Kitanai, Kitsui, Kiken

As one of the developed countries in the world, Japan naturally attracts plenty of immigrants who would try their fortune to the country, one of whom is this writer of course :P (although I have come for reasons that most of my friends realize by now).


There is a big difference however in how Japan treats its immigrants vs Europe and US treat theirs. Generally, the Japanese government (which I would say is the representation of its people, right?) do not feel too strong of affinity to let people enter the workforce, especially professional work area (such as technology, engineering, medical doctors, lawyers, etc.). The seemingly closed nature of Japanese as a society appears to create this condition perhaps.

On the other hand however, less and less Japanese, especially the younger generations, are willing to perform work they consider as 3K:
- Kitanai=literally means dirty
- Kitsui=hard, difficult (physically)

- Kiken=dangerous
This is a de facto situation that actually create most of the opportunities for immigrants who wants to work in places classified as 3K. Thus, you will find many people from South East Asia, Iran, Turkey, people from the South Americas who works in construction, food packaging industries, metal foundries, etc. More over, many of the people who actually work in these industries are illegal immigrants, something that Japanese government is definitely aware, but they tacitly allow this, since they know that the immigrants are needed to keep the economy going.


I was told once by the immigration officer at the Indonesian embassy that in Tokyo alone, there are roughly 6000 Indonesians who came to Japan without proper visa documentations (i.e. illegal), in search of the 3K works. He also informed me of many cases of abuse, be it physically, financially or mentally that they have to suffer, which unfortunately very difficult to resolve, due to their illegal status in Japan.

I must admit, I admire the guts and courage of my fellow countrymen(women) who came here to do the 3K works, in search of a better future for their lives. At least, they do not need to compromise their moral values, when it comes to pride and dignity, as they earn their lot in life with honesty.

Simple Lessons in Japanese

I thought it is time to have a little fun with things Japanese. I am going to make a list of Japanese words that is utilized often, if not too much, on a daily basis:

1. Ganbare, ganbatte, ganbaroo: meaning could be ""work hard!", "try harder!", "do your best!", that type of thing. This is always used when someone is trying to obtain something, be it in a competition, entering the best school, etc. I think this is probably a word that is burned in the psyche of every Japanese

2. Kawaii: meaning "how cute!" or just "cute!". Girls are mostly the one who are saying this when they look at objects deemed worth being considered as cute. Frankly speaking, it annoys me when they say this, especially if the women are past their junior high school. That's right, there needs to be a moratorium on NOT using this word when you are older :P

3. Irasshaimase: meaning "welcome!", said when you are entering store. I thought it was quite noisy when I first keep hearing upon entering stores, but these days, I am used to it. Strangely enough, I somewhat crave it when I go out of Japan and entering a store, hehehehe.

4. Arigatou gozaimasu: meaning "thank you". I think this is probably known already, even to non Japanese speakers.

5. Yabai: There are two meanings for this word, one is good the other bad. In the old times, yabai means bad actually, referring to an unpleasant condition that has been encountered, so for this, it means "oh no!", "darn" or something similar to that. On the other hand, younger generations could consider this as something cool, badddd (as in good bad, ;P). For instance, when you eat and the food is delicious, many kids choose to say yabai oishii, instead of just saying oishii. Older people usually do not like it when kids use this word in that context.

Well, those above are ones that I can think of for now. Note that all word translations with exclamation marks are written by purpose, to denote the necessity of emphasis and spirit when you say it. Have fun with them!

Seven Heavens and Seven Earths

I was listening to this sermon when one of the participant asked about possibilities of beings other than humans in different planets. I felt the urge to write this article, as this is one of my favorite subject to talk about actually :P

So let me begin by this verse in the Qur'an:
Allah is He Who created seven Heavens and of the Earth a similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command: that ye may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends, all things in (His) Knowledge. (65:12)

Now, I am not a person who can actually have the authority to interpret Qur'an, but I am really curious if anyone out there can agree/challenge with my thinking. First of all, the word seven (sab'a in Arabic) really does exist on the verse, and I can vouch for that. Secondly, correct me if I am wrong, the number seven in Arabic sometimes can refer to an infinity/large numbers.

The verse above is striking in my opinion, as it confirms several things about the nature of our universe:
1. There are other planets which might or might not have life as we know it on this earth. However, the implication of this verse would be, if the environment is Earth like, then most likely, support for living creatures is feasible.
2. The universe is a huge place, confirmed by the ever penetrating Hubble Space Telescope. It is still subject of discussion as well whether or not this universe has layers, let alone how it is shaped. The dark matter is just too vast and expansive to understand. I think all the astroscientists have come up so far is merely conjecture at this point. However, we are now already talking billions of light years...

On the other hand, talking about the subject of alien, I think we should not look too far. We are, after all, descended from a place called Heaven, where ever that was. Adam AS and Eve descended and spawned to what is now known as humans and its civilization. From all reasonings, I think it is safe to say that Heaven, at least in Islamic tradition, is not a place on this Earth. Heaven is somewhere else.

Well, that's my argument on this subject, it would be very curious what everyone thinks in this case.


The usual strange thoughts during Ramadhan

Photography and Side Effect

I have always liked to be able to take pictures growing up, but only recently had I started to put more thought into this art of photography. The idea that you can capture a moment, put that slice of framed time and associate it with memory (preferably good ones!) is powerful indeed.

I think this is even more important as you get older, since you are basically collecting these memories of your life, a thread that spans from the time you remember the concept of picture. Yeah, older age appears to make you reminisce more, doesn't it?

I have found a side effect, albeit a pleasant one, from starting to appreciate the art of photography. I noticed a heightened sense of beauty in composition, colors, shape of things in nature, in humans, buildings, animals, well, just about everywhere. Even the otherwise common things as clouds appear more appealing these days. At first, I thought, "hmm...this is odd", but as I am constantly looking for objects to take picture of, I am starting to just enjoy whatever surroundings I am at and just take pictures when the mood is there.

So go grab that camera of yours, no need for expensive one, whatever it is, look out for that perfect moment and enjoy the surroundings when you do it!

Gloom, Hope and Lighter Side of the Day

What can I say, another sad day in humanity, as it happens daily in Iraq, now Bali II. May God have mercy on their souls. For the perpetrators, if you were Muslims, I just want to say there is nothing, absolutely nothing right and justified in what you do, no matter what your reasonings are. Murder of civilians who have no direct relation in war is completely unjustified in Islam, then, now or in the future.


Well, the sacred month of Ramadhan is about to start, although these killers ruined it somewhat, I am hoping that this is the beginning for another year to reflect, ponder and look into ourselves. Contemplate about our purpose and where we will be heading at the end, being compassionate to our fellow brothers and sisters in need. It is perhaps a cliche, but I will say it nevertheless. May we all become better individuals after this month, Insya Allah. I love this month, the atmosphere is ALWAYS different......


I want to share this lighter side of life however, on an otherwise depressing days. I hesitated initially to post it at the same place as tragedies that happened, but it did relieve me out of the gloom. I apologize for non Indonesian readers if the jokes are not understood, these are basically foreign words modified, sounding like Indonesian. No, they are not French :)

So here it is: People always say that the food that we eat taste better and delicious because they have French sounding name. Something about refined taste in dining, whatever. So Inem, whose "warung" (streed food stall) is visited by many foreign tourists decided she could probably compete with those three stars restaurants by putting these names on the menu of her warung:

CHEF'S SPECIAL:
Oucing Pete de Chine (Oseng Pete Cina)
Chateau de Batavie (Soto Betawi)
Saiyour de Lourdes (Sayur Lodeh)
Roujaxe d'Oleque (Rujak Ulek)
Café a la Tobruq (Kopi Tubruk)
Cappuccino de Preangers (Bajigur)
Naxis Geaux rain (Nasi Goreng)
Manioc de Mer (singkong Rebus)
Vouz vour que tans Noir (Bubur Ketan Item)

and special today:
Loun Tounqe Saiyour [Lontong Sayur]

Havioux Makaan Janoux Lufaz Bayaour = Habis Makan Jangan Lupa Bayar !!


PS: Thanks to my friend who forward this to me. I wonder where the joke factory is. I am too lazy to translate the meaning of the food, ask me if you have to