A Nostalgia of Boybands Music

Written By : Riri Oktriani

It doesn’t take long time to remember my favourite music when I was teenager. Boybands. I love them. Its proof with their posters that fill my room’s wall. I’m madly in love with them. It looks with my tabloids collection, all of their edition. I’m a big fan of those good looking boy. Usually, they be composed of five boys in one group. Don’t ask, I completely know all of their song lyrics in one album. Eventhough I don’t get what it means. But, which important to me is I know it and completely can singing their song. Of course, this is a pride.

Yap, I fall in love with Westlife. This boyband come from Irlandia and so enticing me. They become one of my identity when I was teenager. It’s so important to talk about them with all of my classmates. The conversation running with many questions and also a statements, like “Ooh, I ike Mark very much,” with crack smiling its come from my lips. Ouch, it riddicoulus if I remember again that time. But, that’s me when still teenager. That’s the music which I love. But its not the riddicoulus thing, actually. Its just..., funny.

But this time, I don’t wanna talk about Westlife which members just four now (OMG! I Still know about them! Hehehe). Because these days, my memory come to another boyband. They early coming than Westlife. They’re Backstreet Boys. I knew about them—their song—in my last year in Elementary School. In fact, this time, I miss their song.

Alone, writing about this, just no big deal for me. Because Backstreet Boys’ song accompanying me. Their song just playing in my Winamp, and those accross so many albums which their released. Eventhough they completely don’t know me, but their song have meaning for me, even now. All of those thing, their song, just because I miss with memories and nostalgia with my teenager time. I don’t need compromise with that.

If I think back, at that time I already drowning with their love songs. Just like Drowning.

'Cause everytime I breathe, I take you in, and my heart beats again, baby I can't help it, you keep me, drowning in your love...

This love song lyric, just took me drowning. Generally, I think this song tell about broken heart. In fact, beside romantic, are these boy could feel broken heart that so deep like this song? Perhaps. It’s not only broken heart songs. When fall in love, Backstreet Boys’ lyric so touching—eventhough sounds lying. Just try to listen their song, As Long As You Love Me in 90es.

People say I'm crazy and that I am blind..., I don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did, as long as you love me...

But maybe there’s someone feel about this with their lover. So sweet, just like an orange that ripe from the trees. Isn’t artificial. Try little bit closet, this song so relevan with All I Have To Give.

After long enough vaccum in music, they back with an album title “Never Gone” that released in 2005. Yap, with this album they really proof that they never gone from music. Incomplete song which become their hits attract me when the first time see their video clip. They look elegan and have strong character. The pop music still taste in this album. It’s not only in Incomplete but also in Never Gone and I Still.

Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck : A Classic Romance Story

Written By: Riri Oktriani

Book Identity
Title : Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijk
Author : Hamka
Publisher : Bulan Bintang
Printed : 1938

Matrilineal system—a generation system of ethnics that taken from mother side—makes Zainuddin just couldn’t have place on his own village, Batipuh, Padang Panjang. Real, just because his mother a Bugis with father from Minang that abroad. Far from his own village in West Sumatera. Zainuddin just like a foreigner and doesn’t admited as Minang. But it’s doesn’t matter, eventhough he’s didn’t recognize by the people in his own home. During in Batipuh, he’s staying with his aunt.

Not for a long time, Zainuddin fall in love with Hayati, a sweet girl from highly regarded family. And then they had relationship. But, Zainuddin couldn’t take long time for living in his own home. Because the people always ask about what he’s doing in Batipuh. Soon, he realize that he have to do something and decide to looking for fortune and good luck in Padang Panjang town. Before leaving, Hayati had promise to loyal and waiting Zainuddin to go back to Batipuh.

Zainuddin and Hayati still survive with their power of love. Don’t care, eventhough only could hold the love letters. And then, another letter comes from Zainuddin to propose Hayati. But, in conformity with that, Aziz, a brother of Hayati’s friend, also comes with same purpose. Hayati’s family decide to refuse the propose from Zainuddin.

After heard that decision, Zainuddin broken heart. He lost his way. The pain made he couldn’t breath. He couldn’t feel his life. Months, he’s got sick, unpowerfull, just calling Hayati’s name. The doctor couldn’t say anything, Zainuddin need to meet with his lover, Hayati. Bang Muluk, his friends—also son of rent house owner—sent Hayati a letter for coming to Padang Panjang seeing Zainuddin health’s condition.

At that time, Zainuddin crying, so painfull seeing Hayati come with Aziz. Her hands full with inai—just like mahendi in India—and also her sweer finger in right hand had a ring. In the end, he have to realize and facing the truth that Hayati was not belong with him.

Bang Muluk being Zainuddin’s best friend, help him to brush and take away his painfull past. About his identity which doesn’t admited by family on the village and also he could’nt reach his true love. He realize that he have to build his life again. From zero. With Bang Muluk, he abroad to Surabaya. Being author of teather and fiction story. By years, he become a successful man. But, this world is so small. Aziz got move to Surabaya because his job. They meet again with Zainuddin in Sumatera’s society on some teather event.
Unfortunately, Aziz and Hayati’s life was unhappy. Aziz so often spent his time and money to gambling. Hayati is arousing pity. Aziz lose his job and they have no other choice. They stay with Zainuddin. Day by day, with no changes of their life, Hayati was divorced by Aziz. He was end his life with suicide on a hotel in Banyuwangi. Before that, because long time ago he had taking Hayati from Zainuddin’s arms so Aziz give Hayati back to Zainuddin.

But, the pain still have a print. His heart was frozen. He didn’t want to remain his deep love to Hayati. He didn’t care eventhough at that time he was still alone. He refuse Hayati, and suggest her to go back to Batipuh. With empty heart, Hayati leave Surabaya with Van der Wijck ship. The route is form Makassar-Tanjung Perak-Semarang-Tanjung Priok-Palembang, and then Padang. But, the faith had been written down. That ship foundered after few hours form Perak. Hayati and the other passangers had saving to the hospital in Tuban.

Heard that, Zainuddin got shock. He go to the hospital and can meet Hayati before dying. He confess to Hayati that he still love her and Hayati feel it so. But his pain to deep for confessing that he still love her. And he broken heart again. And this time will be forever. For the second time, he lose Hayati. A year later, he also leaving all his memories because sick.

When I read this novel—in Senior High School—and still now, I feel this novel was so amazing. From the story, we can see, that long time ago, a man that wants to know his identity refused by his father’s family because he have no ethnics generation. He is not a Minang. Since boy, Zainuddin grown up in Makassar, South Sulawesi. His mother is Bugis and his father is Minang. So, otomatically, if we see from Minang custom, of course he doesn’t admited by the people of his village as Minang. His propose to a girl from Minang names Hayati, also got refuse because Hayati’s family prefer Aziz which has good future and recognize by the people in the village.

The conflict that always comes make Zainuddin keep on his effort to build his life again. It starts from the family that give him little chance, his unreach love story, try to be successful man which takes long time, until facing again by diffulty to choose: accept Hayati or still with his principe and frozen heart. But, in the end, Zainuddin feel sorry for his dicision. But, I think this is a classic roman that so amazing.

And from the way Hamka show this story—with his language style—this novel easy to understand. Because in some novel of 1930’s or 1940’s era theres many analogy of language or style that difficult to understand by reader in this era. But I think, not for this novel. The language so touch to our heart, Hamka can make the reader get into plot story. Also feeling the sadness of Zainuddin and all of the conflict that happen on this novel.

Finally, I’m trying not too over in judgement, novel had been printed in 23 times, makes me blue with all of the aspects; stroy, language, and a deep love conflict. Really, that’s the truth.

The Yacht : After The Sunset

This photo was taken on Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. a place where the sea became famous around the world. Bunaken is the best sea park,for people like to enjoy the view inside.

exactly we are on side of beach. Proximately at afternoon time, where the sunset almost break, The yacht in this photo sail right away on beach with flow around seawind. When this photo was taken, I don’t realize the time until I see the sunset almost downing on front of me. My friends, sat away on rock where we taking a many photo, even by myself and their activity which I don’t know what are they doin’ at that time. Realize the yacht sail away, it makes me to wonder one day that I’ll be on that yacht with many friends on that boat and making the best party ever had. Many wonder and makes me hungry at the time. Because the time when we hang out, was at September 2009 exactly on Islam time is a Ramadhan, so I fasting at that time. At open time fasting, me my two friends going to find any café so we can eat for fasting break time, and saying goodbye to the yacht so maybe one day me and my friends will be at there.

Fountain at CiWalk

Photo By : Risky C.H. Ondang
Text By : Risky C.H. Ondang & Riri Oktriani




Hi it’s RR again,
This photo was taken at afternoon at Cihampelas Walk, a mall in Bandung, West Java. This picture is a result of practising to photograph something, maybe to create and invent a another kind of photo. Beacuse all I know, there is no boundaries on photography world. And this practice was one of my assignment for subject college at the end of exam.

With this assignment, I had to describe a lifestyle of modern people this time, who spend their time at the shopping center. Mall that I visited, looks different than the other mall in Bandung. Because this mall have a many feature and facility, like the park, trees, and including this fountain miniature, exactly it’s not like “miniature” but it is have a tiny version size.

In this assignment job, I was accompanied by my two friends, they helped me to learn how to take a photo, the technique and something like that, which I still learn untill now. However, I can see that peoples have their way to make thing’s easy and fun for ownself. There is people just fun to stay around home, hang out with friends, family, and even with boy or girlfriend. But, it all comes back to us,from ourself to please with own different way. Beacuse It’s not just about hangout to become the only way for pleasure.

The Godfather : An Epic Movie

The Godfather
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Adapted from Mario Puzo's Novel

The Godfather (1972), is an American Gangster Film, which telling about associate criminal family to conquer a power around the city of new York.
This film was adapted from novel with same name from writer Mario Puzo, “The Godfather”. The cast on this film played by many big actor. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S Castelano, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. Most of this cast was honored and get many respect from among the Hollywood actor.
The Godfather is one of The Best movie, which on second place, below Citizen Kane film based on AFI’s 100 years 100 movies (10th Anniversary Edition) by American Film Institute.
The Godfather, take story on 1945 september, where The Big Boss is Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) became The Godfather, who rule all the associate family mob in New York city. With his consigliere Tmo Hagen (Robert Duvall) trying to build a dynasty and negotiate with other associate mob family on territory struggle.
The conflict came when The Godfather was shot by other family mob, and his sons Sonny Corleone (James Caan) and The Youngest Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), where Michael is the only of Don Vito’s son who never involved on crime mob family trying to payback a revenge to family mob that was involved on his father’s shooting.
After the payback revenge has done from Michael, he was hided to Italy, exact on sicilia, a place where his father was born. It all because Michael has kill one of corrupt New York police, captain McCluskey (Sterling Hayden) and Sollozo.
After that, The Third Corleone brother, Fredo Corleone (John Cazale), was sent to Las Vegas, where he protected by casino operator who has been involve on associate Five families.
While the police and other authorities begin to hunt down on mafia activity, Don Vito is particularly distressed when he learns of michael’s involvement, since he had planned for Michael to remain uninvolved in the “family business”
However, the conflict more heat up, when Michael came back from Italy, and continue his father position, after The Godfather’s resign. Don Vito trusted Michael because he is the most lovely son that Don Vito’s ever had, despite of Michael intelligence and smart decision. The treason and power conquer became so epic after Michael was trusted by his father. At the end this film make the audience grip and tense at the edge of the seat for watching it.
I think this is the best film ever. As we can see how the story adapted by Mario puzo’s novel became so great when Francis Ford Coppola as Director, transfer the story into a great movie ever. Coppola make this film the best as he can, too direct and make this movie so tense and thrilling at the end. Mario puzo also involved and working as screenplay in this film.

Despite from the great story adaptation, this film was starring by many great actor. Many actor of this film, became a big actor until now, as we can see Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall still playing many movie right now.
Francis Ford Coppola making a great decision, from casting star. Marlon Brando played The Best as Don Vito Corleone, and Winning Academy Award as Best Actor at that time.
While Michael Corleone’s played by Al Pacino was the best role he ever act. Even many of movie magazine stated that the role (Michael Corleone) is the number one role Al Pacino ever played by. The other cast also bring the effect on this film, creating a good chemistry among other cast involvement.

The greatest thing in this film, is how good Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo working together to create a one of the best movie of all time from novel and resurrect on film media and played by many great actor Hollywoos ever had.

peace

Sunset Rider

Text and Photo By : Risky C.H. Ondang

Hi,,
It’s me again, if you guys ain’t boring to read my line.

This photo was taken at the end of sunset, where sun comes down and change to night time (maybe it doesn’t need to describe it, cause people ain’t stupid). I realize how big this world is, just to see the city down at it. actually me and my other friends ride on the hill at bandung, which i don’t know what the name of place called. Because from that hill, we can see almost the whole city at bandung on evening night. The city lights, so beautiful, in this creative city (i don’t know why it called like that, maybe because the people in this city SO CREATIVE). But honestly, the first time i came to this city, when my first grade on mid school, it amaze me how beautiful this city with the people in it, so creative, inventing something new and different than other. As we can see how good and humble people on west java, especially at sunda clan, the culture, gesture and how they interact with people, (and also the beauty girls in it, so tempted :D)

Back to the time when me and my friends take a photo at the hill, wonder me that this is a bautiful city where people can make dreams come true, of course with hard work and intelligence.
(who knows ?) God work in mysterious way.

Peace y’all

Maybe my story ain’t have connection or relativity from this photo, but all i know this it. just like that and always like that.

Bandung Blossom

Photo By : Riri Oktriani
Text By : Riri Oktriani and Risky C.H. Ondang

Saturday (24/10/2009), Bandung look so merry and fancy. This time because The Anniversary of Bandung City 199th. Not just the own people, approximately 6000 audience and 672 artists crowded a long line Merdeka street just to participate to involved at the Anniversary of this Blossom City. This event was presented by Kreasi M 32 and by Bandung City Government, also by government institution, private side, and of course the society.

This photo was taken with digital pocket camera, with crowded side, at this Anniversary. As we can see, at this photo, there is many artists that already to take many attraction “Barong Sai” a chinese traditional culture, and adapted ini here. It also we can see many society that interested in this event. this event started at 6 am till afternoon and officially opening by Bandung’s Mayor Dada Rosada. With friends i came into this event, of course for fulfilling an assignment. We do a little reportase just to for an assignment for college subject news writing.