Sunday, January 21, 2007

[klipping] about persepolis and 24hcd



An article at Kompas Minggu, January 21st, 2007, by Seno Gumira Ajidarma about Persepolis: Politik Perempuan dalam Komik.


In Suara Pembaruan, January 14th, 2007, an article about Indonesian artists' participation in the 24 Hour Comics Day (that was held on October 7-8, 2006): Komikus Indonesia Tembus Dunia. (thanks to Andriani for the link!) It's mostly about Alam, but here's an excerpt that mentioned me:


Alam bukanlah satu-satunya wakil Indonesia yang berhasil menorehkan
catatan dalam arena komik dunia ini. Masih ada mahasiswa Indonesia,
Tita Larasati yang ikut berpartisipasi dari Lambiek Comic Store di
Amsterdam, Belanda.


Berbeda dengan Alam, Tita memilih ide yang lebih sederhana namun tetap
menarik. Dia menggambarkan kehidupannya sebagai mahasiswa asing,
semenjak datang ke Belanda sampai sekarang ini. Gambar yang menarik dan
cara bertutur yang enak diikuti, membuat komik Transition itu juga berhak masuk jajaran 10 komik dunia.


Hasil ini cukup mengejutkan. Keikutsertaan Indonesia dalam ajang ini
sendiri sudah menimbulkan kepuasan di kalangan komikus. Dalam waktu
kurang dari dua bulan, seluruh komikus di dunia bakal bisa menyaksikan
karya anak bangsa dalam katalog komik yang bergengsi.






Advent Calendars


from 2005

Before everything is packed and put away, I made some time to scan our kids' Advent Calendar from 2005 and 2006. I like the graphics so it's a shame to not document them. This Advent Calendar is not very common in The Netherlands, therefore I bought these at a small British grocery shop nearby our place (I used to get them from the supermarket of Marks & Spencer at Kalverstraat, but they've gone bankrupt here and closed their shop a couple of years ago).

For those who are not familiar with this custom: these Advent calendars contain one small piece of chocolate behind each 'door'. Starting the 1st of December, the kids are allowed to open a door with the correct 'date' on it. It goes on until the 25th, Christmas (hence the name 'advent', or 'waiting'). We tend to forget this ritual so we didn't do this everyday; therefore our kids are now using the calendar to wait until our moving day, which falls on the 25th.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Hardly any..



Since That Day, I've hardly had any time to do other things either than sorting out books, documents and stuff and packing them in boxes, or travelling to Den Haag and back for immigration purposes (mine and my family's).

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Therefore I'm very sorry that I'm not able to promptly reply everything (through email or Multiply), or to leave comments like I used to in visited pages. In less than one week we will no longer have Internet connection at home. Wait until I have a decent Internet access in Indonesia, which I hope will help me be active again here. For now, I just want to let you know that I'm really grateful for our friendships. See you around!



Aozora entry 2005




An entry for Aozora picture book competition. I didn't win and these drawings were sent back, but working on it was a lot of fun (it was during a sunny summer holiday). The first eight pages are my entry, three extras are unused pages (and the monkeys are entirely out of theme; seems like I have a 'thing' with drawing monkeys among green leaves). The last two images are: the front cover of the winning book and the last two pages of that book.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

That Day




[Written for my father, who couldn't attend my public defense
but whom my dissertation was dedicated to]


January 11th, 2007

11:40
A regular train departed to Delft from Amsterdam Centraal station. I was in it with my mother and Mbak Isti, who seems to always be there for me on my big days.

12:40
The train arrived in Delft. We rightaway walked to the bus stop for the 12:48 bus to the university. The wind didn't get calmer; on the contrary, it brought along drops of water from the sky.

13:00
After walking from the bus stop in tilted positions to overcome the blowing wind, we finally reached my office at the Civil Engineering building (6th floor, room 6.08 - coincidentally the same number as a Kopaja bus that I used regularly during my senior high school years). My colleagues were crowding the coffee machine, unmistakenly just had their lunch. After nicking Oguzhan's coffee-card, we had some warm beverages before proceeding to the canteen (lunch!). I gave Oguzhan a CD-ROM containing my presentation material, so he could save it in his laptop that I would use during the defence.

13:30
Back to my office, rightaway packing my dissertations (slipping one invitation piece and one booklet into each book before putting them back into boxes). Oguzhan suggested to reduce the presentation pages, but I didn't know what else to take away from that file. Dessi and Deepa, in a room next to me, were busy packing Deepa's boxes on a trolley. They will load them in Dessi's car to go to Aula, so they could take two of my boxes, too! Thanks, Dessi!

14:00
Starting to walk to the Aula. The wind didn't behave; it blew crazily and turning every flap of our coats to all directions. Don't even ask what it did to our hair.

14:10
Inside, at the foyer of the Aula, we met Jos, Oom Rudy, Mrs. and Dominee Budiman. We went upstairs with the elevator. I sped into the defence room, throwing my backpack and duffel bag at the back of my seat. A technician stood at the podium, and the Beadle on duty came to me, asking if I still needed to change clothes. I did. And the changing room was occupied, and I was quite late.

14:15
The Beadle let me change clothes and shoes in her room. No time for me to look around leisurely, but I could spot a table at one corner with a spread of sealed certificate. Nervous? Nah.. I wanted that thing.

14:20
The technician was showing me the mic, the lamp and projector controls when Oguzhan finally came with his laptop. He had to insert his password and such, before readying his camera to record the events. Audience started coming in and taking their seats.
Dhanu and Lindri are allowed in the room, but they made so much noise so Syb had to find someone to mind them outside. Approaching 14:30 Lindri wanted to be with me, running forward but tripped and fell and cried. There they went, three of them, outside the room..

14:30
The lights were dimmed and I started my presentation. I spoke too fast and I knew it, but I couldn't help it. I really just wanted to get it over with. Surprisingly, I was ready with my presentation in 10 minutes! Dhanu did a frog-jump in front of the audience just before I finish my presentation. So maybe it's not a bad idea after all to have small kids stay outside when people need to concentrate for a couple of hours.

14:40
Syb came back into the room, saying that Lindri was taken care of by a woman in another room (Dhanu joined them soon). Of course I received comments from my mother about how the presentation wasn't clear enough - and that my hair was a mess. Which reminded me that I haven't looked at myself in the mirror since I came indoor from the storm outside, and since I changed my clothes. Mbak Isti - she's always ready - lent me her hairbrush so I could straight up my appearance. After spending some minutes in the dressing room, I came back to my seat, composing myself..

15:00
The Beadle in her full ceremonial robe entered the room, followed by the chairman of the defence and the examination committee members. The professors wearing togas, each with an attribute of his faculty, and the doctors black suit with grey ties. The audience stood up during this procession. After the committee members were seated, the audience also took their seats and the chairman, Prof. Smit, told me to take my place at the podium.
He introduced the committee members from outside TU Delft: Prof. Eko Budihardjo (UNDIP, Semarang), Prof. Peter Nas (Leiden University) and Dr. Jules Janssen (TU Eindhoven). The rest he would introduce proceeding their questions (Prof. Han Brezet from Design for Sustainability - Industrial Design, Prof. Jurgen Rosemann from Urbanism - Architecture, Dr. Alex Fraaij from Materials Science - Civil Engineering and Prof. Kees Duijvestein from Urbanism - Architecture).

15:05
Prof. Budihardjo opened the session with his remarks and questions; continued by the rest. Everybody had about 5-10 minutes for his questions and answers. I had to address them with specific titles (zeergeleerde opponent for the committee members, mijnheer de rector for the chairman, zeergeleerde promotor for my adjunct supervisor and hooggeachte promotor for my supervisor).

16:00
I was explaining my answer to my promotor (who had the final turn for questions) when the Beadle came and hit her staff on the ground while stating, "Hora est!" (= it's time!). I stopped in the middle of my sentence, then was gestured to step back to my seat.
The committee members stood up and followed the Beadle out of the room, resigning to another room. The audience stood until the procession dissapeared behind a door. I exchanged looks with Syb who stood next to me, we smiled, saying "It's over!". Then he went to fetch the kids; they came in and showed my what they did (sticker books), but Lindri didn't want to get off my lap when it's about time to expect the committee to be back.

16:15
The Beadle came into the room again, followed by the same formation. Only, this time, they all went to the same side of the room. I was called to the front of the committee. Lindri was refusing to let me go at first, but soon gave in in Syb's arms. She was still making noises when the chairman read out their decision to gave me the doctoral title.
My promotor, Prof. Duijvestein, handed me a big red tube containing my certificate. The audience was then asked to be seated - except me. I had to stand where I was during the reading of comments about me from my promotor.

16:25
At the end of the ceremony, the procession walked towards the exit, this time I tailed at the back. Once outside the hall, we positioned ourselves to be photographed. A woman then directed us to a reception room, where drinks and snacks were provided.

16:30
I had to stand in front of a table where my diploma was spread (but the seal wasn't revealed yet; it was not easy to remove the mould). Syb stood next to me. The kids would be fine; they were seen roaming the reception room joyfully - at a point were seen munching chocolate eggs (undoubtfully from their oma). The committee members had the first turn to congratulate me, then the rest of the audience.
Now I'm not an expressive person, but I hope I appeared overwhelmed and very grateful by the attention and compliments given by our family, friends, colleagues and other acquaintances - because that was how I felt.


Photos from this event can be viewed in this album: http://esduren.multiply.com/photos/album/54


Saturday, January 13, 2007

That Day




All photos are taken by Oguzhan Copuroglu, a colleague of mine. Captions will be added later.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

15% girlie

An old stuff I read from Friendster bulletin board, I think (must be Chica's). Posted as a distraction when I'm supposed to prepare my presentation material.. hehe.. I wonder, though, if it's possible for anyone to reach up to 100%.


[  ] my fingernails/toenails are almost always painted
[  ] during the summer pretty much the only shoes I wear are flip flops
[  ] my favorite toy as a child were barbies
[  ] my favorite color is purple
[x] I did Gymnastics
[  ] I love skirts
[  ] hollister is my favorite place to shop
[  ] tight jeans are the only jeans I'll wear
[x] I love chocolate
[  ] I've never had a real job
TOTAL : 2

[  ] I have at least 8 friendster pictures
[  ] I usually go shopping once a week
[x] I love to hang out with friends
[  ] I have a real diamond ring or diamond necklace
[  ] I've gone to a tanning salon
[  ] I've gone to the beach to tan - not to swim
[  ] I have at least 10 pairs of shoes
[  ] I watch either the OC or Laguna Beach
[  ] I change my icon weekly
[  ] I wear a shower cap
TOTAL : 1

[  ] I would NEVER step foot into Hot Topic
[  ] my cell phone might as well become a part of me
[  ] I wear mascara everyday
[x] I've been or am on a diet
[  ] bathing suits are adorable
[  ] I dont know the difference between a sheep and a goat.
[  ] big sunglasses are hott
[  ] I have gotten my nails done
[  ] I own over 10 purses
[  ] MTV is one of my favorite channels
TOTAL : 1

[  ] all I want to do at sleepovers is talk about boys
[  ] I love to have other girls do my hair
[x] I give and receive hugs from all my friends
[x] I hate bugs, snakes, lizards, spiders
[x] carnivals are so fun!!
[  ] summer is THE best season
[  ] my swimsuit has 2 pieces
[  ] I'm waiting for my knight in shining armor
[  ] musicians are so hot.
[  ] you write me a poem and tell me I'm beautiful and I'm all yours
TOTAL : 3

[x] I am self-conscious.
[  ] I cry often
[  ] my car smells like vanilla
[x] my dishes get washed more then once a week
[  ] I don't do sports
[  ] I HATE to run
[  ] I squeal when I am surprised or angry
[  ] I eat dried fruit as a snack
[  ] I love romance novels
[  ] Drew Barrymore is so cute
TOTAL : 2

[  ] I dance a lot!!!!
[  ] I usually spend over an hour to get ready to leave my house
[  ] I only have like 5 billion hair products
[  ] I love to get dressed up.
[  ] every part of my outfit needs to match
[  ] I talk on the phone at least once a day to my friends
[  ] I would love to have a photo shoot of myself
[  ] price on clothes hardly matters
[  ] I apply lip gloss 50 times a day
[  ] I wish i were a model
TOTAL : 0

[  ] I wish i could meet Paris Hilton To slap her
[  ] I have been something that was slutty on halloween
[  ] I own Uggs
[  ] Hip Hop is the best music
[  ] I pop my collar
[  ] I like to be the center of attention
[  ] guys with Mohawks are crazy
[x] horses are beautiful
[  ] I'd rather not pay attention in school
[  ] cats are adorable
TOTAL : 2

[  ] I write my own music
[  ] I would love to visit Hawaii
[  ] Valentine's day is so cute!
[  ] white is better then black
[  ] I wouldn't be caught dead in all black
[  ] my closet is STOCK FULL of clothes
TOTAL : 0

[  ] I love Celine dion
[  ] My bubble baths are 2 hr long
[  ] my wedding only needs a groom because it's already planned
[  ] my friends and I are in a strict group. we mostly only hang out with each other
[x] I like kids
[  ] diet drinks are the best
[  ] I'm all about being vegetarian
[x] I refuse to eat at McDonald's
TOTAL : 2

[  ] I check my friendster everyday.
[x] I LOVE life!
[  ] I have a lot of jewlery!
[  ] claires has cheap jewlery
[  ] my screen names have x's in them -
[  ] either one of my myspace names has/had <3/?'s in them
[x] I would never want to be the opposite sex
[x] it's not what he/she said it's the way he/ she said it
[  ] I have more than 3 pillows on my bed
TOTAL : 3

ADD UP ALL OF THE TOTALS AND REPOST: I'm 15% girlie