Whom are you kidding???

Today I read this job vacancy ad posted in a mailing list:

BAYER INDUSTRY ( DIBUTUHKAN SEGERA )

Bayer Industry, adalah pemimpin pasar di bidang industri perlindungan tanaman (pestisida). Saat ini perusahaan membutuhkan segera tenaga profesional muda yang mempunyai motivasi tinggi untuk menduduki posisi sebagai berikut:

*PRODUCTION OPERATOR
*LOGISTIC ADMINISTRATION
*QUALITY CONTROL
*MAINTENANCE STAFF

Kualifikasi:
* Pria / wanita min 21 tahun
* Pend. min Diploma
* Fresh graduate dipersilahkan melamar
* Basic komputer
* Disiplin kerja, teliti dan dapat bekerja dibawah tekanan
* Basic salary Rp. 2.500.000 ke atas

Kirim lamaran lengkap, CV dan pasphoto ke alamat:
email: bayerindustry@yahoo.com

What? A supposed-to-be "leading company" requests eager job seekers to send their application to a Yahoo e-mail address?

Whom are you kidding, people???

Oh really?

Sensitive Doer (SD)
(Just visiting? Take the free test and determine your personality type!)

Sensitive Doers are gentle, modest and reserved persons. They cope well with everyday life and like their privacy. With their quiet, optimistic nature, they are also good, sought-after listeners and other people feel well in their company. All in all, this type is the most likeable and friendliest of all personality types. Tolerance and heir regard for others distinguish their personality. They are very caring, generous and always willing to help. They are open to and interested in everything that is new or unknown to them. However, if their inner value system or their sense of justice is hurt, Sensitive Doers can suddenly and surprisingly become forceful and assertive.

Sensitive Doers enjoy the comforts life offers to the full. They are very happy in everyday life. Sensitive Doers are often gifted artists or very good craftsmen. Creativity, imagination and an especially keen perception are just a few of their strong points. Sensitive Doers are very presence-oriented; long-term planning and preparations do not appeal to them. They take life as it comes and react flexibly to daily demands. They do not like too much routine and predictability. Their talents come more to the fore when work processes are variable and there are not so many rules. Sensitive Doers like to work alone; if they are part of a team, they do not get involved in competitive or power games and prefer living and working together harmoniously and openly.

Sensitive Doers are completely satisfied with a small, close circle of friends as their need for social contacts is not very marked. Here, too, they avoid conflicts - quarrels and disputes put considerable strain on them. Sensitive Doers are often very fond of animals and are very good with small children. As partner, this type is loyal and reliable and is willing to invest a lot in a relationship. Mutual respect and tolerance are very important to Sensitive Doers. Their love of pleasure makes them a pleasant companion with whom one can experience intensive moments. They like to look after their partner with attentiveness and small gifts and are very sensitive to the partner’s needs - often more than to their own. However, should they meet the wrong person, they run the risk of being taken advantage of. They are then deeply disappointed.

Adjectives which describe your type: Introverted, practical, emotional, spontaneous, sensitive, peace-loving, reserved, gentle, good-natured, independent, empathetic, friendly, playful, carefree, sympathetic, relaxed, quiet, modest, pleasure-loving, loyal, obliging, caring, helpful, optimistic.

These subjects could interest you: Art, music, craftwork, garden work, animals, nature, literature, drawing/painting, astrology, spiritual things, meditation, music, handicrafts, writing.

Be thankful

For the last few days, it has been very cold in my office, particularly in the third floor where my cubicle is located. I guess the pouring rain and frequent shower in Jakarta have contributed to the the room temperature drop. With the air-con still blowing, I had to bear a room temperature of 21 degrees Celcius. That is cold! I have been practically shivering all the time it was raining.

Having been born in a city by the sea like Surabaya, I am absolutely not made for living in areas with low temperature. Maybe I would never go and live in Europe or America with this physical condition. But then I should thank God for that, or I will not survive a day. Am I exaggerating? Perhaps yes. But I'm telling you, you can keep me - with jacket and head scarf - in a room without air-con. I would gladly stay in that room than in that space of mine in my office.

Still, I need to thank God once again because as I was shivering, at least I had a job.

According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, today there are 10 million people unemployed and 19.5% of them are youngsters (detikFinance, 6/11/08). Wow, that's a lot of people to compete with. What's more, having had high education does not guarantee one a job.

Yesterday an old friend sent me a text message saying that she was still waiting for the result of her last interview. She was my companion when I studied for my postgraduate degree. With her eloquence and interpersonal skills, I suppose she should not have a hard time finding a job. But no. Until today she is still searching for a job, all the while her husband is unemployed.

Another acquaintance from my postgraduate years had also contacted me recently. She has been busy being a mother of two, and now she believes the right time has come for her to start working. As a professional, I mean. I guess it won't be easy for her. She does have a master degree, but I don't know whether that will give her a bigger chance to get a job.

At the same time, my ex-house maid has asked for my help in finding a new boss. At home, my current house maid is also trying to get her sister a job. And this morning, while I was on my journey to the office riding an ojek, the driver asked me if the company I'm working for happened to have a vacancy for office boy.

Sometimes I envy my college mates who are now already a manager. Some even get to be an AVP (assistant vice president). But then I come to think that all this time I haven't had much difficulty in landing a job. Except when I was studying for my master degree, there was never a time when I did not have a job. And I hope there will never be.

Really, I should be thankful to God I have a job.

Protest and protest... Got (better) solution?

May 24, 2008 00:00

I was watching Indiana Jones in Setiabudi 21. Little did I know that cars and motorcycles had formed a long line at almost all gas stations in Jakarta for hours and practically caused traffic jams everywhere. Yup, when the clock stroke midnight, the government officially announced increase in the price of all subsidized fuel. What usually took Rp4,500 to buy a liter of gasoline, now is changed to Rp6,000 per liter.

More mass rallies followed, adding to rallies which already took place before the announcement. Students, labors, housewives, drivers of angkot, all protested and demanded for cancellation of the policy. 'Like I care,' that's what probably the government was thinking. With the increasing oil price in the global market, the policy is simply inevitable. Well, that is if we want to keep the government intact and not let it go bankrupt.

Anyway, despite the price increase of gasoline and many household stuffs, and people going on rally day in day out, I don't see significant decrease in the use of cars and other motor vehicles. I mean, if you can't afford the oil, why not taking cheaper transportation such as motor cycle or bicycle? I guess some of us talk too much but do or offer nothing as solution.

Well, it's always easier to talk than to act.

An ordeal

office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart

He's leaving on a jet plane
(Although) I know when he'll be back again
Still I hate to see him go...

I know you go only for a week to Padang, but I'm missing you already.
I hope things are okay with you, hun. Take care.