The Month Of June, 1999

Hi June,



Yes, that woman was a beauty ! Helena Bonham Carter. She is staring at me right now from my autographed picture of her :) You're from Indonesia. Your English language ability is breathtaking !

Hi Room,



Back in 1999, one they tried to pass as religious clash. It continued and escalated, lasting years. I moved out in 1998 but came back periodically to visit my grandma (she raised me after all) but as things didn't improve in 2000, she told me to never return. At least until things actually get better.



My last avatar was from the TV show, Merlin (BBC). The woman was Katie McGrath who plays Morgana. She's a beauty, isn't she? :)



Helena Bonham Carter... well, what can I say about her? She's brilliant.

Which riot was it might I ask? You certainly seem to have a positive attitude. Is that Helena Bonham Carter on your avatar? Which movie is it if it's her? I'm a fan of hers. Great actress !



Room

Aww.. I feel humbled when it comes from you, Lorraine. Hugssss...

You are an inspiration June,

huggssssssss,

Lorraine

It taught me some things so of course I can't forget it :)



Stop with the sweet talking already! I am too sweet already, hahahahaha.. Thanks for reading, avi!!

wow.. ..a lot has happened ah..

..you seemed to be the type that doesn't forget things from the past easily



well, how could you.. it's a big turning point from what you are today..

..a wonderful lady indeed :]

LOL, huggles Wall!

*silent* I don't want to say anything after that.

Aw, you're making me blush.. :)



Well, the point whether it's the person or the month is debatable but I realized I didn't include in the story the most important thing about the month: I was insanely happy in June 1999.



I learned the joy of hard work. I learned the satisfaction and happiness that comes from knowing you contribute to society, that people around you need you for who and what you are.



I also realized how much my grandmother loved me in her quiet way, as well as how much I loved her in return. I believe nothing beats the first realization of how much selfless love you have in yourself.

Wow,

I didn't know anything about that... Isn't it awesome that instead of destroying you, it strengthened you? Its not the month, its the person that decided to grow up after that.



Your writing is superb.. Looking forward for more. :)

Thanks Iza. I'm glad that it's all behind us now :)

*more hugs*



Yes, june1999, when there is rioting and violence in any part of Indonesia with a lot of ethnic Chinese -- eg. Medan, Jakarta, etc -- Singapore is the automatic destination for the richer ones. They come with their families, their maids, and their *money*.



Take care --



Andrew

Wow. I didn't know it got that far - newspaper weren't allowed to publish any story huh?

The length of mafia hands that were the government. My, my.



I couldn't stomach it either. I remember reading some stranger's blog talking about how she had to flee Indonesia and couldn't bring her toys and then continued to bash the country... I mean, alright the government wasn't much to write home about but she spoke of the country as if it wasn't the place that had nurtured and housed her for her first 20 years.



I remember even then thinking, Good riddance.

(((((HUGS))))))



I wish I could actually hug you. Those were terrible years, june1999. Every single "service apartment" in Singapore was full of Indonesian Chinese, and then they started medi-vac transfers of patients to our hospitals.



The newspapers here were NOT allowed to report the riots properly, to help save face for the then-Government in Jakarta.



Thinking about that feels very bitter; the rich and corrupt Indonesians didn't feel a thing. They just got into their private jets -- we know a family with a Boeing 737! -- and went shopping in Milan or Tokyo or Paris. While they were enjoying their shopping, their homes -- bought with corruption -- were well-guarded with private armies armed with assault rifles. So no problems from rioters for them...



june1999, I love Southeast Asia but it is also one of the saddest and most brutal regions on this planet.



Take care --

Andrew

You're most welcome, milady. It's an important story for me and I had put off writing it until recently and still this is the best I could do, LOL.



Yep, it is self-explanatory :)

You're welcome frito! Yep. I remember tearing up tough frito :D



Very true, KevinCox. If it hadn't been for that, I would've stayed a spoiled brat!

Someone said, "Good people don't deserve those tragedies."



Well, tragedies can and usually do change everything, and good people are made as a result.



Keep Fighting the Good Fight. :-)

Very meaningful name June. thank you for sharing more of yourself with us. I remember first meeting you here on EP when you shared about your Grandmother. You made her come to life for me. :)

And I still can't spell the guy's name!! Nietszche.. Nietzsche.. Bah. LOL.



Thanks for the wonderful world, d. Been a while since I heard from you, too :)

What doesn't kill us strengthens us certainly applies to you. Phoenix rising from the destruction of the riots. Your indomitable courage and heart carry you forward and upward.

Ahhhh.. with all this flattery Imma share other crazy stuff about me!!! LOL. Thanks Arsineh, it's been catarthic, my pleasure to share on EP.



You want rich, rich is what you're getting, Paco - brace yourself!



JulySunSoul, but I love your username - it has such an image! These riots happened in my hometown (got pictures of it in my album - with details). I'm going to share more about it soon in a story.

I wish my screen name had as much meaning as yours :/

Where abouts were these riots if you dont mind me asking? just being curious ol me :)

Thanks for sharing such a significant milestone in your life. EP is a richer environment due to people as yourself.

Paco35 :-)

Beautiful post. So much can often happen in just a month, thank you for sharing this and letting us get to know you a bit better.

Thank you LiL - I turned OK, didn't I, Lordie? :)



NowSure, thanks. I don't really think of it as a sad experience - it's simply something very significant, kind of like a milestone...?



Roj, I think you know the background story more than anybody else on EP!



Blackdog, huh? Well, mine would've been black bear - heavy, overbearing and stubborn :) Thanks for sharing it!

Very interesting June - greatly appreciate the background story - and more so all those pictures ;)

You were so young, still a teenager, right?



And you turned out to be an extraordinary young lady.

Wishing you the best...

Thank you. Love that username by the way, Midnight12Aurora. What an image it brings :)



You guys are definitely part of this group right? With names like ChimericMuse, I can't be wrong!