The Pure Milieu of Pecel Murni

The Pure Milieu of Pecel Murni
by Farhan Syafiq

The front part of the depot

 When everyone asking about the local food in Madiun the answer of course will be Pecel Madiun .There is a food depot in Madiun that offer you the tastiest pecel with low price. The name of the depot is Warung Pecel Murni.

I remembered the sensation when I went there for the first time. The depot was small yet simple and neat, with a cart in the front filled with side dishes. On the back of it, there was a large bamboo woven tray filled with fresh vegetables and two large bowl of pecel sauce beside it. The depot had long tables on both left and right side with a total of 11 chairs.

Before I sat down, I ordered the meal first. I ordered the not spicy pecel without bean sprout, with a sunny side egg, serundeng, and peanut brittle as the side dish, and sweet hot tea for the beverage. After I sat, I sniffed my food and smelled a fresh whiff of pecel. The plate was unique it was made of bamboo with banana leaf put on top of it. The taste was sweet and savory with soft texture of the pecel that filled my entire mouth, while the side dishes completed the taste in their own way.

The atmosphere of the depot itself was warm and welcoming, added by the chatter of and laughter of my family and other visitors the atmosphere became even more welcoming. The street in front of the depot was not too crowded, so the air was still counted as fresh. Meanwhile the entire block was crowded with other food stalls and their visitors.

Just by imagining it makes me want to go there again this year, just to feel that welcoming sensation. If some of you may be interested, just go to Jalan H. Agus Salim. The depot is easy to find because it is on one of the main streets in Madiun and opens from 5.pm. to 2.am.

A Classic Young Man Living in the Modern World

A Classic Young Man Living in the Modern World

By Farhan Syafiq

Raditya Rahman Mulyana

He is noticeable, from the way he dresses, the way he walks, and the way he talks. One could tell that he looked like a British man from Victorian era. He may be looked somewhat classic, but he managed to bring his style into this modern world making him a unique person.

The name of this person is Raditya Rahman Mulyana or Radit for short. He lives in a tranquil residential area on East Jakarta. Right now he is studying at English Literature of State University of Jakarta. In the class he is known to speak English in a somewhat British accent and he is also known for his taste of old style especially on music.

Sometimes he likes to say “ogut” when referring to himself and dress like someone from 90s. Ogut is an old Indonesian slang word that means me and rarely used by people nowadays. This word combined with how he dressed, gives him a classic aura, but somehow he makes it fit in this modern world.

“I like old culture, because I can be myself and it makes me different from the others.” said Radit.

His taste for old style also reflected on his taste for music. He has 2748 songs in his cellphone both Indonesian and foreign songs. Some of the songs are modern songs but most of them are songs from the 70s to the 90s. He started to hear music from elementary school, and his most favorite song is Lost in space by Lighthouse Family.

“I started to hear music since I was at elementary school.” Radit said while reminiscing.“I heard old songs because it is more pleasurable to my ears. These songs took my interest, that’s why I downloaded them. But that doesn’t mean new songs are not good, I just prefer to hear the old one”

Radit has his own opinion about old songs and new songs.

“Different generation means that the culture itself is also different. If we can see it, the music style is changing once every 10 years, that’s why it is called 70s, 80s and so on, well at least that’s my opinion.” explained Radit.

“But the most prominent changes was on 1990s and 2000, when people started to use computer and auto tune to edit some famous songs like R&B and Beat.” said Radit. “Personally, I don’t like songs with too much beats because it hurts my ears and make my head goes dizzy. But right now I try to follow the times but I can’t hear music with loud volume.” said Radit.

That is Radit for his classmate. He manages to fit old music and old style into this modern world, where most people think those things are out of date or ancient. He may be looks classic, but he also looks cool at the same time.

“As long as the time goes on changes always happen, so let it flow like water.”

[Mid-term] Farhan Syafiq - The Vampire and Roses (Short Story)

The Vampire and Roses

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Somewhere, on the realm of endless night, stood a large castle named Moonlight Castle. The castle was overflowing with elegance and a beautiful garden with roses in full bloom, and as the name suggest, the castle was always bathed under the moon light. The castle itself belonged to the Alucard family, a royal family of vampires. A young girl in a black and crimson dress was sitting in the middle of the garden enjoying her favorite teatime. Her eyes were red as the roses that surrounded her, and her skin was white and flawless. That young lady is none other than Rachel Alucard, the current head of Alucard family. Standing next to her was her loyal elderly butler, Valkenhayn, and her pet, Nago the cat and Gii the bat.

            “How is the tea today, Madam Rachel?” asked Valkenhayn politely.

            “It is fascinating as always, Valkenhayn, well done.” replied Rachel while sipping her tea.

            “Ah, you flatter me, Madam. It is an honor to be able to serve the best for you Madam Rachel. Shall I serve the scones right now, Madam?” asked Valkenhayn while looking at his antique pocket watch.

            “Not now, Valkenhayn. After this I want to go outside, go for a stroll perhaps. So the scones will have to wait.” replied Rachel.

            “Can you wait here for me and guard the castle until I return Valkenhayn?” asked Rachel

            “Very well Madam, to serve you is my only purpose. Please do be careful outside.” replied Valkenhayn with a polite smile.

            “I sure will, Valkenhayn,” said Rachel. “Gii, Nago, Let’s go.”

            “After you, princess.” said both Nago and Gii happily.

            Rachel then stood up from her garden chair; she walked a few steps, and vanished in a swirl of rose petal. Rachel was able to teleport long distance, and this was her only means of transportation to travel to earth realm.

            Not long after, she appeared on a park somewhere in Canada. She looked for her surroundings before strolling through the park. Without any order Nago suddenly transformed into an umbrella to protect his master from sunburn. After some good stroll, she sat on a bench, but someone in the distance caught her attention. She saw a young girl watering flowerless rose plants. Then, Rachel decided to approach the girl. After getting close to the girl Rachel stopped for a moment, she saw something special on the girl. The girl was not an ordinary human, she was a beastkin. Beastkin was a race of human-animal hybrid, usually seen as a human that had animal body parts, like ears, tail, or even wings.

That young girl suddenly smelled a scent of rose behind her, and then she turned back.

“Ah!! Who……who are you?” asked the young girl in shock.

“Oh my pardon me for surprising you, my name is Rachel Alucard, but please do call me Rachel. Your ears and tail look so cute. You are a beastkin are you not? May I know your name?” said Rachel slightly giggling.

“My…..my name is Zoe, Zoe Wesley. And yes I am a beastkin, ha….half weasel to be précised. I sense a powerful force coming from you, you are not here to kill me are you?” said Zoe nervously.

“Worry not my dear little beastkin,” she giggled. “I am here because I have an interest in you.” answered Rachel.

“These flowerless plants, these are rose am I correct?” asked Rachel.

“Yes, you are correct those are roses. How did you know that?” said Zoe.

“I like roses so much and I have a rose garden in my place, and I can tell that your rose is having a problem, yes?” answered Rachel.

“Yeah, I think so. It’s been a long time since this rose grew a flower. I really want to this rose grew a beautiful rose.” said Zoe.

“I see. Very well then, I shall assist you in growing these roses.” said Rachel with a smile.

Rachel then checked Zoe’s roses one by one. Her pets helped her to make this task easier and faster. After she saw the problem, she took a sit on Nago’s back and began her tutoring on how to grow a beautiful rose. She told Zoe everything she needed to know about roses. Zoe was paying attention on each word that Rachel said and noted it in a piece of paper. She also watched carefully on everything that Rachel did. They talked for a very long time, and without their notice, the sun began to set. Rachel then, bid farewell to Zoe and promised that tomorrow she will come again to help her fixed the roses until Zoe managed to grow some flowers. Rachel began to visit Zoe every day, nurturing roses, and having a chit-chat on afternoon teatime. Rachel did this for several months until Zoe’s roses grew some flowers. When the flower bloomed, both of them overjoyed with happiness, and they celebrated it with tea and pastries. The afternoon turn into evening, and it was the time for Rachel to go home.

“I think it is time for me to go home, congratulation on your mini garden of roses Zoe.” said Rachel with smile.

“Oh thank you so much Rachel, I couldn’t have done it without your help.” she hugged Rachel. “How could I repay you?” said Zoe.

“No need to Zoe, I am glad to be able to grow your roses.” said Rachel. “But before I go, please take this device. It enables you to go to my place, just say castel lumina lunii and you will be right there right away.” said Rachel while giving her device to Zoe.

“Oh thank you Rachel, I surely will visit you.” said Zoe with happy tone.

“I will wait for your presence, my dear friend. Let’s go, Nago, Gii” said Rachel.

“Right you are, princess” said Nago.

“I’m so proud you make a new friend.” said Gii.

“Shut up, Gii!” said Rachel while pinching him.

“Ouch, princess it hurts” screamed Gii in pain.

Then Rachel and her pets walked a few steps, and vanished with a swirl of rose petal surrounding her. She waved her hand to Zoe before vanished.

Few months had passed since Rachel and Zoe part each other, Zoe’s mini garden of roses grew larger and larger. Now her garden filled an entire field on the park, and the roses’ scent blew to the sky. Zoe looked so happy, because she finally had a rose garden of her own. She nurtured them every day, and not forgot to check each patch of roses. She remembered every word that Rachel had told her. While thinking about Rachel, Zoe suddenly remembered the device that Rachel gave to her. Then, she went to her garden, picked up some roses and wrapped them up. After that she dressed up, and prepared herself, and then, she picked up the device and shouted out the spell. A bright light gathered around her, and she vanished instantly.

She finally arrived on Moonlight Castle. She gazed in awe for the amazing scenery in front of her. Never in her life had she seen such a huge castle, and the moon was full and bright as if the moon itself was the sun. She had no idea that Rachel lived in such a huge castle. But, something caught her attention in the distance. She saw Rachel standing silently with Valkenhayn, Nago, and Gii behind her. In front of Rachel laid a field of destroyed and withered roses. Zoe was shocked with what she had just seen, because she was told that Rachel’s rose garden was beautiful. She then walked slowly towards them, until Valkenhayn realized her presence.

“Ah you must be Miss Zoe, is it not?” asked Valkenhayn politely.

“Yes I am, and you must be sir Valkenhayn.” answered Zoe.

“Please, just call me Valkenhayn, there is no need such formality.” said Valkenhayn humbly. “Madam Rachel told me a lot about you” said Valkenhayn.

“I’m so happy to hear that.” said Zoe with shy face. “What did she told you?” asked Zoe.

“Well, she told me that she finally able to meet good friend. She told me that you are so kind and cheerful, she also told me that you love flowers especially roses. She is so happy to finally make a friend with someone that has the same interest as her.” said Valkenhayn with happy tone. “But, as you can see…….She is having a tough time now.” said Valkenhayn now with sad tone.

“Oh yeah, I was going to asked you about that. What happened here? This place looks terrible.” asked Zoe with panic tone.

“Well, several hours ago, an evil spirit suddenly appeared here. The timing was not right, because Madam Rachel was having her teatime, and she didn’t like her teatime to be interrupted. Madam Rachel ordered us to stay put, and she fought the evil spirit. The battle was fierce and Madam Rachel eventually came out winning, but unfortunately at a cost of her rose garden. Now Madam Rachel has been like this for some time.” explained Valkenhayn.

“I see that was horrible. She loved her roses so much, but now this bad thing happened.” said Zoe in sad tone. “Valkenhayn, may I go talk to her?” asked Zoe.

“By all means Miss Zoe, this way please.” answered Valkenhayn politely.

Valkenhayn took Zoe to Rachel’s side. Rachel looked at the distance silently, her face showed no sadness, but some tears had fallen from her pretty eye. Deep inside she was devastated.

“Hi Rachel, it’s me Zoe. Valkenhayn told me what happened here, and I’m sorry about that.” said Zoe mourning.

“Oh, hi Zoe. Long time no see, are we? It seems that Valkenhayn had given you a background knowledge.” said Rachel sadly.

“Yes, it’s been a while, my dear friend. Look, I know your rose garden took severe damage, but let me help you to restore it. I want to repay you for helping me with my roses. I’m sure Valkenhayn, Nago, and Gii would be happy to help you too.” said Zoe cheering Rachel.

“Of course we will help, Madam Rachel. We are ready for your stead, Madam.” said Valkenhayn.

“Is that so? Well, I will be grateful if you really managed to restore my garden.” said Rachel wiping her tears.

“That’s how our princess says thank you.” said Nago.

 “Shut up, Nago!” said Rachel while pinching Nago.

“Ouch! Princess, that hurts!” screamed Nago in pain.

And then everyone burst into laugh.

For several months everyone helped Rachel fixed her garden, she even let Zoe to have a sleep over at her castle. Firstly they spread the fertilizer around the garden, and then everyone spread rose seeds from Zoe’s garden to the fertilized soil. Those seeds eventually grew into small flower plant. They water the flower every morning and evening, but sometimes they filled some of their time with tea time and jokes. Finally the roses grew back, and once again the garden was restored into its beauty once again. After seeing her newly restored garden, Rachel hugged Zoe firmly, this the first time Rachel felt so happy and also this is the first time she ever hugged someone.     

[Mid-term] Farhan Syafiq - Plain Runner (Poem)

The Plain Runner

By Farhan Syafiq

He who wear the camo coat

Not rosette just spot

With a streamline figure

He is truly build for speed

He runs through the plain

Faster than the car on the lane

To pursue a quarry

But, something makes him wary

They are the king and the joker

The enemy of the plain runner

He may be wary, but he doesn’t worry

He has alacrity and speed as his arm

He is the plain runner

Drama: The Little Match Girl

The Little Match Girl

By Farhan Syafiq

Based on Hans Christian Andersen

Narrator                     : This is a story that happened long, long ago. There was a poor family that lived in a tiny hut not far from a city. It was winter evening on a last day of the year, when the girl of the poor family was sent out to sell matches. The snow was falling and it’s almost dark

Father                         : Hurry up! It’s time for you to sell matches.

Little Match Girl        : I’m so hungry! Can I have a loaf of bread?

Father                         : There’s no food left. Take the matches and sell them. Then we can buy some bread!

Little Match Girl        : But I have no shoes or slippers to wear in the snow.

Father                         : Here, wear your mother’s (hands her slippers), she’s still asleep.

(The Little Match Girl puts on the slippers. Her father hands her the matches which she takes and puts into her basket.)

Little Match Girl        : Thank you Father.

Father                         : Don’t come home until you sell them all. Do you understand?

Little Match Girl        : Yes Father. Goodbye.

Narrator                     : In the cold and the darkness the poor little girl walked bareheaded through the falling snow. She had no coat and no hat. Two boys suddenly ran roughly past her. The Little Match Girl was knocked to the ground, her slippers lost, and her matches spilled all around.

Little March Girl        : Oh no! My slippers! Where are they?

Little Boy 1                 : What are you looking for?

Little Match Girl        : I lost my slippers, please help me find them!

Little Boy 2                 : Hmmm let me see….. Do you mean these slippers?

Little Match Girl        : Yes, that’s the one. Thank you so much!

Little Boy 1                 : Not so fast … Now they belong to us. See you!

Little Match Girl        : Please no!

Narrator                     : The boys ran away down the city street with her slippers. The Little Match girl then stood up in the middle of the street holding out her matches.

(People walking pass by.)

Little Match Girl        : Matches, matches, would you like to buy matches?

Narrator                     : She held the matches out to each person as they passed. But, they turned their head away from her. She turned to hold them out to the next person who passed her.

(A well-dressed woman and a girl carrying her doll walk down the street.)

Woman                      : So, do you like your present my darling?

Girl                              : I love it mom, it’s so pretty.

Little Match Girl        : Matches ma’am? Would you like to buy some matches?

Woman                      : We don’t need matches. Get away from us.

(They push the Little Match Girl)

Girl                              : She’s so dirty.

Woman                      : I know darling. Let’s go.

Girl                              : (looks back at the Little Match Girl) Look at her dress, mother, it’s so old and she isn’t wearing any shoes.

Little Match Girl        : (Following the woman and child) Please buy some matches. They’re only a penny.

Woman                      : Get away from us. (Pulling child by the hand)

Narrator                     : The Little Match Girl trembled with cold. Fewer people passed her as she held out matches to them.

Little Match Girl        : Matches, matches! Would you like some matches?

Young woman           : Get away from me!

Little Match Girl        : Sir, Sir… please… would you like to buy some matches? They are magical, you know. When you light one, all your wishes come true.

Man                            : Bah, nonsense! Those are fairy tales. Get away from me.

Little Match Girl        : Please, sir, please buy one… its light will give you the most wonderful New Year.

Man                            : I told you, I don’t need any matches today. Why don’t you go home? It’s a cold night.

Little Match Girl        : I can’t sir, my father told me not to go home until I sell them all.

Man                            : I’m sorry, I don’t need matches.

(The man walks away. The little girl is alone. She sits down in the corner of the street near the street lamp.)

Narrator                     : Nobody had bought anything from the little girl; no one had given her a single penny. She crept along trembling with cold and hunger. What a poor little girl. The flakes of snow covered her hair. From behind the windows the candles glowed. Delicious smells of roasted goose blew through the night air because it was a night before New Year. The Little Match Girl grew colder and colder but she wasn’t brave enough to go home because she had not sold any matches and could not bring home even a single penny.

Little Match Girl        : Oh, I wish I could cover myself with something. My hands and feet are so cold!

(She looks at the matches then puts them down. She looks at them again.)

Little Match Girl        : I will light just one of my matches to warm my fingers a little.

(The little girl strikes a match on the brick wall.)

Little Match Girl        : I feel warm now. Oh, what a wonderful light. What is that, over there? It’s a fire. My feet and hands feel so warm.

Narrator                     : The fire was warm, as warm as a stove. It was a wonderful light. As she held her hands over the flame it seemed to the little girl that she was dancing in front of a blazing fire. It seemed that the fire warmed her and the little girl stretched out her arms towards the fire. But then, the flame from the little match went out.

(Little Match Girl shivers with cold and looks at burnt out match.)

Narrator                     : The fire vanished. All that was left was a burnt out match in her hand. The little girl was so cold. She struck another match against the wall: it burned brightly. Its flame lit up a window. Inside she could see a table.

Little Match Girl        : Ah, the fire died out. Brrr…. I feel cold again, I better light up another match. (Light up a match) Is……..is that a window? Oh I can see the inside! Wow look at that table, what a beautiful white tablecloth, and those tableware look expensive too.

(The steaming roasted goose is served)

Little Match Girl        : (sniff) oh what a delicious smell. Is that roasted goose? It looks delicious and buttery. I wish I can eat that goose.

Narrator                     : Not long after that, the fire disappeared again.

 (Little Match Girl shivers and looks at burnt out match.)

Narrator                     : The table and the wonderful food vanished. All that was left was a burnt out match in her hand. The little girl was so cold. She took another match and struck it against the wall: it burned brightly. In the next window the little girl could see a beautiful Christmas tree.

Little Match Girl        : Oh, what a wonderful Christmas tree. The lights are as bright as stars! Look at how many gifts are there, those children look happy too. Oh I wish I can join them.

Narrator                     : Soon the flame from the little match went out. The Christmas tree and the gifts, and the children vanished.

(Little match girl shivers with cold and looks at burnt out match.)

Narrator                     : The lights that the little girl had seen on the Christmas tree seemed to rise up into the sky higher and higher. She saw them now as stars in the sky. One fell down and formed a long trail of fire.

Little Match Girl        : Oh, there’s a star falling and it’s leaving behind it a bright line of fire. Someone is going to heaven!

(Little Match Girl, shivering with cold, moves to sit under street lamp.)

Little Match Girl        : The falling star….. It reminded me of my grandmother. She was the only person who treated me with love, unlike my parents. Before she died, grandmother told me that when a star falls, a soul ascends to heaven.

Narrator                     : The little girl struck another match against the wall: it was again bright, and in the light there stood the grandmother, so bright and lustrous and with such an expression of love.

(Little Match Girl strikes her last match. Grandmother appears illuminated in shadow. The Little Match Girl moves towards her.)

Little Match Girl        : Grandmother? Is that you grandmother? Oh grandmother, please, take me with you, I know you will go away when the match burns out. You will vanish like the warm fire, the roasted goose, and the glorious Christmas tree. (Match goes out)

(With her life wanes away in the freezing winter, she lies down and sleeps. The Grandmother takes the Little Match Girl’s hand)

Narrator                     : The grandmother took the girl and both flew in brightness and in joy so high, so very high, where there was neither cold, nor hunger, nor anxiety.

Narrator                     : The cold continued through the night. Eventually morning came and light shone over the cold hard snow. People came out of their warm houses wrapped in their hats and cloaks.

(People notice the Little Match Girl frozen to death. They stop and surround her.)

Narrator                     : In the corner of the two houses sat the little girl. She was smiling and leaning against the wall - frozen to death on the night right before New Year.

Man                            : Poor child, she froze to death… on New Year!

Young Woman           : It’s so sad… (picks up a burnt out match) she tried to warm herself with the matches.

(The people leave their lanterns around the little match girl, heads bowed, down the street. The Little Match Girl is left surrounded by lanterns in a pool of light.)