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Kesempatan kedua berbuka puasa bersama di kediaman ibu Mari E. Pangestu. Jumat 10 Agt 2012. Sebelumnya juga diundang buka bersama tahun lalu. 

Other stories worth noting

The Joy of Missing Out

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I’ve been seriously considering deleting all social media apps from my phone. Lately, I feel like I’m consuming too many “snacks” (i.e. mindless scrolling through feeds) instead of enjoying “real food” like reading in‑depth articles or engaging in deep thinking. Social media has become a buffet of bite‑sized distractions that leave me feeling hungry for something more substantial. Back in 2000, when I first embraced the internet through mIRC chat rooms and blog posts, the online world felt like a safe haven. Only a few could afford to use it, mostly educated and curious people who valued thoughtful discussion. The barrier to entry was high, and that created a community of like‑minded individuals who were genuinely interested in ideas and exchange. Today, that barrier has collapsed. Everyone uses the internet, but rarely with conscience, and while smartphones are smarter than ever, genuine curiosity seems in short supply. The viral nature of social media is both mesmerizing and terrifyi...
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Grit Behind Glory

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Being the co-initiator of StartupLokal Community since April 2010, I’ve had the honor of witnessing the unpredictable rhythm of startup life up close. I’ve personally seen how startup founders dream, build, soar, crash, recover, and reinvent.  It’s never linear, it’s rarely easy. But it’s always inspiring. I didn’t just watch from the sidelines; I helped connect them, and I carry these founders’ journeys like pages of a living book. If conventional businesses age like humans, startups age like cats. What takes a traditional business 30 years to mature, a startup might live through in just five. For context: a one-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a 15-year-old human. By the time a cat turns 10, it’s considered a senior, like a human in their 60s. Similarly, startups that make it to 10 years are practically legends. Many don’t even survive past year three. So when I see a startup hit a decade milestone, I know it’s nothing short of miraculous. That’s why I was grateful to join ...
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Let’s Walk and Talk

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What started as a simple invite: “let’s go for a walk near my place”, turned into a small, happy gathering. Rhein jumped on board, said it’s one of the nicest parks around, and invited Vio, Jo, Steph, and Hendra.  So there we were, walking and chatting like it was the most natural way to start a Saturday. It wasn’t about steps or fitness goals, just a chance to be present together and talk about life while moving our feet.  We began from private botanic garden, and made our way to a public city park. The air wasn’t exactly fresh, but the company made it easy to ignore that. Somewhere in the middle, we stopped by a café owned by a fellow founder. Ordered drinks, sat around, and just talked. No agenda. No fancy brunch. Just coffee and beer, conversations, and the kind of back-and-forth that fills you up more than food ever could.  Our topics jumped everywhere: startup pains, parenting stories, school choices, house repairs, health hacks. Nothing was off limits, nothing was ...
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From Porcelain Throne to Super VIP Room

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Woke up at 4:45 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep because, well… the mules were kicking. Ended up spending quality time on my porcelain throne (as one does) until my youngest left for school with Daddy as the driver. Then it was time to teach my mom how to use my kitchen gadgets: the dishwasher , Coway water filter , electric kettle , electric egg boiler , sinkgard food waste disposer , digital slow cooker & steamer,   electric lighter , multifunction rice cooker , and of course my beloved mini retro oven air fryer . After fixing her breakfast, I went for another “meditation” session in the toilet because the earlier one was unfinished business. Wrapped up just as my husband got back, and then had breakfast with Mom. But nope, round two wasn’t enough. Chili and fried snacks from yesterday decided to remind me why I’m supposed to be having my appendix removed soon. Still, can you blame me? They were delicious :p By the third round, I was finally done. Told my daughter to cook wi...
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Stone-Free, Heart-Full

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Last night I slept like a baby at the hospital. Woke up feeling fresh, and no toilet struggles this morning. First win of the day! Around 7 a.m., I emerged from the bathroom to find my mom and my in-laws already there. They’d left their house at 5:30 a.m., picked up my mom on the way, and arrived bright and early.   Today’s main event was ESWL treatment to blast my kidney stones into dust. It was supposed to happen at 8 a.m., then moved to 9 a.m., and finally got pushed to 11 a.m. because my doctor had another procedure. Which meant the parents had been there for hours, and I got to nap on and off like a cat waiting for dinner. But maybe that delay was divine scheduling. Just minutes before the nurse came to take me in, my pastor arrived to pray for me in person. He drove 40–50 kilometers to be there. That’s not just kind, it’s humbling. Thank you, Pak Pendeta. And earlier, another “pastor” (in quotes because she’s actually my friend Detha) prayed for me over the phone. Add in the ...
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