One day, my friend who is studying in Australia texted me,"Frida, are you studying in the U.S.? I saw your pictures on your Facebook and I wonder why all of your friends are Chinese..."
At that moment, I didn't know why....It's true that most of my friends are Chinese. In my program, Master of Science in Policy Economics (MSPE) in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), there are 45 graduate students, all of us are international students; 13 Chinese (29%), 10 Korean (22%), 7 Turkish (18%), 6 Taiwanese (13%), 2 Indonesian (4%), and the rest are 1 from Italy, 1 from Peru, 1 from Thailand, 1 from Dominican Republic, 1 from Tanzania, 1 from Iran, and 1 from Afghanistan.
Yesterday, when we went to the World Bank and heard the presentation, the presenter gave us an information that 3 countries that sent the largest number of people to study in the U.S. are India, China and Korea!
No wonder why most of my friends are Chinese! :)
That's why UIUC stands for University for Indian and University for Chinese....:)
PS: If I am not mistaken, most Indian are studying in Engineering Science, and most Chinese are studying in Social Science.
Urbana,
March 26th, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
The comparison of standards of living
This is still part of my course, International Financial Economics.
Usually, people will look at the country's GDP per capita to compare how poor or how rich that country is. The GDP per capita is usually in US Dollar so we can compare it between countries. As I mentioned before, according to the Balassa-Samuelson Theory, the prices of goods in rich countries are higher than that in poor countries because of the productivity of labor in rich countries is high, then their wages are higher, the production cost becomes higher and the result is the price tends to be more expensive.
Now we want to compare the GDP per capita of Indonesia and the United States. GDP per capita reflects a yearly income of a person in a country on average.
The U.S. GDP per capita in 2007 was $45,800.
Indonesia GDP per capita in 2007 was only $3,400. (source: www.indexmundi.com)
We can say that the U.S. GDP per capita is 13,47 times the GDP per capita of Indonesia.
In the class, we compared the GDP per capita between the U.S. and India which showed the U.S. GDP per capita is 59 times of India.
"Does this reflect the actual difference in standard of living between the two countries?" my professor asked us in the class, then suddenly I answered him instantaneously, "NO!".
He asked why, I replied, "it depends on the cost of living!" (actually, it was the first and maybe the last time I could think logically).
He said,"Exactly!" that made me flying to the ceiling...
I could say so because based on my experience, when I gathered with friends, we ever compared our salary and expenses in our own country. Before I came here, I thought that my scholarship would be more than enough because I just converted it to Rupiah. As time goes by, I realize that the cost of living in Indonesia much much cheaper than that in the U.S.. In Indonesia, you can buy a hamburger in Mc. Donald by 50 cents (or 5,000 Rupiahs), while in the U.S. it costs us $4 to $5. It is almost 10 times! With 50 cents, you can buy a hamburger in Mc. Donald Indonesia, but in the U.S. you need to spend $5 to buy the same thing!
I have a friend who is a rich guy from Tanzania, but in the U.S., he is poor, as poor as me. Oneday, someone asked him how much money that he got in Tanzania (He also got a scholarship from his office). He told that guy, an American guy, that his salary is around $800. That American guy was almost screaming when he said,"WHHAAAAAATTTTTT??? How could you live with that money????"
Of course it will never be enough in the U.S. but in Tanzania, with that amount of money, my friend could buy a fancy house with many rooms even though he is still single. He only needs one room to take a rest, but because he could make a lot of money in his country, he doesn't know how to waste his money. He could buy luxuries goods or anything he wants to buy. In the U.S., it means nothing.
That is why, you can not just compare the GDP per capita of your country to other country because it is not comparable. Again, it depends on the cost of living!
Urbana,
March 20th, 2009
Usually, people will look at the country's GDP per capita to compare how poor or how rich that country is. The GDP per capita is usually in US Dollar so we can compare it between countries. As I mentioned before, according to the Balassa-Samuelson Theory, the prices of goods in rich countries are higher than that in poor countries because of the productivity of labor in rich countries is high, then their wages are higher, the production cost becomes higher and the result is the price tends to be more expensive.
Now we want to compare the GDP per capita of Indonesia and the United States. GDP per capita reflects a yearly income of a person in a country on average.
The U.S. GDP per capita in 2007 was $45,800.
Indonesia GDP per capita in 2007 was only $3,400. (source: www.indexmundi.com)
We can say that the U.S. GDP per capita is 13,47 times the GDP per capita of Indonesia.
In the class, we compared the GDP per capita between the U.S. and India which showed the U.S. GDP per capita is 59 times of India.
"Does this reflect the actual difference in standard of living between the two countries?" my professor asked us in the class, then suddenly I answered him instantaneously, "NO!".
He asked why, I replied, "it depends on the cost of living!" (actually, it was the first and maybe the last time I could think logically).
He said,"Exactly!" that made me flying to the ceiling...
I could say so because based on my experience, when I gathered with friends, we ever compared our salary and expenses in our own country. Before I came here, I thought that my scholarship would be more than enough because I just converted it to Rupiah. As time goes by, I realize that the cost of living in Indonesia much much cheaper than that in the U.S.. In Indonesia, you can buy a hamburger in Mc. Donald by 50 cents (or 5,000 Rupiahs), while in the U.S. it costs us $4 to $5. It is almost 10 times! With 50 cents, you can buy a hamburger in Mc. Donald Indonesia, but in the U.S. you need to spend $5 to buy the same thing!
I have a friend who is a rich guy from Tanzania, but in the U.S., he is poor, as poor as me. Oneday, someone asked him how much money that he got in Tanzania (He also got a scholarship from his office). He told that guy, an American guy, that his salary is around $800. That American guy was almost screaming when he said,"WHHAAAAAATTTTTT??? How could you live with that money????"
Of course it will never be enough in the U.S. but in Tanzania, with that amount of money, my friend could buy a fancy house with many rooms even though he is still single. He only needs one room to take a rest, but because he could make a lot of money in his country, he doesn't know how to waste his money. He could buy luxuries goods or anything he wants to buy. In the U.S., it means nothing.
That is why, you can not just compare the GDP per capita of your country to other country because it is not comparable. Again, it depends on the cost of living!
Urbana,
March 20th, 2009
"Why the prices of goods in poor countries are cheaper than that in developed countries"
This is a part of International Financial Economics course that I take this semester. It is really interesting to me since many Chinese products in Indonesia are banned by our government nowadays. Mostly because the contents are dangerous for health. For instance are candies, toys, foods, etc. Most people in Indonesia don't wanna buy Chinese product because we are affraid of its poor quality. It is a kind of slogan that Chinese product sucks.
Then my professor, a very smart and talented person, taught us in the class that prices of goods in poor countries are cheaper than that in developed countries. According to the Balassa-Samuelson Theory, it is because of the productivity of labor in poor countries is low, then the quality of the products is low as well. That is why the prices are cheap in poor countries.
Since I came here, I realized that everything is really expensive, even for Chinese products. Then I knew that the quality of the products is really good, and also you can return it if it is broken or you don’t like it, at most 3 months after you bought it and you’ll get your money back. It won’t happen in Indonesia! (“BARANG YANG SUDAH DIBELI TIDAK DAPAT DIKEMBALIKAN”. What the……).
Some Indonesian people who go abroad and find Indonesia’s product while shopping usually prevent themselves from buying it and turn it to other countries product. Now I know that Indonesian products or Chinese products which are sold abroad especially in developed countries usually have a good quality. So China sells their good quality products to rich countries and poor quality to poor countries. Next time while I go for shopping I won’t worry about the quality no matter where it was made.
Yeah…its time to go for shopping, guys!
Urbana,
February 27th, 2009
Then my professor, a very smart and talented person, taught us in the class that prices of goods in poor countries are cheaper than that in developed countries. According to the Balassa-Samuelson Theory, it is because of the productivity of labor in poor countries is low, then the quality of the products is low as well. That is why the prices are cheap in poor countries.
Since I came here, I realized that everything is really expensive, even for Chinese products. Then I knew that the quality of the products is really good, and also you can return it if it is broken or you don’t like it, at most 3 months after you bought it and you’ll get your money back. It won’t happen in Indonesia! (“BARANG YANG SUDAH DIBELI TIDAK DAPAT DIKEMBALIKAN”. What the……).
Some Indonesian people who go abroad and find Indonesia’s product while shopping usually prevent themselves from buying it and turn it to other countries product. Now I know that Indonesian products or Chinese products which are sold abroad especially in developed countries usually have a good quality. So China sells their good quality products to rich countries and poor quality to poor countries. Next time while I go for shopping I won’t worry about the quality no matter where it was made.
Yeah…its time to go for shopping, guys!
Urbana,
February 27th, 2009
Invisible Woman
This is one of my weekly journal at ESL class last semester. It's fun, so enjoy it!
"Invisible Woman"
If I could be anything, I would be an invisible woman! It would be interesting, because I could do anything I want and people around me didn’t know it. I could meet a pop star that I really adore, went to people’s house or apartment and hidden myself when I met someone I hate. There would be many things I could do if I were invisible.
Sometimes, I really want to do something weird but I’m afraid that people will think that I’m crazy. For example, I really want to lay my head on Brad Pitt’s shoulder, share my life with him personally and have a romantic candle light dinner. But it sounds impossible because Brad Pitt doesn’t know me. If I were invisible, I could go to Brad Pitt’s house, laid my head on his shoulder. It would be the most unforgettable moment in my life. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to share my life with him personally nor had a romantic candle light dinner because he wouldn’t be able to see me, but it wouldn’t matter. At least I still could see him closely, touched him and even kissed him! (This is one of my wild imagination).
I like to see people’s places, especially the big and neat house or apartment. But if I don’t know the owner, maybe they will be angry if a stranger comes in to their house/apartment like a theft. If I were invisible, I could enter people’s house/apartment, or I could enter a very famous public figure’s house or apartment. I could see inside their apartment/house, used their furniture and acted as I were the owner.
Other thing that I could do if I were invisible, I could hide from a debt collector (even though I don’t have any debt with anybody now) or someone I hate. I could hide from my boss when he needed me, from a job that I didn’t like. I could hide from any moments/persons that made me feel inconvenient. I would feel free and nobody would annoy or disturb me.
In conclusion, being invisible would be very fun; knowing that you could do anything you want and people didn’t realize it. You don’t have to be worried of being caught. Just enjoy whatever you could do!
Urbana,
February 23rd, 2009
"Invisible Woman"
If I could be anything, I would be an invisible woman! It would be interesting, because I could do anything I want and people around me didn’t know it. I could meet a pop star that I really adore, went to people’s house or apartment and hidden myself when I met someone I hate. There would be many things I could do if I were invisible.
Sometimes, I really want to do something weird but I’m afraid that people will think that I’m crazy. For example, I really want to lay my head on Brad Pitt’s shoulder, share my life with him personally and have a romantic candle light dinner. But it sounds impossible because Brad Pitt doesn’t know me. If I were invisible, I could go to Brad Pitt’s house, laid my head on his shoulder. It would be the most unforgettable moment in my life. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to share my life with him personally nor had a romantic candle light dinner because he wouldn’t be able to see me, but it wouldn’t matter. At least I still could see him closely, touched him and even kissed him! (This is one of my wild imagination).
I like to see people’s places, especially the big and neat house or apartment. But if I don’t know the owner, maybe they will be angry if a stranger comes in to their house/apartment like a theft. If I were invisible, I could enter people’s house/apartment, or I could enter a very famous public figure’s house or apartment. I could see inside their apartment/house, used their furniture and acted as I were the owner.
Other thing that I could do if I were invisible, I could hide from a debt collector (even though I don’t have any debt with anybody now) or someone I hate. I could hide from my boss when he needed me, from a job that I didn’t like. I could hide from any moments/persons that made me feel inconvenient. I would feel free and nobody would annoy or disturb me.
In conclusion, being invisible would be very fun; knowing that you could do anything you want and people didn’t realize it. You don’t have to be worried of being caught. Just enjoy whatever you could do!
Urbana,
February 23rd, 2009
"Unfaithful" Movie Review
This was my journal on ESL (English as a Second Language) class last semester here, in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I wrote this as a weekly journal, our assignment for a semester. Here is the journal and at the end of this note is the comment from the teacher. Enjoy it!
Movie Review
“Unfaithful”
Unfaithful is a movie that is starred by Diane Lane, Richard Gere and Olivier Martinez. Richard Gere (Edward Sumner) and Diane Lane (Connie Sumner) are husband and wife. They have a son, Charlie (Erik Per Sullivan) and they live in a very big house in a suburb in New York. Their life looks so perfect until an accidental meeting happens between Connie and a very handsome Frenchman, Paul (Olivier Martinez) and they start an affair that finally makes things go bad.
The movie makes very few attempts to convince us that Connie needs the affair, because the truth is that she doesn’t need it. She is beautiful and she has a handsome husband that really loves her. She also has a cute son. They are happy and rich as well. Their life is so perfect. Just because Connie’s friend jokes with her, having an affair should be considered like taking a pottery class — it is something fun to try out. This seems making Connie approaches the affair. It’s something she’s never tried, and the idea, and the follow-through, of the affair turns her on even more than the actual affair itself. Is she in love with Paul? Actually she is not in love with Paul. She is just in love with having the affair. This is so bad.
Her husband, Edward, has a sympathetic character. But unfortunately, he made a wrong decision to be involved in a murder. He killed Paul after he finds his wife’s love affair. This is weird because a nice person will not be involved in a murder. He is a very good husband, but it reminds us that a very good husband maybe had a bad role in his past years. Nobody is perfect. Maybe he played Paul’s role in the past.
Paul, as a very charming person, is not anywhere close to be our hero. This guy is a player, the kind of man that probably has two or three women lined up to take Connie’s place as soon as she ends the affair. Paul is not in love because he already has another target in-between his afternoon sessions with Connie. He is a kind of guy that you don’t want to be your best friend, because he will take any chance to steal your girlfriend just to prove that he can. Paul is just a person who is blessed with a good looking face and he can make a friendship easily with every woman.
This is an interesting movie because it tells us that everything will be so bad if you make a love affair. In my opinion, only a fool would have an affair. In this movie, Connie begins an affair with Paul. The affair becomes hot and heavy and ends in misery and violence when Connie’s husband, Edward, finds out the affair, and on the spur of the moment, goes to introduce himself to Paul and then Edward kills Paul. Edward, as a good man, looks like so easy to kill Paul. It does not make sense because a good man who has no experience in a murder, should find difficulties in killing someone. At least you will be so nervous while doing it. But in this movie, Edward looks so calm and confident while killing Paul. On the other hand, as a drama, this movie is a thrilling drama that is not easy to forget. Diane Lane played her role totally that made her got widespread praise for her performance. This movie is good to remind us that a love affair will turn everything bad.
Then my teacher, Nisha Agha, a half Pakistan and a half Irish, wrote this:
"Are affairs common in Indonesia? In America they are very common so I think people here may be able to relate better to the characters.
I think your last sentence sums up your thoughts well."
Gosh!
Urbana,
February 20th, 2009
Movie Review
“Unfaithful”
Unfaithful is a movie that is starred by Diane Lane, Richard Gere and Olivier Martinez. Richard Gere (Edward Sumner) and Diane Lane (Connie Sumner) are husband and wife. They have a son, Charlie (Erik Per Sullivan) and they live in a very big house in a suburb in New York. Their life looks so perfect until an accidental meeting happens between Connie and a very handsome Frenchman, Paul (Olivier Martinez) and they start an affair that finally makes things go bad.
The movie makes very few attempts to convince us that Connie needs the affair, because the truth is that she doesn’t need it. She is beautiful and she has a handsome husband that really loves her. She also has a cute son. They are happy and rich as well. Their life is so perfect. Just because Connie’s friend jokes with her, having an affair should be considered like taking a pottery class — it is something fun to try out. This seems making Connie approaches the affair. It’s something she’s never tried, and the idea, and the follow-through, of the affair turns her on even more than the actual affair itself. Is she in love with Paul? Actually she is not in love with Paul. She is just in love with having the affair. This is so bad.
Her husband, Edward, has a sympathetic character. But unfortunately, he made a wrong decision to be involved in a murder. He killed Paul after he finds his wife’s love affair. This is weird because a nice person will not be involved in a murder. He is a very good husband, but it reminds us that a very good husband maybe had a bad role in his past years. Nobody is perfect. Maybe he played Paul’s role in the past.
Paul, as a very charming person, is not anywhere close to be our hero. This guy is a player, the kind of man that probably has two or three women lined up to take Connie’s place as soon as she ends the affair. Paul is not in love because he already has another target in-between his afternoon sessions with Connie. He is a kind of guy that you don’t want to be your best friend, because he will take any chance to steal your girlfriend just to prove that he can. Paul is just a person who is blessed with a good looking face and he can make a friendship easily with every woman.
This is an interesting movie because it tells us that everything will be so bad if you make a love affair. In my opinion, only a fool would have an affair. In this movie, Connie begins an affair with Paul. The affair becomes hot and heavy and ends in misery and violence when Connie’s husband, Edward, finds out the affair, and on the spur of the moment, goes to introduce himself to Paul and then Edward kills Paul. Edward, as a good man, looks like so easy to kill Paul. It does not make sense because a good man who has no experience in a murder, should find difficulties in killing someone. At least you will be so nervous while doing it. But in this movie, Edward looks so calm and confident while killing Paul. On the other hand, as a drama, this movie is a thrilling drama that is not easy to forget. Diane Lane played her role totally that made her got widespread praise for her performance. This movie is good to remind us that a love affair will turn everything bad.
Then my teacher, Nisha Agha, a half Pakistan and a half Irish, wrote this:
"Are affairs common in Indonesia? In America they are very common so I think people here may be able to relate better to the characters.
I think your last sentence sums up your thoughts well."
Gosh!
Urbana,
February 20th, 2009
Footprints in the Sand
Footprints in the Sand has been seen in print by people around the world over since the late 1940's. All that time no author has been credited with this immortal work, only 'Author Anonymous' has appeared at the bottom. Then I found in a website that the original author of this poem was Mary Stevenson. I really like this poem because it is so touching and inspiring me when I'm down and feeling blue and having many huge problems in my life, then after remembering this, I will feel better.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most tiring periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen
only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson
Urbana,
February 5th, 2009
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most tiring periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen
only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson
Urbana,
February 5th, 2009
frappuccino oh frappuccino...
Last night, me and my friends (Xiaowei Tian and Wayne) had dinner together at Mandarin Wok, a Chinese restaurant in Champaign. After having dinner, me and Tian wanted to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks but Wayne didn't want to, so Tian and I went in to Starbucks coffee shop. Tian ordered a medium cup of espresso, while I was still considering what I should order, I remembered that I used to order frappuccino when I was in Indonesia. But when my order came, I was so shocked because it was an iced coffee!!! Oh my goodness!! It was 8 pm and the temperature was so cold, around -2 degree of Celsius.....then I couldn't stop laughing and laughing.....
Wayne asked me a stupid question,"is there any Starbucks in Indonesia?"
I replied,"Of course!! Don't underestimate my country!"
Then he asked,"so why did you order it?" with a silly smile in his face...
"Because my country is sooooo hot, so I used to order this....but I didn't realize that I'm in America now, and I didn't realize that now is almost winter with this killing temperature........"
hahahaha.......
So next time, before I order something, I have to make sure that my order is suitable with the temperature....!
Urbana,
November 11th, 2008
Wayne asked me a stupid question,"is there any Starbucks in Indonesia?"
I replied,"Of course!! Don't underestimate my country!"
Then he asked,"so why did you order it?" with a silly smile in his face...
"Because my country is sooooo hot, so I used to order this....but I didn't realize that I'm in America now, and I didn't realize that now is almost winter with this killing temperature........"
hahahaha.......
So next time, before I order something, I have to make sure that my order is suitable with the temperature....!
Urbana,
November 11th, 2008
feeling blue..
I'm missing the time I shared together with my friends in Indonesia; rinda, mira, andyan, mbak riza, novi, ifah, karolina, richard, bance...oh how I miss them all now...
I remembered that everyday, during our lunch hour, from 12 am to 1 pm, me and my colleagues usually went to BDN, Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia, ITC Kuningan, Tanah Abang. These are our most favorite places for shopping....
Every Friday, when the lunch hour is longer than other days, we had our lunch at Sushi Tei (most frequent visited), Chopstick, or tried new restaurants in everywhere...
Now I don't have enough time to do that...
So many homeworks and exams make me stuck in the middle of nowhere..
No time to watch TV, no time to update the news, no time to have fun!
Even I need more than 24 hours a day! What a life...
All of these tasks and assignments bury me so deeply...deeper and deeper...
It makes me frustrated...
Oh Frida...stop complaining!!! Go back to your notes and textbooks!!!
As Obama said,"YES!!! WE CAN!!!!!!" ^_^
Urbana,
November 6th, 2008
I remembered that everyday, during our lunch hour, from 12 am to 1 pm, me and my colleagues usually went to BDN, Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia, ITC Kuningan, Tanah Abang. These are our most favorite places for shopping....
Every Friday, when the lunch hour is longer than other days, we had our lunch at Sushi Tei (most frequent visited), Chopstick, or tried new restaurants in everywhere...
Now I don't have enough time to do that...
So many homeworks and exams make me stuck in the middle of nowhere..
No time to watch TV, no time to update the news, no time to have fun!
Even I need more than 24 hours a day! What a life...
All of these tasks and assignments bury me so deeply...deeper and deeper...
It makes me frustrated...
Oh Frida...stop complaining!!! Go back to your notes and textbooks!!!
As Obama said,"YES!!! WE CAN!!!!!!" ^_^
Urbana,
November 6th, 2008
an announcement
I just realized that I haven't update this blog for so long....oh my...
Since I'm on facebook, I wrote many things as notes....
I will transfer all of my notes on facebook to this blog.
Here we go...
Since I'm on facebook, I wrote many things as notes....
I will transfer all of my notes on facebook to this blog.
Here we go...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
God's blessing
Finally, after 3 years of marriage, my husband moved to Jakarta, livin' in the same city with me and our lovely son Jerome. Now, many simple things look so great and wonderful. Wake up together, having breakfast together, go to the office together and sleepin' together...
When I wake up every morning, I can see his face and thank God for giving me a gorgeous husband.
Every night, we discuss many things together before we go to bed. We chit and chat about anything that sounds good.
I hope this will be a better way to start our new life. Thanks God..
When I wake up every morning, I can see his face and thank God for giving me a gorgeous husband.
Every night, we discuss many things together before we go to bed. We chit and chat about anything that sounds good.
I hope this will be a better way to start our new life. Thanks God..
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