Saykoji (so what gitu loh.....!)- a generation divide does exist!

I would never consider myself belonging to the 'old' generation until today, when during the project presentation session in my Product & Brand Management class, one of the presenting groups came up with this title " Saykoji, so what gitu loh....! I had no idea what brand that was, not even a single clue until my students of this presenting group explained that Saykoji is one of the Hip Hop local music groups. Yet, they came up with a surprisingly interesting marketing plan for this particular group. I began to get a little panicked when they explained about Saykoji's potential competitors. There was a list of hip hop and rap groups which I've never heard before or even ring a bit of the bell, .....not even one!

Eventually, I had to raise my hands and told my students that I had no familiarity at all to this bunch of youngsters. Finally they played the CD and all I could feel was that I was in frustration strunggling to enjoy all the beat and lyrics. All I remember was lines of meaningless words except the one I'm quite familiar with, so what gitu loh....so what gitu loh.....!! Tolooong.....!!

I came to the point that yes..generation divide, generation gap do exist. The term which in fact I would rather took it for granted a couple of years ago. I was quite sure that I still belong to today's young generation, which had actually been replaced by this generation, the Gen Y!

Wake up... you were born in the sixties! You have no right whatsoever to claim that you belong to this digital generation, you actually belong to the Gen X! Those lines really gave me a big bang! There is a significant difference between Gen Y and Gen X. Born between 1977 and 1994 ,Gen Y is first gen to grow up surrounded by digital media. Computers and other digital technologies are commonplace for them. They work with them at home, in school and they even use them for entertainment. They are so bathed in bits that they' re no more intimidated by digital technology than a VCR or a toaster. The term gatek is not really recognised by this gen which in fact is very common in the Gen X who was born between 1965 and 1976.

That's why I love teaching and lecturing all these young digitally drived students. I always feel renewed everytime I meet them. If it's not because of them, I would not be able to be exposed with the knowledge of digital products: talking about PDA, ipod, etc. I even asked for their recommendation for new digital product or a simple thing such as where I should fix my laptop, or even asking where to buy this so called 'gelang gaul' (the rubber band), since my son kept asking me to buy one.

Not like in the old days, when we still consider our lecturers as the all mighty and the most supreme ones, nowadays I would prefer consider it more as a mutual partnership relationsip. Today's new generation can not be treated the same way we were. They were much more critical, creative and undoubtedly smarter! I enjoy every moment interacting with them. I learned a lot from them! So....dont consider yourself low when you have to ask people from younger gen..nggak usah gengsi... and no need for 'jaim'. The only time I need to be a little bit jaim was only during the first session when I had to present my resume for a only a few secs. It spoke for itself, they would know who I am, my experience and expertise. The rest, you dont have much choice but play their game: being critical, openminded, curious, yet humorous and full of laughters!!

*dedicated to my IUP marketing class of 2007- it's been a nice and exciting term guys!! All the best to each and everyone of you. So what gitu loh......!!!

Chipy and her five 'dwarfs'

Today, while doing my monthly grocery shopping at Carrefour, I accidentaly bumped into Chipy, one of my closest friends in college. To everyone's surprise, she unbelievably has 5 kids now! Her eldest daughter is slightly younger than my eldest son, who is just 8 years old! It's kind of hard to imagine her with this amazing 'crowd'. She even bought a mini bus which could accomodate up to 12 pax! With 5 kids, each coupled with its own nanny, the minibus is undoubtedly the most convenient vehicle for the family.

During our time in college, Chipy was known as a very active campus girl, never said 'no' to any campus activity while I still had to highly consider when it came to camping or any outdoor activity. I would imagine she would end up being a very successful career woman in the chemical-related industry, which was actually quite close when once she joined one of the leading oil companies right after she graduated. It struck me quite hard knowing that a person like her whom I know was always full of high spirit now could fully dedicate herself to family life, I mean 100% dedication! You wouldn't believe it is very hard to drag her out of the house for only a couple of hours for a 'get together' time with old pals from college. The term Full Time Mom (FTM) is what she really deserves.

I begin to realize that life is about a CHOICE. Talking to Chipy for only a few minutes had forced me to ask myself. Have I made a choice for my life? I tried to contemplate a bit and put a big mirror in front of myself. There I saw a very confused and conflicting look who keep weighing so many life options; should I pursue another career life, should I consider having another kid, should I just be a good housewife, should I be happy with what I'm doing now, should I..., should I....???

Chipy made me realized that you have to enjoy and take consequence of what ever you decide, which she did tremendously! "If you want to try having another baby, try it now!", that how she scolded me. "Dont bother listening to too many opinions, by the time you make up your mind you will realiaze that you're already too old to have another baby. Just do it now!"

This last couple of years was kind of turning point for me. So many big things happened, so many big decisions to make. Leaving behind my career life, starting my own business venture, getting myself involved in a lecturing activity are among those big milestones. Some deserve to be regreted while others are entitled to be labeled as once in a life's decision. Yet, there's still one which is still making my head spinning. Though constantly persuaded by my husband, I still havent internalised my mind and come to the point that having another kid is really a good idea.....

Looking at Chipy, walking down the aisle in Carrefour with her five dwarfs, again something struck my mind, "what's the worst thing could happen, if I were in her position?" Gaining more weights, less good nite sleep, cracked nipples, endless baby sitter-related problems, less time for shopping malls, less time for traveling??? Nothing, I guess...... I could live with that, I suppose. Compared to what I will treasure in my golden ages, surrounded with more laughters and love from my kids, well...I guess will be quite even.

If Chipy dares to face all the challenges, and stumbling blocks of having a 'big' family, why shouldn't I? Well, I suppose I will have to check my cellphone whether it still has the number of my obgyn clinic. The more drawfs, the merrier............??!!! Just keep your fingers crossed for me!

A Refreshing Friday Night

High School, the best planet in the universe!!
The place where you dont have to think about tomorrow, the place where your ego is the only thing you possess and one of the places you would cherish the most. Having a chance meeting high schools pals could really recharge your life battery. At least that's what I feel when last Friday nite after 20 year time I met some high schools mates at PS. Time really flies!! That's what all of us had to agree, so many things changed with us. The fact that I have two kids already, Mimi is wearing 'jilbab' now, Rosida finally decided to get committed to marriage institution(haree gene??) , Aggie is a happy mom with her 4 year old daughter and a career in one leading MNC, Opi is gaining even more weights and finally giving up her long lasting career in BC, and Vita is drowning herself in career life in one leading ad. company, has made us all realized that there IS a LIFE after highschool which we thought was not!

In the world where self image and reputation matter a lot particularly in business life, "jaim" was not really the name of the game when it comes to high school pals, udah ketauan modalnya, no need for jaim!! So, there we were, talking about what we call one of the craziest moments in ourlife. Pulling ourselves back to the memory of joining school's marching brand, dating guys, all these cheating and ill-mannered acts, making a fool of ourselves and other 'silly' yet memorable moments. When it came to the point that we're approaching forty (my goodness...), we all realized that quite a life we have, udah mulai harus insyaf bo....But who could afford realizing that you're almost forty when you're with your high schools pals? Mimi, Aggie, Rosi, Opi, Vita, ....I think we should do this more often.....with this ever contaminated life in Jakarta, you certainly need a place and time to be YOURSELF, high schools friends are ultimately THE place. Thanks guys for this refreshing friday nite....