Uly’s got the words…..

I remember when I used to hang out with my girl friends–taking a break from our cool-but-shitty-paid-job for a quick lunch at Setiabudi Plaza or once-a-week looooooong lunch at Plaza Senayan–we liked dissing women who seemed doing nothing but shopping or having lunch with their friends at the plaza. Those women dressed accordingly, flaunted polished nail and full make-up. They carried brown paper bags with brand names printed on (Mango for the middle class, LV for some serious lucky bitches!). And we the girls liked to think (with jealousy), "Hey, what are they doing here? Don’t they have to work their butts off like us? How come they look so pretty and wear expensive clothes? While we look tired, sweaty, and can only afford Mangga Dua cheap clothes, so we interpret ‘fashionable’ as required by the employer pretty well?"

We the girls liked to think, that we’re very much special. We’re more than just a bunch of women who spend their husband’s money at the mall. We worked like crazy, got some millions rups to pay our bills, to hang out, and to enjoy life to its fullest (Oh, well, with our way of life). We’re proud that we’re poor but we’re very independent.

So, when I was in Seattle, I met my friend Vevy. She’s the type of woman I used to make fun of (because of jealousy. Duuh…) when I lived in Jakarta, when I sometimes had to work 20 straight hours and slept under the table in the editing room. You know, the pretty woman who dresses so well, you feel like crap when you sit next to her. We lunched together. And suddenly, I felt so bad for being so judgmental when I was younger and such a hater.

Because some of those women actually know more than just "shop" or "lunch". Those women could be caring mothers, wonderful wives, some passionate women who put their career on hold, because they have to deal with their domestic issues.

I’m now part of those women, those who lunch at the mall during working hours and being looked down by the career women in their power suits. I stroll my baby around the block while some women work their way up to top managers of prestigious companies.

So, for women at Plaza Senayan, Plaza Indonesia, and some other places in Jakarta who spent time to fulfill their lives by taking care of themselves and their loved ones, I want to say, "Sorry for being so judgmental. Keep doing what you’re doing. Because, man, you’re good. I don’t know how you do that. I don’t have my shitty paid job anymore, but I’m still that girl who doesn’t know how to apply eye liner or to dress like a decent wife. So, please befriend with me. I need to learn one or two from you!"