FAN FICTION ADDICT

When you hear the word fan, what is the first thing that come up about that word? Obviously "a fan", or "a high appreciation" or maybe an "addict" of something or someone. There are always two sides of effect of this word "fan", the negative is you might be too intense on being a fan, and you do not clearly see yourself as a supportive fan, for example: a fan or should I say fanatic of Robert Pattinson (the guy who play Edward Cullen), maybe become a stalker of every film schedule/movie premiere he attends, or could threat him if he has a "girlfriend" because hoping that Robert would go out with her..it does happen you know, I read it in magazine!So that's clearly a negative "fan"..but there is one fan that I'm also into it, which I consider it is a positive thing...a fan fiction. I have read this fan fiction stories since I like Twilight movies, yeah my fan fiction story only pair Edward-Bella. And recently I love reading Smallville fan fiction, which paired Clark-Lois. Now, I've read in a few sites of this "fandom" thing, and they say that they create or write fan fiction because they want to know more about the characters or they are not satisfied with the story presented in the series. Well, no matter what the reason they have, I feel really grateful for these fan fiction writers because the writings are mostly quite well, I mean they could be script writers for the series they like. The fan fiction stories are really good, and I am not talking just about the writings, the plot, the characters, the dialogue are really amazing. I take my hat off for those fan fiction writers, and really they are talented writers, if some say that fan fiction writers or the readers are people who have no jobs, I mean get real people...you are wrong! These writers come from different level of background from all over the world, from Junior High writer to an English Teacher and to a Law student. They are taking writings and imagination to a different level. For me, there are no bad writings, people learn, make mistakes and try again. Because that's where I see myself, I like writing and I sure hope that people would appreciate my writings :).

PS: If you are interested in reading fan fiction, you can go to www.fanfiction.net, afterward you can choose the category of "fandom" that you like, whether it's a book (like Twilight), a TV series (like Smallville) or a movie (like Transformers and etc. If you're a fan of the characters and you wanna read more about the "other stories", please check out the website I mention above, I'm sure you'll gonna like it.

Wannabe Writer

Everyone who knows me, would probably wondering why I suddenly take interest in writing. It's not a sudden ambition or interest, and I wouldn't dare saying that it's a natural talent. I'd say it's just something that I enjoy since I was in elementary level, sixth grade to be exact. It started with a diary from 6th grade until my college years and I think I owned 23 Diaries in total, in which I tore them apart when I got married. At that time I thought who needed a diary when you can talk personally to your loved one. I did write Diaries to empty my unspoken emotions, words about my daily life, family, friends, crushes, almost crushes, ex-boyfriend, and almost boyfriend. I also wrote poetry in high school,but mostly it's about love and heartbreaks ...lots of heart break. I have no idea why I wrote so much heart breaking poetry, maybe because years before I met my husband, I did get a lot of heart breaks. Then i also made short stories(cheesy teen flick) that were mostly about me and my dream crushes..hey, when you can't get a guy, you are legal enough to write about them...says, me :). Because I enjoy writing things that make me comfortable, I did not know that writing can be used as "money making". Nope, never explore that..Dang, if I knew that I like to write stories, at least I could have been a journalist or a writer now. But, there is never too late to do things. I'm gonna keep on writing, for stories I won't publish them in my blog, I would only keep them in my personal file, and when the time is right I would love to publish them or someone should hire me as children writer or script writer. Some writings in my blog are mostly about pop culture, or certain events that I need togive my opinion on. I do only write in English, because I major in English teaching and I do want my writing to be read not just by Indonesian. It is okay, that some people may seem hard to see me as a struggling writer, but as hard to believe it's also something that I just figure out, that it's not easy to be a writer, and I have lots of practice and study and to care what other people think about my writing, which is taking suggestions and critique. Well, you are fully welcome!

Sorcerer's Apprentice

A Geeky Kinda Hero

My movie pick this time is the Sorcerer's Apprentice. When we usually see a movie with a hero in it, somehow they will portray a handsome guy, who happens to be the future hero, but the Sorcerer's Apprentice took a different approach. The character Dave (played by Jay Baruchel) is somehow not the typical of "ladies man" for a leading role. Because Dave is a real geek, nerd, awkward, unsociable and low self esteem guy, and to be truthful physically when you look at him for the first time, he is an average looking guy. I mean the female audience obviously won't go gaga for his "look", however there is something about his character that drawn the audience. As I pointed before, he is an average guy, a simple trait that I assume relate with most of the guys. He is quite funny in dorky kinda way, and yes like every other heroic movies...he did get the girl!...ehmm how classic right! I was kinda hopping that the female character that Dave fell for, was an average girl too, instead he did get himself his "dream girl". Overall, I did enjoy the movie and the comedy, and love this dorky kinda hero in Dave :)

When true love awaits for a hero

Common Resemblance between The Man of Steel and The Man of Marble

The characters of Superman (Clark Kent) and Edward Cullen are two of the most powerful men in the world of fictional world. I am a fan of Twilight Saga, and recently because of watching Smallville (especially season 9) I am so hooked with the origin stories of Superman. You are all probably wondering what the heck I am trying to pull in this thought of mine when writing the title. I guess, having watched the TV series, movies, read many fanfiction of Twilight and Smallville, I kind a notice the similarities between these two character.
It didn’t occur to me the first time I notice the resemblance between Clark Kent and Edward, but somehow these two are almost alike. Edward always says that he is not human, because he is a Vampire, who lives and walks among “human”. Because of his vampireness, Edward does not eat, drink nor sleep like humans do, but he only drinks blood (animal blood; a vegetarian Vampire). Edward always thinks that he is born to be alone and without soul mate, that is until Bella comes along. Clark Kent obviously comes from another planet called Krypton, and after being adopted by the Kents and having adjusted with the “human’s life”, Clark Kent does the chores just like the other humans, eats, drinks and sleeps like human (although he only needs a bit portion of them all). Clark also believes that no women would be with him because he is an alien, and no one would truly accept him of what he is and what he does as Superhero, that is until Lois Lane come along. These two (Clark and Edward) always thinks that they deserves to be alone and soul mate less. But when they found their soul mate, they are kinda afraid they would hurt the women they love when they want to be more intimate, due to their strength and power. Clark Kent is the man of steel, and Edward is the man of marble, they are both afraid they would hurt their women during intercourse. For Edward, obviously he has done it with Bella after he married her and surprisingly, Bella got pregnant. Edward has always been afraid to go for the next stage with Bella in relationship. Yet, in Breaking Dawn, Edward finally gains his control to have intercourse with Bella (when she was still human), without damaging her female organ. However, for Superman version, with some search from the other websites, there are still no “obvious” story where Superman (Clark Kent) has an intercourse with Lois lane. It was after the story Superman Return in 2006, where Superman had a kid with Lois Lane after he returned from his journey. However, there are still some debates among the comic readers and fans, if Superman can indeed have sexual intercourse with human being, since Superman has the speed more than a speeding bullet, in which having an intercourse could damage the “female organ” from the inside. Although in Smallville Clark did have intercourse with his first love, Lana, which happened when Clark was stripped his power. But, hey the debates are still on, because they also say that Superman can control his power.
For me as a fan of Twilight Saga and Smallville (Superman), the very noticeable factor of Superman and Edward is their true love. As Superman found his true love in Lois Lane (where he always thought to never find his soul mate), and the same goes with Edward who found his true love with Bella (where he always thought a vampire is soul less and ended up alone). Ehmm..I guess these two characters embrace the “true love and soul mate” in a really fascinating and upper level point of view , and I love it! Hahaha I guess I do have to admit that I am such a hopelessly romantic girl.

The Attack on the Humanitarian Activists

Strictly my own opinion on the “attack of flotilla ships”



When humanitarians are attacked…does humanity still remain?

The attack of flotilla ships by Israeli soldiers has turned the world eyes to simply “look” at the lack of humankind of the Israeli Government. The world has been watching the battle and “invasion” of Israeli to Palestine, in which the long-term dispute has made millions of Palestinians suffered, and I bet the common civilian of Israeli have tired and hurt for this never ending war. The invasion of Israel to Palestinian lands must stop and end now! This is not the time to start another world war 3, and I say it’s time for the International Organizations (UN) to “act and condemn” this attack.

According to the news, the flotilla ships were carrying hundreds of humanitarian activists who provide aid for the people in Gaza Strip. However, because of the “uncivilized attack” it had killed as many as 10 people on board, many are injured and arrested. The Israeli government has made the decision to the rest of humanitarian activists to be detained, deported or put into trial.
The Israeli government spoke person claimed that the activists on the boats initiated the attacked first, so the troops were simply taking it as a “serious assault against the Israeli military”. Moreover, another claiming said that the activists on the ships had links to terrorist organization. Come on…are you guys in Israeli government really do have that ridiculous and clearly dense and foolish theory? For someone who worked for humanitarian organization before, I know for sure that humanitarian goal and purpose is simply to aid, without any attachment with any links of political and “other unintelligent” theories or whatsoever. Even the Turkey's prime minister, said the flotilla merely filled with civilian volunteers that carry humanitarian aid and has been strictly checked their purposes and other materials they brought.

The Israeli troops attack has made the pinpoint for the world to see the merciless of Israeli government towards the human right activities. The U.N and International nations and organizations must act over such cruelty.

Such heartlessness and brutality to Palestinians must end soon and humanitarian activists should not be the victims.

Sources: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast)
http://www.guardian.co.uk

Damon…

Too irresistible to resist

Oh admit it! Sometimes a handsome bad boy image is a dreamy guy to most of the female population, well me included of course. We sometimes fall for those who break our heart…ehmm..talking about personal experiences hahahaha! Anyway, I give you one sample of a bad boy character; Damon from the Vampire Diaries TV series. I have wanted to write about Damon character for quite some time now, and just tonight I just have to jot down what I think and it’s soooo important for me to speak my mind about Damon. Don’t you agree girls….! Maybe the casting for Ian Somerholder really fits his character as a “handsome/bad ass/charming/risk-taker/lovable yet annoying” man. I mean…come on with a handsome face, great body and charming smile..damn he’s too good to ignore! If you have watched Vampire Diaries season 1, you’ll know what I mean by too irresistible. He was so annoying and a jerk at the beginning of the series, but in the middle to the end you’ll learn that he is not “all bad”. He tends to be a jerk just to have fun and mostly to piss off his “good” brother, Stefan. And the minute he starts annoying Stefan…Damon is just getting “hot”. He does have this dark and sarcastic sense of humor, which he always uses it to upset Stefan. For the Vampire Diaries fans, I guess you know that Damon probably secretly falls in love with Elena, and he shows it with his own way. Elena in alike with Damon’s past love Katherine, yet Damon knows that Elena cannot be compared with Katherine. There is so much goodness in Elena, that Damon finally sees it. However, he knows that Elena and Stefan have relationship, though he doesn’t want to come between them, he shows his “affection” to Elena in the image of “bad ass” guy and always like to take things easily without too much thinking, ehmm..spontaneous act I guess! Stefan, on the other hand is more caring, thoughtful, and always saying that he has “more control” over blood compares to Damon. Yet, in some of the episodes it was revealed that Stefan could not control hid thirst, due to his “control” to feed on animal blood rather than human blood. Hence, when Stefan got exposed to human blood, his resistance for human blood is in question. As Damon said that Stefan has always been holding back of his true nature as Vampire, which is feeding on human blood, so when he tastes human blood running to his body, he tends to want more. Damon, then again..becomes “in control” for the human blood. If we see him in the first episodes how coldblooded and guiltless Damon for feeding from someone’s life, in the final episodes Damon survives his craving by drinking from “blood bank”. And no I won’t even compare him with Edward character from Twilight, I am a fan of Twilight but Damon and Edward is like comparing angel and demon, you know what I mean right! My final say would be for someone who is ruthless from the start …Damon finally turns into a “quite adorable” vampire…and oh boy I do hope the second season he will always stay lovable yet hated character because his character is developed into this irresistible bad boy! If you agree…say..team Damon hahahaha!

A Muslim is crowned as Miss USA 2010

Is it a political interference, a public acceptance or a dishonor for Muslim?

Rima Fakih is the new Miss USA 2010, she is an Arab-American of the Muslim faith. Rumor said that Rima Fakih and her family practice both the Christian and Muslim faiths. Born in 1986 in New York to Lebanese American immigrant parents, Rima Fakih graduated of the University of Michigan where she majored in Economics with a minor in Business. With the title of Miss USA, Rima Fakih has made headlines news, not just because of her winning as Miss USA, but also the controversy surrounding her winning; being a Moslem with its moral values and the surface of her pole dancing pictures scandal.
The beauty pageant contests such as Miss USA or Miss Universe have been an issue of controversy for Moslem countries especially Moslem women to enter the competition, whereas in one part of the contest, the contestants are obligated to pose with a swimsuit. In most devoted Muslim countries whereas women cover themselves from head to foot in a hijab or nikab (a covering worn in the presence of men), Rima Fakih’s swimsuit could hardly be considered as a Muslim women’s clothing characteristic. In that sense, probably many people are questioning how a Muslim woman such as Rima Fakih could participate in the swimsuit category for the Miss USA pageant, but still regard as a muslim. For some Muslim people, her action can be assumed that she is not a devout Muslem.
The general/ western representation of Muslim women is to wear hijabs as part of their Moslem identity. However, there are several Moslem countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, who some of the women are not covered by hijabs, they are still in their regular piece of clothing. As a country where most of the populations are Moslem, Indonesia also participates each year in the beauty pageant such as Miss World and Miss Universe. Maybe because in Indonesia, the controversy surrounding the participation in the swimsuit category does not become a constant problem, since the government and the Ministry of Culture approves the participation. But, me myself as a Muslim woman, feel that wearing hijab does not the only way to show us as Muslim, but it is also seen through our obligation to do our “Muslim duties” such as in praying 5 times a day, caring for others and creating peacefulness even though surrounded by other religions.
Fakih’s victory as Miss USA 2010, for some Muslim community could be seen as a public acceptance for Muslim in the eyes of fellow Americans or for some devoted Muslim could be seen as a disgrace. Since the terrorist attack in 9/11, the representation of Muslim in the public knowledge was destructive. During the period of horror, American had a difficult time in accepting Islam as a religion of peace. Therefore, for a Muslim woman to win an American beauty pageant is a sign that America’s perspective of Islam has made a public acceptance that Islam is not a threat. On the other hand, her showing skins in public eyes, can be seen by devoted Muslim as a disgrace for Muslim women, because she does not reflect a Muslim women’s clothing characteristic. Additionally, there were also a few pictures surface after Fakih’s winning, that she was once participated in a pole dancing contest. Another issue also emerged that it is one of the way to embarrassed the Muslim community, because what the public knowledge know about being Muslim women is how they cover themselves with hijab, but Fakih’s action may shifted the public perception for Muslim women, that showing skin is okay. The ridiculous issue afterwards, is that rumored Fakih's Lebanese background or some of her family members are linked to terrorism. How ridiculous is that!
I, myself think a beauty pageant should be seen as just a “beauty contest” and not a place to judge them by their political, religion, or races, especially a conspiracy theory. Please, it’s a beauty pageant, with 3 B as their motto, “beauty, brain, behavior”..we can just stick to that without adding more assumptions for Rima Fakih’s winning. It is her responsibility as a Muslim to do her own “private” life, it is not our place to judge if she is a devoted Muslim or not.