How To Survive Living

Meat Intake And Mortality

2010-12-21T10:29:00.000+07:00

Does eating red meat increase your risk of dying early? That’s the question a large health study investigated. The study, which was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, followed half a million people for 10 years to find out what impact eating red meat had on a person’s lifespan. During the study 71,252 persons died.

Researchers compared how much meat individuals ate and mortality levels from all causes, from cardiovascular disease, and from cancer. All types of beef and pork (including bacon, hamburgers, sausage, steak, hotdogs, and red meat in foods such as pizza, chili, lasagna, and stew) were studied.

Here is what they found. In short, the more meat people ate, the higher their risk of an early death. When they compared men who ate the most (top 20%) red meat with those men who ate the least (bottom 20%), researchers found that high meat consumers had a 31% increased risk of dying early from any cause, even after controlling for age, exercise level, body weight, smoking, education level, alcohol intake, and fruit and vegetables intake. Women who ate the most meat had a 36% increased risk of early death from any cause.

The trend was statistically significant as well. At each level of increased intake of red meat in the diet, there was a measurable increase in mortality (see chart below).

When researchers looked just at processed meats, they found a similar increased risk of early death for those who ate the most compared to those eating the least. People who ate more fish and poultry, however, showed a slight decreased risk compared to those eating red meat. When looking just at cancer mortality, men who ate the most meat had a 22% increased risk of getting cancer and women a 20% increased risk of getting cancer. One good way to reduce your cancer risk is eat less red meat and more legumes, nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

The research authors estimated that, in men, 1 out of every 10 deaths (an 11% decrease) could have been prevented if men would have eaten less red meat. In women, researchers estimated that 1 out of every 5 deaths (a 21% decrease) could have been prevented if the red meat intake was reduced to low levels (bottom 20% in this study).

These are remarkable health advantages by making a simple dietary change – eat less red meat. Poultry and fish resulted in lower mortality levels as did vegetarian diets. Other dietary changes that have also been shown to lower risk of mortality include eating more:

o Fruits and vegetables
o Nuts and nut butters
o Legumes (peas, beans, lentils, soy, tofu)
o Whole-grain breads, cereals, and pasta

The research is quit clear. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death, reduce or eliminate red and processed meats from your diet and choose primarily unrefined, plant-based foods.

Reference:
Sinha R, Cross AJ, et al. Meat Intake and Mortality. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2009; 169(6):562-571.

You Are

2010-12-21T10:25:00.000+07:00

You are strong...
When you take your grief
And teach it to smile.

You are brave...
When you overcome your fear and
Help others to do the same.

You are happy...
When you see a flower and
Are thankful for the blessing.

You are loving...
When your own pain does not
Blind you to the pain of others.

You are wise...
When you know the
Limits of your wisdom.

You are true...
When you admit there
Are times you fool yourself.

You are alive...
When tomorrow's hope
Means more to you than yesterday's mistake.

You are growing...
When you know what you are
But not what you will become.

You are free...
When you are in control of yourse
Lf and do not wish to control others.

You are honorable...
When you find your honor
Is to honor others.

You are generous...
When you can take as
Sweetly as you can give.

You are humble...
When you do not know
How humble you are.

You are thoughtful...
When you see me just as
I am and treat me just as you are.

You are merciful...
When you forgive in others
The faults you condemn in yourself.

You are beautiful...
When you don't need
A mirror to tell you.

You are rich...
When you never need
More than what you have.

You are you...
When you are at peace
With who you are not.

Living In Jakarta Is Like Heaven

2009-09-13T00:27:00.003+07:00

The total land area of Indonesia is around 1,919,440 sq km from Sabang to Merauke, with Jakarta is a capital city. Population of Indonesia is around 234,893,453. Javanese comprise 45% of the population; Sudanese, 14%; Madurese, 7.5%; others, 26%.
Jakarta as a capital city of Indonesia had population around 9.3 million inhabitants.
Religion around the Indonesia, 88% Muslims, 8% Christians, and 2% Hindus and Buddhists.

Indonesia has a republic government with official language is Indonesian. Indonesia has a tropical climate. Summers are hot and dry with heavy rains during the monsoons.
Units of measure and electricity: Indonesia follows the metric system of measurement and the official electricity unit is 220V, 50 Hz.
Time Zone: Indonesian has three time zones: GMT + 7, GMT + 8 and GMT + 9

Travel documents required: Nationals of specified countries do not require a visa for a stated number of days.
The Indonesian economy was the hardest hit by the Asian Financial Crisis, and recovery has been slow. Indonesia’s major industries include petroleum and natural gas, textiles, timber, mining, coffee, rubber, tin, copper, rice and palm oil.

Living in Jakarta is 80% Heaven and 20% Hell. For expatriate who working in Jakarta leaving in Jakarta 100% like leaving in Heaven. Why?
Don't ask why now. But after sometimes, you probably will say "that's true leaving in Jakarta is like leaving in Heaven for us as an expatriate"
Working in Jakarta you can have maid, driver, baby sitter, cook, guard, gardener, etc. At home or back to your country you never have such of thing you have while you working in Jakarta.
Before you start to say how lovely leaving in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the first time you probably need to know there is stage different experience for the a few months after you arrived in Jakarta

STAGES OF JAKARTA LIFE:
There are four different stages of variable length experienced by everybody living in Jakarta for twelve months or more.

(a) The Excitement Stage
(b) The Let-Down Stage
(c) The Consolidation Stage
(d) The Departure Stage

Each stage has its own problems and benefits. An understanding of these stages will help you to anticipate problems, to understand why these problems arise and to cope better with any difficulties that do occur.

Fight With Culture Shock, How To Do It

2009-09-12T23:03:00.003+07:00

Immigrate or moving from other country to another country have the ability to positively confront the obstacles of a new environment. Majority of individuals and families that some ways to combat stress produced by culture shock.
Here might be can help you to solve a problem or fight with a culture schock in a new environment:

- You and your family relationships member(specially between husband and wife, parents & kids)need to pay attention and support each other, specially at work. If you pay attention and support each other as a family member in a new environment, make you easy to solve a problem specially in difficult times.

- Learn to allow family member to feel sad about the things that have left behind: like family, friends, toys, daily activity, etc.

- Focus the power getting through the transition. By learn to accept the new country with support each other (family member) to recognize the sorrow of leaving old country to a new country.

- If you could find ways to live with the things that don't satisfy you 100%, by establish simple goals and evaluate progress.

- If you could follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future that's one option to maintain confidence in yourself.

- If you could develop your hobby in the new area as soon as posible after you settle with house, car, children's school, work,etc. Do it now!

- Always remember the good things you already have done before. Specially your daily attitute!

- Never forget, there are always resources that you can do. As long as you want!

- The important key is "be patient". Why? Because the act of migrating is a process of adaptation to new situation, that you never know before. The process will take some time.

- Be easy on yourself! Try to learn to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavorable environment, don't put yourself in that position again.

- If can't do it, don't try too hard! Why? Don't push yourself to hard. If you try to hard you will get frustration.

- Try to maintain contact with your ethnic groups. This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of loneliness and alienation

- Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the language. Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the language that you are learning. This will help you feel less stress about language and useful at the same time.

- Take the exercise! Like:swim, tennis, golf, horse riding or an aerobics class, etc. A regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner. You can meet people and make a new friends!

- To passing periods of stress you can do relaxation and meditation. Relaxation and meditation are proven to be very positive.

- Look for help, if you feel stressed! Always someone or some service available to help you. Check it out with your home doctor information, local service community or get the information services.

Stop Smoking Today

2009-09-10T15:32:00.002+07:00

If you can perhaps to stop smoking now.
Why you not try?

Can You Imagine What is The Cigarette?

2009-09-10T15:30:00.004+07:00

Stop the cigarette now. Don't make your lung became worse and wores

Do I Get This From The Cigarette?

2009-09-10T15:28:00.004+07:00

Lot's of people came and asking the question,
"Do I Sick Get From The Cigarette?
Get the video now !

Smoking is......

2009-09-10T15:26:00.003+07:00

Do you still use your money to buy a cigarette for smoke?
Watch this video now !

Life Is Meaningful

2008-12-12T08:11:00.002+07:00

Jumlah manusia yang hidup di dunia ini sungguh banyak. Miliaran orang menghembuskan nafas setiap hari. Dan setiap orang bangun pagi-pagi berlomba untuk segera sampai di tempat pekerjaan dengan secepak mungkin, berpacu dengan waktu dan tenaga.
Pernahkah anda terpikir untuk menentukan tujuan hidupmu setiap pagi? Pernahkah anda bertanya pada diri anda untuk apa bangun pagi-pagi, berangkat terburu-buru tanpa sempat sarapan pagi. Kemudian di jalan bermacet-macet setiap hari. Pernahkah anda bertanya untuk apa saya lakukan ini setiap pagi. Mengapa saya selalu bermac dengan waktu setiap saat. Apakah kegiatan rutinitas aku lakukan mempunai tujuan?

Apakah kamu mempunyai tujuan hidup? Apakah tujuan hidupmu sudah kamu tentukan? Bangun pagi, berpacu dengan waktu setiap hari dan pulang larut malam dengan tenaga yang sudah terkuras habis, dilakukan tanpa tujuan. Apakah semua itu dilakukan untuk mencapai tujuan?
Pernahkah terpikir untuk menentukan apa yang menjadi tujuan hidupmu? Pernahkah kita pastikan untuk apa kita bernafas setiap hari? Tujuannya apa?
Jangan-jangan kehidupan yang kita jalani hanya untuk menghabiskan waktu maupun umur Tuhan diberikan. Apa yang menjadi tujuan hidup anda? Apakah anda dan pasangan anda pernah duduk bersama-sama untuk merancang tujuan hidup anda. Tujuan hidup keluarga atau tujuan hidup pribadi untuk jangka waktu tertentu?

Apabila anda adalah orang yang sudah menentukan tujuan hidup, anda adalah salah seorang yang paling berbahagia di muka bumi ini. Karena keluarga maupun orang-orang terdekat anda akan sangat bersyukur sekali memiliki seseorang seperti anda. Karena anda sudah menentukan dan menrancang suatu tujuan hidup untuk keluarga maupun pribadi untuk beberapa tahun ke depan.
Artinya anda bangun pagi-pagi, berangkat pagi-pagi bergelut dengan kemacetan dan pulang larut malam, tanpa kesia-siaan.

Setelah menentukan tujuan hidup, hal yang paling utama adalah berdoa dan memohon pada yang Kuasa agar tujuan yang anda sudah tetapkan dapat tercapai.
Pepatah orang tua mengatakan, "hidup di dunia itu cuma sebentar".Kalau dipikir-pikir ada juga benarnya. Saking sebentarnya, ibarat seseorang yang kebetulan lewat didepan rumah kita dan dia kehausan. Saking hausnya kemudian dia mampir ke rumah kita untuk meminta minum.
Sangatlah disayangkan apabila waktu yang hanya sebentar dipergunakan dengan tidak berarti. Menggunakan waktu pemberian Tuhan dengan sebaik-baiknya adalah merupakan suatu kesempatan untuk berbuat yang terbaik. Memang harus diakui bahwa tidak semua orang dapat dengan mudah menentukan untuk apa yang menjadi tujuan dalam hidupnya. Percaya atau tidak kita semua, tua atau muda, besar atau kecil, kaya atau miskin kita akan sama-sama melalui perjalanan yang sangat panjang dalam hidup ini.

Perjalanan panjang hidup yang mungkin berliku-liku membuat kita semakin kuat dan kuat untuk bertahan dan mencapai tujuan hidup yang kita doakan dan inginkan. Setelah kita sadar dan menemukan apa yang sebenarnya kita cari dalam umur kita yang pendek, dimana kesempatan Ia telah berikan membuat kita segera dapat bangkit dari keterlenaan akan kesibukan sehari-hari kita. Memang menentukan tujuan hidup bukanlah suatu ambisi, tetapi bagi banyak orang menentukan tujuan hidup merupakan suatu ambisi. Apapun bentuknya yang pasti, semuanya hanya tidak lebih dari pada sebuah jati diri atau ingin menunjukkan jati diri kita siapa. Yang bagi kebanyakan orang jati diri atau harga diri adalah sangat penting. Menentukan tujuan hidup, dengan alasan mengevaluasi hal-hal yang sudah dicapai memang alasan terpentung dan masuk akal. Apapun alasannya. Yang pasti menentukan tujuan hidup tetapi tidak ngoyo. Menentukan tujuan hidup diatas kehendakNya, itu adalah cita-cita luhur dan hidup penuh dengan penyerahan.

Sudahkah anda menentukan tujuan hidup anda? Jika, ya itulah diri mari jalani hidup ini dengan meminta bantuan dariNya. Jika belum, tentukan sekarang. Jangan sampai terlambat! Karena kita hidup adalah untuk mencapai tujuan hidup yang sudah kita tetapkan.

Health Important Notice

2008-12-02T11:20:00.007+07:00

*Reduce the amount of TEA you consume.

*Do not eat bread which has only JUST been toasted.

*Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS .

*Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night .

*Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.

*Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.

*Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.

*Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.

*Do not take alcohol more than one glass/cup/serving a day.

*Do not take pills with COOL water.

*Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.

*Getting LESS than 8 hours of sleep affects your health.

*People used to napping will not get old easily.

*When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone, the radiation is 1000 times.

*Answer the phone by LEFT ear, it'll spoil your brain directly by using right ear.

*Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time, rest your ear awhile after 1 hour.

Belajar Mencintai Seseorang

2008-12-02T11:11:00.000+07:00

Suatu malam BAPA menyapa seorang anakNya, hamba perempuanNya yang setia, "Selamat malam anakKu," hamba perempuan itu membalas salam TUHAN dengan lembut, "Selamat malam, TUHAN," "AnakKu, maukah kau belajar tentang KASIH?"
Saat itu dia dipenuhi sukacita dan menjawab, "Tentu TUHAN!"
"Baiklah," kata BAPA," Aku akan menunjukkan KASIH padamu."

Beberapa waktu berlalu, hamba perempuan itu dengan setia menantikan panggilan TUHAN kembali. Suatu hari dia menemukan janin tertanam dalam kandungannya. Dipenuhi kegembiraan, dia bersama suami dan keluarganya merayakan moment itu.

Bulan demi bulan berlalu, hamba perempuan ini kian menyayangi janin dalam kandungannya, anaknya. Akhirnya waktu bersalin pun tiba. Dipenuhi degup- degup emosi, perjuangan antara hidup dan mati, dia melahirkan anaknya, seorang anak perempuan yang mungil dan cantik seperti dirinya. Hatinya dan seluruh keluarganya dipenuhi sukacita.

Namun tidak berlangsung lama. Beberapa menit sesudahnya, dokter menyatakan bahwa bayi yang dilahirkannya tidak bisa bertahan hidup dan akhirnya meninggal dalam hitungan jam.

Di tengah rasa kecewa, BAPA datang menyapanya, "AnakKu,"
Dengan bibir bergetar, antara marah dan kecewa, dia menjawab, Kenapa TUHAN? Kenapa ini semua terjadi?"

Dengan penuh kasih, TUHAN menjawab, "AnakKu yang terkasih, bukankah kau ingin belajar KASIH? Apakah kau sudah belajar sesuatu?"Bagaimana rasanya kehilangan?"
Dengan isakan dia menjawab, "Tak terkatakan TUHAN..Sakiiiit sekali..."

Kata TUHAN, "Syukurlah kau mengerti sekarang. Kau telah kehilangan seorang anak yang kau kasihi. Dan rasanya sungguh amat sakit. Pernahkah kau bayangkan begitu amat banyak anakKu yang terhilang di dunia ini? Mengertikah kau perasaanKu sekarang?"
Hamba perempuan itu hanya bisa terdiam memikirkan pernyataan TUHAN.

Itulah KASIH.
KASIH adalah rasa sakit saat kita kehilangan sesuatu yang kita kasihi. Terlebih saat kita kehilangan KASIH itu sendiri.
Di sekeliling kita banyak sekali orang yang sangat membutuhkan

KASIH.
Dan kita bisa menemukan mereka di lingkungan terdekat kita.
Mereka adalah orang- orang yang kita kasihi dan kita tidak ingin kehilangan mereka.
Mulai sekarang berikanlah KASIH pada setiap orang yang kamu cintai setiap hari. Jangan sampai kamu menyesal saat kehilangan mereka.

Ingatlah! Orang- orang yang kelihatan tegar dari luar, yang biasanya menjadi pelindung bagi orang lain, justru merekalah yang lebih membutuhkan perlindungan. Mereka bahkan lebih rapuh dari orang- orang yang mereka lindungi. Jika kamu menemukan orang- orang seperti itu, mereka sangat membutuhkan KASIH darimu

Happiness, Loving And Money

2008-11-18T05:32:00.001+07:00

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city
by George Burns

Money can’t buy you love. It can’t buy you happiness either.

Today’s materialistic world often urges us to buy the coolest gadgets, the trendiest clothes, bigger and better things, but research shows that possessions and purchases don’t buy us happiness. According to an article on CNN:

By and large, money buys happiness only for those who lack the basic needs. Once you pass an income of $50,000, more money doesn’t buy much more happiness, [according to a happiness studies].

So while we are being pushed towards materialism, it’s for monetary gain by corporations, not for our own happiness. Unfortunately, it’s hard to escape the trap of materialism, and find happiness in other ways than buying stuff online or finding joy in the mall.

But it’s possible. Here’s a guide to finding a materialism-free life and discovering true happiness.
Guide to finding a materialism-free life and discovering true happiness.

Escaping Materialism
All around us, there are messages telling us to buy stuff. On the Internet (blogs included), we see continuous advertising trying to get us to purchase a product or service. It’s the main reason for television, and movies are continually made with products placed throughout, so that we aren’t always sure what is advertising and what was put in there by the director.

Flip on the radio or open up a newspaper or magazine, and you’re bombarded my more advertising. Go to a shopping center/mall, and the urge to buy comes from every direction.

This message to continually buy, buy, buy … and that it will somehow make us happpier … is drilled into our heads from the days of Happy Meals and cartoons until the day we die. It’s inescapable.

Well, almost. You could go and live in a cabin in the woods (and that actually sounds nice), or you could still live in our modern society, but find ways to escape materialism.

Here are some suggestions:

* Limit television.
Do you really enjoy watching TV for hours? Think about which shows you really, really love, and only watch during that time. When the commercials come on, go do something else. Or use Tivo to watch TV. You can even give up cable TV entirely, if you’re brave — I have, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.

* Eschew the news.
Journalists will never tell you this, but if they’re completely honest, they’ll confess that the most important part of any news company, from TV or radio news to Internet or print new, is the advertising division. It’s the division that pays the paychecks of the rest of the company. The news is important in driving traffic to the advertising. So when you’re watching or reading news, you’re really being sucked in to advertising. Try this instead: boycott the news for a week. I’ve done it for about two years, and it hasn’t hurt me a bit. In fact, it’s helped me a lot.

* Limit Internet reading.
I’m not saying you should cancel your cable Internet subscription or anything. I love reading blogs. But find just those that you truly love reading, that give you the most value, and limit your reading to those. And just do it once a day, for 30 minutes or so. If you can do that, you’ve gone a long way towards tearing yourself away from advertising.

* Give up magazines for books.
Magazines are also designed with advertising in mind. And they rarely give you much value. Try reading an ad-free book instead. It’s a much better use of your time.

* Don’t go to the mall or Walmart.
The only purpose of these places is for you to spend money. If you just want a place to spend your Saturday afternoon, find a place where you don’t need to spend money to have fun — a park or a beach, for example. If you need to buy something, go to a single store (not the mall) and go in and get what you need. Don’t browse and walk around looking at stuff. You’ll get sucked in.

* Monitor your urges.
When you’re online, or watching TV, or at a store, keep track of the number of times you want to buy something. Keep a little notebook or index card, and just put tally marks. Once you become more aware of your urges to buy things, you can start to control them. If you could control them, limiting your consumption of media (see above tips) isn’t really necessary — although I would argue that it still gives you a better quality of life.

* Use a 30-day list.
If you still really want to buy something, put it on a list, and write down the date you added the item to the list. Now tell yourself you cannot buy that item for 30 days. It might be difficult, but you can do it. When the 30 days have passed, if you still want it, then buy it. But you can’t buy anything (besides essentials like groceries) without putting it on the list for 30 days first. Many times, our urges to buy something will pass during this waiting period.

* Declutter.
I find it pretty amazing to see all the crap I buy over a period of years, when I go through my closets and other possessions and start getting rid of stuff I don’t use or want anymore. It’s a gratifying process, and at the same time, it makes me realize how useless all our consumer shopping is. I don’t need any of the stuff! When you do this, you may be less likely to buy more stuff. Especially if you enjoy the decluttered look of your house as much as I do.

* Find other forms of entertainment.
There are other things to do besides watch TV or movies or read magazines or newspapers or the Internet. Try playing sports or exercising, or playing board games or creating art or writing or reading a book. Try doing fun things with your kids or visiting relatives and other loved ones. Try volunteering with a charity. I’m sure you could come up with 100 free or cheap things to do.

* Buy used.
When you get the urge to buy something, and you’re convinced that it’s needed, try finding it used instead of new. Look in thrift shops or garage sales or flea markets or similar places.

A True Path to Happiness
So, if you’re able to escape materialism, how can you find true happiness? There are many ways, and each of us is different, but here are some things I suggest trying:

* Grateful list.
Make a list of things about which you’re grateful in your life. Give thanks for them daily.

* Think positive.
Try eliminating negative thinking from your life, and thinking positive instead.

* Small pleasures.
Make a list of small things that give you great pleasure. Sprinkle them throughout your day. Notice other small pleasures as you go through your day.

* Kindness.
Practice random acts of kindness and compassion. Do it anonymously. Help those in need. Volunteer. Make someone smile.

* Love.
Make an intimate connection with your loved ones. Develop your friendships. Spend time with them, converse, understand them, make them happy.

* Health.
Exercise and eat healthy — it sounds trite, but it can bring great happiness to your life.

* Meaning.
It’s often useful to find meaning, either through a church or spiritual way, or through those we love in life or through the things we’re passionate about. Give yourself a purpose.

* Flow.
Eliminate distractions, and really pour yourself into whatever you’re doing. If it’s writing an article, like this one, really put yourself into it, until you forget the outside world.

* Know yourself.
Become attuned to what brings you happiness. Study yourself. Learn about what you love, and about your ability to love. Increase your capacity for compassion.

What brings you happiness? How do you feel about materialism, and is it worth trying to escape it? Let us know in the comments.

Still Smoking? Watch This

2008-11-04T15:56:00.001+07:00

Do you still Smoking?
Can you please watch this?

How To Survive Living in Jakarta, Indonesia: Get Paid

2008-10-17T11:19:00.000+07:00

How To Survive Living in Jakarta, Indonesia: Get Paid

Cara Bijaksana Mengelola Keuangan

2008-10-09T15:18:00.000+07:00

Health Considerations

2008-10-03T09:07:00.005+07:00

Lifestyle:

Expatriates often have an unhealthy lifestyle in Indonesia

· Many people do not exercise sufficiently because of the heat and pollution

· Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and overeating are common

· Many people gain weight

· Try to moderate your diet and exercise regularly

Vaccinations:
Start all vaccinations well before posting as you may need a course of injections.
· Check with your doctor that all previous vaccinations are up to date
· All adult and childhood vaccinations can be given at the Clinic or Hospital in Jakarta

Medications:
Most medications are available in Indonesia
· The clinic or hospital in Jakarta, stocks a wide range of medications

Doctors and Clinics:
· Expatriate doctors generally can not practise in Indonesia but there are exceptions for some clinics in Jakarta. Contact your company for assistance if necessary
· Some local Clinics and Hospitals are well equipped but generally not of your country standard
· Most clinics are Indonesian with associated cultural and language problems sometimes
· Ensure disposable needles and syringes and sterile instruments are used
· Try to avoid any surgical procedures without second opinion from your private country at home

House and Hotel Calls:
· Home visits are usually available
· Hotels have a doctor on call or a hotel clinic. Expect high fees
· It is often preferable to proceed directly to the clinic or hospital

Ambulance:
· Ambulance services are usually owned by hospitals or private clinics and are often not of your country standard. Payment before service is normal
· It may be faster to go by car or taxi to a clinic or hospital

Blood Bank:
· The Red Cross monitors blood banks. Standards are variable.
Blood supply is not a free service
· Avoid blood transfusion if possible. Insist blood is re screened by the hospital before transfusion. Contact your home doctor or your company doctor first
· Rh -ve blood is rare in Asia and difficult to obtain

Dentists:
· Good quality treatment is available in Jakarta
. Request an indication of likely fees before starting treatment
Contact the recommended dentists
· Try to restrict to emergency treatment only

A Health Guide For Visitors TO Indonesia

2008-10-03T08:57:00.006+07:00

Air:

- All major Indonesian cities have severe atmospheric pollution. This can be unpleasant but exposure during a normal 2-3 year posting is unlikely to cause new health problem

- Pre existing respiratory problems may be aggravated but asthma is very common in Indonesia also Hay fever is common

Water:
- Do not drink tap water anywhere in Indonesia.
- Bottled water is widely available and should be used for drinking, tooth brushing and for a final rinse after washing fruit and vegetables

Food:
- Most foods are available
- Fruit and vegetables are of reasonable quality
- Meat and fish from public markets should generally be avoided
- Supermarkets offer much higher food handling standards

Restaurant:
- Many restaurants have acceptable hygiene standards in Jakarta. These standards can vary daily and with food type irrespective of the quality of the restaurant or hotel
- Roadside food stalls should be avoided especially Padang food stalls
- Shellfish, snails and uncooked fish should not be eaten.

Departure Stage, Living In Jakarta

2008-09-26T14:26:00.010+07:00

Stage Of Jakarta Life: Departure Stage

This is the period leading to final departure from Jakarta. This stage merges with the Consolidation Stage for some time with the overlapping period apparently varying with the length of time in Jakarta. It ends with a rush for pack up!

Anticipation:

This is a time of heightened anticipation of return to the familiar and a return to real or imagined greater material and physical comfort. Of interest is the list of things missed -usually just trivia rather than items of substance. Increased food choice is commonly mentioned. It is important to realise this high expectation should be tempered with the reality and difficulties of reintegration at home but that is another story.

Stresses:
This Departure Stage is a curious mixture of good and bad. Many people experience increased agitation with future job concerns paramount. Increased criticism of policies, institutions and personnel or Indonesian culture is frequent with occasional overt expressions of verbal hostility. Expressed irritability and annoyance with perceived trivia or "we have seen all of that before here" is common.

Groups:
During this time differences in the cultural background and personality requirements of the various social and professional groups may no longer be repressed and produce more incompatibility among work associates.
Arguments are still rare: Members know hostility may have temporary cathartic value but they still have to work with the same people tomorrow. The reverse also applies where there has been good rapport. Tolerance continues or increases as "I'll be gone soon anyhow" and the relationship is preserved for possible future contact. Commonly some members withdraw further into their group and show considerable disinterest in meeting and associating with new arrivals.

The Farewell Speech:
Much suppressed hostility is transferred to frequent compositions of your Farewell Speech: You will really tell all and sundry what you think about the place and them. Rarely does that eventuate which is good. Unmasking your true feelings about institutions and people is usually unhelpful and it is just possible that your unkind or harsh opinions will be well and truly reciprocated.

More commonly farewell speeches reflect the basic goodness and humility common to most Jakarta expatriates. You are genuinely sorry to be leaving despite your protestations to the contrary. Friends and colleagues are genuinely sorry to see you go. You will leave a gap.

Spare a thought for your Section Head. He may be very sorry to be losing you! Equally he may well seem more hassled and distant than usual. It is a time of frustration and unrest for those responsible for replacing staff and planning ahead.

Staff busily winding down at work with future plans uppermost in their minds do not make it any easier to run a department especially when the Section Head has his own work, personal and family objectives to meet. A positive side to this stage is that the prospect of departure does spur some to complete unfinished projects.

Generally the Departure Stage is a busy time, happy and sad, full of preparations, packing and farewells. There are the regrets of leaving and the premature mourning for the anticipated loss of friends and the good times. It is the end of another era in your life.

Consolidation Stage, Living In Jakarta, Part 3

2008-09-26T13:32:00.004+07:00

Stage Of Jakarta Life: Consolidation Stage

Consolidation Stage Part 3

Loyalty:

For a happy community it is essential to give loyalty to your group, your family and to yourself. Experienced the same personal tensions and inadequacies as you have so help ease their load by your support.

Introspection:

The Consolidation Stage is often a time of useful contemplation and introspection while you are sitting under a coconut tree quietly having your mid life crisis. If you are not happy in Jakarta by now then the root cause may well be dissatisfaction with your profession or your responsibilities.

Now is a useful time to plan a career change or weigh up the pros and cons of a change. If the cause of your unhappiness in Jakarta is a relationship problem with your partner a posting to Jakarta will almost certainly aggravate that problem. It is then time to consider your options.

If you still feel desperately unhappy after a few months you should seriously decide whether Jakarta is really for you. Perhaps you should return to your home country before your contract expires. Not liking Jakarta does not mean you are a failure. Far from it. You may be somebody who functions extremely well socially and professionally in a smaller embassy or in a European country or in a post with problems more in keeping with your cultural preferences or your professional skills. Being able to recognise that and admit it is in itself a real achievement.

If you were lonely or dissatisfied before coming to Jakarta then you are likely to experience the same in Jakarta. A complicated Jakarta lifestyle does not provide immunity from emotional disturbance or unhappiness.

Consolidation Stage, Living In Jakarta Part 2

2008-09-26T13:22:00.004+07:00

Stage Of Jakarta Life:

Consolidation Stage Part 2

Tension Release:

The release of tension built up during this Consolidation Stage is by some or all of the following:

Gossip:

The greatest obstacle to a happy and well adjusted group is the difference in cultural and intellectual levels of its members. Some would say an even more significant obstacle is intolerance to those differences. Of necessity group conversation centres around topics that can be discussed by all. These topics are so often other community members. Popular also are Office, the parents at school, the teachers and then back to Office. According to popular Jakarta urban philosophy if your section is not being talked about then you must be doing a good job.

We all like to have an occasional grumble in response to some vague sense of dissatisfaction about things generally. It is a simple and usually safe way of letting off steam but gossip can be hurtful, damaging, grossly inaccurate and a blow to morale.

It is far better for dissatisfaction to be deflected to a vague impersonal distant organization which cannot fight back anyway rather than to a community member. Gossip damages relationships, destroys trust and brings misery to those unable to see it for what it is. With gossip you should remember you may not be in possession of all of the facts when criticising a decision or policy. It is just possible that you are wrong.
To help reduce gossip levels ensure you are involved in a spread of activities with a range of people to help create other talking points. Get involved in an executive capacity in one of the clubs in place Jakarta.
Be tolerant of minor imperfections or upsets in the system. Keep in mind there are special difficulties with supplies, communications and organization in Jakarta.
Do it yourself rather than repeat "wouldn't you think someone. would.....".

Food Needs
Food is often a gratification for tension expression and a psychological compensation for other deprivations in Jakarta. Weight gain is common in Jakarta –often a 10kg post. Adequate and appropriate food choice is essential for emotional gratification hence the role of and common discussion of the restaurants, supermarkets and domestic cooks in Jakarta is important.
Residents with particular food interests or uncommon dietary preferences may be particularly irritated by the reasonable but restricted food choice.

Alcohol
Alcohol can be a great tension reliever. Its consumption is a social oil. Alcohol can be one of the pleasures of a civilized society. It is an important source of weight gain. The consumption of alcohol in Jakarta is quite significant.

The opportunity, availability and temptation to drink alcohol is very high and more so in those who attend many embassy functions. If you have an alcohol problem then Jakarta may not be the place for you.

Consolidation Stage, Living In Jakarta, Part 1

2008-09-26T13:17:00.005+07:00

Stage Of Jakarta Life:

Consolidation Stage Part 1

After a variable time of perhaps seven to twelve months in Jakarta you will become much more settled. By this time your social needs and the mutual interdependence among your group members for esteem and affection have largely been met. The group dynamics have reached equilibrium. You will be more settled, probably quite content and optimistically looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Your Work

You will probably produce your best work professionally and socially during the Consolidation Stage. Work in its broadest context of paid and unpaid work will assume special significance as some familiar past roles such as Apex Club member, Church member, School Council member have been eliminated.

Your committed work input will be very important to you and to the community as the effectiveness and accomplishment of your section depends on the input of its individual members. It is very important for your self esteem to know that your section or any other department is perceived by the larger Jakarta community to be an efficient progressive group. That can only happen with your work input and commitment.

Intellectual Inertia:
Surprisingly a general lack of interest in the outside world usually develops during the Consolidation Stage. Some people sense this loss of interest developing during the Let-Down Stage. There may well be extra curricular intellectual inertia also: Those plans to learn the Indonesian language, to learn to play a musical instrument, intentions to complete your degree and so on all come to very little.

Often your reading is even of a lower order than usual. Note this inertia will be in contrast to your job performance. Intellectual inertia outside your professional duties may be related to exposure to the prolonged "sameness" of faces, of personalities, a limited social milieu and a relatively simple routine of life. Part of the reason in Jakarta for this intellectual inertia is undoubtedly the frantic social pace.

Perspective
There may be some loss of sense of proportion and perspective shown by a tendency to become unduly preoccupied by trifles, prone to petty annoyances, loss of relativity, inappropriate perception of advertent or inadvertent slights, an increased penchant for contention, mildly overt anti-authoritarianism, undue sensitivity about rights and privileges and the need to take immediate aggressive action in response to grievances either real, imagined or both.

Try to retain some balance. If you find you are still getting upset try to remind yourself that in reality the stakes for you in Jakarta are so small.

Let Down Stage Part 3, Living In Jakarta

2008-09-26T13:05:00.006+07:00

Stage Of Jakarta Life: The Let-Down Stage

The Let-Down Stage Part3

The Causes of the Problems Part 2:

The difficulties and challenges you will experience during this Let-Down Stage are due to:

Monotony of the Social and Cultural Jakarta Milieu

You may well experience the Gaol Sentence Syndrome : Everything is all new and exciting for the first few weeks but with a jolt you realise today is exactly the same as yesterday. Suddenly you feel extremely bored and alone, you wonder about the future. You may then quietly take out your calendar and count up the exact number of days until you leave Jakarta. Again be reassured this feeling will pass.
Lack of employment opportunities for partners justifiably becomes a common complaint at his stage. Sitting under a coconut tree all day or playing golf everyday slowly loses its attraction, becomes monotonous and the brain demands to be used. This simply emphasises the need for mental stimulation.

Absence of Accustomed Sources of Emotional Gratification
Normally we are surrounded by an atmosphere of known things in which we live and work. Beyond that stretches the unknown and its consequent primitive fears and superstitions. Suddenly the comfort and reassurance of your family and friends, your own home, your tennis club or the lots of Club is not there.

Jakarta is largely but certainly not totally a classless society. Any privileges or recognition normally received in normal urban life in your home country should not be expected in Jakarta. That affects everybody's ego. The Jones you may have had to keep up with have been left far behind. The new people you meet will probably be completely unaware of your past achievements and if they are they may in all innocence not rank them as highly as in your home country.
People in Jakarta are judged more by their job proficiency and social contribution than by past successes or status.

Isolation:
The sense of isolation is increased by a number of deprivations such as lack of female or male company for singles, lack of some comforts and luxuries, lack of food variety and lack of daily contact with a wide range of different people and especially the lack of family and friends when you feel down. The lack of home country news, lack of news relevant to your particular sporting interest or local interest exacerbates isolation effects. Week old newspapers are not quite the same.

Isolation is most troublesome when you are sick or when there has been some problem back home which seemingly would best be resolved if you were actually there.
Night time is the worst time for worrying but as the sun rises in the morning you will realise the situation is not so bad after all: That brain tumour you suspected you had last night has suddenly got better! You will cope with isolation but be patient.

Group Acceptance Problems
Work similarities and the importance of peer group comparisons for performance evaluation bring people together. Do not be surprised if you are not totally accepted socially into an employment group different from your own. If you are not accepted remember a dogmatic, hostile and argumentative person rapidly becomes the focus of disagreement within and between groups. Nobody wants that person in their group.

Alternately you may voluntarily withdraw from a group if you decide your values and aspirations are not compatible with the group: The members of a group might be heavy drinkers but you are not so you wisely withdraw. Consequently you may suddenly feel very lonely and wonder what is wrong with you. Differences in value systems always occur and Jakarta is no exception. This is a good time to recall that self esteem and social esteem in Jakarta largely depends on doing a good job.

Despite your feelings you are not going mad. Psychiatric breakdown usually occurs in the first few weeks in isolated communities! The Let-Down Stage is the worst time in Jakarta. Be strongly reassured it does run its course. Try to use it is a period of useful learning experiences for future postings. It does lead to better times. You will leave this phase behind to enjoy the rapidly diminishing time you have left in Jakarta.

Let Down Stage Part 2, Living In Jakarta

2008-09-26T12:50:00.008+07:00

Stage Of Jakarta Life: The Let-Down Stage

The Let-Down Stage Part 2

The Causes of the Problems: The difficulties and challenges you will experience during this Let-Down Stage are due to:

The Need for You to Adjust to the place Jakarta Expat Community

This makes serious demands on your adaptive resources. You face the task of developing new attachments in the community as well as mourning the loss of the old. You find there are so many new people to identify and to locate in their place in this new world of Jakarta. You will meet many people from different European, American and Asian backgrounds all with different professional and private hopes and aspirations as well as strong political, cultural and ethical differences from your own. You will be untried in Jakarta and so under scrutiny. Will you match up?.

Jakarta way of doing things will also be different from what you are used to.
You may well be told this is just the way it is in Jakarta. Most reasonable people experience strain from such a response.

Remember that psychological adjustment is related to and to personal characteristics. At the environment level problems occur due to separation from accustomed surroundings, the demands of small community living, dependence on groups and subordination to authority. This creates tensions and conflicts more difficult to avoid than in normal urban life.

Personal characteristics and behaviours are determined by heredity, character structure, previous experience, current pre-occupations and in a general way behavioural propensities based upon custom and habit.
Overall, being satisfied or dissatisfied in a new environment is more a product of state of mind than of the immediate external environment.

Adjusting to the Indonesian society
Initially you may have an intense desire to comprehend the differences in this new host culture. Slowly you will often begin to experience frustration at the way Indonesian people act or approach some task: They drive in a different style to many of us, they have few traffic rules, they are not as regimented as many western societies, they are rarely in a hurry, they do not easily get upset by problems, they practise a very different religion and so on. It is of nil surprise that things are not done the same way as in your home country. That is a very large part of the positive experience of living in another country. You may even become more tolerant.

A very old civilisation such as Indonesia has slowly evolved socially to develop those norms of behaviour which best suit their people and which best avoid unnecessary social conflict. The easiest way to cope with these cultural frustrations is to remember the Indonesian way is not wrong, it is simply different. More likely the Indonesian way of doing things may very well be the best way.

Be patient. It may take a year or more to integrate and develop your own relevant coping mechanisms for the ambiguity, value conflicts and hidden clashes you find in this new society and culture. Those who find ways to communicate across cultural barriers rather than retreat into an enclave of like minded expats will make the most successful adaptation to life in Jakarta.

The Let-Down Stage Part 1, Living In Jakarta:

2008-09-26T12:41:00.008+07:00

The Difficulties:

After a few months in Jakarta most people will experience an increase in anxiety as the Excitement Stage merges into this new Let-Down Stage. Although your newness has largely worn off this is still a time of very rapid change and adaptation to new work and social pressures. Anyone entering a new phase in life will always be under some stress.

This is the most difficult stage in Jakarta characterised by homesickness, boredom, loneliness, confusion and transient mental or behavioural disturbances of minor significance.
The non stop and overt in your face security everywhere as well as Travel Advisories and other security warnings and advice may now be having their effect. Family and friends at home may be adding to that tension: Why do you bother being in Indonesia especially with your family they ask when it is so dangerous? You may ponder the same question.

The usual driver, domestic staff issues and minor household crises may really be bugging you by now and especially troubling your partner who faces that problem alone all day at home.

Health:
You may notice a deterioration in many things: In your job performance, relations with other work members and family, response to authority and emotional adjustment.
You will particularly notice an increase in health problems both real and imagined. Don't be surprised if you notice sleeping problems, headaches, vague abdominal pain, and an increased consumption of food and alcohol.

You will begin to have doubts about your health.

You will worry about your health and start asking yourself the questions:
- What happens if I have an accident?
- What happens if the children are sick?
Be reassured any health problems experienced by you or family or friends visiting Jakarta will be taken care of easily and completely.

The Excitement Stage, Living In Jakarta

2008-09-26T12:32:00.006+07:00

Arrival:

This is the start of your personal reaction to change. You will inevitably experience Culture Shock which just means the adjustment process everybody goes through when they move to a new country, a new culture or just return to their home country. This Excitement Stage is similar to a Honeymoon Period.

While anxiously and excitedly preparing to move to Jakarta everybody has a preconceived mental objective of what they will achieve professionally and personally. Hopes and aspirations are often set unrealistically high but that is of no concern. Everybody also has another mental image of the exotic travel brochure Asian city possibly reinforced by your arrival flight over the countryside and city. The reality is different from the anticipation but the excitement of arrival allows you to ignore the crowded airport terminal, the long wait for luggage and those parts of the city obviously in need of a facelift.

Depression is the last thing on your mind. You are met and made welcome. Your professional peer group is genuinely interested in a new face. You appreciate the boost to your ego as you graciously overlook the car and accommodation which may be different from your usual standards but which are clearly more than just adequate. Keep in mind that in the Antarctic it has been shown that psychological adjustment problems to isolation appear to increase with greater physical comfort. Nobody is suggesting you should live in a grass hut in Jakarta. You will be enthusiastically determined to do well, be successful, be tolerant and not be concerned with trivia such as cars and accommodation. You may realise that more effective pre departure planning would have been very useful to you and your family.

Be Yourself:
During this Excitement Stage it is important to display your usual personality. A change to more outgoing, attention seeking behaviour often associated with excessive alcohol consumption followed by a reversion to your normal personality unsettles the adoptive/acceptance mechanisms of your peers. Such behaviour often simply reflects natural exuberance and optimism. Equally it may reflect insecurity after realising the inherent isolation and geographical restrictions of Jakarta.

Maintain your own private identity as best you can while you wait for your personal effects to be delivered. Don't arrive in Jakarta just with suitcase in hand. Bring a few personal items and familiar possessions with you such as a favourite ornament or a photo of your dog. It is especially important for your children's security to have several familiar toys with them while they are settling in.

Social Groups:
Initial social attractions will generally arise from previous common work or social experience. During this time your closest social relationships are initially formed between those with similar duties eg. Teachers will associate with teachers. You may well find there is eventually over-identification with one another in these groups. The initial relationship may then weaken as minor perceived character imperfections change from minor blemishes to warts.

Climate:
The heat and high relative humidity may affect you adversely. You may be very tired and lethargic with any activity, particularly physical activity, being a real drain. Human beings are distressed by changes in climate: Initially they are inefficient but over time that improves. Part of this adaptation is behavioural and physiological but part is emotional or psychological as you become accustomed to your new environment. These climatic effects are worse in those who are new to these hot tropical conditions. Your body will slowly adapt. Be reassured your lethargy will fade.
Prolonged spells of wet weather adversely affect the whole community. The Wet Season can be a long grind for some people. Much Jakarta entertainment is indoors so communal depression lifts when the sun shines. A day of some outdoor physical activity is remarkably therapeutic.

End of the Excitement Stage
After about three to four months you will notice the fascination and excitement of your new surroundings is waning. The Excitement Stage or Honeymoon Period is gradually coming to an end.
You will have realised by the end of the Excitement Stage that to be an effective person in Jakarta you need three essential components: Job motivation, Emotional stability and Social compatibility.

During the Excitement Stage you will have enjoyed Jakarta and savoured its many delights. Your children will have settled in quickly. These weeks will have been spent enthusiastically exploring the city and taking multiple photos of the tourist sites. You may even have worked out how and where to buy household essentials. Most of all you will have thoroughly enjoyed this stage.

Living in Jakarta it's like Heaven

2008-09-26T12:25:00.006+07:00

Living in Jakarta:

is 80% Heaven and 20% Hell.

My concern and yours is with the 20%.

While in Jakarta if you have ever felt lonely, bored, frustrated, envious, rejected, inadequate, unwanted, cynical or depressed then welcome to the club: You are perfectly normal as everyone else who has lived in Jakarta has experienced some or all of those emotions. Such mood changes are temporary and of no consequence. Should the mood changes persist or become troublesome to you or to your family then seek professional help.

Inevitably there will be problems when a small group of people of varying interests and backgrounds is thrown together in close personal association and isolated from their mainstream home country society for a year or more.

The following information and personal assessment of Jakarta living is to give you an understanding of why life in Jakarta causes these difficulties and how to deal with those difficulties more effectively.

You will see on reflection that most of what follows is largely nothing new to you.
Most importantly remember we are only dealing with the 20%.

Some Do's and Don'ts Living In Jakarta

2008-01-30T17:15:00.004+07:00

You have read the theory so what do you do now? Hopefully some of the following suggestions will help smoothe your time in Jakarta and maybe at your next posting as well:

- Be a Considerate Replacement:

When you arrive bear small gifts and not big boots. Allow time for the disengagement of the old and the engagement of the new.

- Prevent Boredom:
There has to be sufficient food for the mind to last throughout your term in Indonesia. Personal and community development is very possible in Jakarta.

- Settle Personal Relationships Before You Arrive:
Jakarta will strengthen stable relationships. It will devastate flawed relationships.

- Set Personal Goals and Work Towards Them:
Make the goals realistic and attainable.
Don't aim too high. Make the goals dependant on self-motivation.

- Keep In Touch With Home:
Your family and friends will retain a genuine interest in you and it makes readjustment easier when you finally return home.

- Join In Group Activities:
It is fun, useful and brings people together.
Good club secretaries are always in demand.

- Aim For Team Work:
We all need time to be alone but we all need the support of others

- Show Tolerance:
Avoid being argumentative. Be tolerant of different opinions and attitudes.

- Be Positive:
You started on a positive note so continue and finish on a positive note. Focus on the positive contributions of others.

- Don't Get Depressed:
Everyone gets dispirited occasionally.
Recognise it for what it is but don't worry about it.
Try a new activity.

- Don't drown your sorrow in alcohol or food

- FINALLY:
Again recall we are basically concerned with the 20%
To answer a question sometimes asked: The incidence of significant mental upsets of any type in Jakarta is no worse than in other place generally.

The positive effects of a time in Jakarta overwhelm the negative effects: You will have more self discipline, greater adaptability, more tolerance, more understanding of self and more understanding of the other person and other cultures.

It will have been a positive, memorable experience thoroughly enjoyed by you but even more so by your children. You will have had a broadened experience and a sense of adventure.

Most importantly of all you will have had something experienced by relatively few expatriats - the privilege of having lived in Jakarta.