JAKARTA CAR FREE DAY ---- JAKARTA MILIK KITA SEMUA

Jakarta, 29/10/2018

JAKARTA CAR FREE DAY SUDIRMAN - THAMRIN

Personally, this is what make Jakarta special than any other city in Indonesia. This Sunday  morning event (well sometimes at night in special occasions like New Year Eve, Jakarta Birthday or Idul Fitri Takbir) is the time that all of the citizen of Jakarta have the same opportunity to enjoy these two main roads, in contrast with daily life where the privilege usually only belongs to some people. These two main roads are the hearts of Jakarta, where everything that has to do with money and power are presented here therefore in daily life the differences in socio-economic status are really distinguished well in here. 

But whenever these roads are closed for any vehicle (except for TransJakarta Buses) all of those impressions are gone. And suddenly these places turn into a more people friendly environment that can be enjoyed by everyone, every citizen (or maybe neighbors, tourists, or anyone who wants to visit Jakarta), any age, any race, any socio-economic status, or any community. And what makes even better  is we can't really distinguish everyone status here, since everyone has exactly the same opportunity to enjoy and sharing these places.

I like to walk and just enjoying the ambience and atmosphere of these places. We can see people running, jogging, spending time with their family, cycling with various bicycle modifications which really fun to see, skateboarding, rollerbladding, hanging out with friends, taking selfies, parents trying to feed their babies or kids, parents or grandparents playing with their kids or their grandkids and many more. There are a lot of street vendors or just people trying their shots to offer so many variety of goods and foods. We can also see various charities and organization introducing and promoting their programs. Various street performances or buskers with difference level of talents or genres can also be seen here. Therefore if you feel like in the mood of sharing a little charities kindly prepare small changes for them whom you'd think worthy of charity from you.

How to get there?

I used to live nearby, therefore I usually went there on foot. Now I live a bit far, and for finding parking spot for a car was a bit tricky so I chose to go by TransJakarta. I have to take a bit of detour yesterday because the one with simpler route to Dukuh Atas was really packed with people which I thought wasn't a great way to start my suppose to be a relaxing Sunday morning, getting crushed with so many people inside a full bus. So I chose to disembark around Karet instead, longer route but way less crowds.

HERE ARE SOME PICS....

Street performance play beautiful music

Families playing badminton on the pedestrian walk

Skateboarding

Dukuh Atas 1 Shelter

 GENERAL SUDIRMAN STATUE

Street vendors and some people selling goods and foods

Rest for a moment by sitting on the TransJakarta Busway barrier and take a quick selfie

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS

A grandpa plays with his grand kids by sitting on the street and they looked soooo happy...

These pics really capture what I tried to explain before, #jakartamiliksemua

BUNDARAN HOTEL INDONESIA (HI)

The center of the crowds

You can't barely do any sport here, just walk around, take few selfies, sightseeing for so many variety of goods and if you are hungry there are so many food stalls to choose.

KINDLY PRESERVE OUR BELOVED ENVIRONMENT

I would like to encourage all the people to kindly love these places as your own home. Please stop walking or stepping on the grass and plants as those conducts will impact their growth. And one bad habit of Indonesian that we really need to work hard to change is please clean up after your own mess. It's simple, and I believe this characteristic is one of the basic foundation that built civilization. Especially if you are Muslim, our religion strongly stated that cleanliness is part of our faith. So start to change from yourself, then your kids will follow, then for generations after it will be passed on to eventually build better characteristic of our nation. And the ignorance of environment and cleanliness images that we are currently still famous of will finally fade by time.

Even the TransJakarta bus drivers have to be extra patient to drive accross the crowds

It's not Jakarta until you see Ondel Ondel performance

 

JAKARTA CAR FREE DAY, SUNDAY 28/10/2018

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the current Mr. Governor Anies Baswedan and former Mr. Vice Governor Sandiaga Uno for putting extra effort to make Jakarta a better place for all of us. There are still long road ahead for further improvement, may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala will always guide you to follow through with Istiqomah for all of these Amanah we put upon your shoulder. The same appreciation goes to all the former Governors of Jakarta which I believe each of you had given all your best too for our beloved capital city. 

#jakarta #jakartacarfreeday #jakartamiliksemua #jakartamilikkitasemua #visitjakarta #jakartabaru #citytour #carfreeday #urbandevelopment #adilmakmur #kotaPancasila #majukotanyabahagiapenduduknya #humandevelopment #indonesia #wonderfulindonesia

Let's Pray Subuh on time - #marimenjagasubuh

If we are willing to set our alarm for important events (such as meeting, exam, travel schedule etc) of our life so early before dawn, then why don't we do the same for a more important one to show gratitude to our Allah SWT that generously give us another day to live? If we value Subuh (Fajr) prayer even higher than any important event in our life it will not become a burden to open our eyes and cast away our comfy blanket to start our day with Subuh prayer every day.

View from my window

What fascinated me from travelling by train is witnessing the view along the way, especially in the morning. Rice, corns, sugar canes and other crops fields made beautiful breath taking shades of green and yellow with the mountains, hills or just simply bright blue sky as the background perfecting the view.

What caught my attention more is the brief daily life activities view from the people along the way that got my mind wandering with multiple questions. Do they feel happy and content with their life now? What's really going on inside each of those beautiful minds? How they spend the rest of their day after those brief moment I witnessed from my window? I know those what I consider simple daily life in the rural area are actually the one that have bigger role sustaining life in this country.

I asked myself, how am I going to be as a person if I have to be the one filling in any of their shoes? Will I survive? Is what I consider as thriving in life changed? Will I whine over small stuff as much as I do now? Will I feel content and grateful as I am now?

I am hoping one day, when I am not bound with all this routine I will be lucky enough to have opportunity to spend sometimes experiencing those rural life. Maybe I will try to plow fields, set both of my feet in the mud, planting seeds, harvesting crops, let the sun and the wind caress my spoiled skin to cast all of my urban demanding burdens away.

I find serenity from watching different shades, vary life, diverse people with their own activity and role passing me by. Accompanied by favorite songs heard from my headset, it made feel like I am in my own music videos.

Today's Quest

Last Sunday, early in the morning  (I finished and published this story on Tuesday), after Subuh praying, I made a list of how I planned to spend my precious one day off. As a procrastinator it challenged for me to keep up with my schedule without distraction and excuses, usually the main excuse is laziness 😝😁🙌

Let see how much I can keep up with the list 😁😁😁

#swim at 6 in the morning

The swimming pool in my building open at 6 AM. I live here for almost 2 years now, and I only visited the pool for swimming only once and only fo a brief moment. This day I had 30 minutes of okay quality of swimming, I guess. Not bad 🙆. And I determine to use this facility more often, since I need more exercise. My cardio is getting weaker (I can feel it for the first few laps), and I am not getting any younger. Better start working out before it's too late. (Let see how long will this fire is gonna last 😀). I edited this story on Tuesday, and I already skipped swimming as planned before 🙈 . Better luck on next Thursday then 😁

Do some #cleaningup

All my wood furniture were wiped cleanly from all the mold from the damp weather ⛈⛆⛅ this several months. But I am hopeful that this season will be over soon, this city is starting to get nice and dry again. 🌞🌞🌞

Floor → mopped

Kitchen, including sink and underneath → neat

Bathroom → cleaned

#dresscomfy yet #dressnicely to go out

I had opportunity to wear this new hijab which at first I had a bit of trouble to match with any of the cloth I had. However it actually goes well with this first attempt. My comfy magenta running shoes that match same color bag. I think I pulled it off..!!!

#britney must take a shower

Yeah, I named my car Britney..!!! I had my reason 😁

But I often feel bad for her, since she only have one good shower only once a month. I am just so sorry honey, if we live in a house I will treat you better. 😙😙😙

She get her body washed cleanly, I can see her shine back. And I put her back in our favorite parking spot at home.

#takepictures at Balai Kota →❌

I had to cancel this plan. I had this interesting idea of taking pictures at the Balai Kota (City Hall) for it's interesting view especially every Sunday morning. The city hall outdoor is open for all the citizen to enjoy. Children can just play happily around the water fountain outside and inside people can just take a morning run or jog. I was so left behind with schedule, my OCD got in a way. I was stuck with cleaning for almost 2 hours. With all the preparation I went out at almost 10 o'clock. In Surabaya we already consider noon because the sun is already shine brightly. Therefore I just decided to take Britney to a car wash and maybe I still have opportunity to do so later in the late afternoon when the sun is already kinder. Yet, I canceled too because I worried it's gonna rain and I am reluctant to contaminate Britney just right after she get nice and clean.

#walkaroundthecity and #takepictures →❌

I planned to walk around the Monkasel (Monumen Kapal Selam) bridge because I have a feeling I will get interesting pictures there. Since I canceled my plan to go to city center, I decided to walk around the neighborhood to find me a nice meal and maybe there will be interesting pictures too along the way. I found a group of men fishing by the small river bank and a group of sheeps just next to my building owned by the local. For me those everyday life activities are interesting.

#rewardmyself with #nicemeals

I spoiled my self to finish the whole box of this meal and cast my worries of gaining weight far far away...!! The food is spicy and taste good...😋😋😋 Alhamdulillah

#rewardmyself with #batmanlegomovie →❌

Was not really feeling it to visit the mall. Especially after seeing a few of unfortunate people along the way. I feel it was just a bit too much if I force myself going to the mall with this  end of the month financial situation (as we Indonesian called "tanggal tua"). So I just headed home after washing Britney and just bought a few snacks instead to accompany me watching few of my fave series. And I was a bit drowsy too from the early morning wake up, the cleaning, and the swimming. And I went home with all of this hashtags:

#gohomewithabigsmile

#feelcontent

#feelgrateful

#drafting another #writing

At night after all the amazing time I had this day I managed to finish drafting this story, even though I finished and published it 2 days later. However for a person like me, to finished things that I've started, it's already something!!! 😎

Saya seorang Muslim dan saya akan menjaga lisan saya

Saya percaya bahwa sekarang ini kita semua sedang melakukan amalan jihad, sebagai bentuk ketaatan terhadap Allah SWT, untuk menjaga kesucian ayat-ayat Al Quran, membela martabat para Ulil Amri (pemimpin) serta mempertahankan ibu kota negara ini. Saya yakin yang terpenting dalam jihad adalah menjaga kemurnian dan keikhlasan dalam perjuangan---membela Islam, tanpa agenda tersembunyi lainnya. Oleh karena itu melakukannya pun harus dengan cara yang yang diridhoi Allah, baik dari segi sikap, perilaku, maupun segala tujuan (an Nahl: 125).

Perasaan saya bercampur aduk setiap kali membaca pesan-pesan, komentar atau tulisan di media sosial yang menyertakan kata-kata atau sebutan yang menghina dan merendahkan martabat orang lain. Saya mengerti dan percaya tujuan mereka boleh jadi baik dan mulia. Namun, saya sering merasa sedih dan bertanya-tanya; apakah yang menulis tidak akan tampak persis sama seperti orang yang tadinya hendak mereka hina? Misalnya menyebut seseorang dengan “mulut jamban” atau “mulut busuk”. Tidakkah itu justru membuatnya tampak memiliki kualifikasi yang tidak berbeda? (Ali Imran : 186, al An’am : 108, Fussilat : 34-35, an Nisa : 148).

Saya menulis hal ini sebagai bahan renungan untuk diri saya sendiri, dan semoga bisa memberi inspirasi guna melakukan introspeksi bagi kita semua bersama. Boleh jadi sebab kita gagal dalam berjihad karena tidak dapat melakukan sinkronisasi antara niat suci  dengan cara dan tujuan yang hendak dicapai, sehingga Allah SWT menunda atau tidak menurunkan berkah dalam perjuangan itu.

Bila Allah SWT mengizinkan saya adalah orang yang akan terus mendukung perjuangan ini. Saya berterima kasih dan sangat memuliakan semua orang yang telah memberikan hati, pikiran, jiwa dan doa-doa yang tak terbatas untuk menegakkkan keadilan di negeri ini, dengan cara-cara Islami, berjuang karena Allah SWT, takut hanya kepada Allah SWT, meyakini Allah SWT tidak akan pernah meninggalkan dan akan selalu membuka jalan untuk tujuan-tujuan mulia yang diinginkan. Semua jihad beresiko, setiap perjuangan meminta pengorbanan-pengorbanan, diatas semua itu harus ada ketulusan dan keikhlasan untuk memikulnya. Ini akan menjadi ujian bagi saya dan siapapun yang menjalankannya. Saya hanya berharap dengan tulisan sederhana ini, sekecil apapun sumbangannya, bisa membantu untuk menghidupkan jihad yang murni karena Allah SWT. Mari kita bersama-sama berjuang dan berusaha dengan cara-cara yang yang diberkahi Allah SWT. Jauhi semua yang bisa mengurangi keagungan nilai-nilai dan kemurnian tujuan-tujuan dari jihad, serta segala kemungkinan yang bisa menjauhkan perjuangan kita dari ridho Allah SWT (al Baqarah: 112, Ali Imran: 110-111).  

#marimenjagalisan #Islamituindah #muslimbermartabat #proudmuslim #keepcalmnprayharder  #stayhumble  #staydecent  #bekind  #betruemuslim  #jihad  #myjihad

I am a proud MUSLIM and I will stop calling names and insulting other people

I believe we are in some kind of Jihad right now. We are all now striving in Allah SWT in order to defend our holly Al Qur’an and our Ulil Amri (leaders) from contempt and to preserve our capital city. I am certain all of us strive based on pure and sacred will only because Allah SWT, nothing else, with no other hidden agendas. Therefore i believe we have to do so in the ways that Allah SWT blesses. With dignity in kind, decent and civilize ways (an Nahl : 125).

I have mixed feeling everytime I read the social media. I understand and believe that those posts, comments, articles, etc are all driven by good intention. However, I am sad everytime I read post or article by us, muslim, calling names and insulting to make a point. Aren’t we going to end up looking exactly the same like  the people we insult and call names? For example if we are capable of giving  someone name a “toilet mouth” doesn’t that make us also having a “toilet mouth”? We base this Jihad because of blasphemy from some people with foul mouthed, yet we will end up in no different position (Ali Imran : 186, al An’am : 108, Fussilat : 34-35, an Nisa : 148).

I made this for us to contemplate, maybe the reason that are still many obstacles come along our Jihad because we cannot synchronize our pure wills with our ways to achieve it, that lead to Allah SWT refraining blessing for our strives.

I am the one that will stand by with our Jihad till the end, Insyaa Allah. I am only hoping that with this small humble voice could make a small difference in helping our Jihad back on the right tracks. I am super proud with everyone giving their heart, mind, soul and endless prayers for this strive. I hope with the right ways, winning or losing, I am certain Allah SWT will never leaves us and opens ways for us to achieve our goals. This will be a test too for us to see how far we are willing to strives with ways that Allah SWT blesses (al Baqarah : 112, Ali Imran : 110-111).

#marimenjagalisan #Islamituindah #muslimbermartabat #proudmuslim #keepcalmnprayharder  #stayhumble  #staydecent  #bekind  #betruemuslim  #jihad  #myjihad

My Sanctuary, Puncak Kertajaya

It's almost 2 years I live in Surabaya. So far I grow a fond of this city every day. I remember the first time I moved here. Excitement and worries mixed as I was going to start over completely by my own. I had close to no clue of how this city will turn out to be. The most important is where I would settle my residence. The first month living here, I rent a small room opposite a traditional market in the mid of city. Affordable and comfy enough for walking distance to work. Yet, when my Mom generously decided to trust her car to me I was having difficulties to arrange a parking spot for her (yeah, I called my car Britney. And yeah, she has a name! 😁 ). Almost in despair to find another "rent room" (we called "Kos" in Indonesian) with convenient parking spot and reasonable distance to work, Alhamdulillah, Allah SWT lead me to advertisement of this studio unit in Puncak Kertajaya Apartment that fit my budget. One story short, I got to lease this beautiful unit from a very nice lady and her sweet daughter (within my BUDGET! 😂)

BRIEF INTRO

It is not a high end apartment, but also not a budget flat. Residence are vary in backgrounds, families, elderly, young couples, university students (most are from ITS and Unair Specialist Residency programs), young executives, sometimes foreigners (exchange students, tourists, or else), etc. Family friendly enough. Those are only from my humble observation and unintended eavesdrop during my journey in elevators, lobbies, pools, parking lots, and Musholla.

LOCATION

Here we go with the brief details of this apartment. It is located in Keputih area (I think 😛), nearby Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Campus, East Surabaya. Location for  me is superb, easy access to airport, normal traffic you only have to pay around IDR 100,000.00 by taxi. Nearby 2 Shopping Malls, Galaxy Malls and East Coast Center. It takes around 30 mins for me to get to work in the center of the city. There are 2 supermarkets literally around the corner, Giant and Superindo. And Sakinah supermarket nearby.

FACILITIES

• 4 lobbies  (Tower A south and north, Tower B south and north)
• 1 Musholla, this is the most important and my fave from this Apt. You can have jamaah praying, especially during Ramadhan month
• 2 swimming pools smaller one for kids, and the bigger one only around 1.20 m depth. I only swam once as my bed always more appealing 😝😴
• 1 kids playground
• 1 gym and a table tennis area. Never been there actually, yups I am that lazy! 🙈
• 2 canteens, one in front of tower B the other in the pools area, and 1 cafe. Affordable enough with good taste.
• 1 Mandiri Bank ATM
• 1 Laundry
• 1 24hours Alfamart
• 1 place you can order bottled mineral water
• Motorcycles, bikes and cars parking areas
• 24 hours securities, maintenance and cleaning service
• In the morning there is a "Tukang Sayur", a man with his motorcycle full of veggies, fruits, meats, fishes, chickens, spices, basically what you need for cooking. I think he arrives around 8 o'clock in front of apartment, nearby the entrance parking portals.
• In the evening there is a Bonnet bakery man with motorcycle, around 6 or 7 o'clock also in front of apartment nearby the entrance parking portals.
• First Media for TV cable and internet connection
• No Mailbox, so if you receive letters or packages you have to retrieve from management office with notification slid under your door.

COST, CHARGE, FEE

For the rent is vary, around IDR 2 - 3 millions for studio unit, and 3 - 5 millions for 2 bedrooms unit, depends on the facilities offered. You can check in the site like OLX, Urbanindo, etc, to find out more.

Service charge is IDR 900,000.00 per 6 months for studio unit and maybe, if I am not mistaken 🙏, around 1,5 millions for 2 bedrooms unit. 1 car and 1 motorcycle parks per unit are included in this charge.

Electricity and water bills, for me personally around IDR 300 - 400 thousands, as I do my own laundry and am not a fan of air conditioner. However, I am looking forward to see how this much increment as I cook almost everyday now. You know, rice cooker, blender, and water for the dishes. I will update later.

First Media for TV cable and internet connection start from around IDR 250,000.00/month.

Guest parking, the first 10 minutes are free. Then it starts from IDR 4,000.00 and max 9,000.00 for cars, and IDR 2,000.00 for motorbikes. However, be careful with the overnight charge, IDR 100,000.00 for cars and 50,000.00 for motorbikes. Therefore remember to drive them out before 24 hours park and park them back afterward.

MY SANCTUARY

For me now this is My Sanctuary for almost 2 years despite its rather small size. My Home, a place I miss whenever I am away. Alhamdulillah, I am lucky enough to rent a unit in the corner of higher floor so I can have not only enough sun 🌞 everyday (FYI, I dislike to have a humid and damp place due to lack of sun 🌁 ) but also both of city and pools view. I can see fireworks from afar whenever there are any in the city and Suramadu Bridge. I do my own laundry, and just hang them inside since I learnt the hard way before for trusting to hang them outside while I am away for work and found them all wet from the rain when I came home ⛆ 😭. My clothes are always dry nicely inside, without funny odor after.

My favorite time of the year is Ramadhan month, it's when I can join Tarwih Jamaah Praying at the Musholla. It is small, but there are always residence come to do Tarwih Praying together. I find it sweet and serenity and I think not many apartment residence have what we have here. An active Musholla.

The only issue living here is if you have a car, you have to strive (a bit exaggerating here 🙆) each night if you want to park your beloved car in the normal parking spot, not the parallel one. My advise is never come home more than 9 or 10 o'clock at night. I won't ever let my Britney park parallel that have a huge tendency to get scratch or dent. So I will always keen to be discipline to come home max at 9 o'clock at night. If I have urgent matters, I make sure I park Britney first at home and go by taxi instead.

Oh yeah, I have to mention the wall is no thick enough therefore sometimes you can hear your neighbor talking, their TV, their running (upper floor), foot steps and chatter in the hall or maybe when they pounding something against the wall you can hear them. As I mentioned before this is not a high end apartment, so don't exceed expectation from the beginning. There was a few times I heard my neighbor in the unit at the end of the hall (quite far from mine) arguing, family issues, but luckily the security act promptly. Personally I have no issue against these, as I don't really comfortable with total silent. But maybe if you preference is total desolation this is not a place for you. 

Hope this post will do enough for anyone who currently considering Apartment Puncak Kertajaya as a place to live in this city, Surabaya. As I said before I had minimum info when I was trying to find out more about this apartment. Maybe later on I will update with pictures, if I am not lazy 😁✌

#livinginsurabaya #apartmentpuncakkertajaya #livinginapartment #apartemenpuncakkertajaya #tinggaldiapartemen #sewaapartemenpuncakkertajaya #mysanctuary