Prita

Beberapa minggu yang lalu, gue ketemu dengan temen lama SMA yang udah beranak 3. :). Seneng deh … Lalu pada saat dia menyadari kalo gue belanja sendirian di Carrefour Mal Ambassador itu, keluar omongan deh, “Kamu kebanyakan milih sih. Cap cip cup aja kenapa sih? Di dunia nggak ada yang sempurna, honey”.

Terus terang, gue udah kebal ama omongan itu. *nyengir setan*. Gue cuman ngomong balik ke dia, “Yah nanti juga ada …”.

Ini gue ketemu sama temen SMA yang udah 10 tahun nggak ketemu lho cing. Jadi gue cukup tau dan males argue.

Dan … dia bales balik ke gue dengan, “Kapan adanya? Orang elo juga sibuk maen ama single2 ama kerja aja sih … Mana bisa prospek buat kewong??”
… benci deh gue, cewek 30an yang ngomongnya sama kayak nenek2 60an.

Senyum aja gue. Senyum basa basi. Walopun .. gue paling nggak ahli basa basi. Sebenernya gue pengen ngomong balik, tapi … nggak jadi. Abis, pas gue menoleh untuk diperkenalkan suaminya dan ngeliat suaminya … hmmm … gue bersyukur gue nggak asal ngomong soal memilih pasangan dengan cara ‘Cap cip cup’. Kalo gue dapet duit 1000 tiap denger orang ngomong metode cap cip cup dalam milih pasangan … gue udah kaya.

Dan dia bisa lho ngehubungin ke-single-an gue dengan ngomentarin masa lalu gue ama dia. “Aduh elo … jangan2 gara si Jerman itu ye loe allergy ama pacaran? Masih mentok aja loe ama dia? Halooo 2009, cing”

Hmmm … gue again senyum basa basi. Menurut gue, ini cuman urusan gue sama Noval.

Dan kalo gue mau membela diri, pembelaan gue adalah … gue nggakmentok sama Noval. Hanya karena gue emang in-love berat dan breaking up devastatedly with him gue nggak mentok sama dia. Kalo gue mentok, mana mau gue pergi sama cowok yang tiba2 brenti nemuin gue hanya karena gue nggak makan daging dan kalo mau pergi mesti di-plan?

Gue udah moved on. Bayu buktinya. Tapi … ternyata emang kadang ada aja kan hal yang nggak working out. Dan sorry nih … gue nggak pernah merasa berhenti untuk terus sama Bayu karena Bayu nggak kayak Noval. But simply because Bayu does not fond the fact that I dont eat lamb. So Bayu chose to not go out with me anymore. And that’s fine. Orang punya preferences. Seperti gue yang nggak mau jalan ama cowok rambutnya spike. …

Think before you talk, then you might not talk.

“So you went there only the 2 of you. And … with a girl? Really? What is so fun about that?”

“What was so fun about going to Bali with a woman and … with 1 woman only? So only the 2 of you driving all around Bali with a map and you said that it was the first time? What kind of Bali trip was that?”

So what?

I just don’t get when suddenly my friend out of nowhere found it odd about vacationing with a friend (which means only 2 persons in that trip) whom is a woman to Bali.

My first answer is … it’s not where you go to, it’s the person you go with. You can go to Maldives or … Europe … or maybe the most romantic place in the world but if you go there with someone who’s not cool, smart, and fun to be with … your vacation is screwed.

I went vacationing with a cool woman who knows what to do and where we should go to in Bali. For the last 2,5 years of my friendship with Miss Mia, she had never disappointed me when it comes about traveling. And this is not my first time.

She is well prepared. She is meticulous. She is very positive. She calculates everything at the exact price. She knows what to buy. She knows where to go.

And though she doesn’t drink, do drug and night clubs, she is still fun to be with. She doesn’t need boozes and amphetamines.

I don’t know, I may sound old and boring. But I really do think that I don’t need to get drunk to have fun. Or dancing on the bar table. Or … scoring by hooking up with the handsome guy whom happened to stay in the same hotel with us. Not at all.

I don’t judge people who did all of the above, but I do make a fuss when my friend judged me … that I’ve wasted my time because I don’t drunk, go to the hottest clubs, and went home with no list of guys’ phone number or even … the fact that I went there with a woman. And just the 2 of us.

“Oohhh I should buy lots of JD … I’m going to Bali”

“I should get some dopes and drugs … I’m vacationing, for Godsakes! What’s the use of going there without getting high?”

“I should get a partner and a box of condoms … It’s Bali, baby! Island of the sex Gods”

:).(Can you guess which one from the lines above that was said by a man? )

I guess some people have their own idealist mind about how a vacation should’ve spent. J. But don’t say that I’ve wasted my time. You weren’t there.

Sometimes vacation is not about the wacky crazy high and drunk or how many orgasms you got from the sex party. Some people vacationing for the view, the food, the beach, and the soothing feeling of getting away from the routines.

And believe me … compared to the orgasms the woman had next to my room at my hotel, my vacation is still awesome.

In my opinion, Miss Mia is doing what she’s good at. Which is travelling. And when you hooked up with someone who’s doing what she or he is good at … you won’t get bored. Even without the booze, hot guys, clubs, and drugs. She is a kind of woman whom plans the work and then work the plan.

The only thing I regret was I forgot to bring my bikini when we were at Karma Kandara beach! That’s all.

The rest was wonderful. And priceless.

Miss Mia is a very good traveling partner. With no doubt, I’m going to say yes if she asked me again. Of course, if I have the budget. *wink*

I work this Saturday. And i’m so glad I did.

Today, my 2 beautiful bosses will interview a candidate for Language Training Program Manager post. And I’m looking forward for today’s candidate. She came from Australia. She’s my age. And with the fact that she’s the only woman candidate in the list for that post excites me.

When she came this morning … argh, I was mesmerized. She’s beautifullllllllll. WIth her warm smile, red hair, she greeted me with a friendly ‘good morning’. My smile automatically blossoming out of my face.

Suddenly, i feel like saying … I WANT HER to be the new language training manager. ;). Forget the fact that she is suck in Bahasa Indonesia. Forget that she’s a woman. There’s something about her that gave me a good vibe. I wonder, if there’s an opening to be her assistant? I would love to apply.

Finally, a 30-something beautiful gal to be a manager in my office.

Hmmm, I really hope she nailed the job. Oh Vickers, Oh Harrison … sorry. But my vote goes to Ms Samuels. *LOL*

PS: We’re going to interview Thomas on Monday. I hope he won’t be nervous during the interview. But still, my vote goes to Ms Samuels. Besides, something tells me that being an Examiner is his last resort for career maneouvre in IELTS. *laughing like the devil, huahahahahhahahah*

I’m tired of how people commented on Susan Boyle’s look. For me, there’s nothing wrong about her look. I think she’s witty, enormously talented, funny, and she did great in that talent show.

Though I’m not really a fan of her voice, still I feel a little bit distracted when I heard my friend said that she is nothing because there are so many people out there are better than her and people just weren’t expected to hear her beautiful voice due to her looks.

How many women of her age can sing like that?

Not a lot of people can do that. Can you?

:).

A: I’m reading your blog …

B:

A: I’m listing them. Try to figure out which one I like the most

B: And?

A: I have to say … that blog about you folding tissue rolls to a triangle is really … cute.

B: Cute?

A: Yeah … I can see the real you in there.

B: The others are the real me as well …

A: Not really … I mean maybe for people whom have never met you in real would think of you like that, but not me.

B: Hmmm … you think you know me that well …

A: Yeah …

B: How well?

A: I know you don’t like being called princess. Or darling. Or doll. Or honey. Or sweety. You just don’t like those nicknames.

B: *LOL*. That’s good. What else?

A: I know that you want to move out from Jakarta.

B: Hmmm … to traveling to be exact. Not moving out. Though I would choose Vienna to be my new home if I have a chance …

A: Why Vienna?

B: It’s number 1 on the list.

A: Why not Melbourne Australia? Or Sydney? Those cities are closer.

B: Hmm I don’t know. Never cross my mind

A: Really? This is about your kind of city, isn’t it?

B: Of course.How about you? Where do you want to live?

A: Jakarta. My ex-girl friend whom I’m still in love with lives there.

B : *LOL*. Nice.

A : Damn, it doesn’t work, does it?

Why do they like such a gal?

(About how foreigners like Indonesian women who look like my maids)

A: Why do you think Jo likes that kind of girl? You’ve seen his girl friend, right?

B : Hey don’t judge. Maybe that girl is smart. You don’t know her that well, beautiful.

I shut my mouth. When it comes about how I made comments to other woman I often shut my mouth when he finds it intimidating and contains a sharp-tongue word.

When you choose your woman there’s a package right? Beautiful but dumb. Ugly but smart. But would you choose ugly and dumb all in one? Okay, it’s about preferences. It’s about feeling. But please, before you show-off your ugly & dumb girlfriends … Guys, you should do a make-over and a training first for her so then she would make a good-non-embarrassment appearance in front of … the people. Which can be your employer, your friends, or worst your exes? *lol*. And believe me, I did this to one of my friend’s girlfriend. And there’s nothing wrong with that. The point is she or he has to realize that she or he needed a make-over. Whatever the reason is, it is not comfortable when you were stuck in a gala dinner or a wedding reception and you were under-dressed or the opposite. You should be … suitable. And when you’re suitable that’s classy and elegant. That’s timeless.

Jo, whom is a friend of Re is a well-educated expat lived in Indonesia for the past 2 years and dated this woman whom looked so much like …my maid. While Jo is amazingly handsome. Tall, blonde, blue eyes, and earn a lot. :).And see him walking with a woman who looks like my maid was not really comfortable. I was so close to leave Re and shaking Jo’s elbows and shouting, “WAKE UP Prince Jo … WAKE UP!!!!”

And it’s not just Jo. There were several friends of Jo whom also dated Jo’s girlfriend’s friends. There were 3 of them. I had no idea where Re found this group of friends. I don’t judge … Well, maybe a little. It’s not comfortable when you were stuck in this so-called wrong group of friends.

I felt I was overdressed with my jeans, my sleeveless shirt and my flat sandals. O yeah not forget my post man leather bag. I’m not a high-heel sandal gals when I have to go out casually only for coffee or shopping for groceries with my partner. And those ladies … they look like they’re ready for a night out in a Mardi gras parade.

Gees, and I thought we’re having a brunch date. I can’t stand to not make a comment.

So after this brunch date that made my head a little bit dizzy for not accepting how Jo could actually fall for this woman, I discussed it again with him. And along the time it intrigues me to get to know his preferences about women. So I tell him about the packages.

Beautiful but dumb or ugly but smart. Okay, me first. If I were a guy I would choose brain over looks. Why?

If you were smart, why would you want to look not attractive?

But also there is a type of stubborn smart. Where she believed that beauty is from the inside and that cosmetics are toxic. Well, I don’t judge …

But if she were determined to keep her “not so attractive” appearance instead of change some of it so then she would look attractive, no matter how smart she is, she will still look ugly. And stubborn.

And I don’t want to be caught dead with that woman in bed. I just knew it from the start, if I were a guy, I would be a chauvinist prick. Just because I want a smart gal to be my partner, I still want a woman with a nice rack and a beautiful hair. Not forget nice hands and nails. Smart but overweight? No. Smart but does not know how to look good with her clothes? Big no. Smart but dressed like some fashion victim? Go to hell. I’m starting to sound like gays, aren’t I?

So people, balance it please. Enhance your look, enrich your brain.

When I gave him these options, do you want to know which of those 2 he pick? He chose beautiful but dumb. What do you know? He’s a pure chauvinist prick.

And when I asked him why, he answered when you’re beautiful even though you were wearing a training pants and an over-sized shirt, you would still look beautiful. Sometimes no one cares the inside when the packaging was so intriguing. And he said, smart is about learning … it is fixable. Adjustable.

WTF? :P.

What else is new?

And I asked him, “I’m smart and ugly, right? Because I do not want to be known as beautiful but dumb”

He said, “Don’t make me choose. I’m lucky. Stop judging those poor gals who do not look like you. Not even close. My friend fell in love with her gardener and got eloped. Maybe that’s love. Who knows? You and I, we are just not that lucky when it comes about this love bullshit”

I was jaw-dropping. But then he said …

“So, what do you want for dinner? Fillet mignon or my famous vegetarian spaghetti?”

It’s not that I won’t love the role as a house wife or a mother. But I just happen to love my job. I happen to love to be a part of an institution or a company or an organization. Somehow, it detached me from the shadow of my family name. And I love that. I’m on my own 2 feet.

Working in Human Resources gave me more than any subject that I spent in school from 7 am ‘till 12.30 pm. To think giving it up and devoted my life only with house work like those housewives is not really my option. At least at this moment. I’ll work my ass to get a job even if it just a part-time with no medical insurance like permanent employee or a job that got paid by the hour.

Maybe it sounds so … selfish. But I think I could measure my self pretty good when it comes about selfless. Like that folding tissue to a pointing down triangle for example. That’s my selfless good deeds.

And he was disagreeing (a lot) when we somehow landed our topic of conversation in “lose the job, stay at home, or forget the idea of tying the knot together”. And I thought we live in the 21^st century.

::You will resigned if you’re married, right?

++Why do I have to resign?

::You’re only a PA slash a person handling Personnel docs. Just a secretary with additional tasks

I was stunned. I can’t believe he’s a chauvinist prick. Just a secretary??

++I’m doing something that I’m good at. Do you really think my job is ‘just a secretary’?

::It’s not like I don’t appreciate what you do. It just, it does not really matter if you resign. I mean there will be like hundreds of woman like you applying for that post.

Excuse me? My eyes sharply looking at him in an un-polite way.

::I’m sorry. I mean, hundreds of beautiful women like you applying for the post.

A very wrong answer. It does not really matter if I resign?. How about how I feel? Giving up something I’m good at is not really in my agenda. See? It’s not about a job anymore. It’s about how I’m good at and how I love my job.

::What’s gonna be if you’re marrying me? Our children? I don’t want my kids to get raised by nannies. It’s not like your job decides lots of things for the sake of people. Come on, it’s a personnel tasks. Any fresh grads can do what you do.

++Oh yeah? You want to try? Being me for a day, being ‘just a secretary’?

::How about you? Will you be me as well?

And he gave me this annoying smile that makes me want to cut his head off!

++Excuse me? Did I mock your job? Did I say that being an English teacher is ‘just an English teacher’? Do I have to start bringing recorder every time we have a conversation?.

:: Good point. But I’m not an English teacher”

++Ou so what are you? Just a nerd lingering around in the teacher’s room?.

:: I’m an examiner. And that is much much important than a teacher.

And I gave him my cynical look.

Whatever. Now pictured your self at my desk. A new staff coming. Arranging a car to pick him/her at the airport, insurance, personal data, arranging the phone, her room, introducing her to all staffs, touring her the area, get her accustomed with our schedule, and don’t forget noting down her/his preferences when the new staff is not just a staff. It could be a new manager. A new CEO. A new Attache. A new diplomat. And when it comes about preferences, you do know that boss’s preferences should be on top of everything. Do you know that one of my bosses do not want to go with this particular driver because of his smell? As ‘just a secretary’ you note that down! That’s why we called it Personnel, but definitely not ‘just a secretary’!. Still interested to trade?

And he said …

:: Oh honey, I feel pity that one of the staff smells bad. Because you have always smell so good and you’re a hygiene freak. Hey look, that couple in front of us are making out … *lift his eyebrows*.

Moral of the story: When men are cornered, sex is their weapon.

I refused to be called “JUST A SECRETARY”. I’m a spider woman. 7 hands to handle my tasks and 1 to strangled people whom degraded my job. HAH!

A : Have you w0rk3d there when it happened?

B : Yeah.

A : Awful. That guy’s career doomed if he worked at ours, huh?

B : For sure.

A : How did you handle that?

B : Be cool. Stay out from the press. You also knew that 1 of the teachers commit a suicide right?

A : Uh huh. Awful.

B : I was only in my 2nd month when it happened. And I thought my office was going to collapse. *sigh*. Thank God, it’s over now. Though we keep our self alert when we have to hire new staffs. Expats for our concern. I mean, it was scary …

A : I knew your office was weird. Especially with the fact that you’ve been there for almost 3 years and no body has ever got the guts to ask you out!!! I mean come on … you dated Ja and me back then.

B : Shut up. Enough. It’s about preferences. And also … it’s karma. Remember how I used to mocked people from Australian Embassy when we had meetings with them??? And maybe … I’m not attractive for Aus guys … *chuckle*.

A : We did sound a little bit racist, didn’t we? I’m sorry. It just … I have my own reason with Aus guys. Blah. And yeah, you’re right Aus guys love chi gals. *LOL*

B : ENOUGH. I work with them now.

A : I’m sorry for you. *wide grin*. Sucks, huh?

B : I’m fine. It just … I’m striving to find my passion again in here. *LOL*. The smile is getting dull, the gossip-monger is like a plague, and I have problem with hygiene control in the building. I’m starting to see small cockroaches in the toilet. YIKES! Remember our Wisma Metro office? That building is old and i had never seen any cockroaches wondering around at its floor.

A : What’s holding you?

B : I love my job. And serving my boss. I like touring the new staffs. I love arranging transportation for them. I like typing those reports. I love teaching the new staffs to get accustomed with our schedule. I love making those medical appointments for them, making reports for the insurance … I even love just to hear one of the teachers shouting .. “PRITA, I LOST MY MAILSSS!!!”. I love those classrooms. Thinking what it was like to sit there as a teacher or as a student. I envy those students. I envy those teachers. You do know, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher right??? … Anyway … I’m talking out of the track again … Where were we again?

A : We’re not out of track. I’m so glad … to hear that above all you love  your job more than the company. You can work anywhere.

B : Am I an embassy material? *LOL*

A : Hahahahahaha

B : I remember, when I was being interviewed, my boss asked me … “Did you quit because of your boss which is this attache moved out?”. She was afraid that I’m a kind of PA that following the boss than … devoted my time to do my tasks in a company. Am I making any sense? *hahahahahah*

A : Well, you know at our place … we hired people because we know he or she can do the job, can operate the system … Do you remember what Dennis asked you … “Prita, do you know what to do with that software?” when he decided to gave you the responsibility with that “goldmine”… Argh … I mean, I’m a phd and now I have a certificate as IELTS examiner … (God knows, what i’m going to do with it) But I don’t understand that goldmine stuff. It was way out of my league … *LOL*

B : yeah … I know. But these guys are weird. They tend to hired expats because … they’re already acquainted with them. As in .. this one was the other’s roommate when he was backpacking in Europe … or this one was his friend at Bali. I mean … it was a culture shock for me … to how easy for them to get expats to be their employee … Most of those staffs got recruited over some … backpacking trips, accidentally encounter in a club, or … a roommate during college. No piles of paperwork!

A : They were hiring to teach English. It doesn’t need to be that complicated to hire a person to teach how to speak their native language. Those guys know what they’re doing. They’re so good at it. Plus, they only need that IELTS examiner certificate. To hell about their drinking probs and how bastard they are with gals.

B : Do you believe reincarnation? And you were right. I mean they all have TESOL cert or Celta Certificate or IELTS training thingy. Those are important to be an Examiner …

A : I dont believe reincarnation. Y?

B : Are you sure … you were not gay before this life time?

A : Aren’t you just tired to mock me with that gay comments when actually you can not have me because I’m not single anymore? *laughing like Lucifer*

“Sayang, kamu dimana?”

“Mprit … kok belum sms aku hari ini. Somse deh”

“Kata temen aku  … kamu mature. Huuu bialin”

“Mprit, hari ini kaki aku kecemplung di es yang belum keras .. hehehe”

“Stockholm ujan. Becek dimana - mana. Sebel”

“Aku lagi di taman tidur2an. Maaf tadi nggak denger sms kamu”

“Mprit, kata Nanda ukuran baju kamu harusnya XS. Tapi kalo disini kecil banget tuh. Kayaknya cuman boneka yg bisa pake”

“Mpritnya udah bombok ya?”

“Love u”

“Mprit … kamu kenapa jauh banget sih?”

“Kok tadi aku nggak ditium?”

“Mprit … nggak bisa ke lain hati .. :(”

“I live for your smile and die for your kiss. Luv ya. So much”

One day, dia naek sepeda dari rumahnya ke kantor pos pas salju lagi turun di Stockholm. Buat ambil paket dari gue. Dan gue goblok2in tu orang. Sumpeh … nggak ada tuh gue bilang, “ooooooohhhh kamu kok manis banget sih langsung ambil”. Gue cuman bilang, “Nduttttt begooooo … besok pagi aja kenapa ngambilnya???”

A : I’m so glad I finally made a good decision.

B : I told you he’s a creep!!!!. How do you feel now?

A : I feel greattttt!!!.So good to finally realize he’s a loser. *smiled devilishly*

B : Well, sorry. But you have always dated a loser, love. *LOL*

A : Hey, by the by … why did you erase me from your friend list???

B : I’ve decided to de-activate the account. Facebook is not that fun. Don’t make it such a big deal. This is more important … I can not live without YM and my Jakarta time clock!!!. Hahahahahaha …

A : You are weird.

B : We both are.

A : Thanks for always with me. Your wife is a very lucky woman.

B : Studies have found that in a statistically significant number of cases, marriage may result in divorce — or a life together based largely on mutual indifference. —-> from the Washington Post. Rather than get a divorce, I chose to live together based largely mutual indifference. Until when? I don’t know. But I’m not going to waste my 3 years marriage over some fling that my wife had with my co-worker. Plus, I met you again in 2008. Talking with you everyday … is like food for my soul. SO please, … let’s not ruin our finally-meet-and-talking again after so long with your disappearing attitude. Though we’re not together as a couple, I don’t want to lose you again …

A : ooohhhhhhh … how sweet. You are my only married ex lover that say that … “I don’t want to lose you again” …You are so full of it McCallister!!!! ;). Thanks, bastard!

B : *LOL 10X*. Hey I’ve got 1 question for you.

A : Shoot …

B : One of my friend saw your pic in my computer .. Accidentally … and I kind of told him that you have a Facebook account. But he cannot find you AT ALL. Not your full name. Not even the email add that you gave me. THAT’S INSANE. I MEAN … I GAVE HIM THE EMAIL ADD THAT YOU SAID IS REGISTERED WITH YOUR FB ACCOUNT … BUT ZERO. Did you somehow set your account so then nobody can find you there? That you’re only visible for your friend? God … I’m so glad I’m your friend, gal!

;).