Can't buy me love

I live in Indonesia. A beautiful country that consist from -more or less- 17.000 islands, in 6^oLU – 11^oLS and 95^oBB – 141^oBT. Based on the location, Indonesia passed by equator line or Indonesian said, Garis Khatulistiwa. Equator line is an imaginary line that divide earth in to two sides. Therefore, Indonesia only has two seasons, sunny and rainy. We got tropical jungles with exotic floras and faunas surrounding us. Under our feet there are oils, golds, tins and other valuable minerals. We should be one of those rich countries. We supposed to lead mineral market and have the least unemployment and starving children. In fact, we are not rich country nor lead mineral market. To make it more worse we are one of the undeveloped countries with the largest population.

I'm not saying I'm not proud with my country, in fact, I LOVE INDONESIA. Yes, whether people said they are not proud with their own country I don't give a shit to them. I may want to go somewhere else for some sight-seeing but still Indonesia is in my first priority if I talk about living. I love being here with the polluted river and un-fresh air. I'm not talking sarcastic here, I'm just being realistic. I hate that we still crushed our country inside and out, talking about 'global warming' but still having our air conditioner on all day long. I cursed those big power people whom steal my country's money. Those with no justice feeling in their heart. I am not paying tax yet but I know that tax isn't supposed to pay somebody else's vacation's bill. I am also pretty sure that sleeping in your chair isn't included in their job description. Yes, I love my country because Indonesia did nothing to crush people's live, but we did. Well, 'they' did! I'm so sorry for those who sick being here and blaming everything in my lovely country. Whatever the reason is, this is where we born, where we belong.

I still can't figure it out what to do to fix my country. I'm just a college student with no power to judge someone right or wrong or make things little bit better. All I can is watch television, read some newspaper and not knowing whether it is right or wrong. I'm hoping that my writing can at least give people a different point of view about their loyalty to this country. That we supposed to be proud and not just mocking with doing nothing. Yes, this is the least that I can do for now.

Some days ago I went with economy class train. I saw beggars, lots and lots of beggars. Then I took a look to the window, to the skyscraper. There are lots and lots of that building in Jakarta but still I can see beggars scattered in Jakarta's filthy streets. I see mother and children sat under fly over giving their 'best look' to have people sympathy. Kids running in the roads with guitars try to make some money. Education is not in their 'to-do-list' but eat and sleep enough is. I heard someone said,

The most powerful weapon is not gun nor bomb. It is education.

I really agree. But with these conditions, what can we do. Really? There are too much tasks to make this country right again. Pay our country's debt, give more attention to education, reduce unemployment, go on and go on. Whether years are flying by we can't finish these tasks yet.

Then I went to some classy malls, took a look to people there and then I get confused. Which one of Indonesia is poor and filthy? Women covered themselves with expensive designer clothes, men got those sophisticated gadgets. Mercedes, BMW or even Ferrari, you can found here, easily. Then, please tell me, where the hell is Indonesia's part is undeveloped? When I was there, I feel like somebody put a blind fold upon my eyes. Then I took a look to the window and see the beggars still in the roads, scattered. They do not become less and even multiply. Then I realize I have to put off my blind fold, the reality is there, across the street. Not here with fancy desserts and too bright colorful lights. Life is what you have in the road not in the back seat of Ferrari.

I feel grateful that I can see both sides of life. The filthy one and the fancy one. I am not belong to both world because I live in the middle, starring the both world collide and try not to involved. I'm not trying to be ignorant but I guess, here is where I belong. I can't take the pressure to live in the road but live in the bright side of the world doesn't guarantee me happiness either. Louis Vitton bag may bring you happiness but it's only for a while, being fashionable may give a cheer upon your face but it won't last forever. Yes, you and your latex legging won't last, miss. Trend come and go and you have to running unless you left behind. But sometimes you just tired of running. Work harder, have a lot of money but leaves you alone in the evening. Got to wake up early in the morning but no one there to kiss you good morning is suck. But even having someone to hug you but no money to buy some bread isn't sound that good. We need to have life and love. Having much of both is not the option because life is all about balancing. Even The Beatles said,

Money can't buy me Love

There are lots of tasks to fix this country, to fix our life. But as long as we try, there is still a hope. :)

Over and out,


Chairunisa Azizah Wahab
♥♥♥