Thursday, March 30, 2017

The People of My Heart

This post is dedicated to the people who've been coloring my days in college for almost 3 years.


I never imagined myself being in a, um, what should I call 'em, family? I never, ever, imagined before, myself being in a community of campus' media and I'm proud to say that they're more than a team.

I never know that I will be in an intimate relationship with kind of a lot of people, well at least for me, when I'm usually ended up only have like not more than ten of good friends. I used to have lots of friends, but in high school, I finally realized that books and flowers and foods are more interesting than human, that things are so much more real for me. I didn't hang with people. Until I went to college, got in on this bunch of peeps, and turned up they're turning everything back. It was kinda strange, but I cannot fight back.

I love the feelings of having them.

To all my 2013 sweethearts..

Dear Baby,



I'm amazed with your motherly soul that caught my heart from the first time we met. The look in your eyes would never lie. All your stories define you as an independent woman that everyone should adored to. You always bring out positivity to me that I can do everything I want to do and to do everything with passion. You always said that I'm a kind-hearted, but you have to look at yourself. A friend is a mirror of yours. Always be the cheerful Baby in every step you take in life because you're one of a kind.

Dear Ebi,



You're full of energy, spirited. The sincereness of yours melts everyone's heart and that's why I admired you. The jokes you tell, the song you sing, and the stories of your everyday life that always brings happiness to your surroundings. You always offer everyone for help and never get tired of it. I'm wondering, how can a person being so talented? Everyday is your brand new and you welcome it with excitement. Ebi, you're a gift and will forever be the head of cutie department.

Dear Fely,



I always feel blessed to have you, a very good listener. The late night conversations, all the discussions, you're so open minded and I adored you for that. You're so caring to everyone, but sometimes you got a pretty high prestige so that you don't always show them. You motivate me each day, a woman should be strong and tough. You always put all of your efforts in everything, a dedicated person. Fely, I know I always can count on you because you're truly a sister.

Dear Jodi,



You're the cutest, especially when you're in shock and being "latah", but aside from those, you're a very generous person. The first time I know you, you're so warm-hearted and definitely everyone's favorite. I will always remember you as a heartfelt human being that reconcile up everybody around you. Be true to yourself and have a confidence that you can conquer the world because you're so much more than what you believed, Jodi.

Dear Melanie,



I mesmerized by how good you are as the only child in the family and you inspired me for that. You spoil me like I'm your little sister, being chatty everytime, and you always got the effort to cheer everybody up when they're down. You showed me that there's no barrier in everything and we can always break through our limit. You're the best producer as long as I can remember and never regret being in the same program in the first time I got in. Don't lose your kindness and sweet personality because Melanie, I see an angel inside you.

Dear Cliff,



You know you'll always be the center of attention because you're so stand out than everybody else and that's what makes you special. I always know that you got the "it" factor that will lead you in any way that you want. The laughter that you radiated is eternal and will forever be my favorite. You spread positive energies and with pleasure transfer it to everyone. The moment shared with you will always be great memories that everyone will crave for more. You are lovable, Cliff.

Dear Sisi,



I cherished you for the way you always tidying up my hijab especially when my hair turns out (and I do it all the time, I know). You're so firm and fierce, a portrait of what a woman should be. Everyone said you're a goddess and they're truly right. You do everything with love so the result will always be lovely. A strong will is yours and a wonderful journey awaits. Sisi, let your shine sparks out all the way to anyone you met.

Dear Steven,



You always there when everybody needs you and you put all your heart in every work you've been working. When it comes to food, your appetite won't let you down and I believed all the food you've been eating are burned as a fuel to be an energetic person. You faced problems with smiles and that's what I liked. You never complain about things because you won't let anything blocking your way. Steven, stay dynamic in every way of life.

Dear Marsya,



I'm falling for your honeyed soul that you always preserves. Your beauty swings, your smile blinks. We both a public relations student that has started this journey together back then in 2015 and you'll forever be my pal. You patiently be friend with this wallflower that don't talk much since the very first time I met you, but you choose to stay until now on. I admired that you're so faithful to told me that we can always be happy because we are the one who got the control to make ourselves happy. You're the apple to my pie, Marsya.

Dear Okta,



You embraced me and everyone with your favor and support. I'm impressed with the young spirit within you that always bring a zing to your companies. You was born with talent and you'll always be humble with that. Don't let any negativity ruin your day because there's nothing to worry about. I know that a beautiful soul will always get a place in everyone's heart, so always be one, Okta.

Dear Yovita,



I loved the way you pay attention to details. Busy is a word there will not be found in your dictionary because you'll always take your time to anyone who need you. I'm bemused by your benignity that you always give. I never know that a person can be as kind as you. Your cares will forever be my precious. I also love your dedication in everything you do. Yovita, you're irreplaceable.

Dear Nissy, 



I hold dear your bubbly personality since the first time we met. You're a natural and spontaneous type of person that I fascinated. Every movement that you do will always bring joy to everyone and you spread inspirations in every walk. You sing love and I love you for that. I always feel comfortable when I'm around you, a pure genuine. Stay glowing inside and out, Nissy. 

Dear 2013 Sweethearts,

Good luck on your new journey. Do your internship report and/ or thesis well and make everyone proud. It's not a sayonara, but a very warm see you again. Remember one thing: you will always have my back because you're all the people of  my heart.

With love,

Gendis.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Voice from Afar

Last Thursday was very historical. That day, was a very first "serious" show that I attend, after all this time I'm all about Disney on Ice. Feels like I'm growing up, or old.

The ticket of  bliss

It's Suara dari Jauh by AriReda. An album launching, a musicalization poem performances of Goenawan Mohamad's masterpiece. I went there with Rana, it was spur of the moment. I asked her to accompany me a day before and she said yes. 

It was also my first time to set my foot in Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ). The place itself is so lovely. The old building with a very high ceiling, old tiles, and mysterious ambiance that I liked. There's just something from the oldie but goodie thing that always caught my attention. And GKJ bewitching me right. 

AriReda on Stage

Adrian Yunan opens the show with several songs and very heartwarming. AriReda started the night with two songs at a time, Engkau Menunggu Kemarau and Tutuplah Pintu Rumahmu. It was a very melodious beginning. There were 2 sessions of the show and the songs from the album launching were played in session 2. The stage is laid out simply with Ruth Marbun's artwork.

Goenawan Mohamad greeting us, the audiences, with his confuseness of being asked to introduce AriReda to all of us. He didn't say a thing about it, but his thankfulness to AriReda for their willingness to do musicalization of his poems. He also said that we tend to seek out meanings in every poem. Is it just about meanings? He believed, voice from a poem have to be sounds out.

There are 10 poems of Goenawan Mohamad in Suara dari Jauh: 1. Orang di Katedral, 2. Kwantrin Musim Gugur (IV), 3. Berjaga Padamukah Lampu-lampu Ini, Cintaku, 4. Senja pun Jadi Kecil, Kota pun Jadi Putih, 5. Nota untuk Umur 49 Tahun, 6. Lagi Hujan, 7. Malam yang Susut Kelabu, 8. Sajak Anak-anak Mati, 9. Surat Cinta, and 10. Z.

Goenawan Mohamad was giving greetings before the show

If you ask me, what's my favorite of 'em ten, my favorite is Z. Z was performed at the end of session 2 and it brings me back to a memory when I went to the Kata, Gambar Exhibition by Goenawan Mohamad at Dia.Lo.Gue, Kemang last month. The exhibition presents Goenawan Mohamad's sketches and illustrations that never seen before, representing his inner thought and response to his own poems.

There were 3 themes in the exhibition and Z is part of Gambar, Kata yang Bisu. At that time, I didn't know the title of the poem because I just didn't notice where he puts the title in the sketch. What I remembered is, there's rail and some kind of a tree, with his writing that is so thin that I can't barely read, but so hypnotizing.

Z as a postcard with his signature written,
"Untuk Gening, Goenawan Mohamad"

The sentence that sticks in my mind about the poem is, "Lalu jatuh daun murbei dan engkau terlepas" and that is what all I remembered since I didn't know the title. Until AriReda performed it in the end of the session 2, it's Z. I got an aha moment. The title is Z. It is so relieving to know the title after a month wondering lol. 

It's not that he didn't want to look at the camera,
he just like it to look like a candid

I'm beyond grateful and very happy because it's not just about attending the show, but meeting up someone that I adored since forever. Goenawad Mohamad and Sapardi Djoko Damono. For real. I can't barely talk at the moment when I met them, Rana is my witness. They both mesmerized me. My body was shaking, my eyes were watering. I got goosebump and struck at them right at the time when I saw them. Especially after I shook hands with them.

Please mind my "sumringah" face, oh well

I can't make it when Sapardi celebrated his 77th birthday a day before, but my sadness are gone when I met him in person on the show. His luminous soul spread out anywhere he stepped his foot. Plus, meeting Goenawan Mohamad, a portrait of the man that I always wanted to have in life because he's just so brilliant. His mind attracted me whatsoever. 

The trio that brings me happiness in a night

Ari Malibu and Reda Gaudiamo, thank you for coloring my night with peace and love. And also Rana, who's willing to accompany me even if I just invited her a day before the show.

Cheers,

Gendis.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Ada Apa #2 | Rasa Syukur

Seseorang duduk di seberang suatu gedung yang kata orang pencakar langit. Di rumahnya, dengan sebuah kursi kayu tua, hampir lapuk. Kakinya di-ucang-ucang angge-kan, kalau kata orang Jawa. Matanya berbinar. Ia bercakap dengan langit yang tampak begitu biru pada hari itu. Rambut hitamnya tergerai indah setelah pagi tadi keramas dengan shampoo yang ada di billboard sebelah si gedung pencakar langit. 

Adalah perempuan setengah abad yang berbalut daster batik khas Surakarta, tetapi ia di Jakarta. Kantong matanya memang sudah satu sentimeter, tetapi entah dari mana, ada yang berpendar dari dalam dirinya. Lesung pipinya sesekali terlihat, di mana letak hal yang harus diberi senyum, belum jelas.

Asap kendaraan bermotor yang lewat sedari tadi menghiasi udara. Suara klakson, riuh tetangga sebelah yang berkelahi, dan suara orang-orang yang mengeluh karena kemacetan Ibukota, atau kegilaannya.

Perempuan tadi tenang, padahal rumahnya sudah reyot. Cat di temboknya mengelupas, sama halnya dengan kulit di tumit kakinya. Kalau dibandingkan dengan gedung pencakar langit di depan sana, rumahnya bukanlah apa-apa. Tidak ada billboard di samping rumahnya, hanya spanduk pencalonan ketua RT.

Diamnya bagaikan penyelam yang selamat, karena teguh tanpa intervensi dari apa yang sedang hangat. Telinganya terbuka lebar, jari-jari yang mulai keriput sesekali bergerak. Tidak ada keinginan yang muluk-muluk, kecuali selalu dicukupkan dengan rasa syukur. Cukup dengan rasa itu, ia menggenggam kemerdekaannya sendiri.

Tulisan ini bersemayam di telepon genggam saya sejak, ah, sudah lama.

Apakah rasa syukur telah mencukupkanmu?