Early this month, I called my mother on her birthday. After wishing her well and chit-chatting about this and that, I told her about a recent award I just got. Unlike many previous research accolades I was awarded which were too "abstract" for her, she was actually truly interested in this one. She said, "Oh, … Continue reading “Good person award”
Category: Random
Dayeuhkolot and me
Standing in front of the mirror of my parents’ cabinet, I’m seeing the shadow of myself. I am definitely much older. It’s been seventeen years since I left this house for good. Now I am a different person with my own life, different than and separated from the life I had in this house. The … Continue reading Dayeuhkolot and me
Being Lim
After standing in line for hours, it was finally my turn. I was one of thousands of high schoolers who were queuing to register for the national entrance examination for public universities. I wished to be admitted in the best technical university in Indonesia. My very smart eldest brother, who applied to the same university … Continue reading Being Lim
New site, under construction, and missing posts
Dear blog readers, As you have noticed, I have reconstructed the site and came up with a new design. This site is somewhat under construction and will be so indeterminately. I'll not explain much why and how I came to the new look. In short, I was half-asleep playing with the site and did something stupid. As … Continue reading New site, under construction, and missing posts
Just Valentine
In case you need some "#activist" and "for #justice" pick-up lines for the #Valentine week, here are some I made for you. Enjoy Baby, I tell ya direct action beats inaction. Let me distribute my love equally all over you. Do you believe in oppression at first sight? Let me be your Wall street, babe. … Continue reading Just Valentine
[Quote] On social media
Facebook asks what's on my mind. Twitter asks what I'm doing. Instagram asks what I'm seeing. Foursquare asks where I am. Social media is like an obsessive ex-boyfriend. In this place you have a profile picture and what you do is just sitting around, making friends with strangers, bragging about life you don't have, and … Continue reading [Quote] On social media
Really Random Quotes
New research says that social media users tend to believe any statement that starts with "new research says". Five years ago I proposed that "coconut is mammal". After years of further in-depth observation, today I declare that "Coconut is indeed mammal: it is bony, has fur, and produces milk." In 2013, I warned those who … Continue reading Really Random Quotes
Professor-ing
One of so many fun dialogues from today's reception. I was there as a singer. Guest (G): Madame, what a great singer you are! It was beautiful. Me (M): Thank you, you're very kind. G: Where do you usually sing? M: Nowhere... I am new to Ottawa, haven't performed that much. G: Oh? Really? What … Continue reading Professor-ing
On Honorary Degree
People with PhDs shouldn't be too upset with those who get doctorates without enduring years of doctoral student' life-with-no-life. Honorary degrees are meant to be encouraging -- which means people who are awarded the degrees are encouraged to do more -- meaning they're not doing enough, yet. For example, Kermit the Frog received a Doctorate … Continue reading On Honorary Degree
[US Election] Random quotes
The Obamas had the best speeches of #DNC. Michelle scores better than Barack, though. She gave the best speech not only at #DNC but also at #RNC Listening to fear-mongering speeches at #RNC, it sounds like these people are living in the imaginative world full of flesh-eating zombies. How many #Trumpence supporters does it take … Continue reading [US Election] Random quotes