Dinner with the Heroes

Tell me: what would you do if you got a RSVP note from Bruce Wayne for a romantic dinner on the top of Gotham City's skyscraper? Or a brunch date with Superman between his super busy hours on his criminal sweeping job? I bet you have jumped into a comic frame, draw yourself some baloons and write your own conversations there!

Tebet (french pronounciation: teu-beute) offers an interesting place to eat, or just to hang out with friends. This place belongs to someone who loves comic and the concept has been implemented in the whole corporate design; from the logo, interior design to the menu card. This place is called : COMIC CAFE.

I was excited just as I started to read the menu card. It was designed as a comic, with frames and heroic scenes inside, showing Wonder Woman screams "Potato Wedges......IDR 8500! Zuppa Soups...........IDR 14.000! Chicken Cordon Bleu......IDR 30.000!!!" while punching her enemies out.

The most interesting side for me is the price. I don't have to spend much money here if I just want to chat with friends with some drinks and finger foods. I give two thumbs up for the food, price, place, and the service.

Located in Tebet Raya Street #53D, South Jakarta, Comic Cafe is quite close to Central and East Jakarta. Comic Cafe in Tebet is close to Menteng, Kuningan (Rasuna Said Street), and Kampung Melayu.

People who come from Saharjo Street can reach it easily. From the entrance of Tebet Raya Street, next to Mitsubushi showroom, just drive along the street until you pass over three junctions. At the forth junction we can see Comic Cafe at our left. The junction is full of cafes, kebab's corner, restaurants, clothing outlets, and of course : Circle-K and Alfamart, the youngster's favorite place to buy a can of cheap beer or a cup of instant coffee.

At the second floor, we may find a clothing shop and a comic library. For those who needs privacy and a reserved gathering place, you may reserve a cozy comic lounge at the third floor.

The emergence of Tebet as a center for creative communities can be seen from the presence of several advertising studios, Ruang Rupa art community center, indie clothing outlets, school of graphic design, restaurants, cakes and coffee shops.

 

Jakarta's Best Library

      If you are students, professors, or common citizens, even if you are disable/blind and you need to access to informations, make sure to visit this place. It called "Perpustakaan Departemen Pendidikan Nasional" or "The Library of the Ministry of National Education".

Located in Sudirman Street, next to Ratu Plaza on the right and Plaza EX on the left, it can be easily reached by Busway. Stop in Ratu Plaza station, and walk a little to the side of Ratu Plaza. The Library is located in the same area of the Ministry of National Education. There are several buildings inside the area. Just go to the main building (A Building) in the front; and if you are facing it, go to the right side. Find the glass-wall with yellow frame, and.. voila! Welcome to the Library!

In the previous time, this library belongs to the British Council. Since 1990's something ( I forgot!), all of its collection were given to the Ministry of National Education. Now, 90 percents of the books are those given from the British Councils, and the rest 10 percents are new.

In this Library you may find several facilities such as study/reading room, meeting room, audio visual room, International TV broadcast, seven computers for free internet connections (members only), room for online and offline journal, study corner for disable people who are blind, and online catalogues. 

On the lower ground, there is a large lobby with some chairs and cozy sofas. Next to the lobby is another reading room, online and offline journal room and a meeting room. Climbing the stairway up, you will find the main reading room with six big racks of the book collections. Internet connections, audio visual corner and the corner for the disables are located in the same floor.

I must say I like this cozy and quiet place. Well, although the air conditioner is too freezing for me, but there is no place like this library that makes my reading speed goes faster! I'm sitting on a purple comfortable sofa right now, and the free internet connection is good. I will move to the desk next to the window if I need to recharge my laptop battery. There is a power socket under the table.

Canteens are available in the lower ground, next to the library. Damn, this AC is freezing me out.. I'm hungry now!

Ah, I forgot telling you about the membership. The membership is free of charge. You just need to fill out the form, 2x3 cm photograph, and a photocopy of your ID card. During the first year, your membership is categorized as Basic. It means, you are only allowed to borrow 1 book and 1 audio visual unit. After a year, the library will evaluate your performance to decide wether you can uprise your membership to Regular or not. As a Regular member, you may borrow 2 books and 2 audio visual units. Above Regular is Premium, where you can borrow 3 books and 2 audio visual units.

The Sexy Idiosyncratic

Failed with my graduate scholarship from the Turkish Government did not make me down. I assert of being able to take off from any runway. Just after I got the bad news, supports from friends, and the multiply bloggers whom I don't even know came to shower me. Surprisingly, many of them have been  spiritually encouraged by me!

One of the best support came from Mira, a clarinet player who studies Psychology. She helped me analyzing my personality, academic potential and job preferences. "Let me help you finding your path", she said. Therefore, an amazing result came up, and here are my career types:

1. Investigating   

2. Creative

3. Social

4. Enterprising

Has been working as a graphic designer and illustrator for years, it is a proof that I have a capability for working in creative field. I was a co-founder of Maros Visual Culture Community (now a foundation), and it means I can work in enterprising field. I am a social person, and I love writing too. Communication field would be matches with these four types of career!

Another psychological test was taken to see my personality. And here are the most dominant:

1. Dramatic

2. Idiosyncratic

3. Leader

In order to strengthen this, I decide to enroll the two-months journalistic writing course and a six-months certificate program of Public Relations. The journalistic course is convened by Antara, the Indonesian national news agency. It will begin next saturday, 17 October 2009.

A Cozy Burrow for Jakarta Dreamers: Bakoel Koffie

Located in Cikini street, Central Jakarta, this coffee shop can be easily recognized as a place where people with creative thoughts gather or simply indulged themselves in its homey atmosphere. Artists, journalists, students, or government employees can be found here especially at the weekend. The warm, yet old style interior, combined with special menus, friendly waiters  - and of course - wireless internet connection are the utmost reasons for being a loyal costumer. 

In the first level there are indoor and outdoor space with the variety of the chairs and table styles. If you prefer a non-smoking space with air conditioner, you can sit in the front side. Couch and cushions, and a coffee table are located near the front door, just behind the window, where you can see the street from inside. Some marble tables with old wooden chairs are available with electrical sockets near them - something you need when working with laptop. Friendly waiters and the coffee smell will accompany you if you sit on the stool at the bar side. If you smoke or love fresh air, three couches and coffee tables await you in the back terrace. Second level is a smoking area. However, there are some air conditioners too. 

I'll tell you later about the food and beverages :)

Blooming in The Rain

Sitting in the corner of Bakoel Koffie, my favorite place to contemplate. It's 2 months before my birthday, and I feel like pruning my life. The last ten years has been spent with too many rock and rollas, it is the time now to walk on the desired path! Too many dreams abandoned behind, too many possibilities forgotten. But rain comes healing those who suffer from thirst. Yep, it's raining outside, slapping the city with her wind and roaring thunder! 

I remember 2006. The first water drop fell to the city after a long dry season, and I felt like being blessed. Born again with a new hope. Tonight, dreams are blooming again from the showered city. One of the beads is mine :)