Travian: Miniatur Dunia Nyata

When I’m playing Travian,
I know that
I’m wasting my money,
I’m wasting my time,
but I’m not wasting my life…

1. Video game sudah lama dianggap sebagai perusak generasi muda. Berbagai macam sisi negatifnya telah diteliti dan disampaikan kepada para orang tua. Para dewasa muda pun tidak luput dari wanti-wanti ini karena tidak sedikit di antara mereka yang masih sering bermain video game. Sayangnya, hanya sedikit orang yang mampu melihat sisi positif dari bermain video game. Bahkan, para pemain umumnya dan pencandu khususnya hanya membiarkan diri mereka larut di dalam permainan. Mereka tidak menganggap permainan itu sebagai bagian dari pengalaman hidup yang dapat diambil hikmahnya.

Manga Pluto: Ironi Berbalut Imajinasi

Sejak beberapa bulan yang lalu, saya membaca manga Pluto karya Naoki Urasawa. Manga ini merupakan remake dari Tetsuwan Atom: The Greatest Robot on Earth karya Tezuka Osamu. Tentu saja hal pertama yang menarik perhatian saya adalah kedua nama besar tersebut. Tapi ada hal menarik lainnya yang saya temukan di dalam manga ini—ironi berbalut imajinasi.

Sinopsis
Pluto adalah manga psikologis fiksi-ilmiah. Ceritanya cukup berat dan keras dengan sasaran pembaca dewasa (remaja akhir juga bisa). Latarnya adalah masa depan ketika teknologi robot sangat canggih sehingga ada robot yang menyerupai manusia. Tokoh utamanya adalah seorang detektif robot buatan Jerman bernama Gesicht yang bekerja untuk Europol. Cerita dimulai dengan terjadinya serangkaian pembunuhan misterius. Orang-orang yang terbunuh ternyata berkaitan dengan Tim Investigasi Bora yang dikirim ke Persia beberapa tahun sebelumnya.

Kejutan Pelangi

pernah kupuja sang pelangi
kuarak awan-awan
demi menggurat hujan

kala kupinta temu
pelangi tertawa,
ambil kukuku!
injak jariku!

kubawa kuas
kuhela tinta
biarlah kububuhkan
sebelum warnamu pudar

tapi terlalu cepat ia angkat kaki
terpaksa awan-awan kuarak lagi
hujan kali ini
bagai menikmati tari
apakah ia mencibir?

kuangkat kuas
kugenggam tinta
eh?
pelanginya ada dua!

My VIA Signature Strengths

Last night I opened my YLI* workshop 1 module and found out my psychology test result. It described my 24 strengths. These are my top 5 strengths. Actually, it is something I’ve understood very well—I always know my strengths and weaknesses. But reading it again, I felt so excited. It reminded me that I am strong and special. You should try it too sometimes =)

Top
Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control.

Second
Sprituality, sense of purpose, and faith
You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.

Third
Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

Fourth
Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.

Fifth
Curiosity and interest in the world
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

*YLI = Youth Leadership Indonesia, established by McKinsey&Company Indonesia and consists of Indonesia’s (future) leaders.

Happy Birthday to My Sister and My Brother!

Today is my sister's birthday. She is 12 and will be entering junior high school in a few weeks. I'm not going home to congratulate her, but at least I've sent the present through my dear friend W.

Last week was my baby brother's birthday either. He is 7 years and 7 days old today. One week before his birthday, I'd given him a nice kids science novel (actually, I got it free from my lecturer, but please don't tell him). I hope he would consider it as his birthday present, at least until I'm home (still 10 days ahead).

Well, these stuffs make me miss my home so much, even if it is similar to "the burrow"--home of the Weasleys in Harry Potter series. I just have to work harder then. Fight!

^__^