Monday, February 28, 2011

Day 12: Rain

Rained whole day.

Thought I was pretty helpful today.
Director gave me a chance to prepare
and direct some of the talents.

Love the drive.

Haven’t directed for so long.

Still got it in me!

Discovered a very nice local food
called Kuih Lumpur.
It’s the size of an egg tart,
soft like pancake,
tasted like custard, topped
with raisins.

It shall be my favorite desert
of Jakarta!

Shoot was delayed due to rain.

Getting along very well with
the production team.
Learning their culture.
Jakarta people are very friendly.

Most of the people I know are married.
And they’re like below 30.
I can understand why.

Keep reminding myself relationship
doesn’t mix well with work.

Gotto lay low and try to stay away.

Excited bout tomorrow’s shoot.
Hadn’t been this excited since
a long time.

Till then.

-chinyew

Kuih lumpur is bloody tasty. Comparable to penang's apom. @Artmakr

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Day 11: Shoot

My first ever shoot in Jakarta.

Only slept 3 hours. Had lots of coffee.
Surprisingly I could stay awake throughout
the shoot. Was constantly refilling my cup
though. It’s great to be in a commercial shoot,
you are constantly fed with food.

Caffeine level was pretty high.
Needed to smoke. Asked for one,
luckily she didn’t heard. Another
friend stressed on it, then she
only gave. By then I thought it
was a sign for me not to smoke.
So I refused.

Was drinking a couple days back,
and didn’t smoke. So 4th day now.
Hoping I’ll survive atleast a week.

Shoot was fun. Always a pleasure
to be in a 35mm shoot.

Had dinner alone again.

Almost tried all the dishes at the
food court down my apartment.

Got to tell myself tomorrow I have
to be more helpful in the shoot.

Got to!

-chinyew

p/s: have to keep reminding myself not
to get too emo the next time I drink,
and thee shall not tweet or blog
when thee is drunk.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Everyone in Jakarta who is working in the commercial production has a blackberry. Even the tea lady!

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Day 10: Club

Was at the post production house to do research
for the next shoot.

Recce a few location.

Had small chats with director.
He shared how he came to Jakarta at the same
age as I am now.

He is married, nice house, children, driver.
Good life.

That is what I aim for.
He mentioned that it is entirely up to me.

Am gonna strive.

-chinyew

London Boulevard is not bad.

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Parking designated specially for ladies?

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I gotto remember that mee godok is just Maggie mee served with keropok. Tasted not bad when u drop the keropok into the soup where it melts with a crispy sound.

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Very cool bookstore in Kemang. Gotto find a place to stay near here.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Day 9: Post Production

Spent an entire day at a post production house
today. Watched my director edit a commercial
he directed of Jackie Chan. Yep, Jackie Chan!

Had some time to talked to the local guys
who worked there. Editors in general are
the same with editors around the world.
They love video games and collect figurines.

I was amazed how cheap PS3 and figurines
were in Jakarta compared to KL.

Like all editors, they wait till end of the month
to get their pay, and they would enjoy their
earnings on toys and games.

Good life.

But I can’t do that.

Especially at my position now.

Being an apprentice of a director not necessary
you get paid. It’s like going for tuition,
you need to pay to learn.

And I’m willing to give in that.

I love Jakarta food so far.
Very tasty. Had an awesome rice
flooded with gravy and beef.

Then visited the shoot set.
So many technicians and builders
building up the scene.
Told the assistant director, this
must be a really big budget shoot.
He replied, our director only directs
big budget stuff.

Met a fellow Malaysian, who is a known
DP back in the indie film scene in Malaysia.
He shoots commercial for living in Jakarta
and shoots indie film in Malaysia for passion.
It was great meeting up with a fellow Malaysian.

Beano has sneaked into my room.

Gotto sleep now, another long day tomorrow.

Till then.

-chinyew

Bad things always happens to good people.

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Have not smoke a cigarette since 48 hours.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Day 8: Presentation

Woke up at 7am. Took a cab to the director’s house.
The cab driver didn’t knew where was the place,
so we were lost for almost an hour.

Shall do better tomorrow! :)

Went to my first commercial presentation today.
Was interesting seeing the director and the
team presents to the agency and the client
in separate meetings.

Learning so much from the conversations
they have.

It’s all about the PR skill.

After the meeting, I walked directly home
because the apartment was pretty near.

As I walk the street with all the traffic
and smoke, I find myself having trouble
breathing. I need a mask or a handkerchief
where most people have, wrapped around
their faces like ninjas.

It’s no joke, I was really having trouble
breathing.

Thought I took a detour to a small mall.
Inside there was a boutique having a launch.
I crashed it. There were models, reporters,
band, free liquor and finger food. I was just
in my tees and backpack.

Had the most spiciest fried rice ever!
Wanted to go to the gym afterwards,
but then I saw the cinema. It was
showing The Fighter.

After watching it, feeling so inspired,
I went for a swim.

So sleepy and exhausted now.
Tomorrow’s another early day.

Till then.

-chinyew

So inspired after watching The Fighter, I went for a swim. :p

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If this sign was in KL, it would have been funny.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Day 7: Ojek

Rode on an 'ojek' today. Which is their
hired motorcycle. It was crazy riding
in the busy streets of Jakarta.
Road is so tight. So noisy, dusty, dirty.
The air is horrible. I definitely need
to have a mask soon. Makes me
feel so much gratitude now when
I had my car back in KL. Gonna sell
off my car soon. One of the last
anchor that signifies Jakarta is my
new home now.

Wonder how long it'll take me till the
day I have my own car and driver.

Tried not smoking today, but with the
horrible pollution and every corner
everyone smoking, is equally damaging
if I was smoking.

Got back from work, had some whiskey,
and hear more war stories of the industry
from friend's father. Learning so much from
his past.

I wonder why my younger days wasn't as
rich as his. That really makes me wonder
whether have I truly live it all.

Feels the road up ahead gonna be bumpy,
but assure that it is the right path to
greater good.

-chinyew

Happy Birthday @artmakr !

Not gonna smoke today. But with the people smoking around me and the traffic pollution in Jakarta is equally damaging my health. *cough*

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Day 6: War Stories

Had dinner with another film director today.
We had Korean barbecue.
Learning so much from the stories
they shared.

The director owns a beach house.
And he is building a plane so it saves
him time to travel to the beach house
from Jakarta.

Such life of the film directors in Jakarta.

Am remembering the crazy days I was
directing back in KL getting shitty pay
and tough clients.

The clients in Jakarta are tough too,
but atleast we are paid well enough
for it.

As the director was sharing his experiences,
a chick from across our table, suddenly moved
her thighs facing me, picked up her cold drink and put it
between her thighs and started caressing it back
and forward.

I was stunned and struggled not to look,
and tried my best to focus on what the director
was telling me.

It was crazy.

In my head, this kept ringing;

"Welcome to Jakarta! Welcome to Jakarta!"

-chinyew

Day 5: Walk alone.

Woke up, had awesome breakfast.
Cloths washed.
Bed made.
All by the maid.
Don't even need to lift a finger.
Feels so spoiled.

But I guess once I moved out from
friend's place and get my own,
that's where I really have to
be independent.

I feel my body's so strange.
No matter how much I forced
myself, I only sleep maximum
of 5 hours. And during afternoon,
feels sleepy.

Was talking to friend's dad by the pool.
He shared his experience of how he
ran away from home and pursued
his dream as a musician.

He shared with me a quote:

"He who walks far, walks alone."

The sacrifices.

Shall ponder on that.

-chinyew

Had my first Jakarta hawker food. *gasp*

Sunday, February 20, 2011

just bought a pack of Marlboro Lights. There goes quitting.

Day 4: Production House

Started working today.
Tagging along a well-known commercial director.
I'm blessed.
Everyone kept telling me how lucky I am.
Am very thankful.

Went to a local production house.
Realized how everything is the same, except
for the people working inside it, and the
interior of the place. Feels confident I can
tagged into the work flow here.
It's only matter of the language now
that I've to master.

Give me another year, and I'm sure I'll be directing.

Had my first KFC here for lunch.
Tasted really good, that came with sticky rice.

Was assigned to work on a new board.
It is true that there's alot of commercial jobs in Jakarta.
So many that it is more than enough for everyone.

Will be shooting one in a week's time,
and already we're pre-planning the second one.

Looked at the schedule. Jobs packed till April.
Crazy. Looks like I won't be going home for
awhile now.

Miss home.

The only thing that keeps me on track is
the film projector key chain I have. Clicked on it,
reel sounded and light beamed.

It felt wasn't that long ago I was there.
And now I'm here.

Bloody 2 months for a turn-around change.
Guess it's like all you need is just a jab,
and all will be fine and forgotten.

I want that jab.

-chinyew

It feels so messed up, don't you feel messed up?

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

This is a nice place to bring a date for steak in Jakarta.

Day 3: Job

I got myself a job and work permit.

Looks like I'm solid locked-down in Jakarta.

My new home.

Watched a movie today at one of the local
cinemas. Jakarta's cinema is really nice.
Awesome seats. Awesome sound. I've been watching
the Transformers 3 trailer for so long and
finally for the first time, I heard the true surround
sound. The screen was great too. You won't
see any scratches in the print.
And the tix are cheap too.

I can do this.

I feel like Toto from Cinema Paradiso.

Got to sleep early. Tomorrow first day at work.

-chinyew

It's so hard to quit smoking in Jakarta cause everyone smokes and cigarettes are so cheap!

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You call this a comeback, @Artmakr ?

Friday, February 18, 2011

I aim to direct this big. :P

Day 2 jakarta.

Day 2: Language

Morning, Beeno jumped onto my bed
and it's purring woke me up.

The maid made indo mee for breakfast.
Served with vege, chicken and egg.

Then was introduced to the famous Jakarta traffic.

Visited an audio post house.
Fancy. Then played FIFA for hours.
I'm getting the hang out of it.
Used Stoke City and beat Newcastle.

Learned some of the local language.
Very similar yet some words are
very different from my country's language.

Slowly picking up the city's custom.

Very interesting country.

Will be meeting a film director tomorrow.
Shall go sleep now and be at my best
for tomorrow.

-chinyew


Can u guys believe this? Stoke city beats newcastle's ass!

I think this shall me my favorite drink in Jakarta, coconut with brown sugar!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Day 1: Jakarta

Hi guys, I'm back.

Left Kuala Lumpur today.
Touched down Jakarta.

Exciting first day. Learned my first
lesson of Jakarta from an immigration officer.

A day before was with my friends over my place.
Gambling. Last day of CNY. Also the
Chinese Valentine's day.

For the last round of black jack, I bet on 200 bucks.
Took it as a sign if I was to lose, is a sign I'm not
coming back. Burning all my RM into the bet.

Banker got 21. Double. So I lost 400 bucks.
Didn't felt bad about it, cause it meant to me
that I'll be making it in Jakarta. Don't need anymore
of the RMs.

Feels strange saying goodbye to my room.
So many memories.

Flight got delayed due to bad weather.

Will be staying at my friend's dad's place first.
My room has a roommate. A super manja cat
named Beeno.

Do I miss home?

Not yet, I guess.

But I'm sure I will somehow.

Now I know how it felt.

My words and sentences are in random.

Forgive me.

I don't care.

-chinyew





First meal at jakarta.

My new room in Jakarta and room mate, Beano. (super manja cat)

Mmmpgh, flight delayed due to bad weather. I get it now...

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Kuala Lumpur, signing out.

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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Hmm.. Dilemma. Should I read a book or watch a movie? In yr face office people! HA!

Plan B, bangsar. Good burger. But horrible red velvet. Guess I'm done finding the best red velvet in town.

My transition to 2011 was so intense that I keep forgetting that it's already 2011.

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Feeling so confident lately that I don't even feel like combing my hair when I go out.

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I promise to stop.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-i_p0RdIj0

goin around 'liking' stuff.

Today has been a day where I spent talking to 2 best friends on separate occasion on the views of love.

Gasp. Suddenly feeling scared about Jakarta. #@*! gotta stop being a pansy and swallow this! Gulp.

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So scary! Was listening to a sermon about evil and temptation, suddenly black out then thunder strike. Sermon finished, lights came back on.

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Dammit, got to start tweeting more of my explicit stuff than posterousing.

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Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Monday, February 07, 2011

And finally this for today.

Now this.

And then this.

Reading this.

Airasia crap! The website didn't email me my itinerary, therefore I've to call their Premium line that cost RM1.95 per minute, which kept me on hold for damn long! WTF!

gulping milk thistle.

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Dammit, can't sleep. Sleeping routine is haywire again.

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I've got 3 of the symptoms of damaged liver. Not sure if I should get a medical checkup, cause I won't be here to collect the report.

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Proverbs 7:21-23

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