“Apa Kabar, Pasar Tradisional?”

Oleh: Mega Aisyah Nirmala

Sekarang ini pasar modern seperti mal dan supermarket muncul bak jamur di musim hujan, begitu masif. Merebaknya pasar modern ini tentu saja memberikan dampak yang sangat besar bagi pasar tradisional.

Mautidakmau,konsumenpasartradisional harus tersedot oleh pasar modern tersebut. Akibatnya, kiprah pasar tradisional dalam kancah perekonomian kian surut dan para pelaku di dalamnya kian tenggelam. Dibanding pasar tradisional, pasar modern menawarkan tempat yang lebih bersih dan tertata, barang yang lengkap,dan jam buka yang panjang. Pertimbanganpertimbangan itulah yang membuat sebagian besar masyarakat memilih pasar modern untuk berbelanja.

Padahal, tidak jarang pasar tradisional menawarkan harga yang jauh lebih murah ketimbang pasar modern. Namun, tetap saja pasar tradisional tidak dilirik oleh sebagian besar masyarakat.Fenomena ini tentu saja mengusik dan harus ada upaya yang sinergis antara pemerintah, pelaku pasar tradisional, dan kita,masyarakat Indonesia, demi kelangsungan hidup pasar tradisional.

Baru-baru ini terdengar kabar akan digalakkannya pembatasan pembangunan supermarket oleh pemerintah daerah di tempat saya tinggal. Waktu yang sangat tepat untuk menghentikan pembangunan supermarket saat mereka ‘telah’ berada di antero jagat. Sungguh disayangkan selama ini kebijakan-kebijakan pemerintah umumnya tidak tegas dan selalu terlambat. Selain itu,kucuran dana yang pemerintah berikan pada pasar tradisional juga belum digunakan secara tepat.

Sarana dan prasarana pasar tradisional terus dibangun, namun tidak didukung dengan pengembangan sumber daya manusianya–– dalam hal ini adalah para pedagang. Bagaimanapun pedagang adalah kunci utama sebuah pasar bisa berkembang. Pemerintah seharusnya memberikan perhatian khusus kepada para pedagang melalui sentuhan pendidikan atau semacamnya agar mereka mampu mengelola pasar dan mengembangkan usahanya.

Bagaimanapun pasar tradisional merupakan sandaran hidup berjuta-juta masyarakat Indonesia yang harus terus berkiprah.Pemerintah dan para pelaku pasar tradisional harus berbenah demi merebut kembali kejayaan pasar tradisional. Selanjutnya adalah kita, sudah selayaknya dukungan dan keberpihakan kepada para pelaku marjinal di pasar tradisional kita berikan.

Kesadaran untuk peduli dan membangun pasar tradisional harus sudah kita tanamkan dalam diri kita. Berbelanja di pasar tradisional adalah salah satu bentuk kepedulian, dukungan,dan keberpihakan kita terhadap pasar tradisional. Ya, ada banyak kebaikan dengan berbelanja di pasar tradisional.

Tahun 2011 baru saja digantikan oleh tahun 2012, tantangan bagi bangsa Indonesia akan semakin berat, bukan semakin ringan.Satu individu mungkin tidak akan mengubah nasib pasar tradisional, tapi saat setiap individu berjalan bersama,majunya pasar-pasar tradisional adalah sebuah keniscayaan.

-Published in Seputar Indonesia-

 

Please Keep Smoking

Written by Mega Ai

About two or three years ago, I wrote an article about I hate smoker. Some of my friends who are smokers didn’t really like what I wrote of course. Hehe. My opinion about smoker stay the same until today. However, I don’t hate the people, I just don’t like when they are smoking. That’s all.

I never really get the answer why people keep smoking while they consiously know that smoking is killing. I just do not understand why. Well, let’s just skip this, there won’t be a satisfying answer about this. Hehe.

Long time ago, when I went out with friends, when they started smoking, I always asked them to stay away, as far as they could. Or if I went somewhere, I will stay away from the people who smoke. But as the time goes by, I kinda tired and bored of doing the same thing over and over again. Until one day in the past, I just didn’t care anymore when people started smoking in front of me. I know I am stupid for letting them smoking around me. But I really have no idea anymore. They are adult, they understand well about the consequences for themselves and for us, as the passive smoker. People, I don’t ask you to stop smoking, never. I just need your understanding, is it too difficult for not smoking in front of us or at least stay away when you are smoking? Anyway, smoking is your choice, but please, don’t involve us in a danger situation with a tiny dangerous thing called cigarrete.

So for you who smoke, PLEASE KEEP SMOKING IN FRONT US if you really don’t care about us and the people you love.

this picture adopted from 2.bp.blogspot.com

“There is nothing to lose,” he said.

Written by Mega Ai

I have a story about a friend, a new friend actually. I met him about two months ago for the first time. He is an attractive man in my opinion. He is always happy and make people happy. I like the way he talks to me and moreover, the way he mocks me. He always able to make me feel ashamed but really happy.

He is still young, but very mature in many perspectives. In these two months, I’ve learned a lot from him, about many things. About the history he told me, about sports, about arts, and many others I still remember. But, there is one thing whether he realizes it or not, affects me very much. I am affected by his characteristic which tends to simplifly things. He hates to complicate things. I don’t want him to hate me because of complicating things. Therefore, I am trying to learn how to simplify things that I have to face in my life. It’s not always easy to think and act simply, but yeah, I finally can make it. At least I feel that I made it in some aspects.

Sometimes, I am thinking too much before or after doing something. Sometimes, I am worried too much about things which might not gonna happen in the future. There are so many unnecessary considerations in my life which I actually don’t need it. I should not be this way. My friend said, if you want to do something, as far as it is something possitive, just do it. Make it all the things easy, this way you will find your life easier and more beatiful. Well, he is right about this case. He always said to me, “Just lighten your heart and your mind, there is nothing to lose just to do a thing in this life,”. I’ve noted it inside of my head.

Thank you for giving me such a good influence toward my life. ^_^

this picture adopted from sailespiritu.blogspot.com

I am Falling in Love Sometimes,,, ;)

Written by Mega Ai

“There is no perfect man,,, and love his imperfection is actually what I want,,,”

Couple weeks ago, I met some old friends in middle and high school. Some issues comes up between us are mostly about study, job, and boyfriend. Hehe. Many of them are about to finish their study, just like me. Some others have got a good job. Some others are continuing their study. Some others are married and some other friends are planning to get married within one or two years. Most of them are having a serious relationship with their boyfriend right now. The topic about boyfriend is being the hottest issue at that time. Girls! Haha. Well, but it’s really sweet to listen to their love story. I haven’t had any story about boyfriend but I told them that I am falling in love sometimes. Hehe.

You know what I am thinking about them? They are just too fast to step on to the next level of their life. But wait, is it them who are too fast or is it me who is too late to think about it? Oh, I really never think about it.

My friend ever said to me that I am too young to think about love. Well, I guess he is right. My age will just turn into 23 in the next few months. I feel that I am just too young to think about love while I still need plenty of time to study and to prepare for my future.

But yeah, I am falling in love sometimes. It might not be sweet story like what my friends have with their boyfriends. But I am glad to have this memory and share with them. The first time, I fell in love to the right person, but not in the right time since he is in a relationship with another girl. The second time, I fell in love to the ‘wrong’ person but really in the right time. We have different nationality, religion, and everything. It will be hard for us, so we should not going. Those are the stories and I want the next story will be different.

And the reason why I wrote this. I want people know, not having a relationship doesn’t mean that I am not falling in love or I am finding a perfect man or alike. I just remember what my friend said, she asked me to love an ordinary man extraordinarily. I love her words and I will do. She just need to know that I am not in a relationship with anyone not because I want the extraordinary or perfect man. There is no perfect man in this world and love his imperfection is actually what I want. I just want to meet the right man in the right time. So, when the right time is coming, I want the right man is coming to me. ^_^

PS: my sister said that the perfect thing is when you can love a man with all his imperfections

I only wanna hold your hand,,, (sorry, terrible drawing! )

Let’s just Try to Create a Saving Culture

Written by Mega Ai

Couple days ago, I met and had a conversation with some close friends. You know what were we talking about? We were talking about money, more specifically, we were talking about saving money. All of us have a problem with saving money. None of us can save any money in the end of the month. What a pity!

Well, August 31, 2011 was my last day to be a freelance writer. What does that mean? That means, there is no monthly income anymore and there is no saving money anymore. The sallary isn’t that big, but at least it’s enough to fulfill my personal expenses. And having my own income is one of the achievements I have done because I do not need to receive any money from my parents anymore. Anyway, I need the money but I really really got bored with the jobs. I need a rest for a while. And now, I am receiving the monthly money again from my parents. What an embarasssing!

After a long conversation, we concluded that we have a big expenses in certain aspects, therefore, we need to cut it down. Example, one friend has a big expenses to buy clothes for example is t-shirt, shirt, skirt, and such stuffs. Another friend has a big expenses in spending balance/credit for cellular phone, such as internet access, texting, and calling. And I, always have a big expenses to buy such snacks, like ice cream, cake, chocolate, cheaps, and stuffs. It’s really hard for us not to buy the things we loved since we always have a big desire about it. The desire is always there, but not all the desires have to be fulfilled, right? The worse is those stuffs are not such kind of urgent things! We HAVE TO learn to save the money. We HAVE TO be more humble or economical or simple in life. So, we decide to create a saving culture. It doesn’t have to be a large amount of money for the beginning, we just need to be consistent with a small amount of money in every end of month. Hopefully, starting this month, we can be consistent to save our money.

If we look at the people around us. We’ll see how hard they struggle for their life and their family. How hard people work just to fulfill the needs of rice. How hard people work to pay the school and stuffs. We shouldn’t be arrogant and try to live simply humble. What do you think?

this picture is adopted from 3.bp.blogspot.com

Behind the Scene of Our “Cermin Dua Sisi” the Movie (part 2)

Written by Mega Aisyah Nirmala

It’s gonna be long reading,,, I hope you won’t fall asleep,,,

As you know, we are now making such kind of short movie which is about 30-45 minutes entitled “Cermin Dua Sisi” for the celebration of our organization and other purposes. In this article, I “still” won’t discuss about the story of the movie. I will discuss later on though. Right now, I want to write down what I have in mind about the people involved in this movie.

There are seven characters in this movie. Instead of describing each character in details, I will just describe them at a glance. The first character is Badai who is acted by Arif Atmaja. Badai is 22 years old. He is typical easy going man, smart, visionary man, and so on. He is an urban person. The second is Rojak who is acted by Muhammad Faizal. He is a Betawi man, 21 years old, humorous, and open minded. The third is Meyda who is acted by Hemas Dea Suryanina. She is 22 years old, smart, energetic, open minded, and so on. She is a Javanese who were born in Sumatra. Those three characters are in one side. The forth is Damar who is acted by M Lukman Sofyan. Damar is 23 years old. He is typical smart guy, quite strict & birocratic, and difficult to accept changes or innovation. He is originally from Jogjakarta. The fifth is Aang who is acted by Ade Fajar Nugraha. He is 22 years old, typical forgetful and inconsistent person but he is solutive and has briliant ideas. He is a Sundanese. The sixth character is Fira. She is 21 years old. She is typical girl with blandness, smart, very cautious, and so on. She is from Solo (Central Java). I act as Fira in this movie. These three characters are in the same side. The seventh as the last is Andri who is acted by Muhammad Fauzan Al-Asyiq. He is typical smart, solutive, and wise person.

Well, it’s my personal opinion toward each person involved in this movie project. No one is perfect. If you see only the good things here, doesn’t mean that they don’t have weaknesses in my eyes. I just wanna make it this way. I will let them know personally if they want to know their weaknesses. But overall, their strength is a lot more dominant than their weaknesses for sure!

The first is Arif Atmaja. I’ve known this guy since the first time I joined this organization in the first year of my study. We’ve been friend for quite long anyway. He is just one year above me. He is really nice, caring, patient, and funny. He is also very wise, you know, he is kind of good brother I guess. And, if you have a bad mood, you can just take a look at his face, he will help you laughing or at least smiling. Hahaha. His acting is really impressive. I never know he is good on acting. And, thank you, Mas! for always giving me spirit for the whole process in this movie making! Your words means a lot to me. He finished his study in our university but I often seen him around in campus. What the hell he is doing??? I have no idea,,, hahaha,,,

The second is Muhammad Faizal. I have the same academic year with him, just different major of study. I also know this guy since I joined this organization in the first year of my study. Since we’re different division in organization we didn’t have a lot of contacts. I thought he is typical kind of shy, calm, and such stuff person. But after spending quite sometimes together. I just realized that I am wrong. He is really nice, easy going, responsible, and funny. I just can’t believe he is just so fun! He is doing the character in the movie greatly. I never know he is really good on acting too.

The third is Hemas Dea Suryanina. She is not only a pretty girl, but she is a beautiful girl. She impressed me with her blandness, kindhearted, and her steadiness toward her religion. I am older than her, but I should learn from her how to behave as a good religion follower. Yes, that’s true. Because of her behaviour, she looks very mature. I don’t really know her before since I am done with this organization when she is coming in. Furthermore, she impressed me on how she is doing excellently on acting in this movie. Anyway, I got impressed about her and I should learn a lot from her.

The forth is M Lukman Sofyan. Well, about this guy, he is really unique and super duper easy going. Or I can say, he is a crazy man. Haha. He is also very funny, he always able to make me laugh with his unique behavior. I don’t know but there is something inside him which makes me feel good when he is around. He is younger than me, but sometimes (even seldom,,, ) I found his mature behaviour which is impressed me. I don’t really know this guy since the same like Hemas, I’ve been done with this organization when he is coming in. He is a unique innocent anyway. Haha.

The fifth is Ade Fajar Nugraha. He is quite new in this organization. I never met him before. I know him in this movie making project. He is also younger than me. He is typical kind of calm person but really easy going. He is caring and patient. He is a good listener anyway. I love to talk with him. His words always able to strength me. His words always able to give me spirit and feel good. Just like Lukman, we got closer quickly. He has a very good expression on his face when he is doing acting,,,

The sixth is Muhammad Fauzan Al-Asyiq. As stated in his last name, this guy is really fun. Haha. My opinion toward him is almost the same like my pervious thought about Faizal but I am wrong, totally wrong. He has an excellent sense of humor. His humor is brilliant. Anyway this guy is damn smart and a very fast learner. He has so many skills too, amazing, right? And in his young age, he is very mature and wise. It’s kinda unusual to be mature as well as humorous like him. It’s just good to make friend and cooperate with him. He is called as human with all the things inside. Hehe.

And we have Ely Windarti Hastuti and Rizky Arya Lestari. Those two girls are in charged in controlling all the needs of the movie making process. They work from A-Z for this movie. They really have a high responsibility toward their jobs. They put the team needs above theirs. I never looked them tired of doing their jobs. Mobiling and keep working. I really appreciate people who work hard anyway. Besides, they are the one who encourage us to do the things well like what they’ve done for us. Directly or indirectly, they gave me spirit no matter way. Thank you for working so hard.

Umm,,, about Ridwan Hidayat as the producer, I’ve talked about him in my pervious article. Just want to add some here. I always remember how he forced the division team to work when we are still in the same division in the organization. Well, I love the way he leads us though, even sometimes I think he is too obsessed and almost crazy with his own goals. Hahaha. Well, but that’s good anyway. And one more thing, he has a baby face, don’t you think so?

Also about the director, Dudy Sya’bani Takdir, I’ve talked about him in my pervious article. He is really nice and patient. And he is always able to make me feel relief everytime I scared of making mistake. I always afraid to dissapoint him. But this way encourage me to do the best for him and for the whole team. Another thing, I love the way he thinks about everything in a positive way. I love his writing too. The way he understands his religion and the way he behave is really impressed me. He is unique in my eyes.

And the photographer, Ipung Rosyid Soderi, thank you to get involved in this movie making process. I love your shots! You should get involved more to feel the spirit of this movie. Hehe.

Thank you to mas Wildan Taufiq Baasir and other friends for the spirit in many occasions.

after lunch in the shooting location,,,