Me, Myself, and...

Did you know that I actually happen to have several nicknames?

When I was still little, my parents called me "Verny" from Verena, coz of that I called myself "Eny".
Later on, after we returned from Australia, I lived with my grandma, and she preferred to called me "Maya" for some personal reason. So then, i grew up with most people calling me by that name, and there's still a few called me Verny. But the name Eny never showed up!

Primary school period, when usually you got picked up by anything that just pop into your classmate's mind. So, of course, the nick "Ayam" came up along the way, taken from "Maya" if you read it backwards. Some of my friends like Elma, Corky, Stanley, they still call me that, even make it more complete: Ayam Goreng - fried chicken it is!

Most of my bandung friends -thatz peers and house mates, calls me Maya, but one particular house mate call me "mbaMey", even though am not born in that month. Probably maybe becoz I call her "Ajung" instead of Betti :)

Bandung colleges prefer to call me by Verena, since there is two Maya at the office.
Jakarta office, and biz partners mostly called me Verena or some shortened it to "Ve".
But Vincent then called me Pepe, instead of Ve. (How about that, Windo?)

In church,... hmm a bit complicated. LifeGroup (LG) members called me "Maya", since Eduard, one of my former university friend, was the one who introduced me to that LG, but then there are also biz friends who attend the same church with me, who called me by the name "Verena".

"So, how do I call you?"
"either is fine, both are me anyway!"

Bung, Malaysia Trully Asia???

"Malaysia urges Indonesia to drop plans to sue over folk song" written in Jakarta Post. The folk song they were referring to is "Rasa Sayang ee", that actually is a Maluku folk song.

I was so pissed reading the article. The arrogant Malaysian Minister said that "The song has its roots in Malay archipelago which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Thailand and Brunei, and is also sung by people southern Africa, and Sri Lanka." [quoted]

Of course la!!! Didn't he know that in the 60s, this was the most popular song (and the easiest one!) that was sung among students? Afterwards then it was chosen as an International Student's Song. So, that's why it is well known, even in Africa!!!

And this guy, a chairman from the advisory board of a copyright organization!!! Gosh!! Even worse, an Ambonese!! He said (in Harian Media Indonesia) that it's OK for the Malaysian to use that song, since the author is unknown. Omigod!!

"Londonderry Air" is an Ireland folk song, was sang during JFK's funeral since his ancestors are Irish. Even though the author is anon, and then the song was popular again in the US (the "Danny Boy" song) by Jim Reeves an American singer, still it's registered as Ireland Folk Song.
So, Bung, the anon part won't be a "big deal", as long as you understand the root of the song, and understand your own culture!!

NOW, why "Rasa Sayang ee" is a Maluku Folk Song, (Bung)?

Rasa sayang ee
Rasa sayang, sayang ee
Ee, lia dari jau...
rasa sayang, sayang ee..

It is SO common to use the word "ee..." in conversations among Maluku people. I bet there are no such dialects in Malaysia that uses this expression, like the one in "Rasa Sayang ee.."

The rhythm is definitely TOTALLY NOT a Malay style... c'mooon, where did a malay picked that kind of rhythm?? while visiting someone in Maluku??? Yeah, right! Pough-lease!!! You can do better than that.

So, stop this nonsense Malaysia!!
Be creative and pick your own song (and culture, and batik, whatever!!)
Don't use my Ambonese song!!


btw, you are all welcome to sign a petition regarding this matter at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/rasasyge/

Life's Beautiful Picture

Wonderful God

Beautiful is Your creation
You're glorious in every way
You surround us with
Your faithful love
And we can trust in all You say

Wonderful God
Wonderful O God

You are worthy of all glory
All honor and praise
All to You our God
Forever and always
You are worthy of our worship
And worthy of our love
We stand in awe of
All You are

You are love
You are life
You are all glorious
You are love
You are life
You are all glorious