See if you can beat me!
Click here to start your test….

I‘m starting to get some more detailed ideas about the Indonesian Expatriates Forum
that I initiated a week a go. Please take a look, and if you have any
suggestion, don’t hesitate to let me know, whether through this blog or
to my email (finallywoken.blog@gmail.com).

As
an amateur in the virtual world, I dream big, so big that some of my
friends think that it’s impossible to do. A single person, initiates a
forum to connect all Indonesians around the world? Am I mental?

But
actually my idea and dream is very simple, and it only takes a
willingness to get there. There is no money involved, there is no
deadline or time line that I have to obey, there is no failure
possibility, there is no feasible risk at stake, so why can’t we do it?
Look at Expatwomen website,
it is initiated by two women. Two. And look at the website now, you’d
be surprised that they actually have started it a year a go. (You see,
this is a different attitude of Indonesians vs. Westerners, that we are
usually so pessimistic about everything, even we are taught to be
ashamed of our own success, while Westerners generally have positive
attitude, always say that everything is possible and achievable, and
they put trust on other people. But more about that later).

At the moment only myself and Andie
who commit to be contributors, although we haven’t discuss thoroughly
what we have to do each, but at least we are getting somewhere.

I also
need big help from all Indonesians from all around to world to keep
spreading news and information about this forum and to keep me informed
about Indonesians living overseas.

One step at a time. I’ll see you there…

Just got it from Wazeen, who scored 85% himself (seriously!), and here is my result:

Hello everyone,

I just start creating a forum dedicated to all Indonesians living abroad. This forum, called Indonesian Expatriates Forum, is developed based on my personal experience.

When
I moved to Scotland over 6 months a go, I was not well informed about
the city’s what, who, where, when, and how. I had (still have) to work
hard to find my own surroundings, build my own network, and find new
friends. Yes, I start meeting new people and have found that there are
at least 100 Indonesians living in Aberdeen. But this effort took
months and I could say that I’ve found Indonesian fellows by accidents.

Feeling
how hard it was to start a new life here in a foreign city with no one
to turn to, I have tried to find Indonesian Expatriates Association,
anywhere in the world, but couldn’t find any. There
are several organizations dedicated to mixed-marriage couples, most of
them are based in Indonesia, and mostly their mission is to share
information and overcome any issues about the mix Indonesian and
non-Indonesian marriage. There are many student associations, work’s
outpost communities, and religious communities, but of course the
membership would be solely, exclusively to their fellow friends.

Therefore I decided to start one. And I need help, big time, for all Indonesians living abroad. I’m looking for contributors,
those who, together with me, would and could develop a comprehensive
website which features all necessary information needed for Indonesian
who live (or about to live) overseas.

So if you:

1. are Indonesian
2. are currently living in a foreign country, or have lived in one
3. are student, partner, parent, volunteer, professional or simply are free spirit or traveler
4. have similar forums, communities, or associations
5. are keen to share your experience, have a lot of informations regarding your city or country
6. love to write and love to help other fellow Indonesians

Please email me at finallywoken.blog@gmail.com for
sharing more details. Mind you the blog has just been created today, so
there is nothing there, yet. English is chosen as the main language for
a greater exposure, and if your partner is non-Indonesian, s/he could
contribute as well!

For
those of you who could give me suggestions or informations about
Indonesians living abroad, please don’t hesitate to contact me at above
email.

Wish me luck and see you at Indonesian Expat Forum!

—————————————————————–
Update, 20 January 2008

• Anna Madden from New England, USA, agrees to contribute
• Andie Summerkiss from Medan, Indonesia (soon will move to the Philippines), agree to contribute
• Anyone else?