, I helped her doing laundry. While helping her, I took a look at her silently. Her face looked tired and I knew that she was in a big stress because of problems that of course, I couldn’t spill in here. Her wrinkles showed that she has been living in a tough life. I couldn’t imagine how tired she is everyday, doing the houseworks, from cleaning the floors to cooking for the dinners. I can’t blame anyone for this, including Dad who’s been busy with his works, earning the money for us out there. I once told Mom that I can return to home every weekend to help her, but she replied to me a “No”. She told me that she didn’t want me to think about the family problems, the houseworks, and all about things that was not related to my study. She’s been telling me to keep up my study in ITB because she knew that it must be really hard to live as a student in there. My Dad was a former civil engineering student in there and she still remembered how Dad struggled with his life that time. Then Mom told me again that if I want to come home on the weekend, of course she would be okay for that. But she didn’t want me to force myself to spend the money to pay the shuttle bus or train, especially if I just have a little time to go back home. What I could do that time was nodding to her words. Mom ever told me that wherever I go, I still can help the family with prayings. Allah SWT is always be on your side, accompanying you through the nights, so don’t be shy to ask Allah SWT to give the good things for the family. Whenever I remember her words (though now Mom is currently sitting behind me, watching TV), it's like I really want to hug her tightly.

Above is Sayyida Latifa's Yashica analog camera. One of my photos for the pre-Final Assigment too, but it didn't amaze the juries, hahaha. I've told them that this camera was like abandoned by the owner and they told me that my concept was good, but it was very unfortunate that the photo didn't really illustrate my concept.

After visiting my family, the days in campus felt a lot more better than before. I felt that I’ve gained the new energy to face the reality that I’m still a student of ITB and I will always struggling with the days for the next 3 years. That’s the consequences of life that I must face because I’ve already agreed to live like this. I’m not a high schooler anymore, not even a teenager at all. Plus, because there’s no and there will be no official age range for young adults, people treat us like a real adults. Even some of my friends have already planned their marriage from now on, LOL.

Oh yeah, you must be curious about the title, right?
I guess I’ve told you that I have some alter egos in my personality in my previous posts and have been keeping up all of them nicely since the first second I realized each of them in my own soul (exactly after graduated from Labschool junior high, where I 'learn' a new word called FUN. Blah :P). I don’t name my alter egos. They just like my masks. The good masks.

The one in the left is Kinsya and in the right is Dini. Both of them are my CaKru friends in LFM. We were in the hunting session at UPI, Bandung, when I took this photo.

Most people think that the other side of a person must be always darker that the real side. But my case is an exceptional. My other sides are all kind and act good to everyone. Of course I’m still a normal human being who can be mad and sensitive sometimes. But I don’t call that moment as the situation when I changed myself to one of my other sides. It’s like an opposite for me that I think I was in my real personality if I was angry and sensitive. I don’t want to have any bad alter egos. Let them be good to everyone because they are important to be used to face the people around me, except for my own family (Mom, Dad, and my brothers; but that’s not including to my Aunts, my Uncles, my cousins, and other family relations). It’s enough for me to hurt my parents back then, so I don’t want to hurt anybody else. Well, that’s my thoughts about the alter egos of myself. They can be your full-face masks which covered you from the harsh words that you heard and bad things that are happened to you while you are crying and angry behind it, but they can also be your half-face masks which can show your real smile and let the people know that your mouth says ‘thanks’ when there’s someone who gives you a candy or have good things happened to you.

As for myself, I have 4 alter egos which I use the most. One is used to face all of my friends, one is used to face the friends that I don’t like, one is for the people that I care (beside parents, of course), and the last is for facing the invisible people like the virtual friends. All of them has been helping me through my life until now. They've been keeping my real personality safe, no matter what words that I’ve been heard, what views that I’ve seen.

I took this photo when I was waiting for the public transportation which would take us to the Monumen Kota, where the Kemilau Nusantara event was held. This reflects the situation in the Ganesa sreet when it was really people-less that time. Fyi, the left is ITB and if you turn right, you'll see the Salman Mosque.

Of course, at first, it’s weird to change yourself suddenly, especially when the people that you don’t like is coming when you are talking with the other. Double face-ing surely helps me to get along with this hectic life. But of course, I never recommend you to have an alter ego because it’s not something that is easy to be controlled. Some people even have their alter egos turned them into a bastard, coward, and bad person, which makes themselves to be a person that is hated by everyone because they like to talk about everyone behind and be the backstabbers. Everything that is happened to you in your life, including this, is a life’s choices. Having alter ego makes me learn how to make other people happy, how to behave to somebody, and how to react to what is happened to you. But I still have an impact to my personality, although it’s far smaller that the first time I let my alter ego out. Sometimes I can't recognize my own real personality. When I use my first alter ego for the first time, people told me that I was really different than before and it was really bad. Since that time, I began to control my alter ego like trying to arrange the good words when facing the people that I don’t like. To tell you the truth, IT IS NOT EASY and it needs a lot of time.

Oh yeah, I remembered that many people have asked me whether ‘Kimshey’ is one of my alter ego or not. Actually, at first, I think it could be the other alter ego of mine because being a ‘Kimshey’ makes me think that I can do works related to my art hobbies better. But I realized later that it’s better to be my artist/designer name rather than be one of my alter egos for some reasons that I can’t be told here. Hahaha, sorry, Pals : )

If you have an alter ego, please tell me by commenting in here. I’d like to read your story about it, in English or Indonesian. Maybe your case is nearly same or same at all with my case…, who knows?

Sheyka. (writing in one of my alter ego, special for blog writing only, LOL)
*and oh yeah, by the way, if you've followed me through Facebook, you'll know that I'm currently learning Deutsch a lot. Wish me luck! :D :D
**and I have a suprise photo for you~~ ^^

The cutest baby that I saw during Shalat Ied yesterday.
Omona~ the face expression was like, "Ah?" and looked so innocent! :3 nyunyunyunyu~

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Keep In Touch

I miss Blora, a small village where my Dad born. This view was captured when I was driving through a road in near Semarang, in a car with my family. We were heading to Blora to spend our Lebaran holiday like we usually did every year.


Scratched old Seiko watch, given by my Mom, exactly a day before I left Jakarta.

I'm back, People, thank you for waiting :D

Like the previous posts since I got into ITB, I'm publishing this entry with the intranet connection from ComLabs ITB. ComLabs is like a division of Information Technology in here. They provide us internet connection, IT laboratorium, and even you can work here full or part time (only for the 2nd year student). ComLabs itself is like a sanctuary for the downloaders and leechers. You can reach the download speed above 5 MB per second and your 700 MB movie will just finish to be downloaded in around 10 minutes if you are in the golden time.

One of my eyes. Can you notice that my eye has a blurred-pupil colour there? And omona, those eye-wrinkles, those are because of the computer radiation and glasses wearing.

I'm currently in love with the old love songs. Listening to them is very addictive. I recommend you to turn your radio on Delta FM at night (exactly above 10 PM). They will give you all of the songs without any stops (even the commercial break is just for 5 to 7 seconds) until midnight.

"Yas, come look at me!"
No response.
"I brought my camera here now!"
(Dias moved his head, looked at me, and then smile)

Recently, I just realized that blog is the only one which can be my media to express all of my feelings. I’ve been stopping writing a diary in a diary book since I ended my junior high school. Once when I opened again that diary, I noticed that most of the entries are all about my crushes, my love life, and how I hate someone back in junior high. I just opened it back once, and until now, I haven’t opened it again yet. I don’t have any intentions to bring back all of the bad and good memories that was happened during my junior high times, especially the friendship moments. No, I never be bullied by anyone. I was more into anti-socialist back then. People remembered my name just because there was no one who had an almost same/same name with me. I experienced my first photography work during junior high school, running through the people when the Lintas Juang run (a custom in the demisioner event of the former OSIS members which available only at Labschool, whether it’s Cinere, Rawamangun, or the Kebayoran one), trying to capture the scenes. Since that day, I started to crave anything about Documentary Photography or like most people usually called as Photojournalism.

I was just finished paint my Platinum Album (an LFM candidate homework) using cobalt blue, vermillion, some yellow, and some orange-ish red. I only took the blue colour one because the other colours have already 'contaminated' by red. Sloppy me, haha :D

When most of the people use Facebook, Twitter, and Plurk as the place to write their thoughts while indirectly calling all of the people who notice what’ve they wrote to write any comments about it, I’m going different by using a blog hosted in Blogspot to spill out all of my life stories. For me, it’s a lot more fun to read the full story about what have happened to you or to the people around you, instead of reading the half notices/statuses in FB, Twitter, and Plurk. I love being different and if I know that my thought, stuffs that I have, style that I use, words that I say, and others about me were being used by a lot of people, I would change all of them while still staying on the right line and the same intention. Weird, I know, but it’s the only way to ‘save’ myself in this like-roller-coaster life. If you don’t choose to be different, you will mean nothing in your life. You’ve never noticed and remembered by anyone because you’re just the same like the others. Like a playboy says to his exes, “You’re just the same. If I wasn’t rich or handsome, what else do you want from me?”

The one who was holding the DSLR camera was Enggar, my new photographer friend, who is also an LFM crew-candidate. We were in a hunting session with LFM that time.

Okay, enough for the dramas and let’s get out mind back into the reality. Well, to tell you the truth, living as an ITB student is not easy at all. At first, I don’t mind to tell you that I was stress and almost depressed with my own life, the hectic schedules, and all of the lectures. I was ever exhausted many times, even I fought with my own stomachache a lot of times because of my undiscipline eating habits while begging to Allah SWT to protecting me from all of the diseases which related to high-stress.

Do you know what was the one which I afraid of back then? The answer was getting my 6th Thypoid disease. Yeah, this year’s February was my 5th. Lucky that I’m still alive (haha T_T). Even the doctor ever told me that it’s not common for people to stay alive with thypus experiences more than 3 times (like me). And to tell you the truth, I’ve never taste a hospital bed at all (Na’udzubillahimindzalik, I wish I’ve never waste my money and my time for that). So, the fact that I’m still alive with the Thypoid bacterias in my stomach (the doctor said that Thypoid bacterias cannot be ‘erased’ if you’ve ever get with them more than 3 times) is really a miracle and I knew that I owe my life to Allah SWT and my parents which can never be paid by anything in this world.

One of my regular models (also a friend in SITH), Jecika Ardiati, came from 70 Senior High School Jakarta. She's very low profile, very far from common thoughts of SMAN 70 students. I told her to make an expressive face, but in the end, she decided to make this.
I called this as a 'Doggy' face. LOL :D

My life in Bandung which is really cold all day long everyday, a lot different from Jakarta, which for most of the times you can’t stay in a room without any ACs. I’ve been living with my Aunt and her only son since August around Cipaganti road, the road which is popular to the citizen or the visitors as the high-class road because a lot of large houses (almost same with Menteng and Pondok Indah residents) were built in there. It’s the only road from Pasteur to go into Setiabudi (which is popular with its Paris Van Java Mall, Rumah Mode, D’Cost, and other popular hang out places) so it can also be considered as one of Bandung’s popular and main road. Although we live around Cipaganti, my Aunt live in the other small road called Sempurna street and her house was not big like the other neighbors (exactly it’s not her house, but my grandfather’s house. She was divorced with her husband a few years ago, so she didn’t have any choices but to stay in there). It’s more likely a people-less in here so me and my Aunt really have to lock all of the doors correctly every night and everytime we want to go out to prevent our house from any burglars.

When I was looking for an object to be captured, this bamboo-matting pattern hat interested me, so then I used Super-Macro mode which featured in Orca.
I love matting patterns. Sooo, Indonesian :D


My niece from my oldest cousin. She reminds me of Boo in Monster Inc. "Mike Wazowski!" :D

After 2 months of adaptation, I think I’m ready to face the things as an ITB student. I’ve knew that some of my lecturers prefer to make their students learn about the basic concept first, but there are still some of them who aren’t. For the friendship thingy, I think ITB has a really strong perception about it and it is really true. Most of the people in here are very respectful and kind. Even there is a sculpted monument by an art student on year 1970 which was written with a phrase below the sculpted picture of ITB icon, the amazing Ganesha, “Once a Friend, Still a Friend” (“Sekali Teman Tetap Teman”). There is also a lot of goodies like T-shirts which are available to be bought in Tokema (a small store of ITB) and one of the T-shirts was written with “Good Friends are Like Stars. You Won’t See Them, but You’ll Know That They Always There.”. Mom ever told me that campus is a good place to get a lot of friends, especially the friends from the entire Indonesia. Some of my friends are Javanese and Sundanese, so while getting friend with them, the people from Jakarta like me learn about their low profile and their down to earth manners.

... (to be continued)

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Mianhae

'*Mianhae means "Sorry" in Korean informal languange.

Swallow sandals are the most flexible sandals in the world. You can wear it anywhere you want :) Hahahaha :D


Taken when my family was heading back to Cirebon. A sunset covered with Repsol advertisiment blackboard.

Taken at Purwodadi road, when me and my family were heading to Blora, Central Java, Indonesia. My Dad was driving really fast in a rough road that time. It was really like a roller-coaster riding. Omona~

I'm really really really SORRY for making you wait for my next entry.

But I really have no time to post, even to write anything.

ITB is killing me softly since October. I really have to deal with this new environment.

and if you noticed, I changed my watermark (again).
What do you think?

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